JP6568024B2 - Faucet equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a faucet device including a valve body that switches between a flow state that allows flow of liquid such as water and a blocked state that blocks flow of liquid.

  As a faucet instrument, there exist some which switch the distribution | circulation state of water to a normal state and a shower state, for example, or switch the water to discharge to raw | natural water and purified water. In order to switch the water flow path, a plurality of flow paths are provided in the faucet device, and a predetermined flow path is selected according to the switching operation. At that time, seal members are arranged at appropriate positions so that the respective flow paths do not communicate with each other.

  An elastic material such as rubber is used as the seal member. For example, in a configuration in which the positions of the flow path holes provided by rotating the two members relative to each other are appropriately combined, a rubber seal member is disposed between the two members so that water does not leak between the different flow paths. Is done. However, in order to obtain a sealing effect, it is necessary to compress the sealing member to some extent. For this reason, when the two members are rotated relative to each other, a frictional force is generated by the seal member, resulting in a disadvantage that the switching operation becomes heavy.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, there is a faucet device using a ball valve as a valve body (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-275900: Patent Document 1).

  This faucet device normally switches between water and shower water. There is a valve seat provided with two holes constituting a normal water channel and a shower water channel inside the device, and the water channel is switched by one ball valve blocking one of the holes. The ball valve is accommodated in a cup-shaped valve support and is always biased toward the hole by a biasing spring provided between the ceiling of the valve support and the ball valve. The valve support is pushed and pulled by the button operation, and the ball valve moves back and forth between the two holes.

JP-A-8-275900

  In such a ball valve structure in which friction between members does not matter, the operating force is reduced. However, the switching operation force becomes large depending on the magnitude of the urging force of the urging spring and the depth of the depression into the hole of the ball valve due to the size of the ball valve and the hole.

  Further, when the ball valve falls into the hole, a certain impact occurs. This impact is transmitted to the operation buttons and causes deterioration of the operation feeling.

  Furthermore, when the ball valve moves to the other hole, it is necessary to temporarily get over the edge of the hole. Although the material of the valve seat of patent document 1 is not shown, since it is called a seat packing in the specification, it seems that the valve seat is formed of an elastic material. If the valve seat is more easily worn than the ball valve, the fixed position of the valve seat is rubbed each time the ball valve gets over the valve seat, and the sealing of the water channel may be impaired.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to increase the diameter of the ball valve. However, in that case, the valve support becomes large, and the stroke of the operation button has to be extended, so that the faucet device itself becomes large. Further, if the ball valve has a large ball diameter, the ball valve is present in the vicinity of the open hole and hinders the flow of water, and the required amount of water flow may not be obtained.

  In view of such circumstances, there has been a need for a faucet device that has excellent operability for switching channels and an excellent sealing function.

(Feature configuration)
The characteristic configuration of the faucet device according to the present invention includes a faucet body, a valve seat provided in the faucet body and having a hole through which liquid flows, and provided in the faucet body, which opens and closes the valve seat. Then, the valve body is operated by operating in a direction different from a sealing direction of the valve body with respect to the valve seat, and a valve body that switches between a flow state that allows liquid flow and a blocked state that blocks liquid flow. An operating member to be operated, and when the valve body moves in the operation direction by operation of the operating member, the valve body or the valve support that supports the valve body is brought into contact with the valve body or the valve support In addition to the valve seat, a guide portion provided integrally with the faucet body is provided to move the body in any direction along the sealing direction.

(effect)
As in this configuration, when the valve body is moved in the operation direction by operating the operation member, the guide portion comes into contact with the valve body or the valve support that supports the valve body, and the valve body or the valve support is moved along the sealing direction . By moving in any one direction, the interference of the valve body with the valve seat can be mitigated, or the interference can be eliminated.

Therefore, when the flow state of the liquid is switched, the impact due to the contact between the valve body and the valve seat is not easily transmitted to the operator, and the operational feeling is improved.
In addition, since the contact of the valve body with the valve seat is reduced or eliminated, it is possible to prevent wear and damage of the interfering portion of the valve seat or the valve body, and to improve the reliability of the flow path switching function. it can.

  Here, the mitigation of interference means that, for example, the impact of the contact is less than when the valve body moves by the guide part and does not contact the valve seat at all, or when the contact part does not have the guide part. The purpose is to include. Further, when the valve support is moved by the guide portion, when the valve body moves together with the valve support and the valve body does not come into contact with the valve seat, the valve support moves but the movement of the valve body is small, This includes the case where the valve body comes into contact with the valve seat. When the valve body is urged and supported by the valve support body, the contact force of the valve body with respect to the valve seat is reduced by the valve support body being moved by the guide portion. Therefore, even in such a case, it is possible to improve the operational feeling and reduce the wear of the valve seat.

(Feature configuration)
In the faucet device according to the present invention, the operation member is connected to the valve support, and the valve body moves relative to the valve support in any direction along the sealing direction. The valve body may be supported by the valve support body, and the guide portion may be configured to contact the valve body.

(effect)
If the valve body and the guide portion are in contact with each other as in this configuration, the movement of the valve body is directly defined by the guide portion. Therefore, the movement trajectory of the valve body with respect to the valve seat can be set with high accuracy, and the interference of the valve body with the valve seat can be reliably reduced or prevented.

  Further, as in this configuration, the operation member is connected to the valve support, and the movement of the valve body that moves relative to the valve support is defined by the guide unit, whereby the mechanism part of the valve support that performs different operations, respectively. And the mechanism of the valve body can be configured separately. Therefore, the degree of freedom in design when configuring these mechanism portions is increased.

(Feature configuration)
In the faucet device according to the present invention, the operation member may be reciprocated along the operation direction, and the guide portions may be provided on both sides of the valve seat along the operation direction.

