JPH05214748A - Water discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To smoothly and diversely carry out change of a water discharge form and a water discharge flow rate by simple operation. CONSTITUTION:A shower head A is furnished with a water discharge part B to discharge water in a plural number of water discharge forms. This water discharge part B changes over and drives a water discharge nozzle by a geared motor. The water discharge nozzle consists of a plural number of water discharge nozzles different in water discharge forms and it is changed over and driven electrically so that one of those water discharge nozzles is communicated through to a hot water passage 62. Consequently, by properly changing over the water discharge nozzles, water is discharged in various forms. Such change of the water discharge forms is carried out by an electrical change-over motion by the water discharge part B, and it is possible to improve change-over operability and smooth change of the water discharge forms.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water spouting device having a water spouting head for spouting water in various water spouting patterns and flow rates.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of water discharge device, there is a water discharge device capable of switching the water discharge mode to, for example, a shower head, a shower tower, or a kitchen faucet. For example, in the case of a shower head, from the water discharge window provided on the front surface of the tip of the head, various water discharge forms, for example, a straight stimulating water discharge aiming at a spot, a spray-like diffuse water discharge, or a rod-like water discharge The water is discharged in the form of a sprinkling bath-like water discharge, a soft foam-like water discharge containing bubbles, or the like, and these water discharge forms are appropriately selected.

As a mechanism for changing such a water spouting form, a plurality of water sprinkling plates or the like capable of sprinkling water in different water spouting forms are provided inside a shower head having a water spouting window, and the water sprinkling plates are switched by a manual lever. At the same time, the hot and cold water passage inside the head is connected to the water spray plate selected and switched.

As another conventional water spouting device, there is also known one in which the water spouting head itself having a different spouting form is replaced.

[0005]

However, in such a shower head which is switched by the manual lever, it is difficult to smoothly switch the water spray plates because the water pressure from the water supply source is applied to the water spray plate inside the shower head.

Further, in the shower head for replacing the head itself, in order to replace the head, it is necessary to stop the water from the water supply source and then replace the head itself.
There is a problem in that it is troublesome to perform such work while washing hair.

Further, in any of the above shower heads, for example, in the case of shower water discharge, various water discharge forms are automatically stored in accordance with a program stored in advance in order to give a certain physiological effect to the human body. There is a problem in that the shower cannot be used efficiently because it cannot be used efficiently.

In addition, such a water discharge device is generally provided with an operation unit or the like for changing the flow rate or the water discharge form on the shower tower or the water supply source side. There was a problem that a water source device and a hot and cold water mixing tap could not be used, and large-scale facilities and construction were required.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The water discharge form and the water discharge flow rate can be changed smoothly and variously by a simple operation, and the water of the existing water supply source can be changed. An object of the present invention is to provide a water discharge device that can be installed by using a stopper or the like.

[0010]

The invention according to claim 1 made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems is a water discharge head provided with a water discharge mechanism for discharging water supplied from a water supply passage in a plurality of different water discharge modes. Then, the water discharge mechanism electrically switches and drives the water discharge switching unit having a plurality of water discharge mode units having different water discharge modes and one of the plurality of water discharge mode units and the water supply passage. And driving means for driving.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water discharge head having a water discharge mechanism for discharging water supplied from a water supply passage in a plurality of different water discharge modes in a case body having a water discharge window. A water discharge switching unit having a plurality of water discharge mode units having different water discharge modes, and electrically switching and driving the water discharge mode switching unit to communicate one of the plurality of water discharge mode units with the water supply passage, and the water discharge mode. Drive means for driving the portion toward the water discharge window.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, based on position detection means for detecting the position of the water discharge switching means with respect to the water supply passage, and a detection signal of the position detection means, And a water discharge position control means for driving and controlling the drive means so as to connect the water discharge form part to the water supply passage.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water discharge head including a water discharge mechanism for discharging water supplied from the water supply passage at a plurality of different water discharge flow rates, wherein the water discharge mechanism is alternatively provided in the supply passage. One of the plurality of throttle portions is provided by electrically switching and driving the discharge water flow rate changing means having a plurality of throttle portions that are connectably provided and have different flow path resistances, and the discharge water flow rate changing means.
And a drive means for communicating the water supply passage with the water supply passage.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water discharge head having a water discharge mechanism for discharging water supplied from a water supply passage at a plurality of different water discharge flow rates through the water discharge window in a case body having a water discharge window. The water discharge mechanism is provided so as to be selectively connectable to the supply passage and has a plurality of throttle portions having different flow path resistances; and the discharge water flow rate changing means is electrically switched and driven, and It is characterized by comprising one of a plurality of throttle portions and a drive means for driving so as to connect the water supply passage.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the water discharge head according to any one of the first to third aspects, the water discharge mechanism is provided so as to be selectively connectable to the supply passage and has a flow path resistance. The water discharge flow rate changing means having a plurality of different throttle parts, and the water discharge switching means and the water discharge flow rate changing means are electrically switched and driven, and one of the water discharge form parts and the above-mentioned one through the one throttle part of the water discharge flow rate changing means. And a drive means for communicating with the water supply passage.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the water discharge head according to any of the fourth to sixth aspects, there is provided position detecting means for detecting the position of the throttle portion of the water discharge flow rate changing means with respect to the water supply passage, and the position. Water discharge position control means for driving and controlling the drive means so as to connect the throttle portion to the water supply passage based on the detection signal of the detection means.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the water discharge head according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means is detachable from the drive shaft of the drive means. It is formed of a rotating body that rotates around a pivot shaft that is pivotally supported, and prevents water discharge switching means and / or water discharge flow rate changing means from coming off from the drive shaft between the rotary shaft and the drive shaft. A retaining member is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the water discharge head according to the second or fifth aspect, the case main body has a main body portion having an opening at an upper portion, and a cap portion detachably sealing the opening of the main body portion. The water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means is a rotating body that rotates about a rotation axis, and a plurality of water discharge form parts and / or throttle parts are arranged at substantially equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. The upper end of the rotary shaft is removably pivotally supported by an upper support formed at the inner center of the cap, and the other end of the rotary shaft is the drive shaft of the drive means. The rotational driving force is transmitted by
Further, it is pivotally supported so as to be disengageable with respect to the drive shaft.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the water discharge head according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, a pipe line connected to the water inlet side of the water supply passage of the water discharge head and the outlet of the water supply source. A liquid control valve having at least an inflow port connected to the water port and an outflow port connected to the other end port of the conduit, for controlling the water supplied to the water discharge head, and the water discharge head provided on the water discharge head side. A control signal is output to the drive means and a control signal is output to the liquid control valve based on an operation section for changing the form or flow rate and an operation signal output by operating the operation section. And a water discharge control means for outputting.

According to the invention of claim 11, in addition to the water discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a pipe line connected to the water inlet side of the water supply passage of the water discharge head and the outlet of the water supply source. An on-off valve having at least an inflow port connected to the water port and an outflow port connected to the other end port of the pipe line, which fully closes or fully opens a passage to the water discharge head, and which is provided on the water discharge head side, An operation unit for changing the water discharge form and / or the flow rate, and a control signal for fully closing the on-off valve based on an operation signal output by operating the operation unit, and the drive means. And a water discharge control means for outputting a signal for switching driving.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the water discharge head according to any one of the first, second, third, eighth and ninth aspects, the water inlet side of the water supply passage of the water discharge head. A flow path for adjusting the flow rate of the supply water to the water discharge head, the flow path having at least an inlet connected to the outlet of the water supply source and an outlet connected to the other end of the pipeline. A control valve, an operating section provided on the side of the water discharge head for performing an operation of changing the water discharge mode, and switching drive to the drive means based on an operation signal output by operating the operation section. In addition to outputting a signal, the water flow control valve is provided with a water discharge control means for outputting a control signal having a flow rate corresponding to a water discharge mode.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the water discharge head according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, a pipe line connected to the water inlet side of the water supply passage of the water discharge head and the outlet of the water supply source. An inlet connected to the water outlet, a conduit side outlet connected to the other end of the conduit, and at least another outlet,
A direction switching valve that switches to any one of the outlets to supply the supply water to the outlets, and is provided on the water discharge head side,
An operation unit for changing the water discharge form and / or the flow rate, and a control signal for switching the directional control valve to the other outlet based on an operation signal output by operating the operation unit. In addition to outputting, a water discharge control means for outputting a signal for switching drive to the drive means is provided.

[0023]

The water discharge head according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with a water discharge mechanism for discharging water in a plurality of water discharge modes. The water discharge mechanism switches and drives the water discharge switching means by the driving means. The water discharge switching means is provided with a plurality of water discharge form parts, and one of them is electrically switched and driven so as to communicate with the water supply passage. Therefore, by appropriately switching the water discharge form part of the water discharge switching means, water is discharged in various water discharge forms. Such a change of the water discharge form is performed by an electric switching operation by the water discharge mechanism, and does not need to be manually performed. Therefore, the switching operability is improved, and the water discharge form can be smoothly changed.

Further, the water discharge head according to the second aspect of the present invention has the water discharge switching means and the driving means built in the case body, so that it is compact and can be connected to the existing faucet or the like. Thus, various water discharge forms can be obtained.

In the invention according to claim 3, a water discharge position detecting means for detecting the switching position of the water discharge switching means with respect to the water supply passage is provided, and the detection signal of the water discharge position detecting means is inputted to the water discharge position control means. It The water discharge position control means switches the water discharge switching means via the drive means so as to connect one of the water discharge form parts and the water supply passage while detecting the detection signal. Therefore, one of the water discharge form parts is surely connected to the water supply passage by using the detection signal of the water discharge position detection means.

Further, the water discharge mechanism according to the fourth aspect comprises a water discharge flow rate changing means. The water discharge flow rate changing means is provided with a throttle portion that is selectively connectable to the water supply passage and has a different flow path resistance. The water discharge mechanism is electrically driven by the drive means such that one of the throttle portions of the water discharge flow rate changing means is connected to the water supply passage. Therefore, by appropriately changing the throttle portion of the water discharge flow rate changing means, water is discharged at various flow rates. Such a change in the water discharge flow rate is performed by an electrical switching operation by the water discharge mechanism, and does not need to be performed manually. Therefore, the switching operability is improved, and the discharge water flow rate can be changed smoothly.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the water discharge flow rate changing means and the driving means are built in the case main body, the structure is compact, and various water discharges can be performed only by connecting to an existing faucet or the like. The flow rate can be obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the discharge water flow rate changing means is switched and driven in conjunction with the water discharge switching means, that is, when a certain water discharge form portion is selected, the throttle portion corresponding to this is selected. Therefore, water is discharged at a water discharge flow rate suitable for the selected water discharge form.

Further, in the invention according to claim 7, a water discharge position detecting means for detecting the position of the throttle portion of the water discharge flow rate changing means with respect to the water supply passage is provided. Therefore, similarly to the third aspect, the water supply passage is connected so as to be surely aligned with one of the throttle portions.

The water discharge switching means or the water discharge flow rate changing means of the invention according to claim 8 is formed of a rotating body which rotates about a rotation shaft pivotally supported by a drive shaft of the drive means so as to be disengageable. This rotating body is prevented from coming off by a coming-off preventing member interposed between the rotary shaft and the driving means. Therefore, by removing the retaining member, the water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means is disengaged from the drive shaft, and the water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means can be easily replaced.

A case body according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes a body portion having an opening in an upper portion, and a cap portion detachably sealing the opening of the body portion. The water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means housed in the case body,
It is a rotating body that rotates around a rotating shaft, and a plurality of water discharge form portions and / or throttle portions are arranged in the rotating body at equal intervals. When the cap is removed from the main body of the case main body, the upper end of the rotary shaft of the rotating body is disengaged from the upper support formed at the inner center of the cap, and the lower end of the rotary shaft is released. The engagement between the portion and the drive shaft of the drive means is also released. Therefore, the water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means can be easily replaced by removing the cap portion.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the water from the water supply source flows through the fluid control valve, the pipe, and the water supply passage of the water discharge head, and the water discharge is selected by the water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing unit. The water is discharged in a water discharge form and a water discharge flow rate corresponding to the morphology portion and / or the throttle portion. In order to change the water discharge form or the water discharge flow rate, the operation unit provided on the water discharge head is operated. By this operation, an operation signal is output from the operation unit to the water discharge control means. The water discharge control means outputs a switching signal to the drive means based on the operation signal, and outputs a signal such as flow rate adjustment or water stoppage according to the water discharge form to the fluid control valve. Therefore, by operating the operation unit provided in the water discharge head, a command for changing the water discharge form and a control command for the flow rate and the like are issued to the fluid control valve, which is excellent in usability.

In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the on-off valve is provided between the water supply source and the water discharge head, and the control signal is output so that the on-off valve is fully closed when the drive means is switched. Therefore, at the time of switching by the drive means, the pressure from the water supply source is not applied to the water discharge switching means and the water discharge flow rate changing means in the water discharge head, and the switching operation is not hindered, so that smooth switching can be performed.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the flow rate control valve is provided between the water supply source and the water discharge head, and when an operation signal for changing the water discharge mode is output by the operating section, the flow rate control valve is switched together with the water discharge mode. A signal for adjusting the flow rate according to the water discharge mode is output. Therefore, when the water discharge mode is changed, the water discharge flow rate is suitable for the water discharge mode.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a directional control valve is provided between the water supply source and the pipe line connected to the water discharge head.
A control signal is output to the directional control valve so that water is discharged to an outlet different from the outlet to the conduit at the time of starting water discharge or switching water discharge. By such switching operation of the directional control valve,
At the start of water spouting, water is not spouted from the spouting head, so water whose temperature is not regulated does not spout from the spouting head, and when switching the water spouting, water from the supply source is released from other outlets, or water is stopped. As a result, the pressure from the water supply source is not added to the water discharge switching means and the water discharge flow rate changing means in the water discharge head, and does not hinder the switching operation, so that smooth switching can be performed.

[0036]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment in which the water discharger TS according to the present invention is applied to a hot water supply system in a bathroom will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of the bathroom, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the overall configuration of the water discharge device TS. First, the configuration of the bathroom R having a plurality of hot water supply points will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water discharger T of this embodiment.
S is a hot water supply point in the bathroom, which is a bathtub karan rk for discharging water to the bathtub r, a hand-type showerhead A that can be attached to a predetermined position on the wall surface of the bathroom and used by hand, and a washroom currant for discharging water to the washroom In addition, an operating part P for setting the water spouting destination, the water spouting amount, etc. is buried in the bathroom wall surface in a position where it can be operated near the washing place currant and in the bathtub. ing. The operation section P includes a main controller 7 (see FIG. 2) that performs various controls of the entire water discharger, and outputs a control signal for instructing the main controller 7 on the water discharge destination, the water discharge amount, etc. on the surface thereof. Operation panel part PP (see FIGS. 2 and 3)
Equipped with.

As will be described later, the shower head A has a built-in water discharge mode switching mechanism for switching the water discharge mode, and discharges water in four kinds of water discharge modes among various water discharge modes described below. These four types of water discharge forms are, for example, spray water discharge, straight water discharge, spot water discharge in which straight water from the shower hole is collected at one point, foam water discharge in which bubbles are mixed in the shower water, and stick water discharge. It is selected from any combination of water discharge forms such as a water discharge of a water spray, a water spray of mist that discharges in a mist form, and a water discharge of a massage in which a rotary blade is built. In the present embodiment, the four types of water discharge forms are a water discharge form of pouring a stick-like water discharge, a water discharge form of spray, a water discharge form of foam, and a water discharge form of spot.

Next, the detailed structure and electrical structure of each device of the water discharge device TS will be sequentially described. Washing place Karan n
As shown in the schematic block diagram of FIG. 2, the hot and cold water mixing taps MO provided at the root of the are connected to the water inflow pipe 1 and the hot water inflow pipe 2 from a water heater (not shown), respectively. Flow rate adjusting valves 3 and 4 for adjusting the flow rates of water and hot water in the respective pipelines, and a thermistor 1 for detecting the water temperature and the hot water temperature in the respective pipelines on the upstream side of the respective valves.
a, 2a. These flow rate control valves 3 and 4 are
Actuators 5 and 6 that control the flow rate are attached. Downstream of the flow rate control valves 3 and 4 are connected to form a hot and cold water discharge connection pipe 10, and the water and hot water in the respective pipes join and mix here. The hot water temperature in the hot water discharge connection pipe 10 is determined by the respective temperatures of water and hot water and the mixing ratio thereof. The hot water discharge connection pipe 10 is provided with a water amount sensor 8 for detecting the flow rate and temperature of the mixed hot water in the flow path, and a thermistor 9. Each actuator is a stepping motor. In addition, the water amount sensor 8 is configured by providing an impeller that rotates in proportion to the flow rate passing through the hot water discharge connection pipe 10 in the connection pipe, and as the flow rate of the hot water discharge connection pipe 10, the rotation speed N of the impeller. Is output.

A water discharge switching unit 11 is provided downstream of the hot and cold water discharge connection pipe 10, to which a shower head A, a bathtub lan rk, a washing basin n and a so-called waste water pipe 12 for discharging hot and cold water outside the bathroom are connected. ing. The water discharge switching unit 11 switches the discharge destination of the mixed water,
A solenoid valve (see FIG. 17) provided for each water discharge port is turned on / off by a main controller 7 described later to change the water discharge destination. Turning on / off of each solenoid valve by the main controller 7 is based on a pressed state of a shower water discharge switch 73 (see FIG. 4) described later provided on the shower head A and operation of various buttons on an operation panel section PP described later. Done. The water discharge switching unit 11
At each hot water supply point, the washing place Karan n is directly, the bathtub Karan rk
Is connected to a shower head A via a pipe (not shown) disposed in the bathroom wall, and the shower head A is connected to a shower hose h.

