JP6195222B2 - Kitchen faucet - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a kitchen faucet attached to a kitchen.

  A kitchen faucet has been proposed that discharges water obliquely toward the lower side and the user side (front side) instead of discharging water vertically from the spout part (for example, the following patents) Reference 1). Such a kitchen faucet has a spout portion extending obliquely toward the upper side and the user side, and is configured to discharge water from an outer surface on the user side of the spout portion. . Since the spout is not horizontal and is extended obliquely as described above, a wide space below the spout (between the spout and the sink) is secured, and dishes, cooking utensils, and ingredients This makes it easier to perform operations such as washing.

  By the way, in a kitchen faucet that discharges water in a shower-like manner, a so-called “water splash” phenomenon may occur in which the discharged water scatters to the user side after reaching the bottom of the object to be cleaned or the sink. Then, in the kitchen faucet described in the following patent document 1, the above-mentioned water splash is suppressed by devising the shape of the part which discharges water in the shape of a shower. Specifically, the shape of the portion that discharges water in a shower shape is a vertically long shape along the extending direction (longitudinal direction) of the spout portion. In other words, the shape of the portion that discharges water in a shower shape is shortened in the left-right direction and long in the depth direction (up-down direction) when viewed from the user side.

  In the kitchen faucet having such a configuration, the width of the shape of the entire group of water flow discharged in a shower shape (hereinafter also referred to as “whole water flow shape”) becomes narrower when viewed from the user side. The amount of water droplets splashing on the surface is reduced.

  In addition, even if the water flow on the back side (rear side) of the shower-like water flow reaches the bottom surface of the sink etc. as seen from the user and becomes water droplets and splashes to the user side, the water droplets are on the near side (front side) Side), the water droplets are prevented from reaching the user. That is, in order to ensure cleaning performance, it is necessary to lengthen the dimension of the entire water flow shape in the depth direction, but water splashing does not increase for that purpose.

  As described above, the kitchen faucet described in Patent Document 1 below, in which the spout portion is slanted and the shape of the portion from which water is discharged in a shower-like shape is vertically long, is easy to perform a cleaning operation and has less water splashing. It ’s easy to use.

  By the way, in the cleaning work performed in the kitchen, small items such as chopsticks and spoons as well as large items such as pots are to be cleaned. That is, articles of various sizes are washed with water discharged from the kitchen faucet.

  In view of the general usage of kitchen faucets, when operating small items such as chopsticks, the operation unit is designed to reduce the flow rate of discharged water compared to cleaning large items such as pans. Is often operated. That is, it can be said that there is a correlation between the size of the object to be cleaned and the flow rate of water discharged from the kitchen faucet.

JP 2010-106652 A

  If the flow rate of discharged water is reduced in order to clean small items such as chopsticks, the water pressure in the internal space of the spout part, that is, the water pressure immediately before being discharged becomes low. In particular, in the kitchen faucet described in Patent Document 1, that is, the kitchen faucet having a configuration in which the spout portion is slanted and the shape of the portion from which water is discharged like a shower is vertically long, The water pressure at the top is very small. This is because the water existing in the upper part of the internal space is less affected by the weight of the water added from above.

  Accordingly, if the flow rate of the discharged water is reduced, the flow rate of the water discharged from above the spout part is significantly reduced. Therefore, as in the kitchen faucet described in Patent Document 1, the spout part is on the lower side and In the case of a structure in which water is discharged obliquely toward the user side (front side), the trajectory of the water flow discharged from above the spout unit and the trajectory of the water flow discharged from below are equal to each other. Don't be. As a result, the individual water streams discharged from the plurality of water discharge holes may merge to form an integrated water stream that flows down from the spout portion without becoming a shower.

  In particular, as in the kitchen faucet described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in order to make it difficult for the water splashed by landing on the sink to splash outside the plurality of water streams that are discharged like a shower, When the interval between the water discharge holes is narrow so as to be dense, the water flows are more likely to merge with each other, so that the water flow becomes a more integrated water flow and easily flows down from the spout portion. Such a water flow (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “constricted flow”) cannot exhibit sufficient cleaning performance as compared with a shower-like water flow, and is not visually attractive.

  Moreover, the water flowing down as a contracted flow as described above does not flow obliquely from the spout portion toward the user side (front side), but flows down substantially vertically downward from the spout portion. For this reason, the user has to perform the cleaning operation in a state where the object to be cleaned is pushed out from the normal side, and cannot perform the cleaning operation in an easy posture. Thus, the usability of the kitchen faucet is impaired.

  Therefore, in order to maintain the cleaning performance without causing contraction and enable the cleaning operation in an easy posture, a configuration or usage in which the flow rate of the discharged water is always set to a large flow rate is also conceivable. . However, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of saving water to discharge a large flow rate of water even when washing small items such as chopsticks.

  It is also conceivable that the range in which water is discharged in a shower-like manner is narrowly formed in advance only in consideration of cleaning of small products. However, in the kitchen faucet having such a configuration, a large-sized product cannot be washed at a stretch in a short time, so the advantage of discharging water in a shower-like manner is impaired.

  This invention is made in view of such a subject, The objective is made into the structure which made the spout part diagonal, and made the shape of the part into which water is discharged in the shape of a shower diagonally downward on the user side vertically. Even if it exists, it is providing the kitchen faucet which does not impair the ease of use, without generating a contraction in the case of discharging a small flow rate of water and deteriorating the cleaning performance.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a kitchen faucet according to the present invention is provided on a spout portion extending upward in a state inclined to a user side, and on a user-side outer surface of the spout portion. And from a vertically long region along the extending direction of the spout portion, a shower water discharge portion that discharges water so as to form a shower-like water flow toward the user side and the lower side, and is discharged from the shower water discharge portion. An operation unit that is a part operated by a user to adjust the flow rate of water, and a pressure that is a space for receiving water supplied from the outside inside the shower water discharge unit of the spout unit A chamber is formed, and the water supplied to the pressure chamber is discharged from the shower water discharge portion, and when the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge portion is small, the upper portion of the pressure chamber In A water pressure increasing means for increasing the water pressure in the pressure chamber is further provided in the spout portion so as to suppress discharge of water having a low flow velocity due to a low water pressure, and the water pressure increasing means Is configured such that the change in the water pressure in the pressure chamber with respect to the change in the flow rate of the discharged water is greater when the flow rate is smaller than when the flow rate of the water discharged from the shower water discharger is large. It is characterized by being.

  When the kitchen faucet according to the present invention is attached to the kitchen, the spout portion does not become horizontal, but is inclined to the user side and extended upward. Since the spout portion is attached to the kitchen in such an inclined state, a wide space below the spout portion (between the spout portion and the sink) is secured.

  A shower water spouting portion that discharges water so as to form a shower-like water flow is provided on the outer surface on the user side of the spout portion. The shower water discharge part is comprised so that water may be discharged toward the user side (front side) and the downward side from the vertically long area | region along the extension direction of a spout part. The flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger is adjusted by the operation of the operation unit by the user.

  A pressure chamber, which is a space for receiving water supplied from the outside (water pipe), is formed in the spout portion inside the shower water discharge portion. The water supplied to the pressure chamber is discharged from the shower water discharge unit. When the flow rate of discharged water is large, the flow rate of water supplied from the outside to the pressure chamber is large, so that the water pressure in the pressure chamber increases. On the contrary, when the flow rate of discharged water is small, the flow rate of water supplied from the outside to the pressure chamber is small, so that the water pressure in the pressure chamber is low. In particular, the water pressure in the upper part of the pressure chamber tends to be lower than the water pressure in the lower part of the pressure chamber due to the influence of gravity. Therefore, when the flow rate of the discharged water is small, it is conceivable that the flow rate of the water discharged from the upper part of the shower water discharge unit is extremely low.

  Therefore, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, in order to suppress such a decrease in the flow rate, a water pressure increasing means is provided inside the spout portion. The water pressure increasing means is configured to suppress the discharge of water having a low flow rate due to the low water pressure in the upper part of the pressure chamber when the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge unit is small. It increases the water pressure in the room. Further, the water pressure increasing means is configured so that the change in the water pressure in the pressure chamber with respect to the change in the flow rate of the discharged water is greater when the flow rate is small than when the flow rate of the water discharged from the shower water discharge unit is large. It is configured. That is, when the flow rate of the water discharged from the shower water discharger is small, the water pressure in the pressure chamber is greatly increased only by slightly increasing the flow rate by operating the operation unit.

