TWI443275B - Faucet - Google Patents

Description

Faucet

The present invention relates to a faucet, and more particularly to a faucet having a self-cleaning function.

At present, the common faucet structure on the market is mainly composed of a faucet body and a switch for controlling water flow. As shown in FIG. 1A, the faucet body 11a of the prior art generally has a base 111a and a water outlet 112a, and a water flow passage is formed therein to communicate the base 111a to the water outlet 112a. The switch 12a can control the flow of water through the water flow channel by means of a mechanism design. The switch 12a has an appearance, generally as shown in FIG. 1A, and has a long handle-shaped operating portion 121a for lifting the operating portion 121a upward to conduct the water flow passage; conversely, pressing the operating portion 121a downward to close the water flow aisle. Or as shown in FIG. 1B, the faucet body 11b also has a base 111b and a water outlet 112b. The switch 12b of the connection base 111b is a rotary faucet, and the function of turning on or off the water flow passage is achieved by rotating left or right.

However, such faucets that are exposed and require manual operation to control the flow of water will cause the cleaned hands to re-contaminate when the flow is closed, and if it is in a public place, it is a health problem. Although experts and scholars have advocated to solve the problem by flushing the switch when cleaning hands, it is derived from the inconvenience of cleaning procedures, waste of water resources and the problem of humid environment. Moreover, the latter developed a faucet with an electronic inductive switch, which can solve the above problems together, but still has the disadvantages of poor inductance, increased cost and power consumption, which cannot be said to be an optimal design.

Therefore, how to provide a self-cleaning faucet has become an important issue in order to balance hygiene and avoid additional procedures when cleaning, without causing additional waste of water or increased costs.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a faucet having a self-cleaning function to balance hygiene and avoid additional procedures when cleaning, without additionally causing waste of water resources or an increase in cost.

To achieve the above object, a faucet according to the present invention comprises a base and a water outlet structure. The water outlet structure has a water flow passage and includes a water inlet end and a water outlet end. The water inlet end is connected to the base, and the water outlet end is connected to the water flow passage and has a water discharge control area.

In an embodiment of the invention, the base has a water inlet passage therein, and when the water outlet control region receives an external force to move the water outlet structure, the water flow passage communicates with the water inlet passage.

In an embodiment of the invention, the external force includes a downforce.

In an embodiment of the invention, the water outlet has a water stop control zone on the opposite side of the water outlet control zone.

In an embodiment of the invention, the base has a water inlet passage. When the water stop control region receives an external force to move the water outlet structure, the water flow passage is not in communication with the water inlet passage.

In an embodiment of the invention, the external force comprises a lifting force.

In an embodiment of the invention, the effluent structure has an oblique, or longitudinal, cut at the water outlet end.

In an embodiment of the invention, the water outlet structure has an extension at the water outlet end that extends the water flow passage, and the water outlet control region is located in the water flow passage of the extension portion.

In an embodiment of the invention, the base includes a movable joint that joins the water inlet end of the water outlet structure.

In an embodiment of the invention, the movable joint has a spherical projection.

In an embodiment of the invention, the movable coupling portion includes a spring or a water stop valve.

In summary, the faucet provided by the present invention controls the effluent structure by the force exerted by the effluent control zone on the water flow passage, so that the water inlet passage in the pedestal and the water flow passage in the effluent structure are connected to open the water flow. In this way, when the water flows out of the cleaning user's hands, because it will pass through the water outlet control area on the water flow channel, the dirt remaining on the hands can be washed, which is different from the conventional technology in the entire switch. In the process of faucet, the grip or switch is contaminated but cannot be cleaned, or the procedure of washing water must be added after use, and the supply of water does not depend on the result of optical sensing, thus reducing the use of electrons. The production cost of the component, or the problem of poor induction from time to time, is that the faucet of the present invention has the advantages of both hygiene and ease of use.

The faucet according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements will be described with the same reference numerals.

2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a faucet of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the faucet 2 of the present invention comprises a base 21 and a water discharge structure 22.

The base 21 can have a water inlet passage therein, and one end is fixed to a platform, and the other end is connected to the water outlet structure 22, so that the externally supplied water flow is guided to the water outlet structure 22 by the water inlet passage.

The water outlet structure 22 has a water flow passage 221 communicating with the water inlet passage. In the present embodiment, the water outlet structure 22 is generally a tubular structure having an elliptical cross section, and the water flow passage 221 is a hollow duct portion in the water discharge structure 22. In terms of function, when the water flow passage 221 supplies water to the faucet 2, the water discharge structure 22 has a general term for the flow of water. The two ends of the water outlet structure 22 are a water inlet end 222 and a water outlet end 223, respectively. The water inlet end 222 is connected to the base 21, and the water outlet end 223 is the opposite side of the water inlet end 222 of the water outlet structure 22, and has the end of the water flow channel 221 thereon. Of course, it is particularly emphasized that the inlet end 222 and the outlet end 223 do not limit the proportion of the water-receiving structure 22.

