JPH06116994A - Water discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To smooth and diversify the alteration of a discharging form of a discharge head and to make it possible to frequently alter the discharging form so as to use it conveniently. CONSTITUTION:A discharge head 150 discharges water in a plurality of discharging forms. The discharge head 150 is turned within a range of a specific angle to make it possible to alter a position of an outlet. The position of the outlet is detected by a sensor. The sensor is constituted of an angle detecting lead switch 188 and a parmanent magnet 189a. Based on a result detected by the sensor, a discharging form set in advance is selected among a plurality of discharging forms of the discharge head by an electronic controlling circuit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water discharge device having a water discharge head for discharging water in various water discharge forms.

[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 a water discharge window provided on the front surface of the head end, 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 changed.

A mechanism for changing such a water spouting form is such that a plurality of water sprinkling plates or the like capable of sprinkling water in different water spouting forms are provided inside the shower head, and the water sprinkling plates are switched by a manual lever and the switching is performed. The hot water passage inside the head is connected to the selected water spray plate.

[0004]

By the way, recently, a technique for switching with a manual lever has been developed to propose a water discharge head for switching a water spray plate by driving a motor to discharge water in various water discharge modes.

Since such a water discharge head electrically changes the water discharge mode, it is possible to switch to various water discharge modes. However, in the water discharge head, if it is attempted to frequently switch between various water discharge modes, there is a problem that the switching operation becomes troublesome and the usability is not good.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The water discharge form can be changed smoothly and variously by a simple operation, and a plurality of water discharge forms can be obtained according to the usage state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water spouting device that can appropriately select water.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, is a water spouting device having a water spouting head for spouting water supplied from a water supply passage in a plurality of water spouting forms from a water spouting port. , A support means for rotatably supporting the base of the water discharge head so as to change the water discharge position of the water discharge port, and at least one of the support means and the water discharge head side, which is provided at the water discharge position of the water discharge head. Head position detection means for outputting a corresponding detection signal, water discharge form setting means for storing a set water discharge form corresponding to the water discharge position of the water discharge head, a detection signal from the head position detection device, and the water discharge form Water discharge form control means for controlling the water discharge head to select a predetermined water discharge form based on the set water discharge form stored in the setting means.

[0008]

The water spouting device of the present invention includes the water spouting head for spouting water in a plurality of water spouting forms. The water discharge head is rotatably supported by the support means around its base, and the water discharge position of the water discharge port can be changed. When the water discharge position of the water discharge head supported by the support means is changed, the changed water discharge position is detected by the head position detection means,
A signal to that effect is output to the water discharge form control means. The set water discharge form from the water discharge form setting unit is also input to the water discharge form control unit. The water discharge form control means controls to select the water discharge form discharged from the water discharge head based on the detection signal and the set water discharge form.

Therefore, since the water discharge form is automatically selected according to the water discharge position of the water discharge port of the water discharge head supported by the support means, a troublesome operation of switching the water discharge form is unnecessary.

[0010]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in order to further clarify the structure and operation of the present invention described above.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a sink unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sink unit 10 is provided with a cleaning tank 12 in which a deep tank 12a and a shallow tank 12b are connected in series, and the cleaning tank 12 is provided with a water discharge device 20 for discharging hot water. The water discharger 20 is connected to a water discharge connector 22 connected to a source of hot water and water, and is connected to the outlet side of the water discharge connector 22. The hand lever 24 changes the mixture ratio of the hot water and the water discharge temperature. It is provided with a hot and cold water mixing tap 26 to be changed, a water discharge head device 30 for discharging hot and cold water from the hot and cold water mixing tap 26 in various water discharge forms, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water discharge head device 30 is connected to a water outlet end 28 of the hot and cold water mixing tap 26 and switches the water discharge mode with an on-off valve device 50 for shutting off hot water from the water outlet end 28. The water discharge head 150 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the on-off valve device 50 includes a main valve mechanism 60 and a pilot valve mechanism 120 for controlling the main valve mechanism 60.