  With such a configuration, when the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge unit is small (in order to wash small items such as chopsticks), the water pressure in the pressure chamber increases by the water pressure increasing means, and the discharged water The flow rate becomes faster. As a result, the occurrence of contraction flow is suppressed, and a shower-like water flow is reliably formed, so that deterioration in cleaning performance is suppressed. Moreover, the water discharged from the shower water spouting part does not flow downward vertically from the spout part, but flows from the spout part toward the user side (front side). For this reason, the user can perform the cleaning operation in an easy posture as in the case where the discharged flow rate is large.

  By the way, as a configuration for suppressing the discharge of water having a low flow velocity while the water pressure in the pressure chamber is low, it is also conceivable to increase the water pressure in the pressure chamber by a mechanism installed outside the spout unit. For example, even if a mechanism that supplies a large amount of water to the spout unit with only a slight operation of the operation unit is provided outside the spout unit, the occurrence of contraction is suppressed and a shower-like A water flow is reliably formed. However, in such a configuration, since the relationship between the flow rate of discharged water and the operation amount of the operation unit is not intuitive, the usability of the kitchen faucet is impaired. Moreover, since it becomes difficult to discharge a small flow of water, it is not desirable from the viewpoint of saving water.

  Therefore, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, the water pressure increasing means is provided not inside the spout part but inside as described above. With such a configuration, the relationship between the flow rate of the discharged water and the operation amount of the operation unit can be made intuitive, and a small flow rate of water can be easily discharged.

  Further, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, the shower water discharge portion has a plurality of water discharge holes as outlets of the water to be discharged, and the area of the portion of the water discharge holes that can actually discharge water. Is defined as the total opening area, the water pressure increasing means changes the total opening area according to the flow rate of water supplied to the pressure chamber, thereby It is also preferable to increase the water pressure in the pressure chamber.

  In this preferred embodiment, the water pressure increasing means is configured to change the total opening area according to the flow rate of water supplied to the pressure chamber, thereby increasing the water pressure in the pressure chamber. The total opening area is the sum of the areas of the water discharge holes (holes serving as water outlets) formed in the shower water discharge portion, of the portions that can actually discharge water.

  As a mode of changing the total opening area so that the water pressure in the pressure chamber increases, for example, a mode in which the opening area of each water discharge hole is reduced, or a water discharge hole in a state where water cannot be discharged. The aspect which increases the number of these is mentioned.

  In this preferred embodiment, a complicated mechanism such as a pressurizing pump is not disposed inside the spout unit, but the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased by a simple configuration in which the total opening area is changed. Generation | occurrence | production can be suppressed reliably.

  Further, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, the water pressure increasing means changes the total opening area so that the area of the shower water discharger that discharges water in a shower shape changes. Is also preferable.

  When the total opening area is changed by reducing the opening area of each water discharge hole, thereby increasing the water pressure in the pressure chamber, each water flow that forms a shower (from each water discharge hole) Each discharged water flow) becomes thin. As a result, when the water flow on the back side (rear side) of the shower-like water flow reaches the bottom surface of the sink and the like and is scattered as a water droplet on the user side, the water droplet is on the user side. There is a high possibility of reaching the user without hitting the (thin) water flow. Therefore, when the flow rate of the discharged water is reduced, water splash may increase.

  Therefore, in this preferred embodiment, the water pressure raising means changes the total opening area so that the area of the shower water discharger that discharges water in a shower shape changes. That is, the total opening area is changed by increasing the number of water discharge holes in a state where water cannot be discharged instead of reducing the individual water discharge holes.

  In such a configuration, the thickness of each shower-like water flow is substantially constant regardless of the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge unit. For this reason, when the flow rate of the discharged water is reduced, an increase in water splash can be suppressed.

  Moreover, when the flow rate of the discharged water is small, the shape of the entire group of water flows discharged in a shower shape (the overall water flow shape) becomes small. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of waste water which reaches | attains and is discharged | emitted after being discharged from a shower water discharge part, without hitting small goods, such as chopsticks, can be suppressed. That is, the water flow when the flow rate of the discharged water is small can be a water flow suitable for cleaning small items such as chopsticks.

  Further, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, the water pressure increasing means has a shape of a region of the shower water discharger that discharges water in a shower-like shape along a length along the extending direction of the spout. It is also preferable to change.

  In this preferable aspect, the water pressure increasing means changes the shape of the region where water is discharged in a shower-like manner in the shower water discharge portion in the length along the extending direction of the spout portion. That is, the shape of the region where water is discharged in a shower-like manner in the shower water discharge portion is changed so that the dimension in the depth direction of the entire water flow shape changes as viewed from the user side.

  With such a configuration, when the flow rate of discharged water is small, the dimension in the depth direction of the entire water flow shape is shortened. That is, the range in which the water discharged from the kitchen faucet is applied changes in a direction that is not vertically long. As a result, since it becomes possible to pour water over a narrower range, it is possible to further suppress the generation of wasted water when washing small items such as chopsticks.

  Further, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, the shower water discharge section is divided into a plurality of water discharge areas, and the water pressure increasing means determines the number of the water discharge areas discharging water from the shower water discharge section. It is also preferable to be configured to change in stages according to the flow rate of the discharged water.

  In the case where the area of the shower water discharge unit that discharges water is configured to be continuously changed according to the flow rate of the discharged water, the flow rate is increased by operating the operation unit. Even in this case, the flow velocity of the individual water flow forming the shower shape does not change so much. For this reason, if the object to be cleaned is significantly contaminated, even if the flow rate is increased to wash away the object, the overall water flow shape only increases and the flow rate does not change, so that the cleaning performance is hardly improved.

  Therefore, in this preferred embodiment, the shower water discharge section is divided into a plurality of water discharge areas, and the number of water discharge areas discharging water changes stepwise according to the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge section. Is configured to do. That is, the area of the shower water discharge unit that discharges water does not change continuously, but gradually in units of areas (water discharge areas) divided into a plurality of sections (water discharge areas) ( It is configured to change (discretely).

  For this reason, when the flow rate is gradually increased by the operation of the operation unit, the number of water discharge areas discharging water does not change for a while, and the flow rate gradually increases with the flow rate of discharged water. After that, after the number of water discharge areas from which water is discharged increases by one, the flow rate (and flow velocity) of water discharged from the water discharge area and the water discharge area from which water has been discharged so far is increased. It gradually increases.

  Thus, in this preferable aspect, in the predetermined flow rate range, the flow rate of water discharged from the water discharge area is changed without changing the area of the water discharge area of the shower water discharge section. It becomes possible. For example, when the chopsticks, which are small objects to be cleaned, are very dirty, the water flow rate and flow rate are increased without changing the overall water flow shape (no waste water is generated), and the cleaning performance is improved. This makes it possible to wash chopsticks.

  In the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, the water pressure raising means has a plurality of on-off valves, and each on-off valve closes a flow path between the pressure chamber and the water discharge area. When the water pressure in the pressure chamber rises to a preset open water pressure, the flow path is opened, and the height of each open water pressure is set to be different for each on-off valve. It is also preferable.

  In this preferred embodiment, the water pressure increasing means has a plurality of on-off valves. Each on-off valve closes the flow path between the pressure chamber and the water discharge area, and opens the flow path when the water pressure in the pressure chamber rises to a preset open water pressure. The height of the open water pressure set for each on-off valve is set to be different for each on-off valve. Therefore, when the water pressure in the pressure chamber is gradually increased, the plurality of on-off valves are not opened at the same time, but are opened one by one in order. As a result, the number of water discharge areas from which water is discharged increases.

  Thus, in this preferable aspect, the number of the water discharge area | region which is discharging water can be increased by the simple structure which arrange | positions a some on-off valve inside a spout. That is, the area of the shower water discharger that discharges water can be increased stepwise.

  Further, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, when the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased from the state where the number of the water discharge areas discharging water is 0, the water starts to be discharged first. When the water discharge area is the first water discharge area, it is also preferable that the on-off valve is also disposed in the flow path between the pressure chamber and the first water discharge area.

  In this preferable aspect, the on-off valve is also arranged in the flow path between the pressure chamber and the first water discharge area. The first water discharge region is a water discharge region that starts to discharge water first when the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased from a state where the number of water discharge regions discharging water is zero. Therefore, in this preferable aspect, on-off valves corresponding to the respective water discharge areas are arranged.

