JP7517391B2 - Faucet valve device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a faucet valve device, and in particular to a faucet valve device suitable for achieving motorized temperature adjustment.

The applicant has already achieved motorization of the flow control valve (Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-201200 A

However, no suitable faucet valve device suitable for achieving motorized temperature control has yet been proposed.

The present invention was conceived against the background described above. The object of the present invention is to provide a faucet valve device suitable for achieving motorized temperature adjustment.

The present invention relates to
A cylinder body formed in a hollow cylindrical shape;
A water inlet hole, a hot water inlet hole, and a hot and cold water outlet hole are provided in the peripheral wall of the cylinder body, respectively;
a housing body that rotatably accommodates the cylinder body;
a water supply passage, a hot water supply passage, and a hot and cold water outflow passage, each of which is provided so as to communicate with an internal space of the housing body;
an operating portion provided rotatably on one axial side of the cylinder body;
a shaft body that axially penetrates the cylinder body and is connected to or integrated with the cylinder body;
Equipped with
Both ends of the shaft body are in an area not communicating with the internal space of the housing body and are open to the atmosphere,
The rotational positions of the cylinder body and the shaft body are changed by rotating the operation unit,
This faucet valve device is characterized in that temperature adjustment is achieved by changing the amount of communication between the water supply passage and the water inlet hole, the amount of communication between the hot water supply passage and the hot water inlet hole, and/or the amount of communication between the hot water outlet hole and the hot water outlet passage, depending on the rotational position of the cylinder body.

According to the present invention, temperature control is achieved according to the rotational position of the cylinder body, making it possible to realize a compact faucet valve design.

In addition, the present invention is suitable for achieving motorized temperature adjustment because there is no hindrance to motorizing the operating unit.

The faucet valve device of the present invention also includes a shaft body that passes through the cylinder body in the axial direction and is connected to or integrated with the cylinder body.

This allows the control for changing the position of the cylinder body to be achieved with a relatively simple configuration that controls the position of the shaft body.

In addition, in the present invention, both ends of the shaft body are in an area that does not communicate with the internal space of the housing body and are open to the atmosphere.

This significantly reduces the effect of water pressure in the internal space of the housing on the shaft body.

This means that only a small torque (force) is required to rotate the shaft body, which is very convenient for achieving electrification.

For example, the areas where both ends of the shaft body are present are blocked by a seal member so as not to communicate with the internal space of the housing body.

It is also preferable that the device further includes a connection member that is connected to or integrated with one end of the shaft body and fixed in a rotational direction relative to the operating unit, and that the connection member is installed so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the operating unit.

This ensures that the rotational operation of the operating part can be transmitted reliably as a rotational force of the shaft body, while preventing the operation of the operating part from being hindered by forces that may act in the axial direction of the shaft body.

It is also preferable to further include a retaining member that restricts axial movement of the other end of the shaft body but does not restrict rotation of the other end of the shaft body.

This type of retaining member restricts the axial movement of the other end of the shaft body while preventing the rotation of the shaft body, and therefore the operation of the operating part, from being hindered.

It is preferable that the housing body has a cover member on one axial side and a cover member on the other axial side to partition the internal space.

This makes it easy to assemble or disassemble (e.g., for maintenance) the parts inside the housing by removing the cover member.

In this case, it is further preferable that each of the cover members of the housing body is located inward from the axial end of the housing body.

This allows the length of the shaft body to be reduced, which is convenient for making the faucet valve device more compact.

According to the present invention, temperature adjustment is achieved according to the rotational position of the cylinder body, so a compact faucet valve design can be realized. In addition, according to the present invention, there is no obstacle to motorizing the operating unit, so it is suitable for realizing motorized temperature adjustment.

