JPH0457915B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a channel switching device and a shower head equipped with a channel switching device that switches between direct water discharge and shower water discharge in response to the operation of a push button.

[Conventional technology]

For example, in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-8580, there is a shower head that is used by connecting a flexible hose to a shower holder fixed to a top plate such as a sink so that it can be taken out freely. There are devices that can be used for both direct water discharge and shower water discharge, and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 140569/1986 is known as a device that can switch between direct water discharge and shower water discharge with a simple operation. This product has a direct water outlet approximately in the center of the main housing, and a shower water outlet on the outside thereof, and one communication port and another communication port that lead to the direct water outlet and the shower water outlet, respectively. A sliding shaft is provided on the flow divider plate having a sliding shaft perpendicular to the main body housing with both ends projecting outward, and communicates with either one of the two communication ports by moving the sliding shaft back and forth in the radial direction. A switching plate for opening/closing the flow passage is provided with an opening for opening and a flat bottom surface for opening and closing the flow passage, and is press-fitted onto the flow dividing plate. Since the water channels are operated left and right by pressing each separately, it is not easy to switch water channels by hand.Also, since the flow divider plate and the switching plate are pressed against each other by sliding on a flat surface, it is difficult to switch the water flow when under water pressure. It is thought that pushing the button becomes difficult. In addition, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 147176/1983 discloses a system in which a single return type push button that can be operated with one hand can switch between a direct water outlet equipped with a rectifying plate and a water channel connected to a shower water outlet consisting of a large number of small holes. However, after pressing this button to switch from one side to the other, you must hold the push button in that state at all times with your finger, which can cause fatigue to your fingertips, and the change in pressure may cause the switch to switch from one side to the other. Water flow switching is not stable because it may change to water discharge state. In addition, in Utility Model Application No. 62-99670, a switching plate that pivots in response to the reciprocating operation of a single push button is slid closely against the flow divider plate, and the opening of the switch plate is connected to the direct water outlet of the flow divider plate and the shower outlet. A device is disclosed in which a water channel is switched to a communication port of a water inlet. With this one, by selecting the push button placement and pushing direction,
This solves the problem of one-handed switching operation without pressing left or right, but improvements are needed to enable smooth and light switching operations. In addition, there is a switching valve disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 165805 that performs smooth and light channel switching, but this valve switches the liquid flowing from two channels of a flow divider plate to the rear side of the switching plate. It flows out from one outlet, and the hydraulic pressure acts in the direction of lifting the switching plate above the flow divider plate, and the switching plate has a horizontal surface on the surface of the cam that floats it, and it stops when it is floating. Due to the fact that the switching plate is designed to move downward and the lowering of the switching plate is restricted by the cam piece, the two liquids in the flow divider plate leak to the rear outlet side of the switching plate, resulting in 2
Since the liquid in the waterway becomes mixed, it is difficult to maintain switching accuracy and switch the waterway smoothly and easily.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In waterway switching, which switches the waterway flowing from the switching plate toward the flow divider plate, the frictional resistance at the sliding contact surface between the switching plate and the flow divider plate is relatively large due to the flowing water, and the force required to operate the push button is large, resulting in a smooth flow. There is a problem in performing a quick switching operation, and a solution is required. To solve this problem, for example, if the operating force is reduced by using a lever ratio, the operating stroke of the push button must be increased, resulting in an increase in size and the inability to operate with one hand. The present invention has been made in view of these points,
The object is to provide a waterway switching device and a shower head with a waterway switching device that can smoothly switch the waterway toward the direction of the flow divider plate by pressing a single button.