  Immediately after the operation unit is operated and the water pressure in the pressure chamber starts to rise (when the water pressure is lower than any open water pressure), the flow path between the pressure chamber and the first water discharge area is also an open / close valve. Since it is in the closed state, the number of water discharge areas discharging water is zero. Since the water is discharged after the water pressure in the pressure chamber becomes high, the shower-like water flow is surely formed from the time when the water starts to be discharged, so that the appearance is beautiful and the cleaning performance is also exhibited. In addition, a phenomenon in which water flows down vertically from the spout portion immediately after the start of water discharge is also prevented.

  Moreover, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, when the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased from a state where the number of the water discharge areas discharging water is 0, the water faucet is disposed on the upper side. It is also preferable to be configured to start discharging water sequentially from the water discharge area.

  In this preferable aspect, when the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased from a state where the number of water discharge areas discharging water is 0, the water discharge areas arranged on the upper side (user side) are sequentially arranged. It is comprised so that it may begin to discharge water. In other words, the shape of the region where water is discharged in a shower-like manner in the shower water spouting portion is configured to spread from the near side to the far side as seen from the user as the flow rate increases.

  With such a configuration, when water is discharged from the shower water discharger, water is always discharged from the water discharge region located closest to the user, regardless of the flow rate of water. Has been. In other words, even if the flow rate of the discharged water changes, the range of the water flow in the shower shape does not change so as to approach the user side. For this reason, even if an operation part is operated so that flow volume may be increased and the range of the water flow used as a shower will spread, it will not splash water on a user's clothes etc. by it. In addition, since water is always discharged from the water discharge area that is closest to the user as viewed from the user side, the user does not have to bend greatly and can perform a cleaning operation in an easy posture.

  Further, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, when the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased from the state where the number of the water discharge areas discharging water is 0, the water starts to be discharged first. It is also preferable that the water discharge area is smaller than any other water discharge area.

  In this preferred embodiment, the water discharge area that starts discharging water first when the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased from the state where the number of water discharge areas discharging water is zero is any other than that. It is smaller than the water discharge area. That is, when water is discharged at a small flow rate, water is discharged only from the smallest water discharge area. Since the overall water flow shape is reduced, it is possible to further suppress the generation of wasted water when washing small items such as chopsticks.

  Further, in the kitchen faucet according to the present invention, the water pressure increasing means is further at least on the user side than the position of the tip on the user side of the spout portion when the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge portion is small. It is also preferable to narrow the area of the shower water discharger that discharges water in a shower-like manner to the extent that the water reaches.

  In this preferable aspect, when the flow rate of the water discharged from the shower water discharger is small, at least the position of the spout part on the user side tip, the water reaches the user side more than the position of the shower water discharger. Among them, the area where water is discharged like a shower is narrowed.

  Even when the flow rate of the discharged water is small, the water is not discharged vertically downward from the spout part, but is discharged so as to reach a position close to the user side. For this reason, the user does not need to bend greatly and can always perform the cleaning work in an easy posture.

  According to the present invention, even when the spout portion is inclined and the shape of the portion where water is discharged in a shower shape obliquely downward on the user side is vertically long, the spout portion is contracted when discharging a small amount of water. It is possible to provide a kitchen faucet that does not cause flow and does not deteriorate the cleaning performance and does not impair the usability.

It is a perspective view showing the state where the kitchen faucet concerning the first embodiment of the present invention was attached to the sink of the kitchen. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the spout part among the kitchen faucets shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the kitchen faucet shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the form of the water flow discharged from the kitchen faucet shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the flow volume of the water discharged from the kitchen faucet shown in FIG. 1, and the flow velocity. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the kitchen faucet which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the form of the watering board in the kitchen faucet which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate the understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a kitchen faucet according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a sink of a kitchen. The sink SK has an upper surface SKS that is a flat and horizontal surface. A portion at the approximate center of the upper surface SKS is recessed in a concave shape, and a space SKD is formed. Water from the kitchen faucet KF is discharged toward the space SKD and discharged from a drain outlet (not shown) to the sewage pipe.

  The kitchen faucet KF has a lower end fixed to a portion of the upper surface SKS on the back side of the space SKD. The kitchen faucet KF includes a base 10, a spout unit 40, an operation unit 70, and a switching button 80.

  The base 10 is a lower part of the kitchen faucet KF, and the lower end thereof is fixed to the upper surface SKS of the sink SK. The base 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending upward from the upper surface SKS, and the central axis thereof is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface SKS.

  The spout part 40 is an upper part of the kitchen faucet KF, and extends so as to extend further upward from the upper end of the base part 10. The spout portion 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape like the base portion 10, but its central axis is inclined toward the user side as shown in FIG. A rectifying water discharger 410 and a shower water discharger 420 are provided on the user-side side surface (front side outer surface) of the spout unit 40, and these are water discharged from the kitchen faucet KF. It is an exit.

  The rectifying and discharging unit 410 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the spout unit 40. The rectifying water discharger 410 is configured to discharge water from a single water discharge hole so that the water becomes a single stream of water (not a shower).

  The shower water discharger 420 is disposed on a lower side (back side as viewed from the user) than the rectifying water discharger 410. The shower water discharger 420 has a plurality of water discharge holes formed in substantially the entire vertically long region along the extending direction of the spout unit 40. By discharging water from the plurality of water discharge holes, the water is configured as a shower-like water flow.

  The direction in which water is discharged from the rectifying water discharger 410 and the direction in which water is discharged from the shower water discharger 420 are both directions perpendicular to the central axis of the spout unit 40. That is, it is a direction inclined with respect to the upper surface SKS and is a direction from the spout portion 40 toward the lower side and the front side (user side).

  As described above, the kitchen faucet KF according to the present embodiment has the spout portion 40 inclined toward the user side, and allows water to flow downward from the spout portion 40 toward the front side (user side). It is the structure which discharges. For this reason, compared with the structure which discharges water toward the vertically downward direction like the general kitchen faucet KF, the space below the spout part 40 is ensured widely, and tableware, cooking utensils, foodstuffs This makes it easier to perform operations such as washing.

  The operation unit 70 is a part operated by a user in order to adjust the flow rate of water discharged from the rectifying water discharge unit 410 and the shower water discharge unit 420. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 70 is disposed on the side surface of the base 10 and has an operation lever 71. When the user grasps the operation lever 71 and rotates the operation unit 70, water having a flow rate corresponding to the rotation angle is discharged from the rectifying water discharge unit 410 and the shower water discharge unit 420. Specifically, a flow rate adjustment valve (not shown) is arranged inside the base 10, and the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve changes with the rotation angle (operation amount) of the operation unit 70. ing.

  The switching button 80 is operated by the user in order to switch between a state in which water is discharged from the rectifying water discharge unit 410 and a state in which water is discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420. The switching button 80 is disposed at the upper end of the spout unit 40 and moves forward and backward along the central axis of the spout unit 40.

  The kitchen faucet KF cannot discharge water from both the rectifying water discharger 410 and the shower water discharger 420 at the same time, and is configured to discharge water from only one of them. When the user presses the switching button 80 once in a state where water is discharged only from the rectifying water discharger 410, the state is switched to a state where water is discharged only from the shower water discharger 420. When the user presses the switching button 80 again, the state returns to the state where water is discharged only from the rectifying and discharging unit 410.

  For example, when performing an operation of drawing water into a container such as a cup (water drawing operation), it is convenient to set the state in which water is discharged only from the rectifying and discharging unit 410. In addition, when performing the cleaning operation, it is convenient to make a state in which water is discharged only from the shower water discharge unit 420.

  The configuration of the spout unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the spout unit 40 in the kitchen faucet KF. Among these, FIG. 2 (A) is the figure which looked at the spout part 40 from the front side front (along the direction in which water is discharged). FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the spout unit 40. That is, it is a figure which shows the cross section when the spout part 40 is cut | disconnected along the direction in which water is discharged. FIG. 2B shows a cross section of the spout unit 40 in a state where water is discharged from the entire shower water discharge unit 420.

  Inside the spout unit 40, a flow path for receiving water flowing from the water pipe via the base 10 and guiding it to the rectifying water discharging unit 410 and the shower water discharging unit 420 is formed. The flow path includes a first flow path 450, a second flow path 451, a pressure chamber 460, and a rectification flow path 452.

