JP7240287B2 - Connection device and faucet device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting device and a faucet device.

Patent Literature 1 describes a faucet with a water purifier in which a cylindrical water purification cartridge is housed inside a cylindrical container portion provided in a water discharge head.

Patent Literature 2 describes a shower head in which a cosmetic cartridge is accommodated.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-2027 JP 2015-105251 A

In the prior art as described above, the shape of the cartridge is fixed, and only one type of shape can be fitted.

On the other hand, for a spout-in type (faucet built-in type) water purification cartridge, there is a limit to the space provided in the cylindrical case of the spout for storing the water treatment cartridge. Therefore, there are limits to the overall length, outer diameter, and volume of the water treatment cartridge that can be stored in that space. In addition, there are restrictions on the length and volume of filter media such as hollow fiber membranes and adsorbents such as activated carbon. Therefore, for example, in the case of a filter material comprising a hollow fiber membrane and activated carbon, the life of the water treatment cartridge itself is unstable, such as clogging of either the hollow fiber membrane or activated carbon first. There is a need for improvement.

Therefore, it is effective to prepare a plurality of types of water treatment cartridges in which the balance between the hollow fiber membrane and the adsorbent is changed according to the water quality and target substances to be removed. In that case, since the optimum capacity of the water treatment cartridge differs depending on the volume and type of filter material to be employed, the outer diameter of the water treatment cartridge may differ.

Moreover, it is also possible to daringly change the shape of the water treatment cartridge so that the user does not use the wrong kind of water treatment cartridge. In such a case, there is a demand for a connecting device to which water treatment cartridges having different shapes can be attached.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a connecting device to which at least two types of water treatment cartridges having different outer diameters can be attached.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a connecting device according to one aspect of the present invention is a connecting device that includes a connecting portion that can connect at least two types of water treatment cartridges having different outer diameters to a water discharging device. a first connecting portion having a first cylindrical structure with a first inner diameter to mate with a first water treatment cartridge having a first outer diameter; a second connecting portion having a second cylindrical structure with a second inner diameter that mates with a second water treatment cartridge having a second outer diameter, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion; is arranged such that the opening surface of the second cylindrical structure is accommodated inside the opening surface of the first cylindrical structure when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the first cylindrical structure. Further, the second connecting portion is arranged on the back side of the first connecting portion when viewed from the side where the water treatment cartridge to be connected is fitted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector can be provided to which at least two types of water treatment cartridges can be attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the faucet apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a mimetic diagram showing the composition of the connecting instrument concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which planarly viewed the connection tool which concerns on embodiment of this invention from the A direction in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the first water treatment cartridge fitted to the first connection portion of the connection device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the second water treatment cartridge fitted to the second connection portion of the connection device. Configurations of a first water treatment cartridge fitted to the first connection portion of the connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a third water treatment cartridge fitted to the third connection portion of the connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention It is a schematic diagram showing. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the third water treatment cartridge fitted to the third connection portion of the connection device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the connecting device which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention.

[faucet device]
A faucet device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a faucet device 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the connecting device 10. As shown in FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connecting device 10 from direction A in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the connecting device 10 and the first water treatment cartridge 21 fitted to the first connecting portion 111 of the connecting device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the connecting device 10 and the second water treatment cartridge 22 fitted to the second connecting portion 112 of the connecting device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first water treatment cartridge 21 fitted to the first connection portion 111 of the connection device 10 and the third water treatment cartridge 23 fitted to the third connection portion 113 of the connection device 10. is. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the connecting device 10 and the third water treatment cartridge 23 fitted to the third connecting portion 113 of the connecting device 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the faucet device 1 includes a connecting device 10 , a spout 20 , a hose 60 , a base portion 70 and a lever 80 . Moreover, the faucet device 1 can alternatively attach the 1st water treatment cartridge 21, the 2nd water treatment cartridge 22, and the 3rd water treatment cartridge 23. FIG. Hereinafter, the water treatment cartridges attached to the faucet device 1, such as the first water treatment cartridge 21, the second water treatment cartridge 22, and the third water treatment cartridge 23, may be collectively referred to simply as "water treatment cartridges". The faucet device 1 is a spout-in type faucet device that stores a water treatment cartridge inside the case 40 .

A water treatment cartridge is a cartridge for treating raw water to produce treated water. For example, there is a cartridge formed by storing a processing material in a case. Examples of treatment materials include filtering materials for filtering impurities in raw water.