The water outlet end 223 has a water outlet control zone D on the water flow passage 221, which is capable of driving the water outlet structure 22 to move when receiving an external force, so that the water flow passage 221 inside the water outlet structure 22 can communicate with the water inlet passage. Since the water discharge control zone D is located on the water flow passage 221, when the water flow flows down from the water flow passage 221, it flows through the water discharge control zone D to clean the touched water discharge control zone D, especially when it is used. After the uncleaned hand touched.

The water outlet control zone D can be any area on the water outlet end 223 without limiting the size, shape or position, and whether the aforementioned functions can be achieved. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in the embodiment, the water outlet control area D may be a part or a region of the bottom of the wall of the water outlet structure 22 at the water outlet end 223, and is close to the end; or In other embodiments, the water outlet control zone D may also be a portion where the water outlet end 223 is slightly convex or concave on the water flow passage 221, or a position relatively close to the middle portion of the water outlet structure 22, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

To achieve the above functions, the faucet of the present invention can have a variety of different configurations. In the present embodiment, the water outlet structure 22 has a port E at the water outlet end 223, and the direction of the slit E is an oblique slit. Of course, in other embodiments described below, the slit may be a longitudinal slit, and the tangential trajectory of the slit may be flat, or have a curvature, or have an irregular shape such as a wave, etc., and the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, since the tangential trajectory of the slit E is oblique and slightly concave, the water flow passage 221 can be seen in a plan view. It should be particularly noted that, in this embodiment, the water outlet end 223 may include a portion of the entire water outlet structure 22 having the slit E and a water flow passage 221 therein.

The shape of the base 21 may be a three-dimensional structure such as a cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, or a cube. The water outlet structure 22 may have the same or different outer diameter and shape as the base 21, but the water flow passage 221 in the water outlet structure 22 and the water inlet passage of the base 21 may be connected to each other. Of course, as shown in the drawings of the present embodiment, the water discharge structure 22 has a shape close to the base 21, and the outer diameter has a design that continues the base 21 and is gradually reduced from the water inlet end 222 to the water outlet end 223.

The actuation mechanism of the opening and closing of the faucet of the present invention will be described below in this embodiment.

3A and 3B are schematic views of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 when the opening and closing operations are performed. As shown in FIG. 3A, when an external force is applied to the water discharge control zone D, in the present embodiment, a force including a downward pressure F _{D is} applied by the finger, so that the water discharge structure 22 as a whole moves downward as shown in FIG. 3B. As shown, at the same time, the water inlet passage in the base 21 communicates with the water flow passage of the water discharge structure 22, and the water flow can smoothly flow out along the water flow passage through the water discharge control area D for washing the hands. In this way, the original touched water control zone D can be simultaneously cleaned while the faucet 2 is being supplied with water.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the water outlet end 223 of the water outlet structure 22 has a water stop control area L on the opposite side of the water discharge control area D for receiving an external force and moving the water structure 22 in the opposite direction to make the inner portion The water flow channel can be disconnected from the water inlet channel. In practical application, when the water-stopping control zone L is applied with a force including the lifting force F _L by the freshly cleaned finger, the originally-pressed water-out structure 22 can be raised to the position shown in FIG. 3A. The water inlet passage in the base 21 is disconnected from the water flow passage of the water discharge structure 22 to achieve the function of stopping water.

4A and 4B are schematic cross-sectional views of the faucet shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, respectively. Referring to FIG. 4A first, in this embodiment, the communication between the water inlet passage 211 and the water flow passage 221 is controlled by a movable joint portion 212. The movable connecting portion 212 is a portion where the base 21 is coupled to the water inlet end 222 of the water discharge structure 22, and has a spherical protruding end 213 that can be engaged or slid with the water inlet end 222 of the water discharge structure 22. Since the water inlet passage 211 of the base 21 extends to the spherical protruding end 213, the blocking portion 224 of the water discharge structure 22 is blocked due to the closing, and cannot communicate with the water flow passage 221 through a through hole H.