  The first flow channel 450 is a portion that receives water flowing from the base portion 10 into the spout portion 40. The second channel 451 is a channel formed on the downstream side of the first channel 450 and is a narrow channel formed along a surface opposite to the shower water discharger 420. The water that has flowed into the spout 40 from the base 10 passes through the first flow path 450 and the second flow path 451 in order, and then flows into a pressure chamber 460 or a rectification flow path 452 described later.

  The flow path 452 for rectification is a flow path that connects the downstream end of the second flow path 451 and the rectified water discharge section 410. The pressure chamber 460 is a space formed between the shower water discharger 420 and the second flow path 451, and a flow path that connects the downstream end of the second flow path 451 and the shower water discharger 420. It has become. That is, the downstream side of the second channel 451 is branched into two channels (rectifying channel 452 and pressure chamber 460), and the water passing through the first channel 450 and the second channel 451 is rectified. The water discharger 410 or the shower water discharger 420 can be reached.

  A valve body 81 is disposed on the downstream side of the second flow path 451. The valve body 81 moves up and down in FIG. 2B as the user presses the switching button 80 to block the inlet of the rectifying flow path 452 or block the inlet of the pressure chamber 460. It will be one of the states.

  For this reason, the kitchen faucet KF has a state in which the path through which water flows from the second channel 451 to the rectifying channel 452 is blocked by the valve body 81 as shown in FIG. 2B (only the shower water discharger 420) In a state where water is discharged from the second flow path 451 or a state in which a path through which water flows into the pressure chamber 460 is blocked by the valve body 81 (a state where water is discharged only from the rectifying water discharge unit 410). Either.

  The shower water discharger 420 is constituted by a water spray plate 421 in which a plurality of water discharge holes 422 are formed. The watering plate 421 is a plate disposed so as to close the pressure chamber 460 from the user side, and forms a part of the outer surface of the spout unit 40. The water flowing into the pressure chamber 460 from the second flow path 451 is discharged to the outside through the respective water discharge holes 422, whereby a shower-like water flow is formed.

  The watering plate 421 is a substantially rectangular plate, and is arranged so that its long side is along the longitudinal direction (extending direction) of the spout portion 40. Further, the water spray plate 421 is curved so that the central portion in the width direction (short side direction) is convex toward the water discharge direction.

  The plurality of water discharge holes 422 formed in the water spray plate 421 are divided into three groups (a first group 423, a second group 424, and a third group 425) as shown in FIG. In each group, 48 water discharge holes 422 are arranged in 8 rows × 6 columns, and the whole is rectangular. The first group 423 is a group formed on the uppermost side (user side), and the third group 425 is a group formed on the lowermost side (base 10 side). The second group 424 is a group formed at a position between the first group 423 and the third group 425. That is, the first group 423, the second group 424, and the third group 425 are arranged in order from the top along the longitudinal direction of the spout portion 40.

  A portion of the pressure chamber 460 on the shower water discharger 420 side is divided into three spaces (partition plates 427 arranged perpendicular to the water spray plate 421 and partition walls 428 arranged parallel to the water spray plate 421 ( It is divided into a first space 461, a second space 462, and a third space 463). These correspond to the first group 423, the second group 424, and the third group 425 described above. That is, all the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423 communicate the first space 461 and the external space, and all the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the second group 424 connect the second space 462 and the external space. The water discharge holes 422 belonging to the third group 425 are all in communication with the third space 463 and the external space. In the following description, the portion inside the pressure chamber 460 from the partition wall 428 (on the side opposite to the water spray plate 421) is referred to as “0th space 464”.

  The partition wall 428 is formed with a through hole HL1 that allows the first space 461 and the zeroth space 464 to communicate with each other. In addition, an annular valve seat 441 is formed on the surface of the partition wall 428 on the water spray plate 421 side so as to surround the through hole HL1 from the outside.

  A flat valve body 471 is accommodated in the first space 461. The valve body 471 is disposed in parallel with the partition wall 428 and is movable along a direction perpendicular to the partition wall 428. The entire outer periphery of the valve body 471 is in contact with the inner surface of the first space 461, and the first space 461 is divided into two spaces by the valve body 471 as shown in FIG. However, since the through hole 477 is formed in the valve body 471, these two spaces communicate with each other through the through hole 477.

  A disc-shaped packing 474 is fixed to the surface of the valve body 471 on the partition wall 428 side. The packing 474 is fixed to a portion of the valve body 471 on the inner side of the through hole 477, but its outer shape is larger than that of the valve seat 441. For this reason, when the valve body 471 moves to the partition wall 428 side, the packing 474 is pressed against the entire valve seat 441, and the through hole HL1 is closed by the valve body 471.

  A cylindrical rod 481 extending toward the partition wall 428 is fixed at the center of the valve body 471. The center axis of the rod 481 is perpendicular to the partition wall 428. The rod 481 is held (guided) by a sliding guide 484 formed so as to penetrate the partition wall 428 so as to be movable together with the valve body 471 along the central axis.

  The end of the rod 481 opposite to the side on which the valve body 471 is fixed is disposed inside the zeroth space 464. A stopper 487 that is a disc perpendicular to the central axis of the rod 481 is fixed in the vicinity of the end. A coil spring 491 is disposed between the stopper 487 and the partition wall 428, and the rod 481 penetrates the center of the coil spring 491. The stopper 487 is biased away from the partition wall 428 by the coil spring 491. In other words, the valve body 471 is biased in a direction approaching the partition wall 428.

  In a state where water is not discharged from the kitchen faucet KF, the packing 474 is pressed against the entire valve seat 441 by the coil spring 491, and the through hole HL1 is closed by the valve body 471. That is, the water in the 0th space 464 cannot flow out to the first space 461 and the shower water discharger 420.

  When water flows into the spout unit 40 via the base 10 from the water pipe (water supply source), the water pressure in the 0th space 464 rises, and the valve body 471 has the water pressure as shown in FIG. Is pushed down to the water spray plate 421 side. Since the valve body 471 is separated from the valve seat 441 and the through hole HL1 is not blocked, the water in the 0th space 464 flows into the first space 461 through the through hole HL1. The water passes through the through-hole 477 and flows into the space between the valve body 471 and the water spray plate 421, and then is discharged to the outside through the water discharge hole 422.

  When the valve body 471 is pushed down to the water spray plate 421 side, the stopper 487 comes into contact with the end surface of the sliding guide 484 before the valve body 471 comes into contact with the water spray plate 421. It has become. Thus, it is suppressed that the valve body 471 contacts the water spray plate 421 and blocks the water discharge hole 422.

  In the above, the structure of the first space 461 and the valve body 471 accommodated in the first space 461 has been specifically described. However, the structure of the second space 462 and the valve body 472 accommodated in the second space 462, and The structures of the third space 463 and the valve body 473 accommodated in the third space 463 are the same as those described above.

  Therefore, in a state where water is not discharged from the kitchen faucet KF, the packing 475 is pressed against the entire valve seat 442 by the coil spring 492, and the through-hole that allows the second space 462 and the zeroth space 464 to communicate with each other. HL2 is closed by the valve body 472. Similarly, the packing 476 is pressed against the entire valve seat 443 by the coil spring 493, and the through hole HL 3 that communicates the third space 463 and the zeroth space 464 is closed by the valve body 473. ing.

  However, the spring constant of the coil spring 491 is smaller than the spring constant of the coil spring 492. The spring constant of the coil spring 492 is smaller than the spring constant of the coil spring 493. For this reason, the force with which the packing 474 of the valve body 471 is pressed against the valve seat 441 is the weakest, and the force with which the packing 476 of the valve body 473 is pressed against the valve seat 443 is the strongest.

  The spring constants of the coil springs 491, 492, and 493 are different from each other as described above. For this reason, when the water pressure in the 0th space 464 is gradually increased (when the flow rate adjustment valve is opened by rotating the operation unit 70), the valve body 471 first moves away from the valve seat 441. Then, the valve body 472 is separated from the valve seat 442, and finally, the valve body 473 is separated from the valve seat 443. As a result, when water is discharged from the shower water discharger 420, water does not start to be discharged simultaneously from all the water discharge holes 422, but first, water is discharged only from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423. start.

  The discharge of water from the shower water discharge unit 420 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the operation of the kitchen faucet KF. The vertical section of the spout part 40 is shown in the upper part of each of FIG. 3 (A) thru | or (D).

  Moreover, each lower stage of FIG. 3 (A) thru | or (D) shows how water is discharged from the shower water discharging part 420, when the spout part 40 is in the state shown in each upper stage. FIG. In the drawing, of the water discharge holes 422, those drawn as black circles indicate the water discharge holes 422 from which water is discharged. What is drawn as an unfilled circle indicates a water discharge hole 422 from which water is not discharged.