The various sensors and actuators of the hot and cold water mixing valve MO and the sub controller 67 built in the shower head A are connected to the main controller 7 together with the operation panel section PP. The main controller 7 determines the actuator drive amount (stepping motor drive amount), the water discharge destination, etc. based on various control signals from the respective sensors and the sub-controller 67, and determines the actuators 5, 6 and the water discharge switching unit 11 etc. Drive control is performed and a control signal is output to the sub controller 67 of the shower head A. The details of the electrical configuration of the two controllers, the transmission / reception of control signals, and various controls performed by both controllers will be described later.

When the actuators 5 and 6 are driven by the main controller 7, water and hot water having a flow rate determined by the drive amount of each actuator flow into the hot and cold water discharge connection pipe 10 and are mixed. Therefore, from the shower head A and each of the currants set as the water discharge destination by the water discharge switching unit 11, the temperature of the water and the hot water itself is mixed with the temperature determined by the flow rate ratio of the water and the hot water regulated by the flow rate control valves 3 and 4. Hot and cold water is discharged.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel section PP of the operation section P which can be operated from the vicinity of the washing facility and the inside of the bathtub is
In addition to specifying each water discharge destination and water discharge form, the amount of water discharge per unit time for each water discharge destination and water discharge form (hereinafter simply referred to as water discharge amount) and water discharge temperature are changed each time. It has a simple structure.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel section PP has a power button 150 for powering on, a display 151 which normally operates as a clock for displaying the current time, and displays various messages each time. In addition to the water discharge amount indicator 152 that relatively displays the water discharge amount from the water discharge destination, the water discharge temperature indicator 153 that numerically displays the water discharge temperature from the water discharge destination, the speaker 166 for notifying the abnormality, etc. It is provided with various instruction button groups for designating, various instruction button groups for designating the water discharge form from the shower head A from the operation panel section PP, and various button groups for changing the water discharge temperature and the water discharge amount. Each button group constitutes a matrix switch. Each of these buttons is a push type,
The control signal is sent to the main controller 7 each time the pressing operation is performed.
Output to. It should be noted that, as shown in the drawing, in addition to the character string, a picture in which the corresponding function is designed is displayed on the surface of each button.

Various instruction button groups for individually designating the water discharge destination include a bathtub currant instruction button 154, a washroom currant instruction button 155, and a shower head designation button 1.
And 56 are provided. Then, when these buttons are pressed, the signals are input to the main controller 7, and the main controller 7 receiving this signal switches the water discharge destination.

For example, when the bathtub currant instruction button 154 is pressed, water is discharged from the bathtub currant rk. Similarly, when the washing place currant instruction button 155 or the shower head designating button 156 is depressed, the washing place currant n or the shower head A is pressed. Spouted from. Moreover, if the designation button for designating a different spouting destination is pressed while water is being spouted from a certain spouting destination, the spouting from the certain spouting destination that has been sprinkling until then is interrupted, and the pushed designation button is pressed. The water is spouted from the corresponding spouting destination. Further, when the same button is continuously pressed twice, the water is stopped from the water discharge destination corresponding to the button at that time. The change of the water discharge destination is performed by switching the electromagnetic valve in the water discharge switching unit 11.

As various instruction button groups for designating the water discharge form from the shower head A, there are a cast designation button 157, a spray designation button 158, and a foam designation button 1.
59 and a spot designation button 160 are provided.
Then, when these buttons are pressed, similarly to the case of the above-mentioned instruction button for designating the spouting destination, the spouting form from the shower head A is switched to the spouting form corresponding to the pressed designating button. The manner of changing the water discharge form will be described later in detail.

As a group of various buttons for changing the water discharge temperature and the water discharge amount, a water discharge temperature increase instruction button 162 is provided.
A water discharge temperature decrease instruction button 163, a water discharge amount increase instruction button 164, and a water discharge amount reduction instruction button 165 are provided. Then, when these buttons are pressed, the signals thereof are also input to the main controller 7, and the main controller 7 receiving the signals changes the water discharge temperature and the water discharge amount as follows. The optimum water discharge temperature and water discharge amount for each currant and each water discharge form are, as initial values, a built-in RO in the MPU 7a of the main controller 7 described later.
It is written in a predetermined address of M and is used as a control initial value.

When the water discharge temperature increase instruction button 162 is operated, the desired water discharge temperature obtained by changing the current set water discharge temperature in accordance with the number of times of operation is processed by the main controller 7 as the set water discharge temperature. As a result, the main controller 7 calculates the actuator drive amount of each flow control valve so that water can be discharged at this set water discharge temperature, and the hot and cold water discharge connection pipe 1
The discharge water temperature is controlled through adjusting the flow rates of water and hot water while referring to the temperature detected by the thermistor 9 at 0.

When each of the above-mentioned instruction buttons for changing the water discharge amount is operated, the desired water discharge amount obtained by gradually changing the currently set water discharge amount in accordance with the number of times of operation of the corresponding instruction button is used as the main set water discharge amount. It is processed by the controller 7. For example, if the water discharge amount increase instruction button 164 is operated once, the water discharge amount obtained by increasing the currently set water discharge amount by one step is set as a new set water discharge amount. This set water discharge amount can be changed for each water discharge destination and for each water discharge form within a range of levels 1 to 5 when the preset optimum water discharge amount is level 3 (control initial value). The details of the water discharge temperature control and the water discharge amount control (flow rate control) will be described later.

Next, as described above, the shower head A capable of switching the four water discharge modes will be described. First,
Explaining the schematic configuration, the shower head A has, as shown in FIG. 2, a water discharge portion B housed in the water discharge case 21, a hot water flow passage 62, and a device storage space 63 other than this flow passage from the tip thereof. The shower head main body D formed by securing is provided, and the water discharge case 21 is watertightly assembled to the shower head main body D with the seal portion C interposed between the shower head main body D and the water discharge portion B. .. Further, a hose connecting portion E is provided in a watertight manner at the lower end of the shower head body D, and the end of the shower hose h connected to the water discharge switching portion 11 is connected to the hose connecting portion E.

Next, the detailed structure of each part will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 which is a vertical sectional view of the showerhead A and FIG. 5 which is a sectional view taken along the line I-I. As shown in the drawing, the water discharge portion B closes the upper end surface and has a water discharge window 3 on the side surface.
The water spouting case 21 in which 0 is formed has a rotary water spouting body 23 rotatably housed therein. And this rotating water discharge body 2
3 is fixed to the rotary shaft 29 that penetrates the seal portion C from the device storage space 63 and projects into the water discharge case 21.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotary shaft 29 is chamfered over a range within the rotary water discharge body 23. The rotary water discharger 23 is provided at its center with a shaft fixing hole 23a which is bored so as to fit the chamfered portion of the rotary shaft 29.

Therefore, the shaft fixing hole 2 in the center of the rotary water discharger 23
If the rotary shaft 29 is inserted into 3a and the upper portion thereof is screwed as shown in the drawing, the rotary water discharger 23 rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 29 without idling with respect to the rotary shaft 29. Since the water spouting body 23 is almost covered with the water spouting case 21, it is not manually rotated from the outside. Further, a rotational force is transmitted to the rotary water discharger 23 from an electric drive unit 64 described later, but the rotation direction is only one direction (counterclockwise as viewed from the water discharge case 21).

As shown in FIG. 5, the rotary water discharger 23 has water discharge nozzles 24, 25, 26, 27 divided into four in the circumferential direction.
The water discharge window 30 (shown in FIG. 4 is the water discharge nozzles 24 and 26).
Prepare according to the opening position of. Then, the water discharge nozzle 30 faces the water discharge window 30 by rotating integrally with the rotary shaft 29 (see FIG. 13). The rotation control of the rotary water discharger 23 at this time will be described later.

Each of the water discharge nozzles 24 to 27 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a) to FIG. 6 (d), different water discharge holes are provided to realize water discharge in each of the above-described water discharge modes, and each water discharge hole is made to face the water discharge window 30, and the above-mentioned four water discharge holes are provided. Water discharge form (spray: Fig. 6 (a), spot: Fig. 6
(B), foam: FIG. 6 (c), singing: FIG. 6 (d)). That is, the rotary water discharger 23 including the water discharge nozzles 24 to 27 constitutes a water discharge mode switching mechanism. In addition, according to the rotation of the rotary water discharger 23, each of the water discharge nozzles 24 to 27 has a structure shown in FIGS.
The water discharge hole is made to face the water discharge window 30 in the order of (d).

On the back surface of each water discharge nozzle 24-27 (the surface on the rotary shaft 29 side of each water discharge nozzle in FIG. 5), there is formed a nozzle communication passage 28 communicating from the bottom surface of the rotary water discharge body 23 to each water discharge nozzle. There is. The nozzle communication passage 28
As shown in FIG. 5, is formed in an appropriate shape according to each water discharge nozzle that determines the water discharge form.

Next, the seal portion C interposed between the water discharge portion B and the shower head body D will be described in addition to FIG.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the seal portion C and FIG. 8 is a sectional view.
And FIG. 9 which is a bottom view. The seal portion C seals between the water discharge portion B and the shower head body D, and the water discharge nozzle facing the hot water flow passage 62 of the shower head body D and the water discharge window 30 (the water discharge nozzle 24 in FIG. 4). In order to communicate with the nozzle communication passage 28 of No. 2, it is configured as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the seal portion C is
A water discharge seal base C1 having a disk-shaped uniform thickness, and a pressure bonding seal board C2 assembled on the water discharge seal base C1.
With. The water discharge seal board C1 is watertightly fitted and fixed to the lower end opening of the water discharge case 21, and assembled and fixed by the water discharge case 21 so that the bottom surface of the shower head body D contacts the upper end surface thereof.

The water discharge seal base C1 is provided with a shaft hole 41 into which the rotary shaft 29 is inserted and a counterbore hole 41a concentrically at the center of the base plate, and the shaft hole 41 and the counterbore hole 41a are provided on the upper surface.
A circular recess 42 is provided at an eccentric position including. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.
An annular groove 43 having a constant width is provided around the. Further, in the bottom surface of the circular recess 42 of the water discharge seal base C1, a longitudinal hole 44 having a long hole shape is formed on the side of the shaft hole 41 so as to communicate with the annular groove 43 on the bottom surface. Therefore, when the water discharge seal board C1 is assembled and fixed by bringing the bottom surface thereof into contact with the upper end surface of the shower head body D, the vertical hole 44 is, as shown in FIG.
The shower head main body D communicates with the upper end opening portion of the hot and cold water flow path 62 via the annular groove 43. A spiral notch 55 that engages with the upper end of the head case 61 is formed on the peripheral edge of the lower surface of the water discharge seal base C1.

Furthermore, a three-month-shaped shallow groove 45 is formed on the upper surface of the water discharge seal substrate C1. Therefore, when the water discharge seal board C1 is assembled and fixed with the bottom surface abutting on the upper end surface of the shower head body D, even if the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23 and the upper surface of the water discharge seal board C1 come into contact with each other, The contact area is an extremely narrow area area excluding the three-month shallow groove 45.

Next, the pressure-bonding seal board C2 assembled in the circular recess 42 of the water discharge seal base C1 is shown in FIG.
Also, description will be made with reference to FIGS. The pressure-bonding seal disk C2 has an upper disk C20 fitted in a circular recess 42 slidably in the vertical direction along the axial direction thereof, and a counterbore hole 41 projecting from the lower surface of the upper disk C20 and concentric with the shaft hole 41.
and a lower disk C21 inserted in a. And
When assembled on the water discharge seal base C1, its upper surface is made to coincide with the upper surface of the water discharge seal base C1. That is, the contact area between the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23 and the seal portion C is the upper surface of the water discharge seal base C1 excluding the above-described three-month shallow groove 45, and the upper shaft hole 46 and the upper vertical hole 47 described later. It becomes the upper surface of the crimp seal board C2.

The pressure-bonding sealing disk C2 is the upper disk C2.
0 and the lower disk C21, the upper shaft hole 46 into which the rotary shaft 29 is fitted, and the upper vertical hole 47 having the same shape (long hole shape) as the vertical hole 44 of the water discharge seal base C1 are provided on the sides thereof. .. The upper shaft hole 46 is formed so as to be concentric with the shaft hole 41 of the water discharge seal base C1 when the pressure bonding seal board C2 is assembled to the water discharge seal base C1, and the upper vertical hole 47 is shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the vertical hole 44 is displaced toward the shaft hole 41, and the hole is formed. Therefore, the upper vertical hole 47 and the vertical hole 44 communicate with each other with some of the holes aligned.

Further, the pressure-bonding seal disk C2 has a seal groove 48 on the peripheral side surfaces of the upper disk C20 and the lower disk C21.
a and 48b, respectively, and seal members (O-rings) 49a and 49b are attached to the respective seal grooves. Also,
The seal groove 5 is formed on the upper surface of the upper disk C20 around the upper vertical hole 47.
0a, and a seal member (O ring) is provided in this seal groove.
50 is attached.

Therefore, after the water discharge seal base C1 is attached to the pressure-bonding seal board C2, the seal portion C is integrated.
Is incorporated between the shower head body D and the water discharge portion B, the seal between the shower head body D and the water discharge portion B is performed by each of the above-mentioned seal members. Specifically, the seal members 49a and 49b are used to form the inner peripheral surfaces of the circular recess 42 and the counterbore hole 41a, the upper disk C20, and the lower disk C21.
The outer peripheral surface of the rotary disk is sealed, and the seal member 50 seals the upper surface of the upper disk C20 and the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23. However, the upper vertical hole 47, the vertical hole 44, and the nozzle communication passage 28 of the water discharge nozzle (the water discharge nozzle 24 in FIG. 4) facing the water discharge window 30 are in communication with each other. When assembling the above-mentioned seal portion C, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the rotary shaft 29 integrally fixed to the rotary water discharge body 23 is inserted into the shaft hole 41 and the upper shaft hole 46. In this case, the space between the rotary shaft 29 and the upper shaft hole 46 is sealed by a Y packing 29b mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 29.

Here, with respect to the state of the seal between the shower head main body D and the water discharge part B by the above seal part C, it is an enlarged sectional view around the seal part C, FIG. 10 and FIG.
Will be explained.

When the hot water does not flow into the shower head A, the hot water inflow pressure is not applied to the lower surface of the pressure-bonding seal board C2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the pressure-bonding seal board C2 has a circular concave portion of the water discharge seal base C1. 42 It sinks to the bottom.
The rotary water discharger 23 is supported by the shoulder 29 a of the chamfered portion of the rotary shaft 29. In this case, the rotary shaft 29 is sealed by the seal members 49a and 49b and the Y packing 29b, but the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23 and the pressure-bonding seal board C are sealed.
Between the second upper surface and the upper surface, the bottom face of the rotary water discharger 23 is only in contact with the seal member 50 due to its own weight or the like, and there is a slight gap, so that the seal is not sufficient. However, since no hot water flows into the shower head A, there is no problem.

On the other hand, as shown by the arrows in FIGS. 4 and 11,
When hot and cold water flows from the shower hose h through the hot and cold water flow path 62 of the shower head body D to the crimp seal board C2, the inflow pressure of hot and cold water is applied to the lower surface of the crimp seal board C2, so that the crimp seal board C2 is a circular shape of the water discharge seal base C1. It rises from the bottom of the recess 42. That is, the pressure-bonding seal board C2 slides along the rotation shaft 29 and comes into close contact with the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23 with its upper surface serving as a pressure receiving surface. In this case, the seal members 49a, 49b and the Y packing 29b are sealed along the rotary shaft 29 as described above, and the space between the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23 and the top surface of the pressure-bonding seal board C2 is also crushed as shown in the figure. It is sealed by the seal member 50. Therefore, the hot and cold water, after the annular groove 43, the vertical hole 44, the upper vertical hole 4
7 and the water discharge nozzle 30 (water discharge nozzle 24 in FIG. 4) facing the water discharge window 30 are sequentially passed through, and water is discharged in a predetermined water discharge form from the water discharge nozzle.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the water discharge nozzle 24
If it faces the water discharge window 30, since the water discharge nozzle 24 is a water discharge nozzle corresponding to the water discharge in the spray water discharge form (see FIG. 6A), the water discharge window 30 discharges water in the spray water discharge form. To be done.

Next, regarding the shower head main body D, FIG. 4 and FIG. 12 which is a sectional view taken along the line II-II thereof, and FIG. 13 which is a right side arrow view of FIG. 4 and a front view of the shower head A are used. Explain. As shown in FIG. 4, the shower head main body D has a head case 61 that forms a hot and cold water flow passage 62 and a device storage space 63 that stores various devices described later as a housing, and has the following configuration.

The hot and cold water flow path 62 of the shower head body D is
As shown in FIG. 12, it is formed in a substantially oval cross section along the inner peripheral wall of the head case 61 from the upper end to the lower end of the case. Further, the hot and cold water flow passage 62 is formed on one side of the inner peripheral wall, and the cross-sectional shape thereof is formed substantially the same from the upper end to the lower end of the head case 61. As a result, the device storage space 63 occupies most of the internal space including the center of the head case 61 as shown in FIG. The hot and cold water flow passage 62 is formed such that its effective passage area is substantially the same as that of the shower hose h, and at the lower end of the head case 61, a horseshoe-shaped groove 62a is formed along the inner peripheral surface of the case (see FIG. 15). Is in communication with.