However, when the outflow control zone D is subjected to a force including the lower pressure F _D , the water discharge structure 22 as a whole moves relative to the movable joint portion 212 while moving the blocking portion 224 to the bottom of the spherical projecting end 213, thereby allowing the water flow. It can flow into the water flow channel 221 from the through hole H. Conversely, if the faucet 2 is to be closed, a further force including the lifting force F _L is applied to the water stop control zone L. Of course, the shape and size of the blocking portion 224 are not limited, and the water flow can be blocked by the water inlet passage 211 through the through hole H when closed, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In other embodiments, the faucet of the present invention can further provide a water stop element, such as a spring or a water stop valve, at the movable joint portion, so that after the water discharge structure is pressed, a return external force such as elastic force or air pressure can be provided through the water stop member. , and automatically return to the original closed position.

In addition, the water outlet structure of the present invention may have an extension portion, and the water outlet control region and/or the water stop control region are disposed above. The extension may extend out of the slit or the outlet end of the water outlet structure. The extension may be integrally formed with or otherwise assembled with other portions of the water outlet structure.

As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the water outlet end 523 of the faucet 5 has a longitudinal slit E', and the extension portion 525 is a portion of the water outlet structure 52 extending outward in the lower portion of the slit E'. There is a water control zone D' and a water stop control zone L'. As for the opening or closing operation mode of the faucet 5, it has been described in detail above, and will not be described herein. Of course, in other embodiments, the water outlet structure may also have a plurality of extensions, and the water control zone and the water stop control zone are respectively disposed, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, in addition to the method of pressing down, the faucet of the present invention can also be provided with a touch component in the water outlet control area to switch the water flow by means of touch control opening and closing, and the details of the touch control should belong to the invention. Those skilled in the art can understand this and will not repeat them here.

In summary, the faucet provided by the present invention controls the effluent structure by the force exerted by the effluent control zone on the water flow passage, so that the water inlet passage in the pedestal and the water flow passage in the effluent structure are connected to open the water flow. In this way, when the water flows out of the cleaning user's hands, because it will pass through the water outlet control area on the water flow channel, the dirt remaining on the hands can be washed, which is different from the conventional technology in the entire switch. In the process of faucet, the grip or switch is contaminated but cannot be cleaned, or the procedure of washing water must be added after use, and the supply of water does not depend on the result of optical sensing, thus reducing the use of electrons. The production cost of the component, or the problem of poor induction from time to time, is that the faucet of the present invention has the advantages of both hygiene and ease of use.

The above is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting. Any equivalent modifications or alterations to the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be included in the scope of the appended claims.

11a, 11b. . . Faucet body

111a, 111b, 21, 51. . . Pedestal

112a, 112b. . . Outlet

12a, 12b. . . switch

121a. . . Operation department

2, 5. . . Faucet

22, 52. . . Water structure

211. . . Water inlet channel

212. . . Activity link

213. . . Spherical projection

221. . . Water flow channel

222. . . Inlet end

223, 523. . . Water outlet

224. . . Blocking

525. . . Extension

D, D’. . . Effluent control area

E, E’. . . incision

L, L’. . . Water stop control zone

F _D . . . Downforce

F _L . . . Lifting force

1A and 1B are schematic views of a conventional faucet;

2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a faucet of the present invention;

3A and 3B are schematic views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 when the opening and closing operations are performed;

4A and 4B are schematic cross-sectional views of the faucet shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, respectively;

5A and 5B are respectively an external and side view of an embodiment of a faucet of the present invention.

2. . . Faucet

twenty one. . . Pedestal

twenty two. . . Water structure

221. . . Water flow channel

222. . . Inlet end

223. . . Water outlet

D. . . Effluent control area

E. . . incision

Claims (11)

A faucet comprising: a pedestal; and a water outlet structure having a water flow passage therein, comprising: a water inlet end connecting the pedestal; and a water outlet end having a water discharge control area on the water flow passage, wherein When the water flows down the water flow passage, it flows through the water discharge control area to clean the touched water control area. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the pedestal has a water inlet passage, and when the effluent control region receives an external force to move the effluent structure, the water flow passage communicates with the water inlet passage. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the external force comprises a downforce. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the water outlet has a water stop control zone on an opposite side of the effluent control zone. The faucet of claim 4, wherein the pedestal has a water inlet passage, and when the water stopping control region receives an external force to move the effluent structure, the water flow passage is not in communication with the water inlet passage. The faucet of claim 5, wherein the external force comprises a lifting force. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the effluent structure has an oblique or longitudinal slit at the water outlet end. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the effluent structure has an extension at the water outlet end, which continues the water flow passage, and The effluent control zone is located in the water flow channel of the extension. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the pedestal comprises a movable joint connecting the water inlet end of the water outlet structure. The faucet of claim 9, wherein the movable joint has a spherical protruding end. The faucet of claim 9, wherein the movable joint comprises a spring or a water stop valve.