In particular, according to the present invention, both ends of the shaft body are in an area that does not communicate with the internal space of the housing body and are open to the atmosphere, so the effect of water pressure in the internal space of the housing body on the shaft body is significantly suppressed. This reduces the torque force (power) required to rotate the shaft body, which is very convenient for achieving electrification.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a water faucet valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a schematic front view of a faucet valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional perspective view of a water faucet valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a water faucet valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a cylinder body portion of FIG. 4 . FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a cylinder body and a shaft body of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a water side auxiliary pipe member of the present embodiment (the same applies to a hot water side auxiliary pipe member). 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which a water side auxiliary pipe member and a hot water side auxiliary pipe member of the embodiment abut against a cylinder body. FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a specific example in which temperature adjustment is performed depending on the rotational position of a cylinder body.

Next, a faucet valve device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment is a faucet valve device suitable for achieving motorized temperature adjustment.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a faucet valve device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, Figure 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, and Figure 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment. Also, Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the cylinder body portion of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the cylinder body 30 and shaft body 20 of this embodiment.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment includes a cylinder body 30 configured in a hollow cylindrical shape and a housing body 10 that rotatably houses the cylinder body 30.

[Cylinder body 30]
The cylinder body 30 has, for example, an outer diameter of 15 mm, a wall thickness of 0.5 mm, and an axial length of 50 mm, and is made of stainless steel. When the cylinder body 30 is made of a resin material, it is preferable to make the wall thicker.

Referring particularly to FIG. 5, a resin-made right end wall 31 is fitted to the right end of the cylinder body 30, and a resin-made left end wall 32 is fitted to the left end of the cylinder body 30.

A roughly rectangular water inlet hole 34 is provided in the right region of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30. The water inlet hole 34 opens, for example, at a circumferential angle (angle measured around the axis) of 0° (which is the basis for the following explanation of angular positions) to 90°, and is formed in an area a certain distance in the axial direction from the right end of the cylinder body 30.

A roughly rectangular hot water inlet hole 35 is provided in the left region of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30. The hot water inlet hole 35 opens, for example, at a circumferential angle (measured around the axis) of 90° to 180° (i.e., opens at a different angle position from the water inlet hole 34) and is formed in an area a certain distance in the axial direction from the left end of the cylinder body 30.

A hot and cold water outlet hole 36 is provided in the approximate axial center region of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30.

In addition, the cylinder body 30 of this embodiment has a central tube portion 37 that extends from the right end wall 31 to the left end wall 32. A partition wall 38 that extends radially outward from the central tube portion 37 is provided at an axial position corresponding to the hot and cold water outlet hole 36 of the cylinder body 30 (see also FIG. 6).

[Shaft body 20]
The shaft body 20 is inserted into the central tube portion 37 and is fixed to the right end wall 31 and the left end wall 32. This allows the shaft body 20 and the cylinder body 30 to rotate together. The shaft body 20 has a diameter of, for example, φ3 and is made of stainless steel.

[Housing body 10]
The internal space of the housing body 10 that accommodates the cylinder body 30 is, for example, a cylindrical space, and a gap is provided between the housing body 10 and a peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30. The housing body 10 is also made of stainless steel. On the other hand, the exterior of the housing body 10 is generally rectangular prism-shaped and made of PPS resin.

Referring particularly to Figures 4 and 5, the left end of the internal space of the housing body 10 is defined by a left side cover member 47. The left side cover member 47 is a generally disk-shaped member that is fitted into the inner peripheral step surface of the housing body 10 via an O-ring 47a. The left side cover member 47 also has a through hole in the center through which the shaft body 20 is inserted. The through hole is sealed by an X-ring 47b while allowing the shaft body 20 to rotate.

Similarly, the right end of the internal space of the housing body 10 is defined by a right-side cover member 57. The right-side cover member 57 is a generally disk-shaped member that is fitted into the inner peripheral step surface of the housing body 10 via an O-ring 57a. The right-side cover member 57 also has a through-hole in the center through which the shaft body 20 is inserted. The through-hole is sealed by an X-ring 57b while allowing the shaft body 20 to rotate.