The first water treatment cartridge 21 has a housing 210 . The housing 210 is provided with a raw water inlet 211 and a treated water outlet 213 . A filtering medium 212 is stored in the housing 210 . The raw water inlet 211 is an opening for supplying raw water into the first water treatment cartridge 21 . The filter material 212 filters raw water to generate treated water. Examples of the filter material 212 include activated carbon, hollow fiber membranes, and ion exchange resins. The treated water outlet 213 is a place where treated water is discharged from the first water treatment cartridge 21 . The second water treatment cartridge 22 has the same configuration as the first water treatment cartridge 21 except that it has a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter. The third water treatment cartridge 23 has a third outer diameter smaller than the second outer diameter and includes a protrusion 234 as shown in FIGS. It has the same configuration as the first water treatment cartridge 21 except that it has 233 .

Arrows A in FIGS. 1 to 3 indicate water flow paths. When purified water obtained by treating raw water using a water treatment cartridge is discharged from the water discharging device 30 , the raw water supplied from the raw water inlet 211 passes through the filtering material 212 . The treated water that has passed through the filter material 212 flows out from the treated water outlet 213 , passes through the connecting device 10 , reaches the water discharging device 30 , and is discharged from the water discharging device 30 . The same is true when the second water treatment cartridge 22 or the third water treatment cartridge 23 is fitted into the connecting device 10 instead of the first water treatment cartridge 21 .

The water treatment cartridge preferably has a columnar shape, more preferably a columnar shape, so that it can be stored in the case 40 . In this embodiment, the water treatment cartridge attached to the water faucet device 1 is described as having a columnar shape, but the shape of the water treatment cartridge that can be attached to the connecting device of the present invention is not limited to a columnar shape. Depending on the shape of the water treatment cartridge, the shape of the connecting device of the present invention can also be changed.

The first water treatment cartridge 21 has a first outer diameter. The second water treatment cartridge 22 has a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter. The third water treatment cartridge 23 has a third outer diameter that is smaller than the second outer diameter. For example, the first outer diameter is 29 mm or more and 32 mm or less, and the present embodiment describes a case of 30 mm. The second outer diameter is, for example, 26 mm or more and 28 mm or less. The third outer diameter is, for example, 24 mm or more and 26 mm or less, and in this embodiment, a case of 25 mm will be described. Here, the outer diameter of the water treatment cartridge refers to the diameter of the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (maximum diameter if not circular). Specifically, the outer diameter of the water treatment cartridge is the length of B shown in FIG.

From the viewpoint of fixing to the first connecting portion 111 to prevent leakage of treated water, the first water treatment cartridge 21 preferably has an O-ring at the tip on the treated water outlet 213 side. The second water treatment cartridge 22 preferably has an O-ring at the tip on the treated water outlet 223 side. It is preferable that the second water treatment cartridge 22 has an O-ring at the end on the treated water outlet 223 side from the viewpoint of fixing to the second connecting portion 112 to prevent leakage of the treated water. As the material of the O-ring, an elastic material may be appropriately selected, and examples thereof include nitrile rubber, fluororubber, ethylene propylene rubber, urethane rubber, and silicone rubber.

A hose 60 is a pipe for supplying raw water to the spout 20 . The hose 60 is provided in the base part 70 or the case 40 so that it can be taken in and out.

The base portion 70 is a base for fixing the faucet device 1 to a counter or the like. The base portion 70 accommodates the hose 60 in a removable manner. Spout 20 is attachable to base portion 70 . The hose 60 is housed within the case 40 and/or the base portion 70 when the spout 20 is attached to the base portion 70 .

The lever 80 is a tiltable lever for discharging or stopping treated water or raw water from the spout 20 . Lever 80 allows treated or raw water to be supplied to spout 20 via hose 60 when in the open position (eg, above the tilt range). The lever 80 stops the supply of treated water or raw water to the spout 20 when it is in the closed position (for example, the lower position of the tilting range). The faucet device 1 may not necessarily include the lever 80 as long as the user can flow or stop treated water or raw water from the spout 20 . For example, the water faucet device 1 includes a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object at a position that receives water spouted from the spout 20, and when the sensor detects the presence of the object, the water is controlled to flow from the spout 20. good too. Further, the faucet device 1 may be controlled to flow or stop treated water or raw water from the spout 20 based on the voice of the user.