(effect)
The operation member of this configuration reciprocates the valve body or the valve support body along the operation direction. In that case, the movement path | route of a valve body can consider the case where it covers both sides which pinch | interpose the position of a valve seat. Therefore, as in this configuration, by providing guides on both sides of the valve seat, the interference of the valve body with respect to the valve seat is reduced when the valve body passes the position of the valve seat in any direction. The durability of the seat can be improved.

(Feature configuration)
In the faucet device according to the present invention, a seal portion for sealing the valve seat in the valve body can be formed only in a part of the valve body.

(effect)
If it is this structure, shape settings other than the seal part with respect to a valve seat among valve bodies will become free. For example, a valve body shape for smooth operation of the valve body with respect to the valve support body, a valve body shape convenient for contacting the guide portion, and a rational valve according to the manufacturing method of the valve body The body shape and the like can be selected, and the degree of freedom for obtaining a structure advantageous in terms of manufacturing technology or cost is increased.

(Feature configuration)
The faucet device according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration. That is, a faucet body, a valve seat provided in the faucet body and having a hole through which liquid flows, and a flow state provided in the faucet body and allowing the liquid to flow by opening and closing the valve seat A valve body that switches between a shut-off state that blocks the flow of liquid, an operation member that operates the valve body by reciprocating in an operation direction different from a sealing direction of the valve body with respect to the valve seat, and the operation member When the valve body is moved in the operation direction by the operation of the valve body, the valve body or the valve support body supporting the valve body is brought into contact with the valve body or the valve support body along the sealing direction. Guide portions provided on both sides of the faucet body so as to move in the direction of the valve seat along the operation direction.

(effect)
As in this configuration, when the valve body is moved in the operation direction by the reciprocating operation of the operation member, the guide portion comes into contact with the valve body or the valve support body that supports the valve body so that the valve body or the valve support body is sealed in the sealing direction . By moving in any direction along , the interference of the valve body with the valve seat can be mitigated, or interference can be eliminated.

  In particular, by providing guides on both sides of the valve seat along the operation direction of the operating member, the interference of the valve body with the valve seat is reduced when the valve body passes through the valve seat in any direction. Is done. As a result, the operational feeling is improved, wear and damage to the valve seat or the valve body is prevented, and durability and reliability of the flow path switching function can be improved.

Perspective view showing the appearance of faucet equipment Perspective view showing valve mechanism of faucet device Perspective view showing valve mechanism of faucet device Plan sectional view showing the valve mechanism of the faucet Explanatory drawing showing the valve mechanism in the raw water supply state Explanatory drawing which shows the valve mechanism of the clean water supply state Explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of a valve body and a valve seat Explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of a valve body and a valve seat Explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of a guide part Explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of a guide part Explanatory drawing which shows the example whose valve body is a ball valve Explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of a valve body and a valve seat Explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment of a valve body and a valve seat Explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance of one Embodiment of a valve seat Explanatory drawing which shows one Embodiment and dimension of a valve body and a valve seat Explanatory drawing which shows another embodiment of a valve body

〔Overview〕
One embodiment of a faucet device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the faucet device 1 of the present invention is provided with a valve body 2 in the middle of a running water channel, for example, and switches the running water channel between a distribution state and a blocking state.

  The faucet device 1 includes a faucet body 11 that constitutes a main body of the faucet device 1, and a valve seat 3 having a hole 31 through which liquid flows in the faucet body 11, and the valve seat 3. And a valve body 2 that opens and closes and switches a flow state of the liquid. The switching of the valve body 2 is performed by the operation member 4 that operates in the operation direction X different from the sealing direction Z of the valve body 2 with respect to the valve seat 3.

The faucet device 1 of the present embodiment includes a valve operating mechanism 5 that reduces the interference of the valve body 2 with the valve seat 3 and makes the valve body 2 open and close smoothly. The valve mechanism 5 acts on the valve body 2 as the operation member 4 is operated. When the valve body 2 opens and closes the valve seat 3, the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 along the operation direction X of the operation member 4. To reduce interference.
Hereinafter, each part configuration will be described in detail.

[Water faucet body]
The faucet body 11 is a member that extends from a proximal end portion of a lever handle (not shown) that cuts off the flow of tap water to the tap water discharge portion 61, for example. The whole has a cylindrical shape, and a water purification cartridge 62 for purifying tap water, a water shape switching mechanism 63 for switching discharged water to a straight water shape or a shower water shape, and the like are provided inside. A DC discharge port 61a is formed at the center of the discharge unit 61, and a shower discharge port 61b having a plurality of holes is formed around the DC discharge port 61a. A valve operating mechanism 5 and an operation member 4 for switching between raw water and purified water as flowing water are provided at an upstream portion of the water shape switching mechanism 63.

[Operation members]
The operation member 4 is a member for moving the position of the valve body 2 as shown in FIGS. As the operation member 4, for example, a button 41 provided at the distal end portion of the faucet body 11, an intermediate member 42 connected to the button 41, and a cup-shaped valve support 43 to which the intermediate member 42 is connected. And. The valve support 43 holds the valve body 2. The intermediate member 42 is provided with a so-called known lock type alternate switch, and the valve support 43 is pushed and pulled by the operation of the button 41, so that the valve body 2 is selectively fixed to the shut-off position and the flow position.

  In the faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, two sets of the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 are provided in order to alternately switch between the flow of raw water and the flow of purified water. Two intermediate members 42 are connected to one button 41 to a valve support 43 that holds each valve body 2. The two valve bodies 2 are simultaneously switched between a position close to the button 41 and a position far from the button 41. These two positions are the blocking position or the distribution position in each valve body.