In addition, the housing body 10 is provided with a water supply passage, a hot water supply passage, and a hot and cold water outflow passage that are connected to its internal space.

Specifically, the hot and cold water outlet path in this embodiment is provided by a hot and cold water outlet 15 that is integral with the housing body 10. The hot and cold water outlet 15 opens toward the top of the housing body 10 and is connected to a hot and cold water supply pipe 63, for example, via an elbow connection pipe 62.

The hot and cold water outlet 15 is provided at a size and position that allows all of the hot and cold water outlet holes 36 of the cylinder body 30 to communicate with each other regardless of the position or posture of the cylinder body 30 within its range of motion.

Meanwhile, the water supply passage in this embodiment is provided by a water supply pipe 11 that is removable from the housing body 10, and a water-side communication hole 12 that communicates the inside of the water supply pipe 11 with the internal space of the housing body 10. The water supply pipe 11 is fitted into a connection port 11r provided on the lower surface of the housing body 10 via an O-ring. The water-side communication hole 12 has a circular cross-sectional hole on the water supply pipe 11 side, and a rectangular cross-sectional hole that fits within the circular cross section on the internal space side of the housing body 10 side.

Similarly, the hot water supply path in this embodiment is provided by a hot water supply pipe 13 that is removable from the housing body 10, and a hot water side communication hole 14 that connects the inside of the hot water supply pipe 13 with the internal space of the housing body 10. As with the water supply pipe 11, the hot water supply pipe 13 is fitted into a connection port 13r provided on the lower surface of the housing body 10 via an O-ring. As with the water side communication hole 12, the hot water side communication hole 14 is also a circular cross-sectional hole on the hot water supply pipe 13 side, and a rectangular cross-sectional hole that fits within the circular cross section on the internal space side of the housing body 10.

[Secondary pipe members 16, 18]
The lower side (one example of the first side) of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 is accommodated inside the water side communication hole 12. The water side auxiliary pipe member 16 is capable of sliding upward or downward inside the water side communication hole 12 according to the water pressure difference between its lower side and its upper side (one example of the second side). Specifically, a packing 17 (water side seal member) is interposed between the water side communication hole 12 and the water side auxiliary pipe member 16, and the packing 17 holds the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 so that it can slide upward or downward relative to the water side communication hole 12. When the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 moves upward, the upper side (one example of the second side) of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 can abut against the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30 and can communicate with the water inlet hole 34.

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 of this embodiment has a flange portion 16f as a water side movement restricting portion that restricts the stroke of sliding movement inside the water side communication hole 12. The flange portion 16f is accommodated in the circular cross-sectional hole on the water supply pipe 11 side of the water side communication hole 12, and is sized so that it cannot be inserted into the rectangular cross-sectional hole of the water side communication hole 12, and the flange portion 16f abuts against it to restrict the amount of movement of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16. In this embodiment, the stroke of the sliding movement of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 is 1 mm. In addition, the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 has a groove portion 16g for fitting the packing 17.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 is part of a cylindrical surface with a radius of curvature of 10 mm (preferably 5 mm to 15 mm) at the time of shipment (before use). In other words, the radius of curvature is slightly larger than the radius of curvature (8.5 mm) of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30. This prevents a state in which only both ends of the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 in the arc-shaped direction come into contact with the cylinder body 30 (a state that can occur when the relationship between the radii of curvature is reversed), i.e., the state in which the center of the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 in the arc-shaped direction comes into contact with the cylinder body 30 is ensured, and the degree of adhesion between the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the cylinder body 30 is improved.

The hardness of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 (at least the upper surface) is less than the hardness of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30. This prevents the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30 from being undesirably worn, while the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 is expected to wear in accordance with the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30, which is favorable for the adhesion performance between the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the cylinder body 30. On the other hand, the flange portion 16f, which serves as the water side movement restriction portion, restricts the amount of movement, so that excessive wear can also be suppressed.