The spout 20 is a device for housing a water treatment cartridge and spouting treated water or raw water treated by the water treatment cartridge. As shown in FIG. 1, the spout 20 includes a water discharger 30 and a case 40. As shown in FIG.

The water discharge device 30 is a device for discharging raw water or treated water treated by a water treatment cartridge. The water discharging device 30 is detachably attached to the tip of the case 40 . The water discharger 30 may discharge raw water supplied from a route different from that of the treated water. For example, the raw water supplied to the water discharger 30 may be discharged by passing between the case 40 and the outer wall of the water treatment cartridge. The setting may be such that the treated water and the raw water are switched by the user operating a switching unit for switching between the treated water and the raw water. Also, the water discharger 30 may discharge water in the form of a shower. In other words, the water faucet device 1 may include a switching unit that can select the water to be spouted from among treated water that is not in the form of a shower, treated water that is in the form of a shower, raw water that is not in the form of a shower, and raw water that is in the form of a shower. good.

The case 40 has an accommodation space for the water treatment cartridge inside, and the water discharging device 30 is detachably attached to the tip. Further, the case 40 is detachably attached to the base portion 70 . Even when the case 40 is detached from the base portion 70 , the base portion 70 or the case 40 is connected by a hose 60 that can be taken in and out. Therefore, even if the case 40 is removed from the base portion 70 , raw water can pass through the hose, be treated by the water treatment cartridge depending on the state of the switching portion, and be discharged from the water discharge device 30 . In this way, the case 40 and the water discharger 30 constitute a spout type water discharge head.

The connecting device 10 is a connecting device (adapter) for supplying the water treated by the water treatment cartridge to the water discharging device 30 . Examples of the material of the connecting device 10 include POM (polyacetal) resin, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin, PP (polypropylene) resin, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) resin, and the like.

[Connecting device]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the connection device 10 includes a connection portion 11 , a water discharge device connection portion 12 , ribs 13 (contact portions), a first stopper portion 14 and a second stopper portion 15 .

The connecting portion 11 connects at least two types of water treatment cartridges having different outer diameters to the water discharging device 30 . In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 11 is attached to the water discharging device 30 inside the water faucet device 1 by connecting the first water treatment cartridge 21, the second water treatment cartridge 22, and the third water treatment cartridge 23, which have different outer diameters. Connect one of each.

The connecting portion 11 includes a first connecting portion 111 , a second connecting portion 112 and a third connecting portion 113 . The first connecting portion 111 has a first cylindrical structure with a first inner diameter that fits with the first water treatment cartridge 21 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the end of the first water treatment cartridge 21 on the treated water outlet 213 side enters the inside of the first cylindrical structure of the first connecting portion 111 to fit. The second connecting portion 112 has a second tubular structure with a second inner diameter that mates with the second water treatment cartridge 22 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 , the end of the second water treatment cartridge 22 on the treated water outlet 223 side enters and fits inside the second cylindrical structure of the second connecting portion 112 . The third connecting portion 113 has a structure that fits with the third water treatment cartridge 23 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the third connecting portion 113 has a screw type or bayonet type mounting structure with respect to the third water treatment cartridge 23 . Thereby, the third connection part 113 can connect the third water treatment cartridge 23 to the water discharging device 30 .

Since the connecting portion 11 is provided with the first connecting portion 111, the second connecting portion 112 and the third connecting portion 113, the first water treatment cartridge 21, the second water treatment cartridge 22 and the third water treatment cartridge 23 are connected to each other. can be connected to the water discharge device 30 . Therefore, in the case of a water faucet device that uses a plurality of types of water treatment cartridges according to water quality and target substances to be removed, it is possible to differentiate the shapes by changing the outer diameter according to the type, so that each shape can be used for water treatment. A cartridge can be installed. In addition, in the case of a conventional connecting device that fits only one type of water treatment cartridge, if a water treatment cartridge having an outer diameter different from the outer diameter of the water treatment cartridge is purchased by mistake, it cannot be fitted. is wasted. On the other hand, by using the connecting device 10, even if either the first water treatment cartridge 21 or the second water treatment cartridge 22 is purchased, it can be used without wasting it. In the future, even if, for example, the first water treatment cartridge 21 is no longer distributed and the second water treatment cartridge 22 becomes mainstream, it is necessary to replace the connecting device or the faucet device equipped with the connecting device. You can continue to use it without

As shown in FIG. 3, the first connection portion 111 and the second connection portion 112 are arranged in the normal direction of the opening surface 1111 of the first cylindrical structure (the direction indicated by the arrow A in which water flows in FIGS. 1 to 3). , the normal direction is also referred to as "direction A" in this specification), the opening surface 1121 of the second cylindrical structure is inside the opening surface 1111 of the first cylindrical structure. positioned to fit. With such an arrangement, not only the first water treatment cartridge 21 but also the second water treatment cartridge can be attached to the connecting device 10 . That is, two types of water treatment cartridges having different outer diameters can be attached.