[Means to solve the problem]

However, in order to solve the problems of the conventional example and achieve the object of the present invention, the waterway switching device of the present invention includes a flow dividing plate having a plurality of types of openings connected to different waterways, and a flow dividing plate that is rotatably driven. A switching plate that selectively opens the plurality of types of openings in the flow dividing plate to allow water to flow into the flow dividing plate, and a feeding means that rotates the switching plate in one direction in conjunction with the pushing operation of a push button are coaxially connected to each other by a spring. The flow divider plate is pressed into contact with the flow divider plate by force, and the switch plate is lifted up from the flow divider plate and rotated in conjunction with the forward rotation of the switch plate. A pair of cam means each having a plurality of protrusions with inclined surfaces disposed in an annular manner are provided in order to switch the drop and maintain the position by engaging with each other. A pair of cam means each having a plurality of protrusions with inclined surfaces arranged in an annular shape are provided to rotate the plate in the forward direction and to lift up, rotate and return the feeding means after the switching plate has switched the waterway. That is. Further, the shower head with a water channel switching device of the present invention includes: a head cover having a direct water outlet and a large number of shower water outlets; a water channel switching device that switches the water channel between the direct water outlet and the shower water outlet by lifting and rotating; A shower head comprising a return type push button for operating the waterway switching device, and a main body housing to which the head cover, the waterway switching device, and the push button are mounted and a connection port with a hose, and the waterway switching device is the main body. a shaft attached to the wall of the main body housing at the sliding shaft portion of the push button within the housing and protruding toward the front opening of the main body housing; and a shaft hole on the back side into which the tip of the shaft is fitted; A multi-stage annular cam is disposed around the shaft hole, and openings connected to the center side of the front surface and openings continuous to the peripheral side of the front surface are alternately arranged in an annular manner on the outer periphery of the multi-stage annular cam. a flow divider plate fixed between the front opening of the main body housing and the tip of the shaft, with the opening connected to the front side being connected to the direct water outlet, and the opening connected to the front peripheral side communicating to the shower water outlet; A multi-stage annular cam that engages with a multi-stage annular cam on the plate is arranged, a multi-stage annular cam is arranged on the back side, and a plurality of communication ports are arranged in an annular shape around the outer periphery of the multi-stage annular cam. a switching plate passed through the shaft; a multi-stage annular cam on the front side that engages with a multi-stage annular cam on the back side of the switching plate; and a pin formed on the back side to protrude in the direction of the sliding shaft. and a cam plate that is provided on the sliding shaft of the push button and engages with the pin to rotate the feed plate in response to the operation of the push button. That is.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, by pressing the push button and rotating the switching plate, the flow of water from the switching plate into the channel of the flow divider plate is switched.
When switching channels, even under water pressure,
The switching plate is lifted from the flow divider plate, eliminating sliding resistance between the switching plate and the flow divider plate. Further, according to the present invention, when the return type push button is pushed down by hand, the sliding shaft lowers linearly, and the cam plate attached to the sliding shaft engages the pin, thereby rotating the feed plate. When the push button is moved and released, the push button returns by itself due to the spring force, and the cam plate engages the pin in the return direction to perform a return rotation operation in which the feed plate is returned to the opposite direction. The forward rotation of the feed plate is caused by the corresponding multi-stage annular cam, and the switching plate is stably lifted from the plate surface of the flow divider plate along the surface of the inclined step of the multi-stage annular cam, and then moves to the communication port. Therefore, under water pressure, there is no sliding resistance between the switching plate and the flow divider plate, and switching can be done easily. The switching plate maintains its post-switching position by engaging the corresponding multi-stage annular cam with the flow divider plate, and as described above, only the feed plate rotates in the opposite direction and returns to its original position. Become. In addition, in the state after switching, the cylindrical part of the feed plate fits into the cylindrical wall of the switching plate and engages the multi-stage annular cam, and in this combined state, the feed plate and the switching plate are integrated. rotate to
In addition, for that combination, the water pressure applied to the feed plate and the switching plate applies pressure in a direction that presses the switching plate against the surface of the flow divider plate where the communication port is provided. The operation of the sliding shaft and cam plate is also prevented from being affected by water flow as much as possible by the presence of a wall made of a partition plate.