  FIG. 3A shows the state of the spout unit 40 when the flow rate adjustment valve arranged inside the base 10 is completely closed. The spout unit 40 is not supplied with water from the water pipe, and the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420 is zero.

  Further, the water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 (the 0th space 464) at this time is low, and the force received by the valve body 471 by the water pressure is small. For this reason, the packing 474 is pressed against the entire valve seat 441 by the urging force of the coil spring 491, and the through hole HL1 is closed by the valve body 471. Similarly, the through hole HL2 is closed by the valve body 472, and the through hole HL3 is also closed by the valve body 473.

  Here, for all the water discharge holes 422 formed in the shower water discharge unit 420, the total area of the portions that can actually discharge water is defined as “total opening area”. In the state shown in FIG. 3A, the through holes HL1, HL2, and HL3 are all closed, and there is no portion that can discharge water in all the water discharge holes 422. For this reason, the total opening area is zero.

  Since the pressure chamber 460 (the 0th space 464) is an elongated space along the longitudinal direction of the spout portion 40, the water pressure in the upper portion is lower than the water pressure in the lower portion due to the influence of gravity. . For this reason, when water starts to be discharged from the state shown in FIG. 3A (when the flow rate of discharged water is small), the water discharge of the shower water discharger 420 is caused by such a distribution of water pressure. Of these, it is conceivable that the flow rate of the water discharged from the upper part becomes extremely low. Therefore, the kitchen faucet KF is configured such that the water pressure in the 0th space 464 is increased by the mechanism in the spout unit 40, and the flow rate of the discharged water is increased. In other words, a mechanism (water pressure increasing means) for increasing the water pressure in the 0th space 464 so as to suppress the discharge of water having a low flow velocity due to the low water pressure in the upper portion in the 0th space 464. ) In the spout unit 40. This will be described in detail below.

  When the user grasps the operation lever 71 and rotates the operation unit 70 from the state shown in FIG. 3A (however, the rotation angle is small), the flow rate adjustment valve is opened inside the base 10. Thus, water begins to flow into the first flow channel 450 of the spout unit 40. At this time, since the through holes HL1, HL2, and HL3 are all closed, the water pressure in the 0th space 464 starts to rise with the inflow of water.

  Due to the water pressure, a force in a direction toward the water spray plate 421 is applied to the valve body 471. However, in the state immediately after the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve is small (the operation amount of the operation unit 70 is small) and the water pressure in the 0th space 464 starts to rise, the force applied to the valve body 471 by the water pressure However, the biasing force of the coil spring 491 is still larger. For this reason, the valve body 471 does not move depending on the force received from the water pressure, and the through hole HL1 remains blocked by the valve body 471. Further, although force is also applied to the valve body 472 and the valve body 473 by water pressure, the urging forces of the coil springs 492 and 493 are both greater than the urging force of the coil spring 491. For this reason, the valve body 472 and the valve body 473 also do not move depending on the force received from the water pressure. The total open area is still 0.

  Thus, even if the operation unit 70 is started to rotate, the valve bodies 471, 472, 473 do not move at that time. The spout unit 40 remains in the state shown in FIG. 3A, and water is not discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420. In this way, it is possible to prevent water having a low flow rate from being discharged while the water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 (the 0th space 464) (particularly, the water pressure in the upper portion) remains low.

  Thereafter, when the water pressure in the zeroth space 464 further increases due to the inflow of water, the force applied to the valve body 471 by the water pressure becomes larger than the urging force of the coil spring 491. The valve body 471 is pushed down toward the water spray plate 421 by the water pressure, and water begins to flow from the 0th space 464 into the first space 461. As a result, water begins to be discharged from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423. FIG. 3B shows a state at this time.

  At this time, the force applied to the valve body 472 by the water pressure is smaller than the urging force of the coil spring 492. Further, the force applied to the valve body 473 by the water pressure is smaller than the biasing force of the coil spring 493. For this reason, the valve body 472 and the valve body 473 do not move yet depending on the force received from the water pressure. The through hole HL2 remains blocked by the valve body 472, and the through hole HL3 remains blocked by the valve body 473. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3B, water is discharged only from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423, and water is not discharged from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the second group 424 and the third group 425. The total opening area is equal to the sum of the opening areas of all the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423.

  After water begins to be discharged from the shower water discharger 420, the water pressure in the spout unit 40 becomes steady. That is, unless the rotation angle of the operation unit 70 is changed by the user's operation, the water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 does not increase and remains constant, so the state shown in FIG. 3B is continued.

  When the user further rotates the operation unit 70 from the state shown in FIG. 3B, the flow rate of water flowing into the first flow path 450 of the spout unit 40 increases. The water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 (0th space 464) further rises, and the force applied to the valve body 472 by the water pressure becomes larger than the urging force of the coil spring 492. The valve body 472 is pushed down toward the water spray plate 421 by the water pressure, and water begins to flow from the 0th space 464 into the second space 462. As a result, water begins to be discharged from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the second group 424 in addition to the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423. FIG. 3C shows the state at this time.

  At this time, the force applied to the valve body 473 by the water pressure is smaller than the urging force of the coil spring 493. For this reason, the valve body 473 does not move yet depending on the force received from the water pressure. The through hole HL3 remains blocked by the valve body 473. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3C, water is not discharged from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the third group 425. The total opening area is equal to the sum of the opening areas of all the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423 and the second group 424. That is, the total opening area is larger than the state shown in FIG.

  Also in FIG.3 (C), the water pressure in the spout part 40 is steady. That is, unless the rotation angle of the operation unit 70 is changed by the user's operation, the water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 does not increase and remains constant, so the state shown in FIG. 3C is continued.

  When the user further rotates the operation unit 70 from the state shown in FIG. 3C, the flow rate of water flowing into the first flow path 450 of the spout unit 40 is further increased. The water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 (0th space 464) further rises, and the force applied to the valve body 473 by the water pressure becomes larger than the urging force of the coil spring 493. The valve body 473 is pushed down toward the water spray plate 421 by the water pressure, and water starts to flow from the 0th space 464 into the third space 463. As a result, water begins to be discharged also from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the third group 425. That is, water is discharged from all the water discharge holes 422 formed in the water spray plate 421. FIG. 3D shows the state at this time. The total opening area is equal to the sum of the opening areas of all the water discharge holes 422 formed in the water spray plate 421. That is, the total opening area is further increased as compared with the state shown in FIG.

  When the cleaning operation is completed and the user rotates the operation unit 70 in the reverse direction, the water discharge from the shower water discharge unit 420 stops. The kitchen faucet KF returns to the state shown in FIG. 3A from the state shown in FIG.

  At this time, the inside of the pressure chamber 460 is filled with water, but the through holes HL1, HL2, and HL3 are respectively closed by the valve bodies 471, 472, and 473. The water in 460 does not flow out from the shower water discharger 420 to the outside. That is, even though an operation for stopping the discharge of water is performed, a phenomenon (water dripping) in which water flows out from the shower water discharger 420 does not occur after that.

  As described above, in the kitchen faucet KF according to the present embodiment, when the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 is small, water is discharged from a narrow range in the shower water discharger 420. On the other hand, when the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 is large, water is discharged from a wide range of the shower water discharger 420. Further, such a change in the size of the discharge region is automatically performed according to the flow rate of the discharged water (in accordance with the operation amount of the operation unit 70).

  Further, since the water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 is increased by the operation of the plurality of valve bodies (471, 472, 473) arranged in the spout unit 40, the water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 is low. It is suppressed that water is discharged as it is. That is, it is suppressed that water with a low flow velocity is discharged due to the low water pressure in the upper part of the spout unit 40. As a result, the water discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420 does not contract.

  The water pressure in the 0th space 464 when the valve body 471 is separated from the valve seat 441 is defined as the open water pressure of the valve body 471. Similarly, the water pressure in the 0th space 464 when the valve body 472 is separated from the valve seat 442 is defined as the open water pressure of the valve body 472. The water pressure in the 0th space 464 when the valve body 473 is separated from the valve seat 441 is defined as the open water pressure of the valve body 473. As is apparent from the above description, these three open water pressures have different heights. In the kitchen faucet KF, it is possible to gradually increase the area of the shower water discharger 420 that discharges water by arranging a plurality of valve bodies (open / close valves) having different open water pressures. It is said.