The shower head main body D has an electric drive portion 64 for driving the rotary water discharger 23 in the equipment storage space 63 formed by occupying most of the internal space of the head case 61 as described above. Built-in. The electric drive unit 64 constitutes a main part of the water discharge form switching mechanism, and is suspended from the rotary water discharge unit 23 via a rotary shaft 29 that is fixed to the rotary water discharge unit 23 and extends into the head case 61. And has the following configuration.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electric drive unit 64 is
In order from the seal portion C side, a potentiometer 65 for detecting the rotational position of the rotary shaft 29 and a geared motor 66 are provided, and these are connected and integrally configured. The geared motor 66 includes a reduction gear portion 66a that reduces the rotation of the motor at a predetermined reduction ratio, and a rotation shaft 2 at the reduction gear portion 66a.
9 and a motor rotation shaft are connected to each other, and a motor 66b that applies a rotation driving force to the rotation shaft 29 is integrally formed.
The potentiometer 65 and the reduction gear portion 66a are composed of the upper and lower screw stop portions 6 protruding in three directions from the outer peripheral surface of the joint portion.
5a and 65b are fastened to each other by screws (not shown) to be integrated. Further, the reduction gear portion 66a and the motor 66b are integrated by a fixture (not shown) attached to the reduction gear portion 66a. In addition, in order to perform accurate rotational positioning of the rotary water discharger 23, the reduction gear portion 66a includes
A non-backlash mechanism for restricting the rotation direction of the geared motor 66 to one way is provided.

Therefore, the geared motor 6 is detected while the rotary position of the rotary water discharger 23 is detected by the potentiometer 65.
By driving 6 to rotate the rotary water discharger 23 so that a desired water discharge nozzle faces the water discharge window 30, water can be discharged in a water discharge form determined by the water discharge nozzle. The configuration of the potentiometer 65, the state of detecting the rotational position of the rotary water discharger 23, the drive control of the geared motor 66, and the like will be described later.

Between the upper end surface of the potentiometer 65 and the upper side wall 69 of the head case 61, as shown in FIG. 4, a stopper flange 68 for restricting lifting of the electric drive section 64 along the rotation axis is provided. It is fixedly provided on the rotary shaft 29. Flange 68 for this stopper
When there is no inflow of hot and cold water to the shower head A and the lower surface of the rotary water discharger 23 is in contact with the upper surface of the seal portion C due to its own weight and the weight of the electric drive portion 64, there is a slight gap with the upper side wall 69. Located with a gap in between. However, when hot and cold water flows into the shower head A and the pressure of the hot water causes the rotary water discharger 23 and the electric drive unit 64 to float along with the pressure-bonded seal board C2, the stopper flange 68 is lifted together with the rotary shaft 29, and the head case 61 of the head case 61 is lifted. It contacts the upper side wall 69. Therefore, further lifting of the electric drive unit 64 along the rotation axis is avoided.

Further, on the outer peripheral surfaces of the potentiometer 65 and the reduction gear portion 66a integrally formed with the geared motor 66, there are two anti-rotation pieces 70 projecting toward the inner peripheral wall of the head case 61 in two directions, as shown in FIG. It is provided. The rotation prevention pieces 70 are attached to the head case 6
It engages with each engaging recessed portion 71 formed on the inner peripheral wall of No. 1 with a predetermined gap. Therefore, the electric drive unit 64 including the geared motor 66 and the like is connected to the rotary water discharger 23 by the rotary shaft 2.
Although it is suspended and supported via 9, it is configured so that it can move up and down along the rotation axis direction and does not rotate.

Further, the shower head main body D has a sub-controller 67 for controlling the drive of the electric drive section 64, and a pressure sensor 75 for measuring the pressure in the hot and cold water flow passage 62 in the equipment storage space 63. A shower water discharge switch 73 for performing on / off operation of water discharge from the shower head A and a shower changeover switch 74 for changing water discharge mode are provided on the thick portion 61a of the head case 61 below the water discharge window 30. Prepare by embedding.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sub controller 67
Is attached to the inner side wall of the head case 61 below the geared motor 66. The shower water discharge switch 73 and the shower changeover switch 74 are so-called spring-back type switches having a built-in spring.
As shown in FIG. 13, it is embedded in the thick portion 61a of the head case 61 below 0 so as to be pressed from the outside. In addition,
Each switch is arranged so as to be covered with a waterproof resin sheet (not shown).

The pressure sensor 75 has its sensor element portion 7
The pressure detection surface 75b of 5a is exposed in the hot and cold water flow path 62, and is fixedly attached to the wall surface of the equipment storage space 63. The pressure sensor 75 is used to detect the pressure of the hot water flowing in the hot water flow passage 62 to control the water discharge amount, and the like, which will be described later.
Connected with. The water discharge amount control and the like using the hot and cold water pressure in the hot and cold water flow path 62 detected by the pressure sensor 75 will be described later.

Next, the hose connecting portion E for connecting the shower hose h to the head case 61 of the shower head body D will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and its sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the hose connecting portion E includes a hose joint body 81 to which the end of the shower hose h is fixed, and a tightening cylinder body 82 for fixing the end of the shower hose h to the hose joint body 81.
And a hose coupling case 83 that is screwed onto the lower end of the shower head body D and covers the hose joint body 81.

The hose joint main body 81 is provided with a pipe 84 on the lower end surface of which a bamboo shoot projection is formed on the outer peripheral surface and into which the shower hose h is inserted.
1, a support protrusion 85 rotatably fitted in the lower end hole 76 of the device storage space 63, and a stopper pin 81a for restricting the rotation amount. The support protrusion 85 is
An O-ring for sealing is attached to the outer periphery of the lower end hole 7
6 and the hose joint body 81
Is manufactured in consideration of its size so as to be rotatable in the lower end hole 76.

Further, at the center of the support protrusion 85, a code hole 85a is provided which forms a wiring path of the electric wire bundle 89 reaching the hose connecting portion E together with the shower hose h as described later. The hose joint body 81 has a support projection 85.
From the code hole 85a to the lower end surface of the hose joint body 81, and a water passage 86 from the inner hole of the pipe 84 to the upper end surface of the hose joint body 81.
And are formed so as to penetrate the joint body.

As shown in FIG. 14, this water passage 86 has 6
Although two holes are formed in the cord passage 88, the water passages 86 and the cord passage 88 are three-dimensionally formed at equal intervals without interfering with each other. The stopper pin 81a protruding from the upper end of the hose joint body 81 is buried to a depth that does not interfere with the cord passage 88. Further, the water passage 86 is formed so that the total cross-sectional area of each water passage 86, that is, the effective passage area is equal to the effective passage area of the hot water passage 62.

Next, the structure around the stopper pin 81a will be described with reference to FIG. 15 which is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. The horseshoe-shaped groove 62a that communicates with the hot and cold water flow path 62 and the lower end of the head case 61 is formed by being surrounded by the lower peripheral wall of the head case 61, the peripheral wall of the lower end hole 76, and the ribs 61b provided between both peripheral walls. 81a is
The tip of the hose joint body 81 protrudes from the upper end surface of the hose joint body 81 so that the tip of the groove 62a is inserted into the groove 62a.

The hose connecting portion E having the above structure is
The shower head A is assembled to the head case 61 as follows, the shower head A and the shower hose h are connected, and the hose and the hot and cold water flow passage 62 are connected to each other.

First, the shower hose h is inserted into the pipe 84 and the tightening cylinder 82 is screwed into the hose joint body 81 to fix the shower hose h to the hose joint body 81. Then, the support protrusion 85 is fitted into the lower end hole 76 of the device storage space 63 by fitting an O-ring, and the hose connecting case 8
3 is screwed onto the lower end of the shower head body D. A Y packing 81b is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the hose joint main body 81 to seal the inner peripheral surface of the hose coupling case 83.

When the hose connecting portion E is assembled in this manner, the hot water flowing from the shower hose h into each water passage 86 is connected to the upper end surface of the hose joint body 81 and the hose connecting case 8.
3 and the inner peripheral surface of the water passage 87, and the hot water flow passage 6
2 passes through the groove 62a at the lower end and flows into the hot water flow passage 62. Then, as described above, water is discharged in a predetermined water discharge form from the water discharge nozzle through the seal portion C.

In connecting the shower head A and the shower hose h in this way, the hose connecting portion E is rotated through the hose joint main body 81 about the lower end hole 76 of the equipment storage space 63 as a rotation center. The shower head body D is rotatable with respect to the shower hose h. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the rotation of the shower head A is within a range in which the stopper pin 81a can move around the lower end hole 76 in the groove 62a so as not to come into contact with the rib 61b (from a position indicated by X in the drawing). A clockwise rotation and a counterclockwise rotation are possible over the range up to the position indicated by Y). The diameter of the stopper pin 81a, the wall thickness of the rib 61b, and the like are set so that the shower head A can be rotated over approximately 360 degrees.

Next, the electric wire bundle 89 via the hose connecting portion E
Will be described with reference to FIG. 16 in addition to FIG. The electric wire bundle 89 is composed of a power supply electric wire 89a such as the geared motor 66 in the electric drive section 64 and a control electric wire 89b for transmitting a control signal, and one end of each electric wire is a main controller 7 in the operation section P as will be described later. It is connected to the. As shown in FIG. 16, this bundle of electric wires 89 is woven into the hose peripheral wall from the end of the shower hose h on the side of the hot and cold water mixing tap, reaches the end of the shower hose h, and then goes out to the outside to provide the cord passage 88. Also, wiring is provided in the code hole 85a of the support protrusion 85. At this time, the wire bundle 89 is laid between the end of the shower hose h and the lower end of the cord passage 88 with some slack in the cord.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Is connected to the connector 90 installed at the upper end of the lower end hole 76 of the device storage space 63, and is connected to the electric drive unit 64 and the sub-controller 67 in the device storage space 63 via the connector 90. That is, the wire bundle 89 is
The lower end hole 76 of the device housing space 63 which is the center of rotation when the hose joint body 81 rotates within the hose connection case 83.
Then, it is connected to the connector 90.

Next, the electrical configuration of the water discharger TS having the above-mentioned device configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. The main controller 7 in the operation portion P of the water discharger TS described above is always powered on, displays the current time on the display 151 of the operation panel portion PP, and discharges water after the power button 150 is pressed. Various controls, which will be described later, necessary for the execution are started. Then, the following configuration is provided.

As shown in FIG. 17, the main controller 7 is mainly composed of a one-chip microcomputer, has a built-in ROM, RAM and the like and controls an apparatus to be controlled according to various programs described later.
It has a PU 7a and an input / output interface (hereinafter referred to as I / O) 7b for inputting / outputting with the outside.
In addition to this, the main controller 7 uses the MPU 7a.
And a power supply circuit 7c for applying a power supply voltage suitable for other electric devices, and an actuator 5 of the water flow rate control valve 3
Water-side motor driver 7d for driving water, a hot-water side motor drive 7e, and a solenoid valve driver 7f for turning on / off each solenoid valve 11a-11d provided for each water discharge destination in the water discharge switching unit 11. ~ 7i.

The I / O 7b has an operation panel P
Various sensors such as P, the thermistor 1a, the thermistor 2a, the water amount sensor 8, the thermistor 9, etc., the actuators 5, 6 and the water discharge switching section 11 etc. are connected. Of these, each of the actuators is a water side motor driver 7d.
Alternatively, the solenoid valves 11a to 11d of the water discharge switching unit 11 are connected via the hot water side motor drive 7e, and are connected via solenoid valve drivers 7f to 7i. In addition, MPU7a
Is based on the output state of the valve opening / closing signal to each solenoid valve driver, and each solenoid valve 11a to 1 in the water discharge switching unit 11 is
The open / closed state of 1d is recognized, and this is used for water discharge control described later.

Between the solenoid valve driver 7f for turning on / off the shower solenoid valve 11a for the shower head A and the I / O 7b, an analog switch 7m for opening / closing the circuit regardless of the control signal from the MPU 7a. Is provided. Further, between the analog switch 7m and the thermistor 9, the detected temperature (mixed hot water temperature) of the thermistor 9 is compared with a predetermined temperature pattern, and a circuit open / close signal is independently output to the analog switch 7m. A comparator 7n is provided.

The temperature pattern for the comparator 7n to output the circuit open / close signal is prepared as a so-called hysteresis temperature pattern. Then, the comparator 7n causes the analog switch 7m to operate when the temperature detected by the thermistor 9 rises to a predetermined upper limit temperature, for example, 50 degrees.
A control signal for opening the circuit is output, and when the detected temperature of the thermistor 9 drops to a predetermined lower limit temperature, for example, 45 degrees, a control signal for closing the circuit is output to the analog switch 7m.

As a result, the analog switch 7m is actuated in response to the control signal from the comparator 7n to open / close the circuit, and when the temperature of the mixed hot water from the shower head A reaches 50 degrees for some reason. , The circuit is opened, the shower solenoid valve 11a is turned off, and the water discharge from the shower head A is interrupted. In addition, when the temperature of the mixed hot water falls to 45 degrees after having risen to 50 degrees or more, the water discharge from the shower head A can be restarted from that point.

Sub-controller 6 on the shower head A side
7 is the main controller 7 as shown in FIG.
Similarly, the MPU 67a and the I / O 67b are provided. The sub-controller 67 includes a voltage regulator 67c for applying a power supply voltage suitable for the MPU 67a and other electric devices on the showerhead A side, an amplifier 67d for amplifying a signal from the pressure sensor 75, and a geared motor 66. And a motor driver 67e for driving. This voltage regulator 67c is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the power supply circuit 7c of the main controller 7 is connected via the power supply wire 89a of the wire bundle 89. The motor driver 67e also controls the geared motor 66 based on the control signal (brake signal) from the MPU 67a.
Is configured to be able to brake.

To this I / O 67b, switches such as the shower water discharge switch 73 and the shower changeover switch 74 and the potentiometer 65 are directly connected, the pressure sensor 75 is via the amplifier 67d, the geared motor 66 is via the motor driver 67e, Each is connected. The shower water discharge switch 73 is for instructing the start or stop of water discharge from the shower head A, and the shower changeover switch 74 is for switching the water discharge mode and instructing the target water discharge nozzle m. Identification of water discharge start or water stop from shower head A based on
The specification of the target water discharge nozzle m will be described later.

Here, regarding the potentiometer 65,
This will be described with reference to FIG. This potentiometer 65
Is for detecting which of the water discharge nozzles 24 to 27 the water discharge nozzle is facing the water discharge window 30 by detecting the rotational position of the rotary water discharge body 23. It has a simple structure.

Inside the potentiometer 65, as shown in FIGS. 19 (a) and 19 (b), the conductive brush support 101 is fixed to the rotary shaft 29 and rotates integrally with the shaft. And three brushes 103a to 103c formed of a conductor and provided on the lower surface of the brush support 101.
And a detection substrate 105 fixed to a casing (not shown) of the potentiometer 65 having a circuit pattern described later. When fixing the conductive brush support 101 to the rotary shaft 29, insulation is provided between the two.

This detection substrate 105 has an annular circuit pattern 111 along the outer edge of the substrate on its surface, and four protruding circuit patterns 111a to 111a, which project from the annular circuit pattern 111 in the rotation axis direction with a phase of 90 degrees. 111d
A circuit pattern 113 extending from the ring-shaped circuit pattern 111 to the connector portion 105a of the detection substrate 105, a ring-shaped circuit pattern 114 separated from the ring-shaped circuit pattern 111 by a predetermined distance, and a strip-shaped pattern positioned between the ring-shaped circuit patterns 111 and 114. Four arc circuit patterns 115a to 115d
With.

Each of the above-mentioned circuit patterns corresponds to the brush support 10
When 1 rotates together with the rotating shaft 29, the brush 103c of the brush body 103 is formed on the surface of the annular circuit pattern 114.
So that they contact each other, each arc circuit pattern 115a to 115
The brush 103a is formed so as to come into contact with the surface of d, and the brush 103a comes into contact with the surface of each of the protruding circuit patterns 111a to 111d.

Each arc circuit pattern 115a to 115d
Are formed with a width of 30 degrees in the circumferential direction and a phase of 90 degrees, and are formed so as to overlap the corresponding protruding circuit patterns 111a to 111d by 3 degrees in the circumferential direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19B, the detection substrate 105 has circuit patterns 117a to 117e corresponding to the annular circuit pattern 114 and the arc circuit patterns 115a to 115d on the back surface thereof. Each of the circuit patterns 117a to 117e is formed so as to be electrically connected to the annular circuit pattern 114 and the like through a through hole shown by a dotted line in the drawing. That is, the circular circuit pattern 114 and the circuit pattern 117a are replaced by the circular circuit pattern 115a.
And the circuit pattern 117e are the arc circuit pattern 115.
b and the circuit pattern 117b are the arc circuit pattern 11
5c and the circuit pattern 117c are the arc circuit pattern 1
15d and the circuit pattern 117d are electrically connected to each other.

In the potentiometer 65 having the above-described structure, the annular circuit pattern 114 connected to the ground line via the circuit pattern 117a and any of the circular circuit patterns 115a to 115d to which a predetermined voltage is applied are connected to the rotary shaft 29. Electrical continuity is established through the brushes 103b and 103c of the brush support 101 that rotates integrally. In addition, the ring-shaped circuit pattern 114 and any of the protruding circuit patterns 111a to 111d to which a predetermined voltage is applied,
Conduction is made through the brushes 103a and 103c.

On the other hand, in assembling the potentiometer 65 together with the geared motor 66 and the like into the equipment accommodating space 63, the brush supporting member 101 is provided with the water discharge nozzle 24.
Is fixed to the rotary shaft 29 so as to be positioned just below the one water discharge nozzle, that is, in direct alignment with the phase around the rotary shaft 29. Further, the detection substrate 105 is fixed at a position where the arc circuit pattern 115b comes into contact with the brush 103b of the brush support 101 when the rotary water discharger 23 faces the water discharge window 30 with the one water discharge nozzle. (See Figure 12).