In this embodiment, when the opening surface 1111 and the opening surface 1121 are viewed from above, they are concentric circles, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, even if both the opening surface of the first tubular structure and the opening surface of the second tubular structure are ring-shaped, such as a circle or an ellipse, the opening of the second tubular structure is located inside the opening surface of the first tubular structure. The centers may be different and some of their outer edges may overlap as long as the faces fit. The same applies to the positional relationship between the portion where the third connecting portion is fitted with the third water treatment cartridge and the opening surface of the second cylindrical structure.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first connection portion 111 and the second connection portion 112 are separated from each other by the first connection portion 111 when viewed from the side where the water treatment cartridge to be connected is fitted. It is located farther back than With such an arrangement, not only the second water treatment cartridge 22 but also the first water treatment cartridge 21 can be attached to the connecting device 10 . That is, two types of water treatment cartridges having different outer diameters can be attached.

At least one of the first connection portion 111 and the second connection portion 112 may be provided with a packing from the viewpoint of eliminating the need for an O-ring of at least one of the first water treatment cartridge 21 and the second water treatment cartridge 22. good. As the packing material, a material having elasticity may be appropriately selected, and examples thereof include nitrile rubber, fluororubber, ethylene propylene rubber, urethane rubber, and silicone rubber.

The first inner diameter and second inner diameter are appropriately set according to the first outer diameter and second outer diameter, the presence or absence of O-ring and packing, the outer diameter and material of O-ring, and the inner diameter and material of packing. do it. The first inner diameter and the second inner diameter may be determined according to the first outer diameter and the second outer diameter, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the portion where the third connecting portion 113 is fitted with the third water treatment cartridge 23 is positioned inside the opening surface 1121 of the second cylindrical structure when viewed from the direction A. are placed. Further, the third connecting portion 113 is arranged on the back side of the second connecting portion 112 as viewed from the side where the water treatment cartridge to be connected is fitted.

The mounting structure of the third connection part 113 with the projecting part 234 of the third water treatment cartridge 23 is a screw type or a bayonet type from the viewpoint of being able to be fixed without being easily pulled out and rattling even if the outer diameter is small. is preferred.

The water discharging device connecting portion 12 is fitted with the water discharging device 30 . The water treatment cartridge can be connected to the water discharge device 30 by fitting the water treatment cartridge into the connection portion 11 of the connection device 10 that is fitted with the water discharge device 30 at the water discharge device connection portion 12 .

The ribs 13 abut side walls of the first water treatment cartridge 21 and the second water treatment cartridge 22 . Since the connecting device 10 has the ribs 13, it is possible to prevent the first water treatment cartridge 21 and the second water treatment cartridge 22 from rattling. The abutting part provided in one aspect of the connecting device of the present invention is not limited to a form like the rib 13 . In other words, the abutment portion may abut on the side wall of one of at least two types of water treatment cartridges.

The shape of the ribs 13 may be appropriately set so that all the ribs do not contact the inner wall of the case 40 at the same time when the first water treatment cartridge 21 is fitted into the first connecting portion 111 .

The first stopper portion 14 is the innermost end that can be reached by the end surface of the first water treatment cartridge 21 that is fitted into the connecting device 10 . The second stopper portion 15 is the innermost end that can be reached by the end surface of the second water treatment cartridge 22 that is fitted into the connecting device 10 . These stopper portions can define the deepest positions of the first water treatment cartridge 21 and the second water treatment cartridge 22 .

[Modification]
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a connecting device 50 according to a modification of the embodiment of the invention. As a variant of the invention, the connecting device 50 may not have ribs 13, as shown in FIG.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the third water treatment cartridge 23 is provided with the projecting portion 234, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the outer diameter of the third water treatment cartridge may be smaller than that of the second water treatment cartridge 22, and the third water treatment cartridge does not have the protrusion 234. It may have the same shape as the processing cartridge 22 . In this case, the third connecting portion has a third tubular structure that fits with the tip of the third water treatment cartridge on the treated water outlet side. The second connecting portion and the third connecting portion are arranged so that the opening surface of the third cylindrical structure fits inside the opening surface 1121 of the second cylindrical structure when viewed from the direction A, and , the third connection portion may be arranged on the back side of the second connection portion 112 when viewed from the side where the water treatment cartridge to be connected is fitted.