  The operation of the button 41 is a so-called push-push method. In the state of FIGS. 4 and 5 in which the button 41 is not pushed, the water purification valve body 2 is cut off (the upper diagram in FIG. 5), and the valve for raw water is used. The body 2 is in a distribution state (the lower diagram in FIG. 5). In the state of FIG. 6 in which the button 41 is pushed, the flow state and the shut-off state are switched in each valve body 2, the water purification valve body 2 becomes the flow state (upper figure), and the raw water valve body 2 is shut off. (Figure below).

  In the present embodiment, when the raw water valve body 2 is in a circulating state (the lower diagrams in FIGS. 4 and 5), the valve body 2 is on the opposite side of the water purification cartridge 62 in the operation direction X with respect to the position of the valve seat 3. To position. If it is this structure, it will become easy to ensure the flow volume of raw | natural water. That is, the raw water flows through the space sandwiched between the inner surface of the faucet body 11 and the outer surface of the water purification cartridge 62, and is used for raw water from the outer flow path 12 of the double pipe as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. To the valve chamber 12a. When the button 41 is not pushed, the valve element 2 for raw water is in the valve open position on the button 41 side with respect to the valve seat 3. Thus, since the valve body 2 retreats to the outside of the circulation channel, it does not interfere with the flow of raw water.

  On the other hand, the purified water circulates in the space inside the purified water cartridge 62 and reaches the valve chamber 13a for purified water from the inner flow path 13 of the flow path that is a double pipe as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. When purified water passes through the hole 31 of the valve seat 3, the valve body 2 is moved toward the purified water cartridge 62 in the operation direction X with respect to the valve seat 3. It is done. However, since the purified water has already received a large distribution resistance when passing through the purified water cartridge 62, the distribution amount is not as high as the raw water even at the maximum distribution amount. Therefore, the valve body 2 does not substantially become an obstacle to purified water distribution.

[Valve and valve seat]
When the valve body 2 is switched between the shut-off position and the flow position, the valve body 2 is in the sealing direction Z with respect to the valve seat 3 when the valve body 2 is in the shut-off state and the operation direction in which the operation member 4 is pushed and pulled. Operate in the direction of composition with X.

  The degree of sealing between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 is determined by the mutual contact force between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3. At least one of the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 is preferably made of an elastic material so that the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 can be in close contact with each other. The shape of the valve seat 3 is, for example, an annular shape as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the shape of the valve body 2 is configured, for example, as a kind of umbrella as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, and 15. The valve body 2 is formed so as to protrude in the radial direction between the tubular valve body 21, a valve portion 22 that is at the end of the valve body 21 and seals the valve seat 3, and between the valve body 21 and the valve portion 22. The flange portion 23 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the flange portion 23 serves as a receiving portion for the urging spring 7 provided between the valve support body 43 and the flange portion 23.

  As shown in FIG. 7, an annular convex portion 24 is provided on the lower surface of the valve portion 22 as a valve body side seal portion. Thereby, the sealing degree of the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 is raised. The convex portion 24 may be formed of a member integrated with the valve body 2 or may be a structure in which a member formed in advance as a separate member is attached to the valve portion 22.

  Thus, if the valve body 2 is configured in an umbrella shape and the valve portion 22 is provided in a part thereof, the degree of freedom in forming the valve body is obtained as compared with the valve body 2 configured by a conventional sphere. It is done. That is, the valve body side seal portion that requires sealing accuracy may be configured only in a part of the valve body 2, and the shape of other parts can be arbitrarily designed. Therefore, the valve body structure and the overall structure of the faucet device 1 become more rational, and the number of manufacturing steps and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

  One valve seat 3 is provided with a simple flat portion 32 as a valve seat side seal portion. Thus, when the valve seat side seal portion is a flat surface and the valve portion 22 is in contact with the flat surface portion 32, when the valve body 2 is opened and closed with respect to the valve seat 3, the angle of the valve seat 3 is increased. In such a case, it is difficult to cause a situation in which a part of the valve body 2 rides up. Therefore, compared with the valve structure etc. in which a part of the valve portion 22 falls and is sealed inside the valve seat 3, the amount of the valve body 2 to escape in a direction different from the operation direction X of the operation member 4 is reduced, and the valve seat 3 is easily prevented from being worn or damaged.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the valve seat 3 of the present embodiment includes an annular portion 3 a constituting a valve seat side seal portion, and a protruding portion that protrudes in the radial direction (the radial direction in the annular ring) from the annular portion 3 a. 3b is provided, and the protruding portion 3b is inserted into a groove 15 provided in the faucet body 11 into which the valve seat 3 is fitted. Although the valve seat 3 can also be comprised only by the annular part 3a, the retainability with respect to the faucet main body 11 of the valve seat 3 can be improved by setting it as the structure which provides the protrusion part 3b and fits into the groove part 15. FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a first protrusion 3b1 extending radially outward from the annular portion 3a, and a direction different from the extending direction of the first protrusion 3b1 connected to the first protrusion 3b1, Specifically, a second projecting portion 3b2 extending in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the first projecting portion 3b1 is provided, and both projecting portions are fitted into the groove portion 15.

The shape of the valve part 22 may be listed below.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an annular convex portion 33 is formed on the surface of the valve seat 3 facing the valve portion 22, and the lower surface of the valve portion 22 is a flat valve body side seal portion. May be.