Therefore, the sub-controller 67 connected to the potentiometer 65, based on the conduction state between the annular circuit pattern 114 and each of the circular arc circuit patterns 115a to 115d, the one water discharge nozzle, for example, the water discharge nozzle 2
It is possible to determine which position 4 is located, and by using this, which of the water discharge nozzles facing the water discharge window 30 is located. That is, each arc circuit pattern 115
a to 115d are used for detecting the position of the water discharge nozzle.

The sub-controller 67 also includes the ring-shaped circuit pattern 114 and the protruding circuit patterns 111a-111.
Based on the conduction state with d, it is determined whether the rotary water discharger 23 is excessively rotated, and whether or not the geared motor 66 needs to be braked. That is, each of the protruding circuit patterns 111a to 111d
Is used for a compulsory stop instruction of the geared motor 66 as described later, and each water discharge nozzle has its water discharge hole through the water discharge window 30.
The stop position (indexing completion position) that correctly faces Regarding the position detection of the water discharge nozzle and the control of the geared motor 66 using the potentiometer 65,
It will be described later.

Next, the relationship between the above controllers will be described. The main controller 7 embedded in the wall surface of the bathroom and built in the operation part P and the sub controller 67 built in the shower head A are connected to each other via a wire bundle 89. More specifically, the power supply circuit 7c of the main controller 7 and the voltage regulator 67c of the sub-controller 67 are connected by a power supply wire 89a, and the MPU 6 of the shower head A is connected from the main controller 7 side.
Power is supplied to electric equipment such as the pressure sensor 75 such as 7a. In addition, the I / O 7b of the main controller 7
And the interrupt terminal (INT) in the MPU 67a of the sub-controller 67, the I / O 67 of the sub-controller 67
b and the interrupt terminal (INT) in the MPU 7a of the main controller 7 are connected by a control electric wire 89b, and signals necessary for various controls to be described later are transmitted and received between both controllers to transmit various information such as rotation. Communication of information such as the rotational position of the water discharge body 23 and the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 75 is executed.

[0109] Such communicated information and operation panel section P
Based on the button operation at P and the operation of the shower changeover switch 74 of the shower head A, the both controllers change the water discharge destination and the water discharge mode.

Next, the water discharge device TS having the above-mentioned structure
The control of changing the water discharge form and the like will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the control performed on the main controller 7 side will be described. On the main controller 7 side, a water discharge state main body side setting control (routine) for setting a water discharge state, a water discharge control (routine) for executing water discharge based on the set water discharge state, and a sub controller 6
Communication control (routine) for exchanging data with 7
And are repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.
Each of these routines is executed in each interrupt cycle as described later, but in consideration of overlapping interrupt timings, the water discharge state main body side setting routine, the water discharge routine, and the communication routine are executed in this order. Priorities are set.

The water discharge state main body side setting routine is always executed every 15 ms regardless of whether or not the power button 150 is operated, and performs each processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the main body side information based on the on / off states of various buttons on the operation panel section PP and the outputs of various sensors such as the thermistor 1a is read (step 10).
0: Hereinafter, the step will be simply referred to as S). Specifically, the on / off state of the power button 150, the on / off state of the matrix switch including the bathtub currant instruction button 154, the temperature of the thermistors 1a, 2a, 9 and the temperature of the hot water and the mixed hot water and the amount of water. From the discharge flow rate (rotation speed N) from the sensor 8 and the open state of each solenoid valve such as the shower solenoid valve 11a and the waste water solenoid valve 11b in the water discharge switching unit 11, the water discharge destination instructed from the operation panel unit PP side , Water discharge temperature, water discharge amount, water discharge form of shower and water discharge switching unit 1
The main body side information such as the switching state of 1 is read.

Of the matrix switches, the discharge water temperature increase instruction button 162, the discharge water temperature decrease instruction button 1
For 63, the set water discharge temperature is based on the button operation, and for the water discharge amount increase instruction button 164 and the water discharge amount decrease instruction button 165, the set water discharge amount (water discharge amount level value: 1 to 5) based on the button operation. Are calculated respectively, and the calculation result is read as data of the main body side information.

After that, it is determined whether or not it is possible to make a transition to a water discharge state based on a certain amount of the read information, for example, the water discharge amount and the water discharge temperature according to the ON / OFF state of the matrix switch and the water discharge destination. Judgment is made from other information that has been read in, for example, on / off of the power button 150, the open state of each solenoid valve in the water discharge switching section 11, the thermistor output, etc.

Here, if an affirmative decision is made, if it is possible to make a transition to a water discharge state based on the water discharge temperature, the water discharge amount, etc. determined by the water discharge temperature decrease instruction button 163, the water discharge amount increase instruction button 164, etc., then the water from the thermistors 1a, 2a And the temperature of the hot water and various instruction button groups (tub currant instruction button 154
Etc.), the read information is updated as main body side information used for control described later.
It is stored (S120). Specifically, the various information read in S100 is used as MP related information on the main body side.
The data is updated to a predetermined address of the RAM in U7a and written. Then, this routine is once terminated and the processing from S100 is repeated.

On the other hand, if a negative decision is made that the transition to the water discharge state cannot be made, this routine is once terminated without any processing. Therefore, in this case, the main body side information stored by the processing of this routine before the previous time remains as it is.

Since the water discharge state main body side setting routine for performing such processing is interrupted every 15 ms as described above, by executing this routine, the matrix of the operation panel section PP is The main body side information based on the pressed state of the switch or the like is scanned every 15 ms and is updated and stored whenever the pressed state is changed.

The information on the main body side includes all the information necessary for discharging water in the water discharge form desired by the user who operates the matrix switch of the operation panel section PP and each switch of the shower head A. , Is updated and stored in the above-mentioned water discharge state main body side setting routine,
The predetermined data is also updated / stored by the head information received from the sub controller 67 in the communication routine described later.

In other words, when performing water discharge, regarding the predetermined items, for example, the designation of the target water discharge nozzle m can be performed either from the singing designation button 157 or the like on the operation panel section PP side or from the shower changeover switch 74 on the shower head A side. You can give instructions. Therefore, regarding items that can be instructed from both the operation panel unit PP and the shower head A (target water discharge nozzle m, water discharge execution and water stop from each water discharge port, etc.), the head that reflects the operation status of each switch of the shower head A is reflected. The information on the main unit side is updated by the information whenever necessary.
Remember. Therefore, the main body side information is the shower head A
The information reflects the operation status of each switch and the operation status of each switch of the operation panel unit PP.

Next, regarding the water discharge routine for executing water discharge based on the main body side information set in this way,
explain. This water discharge routine is executed every 250 ms while the power button 150 is in the ON state, and performs each processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this water discharge routine, the main body side information stored in the water discharge state main body side setting routine is read (S20
0), and the reading of the head information transmitted from the sub controller 67 of the shower head A and stored in the RAM of the MPU 7a in the communication routine described later (S205).
And are sequentially executed.

The head information includes data on the current water discharge nozzle M which the rotary water discharger 23 faces the water discharge window 30 at present, and the detected voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75 (voltage reflecting the pressure in the hot and cold water flow passage 62). ), Data regarding execution or stopping of water discharge from the shower head A, and data regarding a target water discharge nozzle m to be newly exposed to the water discharge window 30. Each data will be described later.

After that, it is judged which of the shower head A, the washing place curran n, and the bathtub currant rk is designated as the water discharge destination in the main body side information read in S200 (S210), and all the water discharge destinations are designated. If not, it is not necessary to inflow water and hot water from the inflow pipes 1 and 2, and both flow rate control valves are fully closed (S213).
This routine is once ended.

At S210, the spouting point is the washing place
Alternatively, if it is determined that the bath lantern rk, the solenoid valve of the water discharge switching unit 11 (washing solenoid valve 11c) corresponding to each cullan.
Alternatively, a drive signal (ON signal) is output to the bathtub solenoid valve 11d) to control the opening of the solenoid valve (S215).
An off signal is output to the wastewater solenoid valve 11b to perform valve closing control (S220). In other words, if the water spouting destination is the washing place curran n or the bathtub curran rk, there is no obstacle in starting the water spouting. Therefore, each electromagnetic valve is driven as described above to prepare for prompt water spouting.

Next, the water discharge process from each currant is performed as described below (S230), and this routine is ended. In this water discharge process, the hot and cold water discharge connection pipe 1 is set based on the temperatures of water, hot water, and mixed hot and cold water in the main body side information, the flow rate of the hot and cold water discharge connection pipe 10 and the set water discharge temperature and water discharge amount.
The flow rates of water and hot water to be flown into 0 are calculated, and the flow rate control amounts of the flow rate control valves 3 and 4 corresponding to the calculated flow rates, that is, the drive amounts of the actuator 5 and the actuator 6 (stepping drive amount) are calculated. To do. Then, the control signal corresponding to the calculated drive amount is output to the water side motor driver 7d and the hot water side motor drive 7e. Therefore,
Since each actuator is driven by each drive and each flow rate control valve regulates the flow rate, the calculated flow rate of water and hot water flows into the hot and cold water discharge connection pipe 10, and from either of the above-mentioned currans, the set water discharge temperature and the water discharge amount are set. Is exhaled.

The water spouted from the currant is used as a shower head designating button 156 on the operation panel PP.
Is newly pressed or the bathtub currant instruction button 154 is continuously pressed twice to change the main body side information, and the water discharge state based on this information is stored as transition possible in the water discharge state main body side setting routine. Continue until

On the other hand, if it is determined in S210 that the water discharge destination is the shower head A, it is determined whether or not the target water discharge nozzle m in the main body side information and the current water discharge nozzle M in the head information match (S235). .. The present water discharge nozzle M is set by the sub controller 67 based on the output of the potentiometer 65, as described later.

If it is determined in S235 that the target water discharge nozzle m and the current water discharge nozzle M do not match, the drive signal (ON signal) is output to the waste water electromagnetic valve 11b of the water discharge switching unit 11. Valve opening control of the solenoid valve (S240)
And the valve closing control (S245) of the electromagnetic valve through the output of the OFF signal to the shower electromagnetic valve 11a are sequentially executed in this order, and the process proceeds to the next S300. That is, when the target water discharge nozzle m and the current water discharge nozzle M do not match, the shower solenoid valve 11a is closed and the shower head A is closed.
The inflow of hot water to and from the water is stopped in preparation for the completion of the water discharge nozzle indexing by the water discharge nozzle rotation control performed by the sub-controller 67 on the shower head A side described later.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S235 that the target water discharge nozzle m and the current water discharge nozzle M match, it is determined that the flow of hot and cold water into the shower head A can be started, and the shower solenoid valve 11a of the water discharge switching unit 11 is instructed. Opening control of the solenoid valve through the output of the drive signal (ON signal) of S (S250)
And the closing control of the solenoid valve (S255) through the output of the off signal to the wastewater solenoid valve 11b are sequentially executed in this order, and the process proceeds to the next S300.

In S300 subsequent to S245 and S255, the following water discharge temperature control is performed so that water can be discharged from the shower head A at the water discharge temperature set in the main body side information (S300). That is, based on the temperature of the water itself in the inflow pipe 1 and the temperature of the hot water itself in the inflow pipe 2 detected by the thermistors 1a and 2a, the water temperature and the mixed hot and cold water temperature obtained when the hot water is mixed are obtained. A flow rate ratio of water and hot water for matching the set discharge temperature is calculated.

Next, in order to discharge water at the set water discharge temperature, S
The following flow rate control is performed so that water can be discharged from the shower head A at the set water discharge amount in the main body side information while maintaining the flow rate ratio of water and hot water calculated in 300 (S40).
0).

This flow rate control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in the figure, in this flow rate control, first, it is determined whether or not an instruction to execute water discharge from the shower head A is given in the read main body side information (S403). Here, shower water discharge switch 73
Is off and the output of each water discharge form instruction button is off, it is judged that the water is not executed from the shower head A in the main body side information. Since it is not necessary to inflow water or hot water, both flow rate control valves are fully closed (S405), and this routine is once terminated.

On the other hand, if the output of either the shower water discharge switch 73 or each of the water discharge form instruction buttons is ON, it is determined that the shower head A is instructed to execute the water discharge in the main body side information, the main body While determining the flow rate of water and hot water based on the level value N (the level value of any one of 1 to 5) of the set water discharge amount regarding the current water discharge nozzle M (any of the water discharge nozzles 24 to 27) in the side information, The drive amounts of the actuators 5 and 6 for flowing the water and hot water having the determined flow rates through the respective inflow pipes are calculated, and the respective flow rate control valves 3 and 4 are driven via the respective motor drivers 7d and 7e (S407). At this time, it goes without saying that the flow rate ratio of water and hot water calculated in S300 is maintained.

The set water discharge amount of each level value is stored in advance in the ROM incorporated in the MPU 67a for each water discharge nozzle. Even if the set water discharge amount of the same level value is used, water is actually discharged from each water discharge nozzle. The water discharge amount differs for each water discharge nozzle. For example, in the case of the straight water discharge nozzle 24,
With the set water discharge amount of the level value 3, 7 liters of water is discharged per minute, and the squirting water discharge nozzle 27 discharges 10 liters of water per minute even with the set water amount of 3 of the level value.

Next, from the level value N of the set water discharge amount and the current water discharge nozzle M, the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN of the flow rate map relating to the current water discharge nozzle M is read (S41).
0). As shown in FIG. 23, this flow rate map shows the pressure in the hot and cold water flow passage 62 detected by the pressure sensor 75 when the water is discharged from each water discharge nozzle at the set water discharge amount of each level value (1 to 5), that is, the set discharge. The water quantity conversion voltage VMN and the above level values are associated with each water discharge nozzle.
a Stored in the built-in ROM. The subscript M in the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN indicates any one of the symbols A, B, C, and D for distinguishing the water discharge nozzles of each water discharge form, and the subscript N indicates the set level values 1 to 5. Indicates either.

For example, the set water discharge amount is the water discharge amount of the level value 4, and the current water discharge nozzle M is the straight water discharge nozzle 2.
If 4, then this current water discharge nozzle M (water discharge nozzle 24)
With regard to the above, VB4 is read as the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN. Similarly, if the set water discharge amount is the water discharge amount of the level value 3 and the current water discharge nozzle M is the discharge water discharge nozzle 27, VD3 is read.

The set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN (VA1 to VD5) for each water discharge nozzle is obtained by converting the set water discharge amount at each level value into the sensor output voltage of the pressure sensor 75. Is required through. The set discharge amount of each level value is actually discharged from the discharge nozzle, and the output voltage of the pressure sensor 75 is sampled when the actual discharge amount measured by the flow rate measuring device outside the nozzle matches the set discharge amount. Then, a significant voltage is obtained from this sampling voltage by using a statistical method or the like, and the obtained voltage is stored as the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN.

After reading the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN in this manner, the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN is compared with the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75, and the flow rate is controlled according to the result.

The flow rate is controlled by using the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75 for the following reason. The flow rate Q of a fluid such as hot water flowing through the flow path (the hot water flow path 62 in this embodiment) is a unit correction constant K in consideration of the viscosity of the fluid and the like.
And the flow coefficient CV and the pressure difference .DELTA.P obtained by subtracting the atmospheric pressure P0 from the pressure P in the hot and cold water flow path 62 are expressed by the following equations. Q = K ・ CV ・ (△ P) ^1/2 = K ・ CV ・ (P-P0)
^1/2

The flow rate coefficient CV in this equation is a flow rate coefficient determined in advance by the water discharge form from each water discharge nozzle 24 to 27, that is, the size and shape of the hole of each water discharge nozzle (see FIG. 6). The pressure difference ΔP obtained by subtracting the atmospheric pressure P0 from the pressure P in the hot and cold water flow path 62 is obtained through a predetermined conversion formula f (VP) which is uniquely determined by using the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75 as a variable. It is not out of bounds Therefore, the above equation becomes Q = K · CV · (f (VP))
It can be transformed to ^1/2 .

Therefore, the flow rate can be indirectly compared by comparing the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN obtained by converting the set water discharge amount of each level value into the sensor output voltage and the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75. It becomes possible to control the flow rate.

In comparing the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN with the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75 for controlling the flow rate, first, the detection voltage VP is set to the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN by the allowable measurement error voltage α. It is determined whether the applied voltage is equal to or higher than the applied voltage (S413). This allowable measurement error voltage α is due to variations in the detection accuracy in manufacturing the pressure sensor 75, and the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75 that accompanies abrupt vertical movement of the shower head A when the shower head A is held by hand. It is predetermined in consideration of fluctuations and the like.

If it is determined that the detected voltage VP is equal to or higher than the voltage obtained by adding the allowable measurement error voltage α to the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN, the total inflow amount of water and hot water from each inflow pipe, that is, the flow rate is determined. The drive amounts of the actuators 5 and 6 for reducing the amount by a predetermined amount are calculated, and the flow rate control valves 3 and 4 are driven via the motor drivers 7d and 7e (S41).
5). Then, this routine ends. Of course, when the flow rate adjusting valves 3 and 4 are driven, the flow rate ratio of water and hot water calculated in S300 is maintained. Thus, after that, the water discharge amount is corrected to be reduced. As the unit for reducing the flow rate, a different value is prepared for each water discharge nozzle.