  Moreover, the shape of the area | region which is discharging water in the shower shape among 420 of the shower water discharging parts changes in the length along the extending direction of the spout part 40. FIG. In other words, the shape of the region of the shower water discharger 420 that discharges water in a shower shape changes so that the dimension in the depth direction of the water flow changes as viewed from the user side.

  With such a configuration, when the flow rate of discharged water is small, the dimension of the water flow in the depth direction is shortened. That is, the range where the water discharged from the kitchen faucet KF is applied changes in a direction that is not vertically long. As a result, since it becomes possible to pour water over a narrower range, it is possible to further suppress the generation of wasted water when washing small items such as chopsticks.

  In the present embodiment, the change of the discharge area based on the flow rate of the discharged water is realized by making the spring constants of the coil springs 491, 492, and 493 different from each other. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the size of the pressure receiving area of each of the packings 474, 475, and 476 may be made different from each other after making the spring constants of all the coil springs 491, 492, and 493 all the same. In such a configuration, the magnitudes of the forces received by the valve bodies 471, 472, and 473 are different from each other due to the water pressure in the zeroth space 464, and therefore, they move at different timings. Even in such a configuration, the size of the discharge region is automatically changed based on the flow rate of the discharged water (the operation amount of the operation unit 70).

  In the kitchen faucet KF according to the present embodiment, a mechanism including valve bodies 471, 472, 473, coil springs 491, 492, 493 and the like is disposed inside the spout unit 40. When the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420 is small (when the operation amount of the operation unit 70 is small), the mechanism closes all or part of the flow path leading from the 0th space 464 to the outside. As a result, the water pressure in the 0th space 464 is increased, thereby increasing the flow rate of the discharged water. That is, the mechanism functions as a water pressure increasing means in the present invention.

  When the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 is small, the flow path is blocked by the two valve bodies (472, 473), so the outlet of the water is relatively small and the discharged water is The water pressure change in the 0th space 464 with respect to the flow rate change is large. In addition, when the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 is increased, the flow path is blocked by one valve body 473, so that the water outlet is relatively large, and the flow rate of the discharged water changes. The water pressure change in the 0th space 464 is small. As described above, when the flow rate of the water discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420 is small, the water pressure increasing means increases the water pressure in the 0th space 464 greatly only by slightly increasing the flow rate by operating the operation unit 70. It is configured as follows.

  FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the form of the water flow discharged from the kitchen faucet KF, and schematically shows a state in which the cleaning operation is performed in the kitchen. Among these, FIG. 4 (A) shows a state in which small items such as chopsticks are being washed.

  When the object to be cleaned OB is small as shown in FIG. 4A, the operation unit 70 is operated by the user so that the flow rate of water discharged from the kitchen faucet KF is small. As a result, in FIG. 4 (A), the spout unit 40 is in the state shown in FIG. 3 (B), and water is discharged only from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423.

  In FIG. 4A, since the entire group of water streams discharged in a shower shape is thin, most of the water discharged from the kitchen faucet KF hits the object to be cleaned OB and contributes to the removal of dirt. doing. That is, the generation of waste water that reaches the sink SK and is discharged without hitting the object to be cleaned OB is suppressed. Further, although the flow rate of water discharged from the kitchen faucet KF is small, water is discharged only from a narrow area of the shower water discharger 420 (in other words, the total opening is set by the mechanism in the spout unit 40). Since the area is reduced and the water pressure in the 0th space 464 is increased), the flow rate of the discharged water is increased, and the cleaning performance is improved. For this reason, even if it is a small amount of water discharge, the dirt adhering to the to-be-cleaned object OB is washed away reliably.

  Moreover, although the flow volume of the water discharged from the shower water discharging part 420 is small, the water discharged from the shower water discharging part 420 does not flow down vertically from the spout part 40, but the user side of the spout part 40 It flows so as to reach the user side further than the position of the tip. In other words, the water pressure in the 0th space 464 is increased to such an extent that such a flow is formed.

  FIG. 4B shows a state in which a medium-sized product such as a dish is being washed. As shown in FIG. 4B, when cleaning an object OB larger than chopsticks or the like, the operation unit 70 is operated by the user so that the flow rate of water discharged from the kitchen faucet KF is increased. Is done. As a result, in FIG. 4 (B), the spout part 40 is in the state shown in FIG. 3 (C), and from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the second group 424 in addition to the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423. Even water is being discharged.

  In FIG. 4B, the entire group of water flows discharged in a shower shape is thicker than the state shown in FIG. For this reason, it is possible to wash the entire object to be cleaned OB, which is a medium-sized product, at once in a short time. However, since water is not discharged from all the water discharge holes 422 formed in the water spray plate 421, the generation of waste water that reaches the sink SK without being hit by the object to be cleaned OB is generated. It is still suppressed.

  FIG. 4C shows a state where a large item such as a pan is being washed. When the object to be cleaned OB is large as shown in FIG. 4C, the operation unit 70 is operated by the user so that the flow rate of water discharged from the kitchen faucet KF is further increased. As a result, in FIG. 4C, the spout unit 40 is in the state shown in FIG. 3D, and water is also discharged from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the third group 425. That is, water is discharged from all the water discharge holes 422 formed in the water spray plate 421.

  In FIG. 4C, the entire group of water flows discharged in a shower shape is thicker than the state shown in FIG. For this reason, it is possible to wash the entire object OB, which is a large product, at once in a short time.

  As described above, in the kitchen faucet KF, the flow rate of water is reduced when cleaning small items such as chopsticks, and the flow rate of water is increased when cleaning large items such as pots. It is configured to be able to discharge an appropriate water flow according to the object to be cleaned OB by changing the size of the area from which water is discharged according to the flow rate.

  In addition, since the water pressure in the 0th space 464 is increased according to the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420, the flow rate is caused by the low water pressure in the upper portion of the 0th space 464. Is suppressed from being discharged. As a result of an increase in the flow rate of the discharged water, the occurrence of contraction is suppressed, and a shower-like water flow is reliably formed, so that deterioration in cleaning performance is suppressed. Moreover, the water discharged from the shower water discharging part 420 does not flow down vertically from the spout part 40, but flows toward the user side (front side) from the spout part 40. For this reason, the user can perform the cleaning operation in an easy posture as in the case where the discharged flow rate is large.

  By the way, as a configuration for suppressing discharge of water having a low flow velocity while the water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 (in the 0th space 464) is low, a pressure chamber is provided by a mechanism installed outside the spout unit 40. It is also conceivable to increase the water pressure in 460. For example, even when a mechanism for supplying a large flow of water to the spout unit 40 by operating the operation unit 70 slightly is provided outside the spout unit 40, the occurrence of contraction is suppressed. A shower-like water flow is reliably formed. However, in such a configuration, since the relationship between the flow rate of discharged water and the operation amount of the operation unit is not intuitive, the usability of the kitchen faucet is impaired. Moreover, since it becomes difficult to discharge a small flow of water, it is not desirable from the viewpoint of saving water.

  Therefore, in the kitchen faucet KF, as described above, a mechanism for increasing the water pressure in the pressure chamber 460 (in the 0th space 464) is provided not inside the spout unit 40 but inside. With such a configuration, the relationship between the flow rate of discharged water and the operation amount of the operation unit 70 is intuitive, and a small flow rate of water can be easily discharged.

  The configuration in which the area of the water discharge area is changed according to the flow rate is preferable in the cleaning operation as described above, but in the operation of drawing water into a container such as a cup (water drawing operation). Is not preferred. This is because if the thickness of the entire water flow changes according to the flow rate, a part of the water may be removed from the container (inlet).

  Therefore, the kitchen faucet KF includes the rectifying and discharging unit 410 described above as a discharging unit for drawing water. If the switch button 80 is manually operated to discharge water from the rectifying and discharging unit 410, the thickness of the water flow hardly changes depending on the flow rate, so that water can be appropriately drawn into containers of various sizes. It can be carried out.

  As described above, the kitchen faucet KF can discharge water in an appropriate manner regardless of whether the cleaning operation or the water drawing operation performed in the kitchen is performed. In particular, in the cleaning operation, when cleaning a large product, it can be cleaned at a stretch in a short time, and even when cleaning a small product, it is possible to suppress generation of wasted water and deterioration of cleaning performance. it can.