  Moreover, you may form the lower surface of the valve part 22 in the loose convex curve 22a as shown to FIG.13 and FIG.15 (a). If it is this structure, a line contact part with the valve seat 3 can be formed easily. That is, as a shape of the seal portion, there is no need to form an annular local convex portion as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and a predetermined position on the entire lower surface of the valve portion 22 forms the seal portion. Therefore, the shape of the valve body 2 is simplified. Further, the durability of the seal portion is improved. In this case, it is only necessary to form a part of the spherical surface as compared with the conventional one using the valve body 2 having a spherical shape as a whole. Therefore, an arbitrary curvature can be selected according to the dimension of the valve seat 3. it can. Therefore, the radius of curvature R1 of the valve portion 22 and the hole diameter of the valve seat 3 can be optimally set in consideration of the material of the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 and the required sealing degree. These dimensions will be described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the lower surface of the valve portion 22 may be formed with a concave curved surface 22 b recessed on the opposite side to the valve seat 3 on the outer peripheral portion. Also in this case, since the shape is simple, the line contact portion with the valve seat 3 can be easily formed. In the case of this shape, since the valve portion 22 is engaged with the hole portion 31 of the valve seat 3 and is fitted, a more complete sealing effect can be expected. However, in order to shift the valve body 2 in the shut-off state to the flow state, the curvature radius R2 of the concave curved surface 22b and the hole 31 of the valve seat 3 are set so that the valve portion 22 does not strongly interfere with the corner of the valve seat 3. It is necessary to appropriately set the dimensions and, further, the inclination angle of the guide portion 52 described later. These dimensions will be described later.

  The valve part 22 and the valve seat 3 can be formed using an appropriate material. When both are made of a hard material such as a metal, the reliability of the blocking performance is increased. Moreover, the sealing degree of the valve part 22 and the valve seat 3 can be raised by comprising at least one among an annular convex part and a planar seal part with elastic materials, such as rubber | gum. Such an elastic material may be formed integrally with the valve body 2 or the valve seat 3 by two-color molding or the like, or a member formed as a separate member is attached to the valve body 2 or the valve seat 3. There may be.

(Valve operated mechanism)
In the faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, the main movement direction of the valve body 2 by the operation member 4 is different from the sealing direction Z between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 when the liquid flow is interrupted. The valve operating mechanism 5 reduces interference between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 when the valve body 2 is moved in another operation direction X with respect to the valve seat 3 in this way. Specifically, this is a mechanism for moving the valve body 2 along the sealing direction Z immediately before the valve body 2 seals the valve seat 3 or immediately after the valve body 2 is separated.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the valve mechanism 5 includes a convex guided portion 51 provided on the side surface of the valve body 2, and the valve body 2 in contact with the guided portion 51. It is comprised with the guide part 52 provided in the faucet main body 11 so that sliding guidance may be carried out. The valve body 2 is housed in the valve support 43 and is urged toward the valve seat 3 by the urging spring 7. By operating the button 41, the valve support 43 is pushed and pulled in the left-right direction in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the internal valve body 2 is driven.

  The valve support 43 has a cylindrical shape with a ceiling, and reciprocates linearly along the operation direction X while its vertical position is particularly restricted by a case guide 14 provided integrally with the faucet body 11. Further, a leg portion 44 is provided at the bottom of the valve support 43 so as to be guided by the surface of the faucet body 11 near the valve seat 3 and to regulate the vertical position of the valve support 43 downward. A slit 43 a for slidingly guiding the guided portion 51 of the valve body 2 is provided on the side surface of the valve support body 43. The direction of the slide guide is the sealing direction Z between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3. The slits 43a are provided at two locations on the opposite side along the radial direction. Further, the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the valve body 21 is also guided by a cylindrical surface 43 b provided inside the valve support 43. With these configurations, the valve body 2 reciprocates along the sealing direction Z of the valve body 2 so as not to rotate with respect to the valve support body 43.

  The guide 52 is provided in the faucet body 11 separately from the valve seat 3. As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of guide portions 52 are provided in parallel to the single valve body 2 along the operation direction X of the button 41. The guide unit 52 includes a region that is inclined with respect to the operation direction X and a region that is parallel to the region. Of these, the inclined region 52a is a region in which the valve body 2 shifts along the sealing direction Z as the button 41 is operated. On the other hand, the parallel region 52b corresponds to a position where the valve body 2 comes into contact with the valve seat 3. When the valve body 2 is in this position, the guided portion 51 and the parallel region 52b are not in principle in contact with each other.

  This non-contact state is more preferable as the gap between the guided portion 51 and the guide portion 52 is smaller as long as the valve body 2 is in the cut-off state. If there is a gap, the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 can reliably contact each other. On the other hand, the smaller the gap, the more quickly the valve body 2 is lifted when the valve body 2 is moved in the operation direction X by the button 41, and the interference with the valve seat 3 is easily avoided. Since the parallel region 52b is a portion where the guided portion 51 does not contact in principle, the parallel region 52b may not be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the inclined regions 52a can be formed on both sides of the parallel region 52b. This is because, for example, when a push-push type alternate switch is used as the operation member 4, the valve body 2 passes the position of the valve seat 3 according to the operation of the button 41. For example, FIG. 9 shows a cut-off state, but the button 41 and the intermediate member 42 are once pushed to shift the valve body 2 from this state to the flow state. Due to the structure of the alternate switch, the valve body 2 moves slightly to the right in the figure by this pushing. At this time, if the inclined region 52 a is not provided on the right side of the valve seat 3, the valve body side seal portion rubs the upper surface of the valve seat 3. When the push-in of the button 41 is released, the valve body 2 is also retracted toward the valve seat 3 as the intermediate member 42 is retracted, and again enters the shut-off state. The intermediate member 42 is further pulled to the button 41 side, and the guided portion 51 of the valve body 2 is lifted along the guide portion 52 formed on the button 41 side.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, inclined regions 52 a are provided on both sides with respect to the center of the valve seat 3. Thereby, when the valve body 2 passes the position of the valve seat 3 in any direction according to the structure of the operation member 4, the interference of the valve body 2 with respect to the valve seat 3 can be reduced, and the operation feeling of the button 41 can be reduced. And the durability of the valve seat 3 can be improved.