The hardness is determined, for example, by the Vickers hardness obtained by a test specified in ISO 6507 (JIS Z 2244). The water side auxiliary pipe member 16 of this embodiment is made of polyacetal resin, and its hardness is significantly smaller than that of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30, which is made of stainless steel.

The size and position (in the axial direction of the housing body 10) of the pipe hole 16h of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 are controlled to maximize the amount of communication between the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the water inlet hole 34, and are sized and positioned so that they can communicate with the entire water inlet hole 34 (see Figures 8 and 9 below).

Similarly, the lower side (one example of one side) of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 is accommodated inside the hot water side communication hole 14. The hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 can slide upward or downward inside the hot water side communication hole 14 depending on the water pressure difference between its lower side and its upper side (one example of the other side). Specifically, a packing 19 (hot water side seal member) is interposed between the hot water side communication hole 14 and the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18, and the packing 19 holds the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 so that it can slide upward or downward relative to the hot water side communication hole 14. Then, when the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 moves upward, the upper side (one example of the other side) of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 can abut against the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30 and can communicate with the hot water inlet hole 35.

Figure 7 is also a schematic perspective view of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 of this embodiment also has a flange portion 18f as a hot water side movement restricting portion that restricts the stroke of sliding movement inside the hot water side communication hole 14. The flange portion 18f is accommodated in the circular cross-sectional hole on the hot water supply pipe 13 side of the hot water side communication hole 14, and is sized so that it cannot be inserted into the rectangular cross-sectional hole of the hot water side communication hole 14, and the flange portion 18f abuts against it to restrict the movement amount of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18. In this embodiment, the stroke of the sliding movement of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 is 5 mm. In addition, the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 has a groove portion 18g for fitting the packing 19.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 is also part of a cylindrical surface with a radius of curvature of 10 mm (preferably in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm) at the time of shipment (before use). That is, the radius of curvature is slightly larger than the radius of curvature (8.5 mm) of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30. This prevents a state in which only both ends of the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 in the arc-shaped direction come into contact with the cylinder body 30 (a state that can occur when the relationship between the radii of curvature is reversed). In other words, a state in which the center of the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 in the arc-shaped direction comes into contact with the cylinder body 30 is ensured, and the degree of adhesion between the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 and the cylinder body 30 is improved.

The hardness of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 (at least the upper surface) is also less than the hardness of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30. This prevents the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30 from being undesirably worn, while the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 is expected to wear in accordance with the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30, which is favorable for the adhesion performance between the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 and the cylinder body 30. On the other hand, the amount of movement is restricted by the flange portion 18f, which serves as a hot water side movement restricting portion, so that excessive wear can also be prevented.

The hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 in this embodiment is also made of polyacetal resin, and its hardness is significantly less than that of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30, which is made of stainless steel.

The size and position (in the axial direction of the housing body 10) of the pipe hole 18h of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 are controlled to maximize the amount of communication between the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 and the hot water inlet hole 35, and are sized and positioned so that they can communicate with the entire hot water inlet hole 35 (see Figures 9 and 10 described below).

[Operation mechanism 40]
1 to 4, an operation mechanism 40 is provided on the left side (one axial side) of the cylinder body 30. The operation mechanism 40 has an operation unit 41 that is provided so as to be rotatable. In this embodiment, the operation unit 41 is a stepping motor that receives a control command from a control main body (not shown) and can be rotated by the control command.

In this embodiment, the shaft body 20 and the cylinder body 30 are adapted to change their rotational positions without changing their axial positions by rotating the operating unit 41.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotating shaft (output shaft) 41s of the operating unit 41 is fixed to the bottom of the rotating cylinder 42 in both the axial and rotational directions. The rotating cylinder 42 is positioned so that its bottom is located on the left side, and is held rotatably about its axis within the housing cylinder 45.

The housing cylinder 45 also holds the main body of the operating part 41 (near the rotation axis 41s) on its left side via a retaining ring 44. The housing cylinder 45 is also connected (fitted) on its right side to the left end of the housing body 10 and the left cover member 47 via a connecting ring 46. A plastic sliding bearing (bush) 46b for inserting the shaft body 20 is provided in the center of the connecting ring 46 (see Figure 5).

