JPH06116998A - Water discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To smooth and diversify the alteration of a discharging form of a discharge head and to require no troublesome operation for switching discharge. CONSTITUTION:A discharge head 100 discharges water in a plurality of discharging forms and, at the same time, is capable of loading and unloading to a bath- tub side hanger 300 or a shower side hanger 350. When the discharge head 100 is borne on the bath-tub side hanger 300 or the shower side hanger 350, a detection signal showing the effect that the discharge head 100 is supported by a sensor is outputted. A discharging form is selected by an electronic controlling circuit on the basis of the detection signal.

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 water-like water discharge, a soft foamy water discharge containing bubbles, or the like, and these water discharge forms are appropriately selected.

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]

The present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned 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. Support means for detachably supporting the head, and position detection means provided on at least one of the support means and the water discharge head side and outputting a detection signal indicating that the head is supported by the support means when the water discharge head is supported. And a water discharge form setting means for storing a set water discharge form when the water discharge head is supported by the support means, and a detection signal from the position detecting means and a set water discharge form stored in the water discharge form setting means. On the basis of the above, a water discharge form control means for controlling the water discharge head to select a predetermined water discharge form is provided.

[0008]

The water spouting device of the present invention includes the water spouting head for spouting water in a plurality of water spouting forms. This water discharge head is attachable to and detachable from the support means. When the water discharge head is supported by the support means, the detection means outputs a detection signal indicating that the water discharge head is supported. The detection signal from the detection means is input 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 of the water discharge head based on the detection signal and the set water discharge form.

Therefore, when the water discharge head is supported by the support means, the water discharge mode used by the support means is automatically selected, so that a troublesome operation of switching the water discharge mode 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 an external view showing a water discharger including a water discharge head used in a bathroom. In FIG. 1, a water discharge device 1
Is a water discharge adjusting device 10 which is connected to a hot water supply device (not shown) and discharges mixed hot and cold water, and a water discharge head which is supplied with mixed hot and cold water from the water discharge adjusting device 10 through a shower hose H and discharges water in a plurality of water discharge forms. 100 and
The mixed hot and cold water whose temperature is adjusted by the water discharge adjusting device 10 is discharged from the water discharge head 100 in various water discharge forms. The water discharge head 100 is detachably held by the bathtub-side hanger 300 or the shower-side hanger 350.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water discharge adjusting device 10 adjusts the temperature of hot water by adjusting the mixing ratio of high temperature water and low temperature water in the case body 11. The unit 20 and a flow rate control valve 70 for controlling the flow rate of hot water are provided.

The water discharge temperature adjusting section 20 is provided with a temperature sensitive material 29 which is movable in the axial direction by the rotation of the temperature adjusting handle 21 via the temperature adjusting gear 25 and the connecting member 27. . A valve body 30 is attached to the tip of the temperature sensitive material 29, and the valve body 30 is used for the hot water passage 41 and the water passage 4.
Hot water side valve seat 45 and water side valve seat 47 respectively provided in 3
Sit on or separate from. Hot water passage 41 and water passage 43
Joins the merge passage 49 through both valve seats 45 and 47. The temperature sensitive material 29 penetrates the merging passage 49. The temperature sensitive material 29 expands and contracts by the mixed hot water flowing through the confluence passage 49. Therefore, depending on the temperature of the mixed hot water, the temperature sensitive material 2
When 9 expands or contracts, the ratio of the opening degree of the hot water valve seat 45 and the water side valve seat 47 is changed. As a result, the mixing ratio of hot water and water is changed, and the temperature of the discharged hot water is adjusted to the set temperature.

Here, when the temperature adjusting handle 21 is rotated, the temperature sensitive material 29 is axially advanced and retracted by the rotation of the temperature adjusting gear 25 via the connecting member 27 to change the position of the valve body 30. To do. As a result, the hot water valve seat 45 and the hot water valve seat 4
The initial opening of No. 7 is changed, the standard mixing ratio of hot water and water is changed, and the set temperature of the mixed hot water can be changed.

On the other hand, the flow rate control valve 70 is provided with a valve body 81 which is moved by the drive of a motor 80 which uses a dry battery 71 as a power source. As the valve body 81 advances and retracts, a flow rate side valve seat provided in the merging passage 49 is provided. The opening degree with respect to 73 is changed. That is, when the motor 80 is driven, the valve body 81 causes the flow rate side valve seat 7 to move.
The flow rate is increased / decreased by advancing / retreating with respect to 3.