【Example】

The present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment in which a floating and rotating waterway switching device X is combined as a shower head with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4, the main body housing 1 of the shower head has a head cover 17 attached to the upper front opening, a push button 2 provided on the upper end surface of the back side, and a connection port 11 with a hose 91 at the lower end. The head cover 17 is provided with a direct water outlet 18 in the center thereof having a rectifying element 18a such as a rectifying wire mesh, and a shower water outlet 19 consisting of a large number of small holes around the periphery. 9 in the figure is a holder. The waterway switching device
A flow divider plate 3 is clamped and fixed between the head cover 17 and the head cover 17, and a rotation stopper 3a is provided between the flow divider plate 3 and the main body housing 1. This flow divider plate 3 has an opening 31 connected to the center side of the front surface and an opening 32 connected to the peripheral side as a plurality of types of openings connected to different water channels, and a plurality of openings 31 and 32 are arranged alternately at equal pitches. In the illustrated example, the shaft hole 33 is formed in the center of the back side, and a plurality of protrusions on the inclined surface are arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the shaft hole 33. A multi-stage annular cam 34 is provided in a protruding manner. 71, 72, 7 in the diagram
Reference numeral 3 denotes an O-ring for waterproofing between the body housing 1 and the flow divider plate 3, between the body housing 1 and the head cover 17, and between the flow divider plate 3 and the head cover 17. One end is supported by a shaft hole 15 of a wall 13 formed of a partition plate provided in the main body housing 1 and protrudes toward the front opening of the main body housing 1, and the tip is fitted into a shaft hole 33 of the flow dividing plate 3. A shaft 6 supported at both ends is provided, and the switching plate 4 and the feed plate 5 are mounted rotatably and slidably in the axial direction. The switching plate 4 located on the back side of the flow dividing plate 3 is
Multiple openings 3 on the outer peripheral surface, in the illustrated example, each opening 3 of the flow dividing plate 3
It has three communication ports 41 corresponding to the numbers 1 and 32 at equal pitches, and on the surface on the side of the flow dividing plate 3,
A multi-stage annular cam 44 is provided with protrusions having a plurality of sloped surfaces arranged in an annular shape to engage with the multi-stage annular cam 34 as a cam means, and a plurality of sloped surfaces are similarly arranged on the other surface. A multi-stage annular cam 42 having engaging claws arranged in an annular manner is disposed on the upper surface of the cylindrical wall 4a. The feed plate 5 as a feed means located behind the switching plate 4 has a plurality of feeding pawls having inclined surfaces arranged in an annular manner and forming a ratchet mechanism with the multi-stage annular cam 42 of the switching plate 4. A multi-stage annular cam 52 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 5a, one end of which is fitted into the cylindrical portion 5a of the feed plate 5, and a spring 60 is disposed between the cam 52 and the wall 13.
is biased toward the switching plate 4 side.
Then, from the back of the feed plate 55, the pin 5
1 is provided protrudingly. The push button 2 is removably attached to one end of a sliding shaft 20 that is attached to the main body housing 1 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. The sliding shaft 20 is waterproofed at the penetrating portion of the main body housing 1 by the seal packing 21, and at the same time, the return spring 2
2 in one direction, and further penetrates the wall 13 surrounding the sliding shaft 20.