  By the way, switching between the state in which water is discharged from the shower water discharger 420 and the state in which water is discharged from the rectifying water discharger 410 also automatically changes according to the flow rate of water discharged from the kitchen faucet KF. It is possible to make it. However, whether the cleaning operation is performed with water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 or whether the water pumping operation is performed with water discharged from the rectifying water discharger 410 is determined and discharged from the kitchen faucet KF. There is no correlation with the flow rate of water. That is, it cannot be determined that the cleaning operation is being performed because the flow rate of the discharged water is equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate, and conversely, it can be determined that the water drawing operation is being performed. Can not. For this reason, it is not appropriate to automatically switch whether the water is discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420 or the rectifying water discharge unit 410 based on the flow rate of water, the operation amount of the operation unit 70, or the like.

  Therefore, in the kitchen faucet KF, switching between the state in which water is discharged from the shower water discharger 420 and the state in which water is discharged from the rectifying water discharger 410 is not automatically performed. It is configured to be performed by 80 operations, that is, manually. As described above, items that are automatically adjusted (the size of the area in the shower water discharge unit 420 where water is discharged) and items that are manually adjusted by the user (whether or not to discharge water in a shower shape) ) Is appropriately divided, the operational feeling of the kitchen faucet KF is good.

  Next, the relationship between the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420 and the flow velocity will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship, in which the flow rate of discharged water is shown on the horizontal axis, and the flow rate of discharged water is shown on the vertical axis.

  The case where the operation amount of the operation unit 70 by the user is small (the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve arranged inside the base 10 is small) and the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420 is small has already been described. Thus, water is discharged only from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423. In FIG. 5, a flow rate range in which water is discharged only from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423 is shown as a flow rate range AR1.

  When the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 increases and exceeds the flow rate range AR1, water begins to be discharged also from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the second group 424. In FIG. 5, water is discharged from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423 and the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the second group 424 in this way (however, water is discharged from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the third group 425. The range of the flow rate is not shown) is shown as a flow rate range AR2.

  When the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 further increases and exceeds the flow rate range AR2, water begins to be discharged also from the water discharge holes 422 belonging to the third group 425. In FIG. 5, a flow rate range in which water is discharged from all the water discharge holes 422 in this way is indicated as a flow rate range AR3.

  Here, the area | region in which the water discharge hole 422 which belongs to the 1st group 423 among the shower water discharge parts 420 is formed is defined as the 1st water discharge area | region J1. Similarly, a region where the water discharge hole 422 belonging to the second group 424 is formed is defined as a second water discharge region J2, and a region where the water discharge hole 422 belonging to the third group 425 is formed is referred to as a third water discharge region J3. Define. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the shower water discharger 420 is divided into three water discharge areas (first water discharge area J1, second water discharge area J2, and third water discharge area J3).

  As shown in FIG. 5, as long as the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 changes within the flow rate range AR1, the flow rate and flow rate of water change according to the operation amount of the operation unit 70. The number of the water discharge holes 422 discharging the water and the total opening area are not changed. That is, water is discharged only from the first water discharge area J1, and the number of water discharge areas discharging water remains 1 regardless of the flow rate.

  Moreover, when the flow rate of the water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 exceeds the flow range AR1, the number of water discharge regions discharging water is changed from 1 to 2 because water starts to be discharged from the second water discharge region J2. Change (total opening area increases). Thereafter, as long as the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 changes within the flow range AR2, the flow rate and flow rate of water change according to the operation amount of the operation unit 70, but water is discharged. The number of the water discharge holes 422 and the total opening area are not changed. That is, water is discharged only from the first water discharge area J1 and the second water discharge area J2 (from other than the third water discharge area J3), and the number of water discharge areas discharging water remains 2 regardless of the flow rate. It is.

  Moreover, when the flow rate of the water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 exceeds the flow range AR2, the water discharge from the third water discharge region J3 starts to be discharged, so the number of water discharge regions discharging water is from 2 to 3. Change (total open area further increases). Thereafter, as long as the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 changes within the flow rate range AR3, the flow rate and flow rate of water change according to the operation amount of the operation unit 70, but water is discharged. The number of the water discharge holes 422 and the total opening area are not changed. That is, water is discharged from all the water discharge areas, and the number of water discharge areas discharging water remains 3 regardless of the flow rate.

  Thus, the kitchen faucet KF is configured such that the number of water discharge areas discharging water changes stepwise according to the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharge unit 420. In other words, the area of the shower water discharger 420 that discharges water does not change continuously, but the area of each area (water discharge area) divided into a plurality of levels is used as a unit. (Discretely).

  With such a configuration, it is possible to change only the flow rate (and flow velocity) of water discharged from the water discharge area without changing the area of the water discharge area of the shower water discharger 420. It has become. For example, when the chopsticks (which are small products) are very dirty, the flow rate is adjusted within a range not exceeding the flow rate range AR1, thereby changing the thickness of a group of water streams discharged in a shower-like manner ( It is possible to increase the flow rate (and flow velocity) of water (without causing waste water) and to clean the chopsticks with improved cleaning performance.

  Similarly, it is possible to increase the flow rate of water while discharging water only from the first water discharge area J1 and the second water discharge area J2, and a state where water is discharged from all the water discharge areas. It is also possible to increase the flow rate of water.

  The dotted line DL1 shown in FIG. 5 indicates the minimum flow rate of water required for the water discharged from the shower water discharger 420 to form a shower-like water flow. When the flow rate of the discharged water falls below the dotted line DL1, the water discharged from the water discharge holes 422 adjacent to each other is integrated and flows down as a contracted flow (not a shower-like water flow). . As a result, the cleaning performance is significantly reduced.

  Also, the dotted line DL2 shown in FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the flow rate of water and the flow velocity in the case where water is always discharged from the entire shower water discharger 420 (from all water discharge holes 422). ing. In such a configuration, since the flow rate of the discharged water and the flow rate are substantially proportional, when the flow rate of the discharged water is reduced (in order to clean a small product), the flow rate of the water is surely the dotted line DL1. The cleaning performance will be reduced. Therefore, in order to clean a small product with high cleaning performance, it is necessary to increase the flow rate (although most of the discharged water does not hit the object to be cleaned), and a large amount of wasted water Will occur.

  Therefore, in the kitchen faucet KF, regardless of the magnitude of the flow rate of the discharged water, a shower-like water flow is surely formed without the water flow rate falling below the dotted line DL1. The spring constants of the coil springs 491, 492, and 493, the hole diameter of the water discharge hole 422, and the like are designed. As a result, even when the flow rate of water discharged to clean small products is reduced, the flow rate becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and a shower-like water flow is reliably formed, so that high cleaning performance is maintained.

  As already described, in the state immediately after the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve is small (the operation amount of the operation unit 70 is small) and the water pressure in the zeroth space 464 starts to rise, the valve bodies 471, 472, 473 does not move depending on the force received from the water pressure, and the water is not discharged from the shower water discharger 420. That is, when the water pressure in the 0th space 464 is lower than a predetermined pressure, the number of water discharge areas discharging water is set to zero.

  Until the water pressure in the 0th space 464 becomes high to some extent (while it is lower than the open water pressure of the valve body 471), water is not discharged from the shower water discharger 420, so the flow rate of water is the dotted line shown in FIG. Never fall below DL1. In other words, since water is discharged after the water pressure in the 0th space 464 becomes high, the shower-like water flow is surely formed and the appearance is beautiful, and the cleaning performance is also reliably exhibited. In such a configuration, a time lag occurs between when the user starts operating the operation unit 70 and when water starts to be discharged. However, since the time required for the water pressure in the 0th space 464 to rise is very short, the usability of the kitchen faucet KF is not impaired by the time lag.

  In the kitchen faucet KF, when the water pressure in the 0th space 464 is increased from the state where the number of water discharge areas discharging water is 0 as shown in FIG. Water starts to be discharged from the water discharge area J1. Thereafter, as the water pressure in the 0th space 464 increases, water starts to be discharged in the order of the second water discharge area J2 and the third water discharge area J3.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the first water discharge area J1, which is an area where water is first started to be discharged, is viewed from the user side than the second water discharge area J2, which is an area where water is subsequently started to be discharged. It arrange | positions in the near position (in this embodiment, the upper side among the spout parts 40). For this reason, in the state where water is being discharged from the shower water discharger 420, water is always discharged from the first water discharge region J1 closer to the user as viewed from the user side, regardless of the flow rate of the discharged water. Has been. In other words, even if the flow rate of the discharged water changes, the range of the water flow in the shower shape does not change so as to approach the user side. For this reason, even if the operation unit 70 is operated so as to increase the flow rate and the range of the water flow that is in the shower-like shape is widened, the user's clothes and the like are not splashed thereby. In addition, there is an advantage that the user does not need to lean forward greatly when washing dishes or hands.