  As described above, by shifting the valve body 2 along the sealing direction Z by the guide portion 52, interference between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 when the valve body 2 is opened and closed is greatly reduced. Therefore, the feeling of operation of the button 41 is improved, and there is no inconvenience that a specific part of the valve seat 3 is worn or deformed, so that the sealing function of the valve body 2 is maintained for a long time. Become.

Note that the shape of the inclined region 52a can be variously selected.
For example, by making it linear as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the frictional force between the guided portion 51 and the guiding portion 52 when the button 41 is operated becomes almost constant, and the operational feeling becomes stable. .

  In addition, the shape of the inclined region 52a may be configured to be concave toward the sealing direction Z of the valve body 2 as shown in FIG. In this case, when closing the valve body 2 in a circulating state, the guided portion 51 can easily descend the inclined region 52a by the force of the biasing spring 7 that presses the valve body 2. Therefore, the pressing operation of the button 41 is energized and the operation becomes easy. On the other hand, when opening the valve body 2 in the shut-off state, the guided portion 51 needs to climb the inclined region 52 a against the force of the biasing spring 7. However, since the inclination angle of the guide portion 52 on the side close to the valve seat 3 is close to the operation direction X of the button 41, the operation force at the start of the operation is also reduced in this case.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the shape of the inclined region 52 a may be a shape that suddenly drops in the vicinity of the lower end side of the inclined region 52 a, that is, in the vicinity of the position where the valve body 2 seals the valve seat 3. For example, in order to reliably obtain the pressing force of the valve body 2 against the valve seat 3, the gap between the guided portion 51 and the guide portion 52 of the valve body 2 in the shut-off state should be large. However, if this gap is large, the distance to move the valve body 2 in the operation direction X before the valve body 2 is lifted increases, and the friction amount between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 increases.

  Therefore, by providing the stepped portion 52 c as shown in FIG. 9, the valve body 2 can be dropped toward the valve seat 3 when the valve body 2 reaches the position of the valve seat 3. Thereby, the friction between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 is reduced. However, if the height of the stepped portion 52c is excessive, the feeling of impact that the valve body 2 hits the valve seat 3 when the operating member 4 is operated increases, and the force that pulls up the shut off valve body 2 to the inclined region 52a increases. The operational feeling deteriorates. Therefore, it is preferable to set the height of the stepped portion 52c to the minimum necessary.

In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, in order to reduce the friction with the to-be-guided part 51 and the guide part 52, you may provide rotating members, such as a roller and a ball, in the to-be-guided part 51. FIG. Further, a member having a low friction coefficient may be attached to the guide portion 52 or the guided portion 51.
〔Example〕

[Dimensions of valve body and seat]
As shown in FIG. 15 (a), when the bottom surface of the valve portion 22 is a convex curved surface 22a, the size of both is taken into consideration in the degree of close contact with the valve seat 3, durability of both members, and operational feeling. Must be set appropriately. For example, the value of R1 / r, which is the ratio between the radius of curvature R1 of the convex curved surface 22a and the radius r of the opening of the valve seat 3, is preferably 5 to 16. When it is less than 5, abrasion, damage and deterioration of the edge of the opening are likely to occur. Therefore, 8 or more, particularly 10 or more is preferable.

  Among these numerical values, the curvature radius R1 of the convex curved surface 22a is preferably 20 mm or more, more preferably 25 mm or more, and particularly preferably 30 mm or more.

  On the other hand, the opening of the valve seat 3 is preferably circular in order to improve the sealing performance. The radius r is preferably 2 mm to 15 mm. When it is less than 2 mm, the flow rate becomes small. Therefore, more preferably 3 mm or more, particularly 5 mm or more. On the other hand, if it exceeds 15 mm, the faucet device becomes large, so it is preferably 12 mm or less, particularly preferably 8 mm or less.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15B, when a concave curved surface 22b that is recessed on the opposite side of the valve seat 3 is formed on the outer periphery of the lower surface of the valve portion 22, the radius of curvature R2 of the concave curved surface 22b is 2 mm or more. Good to do. If it is less than 2 mm, the outer peripheral portion of the concave curved surface 22b interferes with the corner portion of the valve seat 3 during the lateral movement of the valve body 2, and the lateral movement is not smoothly performed. The surrounding area is easily worn out and deformed. Therefore, the radius of curvature R2 is preferably 5 mm or more, particularly preferably 10 mm or more.

[Material of valve body and valve seat]
When a material having elasticity or wear resistance is used as the valve body 2 or the valve seat 3, for example, the following materials can be selected.

  For example, POM, nylon, and Teflon are suitable, and each has the following characteristics.

  POM (polyacetal) has both a crystal part and an amorphous part, is excellent in mechanical strength, and is excellent in wear resistance and slidability. Also, dimensional stability is good. The continuous use temperature is about 85 ° C. for the homopolymer, about 105 ° C. for the copolymer, and about 150 ° C. for a short time. Furthermore, the water absorption is small and the solvent resistance is excellent.

  PA6 (6 nylon) has high crystallinity and excellent chemical resistance. For example, it has excellent resistance to organic solvents such as gasoline and oil. Since it has an amide group hydrogen bond, it has excellent tensile strength over a wide temperature range, as well as excellent impact resistance and flexibility. Reinforcement with glass fiber or the like is possible, and mechanical strength and heat distortion temperature can be improved. Good food hygiene.

  PA66 (66 nylon) is an engineering plastic that has a high degree of crystallinity and a balanced physical property among polyamide-based resins, and exhibits superior values in heat resistance and mechanical strength as compared with nylon 6. It has a good balance of mechanical strength, and has the most excellent mechanical strength among nylon resins (polyamide resins). Excellent resistance to chemicals, including resistance to organic solvents such as gasoline and oil. It can be reinforced with a filler, and can be greatly improved in mechanical strength, rigidity, heat distortion temperature and the like by filling with glass fiber or the like. Good food hygiene.

  Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE) is a polymer of tetrafluoroethylene, which is a fluororesin (fluorinated carbon resin) consisting only of fluorine atoms and carbon atoms. Known under the name Teflon. It is chemically stable, has excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance, and does not dissolve in hydrofluoric acid, which has strong corrosive properties. Also, the friction coefficient is very small. In general, heat flow does not occur by heating, and it cannot be melt-molded like ordinary resins. However, as fluororesins that can be melt-molded, copolymers of related organic fluorine compounds and organic fluorine-chlorine compounds can be used. Coalescence has been developed.

  Among the above materials, POM is preferable in view of dimensional stability, mechanical strength, and slidability.

  As other materials, parts with excellent corrosion resistance can be obtained by improving the surface finish such as brass and stainless steel. Corrosion resistance can be enhanced by applying a plating treatment to iron or the like. Further, it may be a thermoplastic resin with good moldability. The elastomer can be used for a seal portion or the like. ABS / PPS / PC / PMMA / PEEK or the like is suitable as a resin used for a portion having high strength and good slidability such as the guide portion 52 of the valve body 2.

Further, the following materials are particularly suitable for the valve seat.
EPDM, NBR, fluoro rubber, silicone rubber, elastomer (olefin), crosslinked rubber based on EPDM, NBR, fluoro rubber (copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene), silicone rubber (mainly silicone) Synthetic resins as components), elastomers composed of soft segments and hard segments, and the like can be used.

  Among them, EPDM has high chlorine resistance and is not as low as NBR but inexpensive. NBR often has low chlorine resistance, but can be used within a range that satisfies the requirements of each product. Fluoro rubber has high heat resistance. Silicon rubber has high heat resistance. The elastomer is excellent in moldability in the case of a thermoplastic elastomer, but generally has a large compression set. Therefore, when used, a styrene type having a small compression set is preferably used. Among these, EPDM is particularly preferable because of its high chlorine resistance and high market performance.

The urging spring 7 that presses the valve body 2 toward the valve seat 3 includes a spring such as a metal spring (metal spring) or a resin spring (resin spring), a crosslinked rubber or an elastomer (from a hard segment and a soft segment). And a molded product made of a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermosetting elastomer) can be used. In particular, it is preferable to use a metal spring (metal spring) in view of ensuring light weight, ensuring sufficient urging force, little change in urging force with time, and the like.
[Another embodiment]

  As shown in FIG. 11, the valve body 2 may be configured such that, for example, a ball valve 2 a made of metal or the like is used and falls into a hole 31 provided in the valve seat 3. In this case, a configuration in which the ball valve 2a is lifted by bringing a position different from the seal portion in the ball valve 2a into contact with the guide portion 52 is particularly advantageous in the position of the valve seat 3 and the guide portion 52 in the small ball valve 2a. Is extremely difficult. Therefore, the ball valve 2 a is accommodated inside the cylindrical member 45, and the cylindrical member 45 is configured to be able to reciprocate in the sealing direction Z inside the valve support 43.

  The ball valve 2 a can reciprocate along the sealing direction Z inside the cylindrical member 45. An opening 45a on one side of the cylindrical member 45 is provided with a claw portion 45b having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ball valve 2a so that a part of the ball valve 2a can protrude toward the valve seat 3 side. As a result, the ball valve 2a can come into contact with the valve seat 3 without dropping from the tubular member 45 toward the valve seat 3 side. The claw portions 45b may be provided over the entire circumference of the opening 45a or may be provided in a scattered manner along the circumferential direction.

  The cylindrical member 45 is guided in the sealing direction Z by the cylindrical surface 43 e of the valve support 43. A biasing spring 7 is disposed between the ball valve 2a and the ceiling portion 43d of the valve support 43, and the ball valve 2a is always pressed toward the valve seat 3. A guided portion 51 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 45, and the cylindrical member 45 can reciprocate in the sealing direction Z along a slit 43 a provided in the wall portion of the valve support 43. The upper surface of the valve support 43 faces the case guide 14, and the valve support 43 can reciprocate along the operation direction X.

  With this configuration, when the operation member 4 and the intermediate member 42 are operated, the valve support 43 moves along the operation direction X, and the guided portion 51 provided on the cylindrical member 45 slides on the guide portion 52. Thus, the tubular member 45 reciprocates along the sealing direction Z with respect to the valve support 43.

  When the ball valve 2a is in the sealed state of FIG. 11, the tubular member 45 is separated slightly from the ball valve 2a. Thereby, the ball valve 2 a can be in close contact with the valve seat 3. In this state, the cylindrical member 45 is slightly rattled along the sealing direction Z. However, since its operating range is slight, vibration and sound that cause problems in practice do not occur. When the valve support 43 and the cylinder member 45 are pulled in the operation direction X from this state, the guided portion 51 rides on the inclined region 52a and the claw portion 45b comes into contact with the ball valve 2a to start lifting the ball valve 2a. The ball valve 2a forced to move in the operation direction X by the cylindrical member 45 may be lifted by the claw portion 45b, or may be lifted directly on the valve seat 3. In the former case, the ball valve 2a and the valve seat 3 do not interfere with each other, and the operation vibration and abnormal noise of the operation member 4 do not occur. Even in the latter case, the impact caused by the contact between the ball valve 2a and the valve seat 3 is alleviated, the operational feeling is improved and the durability of the valve seat 3 is increased.