Its axial movement is guided. A cam plate 23 is fixed to the sliding shaft 20 at a position within the main housing 1 and surrounded by the wall 13. This cam plate 23 has a long hole 24 that is long in the horizontal direction, and the pin 51 protruding from the feed plate 5 passes through the long arc-shaped hole 14 provided in the wall body 13. It is inserted into the hole 24 and is in an engaged state. In this shower head, when the push button 2 is pushed in, the cam plate 23, which moves downward together with the sliding shaft 20, rotates the feed plate 5, which engages the pin 51 in its elongated hole 24, in one direction. let This forward rotation of the feed plate 5 is
The rotation is transmitted to the switching plate 4 via the ratchet mechanism, and the switching plate 4 is also rotated by one pitch in the same direction, thereby selectively switching the openings 31 and 32 with which the communication port 41 communicates. That is, when the communication port 41 matches the opening 31, the direct water outlet 1
When water is discharged from the shower water discharge port 8 and the communication port 41 is aligned with the opening 32, water is discharged from the shower water discharge port 19. When the switching plate 4 is rotated,
Due to the engagement between the multi-stage annular cam 34 provided on the flow dividing plate 3 and the multi-stage annular cam 44 of the switching plate 4, the switching plate 4 is immediately lifted from the flow dividing plate 3. With the rubber beat 45 attached to the side surface separated from the flow divider plate 3, the rotation for one pitch is performed. That is, the annular cams 34, 4 here
4 constitutes a ratchet mechanism that engages only in one direction, similar to the one constituted by the annular cam 42 and the annular cam 52. Since the structure constitutes a ratchet mechanism in the direction, when the feed plate 5 rotates the switching plate 4 by its rotational movement, the annular cam 44 of the switching plate 4 and the annular cam 34 of the flow divider plate 3 align with each other on the inclined surface. slides into contact with each other to lift the switching plate 4 from the flow dividing plate 3, and when it reaches the top of the slope, the feed plate 5 and the switching plate 4 move toward the flow dividing plate 3 under the force of the spring 60. , the switching plate 4 comes into close contact with the flow dividing plate 3 again. The rubber beat 45 ensures close contact with the flow dividing plate 3 by its flexible protruding ribs. Then, when you release your finger from the push button 2, the return spring 22
The sliding shaft 20 and the push button 2 are returned to their original positions by the urging force, and the feed plate 5, which engages the pin 51 with the cam plate 23 of the sliding shaft 20, is rotated in the reverse direction. The rotation of the feed plate 5 in this direction is simply that the feed plate 5 floats from the switching plate 4 and rotates in the opposite direction due to the sliding contact between the inclined surfaces of the annular cam 52 and the annular cam 42. The annular cam 44
Due to the engagement with the annular cam 34 of the flow dividing plate 3, there is no reverse rotation, no floating from the flow dividing plate 3, and the selected water channel after switching is secured. As described above, since the switching plate 4 is lifted up and rotated, no sliding friction occurs between the switching plate 4 and the flow dividing plate 3, so that less operating force is required to operate the push button 2. Also rubber beat 45
Rubber beat 4 is used to prevent excessive load from being applied to the
5 has a longer lifespan. Moreover, even if a foreign object enters the contact surface between the switching plate 4 and the flow dividing plate 3, the foreign object will be washed away from the contact surface by the water flow when the switching plate 4 floats from the flow dividing plate 3. There will be no damage to the sealing surface. In addition, in the shower head shown here, the push button 2 is arranged at the upper end of the main body housing 1 with the upper front surface being the water discharge ports 18 and 19, so it can be operated with the right hand or the left hand in the same way. It can be operated and the switching operation can be performed with one hand. In addition, since the push button 2 can be attached to and detached from the sliding shaft 20, even if soap scum or the like accumulates between the push button 2 and the main body housing 1, it can be easily removed by removing the push button 2. can be cleaned. Moreover, the ratchet mechanism that rotates the switching plate 4 in one direction in conjunction with the pushing operation of the push button 2, the annular cams 34, 44 that lift the switching plate 4 from the flow divider plate 3 at this time, etc. are concentrated in the switching plate 4. Because it is made of 100% carbon fiber, only a small number of parts need to be assembled together. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, the rubber beat 45 provided on one side of the switching plate 4 in the above embodiment is eliminated, and one side of the switching plate 4 is brought into direct contact with the flow dividing plate 3.