  It is desirable that the first water discharge area J1 located closest to the user side is the area where water starts to be discharged first, as described above, but the farthest position viewed from the user side. Of course, it is possible to set the third water discharge area J3 (on the lower side of the spout portion 40 in the present embodiment) as an area where water is first discharged.

  FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the operation of the kitchen faucet, that is, the kitchen faucet KFa according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the vertical cross-section of the spout part 40a is shown by the same method as in FIG.

  The kitchen faucet KFa differs from the kitchen faucet KF only in the respective spring constants of the coil springs 491a, 492a, 493a, and the other configuration is the same as that of the kitchen faucet KF. In the kitchen faucet KFa, the spring constant of the coil spring 491a that biases the valve body 471a is the largest, and the spring constant of the coil spring 493a that biases the valve body 473a is the smallest.

  For this reason, when the water pressure in the 0th space 464a rises, the valve body 473a arranged at the lowermost position (the farthest position when viewed from the user side) moves first, and the 0th space 464a moves from the 0th space 464a to the first position. Water begins to flow into the third space 463a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, water begins to be discharged from the water discharge holes 422a belonging to the third group 425a.

  Thereafter, as the water pressure in the 0th space 464a increases, as shown in FIG. 6C, water begins to be discharged from the water discharge holes 422a belonging to the second group 424a. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6D, water begins to be discharged from the water discharge holes 422a belonging to the first group 423a.

  In the kitchen faucet KF according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the number of water discharge holes 422 belonging to the first group 423, the number of water discharge holes 422 belonging to the second group 424, and the first The number of water discharge holes 422 belonging to the three groups 425 is all the same (48). As a result, the area of the first water discharge area J1, the area of the second water discharge area J2, and the area of the third water discharge area J3 are all the same.

  However, the embodiment of the present invention need not be limited to this, and the areas of the plurality of water discharge areas may be different from each other. FIG. 7 is a view showing the form of the water spray plate 421b in the kitchen faucet in the case of such a mode, that is, the kitchen faucet KFb according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The kitchen faucet KFb is different from the kitchen faucet KF in the arrangement of the water discharge holes 422b formed in the water spray plate 421b. Accordingly, the size of the valve body 471b inside the spout portion 40b is also different from the kitchen faucet KF. However, when the water pressure in the 0th space 464b is low, water is discharged only from the first water discharge area J1b, etc., as in the case of the kitchen faucet KF.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of water discharge holes 422b formed in the water spray plate 421b are divided into three groups (first group 423b, second group 424b, and third group 425b). In the first group 423b, 18 water discharge holes 422b are arranged in 3 rows × 6 columns, and the whole is rectangular. In the second group 424b, 48 water discharge holes 422b are arranged in 8 rows × 6 columns, and the whole is rectangular. In the third group 425b, 78 water discharge holes 422b are arranged in 13 rows × 6 columns, and the whole is rectangular.

  The first group 423b is a group formed on the uppermost side (user side), and the third group 425b is a group formed on the lowermost side (base 10b side). The second group 424b is a group formed at a position between the first group 423b and the third group 425b. That is, the first group 423b, the second group 424b, and the third group 425b are arranged in order from the top along the longitudinal direction of the spout portion 40b.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the water pressure in the 0th space 464b is increased, the water discharge area (first water discharge area J1b) that starts to discharge water first is the most among the plurality of water discharge areas. It is a narrow area. By adopting such a configuration, the water flow (water flow in the form of a shower) when water is discharged at a small flow rate is further reduced (thinned), so that waste water is lost when washing small items such as chopsticks. It is possible to further suppress the occurrence.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. In other words, those specific examples that have been appropriately modified by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the characteristics of the present invention. For example, the elements included in each of the specific examples described above and their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, but can be changed as appropriate. Moreover, each element with which each embodiment mentioned above is provided can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

KF, KFa, KFb: Kitchen faucet 10, 10b: Base 40, 40a, 40b: Spout part 410: Rectification water discharge part 420: Shower water discharge part 421, 421b: Sprinkling plate 422, 422a, 422b: Water discharge hole 423, 423a, 423b: first group 424, 424a, 424b: second group 425, 425a, 425b: third group 427: partition plate 428: partition wall 441, 442, 443: valve seat 450: first channel 451: second channel 452 : Flow path for rectification 460: Pressure chamber 461, 461a, 461b: First space 462, 462a, 462b: Second space 463, 463a, 463b: Third space 464, 464a, 464b: 0th space 471, 471a, 471b , 472, 472a, 472b, 473, 473, 473b: valve body 474, 475, 476: Packing 477, 478, 479: Through hole 481, 482, 483: Rod 484, 485, 486: Sliding guide 487, 488, 489: Stopper HL1, HL2, HL3: Through hole J1, J1a, J1b: first water discharge area J2, J2a, J2b: second water discharge area J3, J3a, J3b: third water discharge area 70: operation unit 71: operation lever 80: switching button 81: valve body OB: object to be cleaned SK: sink SKD: Space SKS: Top

Claims (10)

A kitchen faucet attached to a kitchen,
In a state inclined to the user side, a spout portion extending upward,
A shower that is provided on the user-side outer surface of the spout portion and discharges water from a vertically long region along the extending direction of the spout portion so as to form a shower-like water flow toward the user side and downward. A water discharge part,
In order to adjust the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger, an operation unit that is a part operated by a user, and
A pressure chamber that is a space for receiving water supplied from the outside is formed inside the shower water discharge portion of the spout portion, and the water supplied to the pressure chamber is discharged from the shower water discharge portion. Because
When the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water spouting portion is small, the water in the pressure chamber is prevented from being discharged due to low water pressure in the upper portion of the pressure chamber. Water pressure increasing means for increasing the water pressure is further provided inside the spout part,
The water pressure increasing means is
The change in the water pressure in the pressure chamber with respect to the change in the flow rate of the discharged water is greater when the flow rate is smaller than when the flow rate of the water discharged from the shower water discharger is large. Kitchen faucet characterized by. In the shower water discharge portion, a plurality of water discharge holes are formed as outlets of water to be discharged,
When defining the total opening area as the sum of all the water discharge holes, the area of the water discharge holes that can actually discharge water,
The water pressure increasing means is
The kitchen faucet according to claim 1, wherein the total opening area is changed in accordance with a flow rate of water supplied to the pressure chamber, thereby increasing a water pressure in the pressure chamber.   The said water pressure raising means changes the said total opening area so that the area of the area | region which is discharging water in the shower shape among the said shower water discharging parts may change. Kitchen faucet.   The said water pressure raising means changes the shape of the area | region which is discharging the water like a shower among the said shower water discharging parts in the length along the extension direction of the said spout part, The said characteristic is characterized by the above-mentioned. Kitchen faucets as described in. The shower water discharge part is divided into a plurality of water discharge areas,
The water pressure increasing means is
It is comprised so that the number of the said water discharging area | region which is discharging water may be changed in steps according to the flow volume of the water discharged from the said shower water discharging part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Kitchen faucet. The water pressure raising means has a plurality of on-off valves,
Each on-off valve closes the flow path between the pressure chamber and the water discharge area, and opens the flow path when the water pressure in the pressure chamber rises to a preset open water pressure. There,
The kitchen faucet according to claim 5, wherein the height of each open water pressure is set to be different for each on-off valve. From the state where the number of water discharge areas discharging water is 0, when the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased, when the water discharge area first starting to discharge water is the first water discharge area ,
The kitchen faucet according to claim 6, wherein the on-off valve is also arranged in a flow path between the pressure chamber and the first water discharge area. When the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased from the state where the number of the water discharge areas discharging water is 0,
The kitchen faucet according to claim 6, wherein the kitchen faucet is configured to start discharging water in order from the water discharge area disposed on the upper side.   When the number of the water discharge areas discharging water is 0 and the water pressure in the pressure chamber is increased, the water discharge area that starts to discharge water first is any of the other water discharges. The kitchen faucet according to claim 6, characterized in that it is smaller than the area. The water pressure increasing means is
When the flow rate of water discharged from the shower water discharger is small, the shower out of the shower water discharger is at least so that the water reaches the user side further than the position of the user side tip of the spout part. The kitchen faucet according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein a region where water is discharged is narrowed.

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