JP6846805B2 - Channel switch and water purifier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes a flow path switcher provided with a plurality of valve seats communicating with the flow path and a plurality of valve bodies for opening and closing each valve seat, and switching the flow path by moving each valve body, and a flow path switcher thereof. It is about a water purifier equipped with.

As this type of flow path switch, the flow path switch disclosed by the applicant in Patent Document 1 below is known. This flow path switcher is configured to include a valve chamber, a camshaft, a switching valve having three valve bodies, a switching lever, and the like. In this flow path switch, the camshaft rotates by swinging the switching lever. At this time, one of the valve bodies is moved in a direction away from the bottom wall of the valve chamber by one of the plurality of cam portions formed on the cam shaft, whereby the valve chamber is provided on the bottom wall of the valve chamber. One of the three valve seats is opened, resulting in water flowing through the flow path communicating with the opened valve seat. Then, in this flow path switcher, the valve seat to be opened is switched by repeating the swing operation of the switching lever, and the flow path can be switched by this.

JP-A-2016-94946 (Pages 5-10, Fig. 3)

However, the above-mentioned flow path switch has the following problems to be improved. Specifically, in this flow path switcher, the flow path is switched by swinging the switching lever. In this case, since the water purifier incorporating this flow path switching device is used by being fixed to the faucet of the water supply, the switching lever can be easily swung with one hand. However, when this flow path switcher is incorporated into the shower head, for example, the shower head itself is supported by one hand and the switching lever is swung with the other hand. Has been pointed out that the operability is poor, and improvement in this point is desired. Further, when this flow path switcher is incorporated in the shower head, the switching lever protrudes from the main body portion, which is an obstacle in designing a smart shower head.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flow path switch and a water purifier capable of improving operability and design.

In order to achieve the above object, the flow path switch according to claim 1 has a main body, a plurality of valve seats arranged in the main body so as to communicate with a plurality of flow paths, and each valve seat. A plurality of valve bodies arranged in the main body so as to be movable in the contacting and disengaging directions to open and close each valve seat, and a shaft and a plurality of cams arranged on the tip side of the shaft. A cam that is rotatably supported by the side wall of the main body and that each cam abuts on each valve body in response to rotation to move each valve body in the contacting / separating direction. A flow path switcher provided with a shaft, which opens one of the valve seats by moving each valve body by the camshaft and closes the other valve seats other than the one to switch the flow path. The camshaft is provided with a rotating mechanism for rotating the camshaft, and the rotating mechanism rotates with a slide portion that can slide along the length direction of the camshaft and a slide portion of the slide portion. A rotating body, a sign indicating the flow path switched by the movement of each valve body by the camshaft, a display unit connected to the camshaft, and a window in which the sign can be visually recognized are formed. Along with the slide portion and a push button engaged with the slide portion so as to cover the display portion, the slide portion together with the push button by moving the push button in the length direction. The camshaft is slidably arranged in the length direction, the camshaft is rotated with the rotation of the rotating body, and the display unit has the indicator indicating the switched flow path on the window. It is rotated together with the camshaft so that it can be visually recognized through the camshaft .

The flow path switch according to claim 2 is the flow path switch according to claim 1, wherein the slide portion is formed in a cylindrical shape and a spiral slit is formed in a peripheral wall, and the rotating body is formed. Is formed into a cylindrical shape that can enter the slide portion, and a protrusion that fits into the slit is formed on the outer peripheral surface, and when the slide portion slides, the protrusion guides the protrusion along the slit. It is configured to rotate.

The flow path switch according to claim 3 allows the flow path switch according to claim 1 or 2 to rotate in one direction of the cam shaft by interposing between the rotating body and the cam shaft. It is equipped with a ratchet mechanism that regulates rotation in the other direction.

The flow path switch according to claim 4 is the flow path switch according to claim 3, wherein the ratchet mechanism is an arc-shaped first ratchet claw formed on an outer peripheral surface on one end side of the cylinder, and the cylinder. A ratchet cylinder arranged between the rotating body and the cam shaft in a state of having an arc-shaped second ratchet claw formed on the outer peripheral surface on the other end side and being connected to the cam shaft, and the above. It is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating body, and when the rotating body rotates in the one direction, it meshes with the first ratchet claw to rotate the ratchet cylinder together with the rotating body in the one direction. The first ratchet teeth, which are disengaged from the first ratchet claws when the rotating body rotates in the other direction, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body provided on the main body portion are formed. When a rotational force in the other direction acts on the ratchet cylinder, it meshes with the second ratchet claw to restrict the rotation of the ratchet cylinder in the other direction, and the ratchet cylinder is said to be said. It is configured to include a second ratchet tooth that is disengaged from the second ratchet claw when it rotates in one direction.

The flow path switch according to claim 5 is the flow path switch according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rotation mechanism is described when the slide portion slides in a direction toward the tip end portion side of the shaft. The rotating body is configured to rotate in one of the above directions.

The flow path switch according to claim 6 is the flow path switch according to claim 5, wherein the rotation mechanism urges the slide portion in a direction away from the tip end side of the shaft. It has.

The water purifier according to claim 7 includes the flow path switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a filter that contains a filter medium and can be connected to the flow path switch.