【Effect of the invention】

As described above, in the present invention, the switching plate and the flow divider plate do not reciprocate or rotate while remaining in close contact with each other as in the past, but the flow divider plate is provided with a plurality of types of openings each connected to a different water channel. a switching plate that is rotatably driven to selectively open the plurality of types of openings in the flow dividing plate and allow water to flow into the flow dividing plate; and a feeding means that rotates the switching plate in one direction in conjunction with a pushing operation of a push button. are coaxially pressed together by the bias of a spring, and a switching plate is provided in the opposing surface between the flow dividing plate and a switching plate that contacts one side of the flow dividing plate in conjunction with the forward rotation of the switching plate. A pair of cam means each having a plurality of protrusions with inclined surfaces disposed in an annular shape are provided to connect the switching plate and the feeding means. A pair of cams each having a plurality of protrusions with inclined surfaces arranged in an annular shape are disposed in the opposing surface in order to rotate the switching plate in the forward direction and to lift up, rotate and return the feeding means after the switching plate has switched the waterway. Because the device is equipped with a means, even under water pressure, when the push button is pushed in and the switching plate is rotated to switch the channel toward the flow divider plate, the switching plate will move against the water pressure and move away from the flow divider plate. This eliminates sliding resistance on the switching sliding surface between the switching plate and the flow divider plate, and furthermore, by using a pair of cam means arranged in a ring, the switching between the cam means is stable with less swinging. A switch is made,
This contributes to a smooth switching operation of the push button, and the biasing force of the spring is reliably applied as a pressure contact force between the flow dividing plates of the switching plate, so that switching is performed with high precision, and water leakage is instantly prevented. Furthermore, since the tip of the shaft supported by the wall of the main body housing faces the opening of the main body housing, it is easy to attach the feed plate, switching plate, and flow divider plate to the shaft, which is convenient for manufacturing. In addition, the shaft supported at both ends between the wall and the flow divider plate is stable, and the feed plate, switching plate, and flow divider plate are concentrically and stably combined, and the multi-stage annular cam is meshed on the same axis. In particular, a more nimble and reliable switching operation can be obtained. Additionally, the cam plate surrounded by the wall of the main body housing reduces the influence of water pressure as much as possible, making button push operations easier. In addition, when the switching plate has a communication port with a rubber beat, the rib structure reduces the contact area with the opening periphery of the flow divider plate, making it easier for the switching plate to lift up and rotate smoothly under water pressure. Contributes to switching operations. In addition, if the flow divider plate has three openings connected to the center and three openings connected to the periphery at equal pitches, and the switching plate has three communication ports at equal pitches, stable switching under water pressure is possible. It can be performed. The water channel switching device as described above is suitable for application to a shower head equipped with a direct water outlet and a large number of shower water outlets.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line - in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the same, FIG. 4 is a perspective view, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment. 1 is the main body housing, 2 is the push button, 3 is the flow divider plate,
4 is a switching plate, 5 is a feed plate, 6 is a shaft,
9 is a holder, 11 is a connection port, 13 is a wall body, 17
is a head cover, 18a is a rectifying wire mesh, 18 is a direct water outlet, 19 is a shower water outlet, 20 is a sliding shaft, 2
3 is a cam plate, 31 and 32 are openings, 33 is a shaft hole, 3
4 is a multi-stage annular cam, 41 is a communication port, 42 is a multi-stage annular cam, 44 is a multi-stage annular cam, 45 is a rubber beat, 51 is a pin, 52 is a multi-stage annular cam, 6
0 is the spring, 91 is the hose.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A flow divider plate having a plurality of types of openings connected to different water channels, and a switching plate that is rotationally driven to selectively open the plurality of types of openings of the flow divider plate and allow water to flow into the flow divider plate. and a feeding means for rotating the switching plate in one direction in conjunction with the pushing operation of the push button are coaxially pressed together by a spring bias, and the flow dividing plate and the switching plate in contact with one surface of the flow dividing plate are coaxially pressed together. On the surface facing the plate, there are a plurality of protrusions with inclined surfaces in order to move the switching plate up from the flow divider plate in conjunction with the forward rotation of the plate, rotate it, drop it, and then engage and hold that position. A pair of cam means arranged in an annular shape are provided in the opposing surface of the switching plate and the feeding means, and the switching plate is rotated in the forward direction, and after the switching plate switches the waterway, the feeding means is lifted up and rotated. A waterway switching device characterized in that a pair of cam means each having a plurality of annularly arranged protrusions each having an inclined surface are provided for returning the waterway. 2. The switching plate and the feeding means are provided with a multi-stage annular cam that engages with the flow dividing plate around the front side shaft hole, and that engages with the feed plate on the upper surface of a cylindrical wall formed around the back side shaft hole. A plurality of communication ports are arranged in an annular manner on the outer periphery of the multi-stage annular cam, and a switching plate is passed through the shaft, and the cylinder is arranged around the shaft hole on the front side. A cylindrical part that fits inside the shaped wall is provided, and a multi-stage annular cam that engages with the multi-stage annular cam on the back side of the switching plate is disposed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical part, and a cylindrical part is provided on the back side in the direction of the sliding axis of the push button. 2. The waterway switching device according to claim 1, further comprising a feed plate having a protruding pin and passed through the shaft. 3. A shaft that is attached to the wall of the main body housing at the sliding shaft portion of the push button in the main body housing and protrudes toward the front opening of the main body housing, and a shaft hole in which the tip of the shaft fits on the back side. A multi-stage annular cam is disposed around the shaft hole, and openings extending to the center side of the front surface and openings extending to the peripheral side of the front surface are alternately arranged in an annular manner on the outer periphery of the multi-stage annular cam. a flow divider plate fixed between the front opening of the main body housing and the tip of the shaft, with an opening connected to the center side and an opening connected to the front peripheral side connected to different water channels, and a plurality of the flow divider plates on the front side; A multi-stage annular cam that engages with the stepped annular cam is disposed, a multi-stage annular cam is disposed on the back side, and a plurality of communication ports are annularly disposed on the outer periphery of the multi-stage annular cam, a switching plate passed through the shaft; a multi-stage annular cam on the front side that engages with a multi-stage annular cam on the back side of the switching plate; and a pin formed on the back side to protrude in the direction of the sliding shaft; A waterway characterized by comprising: a feed plate passed through the shaft; and a cam plate provided on the sliding shaft of the push button to engage with the pin and rotate the feed plate in response to the operation of the push button. Switching device. 4. The channel switching device according to claim 3, wherein a partition plate is provided as a wall to surround the sliding shaft of the push button and the cam plate portion within the main body housing. 5. The waterway switching device according to claim 3, further comprising a rubber beat that separately surrounds the plurality of communication ports of the switching plate and projects in the direction of the flow dividing plate. 6. The flow dividing plate has three openings connected to the center side of the front surface and three openings connected to the peripheral side of the front surface alternately formed at equal pitches, and further protrudingly provided with a multi-stage annular cam surrounding the shaft hole. The switching plate is characterized in that three communicating ports are formed at equal pitches, the number of which corresponds to the number of openings in the flow dividing plate, and a multi-stage annular cam that engages with the multi-stage annular cam of the flow dividing plate is provided in a protruding manner. Claim 3
The waterway switching device described. 7. A head cover equipped with a direct water outlet and a large number of shower water outlets, a waterway switching device that switches the waterway between the direct water outlet and the shower water outlet by floating and rotating, and a return type that operates the waterway switching device. A shower head comprising a push button, the head cover, a channel switching device, and a main body housing equipped with the push button and a connection port with a hose, and the channel switching device is attached to the main body of the sliding shaft portion of the push button within the main body housing. A shaft attached to the wall of the housing and protruding toward the front opening of the main housing, a shaft hole on the back side into which the tip of the shaft fits, and a multi-stage annular cam around the shaft hole. Further, on the outer periphery of the multi-stage annular cam, openings connected to the front center side and openings connected to the front peripheral side are alternately arranged in an annular manner, and the opening connected to the front center side is used as a direct water outlet; a flow divider plate fixed between the front opening of the main body housing and the tip of the shaft with openings connected to the side communicating with the shower water outlet; A switching plate having a step annular cam arranged therein, a plurality of step annular cams being arranged on the back side, a plurality of communication ports being annularly arranged around the outer periphery of the plurality of step annular cams, and the switching plate being passed through the shaft. and a multi-stage annular cam that engages with the multi-stage annular cam on the back side of the switching plate on the front side, and a pin formed protruding in the direction of the sliding shaft on the back side, and a feeding plate that is passed through the shaft. A shower head with a water channel switching device, characterized in that the cam plate is provided on the sliding shaft of the push button and engages with the pin to rotate the feed plate in response to the operation of the push button.