  Thus, in the structure which provides the valve body 2 inside the cylinder member 45, it is possible to use the valve body 2 which is not the ball valve 2a. For example, FIG. 12 is an example using the valve body 2 having substantially the same shape as that shown in FIG. The valve body 2 is accommodated in the cylindrical member 45. The valve body 21 of the valve body 2 is guided in the sealing direction Z by the cylindrical surface 43 b inside the valve support 43. Further, the cylindrical member 45 can be reciprocated in the sealing direction Z by being guided by a cylindrical surface 43e further outside the cylindrical surface 43b of the valve support 43. Accordingly, the valve body 2 reciprocates in the sealing direction Z with respect to the valve support body 43 while being accommodated in the cylindrical member 45.

  An opening 45a on one side of the tubular member 45 is provided with a claw portion 45b having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the flange portion 23 of the valve body 2 so that the valve portion 22 can protrude toward the valve seat 3 side. . Thus, the valve body 2 can come into contact with the valve seat 3 without dropping from the tubular member 45 to the valve seat 3 side. The claw portions 45b may be provided over the entire circumference of the opening 45a or may be provided in a scattered manner along the circumferential direction.

  The urging spring 7 is disposed between the flange portion 23 and the ceiling portion 43 d of the valve support 43, and the valve body 2 is always pressed toward the valve seat 3. A guided portion 51 is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 45, and the tubular member 45 can reciprocate along the sealing direction Z along a slit 43 a provided in the wall portion of the valve support 43. The upper surface of the valve support 43 faces the case guide 14, and the valve support 43 can reciprocate along the operation direction X.

  With this configuration, when the operation member 4 and the intermediate member 42 are operated, the valve support 43 moves along the operation direction X, and the guided portion 51 provided on the cylindrical member 45 slides on the guide portion 52. Thus, the tubular member 45 reciprocates along the sealing direction Z with respect to the valve support 43.

  When the valve body 2 is in the sealed state of FIG. 12, the tubular member 45 is separated slightly from the valve body 2. Thereby, the valve body 2 can contact | abut to the valve seat 3 closely. In this state, the cylindrical member 45 is slightly rattled along the sealing direction Z. However, since its operating range is slight, vibration and sound that cause problems in practice do not occur. When the valve support body 43 and the cylindrical member 45 are pulled in the operation direction X from this state, the guided portion 51 rides on the inclined region 52a and the claw portion 45b comes into contact with the valve body 2 and starts to lift the valve body 2. The valve body 2 forced to move in the operation direction X by the cylindrical member 45 is lifted by the claw portion 45b.

  In the case of this configuration, the guided body 51 is not formed in the valve body 2 as in the previous embodiment, and the valve body 2 having a cylindrical shape is an axis along the sealing direction Z inside the cylindrical member 45. It can rotate around the core 8. Therefore, especially when the convex part 24 by an elastic material is provided as the valve part 22, only the specific site | part of the convex part 24 does not wear, and durability of the valve body 2 can be improved.

  As a configuration of the valve body, FIG. 15A shows an example in which the entire lower surface of the valve portion 22 is a convex curved surface 22a. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16 (a), only the portion of the lower surface of the valve portion 22 that comes into contact with the seal portion of the valve seat 3 may be a convex curved surface 22a having the curvature radius R1. That is, the convex curved surface 22a is formed in an annular shape, and a concave portion 22c is provided therein. The shape of the recess 22c is arbitrary, and for example, the ceiling surface can be configured as a flat surface. If it is this structure, the part of the recessed part 22c will not contact | abut with the seal part of the valve seat 3, and the interference with respect to the valve seat 3 of the valve part 22 can further be reduced. Moreover, the valve body 2 is reduced in weight by the recessed part 22c, and the movement of the valve body 2 becomes quick.

  Further, when the concave curved surface 22b is formed on the lower surface of the valve portion 22 as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the valve seat 3 is further formed on the lower surface of the valve portion 22 as shown in FIG. 16 (b). Only the portion in contact with the seal portion may be an annular concave curved surface 22b having a radius of curvature R2. Also in this case, a concave portion 22c having an arbitrary shape can be provided inside the concave curved surface 22b. The recess 22c can also be a flat ceiling surface as shown in FIG. If it is this structure, the part of the recessed part 22c will not contact | abut the seal part of the valve seat 3, and the interference with respect to the valve seat 3 of the valve part 22 will further be reduced. Moreover, the valve body 2 is reduced in weight by the recessed part 22c, and the movement of the valve body 2 becomes quick.

  As the guide portion 52, a stepped portion 52c may be provided at the lower end of the inclined region 52a. By the stepped portion 52c, the valve support 43 can be quickly lifted when the valve body 2 is opened. At this time, the ball valve 2 a may be quickly lifted together with the valve support 43, or the ball valve 2 a may be lifted slightly after the valve support 43 is lifted. In the latter case, the ball valve 2 a interferes with a part of the valve seat 3 when the ball valve 2 a moves laterally. However, when the valve support 43 is lifted, the compressive force of the urging spring 7 is relaxed, and the pressing force of the ball valve 2a against the valve seat 3 is reduced. Therefore, wear and deformation on the valve seat 3 are alleviated. In this way, even if the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 clearly interfere with each other along the operation direction X of the operation member 4, a mechanism that reduces the force exerted on the valve seat 3 by the valve body 2 is provided. Is included in the technical idea of the present invention.

  When the valve body 2 is a ball valve 2a, the impact of contact between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 described in [0008] and [0009], the valve seat 3 Although the problem of wear is reduced, these problems are not completely solved. When the ball valve 2a is used, the impact of the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 is not always completely eliminated because the shape of the valve body 2 expects some rolling movement.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in particular, the valve body 25 that seals the valve seat 3 of the valve body 2 is formed only in a part of the valve body 2 and the valve body 2 is formed in a shape that is not expected to roll. However, the one provided with the guide portion 52 that moves the valve body 2 in both the operation direction X and the sealing direction Z while maintaining the posture of the valve body 2 is related to impact and wear at first glance as compared with the ball valve 2a. The problem is more difficult to solve. However, by providing a guide 52 in the faucet body 11 at a position different from the valve seat 3, a faucet device having excellent usability and durability even if the valve shape is difficult to solve the above-mentioned problems. Can be provided. For example, the configuration of the valve body 2 that does not cause a change in posture is facilitated by distinguishing the valve body 22 that constitutes the seal portion and the valve body 21 that supports the valve body 2 so as to be movable in the sealing direction Z. Moreover, if it has the flange part 23 which receives the urging | biasing force which presses the valve body 2 to the valve seat 3 side along the sealing direction Z, the sealing effect at the time of flow path interruption | blocking will further improve.

  Although not shown in the drawings, as the valve mechanism 5, the arm member of the link mechanism is connected to the valve body 2 or the valve support body 43 instead of the sliding guide portion 52, and this is moved by the operation member 4. The valve body 2 or the like may be lifted up.

The seal portion between the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 is not limited to a configuration in which line contact is made.
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a part of the valve seat side seal portion may be in surface contact with the valve body 2. For example, when the bottom surface of the valve portion 22 is a loose convex curved surface 22 a, when the valve portion 22 is in close contact with the valve seat 3, the central portion of the bottom surface of the valve portion 22 falls into the hole 31 of the valve seat 3. When the valve body 2 is moved laterally by operating the button 41 from this state, it interferes with the valve seat 3 if the valve section 22 can be moved along the common tangential direction of the valve body side seal portion and the valve seat side seal portion. No longer.

  However, in this case, the valve body 2 and the valve seat 3 in the shut-off state do not exert a pressing force on each other, and may be in a state where they are merely close to each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, regarding the radial position along the operation direction X of the button 41 in the annular valve seat side seal portion, the facing area is increased by making the shape of the seal portion not the edge shape but the planar shape. For example, if the convex curved surface 22a of the valve portion 22 is a spherical surface, the valve seat side seal portion is formed with a first seat surface 34 having a circular edge on the inner side and an elliptical outline around it.

  The width in the radial direction is wide at both ends of the first seat surface 34 along the operation direction X of the button 41. This portion is configured so that the contact between the valve portion 22 and the valve seat 3 is weakened or does not come into contact so that the valve body 2 can easily move along the operation direction X. The inclination directions of both end portions are parallel to the inclination direction of the guide portion 52.

  On the other hand, the width of the first seating surface 34 is narrow at the intermediate portion between the both end portions. Here, the contact force per unit area may be increased so that the valve portion 22 and the valve seat 3 are in contact with each other at a predetermined pressure. For this purpose, the inclination of the second seat surface 35 adjacent to the first seat surface 34 and connected to the flat surface portion 32 of the valve seat 3 is loosened so as not to contact the valve portion 22.

  Note that the second seating surface 35 is not expected to be in contact with the valve portion 22, and when it is desired to increase the facing area to the valve portion 22 to enhance the sealing effect, the second seating surface 35 is one continuous with the first seating surface 34. Can be spherical. In this case, it is preferable to set the contact force or gap between the two so that the fluid does not leak according to the characteristics of the fluid.

In the above embodiment, the urging spring 7 for urging the valve body 2 is provided, but this can be omitted.
For example, when the faucet device 1 is a faucet fixed to the kitchen, the vertical posture of the valve body 2 does not change. Therefore, instead of using the urging spring 7, the valve body 2 can be pressed against the valve seat 3 using another method such as adding the weight of the valve body 2.

  Although not shown, the operation member may be configured to be a rotary type instead of a reciprocating type as in the above embodiment. For example, an operation member capable of rotating around the central axis of the discharge unit 61 is provided, and the two valve bodies can be configured to reciprocate along a specific arc.

  The faucet device of the present invention can be widely applied to those that switch the form of flowing water or the type of flowing water, such as a kitchen faucet, a bathroom faucet, or a water faucet for other industrial equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Faucet apparatus 11 Faucet body 2 Valve body 3 Valve seat 31 Hole part 4 Operation member 5 Valve mechanism 52 Guide part X Operation direction Z Sealing direction

Claims (5)

The faucet body,
A valve seat provided in the faucet body and having a hole through which liquid flows;
A valve body provided in the faucet body, for switching between a flow state allowing the liquid flow by opening and closing the valve seat and a blocking state blocking the liquid flow;
An operation member that operates the valve body by operating in an operation direction different from a sealing direction of the valve body with respect to the valve seat;
When the valve body moves in the operation direction by operation of the operation member, the valve body or the valve support body supporting the valve body is brought into contact with the valve body or the valve support body in the sealing direction . A guide unit provided integrally with the faucet body separately from the valve seat so as to move in any direction along ,
A faucet fixture equipped with. The operating member is connected to the valve support;
The valve body is supported by the valve support so that the valve body moves relative to the valve support in any direction along the sealing direction;
The faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is configured to contact the valve body. The operation member reciprocates along the operation direction,
The faucet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide portion is provided on both sides of the valve seat along the operation direction.   The faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a seal portion that seals the valve seat is formed only in a part of the valve body. The faucet body,
A valve seat provided in the faucet body and having a hole through which liquid flows;
A valve body provided in the faucet body, for switching between a flow state allowing the liquid flow by opening and closing the valve seat and a blocking state blocking the liquid flow;
An operation member for operating the valve body by reciprocating in an operation direction different from a sealing direction of the valve body with respect to the valve seat;
When the valve body moves in the operation direction by operation of the operation member, the valve body or the valve support body supporting the valve body is brought into contact with the valve body or the valve support body in the sealing direction. Guide portions provided on both sides of the faucet body so as to move in any direction along the operation direction of the faucet body;
Water faucet equipment with.

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