According to the flow path switch according to claim 1 and the water purifier according to claim 7, a slide portion that can slide along the length direction of the camshaft, and a rotating body that rotates with the slide of the slide portion. By providing the rotating mechanism having the above, the camshaft can be rotated to switch the flow path by sliding the sliding portion along the length direction of the camshaft. Therefore, according to the flow path switcher and the water purifier, it is possible to eliminate the swinging operation of the switching lever as in the conventional flow path switcher, and as a result, the operability can be sufficiently improved. Further, according to the flow path switcher and the water purifier, the switching lever protruding from the main body can be eliminated, so that the design can be sufficiently improved. Further, by adopting a configuration in which the display unit rotates with the rotation of the camshaft and the sign written on the display unit is visually recognized through the window of the push button, the flow path can be visually recognized by the sign. The user can be made aware that the switch has been made.

According to the flow path switch according to claim 2 and the water purifier according to claim 7, a spiral slit is formed on the peripheral wall of the slide portion, and a protrusion that fits the slit is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. As a result, the camshaft can be reliably rotated even though it has a simple structure, so that the rotation mechanism can be sufficiently miniaturized. Therefore, according to this flow path switch and the water purifier, the design restrictions due to securing the space of the rotating mechanism can be reduced, and as a result, the degree of freedom in design can be increased, and as a result, the designability is further improved. Can be made to.

According to the flow path switch according to claim 3 and the water purifier according to claim 7, the camshaft is interposed between the rotating body and the camshaft to allow rotation of one direction of the camshaft and the other direction. By providing a ratchet mechanism that regulates the rotation of the camshaft, the camshaft is rotated to switch the flow path only when the slide portion is slid toward the tip side of the shaft, and the slide is slid in the opposite direction. When the portion is slid, the flow path can be maintained as it is without returning to the flow path before switching. Therefore, according to this flow path switcher and water purifier, the switched flow path is used when the slide portion is reciprocated along the length direction of the camshaft, unlike the configuration without the ratchet mechanism. As a result of being able to prevent the situation of returning to the flow path before switching against the intention of the person, the operability can be further improved.

According to the flow path switch according to claim 4 and the water purifier according to claim 7, a ratchet cylinder having a first ratchet claw and a second ratchet claw, and a first ratchet formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating body. A simple configuration is provided by configuring a ratchet mechanism with a first ratchet tooth that meshes with the claw and a second ratchet tooth that is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body of the main body and meshes with the second ratchet claw. However, since the function as the ratchet mechanism can be surely realized, the ratchet mechanism can be sufficiently miniaturized, and as a result, the design can be further improved.

According to the flow path switch according to claim 5 and the water purifier according to claim 7, the rotating body rotates in one direction when the slide portion is slid in the direction toward the tip end side of the shaft. By configuring the rotation mechanism as described above, the camshaft can be rotated by the operation of pushing the slide portion to switch the flow path. Therefore, the camshaft is rotated by the operation of pulling the slide portion to rotate the flow path. As a result of making it easier to apply force to the slide portion as compared with the configuration in which the above is switched, the operability can be further improved.

According to the flow path switch according to claim 6 and the water purifier according to claim 7, the tip of the shaft is provided with an urging portion that urges the slide portion in a direction away from the tip end side of the shaft. When the push of the slide portion in the direction toward the portion is released, the slide portion can be automatically returned to the initial position (the position before pushing), so that the operability can be further improved.

It is a 1st perspective view of a shower head 1. FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the shower head 1. It is a vertical sectional view of the flow path switch 2 (S1 plane sectional view of FIG. 1). It is an exploded perspective view of the flow path switch 2. It is a perspective view of the main body part 12. It is a vertical sectional view (S2 plane sectional view of FIG. 5) of the main body part 12. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the drive part accommodating chamber 123 in the main body part 12. It is a perspective view of a valve seat unit 13. It is a perspective view of the valve bodies 15a, 15b, 15c. It is a perspective view of the camshafts 16a and 16b. FIG. 5 is a side view of the camshafts 16a and 16b as viewed from the X direction of FIG. It is a perspective view of the ratchet cylinder 171. It is a cross-sectional view (S3 plane sectional view of FIG. 12) of a ratchet cylinder 171. It is a perspective view of the rotating body 172. It is a cross-sectional view of a rotating body 172 (S4 plane cross-sectional view of FIG. 14). It is a perspective view of a slider 174. It is 1st explanatory drawing explaining the operation of the rotation mechanism 17. It is a 2nd explanatory drawing explaining the operation of the rotation mechanism 17. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (L1 line cross-sectional view in FIG. 3) showing an engaged state between the ratchet teeth 172c of the rotating body 172 and the ratchet claw 171b of the ratchet cylinder 171. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view (L2 line cross-sectional view in FIG. 3) showing an engaged state between the ratchet teeth 124 of the main body 12 and the ratchet claws 171c of the ratchet cylinder 171.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the flow path switch and the water purifier will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the configuration of the shower head 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The shower head 1 is an example of a water purifier, and is configured to include a flow path switch 2 and a filter 3 as shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flow path switch 2 includes a case 11, a main body 12, a valve seat unit 13, a discharge cap 14, and valve bodies 15a, 15b, 15c (hereinafter, “valve body 15” when not distinguished). It is also provided with camshafts 16a and 16b (hereinafter, also referred to as "camshaft 16" when not distinguished) and a rotating mechanism 17.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case 11 includes an upper case 11a and a lower case 11b that can be fitted to each other, and can accommodate other components constituting the flow path switch 2 as shown in FIG. It is configured in. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case 11 is formed in a shape in which the short tubular portion projects in the perpendicular direction from the intermediate portion of the long tubular portion.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the main body 12 includes a valve chamber 121, a valve seat accommodating chamber 122 and a drive unit accommodating chamber 123.