The right side (opposite the bottom) of the rotating cylinder 42 is open, and the sliding cylinder 43 is fitted to it so that it can slide in the axial direction, and the rotating cylinder 42 and the sliding cylinder 43 are fixed in the rotation direction. For example, the sliding cylinder 43 has four convex parts that protrude in a cross shape in the axial cross section, and the rotating cylinder 42 has four concave parts that accommodate the four convex parts so that they can slide in the axial direction. That is, each of the four convex parts is accommodated in each of the four concave parts, and when the rotating cylinder 42 rotates, the sliding cylinder 43 also rotates in the same way. When the sliding cylinder 43 rotates, the shaft body 20 and the cylinder body 30 also rotate in the same way. On the other hand, the sliding cylinder 43 is stored in the rotating cylinder 42 without being fixed in the axial direction. That is, even if the shaft body 20 moves in the axial direction, the rotating cylinder 42 is prevented from moving in the axial direction, or the rotating cylinder 42 rotates without applying force in the axial direction. (Therefore, even if the operating force of the second operating part 51 described below is relatively small, the shaft body 20 and the cylinder body 30 can be moved sufficiently in the axial direction.)

The sliding tube 43 is fixed to the left end of the shaft body 20. As a result, the sliding tube 43 is fixed in the rotational direction relative to the rotation shaft 41s of the operating unit 41 as a connecting member, while being movable in the axial direction relative to the rotation shaft 41s of the operating unit 41.

In this embodiment, the operating unit 41 provides a rotational operation of up to 90° + α.

[Support mechanism 50]
On the other hand, a support mechanism 50 is provided on the right side (the other axial side) of the cylinder body 30. The support mechanism 50 rotatably supports the shaft body 20 and the cylinder body 30 without changing their axial positions.

Specifically, the housing tube 55 is provided approximately symmetrically to the housing tube 45. The housing tube 55 holds the right end of the shaft body 20 via a pair of retaining rings 58. As a result, the housing tube 55 and the shaft body 20 are rotatable relative to each other, but are fixed in the axial direction.

The left side of the housing cylinder 55 is connected (fitted) to the right end of the housing body 10 and the right cover member 57 via a connecting ring 56. A plastic sliding bearing (bush) 56b for inserting the shaft body 20 is also provided in the center of the connecting ring 56 (see FIG. 5).

[Both ends of shaft body 20]
Due to the above-mentioned configuration, both ends of the shaft body 20 in this embodiment are located within an area that is blocked off so as not to communicate with the internal space of the housing body 10, and are open to the atmosphere (receive atmospheric pressure rather than water pressure).

Specifically, the left end of the shaft body 20 is blocked from communication with the internal space of the housing body 10 by a plastic sliding bearing (bush) 46b and an X-ring 47b, and the right end of the shaft body 20 is blocked from communication with the internal space of the housing body 10 by a plastic sliding bearing (bush) 56b and an X-ring 57b.

This significantly reduces the effect of water pressure in the internal space of the housing body 10 on the shaft body 20. This reduces the torque (force) required to rotate the shaft body 20 (and the cylinder body 30), i.e., reduces the torque required for the operating unit 41. It is even better if the diameter of the blocked portion of the shaft body 20 is the same.

In addition, the housing body 10 has a left cover member 47 and a right cover member 57 to divide the internal space, and by removing these cover members 47, 57, the internal parts of the housing body 10 can be easily assembled or disassembled (e.g., for maintenance, etc.).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the cover members 47, 57 of the housing body 10 is located inward from the axial end of the housing body 10, thereby reducing the length of the shaft body 20.