On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in S413, it is judged whether or not the detected voltage VP is equal to or lower than the voltage obtained by subtracting the allowable measurement error voltage α from the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN (S4).
17). Here, if a negative determination is made, together with the determination in S413, it can be determined that the detected voltage VP is within an allowable range centered on the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN, so there is no need to adjust the flow rate. This routine is once ended without performing any processing. As a result, the water discharge from the shower head A is continued with the water discharge amount (the set water discharge amount) as before.

However, if an affirmative decision is made in S417, the drive amount of each actuator 5, 6 for increasing the total inflow amount of water and hot water from each inflow pipe by a predetermined amount is calculated, and each flow control valve 3, 4 is driven via each motor driver 7d and 7e (S420). Then, this routine ends. In this way, the amount of water discharged is increased and corrected thereafter.
The unit for increasing the flow rate is the same as the unit for decreasing the flow rate, and a different value is prepared for each water discharge nozzle.

The water discharge routine for performing such processing is
As mentioned above, it is executed every 250 ms, so
The flow rate control based on the main body side information including all the information (press information of each switch, information such as water volume and temperature) necessary for performing the water discharge of the water discharge form desired by the user is also 250 m.
It is done every s.

Next, a communication routine for exchanging data between the main controller 7 and the sub controller 67 will be described. This communication routine includes a main controller communication routine that is interrupted by the MPU 7a every 125 ms while the power button 150 is in the on state, and a sub routine that receives an interrupt signal from the main controller communication routine. It is composed of a sub-controller communication routine which is executed by the controller 67 on an interrupt basis each time, and performs each processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the main controller side communication routine,
First, the main body side information stored in S207 of the water discharge routine is read (S500), and then it is determined from the read information whether or not the drain water solenoid valve 11b is in the open state (S).
510).

If it is determined that the valve is in the closed state, it is determined that hot water may flow into the shower head A, and the target water discharge nozzle related data including the index prohibition data of the water discharge nozzle is synthesized. If it is determined that the valve is open (S520), it is determined that the hot water does not flow into the shower head A, and the target water discharge nozzle related data including the index permission data of the water discharge nozzle is combined (S530). The target water discharge nozzle-related data has a data structure of multiple bits, and index prohibition data (value 0) or index permission data (value 1) is assigned to one of the bits, and the other predetermined number of bits are assigned. , The data relating to the target water discharge nozzle (data necessary for changing the current water discharge nozzle to the target water discharge nozzle) is configured.

Then, S following S520 and S530
At 540, the combined multi-bit target water discharge nozzle related data is serially converted and the converted data is transmitted (S540). Then, the head information request signal for requesting the transmission of the head information is transmitted from the sub controller 67 (S550), and this routine is once ended.

In the serial conversion in S540, an interrupt signal (1
Bit), the start signal (1 bit), and the transmission source (in this case, the main controller 7), an ID signal (2
(Bits) etc. are added to make the transmission data of a predetermined number of bits,
This transmission data is serially converted as shown in FIG.

That is, the interrupt bit is converted into the first transmission bit, the start bit is changed to the second transmission bit, the ID bit is changed to the third and fourth transmission bits, and serial conversion is performed. To do. Then, the transmission data after serial conversion is converted into MPU on the main controller 7 side.
7a to the interrupt terminal of the MPU 67a on the side of the sub controller 67 directly via one of the I / O 7b and the control wire 89b.

This transmission method is a start-stop synchronization method, and each data bit length is 100 μsec in total.

Sub-controller 6 that received this data
In the MPU 67a of No. 7, an external interrupt occurs due to the interrupt bit in the transmission data (reception timing of FIG. 25), the processing up to that point is temporarily interrupted, and the sub-controller side communication routine shown in FIG. 24 is executed. ..

That is, when the sub-controller side communication routine starts in response to an external interrupt, it waits for the input of the start bit (L level) following the interrupt bit, and waits for 150 μsec after inputting the bit (reception timing). (Reception timing), then data is input every 100 μsec, and this is input to the MPU 67a built-in RAM.
(S600).

Thus, the data reception is continued until the stop bit (L level) is input at the reception timing. If the stop bit input cannot be confirmed at the reception timing, a stop bit error is set. In addition, the parity check is performed with the input data immediately before the stop bit (L level), the input data is adopted if OK, and the parity check error is set if NG.

Then, in the sub-controller communication routine, S5 in the main-controller communication routine is executed.
It waits for the input of the head information request signal transmitted at 50 (S610). When this request signal is input, the head information stored in the RAM incorporated in the MPU 67a is read by a head information setting routine described later (S620), and a plurality of data contained in this head information is serially converted (6
30). This serial conversion is performed by adding an ID signal (2 bits) for distinguishing the transmission source (in this case, the sub-controller 67) as in the process in S540, and the head information data is replaced with the target nozzle related data. Used.

As will be described later, the head information includes data on the current water discharge nozzle M, detected voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75, data on water discharge execution or water stop from the shower head A, and target water discharge nozzle m. Data and are included.

Next, the transmission data after serial conversion is converted into
From the MPU 67a on the sub controller 67 side to the I / O 67
b, and directly to the interrupt terminal of the MPU 7a on the main controller 7 side via another one of the control wires 89b (S6
40) and terminates the sub-controller side communication routine.

On the other hand, the MPU 7a of the main controller 7
Then, an external interrupt occurs in response to the reception of serially converted head information data including the interrupt bit and the ID bit,
The head information receiving routine shown in FIG. 26 is executed by interruption.

In this head routine receiving routine, the transmitted head information data is received and temporarily stored (S560), and based on this head information data, the data relating to the predetermined item of the main body side information is updated / stored ( S5
70). In S570, as shown in FIG. 26, it is determined based on the head information data whether or not the shower selector switch 74 has been operated (S572). If a negative determination is made, no processing is required and the head routine reception routine is temporarily terminated. To do.

If an affirmative decision is made in S572, it is determined that the user desires to change the water discharge mode based on the operation of the shower selector switch 74, and the data relating to the target water discharge nozzle m in the main body side information is updated and stored. (S57
4). Next, it is determined whether the shower water discharge switch 73 has been operated based on the head information data (S57).
6) If a negative decision is made, it is concluded that no processing is necessary and this routine is once terminated.

If an affirmative decision is made in S576, it is assumed that the user desires to execute water discharge or change to water stop based on the operation of the shower water discharge switch 73, and the data regarding the water discharge from the shower head A in the main body side information. Is updated and stored (S578). That is, if the data regarding the water discharge from the shower head A in the main body side information up to that point is water discharge execution data, it is treated as water stop data, and if the data is water stop data, it is treated as water discharge execution data.

In this way, the head routine receiving routine in the main controller 7 ends, and the data relating to the predetermined item of the main body side information is updated.

That is, every time the main controller side communication routine is executed every 125 ms, the head information is updated in the MPU 7a (S560), and each time the head routine receiving routine is executed, the MPU 7 is executed.
Since the data regarding the predetermined item of the main body side information is updated in (a) (S574, S578), S of the water discharge routine is executed.
The main body side information and the head information that are read in 200 and S205 are the latest data each time. As a result,
The water discharge routine uses the data included in the latest main body side information and head information as control parameters in various processes.

Next, the control performed on the sub controller 67 side in addition to the sub controller side communication routine will be described. On the sub controller 67 side, head information setting control (routine) for setting head information from the pressure sensor 75 in the shower head A, the shower water discharge switch 73, etc., and the target water discharge nozzle to the water discharge window 3
The water discharge nozzle indexing control (routine) for indexing the water discharge nozzle to reach 0 is repeatedly executed in a predetermined cycle. Each of these routines is executed in each interrupt cycle as described later,
Considering that the interrupt timings overlap, the priority order of execution is set in the order of the head information setting routine and the water discharge nozzle indexing routine. As described above, the sub-controller side communication routine is forcibly executed by temporarily interrupting the head information setting routine and the water discharge nozzle indexing routine each time by external indexing.

The head information setting routine is executed every 15 ms while the power is being supplied via the power supply circuit 7c of the main controller 7.
Each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 27 is performed.

First, the head information based on the pressed states of the shower water discharge switch 73 and the shower changeover switch 74 in the shower head A and the sensor output from the potentiometer 65 and the pressure sensor 75 is read (S70).
0). Specifically, from the output of the potentiometer 65,
The current water discharge nozzle M facing the water discharge window 30 is specified, and either the water discharge execution from the shower head A or the water stop is specified from the switch output of the shower water discharge switch 73.
Further, the target water discharge nozzle m is specified based on the pressing operation of the shower selector switch 74, and these are read as head information together with the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75.

Whether or not the water is discharged from the shower head A is alternately specified by the MPU 67a each time the shower water discharge switch 73 is pressed. The target water discharge nozzle m is specified based on the number of times the shower changeover switch 74 is pressed and the current water discharge nozzle M. That is, every time the shower changeover switch 74 is pressed once, the water discharge nozzle next to the current water discharge nozzle M along the rotation direction of the rotary water discharge body 23 becomes the target water discharge nozzle m. For example, when the water discharge nozzle 24 is the current water discharge nozzle M,
If the shower changeover switch 74 is operated once, the water discharge nozzle 25 becomes the target water discharge nozzle m, and if it is twice, the water discharge nozzle 26 becomes the target water discharge nozzle 27, and if it is three times, the water discharge nozzle 27 becomes the target water discharge nozzle m (FIG. 6). reference). That is, every time the shower changeover switch 74 is pressed, the target water discharge nozzle m is sequentially fed from the current water discharge nozzle M and specified.

Thereafter, the read head information is MP-processed.
The RAM in the U67a is updated to a predetermined address and written (S710), and this routine is once ended.

That is, by executing the above head information setting routine, the head information based on each switch output and sensor output in the shower head A is updated and stored every 15 ms. The head information is transmitted to the main controller 7 and used for the various controls described above.

Next, a water discharge nozzle indexing routine for indexing the water discharge nozzle will be described. This water discharge nozzle indexing routine is executed every 2 ms while the power is turned on via the power supply circuit 7c of the main controller 7, and performs each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. ..

First, the target water discharge nozzle m is read in the transmission data from the main controller 7 stored in S600 of the sub-controller side communication routine (S80).
0) and reading of the current water discharge nozzle M in the head information stored in S710 of the head information setting routine (S).
And 810) are sequentially executed in this order. Then, it is determined whether the read target water discharge nozzle m and the current water discharge nozzle M match (S820).

If it is determined that the target water discharge nozzle m and the current water discharge nozzle M coincide with each other, it is determined that it is not necessary to index the water discharge nozzle, and this routine is temporarily terminated without any processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the target water discharge nozzle m and the current water discharge nozzle M do not match, the data regarding whether or not the water discharge nozzle can be indexed is calculated from the transmission data stored in S600 of the sub-controller side communication routine. Read the prohibition data or index permission data) (S
830) and then it is determined whether or not the water discharge nozzle can be indexed based on this data (S84).
0).

If it is determined that the indexing is impossible based on the indexing prohibition data, this routine is once terminated without performing any processing. However, if it is determined that the indexing is possible based on the indexing permission data, a control signal is output to the motor driver 67e to drive the geared motor 66 to rotate the water discharge nozzle, that is, the rotary water discharger 23 (S850), and this routine is executed. finish.

In this way, the water discharge nozzle indexing routine is performed for 2 m.
By repeating the operation every s, the geared motor 66 is driven until the target water discharge nozzle m and the current water discharge nozzle M match only when the index of the water discharge nozzle is permitted by the transmission data from the main controller 7. Then, the rotary water discharger 23 continues to rotate. As a result, the target water discharge nozzle m makes its water discharge hole face the water discharge window 30 and the indexing is completed. For example, the current water discharge nozzle M is the water discharge nozzle 24.
If the target water discharge nozzle m is the water discharge nozzle 26 (see FIGS. 4 and 6), the geared motor is rotated until the water discharge nozzle 26 exposes its water discharge hole to the water discharge window 30, that is, until the rotary water discharge body 23 rotates 180 degrees. 66 will be driven.

Here, the state of the detection signal output from the potentiometer 65, the state of driving the geared motor 66, the state of water discharge from the water discharge nozzle, and the like will be described in association with each other. For convenience of description, a case where the current water discharge nozzle M is the water discharge nozzle 24 (spray) and the target water discharge nozzle m is the water discharge nozzle 26 (foam) will be described with reference to FIG. 29.

As shown in the drawing, during the water discharge from the water discharge nozzle 24 in the water discharge form of the spray, that is, while the current water discharge nozzle M is the water discharge nozzle 24 (spray) in the main body side information and the head side information. , Foam specification button 1
When 59 is pressed or the shower water discharge switch 73 is pressed twice to instruct to change the water discharge form to foam, the main body side information is updated in S120, the head side information is updated in S710, and S574 and S578. After the main body side information is updated by
6 (foam).

Therefore, a negative determination is made in S235, the waste water solenoid valve 11b is opened (S240) to dispose of the waste water, and then the shower solenoid valve 11a is closed (S245).
Thus, the water discharge from the shower head A is stopped. Then, upon receiving the opening of the waste water electromagnetic valve 11b, indexing of the water discharge nozzle is permitted (S530), and a rotation drive signal is output to the motor driver 67e (S850). As a result, the geared motor 66 starts rotating.

When the geared motor 66 starts rotating in this way, the rotary water discharger 23 and the brush support 10 are also moved along with this.
Since 1 also rotates integrally, the circular arc circuit pattern 115b and the annular circuit pattern 114 via the brush body 103
And the electrical connection between the protruding circuit pattern 111b and the annular circuit pattern 114 are cut off.

After that, the output of the rotation drive signal to the motor driver 67e is continued, the geared motor 66 continues to rotate, and eventually the circular arc circuit pattern 115d and the annular circuit pattern 114 are electrically connected via the brush body 103, and subsequently. The protruding circuit pattern 111d that defines the stop position (indexing completion position) of the water discharge nozzle and the annular circuit pattern 114 are electrically connected. Therefore, it is determined that the target water discharge nozzle m and the current water discharge nozzle M are completely coincident with each other due to the conduction of the two circuit patterns and the conduction between the circular circuit pattern 115d and the annular circuit pattern 114 preceding the circuit patterns 115 and S820.
Will be judged by. That is, the water discharge nozzle 26 (foam) which is the target water discharge nozzle m has reached the stop position.

Incidentally, each arc circuit pattern 115a-11.
5d is made wider than the protruding circuit pattern 111a and the like, and the arc circuit pattern 115d and the annular circuit pattern 114 are connected prior to the connection between the protruding circuit pattern 111d and the annular circuit pattern 114. This is for making the MPU 67a recognize that it has rotated near the exit position, and for avoiding erroneous detection and the like due to superposition of noise on the signal line connected to the potentiometer 65.

In response to this judgment, the motor driver 67e
The brake signal is output to the forcible stop of the geared motor 66, and the water discharge nozzle 26 (foam) that has reached the stop position.
To the stop position completely. In response to this, the shower solenoid valve 11a is opened (S250), and water is discharged from the shower head A in the form of foam discharge. Further, after closing the drain water solenoid valve 11b (S255), the drain water that has been performed until then is stopped. And the waste water solenoid valve 11
In response to the valve closing of b, indexing of the water discharge nozzle is prohibited (S52).
0) and thereafter, the rotation drive signal is not output to the motor driver 67e until a new instruction to change the water discharge form is issued.

When the indexing of the water discharge nozzle 26 which is the target water discharge nozzle m is completed, the main body side information is updated in S120, the head side information is updated in S710, and S57.
4, after the main body side information is updated in S578, the water discharge nozzle 26 (foam) is set as the current water discharge nozzle M.

According to the water discharger TS of this embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, the following effects can be obtained.

First, in performing water discharge control such as flow rate control, when various data are transmitted between the main controller 7 and the sub-controller 67, a plurality of types of data are transmitted to both controllers which are data transmission sources. The control data is serially converted and then transmitted via the two control electric wires 89b. That is, from the main controller 7, water discharge nozzle indexing permission data for instructing rotation control of the geared motor 66 in the sub controller 67, various data necessary for changing the current water discharge nozzle M to the target water discharge nozzle m, and the like. The target water discharge nozzle related data consisting of is converted into serial data and transmitted. Further, from the sub-controller 67, data regarding the current water discharge nozzle M,
Head information composed of a plurality of types of data such as the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75, the data regarding shower water discharge execution or water stoppage is serially converted and transmitted. Then, the controller on the receiving side converts each data into a signal necessary for processing and performs the various controls described above.

Therefore, between the water discharger body side and the shower head A side, which are in the positional relationship separated by the shower hose h, the number of control signal communication wires conventionally required for each processing function is changed. It can be two. As a result, from the main controller 7 to the sub-controller 67 in the shower head A, even if the control electric wires 89b are embedded and wired along the shower hose h along the shower hose h, the number of embedded electric wires is small. Therefore, the flexibility and operability of the shower hose h are not impaired, and the handling of the shower head A is not hindered. That is, it is possible to perform data communication between the water discharger body side and the shower head A side while maintaining the operability of the shower head A.
Further, even if the connection is performed in the limited space at the lower end of the shower head A, the connection state of the electric wires can be ensured due to the small number of electric wires, and the reliability in data transmission can be improved.

Thirdly, since the electric wire bundle 89 is introduced into the equipment storage space 63 along the center of the lower end hole 76 which is the rotation center of the shower head A, the shower head A is rotated with respect to the shower hose h. Even if it moves, the twisting load applied to the wire bundle 89 can be reduced. Therefore, the wire bundle 89
It is possible to improve the reliability of transmission of electric signals by avoiding the damage of. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a so-called slack portion for absorbing a large twist in the wire bundle 89 around the hose joint body 81, the hose joint body 81
The shower head A including the above is made compact to improve usability when held by hand.