The main valve mechanism 60 is provided with a valve body 61 having a main passage 80 formed of a primary passage 81 including an inlet 81A and a secondary passage 85 including an outlet 85A. The inflow port 81A is rotatably connected to the outflow port end 28 of the hot and cold water mixing plug 26 via a coupling fitting 40 within a predetermined range, and the outflow port 85A is connected to the water discharge head 150 side. A main valve seat 65 on which the main valve 90 is seated or separated is provided between the primary side flow path 81 and the secondary side flow path 85.

The main valve 90 comprises a main valve body portion 91 and a diaphragm 93 integral with the main valve body portion 91. The main valve 90 is fixed to the valve body 61 at the peripheral end portion of the diaphragm 93, and the main flow passage 80 is provided. Is partitioned into a back pressure chamber 87.

A pilot valve hole 101 is formed in the center of the main valve 90 to connect the back pressure chamber 87 and the secondary side flow passage 85. The pilot pressure hole 87 side of the pilot valve hole 101 serves as a pilot. It is a valve seat 102. Also, the main valve 90
A bleed hole 103 is formed in the side portion of the side wall to constantly connect the primary side flow passage 81 and the back pressure chamber 87.

The pilot valve mechanism 120 includes a valve body 6
1, a case 62 mounted on the upper part of the bobbin 1 has a latching type solenoid mechanism.
A solenoid coil 1 wound around 21 and molded
23, a core 125 fixed to the upper end side in the through hole of the bobbin 121, a plunger 127 inserted into the through hole at the lower end side of the core 125, and a pilot valve body formed at the tip of the plunger 127. 130, a spring 131 interposed between the core 125 and the plunger 127 and biasing the plunger 127, and a permanent magnet 133 provided at the lower end of the solenoid coil 123.

Next, the operation of the on-off valve device 50 will be described. Now, when no current flows from the electronic control circuit 180 (see FIG. 6) to the solenoid coil 123, and the magnet 127 is not excited, the plunger 127 is operated by the spring force and the permanent magnet 13.
It is held at a position determined by the balance with the magnetic force of 3. In this state, when a positive current is applied to the solenoid coil 123 for excitation, the core 125 and the permanent magnet 133 are excited.
A magnetic closed circuit having a path such as
The plunger 127 resists the biasing force of
It moves to the 25 side and is adsorbed by the core 125 and is stably held. At this time, since the pilot valve body 130 integrated with the plunger 127 is also in the upper position, the main valve 90 receives the pressure of the primary side flow passage 81 and moves so as to approach the pilot valve body 130 to be fully opened. It becomes a state.

On the other hand, when a current is passed from the electronic control circuit 180 to the solenoid coil 123 in the opposite direction, the magnetic flux up to that point is degaussed, and the force of the spring moves the plunger 127 downward. The plunger 127 and the pilot valve body 130 move downward, the pilot valve body 130 is seated on the pilot valve seat 102, and the pilot valve hole 101 is closed. When the pilot valve hole 101 is closed, the amount of hot water flowing from the back pressure chamber 87 to the secondary flow passage 85 through the pilot valve hole 101 is reduced, while the hot water flowing from the primary flow passage 81 to the back pressure chamber 87 through the bleed hole 103. The hot water increases the pressure in the back pressure chamber 87. Due to the rising pressure of the back pressure chamber 87, the main valve 90 moves to the main valve seat 65 side and is seated on the main valve seat 65. As a result, the main valve 90 is closed and the flow of hot water is shut off. In this way, the pilot valve mechanism 12
The opening / closing valve device 50 opens / closes in response to the opening / closing signal to 0.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water discharge head 150 includes a water discharge portion B, a seal portion C, various electronic devices for driving the water discharge portion B, and a head body portion D having a motor, a flow path, and the like as a case. It is housed in 151 and is screwed to the valve body 61 at the base end of the case 151. 153 is a water discharge window formed in the case 151.

The head body D has a drive mechanism 161 and various electronic components housed in a function housing space S. That is, the drive mechanism 161 drives the motor 163 to rotate the drive shaft 166 via the reduction gear mechanism 164. It should be noted that the drive shaft 16 is provided above the reduction gear mechanism 164.
A potentiometer 168 for detecting the rotational position of 6 is attached. Further, the electronic component is a motor 163.
Electronic control circuit 180 for controlling the
It is 3 mag.