[Water stop function]
The faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment further includes a hot and cold water stopper that stops the flow of hot and cold water. Specifically, the hot and cold water stopper has a water stopper 11s provided on the upstream side of the water supply passage and a hot water stopper 13s provided on the upstream side of the hot water supply passage (see FIG. 2). This prevents hot or cold water from flowing back to the upstream side of the other.

[Function of the faucet valve device 100]
Next, the operation of the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment will be described.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the cylinder body 30 of this embodiment is designed to change its rotational position without changing its axial position by rotating the operating part 41.

The temperature can be adjusted by changing the amount of communication between the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 (water supply passage) and the water inlet hole 34, and the amount of communication between the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 (hot water supply passage) and the hot water inlet hole 35 depending on the rotational position of the cylinder body 30. In this embodiment, the hot water outlet hole 36 and the hot water outlet passage are always maintained in a good state of communication. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 of this embodiment abut against the cylinder body 30.

In this embodiment, the ratio of the amount of communication between the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 (water supply passage) and the water inlet hole 34 to the amount of communication between the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 (hot water supply passage) and the hot water inlet hole 35 is changed by rotating the operating part 41, thereby realizing temperature adjustment.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the position control of the cylinder body 30 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, temperature adjustment is performed according to the rotational position of the cylinder body 30.

Figure 9 (a) shows the schematic position of the water inlet hole 34 and hot water inlet hole 35 in the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30.

Figure 9 (b) shows a schematic diagram of a state in which the amount of communication between the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 (hot water supply path) and the water inlet hole 34 is at its maximum, and the communication between the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 (hot water supply path) and the hot water inlet hole 35 is cut off. At this time, the hot water/water mixture output through the hot water outlet hole 36 and the hot water outlet path is 100% water and 0% hot water.

Figure 9 (c) shows a schematic diagram of a state in which the shaft body 20 and cylinder body 30 have changed their rotational positions by rotating the operating part 41 from the state shown in Figure 9 (b), and the communication between the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 (water supply passage) and the water inlet hole 34 is 50%, and the communication between the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 (hot water supply passage) and the hot water inlet hole 35 is also 50%. At this time, the hot and cold water mixture output through the hot and cold water outlet hole 36 and the hot and cold water outlet passage is 50% water and 50% hot water.

Figure 9 (d) shows a schematic diagram of a state in which the shaft body 20 and cylinder body 30 change their rotational positions by further rotating the operating part 41 from the state shown in Figure 9 (c), blocking communication between the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 (water supply passage) and the water inlet hole 34, and the amount of communication between the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 (hot water supply passage) and the hot water inlet hole 35 is at its maximum. At this time, the hot and cold water mixture output through the hot and cold water outlet hole 36 and the hot and cold water outlet passage is 0% water and 100% hot water.

[Basic effect]
As described above, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, temperature adjustment is achieved according to the rotational position of the cylinder body 30, so that a compact faucet valve design can be realized.

In addition, the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment is suitable for achieving motorization of temperature adjustment because there is no hindrance to motorizing the operating unit 41.

In addition, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, a shaft body 20 is provided that axially penetrates the cylinder body 30 and is fixed (connected) to the cylinder body 30. This allows the control for changing the position of the cylinder body 30 to be achieved with a relatively simple configuration that controls the position of the shaft body 20.

In addition, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, a sliding tube 43 is provided as a connecting member that is fixed (connected) to the left end of the shaft body 20 and fixed in the rotational direction relative to the operating part 41, and the sliding tube 43 is movable in the axial direction relative to the operating part 41. This ensures that the rotational operation of the operating part 41 can be transmitted as a rotational force of the shaft body 20, while the force that may act in the axial direction of the shaft body 20 does not impede the operation of the operating part 41.

In addition, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, a support mechanism 50 is provided that restricts the axial movement of the right end of the shaft body 20, but does not restrict the rotation of the right end of the shaft body 20. This restricts the axial movement of the right end of the shaft body 20, while preventing the rotation of the shaft body 20, and therefore the operation of the operating part 41, from being hindered.