Fourth, the stopper pin 81a and the groove 62a
As a result, the rotation range of the shower head A is restricted to approximately 360 degrees and the twisting of the wire bundle 89 is also limited. Therefore, damage to the wire bundle 89 due to this twisting can be more reliably avoided. Therefore, the reliability of data transmission can be further improved.

Further, the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN is compared with the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75, and if the detected voltage VP is within the allowable range around the set water discharge amount conversion voltage VMN, the previous water discharge amount ( The water discharge from the shower head A is continued with the set water discharge amount), and if it is outside the allowable range, the water discharge amount is increased or decreased. Moreover, the flow rate control accompanied by such an increase / decrease correction of the water discharge amount based on the main body side information including all the information necessary for performing the water discharge of the water discharge form desired by the user,
The main body side information is repeatedly updated and stored. That is, when the indexing of the water discharge nozzle that has been the target water discharge nozzle m until then in the main body side information is completed, and this indexing completed water discharge nozzle is the current water discharge nozzle M in the main body information
The above flow rate control is performed for the water discharge nozzle that has completed indexing. As a result, the shower selector switch 7
Only by operating 4, it is possible to change the water discharge form by indexing the water discharge nozzle and to discharge water at a water discharge amount that matches the changed water discharge form, and to improve the usability of the shower head A.

In addition to this, the water discharger TS of this embodiment is
It has the following effects. (1) In forming the hot and cold water flow passage 62 in the shower head body D, the hot and cold water flow passage 62 is formed along the inner peripheral wall of the head case 61 from the upper end to the lower end of the head case 61, and the formation position is The position is biased to one side of the peripheral wall. As a result, it is possible to secure a sufficient flow passage area and make the water discharged from the shower head A have no discomfort due to insufficient flow rate. Further, most of the internal space including the center of the head case 61 is used as a device storage space 63 for storing the electric drive unit 64, which enables storage of various electric devices and has a margin in arrangement of the electric devices. By having it, the assembling work can be facilitated.

(2) The electric drive unit 64 for rotationally driving the rotary water discharger 23 for switching the water discharge mode is provided with the rotary shaft 29.
It was configured to be hung from the rotary water discharger 23 via the. As a result, there is no axial misalignment between the rotary water discharger 23 and the electric drive unit 64 along the axis of the rotary shaft 29, and therefore the rotary water discharger 2
Electrical drive 64 due to axis misalignment when rotating 3
The load on the can be reduced. In addition, power saving and downsizing of the drive motor can be achieved by reducing the load. Furthermore, even if a biased force is applied to the rotary water discharger 23 due to the inflow of hot and cold water and the rotating shaft 29 is tilted, there is no hindrance to the rotation transmission of the rotary water discharger 23, and the rotation of the rotary water discharger 23 is ensured. It is possible to switch the water discharge nozzle, that is, to switch the water discharge mode.

(3) The rotation preventing piece 70 which engages with the engaging recess 71 of the inner peripheral wall of the head case 61 with a predetermined gap on the outer peripheral surfaces of the potentiometer 65 and the reduction gear portion 66a which constitute the electric drive section 64. Was established. Therefore, although the electric drive unit 64 is suspended and supported by the rotary water spouting body 23, it can move up and down along the rotation axis direction and does not rotate. Do not let the drive unit 64 raise it. As a result, the rotation is reliably transmitted to the rotary water discharger 23, and the water discharge form can be switched accurately and surely.

(4) When the hot water does not flow in, the stopper flange 68 fixed to the rotary shaft 29 with a slight gap between the upper wall 69 and the lower surface of the upper wall 69 is provided to the upper end surface of the electric drive section 64 and the head case. It is provided between the upper side wall 69 of 61. As a result, even if the hot and cold water flows into the shower head A and the rotary water discharger 23 and the electric drive unit 64 float up due to the flow pressure, the stopper flange 68 causes the stopper case flange 68 to rise.
It is possible to avoid further lifting of the electric drive unit 64 along the rotation axis. For this reason, tensile stress along the axial direction is not applied to the rotary shaft 29 below the stopper flange 68, a load due to this stress on the electric drive unit 64 is avoided, and the electric drive unit 64 is suitable. Can be driven to.

(5) When the rotary water discharger 23 is sealed at its bottom surface, it is slidably incorporated in the circular recess 42 of the water discharge seal base C1 along the inflow direction of hot and cold water, and the seal member 50 is provided on the upper surface for pressure bonding. A sealing board C2 was used.
When hot and cold water flows in, the pressure of the inflow causes the pressure-bonding seal board C2.
Slides and is brought into close contact with the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23 with the upper surface thereof as a pressure receiving surface, and the seal member 50 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the nozzle communication passage 28 on the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23 to perform a sealing function. On the other hand, when the hot water does not flow in, no inflow pressure is applied, so that the pressure-bonding seal board C2 sinks into the bottom of the circular recess 42 and does not adhere to the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23. As a result, the rotation of the rotary water discharger 23 that is performed when the hot water does not flow is smoothly performed because the frictional resistance between the bottom surface of the rotary water discharger 23 and the upper surface of the seal portion C is small. Therefore, the load on the geared motor 66 can be reduced through smooth rotation of the rotary water discharger 23.

(6) Avoiding axis deviation described in (2),
The rotation of the water spouting body 23 under low frictional resistance (described in (5)) and the securing of a sufficient volume of the equipment storage space 63 (described in (1)) reduce the load on the electric drive unit 64. It is also possible to use a battery as its drive source and store this battery in the device storage space 63 through power saving and miniaturization of the motor.

(7) Set the potentiometer 65 to the rotary shaft 2
Since it is mounted coaxially with the geared motor 66 via 9,
Positioning accuracy and control reliability can be improved.

(8) Shower hose h and hot and cold water passage 62
Since a large number of holes (6 holes) are formed in the hose joint main body 81, and the effective passage area thereof is the same as that of the hot and cold water flow passage 62, there is no problem when hot and cold water flows into the hot and cold water flow passage 62. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of a prepared pressure fluctuation. Therefore, the detection error in the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75 can be reduced.

(9) Since the cord passage 88 serving as the wiring route of the electric wire bundle 89 is formed so as not to interfere with the water passage 86, the wiring route of the electric wire bundle 89 and the hot and cold water flow passage are separated to prevent leakage. The safety can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention, and the following modifications can be made.

(1) By applying known PD control or PID control to drive control of the geared motor 66, the rotary water discharger 23
It is also possible to smooth the rotational operation of. Further, the power consumption of the geared motor 66 can be reduced by gradually increasing the drive speed when the geared motor 66 is started.

(2) In addition, the electric equipment used is not limited to the one used in this embodiment.
An encoder or the like is used instead of the potentiometer 65 to detect the position of the rotary water discharger 23, and the geared motor 66
Alternatively, a stepping motor, a DC motor, an ultrasonic motor, or the like may be used, and the type of actuator does not matter.

(3) In the detection of the rotational position of the rotary water discharger 23 by the potentiometer 65, the detected value (output voltage) of the potentiometer 65 when the four water discharge nozzles 24 to 27 exactly match the water discharge window 30 is Eg 4
It may be configured to have different voltage values such as V, 8V, 12V and 16V. In this case, each voltage value may be associated with each water discharge nozzle in advance, and it is possible to accurately detect which water discharge nozzle faces the water discharge window 30 through the water discharge hole based on the output voltage value. Is possible.

(4) Whether or not each of the water discharge nozzles 24-27 faces the water discharge hole of the water discharge window 30 is detected by a separate sensor provided at a different position for each water discharge nozzle, such as a micro switch. , Each water discharge nozzle 24-2
Independent potentiometers may be arranged between the seven, and various structures for increasing the resolution of index detection can be adopted.

(5) In addition, it is also possible to program so that the flow rate is automatically changed in a constant cycle in each of the various water discharge forms. Specifically, in comparing the set water discharge amount (flow rate) with the actual water discharge amount based on the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75, the set water discharge amount is fixed as a preset water discharge amount. The set water discharge amount, which is the object of comparison of the water amount, may be changed every predetermined time. For example, even if the set water discharge amount is level 3, the set water discharge amount in the comparison calculation is set to level 3, 4,
The set water discharge amount of 5 is changed every predetermined time. In addition, it is possible to program so as to automatically switch the water discharge mode. In this case, the water discharge nozzle may be indexed every predetermined time. When performing such control,
If the detection voltage VP of the pressure sensor 75 having high responsiveness is used as a control parameter, it is possible to diversify the shower water discharge by finely changing the flow rate.

(6) The electric wire bundle 89 may be woven around the shower hose h while being swung around the shower hose h as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG.

Next, description will be given of a water spouting device in which the shower head A is used in a bathroom and can be directly attached to a hot and cold water mixing tap which is a water supply source.

FIG. 30 is an external view showing a state in which a water discharger F according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a bathroom R, and FIG. 31 is a schematic configuration diagram of the water discharger F and the like. 30 and 31, a hot and cold water mixing plug 200 connected to a hot water supply device as a water supply source is provided on the wall surface W of the bathroom R, and the water discharge device is connected to the hot and cold water mixing plug 200 via the connection mechanism K. F is connected.

The hot and cold water mixing valve 200 is shown in FIG. 32 and FIG.
3, the mixing valve mechanism 210 and the switching valve mechanism 2
20 and. That is, the mixing valve mechanism 210 is
Hot water flowing in through a hot water inflow path 201 connected to a hot water supply device (not shown), and a water inflow passage 2 connected to water supply
Water mixed in through 03 is mixed, and the mixing ratio is adjusted by adjusting the temperature adjustment handle 205. The switching valve mechanism 220 is switched by the manual handle 225 to either the shower side flow passage 221 on the water discharge device F side or the calan side flow passage 223.

The water discharge device F includes an opening / closing valve device 300,
A shower head A connected to the opening / closing valve device 300 via a shower hose h is provided. The shower head A is provided with an operation unit 80 and an electronic control unit 1150 that outputs a control signal under the control of the operation unit 80. The control signal from the electronic control unit 1150 is embedded in the shower hose h. It is sent to the on-off valve device 300 via the communication code to control the on-off valve device 300.

Here, since the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 is a mechanism used in the existing hot water supply device, the water discharge device F is used.
Of these, the opening / closing valve device 300 controlled by operating the shower head A will be described in more detail.

The on-off valve device 300 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in, the main valve mechanism 310 connected to the outlet 221A of the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 and the pilot valve mechanism 370 for controlling the main valve mechanism 310 are provided.

The main valve mechanism 310 is provided with a valve body 311 having a main passage 320 formed of a primary passage 321 including an inlet 321A and a secondary passage 325 including an outlet 325A. The inlet 321A is the hot and cold water mixing valve 200.
Connected to the outlet 221A of the outlet 325A
Is connected to the shower hose h. Main flow path 320
A main valve seat 315, on which the main valve 330 is seated or separated, is provided between the primary side flow path 321 and the secondary side flow path 325.

The main valve 330 comprises a main valve body 331 and a diaphragm 333 integral with the main valve body 331. The main valve 330 is fixed to the valve body 311 at the peripheral end of the diaphragm 333, and the main flow path 320 is provided. Is divided into a back pressure chamber 327.

The back pressure chamber 32 is provided at the center of the main valve 330.
7 and the secondary side flow path 325, the pilot valve hole 34 which connects it.
1 is formed, and the back pressure chamber 327 side of the pilot valve hole 341 serves as a pilot valve seat 342. Also,
At the side of the main valve 330, the primary side flow passage 321 and the back pressure chamber 32 are provided.
A bleed hole 343 is formed so as to always communicate with 7

The pilot valve mechanism 370 includes the valve body 3
In the case 371 mounted on the upper part of 11, a solenoid coil mechanism of a latching type is configured, that is, a solenoid coil 383 wound around the bobbin 381 and molded, and an upper end side in a through hole of the bobbin 381. The fixed core 385, the plunger 387 inserted into the through hole at the lower end side of the core 385, the pilot valve element 390 formed at the tip of the plunger 387, and the core 385.
And the plunger 387, and the plunger 38
7, a spring 391 biasing the spring 7 and a permanent magnet 393 provided at the lower end of the solenoid coil 383.

Next, the operation of the on-off valve device 300 will be described. Now, when no current flows from the electronic control unit 1150 to the solenoid coil 383 and the magnet is not excited, the plunger 387 is held at a position determined by the balance between the spring force and the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 393. From this state, when a positive current is applied to the solenoid coil 383 for excitation, a magnetic closed circuit is formed with the core 385, the permanent magnet 393, and the like as a path, and the plunger 387 resists the biasing force of the spring 391. It moves to the side of the core 385, is adsorbed to the core 385, and is stably held. At this time, the pilot valve body 390 integrated with the plunger 387
Also, since it is in the upper position, the main valve 330 is
Upon receiving the pressure of 21, the valve moves toward the pilot valve body 390 and is in a fully opened state.

On the other hand, when an electric current is passed from the electronic control unit 1150 to the solenoid coil 383 in the opposite direction, the magnetic flux up to that point is demagnetized, and the plunger 387 is caused by the force of the spring.
Moves downward. The plunger 387 and the pilot valve body 390 move downward, the pilot valve body 390 is seated on the pilot valve seat 342, and the pilot valve hole 341 is closed. When the pilot valve hole 341 is closed, through the pilot valve hole 341 from the back pressure chamber 327 to the secondary side flow path 3
The amount of hot water flowing to the back pressure chamber 327 decreases, while the amount of hot water flowing from the primary side flow path 321 to the back pressure chamber 327 through the bleed hole 343 increases the pressure of the back pressure chamber 327. This back pressure chamber 32
Due to the rising pressure of 7, the main valve 330 moves to the main valve seat 315 side and is seated on the main valve seat 315. As a result, the main valve 33
0 is closed and the flow of hot water is cut off. In this way, the opening / closing valve device 300 opens / closes in response to the opening / closing signal to the pilot valve mechanism 370.

Since the on-off valve device 300 in the above structure is of the latching solenoid type, it has a small power and is constructed by the power supply circuit using the dry battery 140 as shown in FIG. The power supply voltage of the dry battery 140 is detected by the voltage level detection circuit 141. The voltage level detection circuit 141 outputs a signal for controlling the open / close valve device 300 to fully open when the dry battery 140 becomes a predetermined voltage or less, and also outputs a signal to the LED 143 to indicate that the battery is dead. Circuit.

Next, the on-off valve device 300 is attached to the hot and cold water mixing valve 20.
The configuration for connecting to 0 will be described. In the case where the shower head A is connected to the existing hot and cold water mixing valve 200 via the shower hose h, in order to replace the shower head A with the water discharge device F according to the present embodiment, first, the existing shower head is
The shower hose is detached by removing the connection mechanism K at the base end. Then, the opening / closing valve device 3 is provided in the shower side flow passage 221 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 after the shower hose h is removed.
The inflow port 321A of 00 is connected via the connection mechanism K.

The connection structure between the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 and the on-off valve device 300 has the following structure using the connection mechanism K including the connection fitting 250 and the tightening fitting 255. The open end of the shower-side flow passage 221 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 is a cylindrical base 221B having a male screw on the outer circumference, while the open end of the inflow port 321A of the on-off valve device 300 has a female screw on the inner circumference. Is a cylindrical base 321B having a. A male screw on one end of the connecting fitting 250 is screwed onto the female screw of the tubular fitting 321B of the on-off valve device 300, and the connecting fitting 25 is provided inside the tubular fitting 221B of the hot and cold water mixing valve 200.
The inner peripheral portion of the other end of 0 is fitted. Therefore, the connecting fitting 250 connects the open end of the on-off valve device 300 and the tubular mouthpiece 221B of the hot and cold water mixing stopper 200, and the hot and cold water mixing stopper 200 through the through hole of the connecting fitting 250.
Shower side flow path 221 and the inlet 3 of the on-off valve device 300
21A communicates with.

Further, the tubular mouthpiece 221 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 200.
The tightening fitting 255 is screwed and externally fitted over the male screw of B and the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical base 321B of the on-off valve device 300. That is, the fastening fitting 255 connects the hot and cold water mixing stopper 200 and the on-off valve device 300 by engaging and pressing the step 251 formed in the middle of the outer periphery of the connection fitting 250 at the step 256 by the fastening screw. Fix it.

In order to connect the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 and the on-off valve device 300, first, the fastening fitting 255 is connected to the fastening fitting 250.
After inserting the plug, insert the male screw of the connection fitting 250 into the opening / closing valve device 3
It is screwed to the female screw of the cylindrical base 321B of No. 00. afterwards,
The other end of the connection fitting 250 is fitted into the shower side flow passage 221 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 200, and the fastening metal fitting 255 is screwed into the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 side. As a result, the on-off valve device 300 is connected and fixed to the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 via the connection mechanism K.

As shown in FIG. 37, the electronic control unit 1150 for controlling the water discharge form of the shower head A has a well-known C
A PU 1151, a ROM 1153, a RAM 1155, and a backup RAM 1157 are configured as a logical operation circuit, and an input / output port 161 mutually connected to these via a common bus 1159 performs input / output to / from the outside. A shower water discharge switch switch 73, a shower water discharge switch 74, and the like shown in FIG. 31 are connected to the input / output port 161, and further, a potentiometer 65 for detecting the position of the water discharge nozzle 24, and hot and cold water flowing through the hot and cold water passage 62 of the shower head A. Sensor 7 for detecting the pressure of
5, a thermistor 171 for detecting the temperature of hot water, and the like are connected.

That is, the electronic control unit 1150 causes the geared motor 66 in the shower head A to discharge water in various water discharge forms by the water discharge form switching processing program stored in the ROM 1153 or the like according to the operation of the operation unit 80.
The open / close valve device 300 is opened / closed.

Next, the process of switching the water discharge mode associated with the use of the water discharge device F will be described with reference to FIG. First, S1
At 300, a signal reading process of the shower water discharge switch 74 of the operation unit 80 is performed, and based on this reading process,
In S1305, it is determined whether or not the signal from the shower water discharge switch 74 is output. If it is determined in this determination process that the switching signal is output, S1
At 310, the pilot valve mechanism 37 of the on-off valve device 300
A fully closed signal is output to the 0 solenoid coil 383. In subsequent S1320, it is determined based on the detection signal from pressure sensor 75 whether or not the pressure is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure. If the pressure is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure, the process proceeds to S1330. The supply pressure of the shower head A based on the pressure sensor 75 is measured in order to execute the switching process described below after the hot water supplied to the shower head A is completely stopped by the opening / closing valve device 300. is there.

At the next S1330, potentiometer 6
It is determined based on the signal of No. 5 whether the switching position has been switched to a predetermined switching position, and in S1335, a switching drive signal is output to the geared motor 66 of the shower head A. That is, in S1330 and S1335, while reading the signal from the potentiometer 65, the geared motor 66
Is driven to stop the switching drive signal to the geared motor 66 when the water discharge nozzle 24 is switched to a predetermined switching position. In subsequent S1340, after the water discharge nozzle 24 is switched to a predetermined position, a full open signal is output to the on-off valve device 300. As a result, water is discharged according to the selected water discharge form.

The water discharger F according to the above embodiment has the following effects. Operation unit 80 provided on the shower head A
When the shower water discharge switch 74 is instructed to switch the water discharge mode, the switching operation of the shower head A is performed after the on-off valve device 300 is fully closed by the control of the electronic control device 1150. Therefore, the water pressure from the water supply source is not applied to the water discharge nozzle 24 in the shower head A, and smooth switching can be performed.

Further, since the switching operation can be performed by the operation portion 80 provided in the shower head A, and the operation of the opening / closing valve device 300 main body is not required, the operability is good.

Furthermore, since shower water discharge is started only by operating the valve switch 73 of the operation unit 80 provided in the shower head A, for example, even if the shower side flow passage 221 of the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 is opened, Unless the valve switch 73 at hand is operated, the shower head A will not inadvertently discharge water.

Further, the voltage of the dry cell 140 of the on-off valve device 300 is detected by the voltage level detection circuit 141, and when the voltage level detection circuit 141 detects that the voltage is below a predetermined voltage, the on-off valve device 300 is fully opened. Signal is output. Therefore, the on-off valve device 300 is automatically opened and does not stop the supply of hot water when the battery is dead.
A shower can be used by manually operating the hot and cold water mixing valve 200.

When the voltage level detection circuit 141 detects that the voltage is less than or equal to the predetermined voltage, the LED 143 is lit and displayed, so that it is possible to know when to replace the battery, and it is possible to quickly recover.

By programming the opening / closing valve device 300 to open and close at a predetermined cycle during water discharge, so-called program shower control can be performed, and the shower can be used as a shower such as a massage shower or an awakening shower with various changes.

The water discharger F can obtain a highly functional shower function only by attaching it to the existing hot and cold water mixing valve 200 using the connection mechanism K. At that time, there is no need to replace the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 or the like with another structure, increase relocation work, or special piping installation work.

Incidentally, the pressure sensor 7 in the shower head A is
5 may be used not only for detecting the water pressure at the time of switching the water discharge nozzle 24, but also for saving means when water is cut off. That is, when it is determined that the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 75 is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure, the on-off valve device 300 is closed.
By such valve closing control, when the hot water is not discharged due to a cause other than the operation of the on-off valve device 300, for example, when the water is cut off, this state is detected by the pressure sensor 75 and the valve is closed. Therefore, since the valve is closed as described above, unnecessary water discharge is not performed when the cause of water cutoff or the like is eliminated.

FIG. 39 shows an embodiment in which a flow control valve device 400 is used instead of the opening / closing valve device 300. The flow rate control valve device 400 includes the primary side flow path 4 including the inflow port 421A.
21 and a valve body 411 having a main flow path 420 formed of a secondary side flow path 425 including an outlet 425A.
A valve seat 415 on which the valve element 430 is seated or separated from between the primary side flow path 421 and the secondary side flow path 425 of the main flow path 420.
Is provided. The valve body 430 includes a valve body portion 431, a diaphragm 433 integrated with the valve body portion 431, and a valve seat 4
The seat member 435 that comes into contact with the member 15 is fixed to the valve body 411 at the peripheral portion of the diaphragm 433 while fixing them integrally with a screw.

The valve body 430 is the actuator mechanism 4
The opening degree is controlled by 50. Actuator mechanism 450
Is a casing 451 mounted on the top of the valve body 411.
A stepping motor 460 housed inside is provided. This stepping motor 460 has its drive shaft 46
1 has a threaded portion 463, and the threaded portion 4
63 is screwed into the female screw 471 at the center of the slide member 470. The slide member 470 is guided and moved in the axial direction by a guide member 475 provided on the outer peripheral portion thereof, and the tip end portion thereof is in contact with the diaphragm 433 of the valve body 430.

With the configuration of the flow rate control valve device 400, the electronic control device 1150 can be connected to the stepping motor 46.
When a drive signal is sent to 0 to rotate the stepping motor 460 in the normal direction, the screw part 463 is screwed into the female screw 471 of the slide member 470 together with the drive shaft 461, and the slide member 470 moves to the valve body 430 side. As a result, the valve element 430 is pushed by the slide member 470 and the valve seat 41
The opening of the main flow path 420 is narrowed toward the 5 side. on the other hand,
The stepping motor 460 is reversely rotated to move the slide member 4
When the valve 70 retreats from the valve element 430, the valve element 430 receives the pressure of the primary channel 421 and follows the movement of the slide member 470 to increase the opening degree of the main channel 420. In this way, the opening degree of the valve body 430 can be adjusted by the normal rotation or reverse rotation of the stepping motor 460 to adjust the flow rate of the main flow path 420.

In the above embodiment, the flow rate control valve device 40 is used.
In the case of 0, the flow rate can be changed by adjusting the opening degree of the main flow path 420 in addition to fully closing and fully opening. For the flow rate control valve device 400 having such a function, the flow rate is set to a different value according to the water discharge mode after the switching of the water discharge mode is completed. As a result, water is discharged at a flow rate suitable for each water discharge form, which is excellent in usability.

40 to 42 show an embodiment in which a switching valve device 500 is used instead of the opening / closing valve device 300. The switching valve device 500 includes an outlet 221A of the hot and cold water mixing valve 200.
And a pilot valve mechanism 570 for controlling the main valve mechanism 510.

The main valve mechanism 510 includes a primary side flow path 521 including an inflow port 521A, a first branch secondary side flow path 525 branching from the primary side flow path 521 and a first outflow port 525A, and a second flow path. Second branch secondary side flow path 527 including outlet 527A
And a valve body 511 having a main flow path 520 consisting of The first outlet 525A is connected to the shower hose h, while the second outlet 527A is connected to the Karan side flow passage KP. Primary side flow path 52 of main flow path 520
A first main valve seat 515 is provided between the first and second branch secondary side flow passages 525, and between the primary side flow passage 521 and the second branch secondary side flow passage 527, A second main valve seat 517 is provided. The flow paths of the first main valve seat 515 and the second main valve seat 517 are opened and closed by the main valve 530 that is alternatively seated or separated.

The main valve 530 is connected to the first valve body 531 which is seated on the first main valve seat 515, is connected to the first valve body 531 via the connecting member 533, and is seated on the second main valve seat 517. The second valve body 535 is provided. First valve body 531
Is fixed to the diaphragm 537, and the peripheral end portion of the diaphragm 537 is fixed to the valve body 511, thereby partitioning a part of the main flow passage 520 into the back pressure chamber 527.

A pilot valve hole 541 is formed in the central portion of the first valve body 531 to connect the back pressure chamber 527 and the first branch secondary side flow passage 525. The pilot valve hole 5
The back pressure chamber 527 side of 41 is a pilot valve seat 542. In addition, on the side of the main valve 530, the primary side flow passage 521
A bleed hole 543 is formed so as to constantly communicate with the back pressure chamber 527. The pilot valve mechanism 570 includes a bobbin 581, a solenoid coil 583, a core 585, a plunger 587, a pilot valve body 590, and a spring 59.
1 and a permanent magnet 593, and is almost the same as the pilot valve mechanism 370 of the on-off valve device 300.

In the switching valve device 500, when the solenoid coil 383 of the pilot valve mechanism 370 is excited to move the plunger 387 downward, as shown in the figure,
While the first valve body 531 is seated on the first main valve seat 515 to close the flow path to the first branch secondary side flow path 525, the second valve body 535 is separated from the second main valve seat 517, The passage to the second branch secondary side flow passage 527 is opened. Therefore, the hot and cold water mixing tap 20
Hot water from 0 is not supplied to the shower hose h side,
It is supplied to the Karan side flow path KP. On the other hand, the plunger 38
When 7 is moved upward, the first valve body 531 separates from the first main valve seat 515 to open the passage to the first branch secondary side flow passage 525, and the second valve body 535 causes the second main valve to move. The seat 517 is seated to block the passage to the second branch secondary flow path 527. Therefore, the hot water is supplied to the shower hose h side.

Therefore, since the first valve body 531 and the second valve body 535 selectively open and close with respect to the first main valve seat 515 and the second main valve seat 517, the hot and cold water from the hot and cold water mixing tap 200 is , The first outlet port 525A through the first branch secondary flow channel 525, or the second outlet port 527A through the second branch secondary flow channel 527.

In this embodiment using the switching valve device 500 having such a function, the following control can be added. When the valve switch 73 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 43, first, after initialization processing is executed (S150
0), the detection signal of the thermistor 171 is read (S1
505), it is determined whether or not the temperature based on this detection signal is within a predetermined temperature range (S1510). S1510
When it is determined that the temperature is out of the predetermined temperature range in the determination process of No. 2, the passage to the second branch secondary side flow passage 527 of the switching valve device 500 is opened, and the hot water supplied from the hot water mixer 200 is Pour from the Karan side flow path KP to the washing area (S151
5) On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature is within the predetermined temperature range, it is supplied to the shower hose h side (S1520). Therefore, the hot water discharged from the shower head A can be discharged within a predetermined temperature range, that is, the cold water in the pipe is discharged to the washing place at the beginning of use of the shower, and a shower having an appropriate temperature is performed from the beginning, The above water discharge can be prevented.

By providing the switching valve device 500 with a manual handle for forcibly opening the valve, hot water outside the predetermined temperature range can be forcibly discharged, or the switching valve device 50 can be forcibly discharged.
A security mechanism for a failure of 0 may be provided.

Next, instead of the switching valve device 500,
An embodiment using the three-way switching valve device 600 will be described. The three-way switching valve device 600 shown in FIGS. 44 to 48 includes a main valve mechanism 610 connected to the outlet 221A of the hot and cold water mixing valve 200, and an actuator mechanism 650 that controls the main valve mechanism 610.

The main valve mechanism 610 includes a primary side flow passage 621 including an inlet 621A, a first branch secondary side flow passage 625 branched from the primary side flow passage 621, and a first outlet 625A, and a second flow passage. A second branch secondary side flow passage 627 including an outlet 627A, a third branch secondary side flow passage 629 including a third outlet 629A,
The valve body 611 is provided with the main flow path 620. The inlet 621A has an opening formed below the valve body 611, and the first outlet 625A and the second outlet 627A have openings formed on both sides of the valve body 611, respectively. The third outflow port 629A is closed by the valve body 611 to form a water shut off portion.

Primary side channel 621 in main channel 620
The ball valve 640 supported by the valve shaft 641 is rotatably arranged between the branch secondary side flow paths 625, 627, and 629. The ball valve 640 is provided with a water inlet valve hole 643 and a water outlet valve hole 645 which have openings on the lower surface and the side surface and communicate with each other. Water inlet valve hole 643
Is always communicated with the primary side flow passage 621, while the water outlet valve hole 645 is formed so as to communicate with any one of the branch flow passages depending on the angle of the ball valve 640.

The three-way switching valve device 600 is provided with various sealing members, that is, the ball valve 6
An annular seal member 647 for sealing the front and rear outer surfaces of 40
A C ring 648 that seals between the respective members of the valve body 611 that is divided into two parts and an O ring 649 that seals the outer peripheral portion of the valve shaft 641 are provided.

The actuator mechanism 650 has a bobbin 66.
1, an axial drive unit 660 including a solenoid coil 662, a core 663, a plunger 664, a spring 665, a permanent magnet 666, and the like, and a rotational force conversion unit 670 that converts the axial drive force of the plunger 664 into a rotational force. ,,.

The rotational force converting portion 670 has the plunger 6
A male screw member 671 connected to the lower end of 64, a female screw cylinder 675 that is screwed into the male screw member 671, and is rotatably accommodated in the power transmission case 673, and a female screw cylinder 675.
One-way clutch 67 interposed between the valve shaft 641 and the valve shaft 641
7 and.

With such a structure of the actuator mechanism 650, when the solenoid coil 662 is energized, the plunger 664 is lowered by the action of the electromagnet. The lowering operation of the plunger 664 also lowers the male screw member 671. At the same time, a female screw cylinder 67 screwed with the male screw member 671.
5 rotates in the power transmission case 673. This rotation is
The ball valve 640 is transmitted via the one-way clutch 677 to the valve shaft 641 to rotate the ball valve 640 to perform a valve switching operation. After the switching operation, when the solenoid coil 662 is energized in the opposite direction, the plunger 664 returns to its original position against the biasing force of the spring 665, and the plunger 6
By the return operation of 64, the male screw member 671 and the female screw cylinder 6
75 rotates in the reverse direction. At this time, the one-way clutch 67
7 does not transmit power to the valve shaft 641 and therefore only the plunger 664 returns to its original position. Here, when the switching is further advanced and the ball valve 640 is rotated, the ball valve 6 is rotated by repeating the above procedure.
The valve 40 is rotated by 90 ° in a fixed direction to switch the valve.

As described above, the three-way switching valve device 600 is
It is interposed between the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 and the shower hose h, and the hot and cold water for shower from the hot and cold water mixing valve 200 is communicated with the first branch secondary side flow path 625 to flow from the shower hose h to the shower head A. , Second branch secondary side flow path 6
It is circulated to 27 for draining water, or switching to the third branch secondary side flow path 629 to stop water. Therefore, by using the three-way switching valve device 600, it is possible to add various functions such as the above-described opening / closing valve device 300 for repeatedly discharging water and stopping water by a program, and the switching valve device 500 for discharging water.

Next, an embodiment having a function of changing the water discharge flow rate in addition to changing the water discharge form of the shower head A will be described with reference to FIGS. 49 and 50. Case body 70
0 is a main body portion 710 having an opening 711 in the upper portion, and is screwed to the upper end portion of the main body portion 710, and the opening 7
And a cap portion 720 for sealing 11.

In the case main body 700, the water discharge switching portion 73
0 is provided. The water discharge switching unit 730 has a rotary shaft 73.
It is formed by a cylindrical rotating body that rotates around 5 and four water discharge nozzles 731 to 734 are formed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. An engagement recess 737 is formed on the upper end of the rotary shaft 735 of the water discharge switching unit 730. The engagement recess 737 has an engagement protrusion 723 formed in the central lower portion of the cap unit 720. I'm rushing in.

Further, the lower end of the rotary shaft 735 is formed with a through hole 740 having an engaging portion 741. The drive shaft 753 of the speed reducer 751 is inserted through the through hole 740, and An engaging recess (not shown) of the drive shaft 753 is engaged with the engaging portion 741.

Therefore, the water discharge switching portion 730 is rotatably supported by the engaging recess 737 and the engaging protrusion 723 of the cap portion 720 at the upper end of the rotating shaft 735, and the rotating shaft 735 is also supported. The drive shaft 753 of the speed reducer 751 is inserted into the through hole 740 at the lower end portion of the shaft to be pivotally supported, and the engaging portion 741 engages with the engaging recess to rotate the geared motor 750. Transmitted.

In the above structure, when the cap portion 720 is removed from the main body portion 710 of the case main body 700, it is formed in the engaging recess 737 at the upper end portion of the rotary shaft 735 of the water discharge switching portion 730 and the inner central portion of the cap portion 720. Engaged projection 72
The engagement with 3 is released. From this state, the water discharge switching unit 7
When 30 is lifted in the axial direction, the engagement between the lower end of the rotary shaft 735 and the drive shaft 753 is released. That is, the water discharge switching unit 730 can be easily replaced by removing the cap unit 720.

Further, the water discharge switching portion 730 has a water discharge flow rate changing portion 760 formed on the lower surface thereof. The water discharge flow rate changing unit 760 includes four throttle units 761 to 764, and each of the throttle units 761 to 764 has a water discharge nozzle 731 to 7.
It is formed as a through hole which communicates according to the switching of 34 and has different flow passage areas.

The water discharge switching unit 730 is used by the throttle units 761 to 764.
By providing the water discharge nozzle 7 of the water discharge switching unit 730
31 to 734 are throttle parts 761 with respect to the hot and cold water passage 780.
~ 764. Throttle part 761
Since the flow passage areas of Nos. 764 are formed so as to have the water discharge flow rates corresponding to the water discharge nozzles 731 to 734, water is discharged at the water discharge flow rate suitable for the water discharge mode selected by switching.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be carried out in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention, and the following modifications can be made.

(1) In the above embodiment, the configuration applied to the shower head in the bathroom has been described. However, if the water spouting head is suitable for changing the water spouting form, the spouting head in the kitchen or water sprinkling in the garden can be used. It can be applied to various water discharge heads such as the water discharge head. Moreover, the nozzle is not limited to the one connected to a hose or the like, and may be a nozzle fixed to a pipe such as a steel pipe or a curran so long as it has a water discharge function and a function capable of issuing various instructions from the water discharge port.

(2) In the above embodiment, the water discharge head is
The example in which the water discharge mechanism is built in the case main body has been described, but the water discharge switching unit (water discharge nozzle) and the like are exposed to the outside as long as the water discharge mechanism can be switched by an electric drive means. May be.

(3) In the above embodiments of FIGS. 49 and 50, the case where the water discharge flow rate is changed at the same time as the water discharge mode has been described, but the water discharge mode is the same and only the water discharge flow rate changing unit is changed. May be. For example, the form of water discharge is the same for shower water discharge, and by changing only the flow rate, the flow rate can be changed appropriately according to the order of washing and the like and the taste of the person, which makes it easier to use.

(4) In the above embodiment, the fluid control valve connected between the water supply source and the shower hose h is the opening / closing valve device 300, the flow control valve 400, the switching valve device 500,
Although the three-way switching valve device 600 is used alone, the present invention is not limited to this, and these may be combined or other fluid control valves such as a constant pressure valve may be used depending on the application.

(5) Open / close valve device 300, flow control valve device 400, switching valve device 500, three-way switching valve device 600
It is needless to say that the control can be carried out in various modes for enhancing safety and functionality, and in the case of performing program water discharge or the like, various controls and combinations may be performed.

(6) In the above embodiment, the on-off valve device 30
In No. 0, the wiring is simplified by using the dry battery 140, but it is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that a commercial power source may be used.

[0270]

As described above, the inventions described in the claims have the following effects.

(1) The water discharge head according to the invention of claim 1 is
Equipped with a water discharge mechanism that electrically switches and drives the water discharge mode parts having different water discharge modes by the drive means. This electrically switched and driven water discharge mechanism makes it easy and smooth to change the water discharge mode with excellent operability. Can be done to.

(2) The water discharge head of the invention of claim 2 is
Since the water discharge mechanism is built in the case body, it can be made compact, and since water is discharged from the water discharge window of the water discharge case, the water discharge window can be reliably directed toward the water discharge target. Further, by simply connecting the case body of the water discharge head to an existing faucet or the like, it is possible to obtain a highly functional and various water discharge form.

(3) According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the invention of claim 1 or claim 2, by providing a water discharge position detecting means for detecting the switching position of the water discharge switching means, based on the detection signal. , The water discharge form part in the water discharge switching means is selectively switched. Therefore, the water discharge form part can be reliably connected to the water supply passage to discharge water.

(4) Claims 4, 5, and 7
In the invention, the water discharge flow rate can be changed instead of changing the water discharge form in the water discharge head according to the first to third aspects of the invention, and the high function and smooth water discharge flow rate corresponding to these claims can be made. Can be reliably realized with a compact configuration.

(5) According to the invention of claim 6, in association with the change of the water discharge form of the invention of claims 1 to 3,
You can also change the discharge flow rate. Therefore, when a certain water discharge form part is selected, a throttle part corresponding to this is selected, and water is discharged at a water discharge flow rate suitable for the selected water discharge form.

(6) According to the invention of claim 8, it is formed of a rotating body which rotates about a rotating shaft which is removably pivotally supported by the drive shaft of the driving means. This rotating body is prevented from coming off by a coming-off preventing member interposed between the rotary shaft and the driving means. Therefore, by removing the retaining member, the water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means is disengaged from the drive shaft, and the water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means can be easily replaced.

(7) According to the invention of claim 9, the case main body is provided with the main body portion having an opening in the upper portion, and the cap portion detachably sealing the opening of the main body portion. The water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means housed in the case body is a rotating body that rotates about a rotation axis, and a plurality of water discharge form parts and / or throttle parts are arranged on the rotating body at equal intervals. Has been formed. Then, when the cap portion is removed from the main body portion of the case main body, the upper end portion of the rotating shaft of the rotating body is disengaged from the upper support portion formed in the inner center portion of the cap portion, and further, the rotating shaft The engagement between the other end and the drive shaft of the drive means is released, and the rotating body can be removed from the case body. Therefore, the water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means can be easily replaced only by removing the cap portion.

(8) According to the tenth aspect of the invention, a fluid control valve is provided between the water discharge head and the water supply source, and the water discharge form is changed by the operation of the operation section provided on the water discharge head. A control command such as a flow rate is issued to the fluid control valve. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the flow rate and the like at the location of the fluid control valve, and the usability is excellent.

(9) According to the eleventh to thirteenth aspects of the invention, the fluid control valve according to the tenth aspect uses an opening / closing valve, a flow rate control valve, a direction control valve, or the like to change the water discharge form by the water discharge head. Depending on the situation, water stoppage and flow rate adjustment are performed. Therefore, the water discharge form can be changed smoothly and effectively.

That is, in the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the water discharge form or the water discharge flow rate is switched, the on-off valve is fully closed, so that the water pressure of the water supply source is not applied to the water discharge switching means or the water discharge flow rate changing means, and these switching is performed. Can be done smoothly.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, at the same time as switching the water discharge mode, the flow rate control valve regulates the flow rate according to the water discharge mode. Therefore, the water discharge flow rate suitable for the water discharge form is selected together with the change of the water discharge form.

In the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the water discharge is started, the control signal is output to the directional control valve so that the water is discharged to the outlet different from the outlet to the conduit, so that the temperature is not adjusted, for example. Water does not spout from the spout head,
Further, when switching the water discharge, the water of the supply source is escaped from the other outlet, the water pressure from the water supply source is not added to the water discharge switching means or the water discharge flow rate changing means in the water discharge head, so that the switching operation is not hindered. You can switch smoothly

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a bathroom when a water discharger TS is applied to a hot water supply system of the bathroom.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram used for explaining a schematic electrical configuration of a water discharge device TS and a configuration of each device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation panel section PP provided in an operation section P.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of a shower head A.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining each of the water discharge nozzles 24 to 27 in the rotary water discharge body 23.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a seal portion C.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a seal portion C.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a water discharge seal base C1 forming a seal portion C.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the seal portion C used for explaining the state of sealing by the seal portion C.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the seal portion C used for explaining the state of sealing by the seal portion C.

12 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the shower head A.

14 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

15 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram used for explaining the assembling of the electric wire bundle 89 via the hose connecting portion E.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram centering on a main controller 7 in an operation unit P for explaining the electrical configuration of the water discharge device TS.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram centering on a sub controller 67 in the shower head A for explaining the electrical configuration of the water discharger TS.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a main part and a rear view of the main part used for explaining the configuration of a potentiometer 65 for detecting the rotational position of the rotary water discharger 23.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a water discharge state main body side setting routine that is performed on the main controller 7 side and sets a water discharge state.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a water discharge routine executed on the main controller 7 side for executing water discharge based on a set water discharge state.

22 is a flow chart for explaining the flow rate control in FIG. 21 in detail.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a flow rate map used for explaining flow rate control.

FIG. 24: Main controller 7 and sub controller 6
7 is a flowchart for explaining a communication routine for exchanging data with the communication device 7.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a structure of transmission data.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the processing of a head routine reception routine that is performed on the main controller 7 side and that is interrupted by receiving data transmission from the sub controller 67.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a head information setting routine which is performed on the sub controller 67 side and sets head information.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a water discharge nozzle indexing routine for indexing a water discharge nozzle, which is performed on the sub-controller 67 side.

FIG. 29 is a timing chart for explaining a state of a detection signal output from the potentiometer 65, a state of driving the geared motor 66, and the like in association with each other.

FIG. 30 is an external view of a bathroom using the water discharger of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a configuration diagram showing a water discharge device and its peripheral devices.

FIG. 32 is a front view showing a hot and cold water mixing valve and an on-off valve device.

FIG. 33 is a side view showing a hot and cold water mixing valve and an on-off valve device.

FIG. 34 is a front view showing the on-off valve device.

FIG. 35 is a plan view showing an on-off valve device.

FIG. 36 is a side view showing the on-off valve device partially broken away.

FIG. 37 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a water discharger and its electronic control unit.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining a water discharge mode switching process.

FIG. 39 is a side view showing the flow rate control valve partially broken away.

FIG. 40 is a front view showing a hot and cold water mixing valve and a switching valve device.

FIG. 41 is a side view showing the hot and cold water mixing valve and the switching valve device.

FIG. 42 is a side view showing the switching valve device partially broken away.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating a water discharge process.

FIG. 44 is a front view showing a hot and cold water mixing valve and a three-way switching valve device.

FIG. 45 is a side view showing the hot and cold water mixing valve and the three-way switching valve device partially broken away.

46 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the three-way switching valve device.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the three-way switching valve device.

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of a water discharge head including a water discharge flow rate changing unit.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view showing a water discharge switching unit and a water discharge flow rate changing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Flow rate control valve 4 Flow rate control valve 7 Main controller 8 Water amount sensor 9 Thermistor 10 Hot water discharge connection pipe 11 Water discharge switching part 24-27 Water discharge nozzle 29 Rotating shaft 62 Hot water passage (water supply passage) 63 Equipment storage space 64 Electric drive part 65 Potentiometer (position detecting means) 66 Geared motor (driving means) 67 Sub controller 73 Shower water discharge switch 74 Shower selector switch 75 Pressure sensor 80 Operating part 81 Hose joint body 85 Supporting protrusion 85a Code hole 88 Cord passage 89 Wire bundle 89a Power wire 89b Control wire 171 Hot water / water mixing plug 201 Hot water inflow path 203 Hot water inflow path 203 Water inflow path 210 Mixing valve mechanism 220 Switching valve mechanism 221 Shower side flow path 223 Karan side flow path 221A Outlet 221B Cylindrical base 25 Connection fitting 255 Tightening fitting 300 On-off valve device 310 Main valve mechanism 311 Valve body 320 Main flow passage 321 Primary side flow passage 325 Secondary side flow passage 330 Main valve 370 Pilot valve mechanism 400 Flow control valve 411 Valve main body 420 Main flow passage 421 Primary Side flow passage 425 Secondary side flow passage 430 Valve body 450 Actuator mechanism 460 Stepping motor 500 Switching valve device 510 Main valve mechanism 511 Main valve body 520 Main flow passage 521 Primary side flow passage 530 Main valve 533 Connecting member 537 Diaphragm 541 Pilot valve hole 542 Pilot valve seat 570 Pilot valve mechanism 590 Pilot valve body 600 Three-way switching valve device 610 Main valve mechanism 611 Valve body 620 Main flow path 621 Primary side flow path 625 First branch secondary side flow path 627 Second branch secondary side flow path 629 Third branch secondary side flow path 6 0 Ball valve 643 Water inlet valve hole 645 Water outlet valve hole 650 Actuator mechanism 660 Axial drive portion 670 Rotational force conversion portion 700 Case body 710 Body portion 711 Opening 720 Cap portion 730 Water discharge switching portion 731 to 734 Water discharge nozzle 735 Rotation shaft 750 Geared motor ( Drive means) 753 Drive shaft 760 Water discharge flow rate changing unit (water discharge flow rate changing unit) 761 to 764 Throttling unit 780 Hot water passage 1150 Electronic control unit A Shower head (water discharge head) B Water discharge unit (water discharge mechanism) C Seal unit C1 Water discharge seal base C2 Crimping sealer D Shower head body E Hose connection part F Water spouting device h Shower hose K Connection mechanism MO Hot water mixing tap R Bathroom W Wall PP PP Operation panel part TS Water spouting device KP Karan side flow path

Continuation of front page (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 3-327803 (32) Priority Sun 3 (1991) December 11 (33) Country of priority claim Japan (JP) (72) Inventor Ryosuke Hayashi Fukuoka 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Tochigi Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Mikio Horimoto 2-1-1, Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka (72) Invention Masahito Ichimatsu 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A water discharge head including a water discharge mechanism for discharging water supplied from a water supply passage in a plurality of different water discharge modes, wherein the water discharge mechanism has a plurality of water discharge mode units having different water discharge modes. And a drive means for electrically switching and driving the water discharge switching means so that one of the plurality of water discharge form sections and the water supply passage communicate with each other. 2. A water discharge head having a water discharge mechanism for discharging water supplied from a water supply passage in a plurality of different water discharge modes in a case body having a water discharge window, wherein the water discharge mechanism has different water discharge modes. A water discharge switching unit having a plurality of water discharge mode units and one of the plurality of water discharge mode units electrically connected to the water supply passage by electrically switching and driving the water discharge mode change unit, and the water discharge mode unit to the water discharge window. A water discharge head, comprising: a driving unit that drives the head to face. 3. A position detecting means for detecting a position of the water discharge switching means with respect to the water supply passage, and a drive means for connecting the water discharge form part to the water supply passage based on a detection signal of the position detecting means. The water discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a water discharge position control unit that controls the water discharge position. 4. A water discharge head having a water discharge mechanism for discharging water supplied from a water supply passage at a plurality of different water discharge flow rates, wherein the water discharge mechanism is provided so as to be selectively connectable to the supply passage. And a discharge water flow rate changing means having a plurality of throttle portions having different flow path resistances, and a drive means for electrically switching and driving the water discharge flow rate changing means to communicate one of the plurality of throttle portions with the water supply passage. A water discharge head characterized by having. 5. A water discharge head having a water discharge mechanism for discharging water supplied from a water supply passage at a plurality of different water discharge flow rates through the water discharge window in a case body having a water discharge window, wherein the water discharge mechanism comprises: A discharge water flow rate changing means having a plurality of throttle portions which are selectively connectable to the supply passage and have different flow path resistances; and the discharge water flow rate changing means are electrically switched to drive the plurality of throttle portions. A water spouting head comprising: a driving unit that drives one of the water supply passages to communicate with the water supply passage. 6. The water discharge mechanism includes a water discharge flow rate changing means which is provided so as to be selectively connectable to the supply passage and has a plurality of throttle portions having different flow path resistances, the water discharge switching means and the water discharge flow rate changing means. It is electrically switched and driven, and through one throttle of the discharge water flow rate changing means,
The water discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a drive unit that connects one of the water discharge form units and the water supply passage. 7. A position detecting means for detecting a position of a throttle portion of the water discharge flow rate changing means with respect to the water supply passage, and a driving means for connecting the throttle portion to the water supply passage based on a detection signal of the position detecting means. The water discharge head according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising: a water discharge position control unit that drives and controls the water discharge head. 8. The water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means is formed of a rotating body which rotates about a rotation shaft pivotally supported by a drive shaft of a drive means so as to be disengageable from the drive shaft. The water spouting head according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a retaining member that is provided between the drive shaft and the spout switching means and / or the spout flow rate changing means to prevent the spout from coming off the drive shaft. 9. The case main body includes a main body portion having an opening at the top and a cap portion detachably sealing the opening of the main body portion, and the water discharge switching means and / or the water discharge flow rate changing means is rotatable. It is a rotating body that rotates about an axis, and is configured by arranging a plurality of water discharge form portions and / or throttle portions at substantially equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, and the upper end portion of the rotating shaft has an inner side of the cap. The upper support part formed in the center is pivotally supported so that it can be engaged and disengaged
The water discharge according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the other end of the rotary shaft is rotatably driven by the drive shaft of the drive means and is pivotally supported so as to be disengageable from the drive shaft. head. 10. In addition to the water discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 9, it is connected to a pipe line connected to the water inlet side of a water supply passage of the water discharge head and a water outlet of a water supply source. A liquid control valve that has at least an inflow port and an outflow port that is connected to the other end of the pipe, and that controls the water supplied to the water discharge head; and a liquid control valve that is provided on the water discharge head side and that changes the water discharge form or flow rate. A water discharge control that outputs a control signal to the drive means and a control signal to the liquid control valve based on an operation section that performs an operation and an operation signal that is output by operating the operation section. A water discharge device comprising: 11. In addition to the water discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the water discharge head is connected to a conduit connected to a water inlet side of a water supply passage, and to a water outlet of a water supply source. An on-off valve that has at least an inflow port and an outflow port that is connected to the other end of the pipe line, and that fully closes or fully opens the passage to the water discharge head; and the water discharge head and / or the water discharge mode provided on the water discharge head side. An operation section for changing the flow rate and a control signal for fully closing the on-off valve based on an operation signal output by operating the operation section, and switching drive for the drive means. A water discharge device comprising: a water discharge control means for outputting a signal for 12. A pipe connected to a water inlet side of a water supply passage of the water discharge head in addition to the water discharge head according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9. A flow path, a flow rate control valve having at least an inflow port connected to the water outlet of the water supply source and an outflow port connected to the other end of the pipe, An operation unit provided on the side of the water discharge head for performing the operation of changing the water discharge form, and a signal for switching drive to the drive unit based on an operation signal output by operating the operation unit, A water discharge device comprising: a water discharge control unit that outputs a control signal having a flow rate corresponding to a water discharge mode to the flow rate control valve. 13. In addition to the water discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the water discharge head is connected to a conduit connected to a water inlet side of a water supply passage of the water discharge head, and to a water outlet of a water supply source. A direction switching valve that has at least an inlet, a pipeline-side outlet connected to the other end of the pipeline, and another outlet, and switches to one of the outlets to supply the supply water to the outlet. And an operation unit provided on the water discharge head side for changing the water discharge form and / or the flow rate, and with respect to the directional control valve based on an operation signal output by operating the operation unit. A water discharge device comprising: a water discharge control means for outputting a control signal for switching to the other outlet and a signal for switching drive to the drive means.