Further, on the outer wall of the case 151 of the water discharge head 150, an operation section 185 for switching the water discharge mode is provided, and the operation section 185 has a water discharge for outputting a signal to the electronic control circuit 180. Form change switch 1
86 and a mode changeover switch 187 are provided.
The water discharge mode switch 186 is a button for manually instructing the switching of the water discharge mode, and the mode switch 1
87 is a button for instructing the switching of the water discharge mode between the manual mode and the automatic mode.

Further, inside the case 62 of the on-off valve device 50, an angle detecting reed switch 188 which is signal-processed by the electronic control circuit 180 is mounted. With respect to the angle detecting reed switch 188, a ring member 189 having a permanent magnet 189a is fixed to the lower portion of the connecting fitting 40 that separates the case 62. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the water discharge head 150 is rotated around the connecting fitting 40 and the water discharge head 150 is positioned in the angular range An1, the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 189a turns on the angle detection reed switch 188, and the angle detection reed switch 188 is turned on. When located in the range An2, the angle detection reed switch 1
88 turns off. Thereby, the position of the water discharge window 153 of the water discharge head 150 can be detected.

The drive shaft 166 of the drive mechanism 161 passes through the seal material 190 of the seal portion C, and is screwed and fixed to the lower end portion of the shaft body 201 of the rotary water discharge body 200 of the water discharge portion B. The rotary water discharger 200 includes water discharge form parts 210a to 210c divided into three in the circumferential direction, and rotates integrally with the drive shaft 166. Each water discharge form part 210a-210c is
Water discharge inlets 212a to 212c are provided on the bottom surface, and water discharge holes 214a to 214c for realizing water discharge in various water discharge forms are provided on the side surfaces thereof, as shown in FIG. The water discharge head 150 discharges water in three types of water discharge forms. The three types of water discharge forms are, for example, a foam water discharge form (FIG. 4A) in which bubbles are mixed in shower water, a rectification water discharge form (FIG. 4B), and a shower water discharge form (FIG. 4C). . The water discharge head 150 discharges water in three types of water discharge forms.

Returning to FIG. 2, the seal portion C is provided with a seal material 190 having an annular flow path 191 and further various kinds of seal members, that is, an O-ring for sealing the outer peripheral portion of the drive shaft 166. .

An on-off valve device 50 is provided in the water discharge head 150.
A flow path for supplying hot water from the outflow port 85A to any one of the water discharge holes 214a to 214c is provided, that is, from the main flow path 220 through the flow path 191 and the through hole 192. It will face one of the holes 212a-212c.

Therefore, when a desired water discharge mode is selected by operating the water discharge mode switch 186 and the mode switch 187 of the operation unit 185, the signal is input to the electronic control circuit 180. The electronic control circuit 180 outputs a drive signal to the motor 163 and rotationally drives the drive shaft 166 via the reduction gear mechanism 164. As a result, the rotary water discharge body 200 rotates. At this time, potentiometer 1
The rotation position of the drive shaft 166 is controlled according to the signal of 68, and one of the water discharge inflow holes 212a to 212c of the water discharge mode parts 210a to 210c is connected to the through hole 192. For example, when the water discharge hole 214a shown in FIG. 2 faces the water discharge window 153, the hot and cold water flowing in from the opening / closing valve device 50 has the main flow path 220, the flow path 191, and the through hole 19 of the head main body portion D.
2. After reaching the water discharge hole 214a through the water discharge inflow hole 212a, water is discharged in a straightening water discharge form.

As shown in FIG. 6, the electronic control circuit 180 includes a CPU 181, a ROM 182, a RAM 183, an input / output interface 184, etc., and inputs signals from the switches and the like via the input / output interface 184 and drives them. Motor 163 via circuit 162
In addition, by controlling the on-off valve device 50 via the drive circuit 51,
The switching control of the water discharge form according to the angle of the water discharge head 150 is executed.

This water discharge mode switching process will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 7, first, the initialization process is executed in step S200. As the initialization process, set the automatic change flag FAUT to 1,
Further, processing such as fully closing the on-off valve device 50 is executed. Here, the automatic change flag FAUT is a flag representing a mode in which the water discharge form is automatically selected according to the angle An of the water discharge head. In the following step S202, the current states of various switches and sensors are read, that is, the water discharge mode switching switch 186 and the mode switching switch 18 are read.
7, the signals from the potentiometer 168 and the angle detection reed switch 188 are read.