The valve chamber 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and as shown in FIG. 3, the valve bodies 15a, 15b, 15c, the camshaft 16a, and the tip end side of the camshaft 16b (FIG. 3). (Left side) is configured to be accommodating. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a side wall 121a having a recess 121c for supporting the camshaft 16a and a side wall 121b having a support hole 121d for supporting the camshaft 16b are provided in the valve chamber 121. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the valve seat accommodating chamber 122 is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding from the central portion of the valve chamber 121, and is configured to accommodate the valve seat unit 13 as shown in FIG. .. Further, a thread (female screw) (not shown) for screwing the discharge cap 14 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tip end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 3) of the valve seat accommodating chamber 122.

As shown in FIG. 6, the drive unit accommodating chamber 123 is formed on the side wall 121b side of the valve chamber 121, and as shown in FIG. 3, the rotation mechanism 17 and the camshaft 16b are provided on the proximal end side (right side in FIG. 3). ) Can be accommodated. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drive unit accommodating chamber 123 is formed in a cylindrical body 123a having a diameter slightly larger than that of the valve chamber 121 and a cylindrical body 123a formed having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the valve chamber 121. It is configured to include a cylindrical body 123b provided in the above.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 123b, nine ratchet teeth that mesh with the ratchet claw 171c (corresponding to the second ratchet claw) of the ratchet cylinder 171 described later in the rotating mechanism 17 124 (corresponding to the second ratchet tooth) is formed (see also FIG. 20). Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, three slits 125 for inserting the protrusion 174b of the slider 174 described later in the rotating mechanism 17 are formed at equal intervals on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body 123a. In this case, the slit 125 is formed so as to extend along the length direction of the camshafts 16a and 16b (which is also the length direction of the shower head 1 and the direction of the arrow Z shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). ..

As shown in FIG. 8, the valve seat unit 13 includes three valve seats 131a, 131b, 131c (hereinafter, also referred to as “valve seat 131” when not distinguished). In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, each valve seat 131 is also referred to as three flow paths 100a, 100b, 100c or less for flowing water supplied to the flow path switch 2, or "flow path 100" when not distinguished. ).

Here, the flow path 100a causes the water (purified water) that has passed through the filter 3 to flow to the straight discharge port 141 described later in the discharge cap 14. Further, the flow path 100b allows water (raw water) that does not pass through the filter 3 to flow to the straight discharge port 141 of the discharge cap 14. Further, the flow path 100c causes the raw water to flow to the shower discharge port 142 described later in the discharge cap 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, the discharge cap 14 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is attached to the tip end portion (lower end portion in the figure) of the valve seat accommodating chamber 122 of the main body portion 12 as shown in FIG. ing. In this case, the discharge cap 14 is screwed into a screw thread (male screw) formed on the outer peripheral surface into a screw thread (female screw) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tip of the valve seat accommodating chamber 122. It is attached to the tip of the valve seat accommodating chamber 122 by. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a straight discharge port 141 for discharging water flowing through the flow paths 100a and 100b in a straight shape and water flowing through the flow path 100c are discharged in a shower shape at the bottom of the discharge cap 14. A shower discharge port 142 is formed. Further, as shown in the figure, the straight discharge port 141 is provided with a rectifying plate 143 for rectifying the discharged water. Further, an O-ring (annular packing) for airtightness is provided at the joint portion between the discharge cap 14 and the main body portion 12 and the joint portion between the straightening vane 143 and the discharge cap 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the valve bodies 15a, 15b, 15c are arranged above the valve seats 131a, 131b, 131c, and are brought into contact with and separated from the valve seats 131a, 131b, 131c by the camshaft 16 ( The valve seats 131a, 131b, and 131c are opened and closed by being moved in the contact / separation direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the valve bodies 15a, 15b, 15c are the frame 151 into which the cam 162 forming portion described later is inserted in the cam shaft 16, and the valve bodies 15a, 15b, 15c are inserted into the valve seat 131a. , 131b, 131c, and a cam formed on the lower part of the spring receiver 152 with which one end (lower end in FIGS. 3 and 4) of the spring 156 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) abuts. Each of the shaft 16 includes a protrusion 153 with which the cam 162 abuts, and a closing portion 154 that closes and opens the valve seats 131a, 131b, and 131c. Further, an airtight O-ring is provided at the joint portion between the closing portion 154 and the valve seats 131a, 131b, 131c.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cam shaft 16a includes a shaft 161a, three cams 162a (see also FIG. 11), and a connecting portion 163a. The shaft 161a is formed in a columnar shape, and a tip portion (left end portion in FIG. 10) is inserted into a recess 121c (see FIG. 6) formed in a side wall 121a of the main body portion 12 so as to be rotatable. Is supported by the side wall 121a.

As shown in FIG. 11, each cam 162a is formed in a substantially trapezoidal cross section, and the radial direction (radial direction of the shaft 161a) is from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 161a in a state where the angle formed by the adjacent cams 162a is 120 °. It is arranged on the shaft 161a so as to project toward the shaft 161a. Note that FIG. 11 illustrates a state in which the camshafts 16a and 16b are viewed from the axial direction (X direction shown in FIG. 10).