An operation panel 90 having various switches is attached to the water discharge adjusting device 10. The operation panel 90 includes a water discharge start / stop switch for selecting a water discharge start or stop by a toggle, a flow rate increase button for increasing the water discharge flow rate, and a flow rate decrease button for decreasing the water discharge flow rate. Therefore, when the water discharge start / stop switch is pressed when the water discharge is stopped, the valve body 8 is driven by the normal drive of the motor 80.
When 1 is opened and the water discharge is permitted, on the other hand, when the water discharge start / stop switch is pressed during the water discharge, the valve body 81 is closed by the reverse rotation of the motor 80 and the water is stopped. Further, if the flow rate increase button is pressed during water discharge, the water discharge flow rate increases in accordance with the length of time that the button has been pressed, while if the flow rate decrease button is pressed, the water discharge flow rate decreases according to the time that the button has been pressed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the water discharge head 100 includes a water discharge portion B, a seal portion C, a head main body portion D having various electronic devices and motors for driving the water discharge portion B, and a shower hose H. The hose connecting portion E connecting to the end is mainly housed in the case 101.

The head body D has a drive mechanism 111 and various electronic components housed in the function housing space S. That is, the drive mechanism 111 rotationally drives the drive shaft 116 via the motor 113 via the reduction gear mechanism 114. Note that the drive shaft 11 is provided above the reduction gear mechanism 114.
A potentiometer 118 for detecting the rotational position of 6 is attached. Further, the electronic component is the motor 113.
An electronic control circuit 120 for controlling the above and the like, a pressure sensor 122 for detecting the pressure of the mixed hot water in the flow path described later, and the like.

Further, on the outer peripheral portion of the case 101 of the water discharge head 100, an operating portion 130 for switching the water discharge mode.
Is provided, and the operation unit 130 is provided with a changeover switch 132 and a mode changeover switch 134. The changeover switch 132 is a button for sequentially sending the water discharge form and issuing a change command every time the changeover switch 132 is pressed, and the mode changeover switch 134 is a mode for automatically changing the water discharge form according to the hanger position. Is a button for selecting.

Further, the water spouting head 100 includes the case 10
1, the bathtub side reed switch 136 (SW
1) and the shower-side reed switch 138 (SW2) are provided at positions deviated by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction, and a positioning protrusion 104 is provided on the outer peripheral portion between them.

The drive shaft 116 of the drive mechanism 111 penetrates through the seal material 190 of the seal portion C and is fixed to the lower end of the shaft body 162 of the rotary water discharge body 160 of the water discharge portion B by screws. The rotary water discharger 160 includes water discharge form parts 170a to 170d divided into four in the circumferential direction, and rotates integrally with the drive shaft 116. The water discharge form sections 170a to 170d are
Water discharge holes 172a to 172d are provided on the bottom surface, and water discharge holes 174a to 174d for realizing water discharge in various water discharge forms are provided on the side surfaces thereof, as shown in FIG.

The water discharge head 100 discharges water in four types of water discharge forms. These four types of water discharge forms are, for example, spray water discharge, rectifying water discharge, spot water discharge collecting straight water from the shower hole at one point, foam water discharge in which shower water is mixed with bubbles, and stick water discharge. A spout of water,
It is selected from any combination of water discharge forms such as mist water discharge in the form of mist and massage water discharge with a built-in rotary blade. In the present embodiment, as the four types of water discharge forms, there are rectified water discharge forms (FIG. 5 (a)), shower water discharge forms (FIG. 5 (b)), foam water discharge forms (FIG. 5 (c)), and rod shapes. The water discharge form of letting out the water discharge (Fig. 5 (d)) was adopted.

In addition to the seal material 190 having the annular flow path 191, the seal portion C includes various seal members, that is, an O-ring for sealing the outer peripheral portion of the drive shaft 116.

In the water discharge head 100, the water discharge adjusting device 1 is provided.
A flow path for supplying hot water from 0 to any one of the water discharge holes 174a to 174d is provided, that is,
One of the spout water inflow holes 172a to 172d is exposed through the flow passage 180 in the hose connecting portion E, the flow passage 182 in the head main body portion D, the flow passage 191 in the seal member 190, and the through hole 192.

Further, the water discharge head 100 shown in FIG.
As described above, is configured to be detachably supported by the bathtub-side hanger 300 fixed to the lower portion of the wall surface W of the bathroom BR or the shower-side hanger 350 fixed to the upper portion of the wall surface W.

As shown in FIG. 6, the hanger 30 on the bathtub side.
No. 0 includes a support body 310 having a support portion 312 that supports the water discharge head 100, and a mounting flange 314 for mounting on the wall surface W.
It is fixed to the wall surface W with a screw 316 at 14. The support main body 310 has a positioning recess 315 for positioning the positioning protrusion 104 of the water discharge head 100 on the base side, and a space at which the shower hose H can be taken out at an opposing portion thereof. Opening 32
Has 0.