In the next step S210, the automatic change flag FAUT is determined. In this step S210, the automatic change flag FAUT is 0, and step S21
If it is determined in step 2 that the mode changeover switch 187 is not operated, or even if it is determined in step S210 that the automatic change flag FAUT is 1, it is determined in step S216 that the mode changeover switch 187 has been operated. In this case, in step S218, the automatic change flag FAUT is set.
After setting to 0, the process proceeds to step S220. When the process proceeds to step S220, the switching of the water discharge mode or the water stop in the manual mode is executed in the processes up to step S228.

Next, the processing in the manual mode will be described.
First, in step S220, the water discharge mode switch 1
If it is determined that 86 is operated, that is, if a water discharge mode switching command is issued, step S22.
After closing the on-off valve device 50 in step 2, step S224
Then, in step S226, the motor 163 is rotated while changing the selected water discharge form while checking the detection result of the potentiometer 168, and then the process returns to step 202. On the other hand, in step S220, the water discharge mode switch 186
If it is determined that the switching has not been performed, step 22
8, the on-off valve device 50 is opened to start water discharge, and then the process returns to step S202.

That is, in the process of steps S220 to S228, when the switching of the water discharge mode is instructed by the operation of the water discharge mode switch 186, the on-off valve device 50 is operated.
Water is temporarily stopped from the water discharge head 150 side by removing the water pressure applied to the rotary water discharge body 200 to facilitate rotation, and then the rotary water discharge body 200 is rotated to a predetermined position by the motor 163, and then the on-off valve device 50 Open to start water discharge.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S210 that the automatic change flag FAUT is 1 and the mode changeover switch 187 is not operated in step S216, or in step S210, the automatic change flag FAUT is set.
If it is determined that the mode changeover switch 187 is operated in step S212 even if is determined to be 0, after setting the automatic change flag FAUT to 1 in step S214, the process proceeds to step S240 and subsequent steps shown in FIG. Proceed to execute the automatic water discharge mode.

Next, the processing in the automatic water discharge mode will be described. First, in step S240, it is determined whether the output SW1 of the angle detection reed switch 188 is on. In step S240, it is determined to be on, that is, the angle of the water discharge head 150 is the angle range An.
When it is determined that the water discharge window 153 is in the range of 1 and the water discharge window 153 is located in the deep tank 12a, the process proceeds to step S242, and it is determined whether or not the current water discharge form is rectification. In step S242, if the flow is not in the rectified water discharge form, the process proceeds to step S244, in which the signal is output to the motor 163 so as to be in the position of the rectified water discharge form after closing the flow rate control valve 70 (step S246). After determining that the flow has been switched to the rectified water discharge mode (step S242), the flow rate control valve 70 is opened (step S248).

On the other hand, in step S240, it is determined that the output SW1 of the angle detection reed switch 188 is not on, that is, the angle of the water discharge head 150 is in the angle range An.
When it is determined that the water discharge window 153 is in the range of 2 and the water discharge window 153 is located in the shallow tank 12b, the process proceeds to step 252, and it is determined whether or not the current water discharge form is a shower. If the shower water discharge mode is not set in this step S252, the flow proceeds to step S254, and after the flow rate control valve 70 is closed, a signal is output to the motor 163 so as to be in the shower water discharge mode position (step S256). After determining that the shower water discharge mode has been selected (step S252), the flow rate control valve 70 is opened (step S24).
8).

In the above embodiment, when the water discharge window 153 of the water discharge head 150 is positioned in the deep tank 12a of the cleaning tank 12, this position is set to the angle detecting reed switch 188.
The shower spouting form is selected based on the detection result, while the spouting window 153 is used for the shallow bath 12
When it is positioned at b, the rectification water discharge form is selected.
Therefore, the most frequently used water discharge form is automatically selected depending on whether the position where the water is discharged from the water discharge head 150 is the deep tank 12a or the shallow tank 12b, so that a troublesome operation of switching the water discharge form is unnecessary, and operability is improved. Is improved.

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) An example using a combination of a reed switch and a permanent magnet has been described as a sensor for detecting the direction of the water discharge head, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any sensor capable of detecting the direction of the water discharge head may be used. For example, various sensors such as limit switches and potentiometers can be used. Further, the position where the sensor for detecting the direction of the water discharge head is provided does not need to be attached to the base portion of the water discharge head, and may be any position above the water discharge head, for example.

(2) In the above embodiment, the structure applied to the water discharge head for the sink unit has been described. However, if the water discharge head is suitable for changing the water discharge mode, it can be used for a shower head for a bathroom or a garden. The present invention can be applied to various water discharge heads such as the water discharge head for water spraying. For example, when applied to a shower head for a bathroom, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the direction of the water discharge head can be changed to a bathtub and a cullan, and a structure in which the water discharge form is changed according to this direction.

(3) The water discharge form switched by the water discharge head is not limited to the above-described water discharge form, and various water discharge forms can be appropriately selected and used according to the application.

(4) In the above embodiment, the switching of the water discharge form is performed independently according to the direction of the water discharge head, but at the same time as the change of the water discharge form, the control for changing the temperature of the hot water and the hot water flow rate, etc. is performed. It may be added as appropriate, and in this case, usability can be further improved.

(5) In the above embodiment, the water spouting head is rotated in the horizontal direction around the base of the water spouting head, but various directions can be set according to the application. The structure may be such that the water discharge head is rotated in the up-down direction around the base portion or the structure is rotated in an oblique direction, and the rotation direction is not particularly limited.

[0043]

As described above, the water spouting device of the present invention is provided with the water spouting head that switches between different water spouting modes and spouts water. This water spouting head facilitates the change of the water spouting / water spouting form with excellent operability. And it can be done smoothly.

Further, the water discharge head is rotatably supported by the supporting means at its base, the water discharge position of the water discharge port can be changed, and the water discharge mode is selected according to the water discharge position. That is, since the water discharge form is automatically selected according to the water discharge position of the water discharge port of the water discharge head, it is not necessary to manually switch the water discharge form, and excellent usability can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a sink equipped with a water discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in which a main part of the water discharger according to the embodiment is cut away.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an opening / closing valve device of the water discharge device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating three water discharge form units in the water discharge head.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a water discharge position of the water discharge device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an electronic control circuit and the like according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a water discharge mode switching process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a water discharge mode switching process according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Sink unit 12 ... Cleaning tank 12a ... Deep tank 12b ... Shallow tank 20 ... Water discharge device 30 ... Water discharge head device 40 ... Connection metal fitting 50 ... Open / close valve device 120 ... Pilot valve mechanism 121 ... Bobbin 123 ... Solenoid coil 125 ... Core 127 ... Plunger 130 ... Pilot valve body 131 ... Spring 133 ... Permanent magnet 150 ... Water discharge head 151 ... Case 153 ... Water discharge window 161 ... Drive mechanism 162 ... Drive circuit 163 ... Motor 164 ... Reduction gear mechanism 166 ... Drive shaft 168 ... Potentiometer 180 ... Electronic control circuit 181 ... CPU 182 ... ROM 183 ... RAM 184 ... Input / output interface 185 ... Operation part 186 ... Water discharge mode switch 187 ... Mode switch 188 ... Angle detection reed switch 189 ... Ring member 189a ... Permanent magnet 190 ... Sealing material 191 ... Flow path 192 ... Through hole 200 ... Rotating water discharge body 201 ... Shaft body 210a to 210c ... Water discharge form part 212a to 212c ... Water discharge inflow hole 214a to 214c ... Water discharge hole B ... Water discharge part C ... Seal Part D ... Head body

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water spouting device comprising a water spouting head for spouting water supplied from a water supply passage in a plurality of water spouting forms from a water spouting port, wherein a base part of the water spouting head is configured to change a water spouting position of the water spouting port. And a head position detecting means which is provided on at least one of the supporting means and the water discharge head side and which outputs a detection signal corresponding to the water discharge position of the water discharge head. Based on the water discharge form setting means that stores the set water discharge form corresponding to the water discharge position, the detection signal from the head position detection device, and the set water discharge form stored in the water discharge form setting means, On the other hand, a water spouting form control means for controlling so as to select a predetermined water spouting form, and a water spouting device.