[Effect of being open to the atmosphere]
Furthermore, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, the shaft body 20 penetrates the cylinder body 30 in the axial direction, and both ends of the shaft body 20 are in an area that does not communicate with the internal space of the housing body 10 and are open to the atmosphere. This significantly reduces the effect of water pressure in the internal space of the housing body 10 on the shaft body 20. This reduces the torque (force) required to rotate the shaft body 20, which is very convenient for achieving motorization.

In particular, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, the left end of the shaft body 20 is blocked from communication with the internal space of the housing body 10 by the resin sliding bearing (bush) 46b and the X-ring 47b, and the right end of the shaft body 20 is blocked from communication with the internal space of the housing body 10 by the resin sliding bearing (bush) 56b and the X-ring 57b. This effectively suppresses the effect of water pressure in the internal space of the housing body 10 on the shaft body 20. In addition, the diameters of the parts at both the left and right ends of the shaft body 20 that are blocked from communication with the internal space of the housing body 10 are equal, and are configured to cancel out the acting water pressure.

In addition, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, a left lid member 47 and a right lid member 57 are provided to divide the internal space of the housing body 10. This makes it easy to assemble or disassemble (for example, for maintenance, etc.) the internal parts of the housing body 10 by removing the left lid member 47 and/or the right lid member 57.

Furthermore, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, the left cover member 47 and the right cover member 57 are each located inward from the axial end of the housing body 10. This reduces the length of the shaft body 20, which is convenient for making the faucet valve device 100 more compact.

In addition, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, there is no rubber elastic member (so-called packing) between the housing body 10 and the cylinder body 30, and the housing body 10 and the cylinder body 30 are in direct contact with each other to provide a certain degree of sealing. This reduces the risk of undesired obstruction of the operation of the cylinder body 30 inside the housing body 10. This also contributes to the fact that only a small torque (force) is required to change the rotational position of the cylinder body 30.

[Effects of the water side auxiliary pipe member and the hot water side auxiliary pipe member]
Furthermore, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 can abut against the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30 and can communicate with the water inlet hole 34 in response to the water pressure difference between its one side and the other side, and similarly, the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 can abut against the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30 and can communicate with the hot water inlet hole 35 in response to the water pressure difference between its one side and the other side, so that the supply of water and hot water to the inside of the cylinder body 30 can be reliably assisted and there is no need to interpose a rubber elastic member between the housing body 10 and the cylinder body 30. This also contributes to the torque (force) required to change the rotational position of the cylinder body 30 being small.

In addition, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 has a water side movement regulating portion that regulates the stroke of sliding movement relative to the water supply passage, and the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 has a hot water side movement regulating portion that regulates the stroke of sliding movement relative to the hot water supply passage. This allows the movement stroke of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 to be regulated to a desired range, preventing them from protruding more than necessary toward the cylinder body 30.

In particular, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, the water side movement restricting portion is provided as a flange portion 16f having a flange shape, and the hot water side movement restricting portion is also provided as a flange portion 18f having a flange shape. This allows the water side movement restricting portion and the hot water side movement restricting portion to be provided relatively simply.

In addition, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, the hardness of the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 are smaller than the hardness of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30. This prevents the cylinder body 30 from being undesirably worn. On the other hand, it is more preferable that the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 wear in accordance with the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30.

In particular, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30 is a cylindrical surface having a predetermined radius of curvature, the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 is part of a cylindrical surface having a predetermined radius of curvature, and the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 is part of a cylindrical surface having a predetermined radius of curvature, and the radius of curvature of the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the radius of curvature of the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 are larger than the radius of curvature of the peripheral wall 33 of the cylinder body 30. This avoids a situation where only both ends of the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the upper surface of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 in the arc-shaped direction come into contact with the cylinder body 30 (ensuring that the center of the arc-shaped direction comes into contact with the cylinder body 30), resulting in a good degree of adhesion between the upper surface 16r of the water side auxiliary pipe member 16 and the cylinder body 30, and similarly, a good degree of adhesion between the upper surface 18r of the hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18 and the cylinder body 30.

The faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment is also provided with a hot and cold water stop section that stops the flow of hot and cold water. This ensures a reliable water stop function even when the water is not completely stopped by simply adjusting the flow rate to the minimum using the flow rate adjustment function (the sealing function in the shutoff control state is insufficient).

In particular, according to the faucet valve device 100 of this embodiment, the hot and cold water stop section is composed of a water stop section 11s provided on the upstream side of the water supply passage and a hot and cold water stop section 13s provided on the upstream side of the hot water supply passage, preventing hot or cold water from flowing back to the upstream side of the other.

10 Housing body 11 Water supply pipe 11r Connection port 11s Water stop portion 12 Water side communication hole 13 Hot water supply pipe 13r Connection port 13s Hot water stop portion 14 Hot water side communication hole 15 Hot water/water outlet 16 Water side auxiliary pipe member 16f Flange portion 16g Groove portion 16h Pipe hole 16r Upper side (other side) receiving surface 17 Gasket 18 Hot water side auxiliary pipe member 18f Flange portion 18g Groove portion 18h Pipe hole 18r Upper side (other side) receiving surface 19 Gasket 20 Shaft body 30 Cylinder body 31 Right end wall 32 Left end wall 33 Circumferential wall 34 Water inlet hole 35 Hot water inlet hole 36 Hot water/water outlet hole 37 Central pipe portion 38 Partition wall 40 Operation mechanism 41 Operation portion 41s Rotating shaft 42 Rotating cylinder 43 Sliding cylinder 44 Retaining ring 45 Housing cylinder 46 Connection ring 47 Left side cover member 47a O-ring 47b X-ring 50 Support mechanism 55 Housing cylinder 57 Right side cover member 57a O-ring 57b X-ring 58 Retaining ring 61 Decorative plate 62 Elbow connecting pipe 63 Hot and cold water supply pipe 100 Faucet valve device

Claims (6)

a cylinder body having a hollow cylindrical shape and one and the other axial ends closed by respective walls;
A water inlet hole, a hot water inlet hole, and a hot and cold water outlet hole are provided in the peripheral wall of the cylinder body, respectively;
a housing body that rotatably accommodates the cylinder body and has a water side communication hole, a hot water side communication hole, and a hot and cold water outlet facing a peripheral wall of the cylinder body;
A water supply passage, a hot water supply passage, and a hot water outflow passage are provided in the internal space of the housing body so as to communicate with each other via the water side communication hole, the hot water side communication hole, and the hot water outflow port, respectively;
an operating portion provided rotatably on one axial side of the cylinder body;
a shaft body that axially passes through the cylinder body and is connected to or integrated with each of the walls of the cylinder body;
Equipped with
Both ends of the shaft body extend beyond the respective walls, are in an area not communicating with the internal space of the housing body, and are open to the atmosphere,
The rotational positions of the cylinder body and the shaft body are changed by rotating the operation unit,
This faucet valve device is characterized in that temperature adjustment is achieved by changing at least the amount of communication between the water supply passage and the water inlet hole and the amount of communication between the hot water supply passage and the hot water inlet hole depending on the rotational position of the cylinder body. 2. The faucet valve device according to claim 1, wherein an area where both ends of the shaft body are present is blocked by a seal member so as not to communicate with the internal space of the housing body. a connecting member that is connected to or integrated with one end of the shaft body and is fixed in a rotational direction to the operating portion,
The faucet valve device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting member is arranged so as to be movable axially relative to the operating portion. The faucet valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a retaining member that restricts axial movement of the other end of the shaft body but does not restrict rotation of the other end of the shaft body. 5. The faucet valve device according to claim 1, wherein the housing body has a cover member on one axial side and a cover member on the other axial side to partition the internal space. The faucet valve device according to claim 5, wherein each of the cover members of the housing body is located inwardly of an axial end of the housing body.

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