As shown in FIG. 10, the connecting portion 163a is formed in a columnar shape having a diameter larger than that of the shaft 161a. Further, a connecting hole 164a for inserting one end of the camshaft 16b to connect the camshafts 16a and 16b is formed in the connecting portion 163a. Further, an airtight O-ring is provided at the joint portion between the camshaft 16a and the main body portion 12.

As shown in FIG. 10, the camshaft 16b is also referred to as a "cam 162" when the shafts 161b, three cams 162b, and three cams 162c (see also FIG. 11: hereinafter, cams 162a, 162b, 162c are not distinguished). ), And a connecting portion 163b. The shaft 161b is formed in a columnar shape, and one end portion (the left end portion in the figure) is inserted into a connecting hole 164a formed in the connecting portion 163a of the cam shaft 16a and connected to the cam shaft 16a.

As shown in FIG. 11, each cam 162b is formed in the same shape as the cam 162a of the shaft 161a, the adjacent cams 162b form 120 °, and the cam shafts 16a and 16b are viewed from the axial direction. The shaft 161b is arranged so as to project in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 161b in a state where the angle formed by the adjacent cam 162a is 40 °.

As shown in FIG. 11, the cams 162c are formed in the same shape as the cams 162a and 162b, the adjacent cams 162c form 120 °, and the cam shafts 16a and 16b are adjacent to each other when viewed from the axial direction. The shaft 161b is arranged so as to project in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 161b in a state where the angle formed by the cams 162a and 162b is 40 °. That is, as shown in the figure, the cams 162a, 162b, and 162c of the camshafts 16a and 16b are in the state where the camshafts 16a and 16b are viewed from the axial direction in 40 ° increments in the rotation direction about the axis. They are arranged side by side.

As shown in FIG. 10, the connecting portion 163b is formed in a columnar shape having a diameter larger than that of the shaft 161b, is inserted into a support hole 121d (see FIG. 6) formed in the side wall 121b of the main body portion 12, and rotates. It is supported by the side wall 121b in a possible state. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the connecting portion 163b is formed with an insertion hole 164b into which the shaft 177b of the display portion 177 described later in the rotating mechanism 17 is inserted. Further, an airtight O-ring is provided at the joint portion between the camshaft 16b and the main body portion 12.

In the camshafts 16a and 16b configured as described above, each time the camshafts 16a and 16b rotate by 40 °, any one of the cams 162a, 162b and 162c, the cam 162, becomes the valve body 15a and 15b. , 15c (projection portion 153 shown in FIG. 9), abuts on the valve body 15, and pushes the valve body 15 upward (in a direction away from the valve seats 131a, 131b, 131c) to move the valve body 15. (Push up). When the pressure by the cam 162 is released, the valve body 15 is moved (pushed down) downward (in the direction close to the valve seats 131a, 131b, 131c) by the urging force of the spring 156. By such an operation of the camshafts 16a, 16b and the valve bodies 15a, 15b, 15c, the valve seats 131a, 131b, 131c of the valve seat unit 13 are opened and closed, whereby the flow path 100 is switched.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotating mechanism 17 includes a ratchet cylinder 171, a rotating body 172, an E spring 173, a slider 174, a bush 175, a spring 176, a display unit 177, and a push button 178. ..

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the ratchet cylinder 171 includes a main body 171a (cylinder), three ratchet claws 171b (corresponding to the first ratchet claw), and three ratchet claws 171c (on the second ratchet claw). It is configured with (corresponding). The main body portion 171a is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the camshaft 16b (specifically, the outside of the connecting portion 163b shown in FIG. 10) as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the ratchet claws 171b are formed in an arc shape and are arranged at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface on the right side (one end side) of the main body portion 171a in FIG. 12, and are shown in FIG. As described above, the rotating body 172 meshes with the ratchet tooth 172c (corresponding to the first ratchet tooth) described later. Note that in FIG. 19, illustrations other than the ratchet cylinder 171 and the rotating body 172 are omitted. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the ratchet claws 171c are formed in an arc shape and are arranged at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface on the left side (the other end side) of the main body portion 171a in FIG. As described above, it meshes with the ratchet tooth 124 (corresponding to the second ratchet tooth) formed on the cylindrical body 123b of the main body portion 12. In FIG. 20, illustrations other than the main body 12 and the ratchet cylinder 171 are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the rotating body 172 includes a main body portion 172a, three protrusions 172b, and nine ratchet teeth 172c (first ratchet teeth). The main body portion 172a is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is connected to the ratchet cylinder 171 with one end side of the ratchet cylinder 171 inserted as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the protrusions 172b are formed in a columnar shape and are arranged at equal intervals so as to project from the outer peripheral surface of the main body 172a in the radial direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the protrusion 172b is fitted into the slit 174c described later in the slider 174. As shown in FIG. 15, each ratchet tooth 172c is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 172a at equal intervals.

In this case, the ratchet claws 171b and 171c (first ratchet claw and second ratchet claw) of the ratchet cylinder 171, the ratchet teeth 172c (first ratchet tooth) of the rotating body 172, and the ratchet teeth 124 of the main body 12 (the above-mentioned) The ratchet mechanism is configured by the second ratchet tooth).

As shown in FIG. 3, the E-spring 173 is fitted into a groove formed at the end (right end in the figure) of the connecting portion 163b of the camshaft 16b inserted into the ratchet cylinder 171 and the rotating body 172. This prevents the ratchet cylinder 171 and the rotating body 172 from coming off from the connecting portion 163b.