Also, the positioning recess 3 of the support body 310
A bathtub-side permanent magnet 322 for turning on / off the bathtub-side reed switch 136 of the water discharge head 100 is embedded in the inner periphery of the side of 15. That is, in the positioning recess 315 of the hanger 300 on the bathtub side, the water discharge head 1
When the positioning projection 104 of 00 is aligned and the water discharge head 100 is supported by the bathtub side hanger 300,
The bathtub-side permanent magnet 322 is arranged so as to turn on the bathtub-side reed switch 136 by its magnetic force.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the shower-side hanger 350 has substantially the same structure as the bathtub-side hanger 300, but the shower-side permanent magnet 372 is located at a position facing the shower-side reed switch 138 of the water discharge head 100. The difference is that it is equipped with. That is, the shower hanger 35
No. 0 has a shower side permanent magnet 372 at a position where the shower side reed switch 138 is turned on when the water discharge head 100 is supported.

Electronic control circuit 12 of the water discharge head 100
0 is a well-known CPU 402 and ROM as shown in FIG.
404, RAM 406, and backup RAM 408 are mainly configured as a logical operation circuit, and an input / output interface 412 interconnected with these via a common bus 410 performs input / output with the outside. That is, the electronic control circuit 120 controls the hanger 30 of the water discharge head 100.
Depending on the support position by 0, 350 or the switch operation of the operation unit 130, the flow rate control valve 50 is driven via the drive circuit 51 so that the water discharge mode switching processing program stored in the ROM 404 discharges water in a desired water discharge mode. The opening / closing control is performed and the driving of the motor 113 and the like is controlled via the drive circuit 112.

That is, when the motor 113 is driven by a command from the electronic control circuit 120 and the drive shaft 116 is rotationally driven through the reduction gear mechanism 114, the rotary water discharger 160 is provided.
Rotates. At this time, the rotational position of the drive shaft 116 is controlled in accordance with the signal from the potentiometer 118, and the water discharge inflow holes 172a in the water discharge form portions 170a to 170d are controlled.
One of ˜172d is connected to the through hole 192. For example, the hot water flowing out of the water discharge adjusting device 10 when the water discharge hole 174 a shown in FIG. 4 faces the water discharge window 102, the flow path 180 in the hose connection part E and the flow path 18 of the head main body part D.
2, through the flow path 191, the through hole 192, and the water discharge inflow hole 172a to reach the water discharge hole 174a, and water is discharged in a straightening water discharge form.

The water discharge mode switching process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG.
First, initialization processing is executed in step S200.
As the initialization processing, processing such as setting the automatic change flag FAUT to 1 and fully closing the flow rate control valve 70 in the water discharge control device 10 is executed. Here, the automatic change flag FAUT is a flag indicating a mode in which the water discharge form is automatically selected according to the hanger position. Continuing step S
At 202, the current states of various switches and sensors are read, that is, signals from the changeover switch 132, the mode changeover switch 134, the bathtub side reed switch 136, the shower side reed switch 137, and the like 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 134 is not operated, or if the automatic change flag FAUT is determined to be 1 in step S210 but the mode changeover switch 134 is operated in step S216. After setting the automatic change flag FAUT to 0 in step S218, 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 by the process up to step S226.

Next, the processing in the manual mode will be described. First, in step S220, the changeover switch 132
If it is determined that is operated, that is, if the water discharge mode switching command is issued, after closing the flow rate control valve 70 in step S222, the potentiometer 118 detection in step S224 and step S226. While observing the result, the motor 113 is rotated to change to the selected water discharge form, and then the process returns to step 202. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S220 that the changeover switch 132 is not instructed to change, the operation proceeds to step 228,
The flow rate control valve 70 is opened to start water discharge, and then the process returns to step S202.

That is, when the switching of the water discharge mode is instructed by the operation of the changeover switch 132 by the processing of steps S220 to S226, the flow control valve 70 stops the water to the water discharge head 150 side, and the rotary water discharge body 160. After removing the water pressure applied to the motor to make it easier to rotate,
3, the rotary water discharger 160 is rotated to a predetermined position, and then the flow rate control valve 70 is opened to start water discharge.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S210 that the automatic change flag FAUT is 1 and that the mode changeover switch 134 is not operated in step S216, and that the automatic change flag FAUT is 0 in step S210. Even if the determination is made, if it is determined in step S212 that the mode changeover switch 134 has been operated, the automatic change flag FAUT is set to 1 in step S214, and then the process proceeds to step S240 and subsequent steps shown in FIG. Execute the water discharge mode.