In addition, at least one of the first water treatment cartridge and the second water treatment cartridge further includes a projecting portion that is longer in the A direction than the projecting portion 234 of the third water treatment cartridge 23 and fits with the third connecting portion 113. may In this case, the first water treatment cartridge is fixed also at the third connection portion 113 in addition to the first connection portion 111 and the ribs 13 . The second water treatment cartridge is fixed at the third connection portion 113 in addition to the second connection portion 112 and the ribs 13 . Therefore, the first water treatment cartridge or the second water treatment cartridge having the projecting portion can be more firmly fixed to the connecting device 10 .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims, and can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[Additional notes]
As described above, in one aspect of the connection device according to the present invention, the connecting portion includes a third connecting portion that fits with a third water treatment cartridge having a third outer diameter smaller than the second outer diameter. is more preferable.

Further, in one aspect of the connection device according to the present invention, when the portion where the third connection portion is fitted to the third water treatment cartridge is viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the first tubular structure, More preferably, it is arranged so as to fit inside the opening surface of the second tubular structure.

Moreover, in one aspect of the connecting device according to the present invention, it is more preferable that the mounting structure of the third connecting portion with the third water treatment cartridge is a screw type or a bayonet type.

Moreover, in one aspect of the connection device according to the present invention, it is more preferable to further include a contact portion that contacts a side wall of one of the at least two types of water treatment cartridges.

Moreover, in one aspect of the connecting device according to the present invention, it is more preferable that at least one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion includes a packing.

Further, in one aspect of the connection device according to the present invention, the connection part is provided in the water discharge device provided in a faucet device that stores therein one of the at least two types of water treatment cartridges. More preferably, each of the at least two types of water treatment cartridges are connected.

Further, one aspect of the faucet device according to the present invention includes one aspect of the connecting device according to the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for faucet devices and the like.

1 faucet devices 10, 50 connection device 11 connection portion 12 water discharge device connection portion 13 rib (contact portion)
14 first stopper portion 15 second stopper portion 21 first water treatment cartridge (water treatment cartridge)
22 Second water treatment cartridge (water treatment cartridge)
23 third water treatment cartridge (water treatment cartridge)
30 Water discharge device 40 Case 60 Hose 70 Base portion 80 Lever 111 First connecting portion 112 Second connecting portion 113 Third connecting portion 234 Protruding portion 1111 Opening surface of first tubular structure 1121 Opening surface of second tubular structure

Claims (8)

A connection device comprising a connection part capable of connecting each of at least two types of water treatment cartridges having different outer diameters to a water discharge device,
The connecting part is
a first connector having a first tubular structure with a first inner diameter for mating with a first water treatment cartridge having a first outer diameter;
a second connector having a second cylindrical structure with a second inner diameter that mates with a second water treatment cartridge with a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter;
The first connection portion and the second connection portion are
The opening surface of the second tubular structure is arranged so that the opening surface of the second tubular structure fits inside the opening surface of the first tubular structure when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the first tubular structure, and ,
A connecting device, wherein the second connecting portion is arranged on the back side of the first connecting portion when viewed from the side where the water treatment cartridge to be connected is fitted. 2. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the connection comprises a third connection that mates with a third water treatment cartridge having a third outer diameter smaller than the second outer diameter. A portion where the third connecting portion is fitted with the third water treatment cartridge is positioned inside the opening surface of the second cylindrical structure when viewed from the normal direction of the opening surface of the first cylindrical structure. 3. The connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the connecting device is arranged in a . The connecting device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mounting structure of the third connecting portion with the third water treatment cartridge is a screw type or a bayonet type. The connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an abutting portion that abuts against a side wall of one of the at least two types of water treatment cartridges. The connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the first connecting part and the second connecting part comprises a packing. The connecting portion connects any one of the at least two types of water treatment cartridges to the water discharge device provided in a faucet device that stores therein one of the at least two types of water treatment cartridges. The connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, for connecting each of the water treatment cartridges. A faucet device comprising the connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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