The slider 174 corresponds to a slide portion, and is configured to include a main body portion 174a and three protrusions 174b as shown in FIG. 16, and as shown in FIG. 3, an opening of a cylindrical body 123a of the main body portion 12. It is arranged on the part side (right side in the figure). As shown in FIG. 16, the main body portion 174a is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The protruding portions 174b are arranged at equal intervals so as to project in the radial direction from the edge portion on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 174a opposite to the bottom portion (left side in the figure). Further, on the peripheral wall of the main body portion 174a, three spiral slits 174c into which the protrusion 172b of the rotating body 172 can be fitted are formed at equal intervals. In this case, each slit 174c is formed in a left spiral shape as shown in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 18, the slider 174 extends in the extending direction (camshaft 16a) of the slits 125 in a state where the protrusions 174b are fitted into the slits 125 formed in the cylindrical body 123a of the main body 12. , 16b (the length direction of the shower head 1), and can be slid in the direction of the arrow Z shown in the figure. Further, in this slider 174, since each slit 174c is formed in a left spiral (S winding) shape, the slider 174 is slid in the direction of arrow Z2 shown in the figure (direction toward the tips of the shafts 161a and 161b). The rotating body 172 (see FIG. 17) in which each protrusion 172b is fitted into each slit 174c is guided by each slit 174c, and the direction of the arrow θ1 shown in FIG. 19 (corresponding to one direction). , Rotates clockwise from one end 2a side (see FIG. 1) of the flow path switch 2 when the rotating body 172 is viewed. In this case, the flow path switcher 2 is configured such that when the rotating body 172 is rotated by 40 °, the protrusion 174b comes into contact with the edge of the slit 125, and further sliding of the slider 174 is restricted. Has been done.

As shown in FIG. 18, the bush 175 is attached to the opening side of the cylinder 123a in the main body 12 (on the right side in both drawings), and the protrusion 174b of the slider 174 fitted into the slit 125 of the cylinder 123a. Prevent it from coming off.

The spring 176 corresponds to the urging portion, is arranged between the cylindrical bodies 123a and 123b in the main body portion 12, and is oriented away from the tip portions of the shafts 161a and 161b (shown in the same figure). The slider 174 is urged in the direction of the arrow Z1).

As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 177 includes a circular display plate 177a and a shaft 177b attached to the display plate 177a. Further, as shown in the figure, in the display unit 177, the display plate 177a switches the flow path rather than the slider 174 in a state where the shaft 177b is inserted into the insertion hole 164b formed in the connecting portion 163b of the camshaft 16b. It is arranged so as to be located on the one end 2a side of the vessel 2 and rotates together with the camshafts 16a and 16b. Further, on the surface of the display plate 177a, signs (not shown) such as characters and symbols indicating the type of the flow path 100 are written, and the display unit 177 rotates together with the camshafts 16a and 16b to cause the camshaft. A sign indicating the flow path 100 switched by the rotation of the 16a and 16b is visually recognized through the window 178a described later in the push button 178.

As shown in FIG. 4, the push button 178 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG. 3, the push button 178 is placed on one end 2a side of the flow path switch 2 so as to cover the slider 174 and the display unit 177. It is arranged. Further, on the bottom of the push button 178, a window 178a for visually recognizing the above-mentioned sign described on the display plate 177a of the above-mentioned display unit 177 is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the filter 3 includes a main body 21 and a cartridge filter 22 (filter material) housed in the main body 21. The main body 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape so that one end 21a can be connected to the other end 2b of the flow path switch 2, and a water supply hose (not shown) is connected to the other end 21b. It is configured to be possible.

Next, a method of using the shower head 1 and an operation of each part constituting the shower head 1 at that time will be described.

In this shower head 1, the push button 178 of the rotation mechanism 17 in the flow path switch 2 is moved in the length direction of the shower head 1 (the length direction of the camshafts 16a and 16b: the direction of the arrow Z shown in FIG. 1). By doing so, it is possible to switch and discharge the water flow path 100 supplied through the water supply hose (not shown). Specifically, the push button 178 is pushed in the direction of the arrow Z2 shown in FIG. 1 (direction toward the tips of the shafts 161a and 161b).

At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, the slider 174 slides in the direction of arrow Z2 by pushing the push button 178. Next, as the slider 174 slides in the direction of the arrow Z2, as shown in FIG. 17, the rotating body 172 in which the protrusions 172b are fitted into the left spiral slits 174c in the slider 174 is formed by the slits 174c. Guided by, it rotates in the direction of the arrow θ1 (one direction).

At this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the ratchet teeth 172c of the rotating body 172 and the ratchet claw 171b of the ratchet cylinder 171 mesh with each other, and the ratchet cylinder 171 and the rotating body 172 are arrowed together with the rotation of the rotating body 172. It rotates in the direction of θ1. Further, the cam shaft 16b connected to the ratchet cylinder 171 and the cam shaft 16a connected to the cam shaft 16b rotate in the direction of the arrow θ1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, when the ratchet cylinder 171 rotates in the direction of the arrow θ1, the ratchet teeth 124 of the cylindrical body 123b in the main body 12 and the ratchet claws 171c of the ratchet cylinder 171 do not mesh (mesh). Is released), so that the ratchet cylinder 171 is allowed to rotate in the direction of the arrow θ1.