Next, the process of the automatic water discharge mode will be described. First, in step S240, it is determined whether the output SW1 of the bathtub side reed switch 136 is on. It is determined in step S240 that the water is on, that is, the water discharge head 100 is in the bathtub-side hanger 3
If it is determined that the water discharge mode is supported by the 00 side, 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 straightened water discharge form, the process proceeds to step S244, in which the flow rate control valve 70 is closed and then a signal is output to the motor 113 so as to be in the position in the straightened water discharge form (step S24.
6) 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, if it is determined in step S240 that the output SW1 of the bathtub-side reed switch 136 is not on, the process proceeds to step S250 to determine whether the output SW2 of the shower-side reed switch 138 is on. The judgment is executed. In this step S250, when it is determined that it is on, that is, when the water discharge head 100 is determined to be supported by the shower-side hanger 350, the process proceeds to step S252, and whether or not the current water discharge form is a shower. Is determined. 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 113 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 S248).

In the above embodiment, the water discharge head 100 is attached to the bathtub side hanger 300 or the shower side hanger 350.
In the case of the shower-side hanger 350, the rectified water discharge form is selected in the case of the bathtub-side hanger 300 based on the detection result. , The shower water discharge mode is selected. Therefore, when the water discharge head 100 is supported by the hanger, the water discharge mode with the highest frequency of use is automatically selected, and the troublesome switching operation of the water discharge mode is unnecessary, and the operability 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) In the above embodiment, a combination of a reed switch and a permanent magnet is used as a sensor for detecting that the water discharge head is supported by the hanger. However, the sensor is not limited to this but has excellent water resistance. In this case, various sensors such as limit switches and piezoelectric sensors can be used.

(2) In the above embodiment, the structure applied to the water spouting head for the bathroom has been described. However, if the spouting head is suitable for changing the water spouting form, the water spouting head in the kitchen or the water sprinkling to the garden. It can be applied to various types of water discharge heads such as water discharge heads for water. For example, when it is applied to a water discharge head in a sink unit, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which hangers are provided in proximity to respective cleaning tanks having different depths and the water discharge mode is changed according to the hanger position. it can.

(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-described embodiment, the water discharge form is independently switched according to the hanger support to the water discharge head. However, at the same time as the water discharge form is changed, the temperature of the hot water and the hot water flow rate, etc. are changed. Control may be added appropriately, and in this case, usability can be further improved.

[0044]

As described above, the water spouting device of the present invention is equipped with the water spouting head that switches between different water spouting forms and spouts water. With this water spouting head, it is possible to easily change the water spouting form with excellent operability. And it can be done smoothly.

Further, this water discharge head is attachable to and detachable from the support means, and when supported by the support means, a water discharge mode suitable for the preset support means is automatically selected. No need to switch.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the water discharge adjusting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a water discharge adjusting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a water discharge head according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining four water discharge form parts by a water discharge head.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a hanger on the bathtub side.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a shower-side hanger.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an electronic control circuit and peripheral devices.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a water discharge mode switching process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a water discharge mode switching process according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Water discharge device 10 ... Water discharge control device 20 ... Water discharge temperature control part 50 ... Flow rate control valve 70 ... Flow rate control valve 100 ... Water discharge head 111 ... Drive mechanism 112 ... Drive circuit 113 ... Motor 114 ... Reduction gear mechanism 116 ... Drive shaft 118 ... Potentiometer 120 ... Electronic control circuit 130 ... Operation part 132 ... Changeover switch 134 ... Mode changeover switch 136 ... Bathtub side reed switch 138 ... Shower side reed switch 160 ... Rotating water spouting body 162 ... Shaft body 170a-170d ... Water spouting form part 172a ... 172d ... Water discharge inflow hole 174a to 174d ... Water discharge hole 180 ... Flow path 182 ... Flow path 190 ... Seal material 191 ... Flow path 192 ... Through hole 300 ... Bathtub side hanger 310 ... Support body 312 ... Support part 314 ... Mounting flange 315 … Positioning recess 322… Bathtub side Permanent magnet 350 ... shower side hangers 372 ... shower side permanent magnets B ... water discharger BR ... full C ... seal portion D ... head body portion E ... hose connection portion H ... Shower hose

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, the supporting means detachably supporting the water spouting head, and the supporting means or the water spouting head. A position detecting means which is provided on at least one of the sides and outputs a detection signal indicating that the water discharge head is supported when the water discharge head is supported; and a set water discharge mode when the water discharge head is supported by the support means. Control to select a predetermined water discharge mode for the water discharge head based on the stored water discharge mode setting means, the detection signal from the position detection means, and the set water discharge mode stored in the water discharge mode setting means A water discharge device comprising: