JPS6323076A - Mixing cock having static electricity removing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate static electricity, by using devices made of conductive materials on the inter-contact surfaces of a control device in a mixing cock, and by holding the devices in contact with a housing. CONSTITUTION:A cartridge valve has grommet seals 14, 15, a cylinder 3 and an upper piston 6, and a cut-out groove 9 is formed in the grommet seals 14, 15 for receiving a metal ring 8. The metal ring 8 is mounted so that when a cartridge is inserted into a water cock body, it make into contact with both grommet seals 14, 15 and inner diameter side of the housing. Accordingly, generated static electricity is led to the outside of the water cock so that it is possible to prevent the static electricity from being charged at the inter-contact surfaces.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a hot/cold water mixing faucet which mixes hot water and cold water in an arbitrary ratio with a lever handle or the like to obtain hot water at an appropriate temperature. , and a single faucet that controls the discharge amount of hot water by sliding a ceramic disc or the like.

Prior art The prior art showing this type of hot water mixer faucet is, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-115982 (Japanese Patent Application No. 56-122524).
Publication No. 60-46303 and the like are known.

The mixer faucet currently in use is JP-A No. 57-116982.
There is a further simplified structure of the mixing faucet, the cartridge portion of which is shown in FIG. 1, and the overall view of the mixing faucet including the cartridge is shown in FIG. 1'.

FIG. 2 is an overall view of the mixing faucet of Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-460303.

For convenience, each part of the conventional mixer faucet structure shown in FIGS. 1, 1', and 2 will be explained first.

In Figure 1', 1 is the mixing faucet housing (main body), 2 is the cartridge, 8 is the hot water pipe, 9 is the cold water pipe, 1
0 is a hot water inlet, 11 is a cold water inlet, and 19 is a hot water outlet. 3 is a cylinder, A is a stem, 5 is an upper piston, 6 is a lower piston, 7 is a steel pipe, 14.15 is a grommet seal, and 12.13 is an opening. 18 is an exit hole. Further, 57 is a handle (operating part) of the plug.

In FIG. 2, 20 is a mixing faucet housing, 30 is a cartridge case, 35 is a fixed disk, 41 is a movable disk, and 27 is a hot water hole. Also, 5B is the handle for removing the bottle (
(operation part).

Typically, the cylinder 2 in FIGS. 1 and 1' is made of plastic and the disk 35, 41 in FIG. 82 is made of ceramic. Both Figures 1' and 2 are single-lever type hot water mixing faucets.

However, there is also known a hot water mixer faucet which is manufactured by omitting the hot water inlet shown in this figure, and in which the hot water valve portion is placed separately, and the hot water and hot water are operated by separate handles. (Usually referred to as a two-handle type, compared to the single-lever type mentioned above) Conventionally, with any type of hot water mixer faucet, the operating force of the operating part (handle) decreases over time. A gradual increase occurred at a certain rate. In some cases, the degree of increase in operating force was large, making smooth operation impossible. The direct cause is
It is a gradual increase in the frictional force of the contact surfaces of parts that rotate, slide, and slide in contact with hot water.

Conventionally, various causes of this defect have been discussed from the viewpoints of grease lubrication, the pressing force between parts during initial assembly, thermal expansion, wear, corrosion, etc., but it has not been possible for K to investigate the clear cause. However, current countermeasures include applying a large amount of grease to the moving parts and their surroundings, or providing grease reservoirs.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The problems to be solved by the present invention are to stop the increase in the operating force of the operating part, which conventionally increases gradually over time of use, after it has gradually increased to a certain limit; is intended to maintain a constant operating force.

The circumstances leading to the present invention are as follows.

The present inventor has conducted various investigations and experiments regarding the fact that the operating force gradually increases over time, particularly regarding the mixing faucet of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 1'.

The following matters were discovered, and it was confirmed that this phenomenon of gradual increase in operating force was caused by static electricity. However, it is not fully understood how the action of static electricity destroys the lubricating film and why it deteriorates the lubrication state and gradually increases the kinetic frictional force.

However, as will become clear from what will be described below, by applying the static electricity removal structure of the present invention to a mixing faucet, the gradual increase in operating force will be stopped, at least within a certain allowable operating force range. It is true that static electricity is the cause, as we were able to reduce the amount of electricity within 30 degrees and the presence of static electricity was confirmed on the other hand.

Investigation into this phenomenon revealed that although the faucet was used under almost the same conditions, the operating force of the operating part of one faucet gradually increased in proportion to the amount of time it was used, while the other faucet showed no such tendency. There was something. When both faucets were disassembled and investigated, it was found that the ones that showed a phenomenon of gradual increase in operating force had grease flowing out from the friction surfaces, and the surfaces were completely lubricated. On the other hand, the grease has also flowed out from the other side with no change in operating force, but it is unclear what the slimy substance on the surface is (it looks like water blur). A lubricating film-like substance was formed.

Furthermore, in the case where the operation force gradually increased, traces of discoloration, which appeared to have been significantly affected by heat, were observed on the contact surface between the moving seal part and the metal part.

Normally, a temperature of several hundred degrees is required for a metal surface to leave some kind of trace due to the thermal effect, and since the operating temperature of a water faucet is a maximum of 100 degrees Celsius, such a phenomenon cannot be caused by normal thermal effects. Its occurrence is unthinkable.

Based on the above-mentioned investigation results, it was thought that static electricity may be generated even when used in hot water, and as a result of a confirmation test, the existence of static electricity was confirmed, leading to the present invention.

Found facts and discussion Considering the normal concept of static electricity, it is difficult to imagine that static electricity is generated and accumulated in parts of faucets that are in direct contact with hot water, but the test results that confirmed its existence show the following facts. There was found.

That is, when assembling the aforementioned water faucet, silicone grease is applied to each part for lubrication.

However, silicone grease has extremely high insulating properties.

Moreover, experiments have shown that if a surface coated with silicone grease is kept in hot water for a long period of time, the main components of the grease will flow out and the organic substances in the water will combine with the remaining substances, forming a kind of film on the surface. to form. Furthermore, this coating is not a good electrical conductor.

As a result of the above, static electricity, which would normally be immediately dissipated by conduction into the flowing hot water even if it were generated, was accumulated inside the parts for the reasons mentioned above. Although it is difficult to directly observe the phenomenon because it occurs in hot water and is microscopic, this accumulated static electricity destroys the lubricating film in the microscopic range of the moving friction surface, or the silicone grease It is thought that other substances in the water were inhibiting the formation of a lubricating film.

To further explain the above-mentioned rate of occurrence, why is it that in the current mixer faucet market, the phenomenon of gradual increase in operating force occurs at a rate of several inches to several tens of inches, and the rest are good? can be explained as follows.

That is, although grease was applied to each part of the mixing faucet, there were some parts that were left unapplied, and even if static electricity was generated, the conductivity was lost in the hot water. Or, by chance, there was not enough organic matter in the water to form a film on the surface. Also, since the structure of each faucet does not completely insulate the part that generates static electricity from the main body, if the contact surface with the faucet is not coated with grease, the generated static electricity will be conducted from there to the main body. It is possible that it may have been lost due to an accident.

In the case of the faucet shown in Figures 1 and 1' of WK, the tip of the cartridge stem A is in constant contact every time the faucet is closed, so if there is no grease applied and the contact surface is in good condition, static electricity will be removed. It is thought that conduction occurs and disappears from the part.

This phenomenon also occurs because - When the static electricity generated by dust reaches a state where it cannot be dissipated through conduction, the static electricity destroys the lubricating film on the contact surface and further increases the frictional resistance, which leads to the generation of even greater static electricity. As it is said to connect, - degree,
Once the faucet is in an insulated state, this phenomenon will further increase, resulting in an increase in the operating force of the faucet operating part.

On the other hand, as long as the generation and accumulation of static electricity is prevented, even if the grease on the friction surface disappears, sliding motion will be possible using the hot water itself or the organic matter in the water as a lubricating film, and in this case, the increase in operating force will remain at the initial value. Since this operating force is maintained stably thereafter, it does not reach the point where it becomes difficult for the user to use it.

Means to Solve the Problem It has been found that static electricity plays a large role in increasing the operating force of the operating part of the faucet.In order to solve this problem, we have taken technical measures. Static electricity generated and accumulated in components that rotate, slide, or slide is guided into the faucet body and dissipated into the piping connected to the faucet body, the user's body, or into the air. It is something that you are trying to erase.

Embodiment An embodiment showing the structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3.4.5 for a mixing faucet of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 1'.

Static electricity is generated and accumulated in the cartridge valve shown in Figure 3,
The parts that influence the operating force are the grommet seal 14.15, the cylinder 3, the upper piston 5, the copper pipe 7, and the lower piston 6, and the stem A that rotates and slides inside the cylinder.

As a means for removing static electricity generated in the grommet seals 14 and 15, grooves 9 (Fig. 3(b)) are provided in the grommet seals 14 and 15, and a metal ring 8 (Fig. 3(a)) is provided therein. ) and using its elasticity, the ring 8 is installed so that when the cartridge is inserted into the faucet main body, the ring 8 contacts the grommet seal and the inner diameter side of the main body (housing) 1 at the same time.

The static electricity generated on the stem A side (particularly large in the piston 6 part that contacts the grommet seals 14 and 15) is removed by using a conductive metal material at the tip of the stem 23, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 4(a). The spring 22 thus made is press-fitted so that when the stem slides up and down, its elasticity is used to constantly contact the main body insertion hole and the bottom surface of the main body.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 5(a), and FIG. is brought into contact with the incorporeal side, and its upper end 22-2 is connected to the stem A.
The contact awn is attached to the shaft end portion 5 of the shaft. The lower end 22-1 of the cup-shaped body is fixed to the main body component, and the upper end 22-2 of the cup-shaped body is in contact with the stem shaft end using its elastic force, so that the stem A and the main body are always connected. (Housing) 1 ensures electrical conductivity. As a matter of course, the contact between the upper end portion 22-2 and the end of the stem A shaft is to the extent that conductivity can be ensured, and the contact resistance is not to the extent that it changes the operating force itself.

Reference numerals 21 and 22 in FIG. 5 show the above-mentioned spring and cup-shaped body installed in the valve body for easy understanding. During implementation, either 22 or 21 devices may be used. Further, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7C-2 regarding a hot water mixer faucet of the type shown in FIG.

In this case, when you operate it, it moves and generates electricity.
The part where the water stays is the contact surface between the fixed disk 35 and the movable disk 41 made of ceramic.

Fixed disk 35 and movable disk 4 to eliminate static electricity
A groove 29 (FIG. 7 (L%b)) is provided on the outer periphery of the contact surface with 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 7(c), a metal ring 36 having a loam-shaped and wavy shape and having elasticity and conductivity is installed in the ring 36, using its elasticity, to connect both the constantly movable and fixed disks. Attach it so that it makes contact.

One end 42 of the corrugated metal ring 36 is passed through the disk holding box and fixed (contacted) to the faucet body in an electrically conductive manner.

FIG. 7(d) is a plan view of the fixed disk 35, where 38 is a cold water inlet, 37 is a hot water inlet, 39 is a hot water outlet, and 36 is a plan view of the fixed disk 35.
is a ring housed in the groove 29. FIG. 7(e) is a bottom view of the movable disk 41.

6(a,bXc,d) show the relative positions of the fixed disk and the movable disk in this hot water mixing faucet when the faucet is used. FIG. 6(a) shows a closed state, with both the hot water inflow hole 37 and the cold water inflow hole 38 closed. Figure 6 (b3 is the hot water inlet hole 3 in the open state)
7. Both the cold water inflow hole 38 communicates with the hot water outflow hole 39. Although FIG. 6(e) shows the open state, only the cold water inflow hole 38 is open and communicates with the outflow hole 39. In FIG. 6(d), the plug is in an open state, but only the hot water inflow hole 37 is open and communicates with the outflow hole 39. As can be clearly seen from the relative positions of the fixed disk 35 and the movable disk 41 and the position of the intervening ring 36 in each of the above figures, when the ring 36 is attached in this way, the position of the movement of the movable disk 41 is clearly determined. but,
The ring 36, the movable disk 41, and the fixed disk 35 can come into contact with each other.

Furthermore, providing a ring in this manner on the outer periphery of the stationary disk is extremely easy in terms of production, and does not affect the opening/closing function of the faucet to the same extent. however,
Consideration may be given to increasing the size of the disc slightly to accommodate the ring.

For the sake of explanation, two types of hot water/cold water mixing faucets have been taken up for convenience, but all of the hot water/cold water mixing faucets have the same type of moving parts, and the present invention is also applicable to these.

Furthermore, as a pond measure and device for removing static electricity that is generated, the plastic, rubber, or ceramic materials used as parts of the mixing faucet are replaced with conductive materials, thereby constructing a static electricity removal device. Of course it is possible to do so.

Actions and Effects By taking the above-mentioned measures, static electricity generated in any type of faucet can be immediately guided to the outside of the faucet, thereby making it possible to prevent it from accumulating on the contact surface.

Next, changes in the operating force of the mixing faucet and the effects of the present invention will be briefly described when the static electricity removal configuration is implemented and when it is not implemented.

First, the operating force of the operating part (handle 57.5B) at the beginning of use of the mixing faucet is approximately 0.6 to 1 liter. This value increases with time of use, and 1.
It may reach 5 to 2.5 KIi and become stable.

At this point, the initial lubrication by the lubricant has lost its effectiveness, but if the natural static electricity removal and subsequent lubrication functions described earlier occur, the operating force of the mixing faucet will be reduced. If the increase is stopped at this point and kept constant, and the operating force is at this level, there will be no problem in use.

However, if a malfunction occurs between the mixing faucet's sliding parts due to static electricity buildup, this operating force will increase by an additional 3 Ky-4 Ky.
- Increases to 5Kg. In this case, if it exceeds 3 Ky, it is a problem, and if it becomes 4 or 5, it becomes difficult to operate.

In this case, if the static electricity removal device of the present invention is applied to a mixing faucet, the operating force will be reduced to about 2K9. This has been confirmed by the results of tests conducted by the inventor.

According to the static electricity eliminator of the present invention, the phenomenon in which the operating force of the operating part of the mixing faucet gradually increases with time of use is substantially solved because the operating force reaches a stable state within an allowable range. . Therefore, the problem of the user not being able to operate the mixing faucet smoothly can be completely prevented. In addition, from the viewpoint of production of mixing faucets, even if there is a slight increase in cost due to the addition of a device for removing static electricity, it is advantageous in terms of cost because the amount of expensive silicone grease used can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is an example of a current mixing faucet, which is an inverted side view of a partial cross section of the cartridge part, and Figure 1' is an example of a current mixing faucet, which is a side elevational view of a partial cross section of the whole. , which includes the cartridge portion of FIG. Figure 2 shows another example of a current mixing faucet, including a disc-type control device, and is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view of the whole, and Figure 3 shows the grommet seal part of the cartridge part in Figure 1. Fig. 3a is a perspective view showing details of the metal ring of the static electricity removing device of the present invention, and Fig. 3b is a perspective view showing the details of the metal ring of the static electricity removing device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the groove and the metal ring shown in FIG. 3a inserted therein; FIG. 4 is a view of the same cartridge part as shown in FIG. A metal spring, which is a device for removing static electricity, is added to the tip of the stem of the part. Figure 4a is a perspective view showing the metal spring added to the tip of the stem in Figure 4, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the metal spring added to the tip of the stem in Figure 4. 1' is a diagram showing the cartridge part including the static electricity eliminator shown in FIG. 4 being inserted and assembled into the mixing faucet shown in FIG. Figures 5 and 5 are perspective views of the cup-shaped body used in the static electricity eliminator described in connection with Figure 5, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of another example of the disc-type mixing faucet shown in Figure 2. 6(a, b, c, d) shows the operation of the disc portion that controls the mixing of hot water and water in the mixer faucet of FIG. 2. This figure shows the position of the static electricity eliminator in contact with the metal ring. Figures 7 (a, b, c, d) are related to the mixer faucet shown in Figure 6, even when it is tilted, and Figure 7a is when it is fixed. Figure 7b is a cross-section taken along the line A-A in Figure 7a, showing the groove into which the ring of the static electricity eliminator is inserted, Figure 7c is a perspective view showing details of the metal ring, Figure 7d is a perspective view of the disk. FIG. 7e is a plan view of the fixed disk including the ring, and FIG. 7e is a bottom view of the movable disk. [Explanation of symbols of main parts] Housing (no holidays) 1, 2
0 Hot water inlet ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・1
0.37 Cold water inlet ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
・・11.38 Hot water outlet ・・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・19,39 Control device cartridge ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 2
．． 30 cylinders...3 Stem...
A Upper piston...5 Lower piston...
...6 Copper pipe...7 Opening...
12.13 Grommet seal...14.15 Exit hole...1 B, 27 Stem tip...
・・・23 Notch groove ・・・・・・9 Metal ring ・・・・・・8 Metal spring ・・・・・・
・・・・・・・・・21 Metal spring-like body ・・・・・・
・・・・・・・・・22 fixed disk ・・・・・・
......35 grooves...
・・・・・・・・・・・・29 Annular, wavy metal ring・・・・・・・・・36 Movable disk ・・・・・・
・・・・・・・・・41 Main drawings ・・・・・・・・・
・・・・・・・・・ Figure 5 Figure 2 Procedure Tuyere II Three Books (Method) July 24, 1986

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A control device having a housing, a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet, and a hot water outlet, and for mixing hot water and cold water between the respective inlets and outlets. In a type of hot water mixer faucet including a control device, in order to remove static electricity that is generated and accumulated on the mutual contact surfaces of the mutually sliding parts of the control device, A mixing device characterized in that a device made of an electrically conductive material is used, and the device is configured to maintain contact with the housing of the mixing faucet, thereby allowing static electricity to escape and dissipate to the outside of the mixing faucet. plug. 2. The mixing faucet according to claim 1, wherein the control device is a cartridge type. 3. It has a housing, a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet, and a hot water outlet, and includes a control device for mixing hot water and cold water between the respective inlets and outlets, and
In a type of hot water mixer faucet in which the main part of the control device is made of an insulating material, static electricity generated and accumulated on the mutual contact surfaces of the parts of the control device that slide against each other can be eliminated. a device of electrically conductive material is disposed adjacent the mutual contact surfaces of the portions for removal, and the device is configured to maintain contact with the housing of the mixer faucet, thereby removing static electricity from the mixer. A mixing faucet characterized in that the water escapes and disappears outside the faucet. 4. The mixing faucet according to claim 3, wherein the control device is of a cartridge type. 5. The mixing faucet according to claim 3, wherein the static electricity removing device is an elastic metal ring provided in the grommet seal portion. 6. The mixing faucet according to claim 3, wherein the static electricity removing device is a metal spring provided at the tip of the stem. 7. The mixing faucet according to claim 3, wherein the static electricity removing device is an elastic metal cup-shaped body provided at the end of the stem shaft. 8. The mixing faucet according to claim 3, wherein the static eliminator is an annular, corrugated elastic metal ring inserted into a groove in the fixed disk.