Subsequently, when the camshafts 16a, 16b are rotated by 40 °, any one of the cams 162a, 162b, 162c (see FIG. 3) (as an example, the cam 162a) is the valve body 15a, 15b, 15c. (See the figure) The valve body 15a is pushed upward to move (push up) by abutting against the protrusion 153 (see FIG. 9) of any one of them (in this example, the valve body 15a). As a result, the closing portion 154 of the valve body 15a is separated from the valve seat 131a, and the valve seat 131a is opened. Further, in this state, the valve bodies 15b and 15c (other valve bodies 15 excluding the valve body 15a) are pressed downward by the urging force of the spring 156, so that the valve seats 131b and 131c are closed. As a result, the water (purified water) supplied through the water supply hose (not shown) and passed through the filter 3 flows through the flow path 100a (see FIG. 3) communicating with the valve seat 131a, and the discharge cap 14 is straightened. It is discharged from the discharge port 141 (see the figure).

Further, the display unit 177 rotates with the rotation of the camshafts 16a and 16b, and rotates together with the camshafts 16a and 16b. Further, a sign indicating the flow path 100a written on the surface of the display board 177a is visually recognized through the window 178a of the push button 178. Therefore, the user of the shower head 1 can recognize that the shower head 1 has been switched to the flow path 100a.

On the other hand, when the rotating body 172 is rotated by 40 °, the sliding of the slider 174 is restricted, so that the push button 178 is released at that time. At this time, the urging force of the spring 176 slides the slider 174, the display unit 177, and the push button 178 in the direction of arrow Z1 shown in FIG. 18 (direction away from the tips of the shafts 161a and 161b), and these are slid. It returns to the initial position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, as the slider 174 slides in the direction of arrow Z1, the rotating body 172 rotates in the direction of arrow θ2 (the other direction) opposite to the direction of arrow θ1 in the initial state. Return to. In this case, as shown in FIG. 19, when the rotating body 172 rotates in the direction of the arrow θ2, the ratchet teeth 172c of the rotating body 172 and the ratchet claw 171b of the ratchet cylinder 171 do not mesh (the meshing is released). ) Therefore, only the rotating body 172 rotates (the rotating body 172 runs idle). Further, even if the rotational force in the direction of the arrow θ2 acts on the ratchet cylinder 171 due to the friction between the ratchet teeth 172c and the ratchet claw 171b, as shown in FIG. 20, the cylindrical body 123b in the main body portion 12 Since the ratchet teeth 124 and the ratchet claws 171c of the ratchet cylinder 171 mesh with each other, the rotation of the ratchet cylinder 171 in the direction of the arrow θ2 is restricted. Therefore, the rotation of the camshafts 16a and 16b connected to the ratchet cylinder 171 in the direction of the arrow θ2 is restricted.

As described above, due to the action of the ratchet mechanism composed of the ratchet claws 171b and 171c of the ratchet cylinder 171, the ratchet teeth 124 of the main body 12, and the ratchet teeth 172c of the rotating body 172, the arrows θ1 of the camshafts 16a and 16b Rotation in the direction is allowed, and rotation in the direction of arrow θ2 is restricted.

Then, when the push button 178 is pushed again in the direction of arrow Z2 shown in FIG. 1, the slider 174 slides in the direction of arrow Z2 as shown in FIG. 18, and subsequently, as shown in FIG. 17, the rotating body 172 rotates in the direction of arrow θ1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the ratchet teeth 172c of the rotating body 172 and the ratchet claw 171b of the ratchet cylinder 171 mesh with each other, and the ratchet cylinder 171 rotates together with the rotating body 172 in the direction of the arrow θ1. The camshafts 16a and 16b rotate in the direction of the arrow θ1.

Next, when the camshafts 16a and 16b rotate by 40 °, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the cam 162b abuts on the valve body 15b and pushes the valve body 15b upward to move the valve seat. 131b is released. As a result, the water (raw water) that has not passed through the filter 3 flows through the flow path 100b (see the figure) communicating with the valve seat 131b and is discharged from the straight discharge port 141 (see the figure) of the discharge cap 14. Will be done. That is, the flow path 100 is switched from the flow path 100a to the flow path 100b.

Subsequently, when the push button 178 is released from being pushed, the slider 174, the display unit 177, and the push button 178 are slid in the direction of the arrow Z1 shown in FIG. 18 by the urging force of the spring 176, and these are returned to the initial positions. To do. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, as the slider 174 slides in the direction of arrow Z1, the rotating body 172 rotates in the direction of arrow θ2 and returns to the initial state.

Then, when the push button 178 is pushed again in the direction of arrow Z2 shown in FIG. 1, the slider 174 slides in the direction of arrow Z2 and the rotating body 172 rotates in the direction of arrow θ1 as described above. Along with this, the ratchet cylinder 171 and the camshafts 16a and 16b rotate in the direction of the arrow θ1 (see FIGS. 17 to 19).

Subsequently, when the camshafts 16a and 16b are rotated by 40 °, for example, the cam 162c comes into contact with the valve body 15c and pushes the valve body 15c upward to move it, whereby the valve seat 131c is opened. As a result, the water (raw water) that has not passed through the filter 3 flows through the flow path 100c (see FIG. 3) communicating with the valve seat 131c and is discharged from the shower discharge port 142 (see FIG. 3) of the discharge cap 14. Will be done. That is, the flow path 100 is switched from the flow path 100b to the flow path 100c.

Next, when the push button 178 is released, the slider 174, the display unit 177, and the push button 178 are slid in the direction of the arrow Z1 by the urging force of the spring 176 to return to the initial position, and the rotating body is accompanied by this. 172 rotates in the direction of arrow θ2 and returns to the initial state (see FIGS. 17 and 18).

Hereinafter, by pushing in and releasing the push button 178, each part of the flow path switching device 2 operates in the same manner as the above-mentioned operation, whereby the flow path 100 is switched.

As described above, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, the slider 174 slidable along the length direction of the camshafts 16a and 16b, and the rotating body 172 rotating with the slide of the slider 174. By providing the rotating mechanism 17 having the above, the camshafts 16a and 16b are rotated by sliding the slider 174 along the length direction of the camshafts 16a and 16b to switch the flow path 100. Can be done. Therefore, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, it is possible to eliminate the swinging operation of the switching lever as in the conventional flow path switch, and as a result, the operability can be sufficiently improved. it can. Further, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, the switching lever protruding from the main body can be eliminated, so that the design can be sufficiently improved.

Further, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, a spiral slit 174c is formed on the peripheral wall of the slider 174, and a protrusion 172b fitted to the slit 174c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 172. As a result, the camshafts 16a and 16b can be reliably rotated even though the configuration is simple, so that the rotation mechanism 17 can be sufficiently miniaturized. Therefore, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, design restrictions can be reduced by securing the space of the rotating mechanism 17, and as a result, the degree of freedom in design can be increased, resulting in designability. Can be further improved.

Further, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, the camshafts 16a and 16b rotate in the direction of the arrow θ1 (one direction) so as to be interposed between the rotating body 172 and the camshafts 16a and 16b. The camshaft is provided only when the slider 174 is slid in the direction toward the tip of the shafts 161a and 161b by providing a ratchet mechanism that allows the rotation of the arrow θ2 (the other direction). When the flow path 100 is switched by rotating 16a and 16b and the slider 174 is slid in the opposite direction, the flow path 100 can be maintained as it is without returning to the flow path 100 before switching. Therefore, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, the switching is performed when the slider 174 is reciprocated along the length direction of the camshafts 16a and 16b, unlike the configuration without the ratchet mechanism. As a result of being able to prevent the flow path 100 from returning to the flow path 100 before switching against the intention of the user, the operability can be further improved.

Further, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, a ratchet cylinder 171 having ratchet claws 171b and 171c, a ratchet tooth 172c formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating body 172 and meshing with the ratchet claw 171b, and a ratchet tooth 172c. The ratchet mechanism is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 123b of the main body 12 and is provided with the ratchet teeth 124 that mesh with the ratchet claws 171c. Since it can be surely realized, the ratchet mechanism can be sufficiently miniaturized, and as a result, the design can be further improved.

Further, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, when the slider 174 is slid in the direction toward the tip end side of the shafts 161a and 161b, the rotating body 172 is oriented in the direction of the arrow θ1 (one direction). By configuring the rotation mechanism 17 so as to rotate in, the camshafts 16a and 16b can be rotated by the operation of pushing the slider 174 to switch the flow path 100, so that the operation of pulling the slider 174 can be performed. As a result of making it easier to apply a force to the slider 174 as compared with a configuration in which the camshafts 16a and 16b are rotated to switch the flow path 100, the operability can be further improved.

Further, according to the flow path switch 2 and the shower head 1, the tip portions of the shafts 161a and 161b are provided with a spring 176 that urges the slider 174 in a direction away from the tip portions of the shafts 161a and 161b. When the push of the slider 174 in the direction toward the direction is released, the slider 174 can be automatically returned to the initial position (the position before pushing), so that the operability can be further improved.

The flow path switch and the water purifier are not limited to the above configuration. For example, although the example applied to the shower head 1 as a water purifier has been described above, it can also be applied to a faucet fixed type water purifier used by being attached to a faucet of a water supply. Further, it is also possible to incorporate the flow path switch 2 into a device that does not have the filter 3 (water purification function) and use it (that is, use the flow path switch 2 alone).

Further, although the example applied to the flow path switch 2 for switching the three flow paths 100a, 100b, 100c has been described above, it is applied to the flow path switcher for switching any number of two or four or more flow paths 100. You can also do it. In this case, the number of valve seats 131, the number of valve bodies 15, the number of cams 162 on the camshaft 16, the number of ratchet teeth 124 and 172c, and the number of ratchet claws 171b and 171c on the ratchet cylinder 171 according to the number of flow paths 100. By increasing or decreasing the number, each of the above effects can be realized.

Further, although the configuration example in which the spring 176 is used as the urging member has been described above, for example, a configuration in which an elastic member such as rubber is used as the urging member can also be adopted.

It is also possible to adopt a configuration that does not include the spring 176. In this case, in this configuration, the push button 178 can be returned to the initial state by pulling the push button 178 in the direction of the arrow Z1 shown in FIG.

Further, the ratchet mechanism is not limited to the above configuration composed of the ratchet claws 171b and 171c of the ratchet cylinder 171, the ratchet teeth 172c of the rotating body 172, and the ratchet teeth 124 of the main body 12. For example, the ratchet cylinder 171 is formed with ratchet teeth similar to those of ratchet teeth 172c and 124, and the rotating body 172 and the main body 12 are formed with ratchet claws similar to those of ratchet claws 171b and 171c, respectively. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a claw similar to the above is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 163b of the cam shaft 16b.

It is also possible to adopt a configuration that does not have a ratchet mechanism. In this case, in this configuration, the slidable length of the slider 174 is defined to be long (for example, the length that the rotating body 172 rotates by 120 °). By defining in this way, the flow paths 100a and 100b are moved every time the slider 174 is moved in the direction of the arrow Z2 shown in FIG. 18 and the rotating body 172 is rotated 40 ° in the direction of the arrow θ1 shown in FIG. , 100c are sequentially switched in this order, the slider 174 is moved in the direction of arrow Z1 shown in FIG. 18, and the flow path 100a is rotated 40 ° in the direction of arrow θ2 shown in FIG. , 100b, 100c can be sequentially switched in the reverse order.

Further, the rotating mechanism is not limited to the configuration of the rotating mechanism 17 described above. For example, in the rotation mechanism 17 described above, when the slider 174 slides in the direction toward the tip end side of the shafts 161a and 161b, the rotating body 172 is configured to rotate in the direction of the arrow θ1 (one direction). However, the rotation mechanism can be configured so that the rotating body 172 rotates in the direction of the arrow θ1 when the slider 174 slides in a direction away from the tip end side of the shafts 161a and 161b.

Further, the rotating mechanism is not limited to the configuration of the rotating mechanism 17 described above. For example, the rotating mechanism 17 includes a rotating body 172 on which the protrusion 172b is formed and a slider 174 on which the slit 174c is formed, but a slit similar to the slit 174c of the slider 174 is formed. A rotating mechanism can also be configured by including a rotating body and a slider (sliding portion) on which a protrusion similar to the protrusion 172b of the rotating body 172 is formed. In addition, a rotation mechanism can be configured by using a link or a gear.

Further, although the example of using two camshafts 16a and 16b connected to each other has been described above, a configuration using one camshaft in which the camshafts 16a and 16b are integrally formed can also be adopted.

1 Shower head 2 Flow path switch 3 Filter 12 Main body 16a, 16b Camshaft 17 Rotation mechanism 22 Cartridge filter 100a, 100b, 100c Flow path 124, 172c Ratchet teeth 131a, 131b, 131c Valve seat 15a, 15b, 15c Valve body 121a, 121b Side wall 161a, 161b Shaft 162a, 162b, 162c Cam 171 Ratchet cylinder 171b, 171c Ratchet claw 172 Rotating body 172b Protrusion 174 Slider 174c Slit 176 Spring

Claims (7)

The main body and a plurality of valve seats arranged in the main body so as to communicate with each of the plurality of flow paths are arranged in the main body so as to be movable in the contacting and disengaging directions with respect to each valve seat. It has a plurality of valve bodies that are provided to open and close each valve seat, and a shaft and a plurality of cams arranged on the tip end side of the shaft, and are rotatably supported by the side wall of the main body. A camshaft is provided in which each cam abuts on each of the valve bodies in response to rotation to move each of the valve bodies in the contacting / separating direction, and the movement of each of the valve bodies by the camshaft causes the said. A flow path switcher that opens one of the valve seats and closes the other valve seats other than the one to switch the flow path.
A rotation mechanism for rotating the camshaft is provided.
The rotation mechanism is switched between a slide portion that can slide along the length direction of the camshaft, a rotating body that rotates with the slide of the slide portion, and movement of each valve body by the camshaft. A sign indicating the flow path is described, and a display unit connected to the camshaft and a window in which the sign can be visually recognized are formed, and the slide portion and the display portion are covered with the slide portion. Equipped with a push button engaged to
The slide portion is slidably arranged in the length direction together with the push button by moving the push button in the length direction.
The camshaft is rotated with the rotation of the rotating body, and the camshaft is rotated .
The display unit is a flow path switcher that is rotated together with the camshaft so that the sign indicating the switched flow path is visually recognized through the window. The slide portion is formed in a cylindrical shape and a spiral slit is formed in the peripheral wall.
The rotating body is formed in a cylindrical shape that allows entry into the slide portion, and a protrusion that fits into the slit is formed on the outer peripheral surface, and when the slide portion slides, the protrusion is formed along the slit. The flow path switch according to claim 1, wherein the unit is guided to rotate. The first or second claim, wherein the camshaft is interposed between the rotating body and the camshaft to allow rotation of one direction of the camshaft and regulate the rotation of the other direction. Channel switch. The ratchet mechanism has an arc-shaped first ratchet claw formed on the outer peripheral surface on one end side of the cylinder and an arc-shaped second ratchet claw formed on the outer peripheral surface on the other end side of the cylinder. A ratchet cylinder disposed between the rotating body and the camshaft in a state of being connected to the camshaft,
Formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating body, when the rotating body rotates in one direction, it meshes with the first ratchet claw and rotates the ratchet cylinder together with the rotating body in the one direction. The first ratchet tooth, which is disengaged from the first ratchet claw when the rotating body rotates in the other direction,
It is formed on the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical body provided in the main body portion, and when a rotational force in the other direction acts on the ratchet cylinder, it meshes with the second ratchet claw to cause the ratchet cylinder. It is configured to have a second ratchet tooth that restricts rotation in the other direction and is disengaged from the second ratchet claw when the ratchet cylinder rotates in the other direction. The flow path switch according to claim 3. The third or fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the rotating mechanism is configured such that the rotating body rotates in one of the directions when the sliding portion slides in a direction toward the tip end side of the shaft. Flow path switcher. The flow path switching device according to claim 5, wherein the rotating mechanism includes an urging portion that urges the slide portion in a direction away from the tip end side of the shaft. A water purifier including the flow path switch according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a filter that contains a filter medium and can be connected to the flow path switch.

Images