US20180320345A1

US20180320345A1 - Automatic faucet

Info

Publication number: US20180320345A1
Application number: US15/754,777
Authority: US
Inventors: Yousuke Narumi; Shogo Sato; Shinya SAKATA; Kazuyuki Shimizu
Original assignee: Lixil Corp
Current assignee: Lixil Corp
Priority date: 2015-08-31
Filing date: 2016-08-31
Publication date: 2018-11-08
Also published as: KR20180044904A; CN107923163A; JP2017048561A; WO2017038874A1; JP6416716B2

Abstract

An automatic faucet according to the present invention includes a holding portion (6) which holds a water discharge head (3) by fitting a rear end side (3 b) of the water discharge head (3) to the support body (1) to be detachable and be capable of being drawn out therefrom and a guide portion (8) which protrudes forward in a drawing out direction (T1) of the water discharge head (3) and engages when the drawn-out water discharge head (3) is returned to a distal end side of the support body (1) to guide the water discharge head (3) in a direction along the drawing out direction (T1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an automatic faucet. Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-171227, filed on Aug. 31, 2015, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, automatic faucets (automatic faucet devices) have been used for kitchen counters, toilets, sink dressers in washrooms, or the like. Automatic faucets are configured to automatically discharge water when a detection sensor (sensor portion) such as infrared sensors, photoelectric sensors, radio wave sensors, or the like detect an object such as a hand and automatically stop water when the object is removed from the detection region of the detection sensor.
The automatic faucets described above are provided with a water discharge portion including, for example, a support body whose proximal end is fixed to a top plate or the like of a kitchen counter or a sink dresser and protruding from the top plate, and a head portion having a water discharge port for discharging water, disposed on a distal end side of the support body, and provided to be detachable and able to be drawn out from the support body, wherein a detection sensor is provided on the support body of the water discharge portion in some cases (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1). According to the above-described configuration, when an object to be detected such as a hand is disposed on the water discharge port side, a detection sensor provided on the support body detects the object to be detected and water is automatically discharged from the water discharge portion.
An automatic faucet disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is arranged such that a detection sensor portion overlaps a rear end portion in a drawing out direction of a water discharge head in a state of being held by the support body in a plan view. In addition, the automatic faucet disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is configured such that, in a state in which the drawn-out head portion is returned to an original position and is held by the support body, the support body and the water discharge head are integrated to have a good appearance.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

[Patent Literature 1]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2015-105517

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, in the above-described conventional automatic faucets, a sensor portion (detection sensor) is disposed above or in front (on a user side) of a water discharge head to constitute the water discharge portion. In this configuration, the water discharge head is returned to a support body, it is conceivable that a user's hand may cover the sensor portion, a portion to which the water discharge head is attached (that is, a distal end of the support body) may be difficult to see, and it may be difficult for the water discharge head to be returned to the support body.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic faucet capable of enhancing operability when a water discharge head is attached to and detached from a support body, particularly capable of significantly enhancing operability when the water discharge head is returned to the support body and attached to the support body.

Solution to Problem

An automatic faucet according to the present invention includes a support body fixed at a rear end side to protrude therefrom, a water discharge head provided by connecting a hose and supported by a distal end side of the support body to be detachable and be capable of being drawn out, and a sensor portion provided on a distal end side of the support body above or in front of the water discharge head to overlap the water discharge head in a vertical direction or a forward and backward direction. The automatic faucet further includes a holding portion which holds the water discharge head by fitting a rear end side of the water discharge head to the support body to be detachable and be capable of being drawn out, and a guide portion which protrudes forward in a drawing out direction of the water discharge head, engages with the water discharge head when the drawn-out water discharge head is returned to the distal end side of the support body, and guides the water discharge head in a direction along the drawing out direction.
Here, a meaning of “above or in front of” in the present invention includes obliquely above and in front thereof.
In addition, in the automatic faucet of the present invention, it is preferable that the guide portion is provided to be continuous with the sensor portion and the holding portion.
Further, in the automatic faucet of the present invention, it is more preferable to include an inclined portion provided on a distal end side in the drawing out direction of the guide portion. The distal end side is more preferable to be formed in a pointed shape.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

In the automatic faucet according to the present invention, it is possible to enhance operability when attaching and detaching the water discharge head of the water discharge portion to and from the support body, and particularly to significantly enhance operability when the water discharge head is returned to the support body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sink dresser.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a water discharge portion of an automatic faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the water discharge portion of the automatic faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention and is a view illustrating a state in which a water discharge head is drawn out from a support body.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in a direction of the line of the arrow X1-X1 illustrated in FIG. 3, and is a cross-sectional view illustrating the water discharge portion of the automatic faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a sensor portion and the support body of the water discharge portion of the automatic faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in a direction of the line of the arrow X2-X2 in FIG. 3, and is a view illustrating a guide portion of the automatic faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, an automatic faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2 to 4, an automatic faucet A of the present embodiment is provided, for example, in a sink dresser B, and includes a support body 1 and a water discharge port 2. The automatic faucet A includes a water discharge portion 4 constituted with a water discharge head 3 disposed on a distal end side of the support body 1 and detachably attached to and provided to be capable of being drawn out from the support body 1.
In the present embodiment, the support table 1 is fixed to a cabinet of the sink dresser B, an upright wall surface of a washbowl, or the like to protrude therefrom. The water discharge portion 4 (automatic faucet A) is installed to protrude obliquely downward.
The water discharge portion 4 of the present embodiment is provided on the distal end side of the support body 1. The water discharge portion 4 is configured to integrally include a sensor portion 5 having a detection sensor 5 a and the support body 1. The water discharge portion 4 automatically discharges water when an object such as a hand is detected by the detection sensor 5 a (sensor portion 5) and automatically stops water when the object is removed from a detection range of the detection sensor 5 a.
The automatic faucet A is configured so that it can also be used as a manual faucet by manipulating a manual operation portion when it is desired to continue to discharge water for a long periods of time, for example, such as when drawing water is performed.
In the present embodiment, the sensor portion 5 is provided above (or in front of) the water discharge head 3 in a state of being held by the support body 1 and is provided to overlap the water discharge head 3 in a vertical direction (or in a forward and backward direction). The sensor portion 5 and the water discharge head 3 are each formed to have a substantially semicircular cross section. The sensor portion 5 and the water discharge head 3 are configured such that a distal end portion of the water discharge portion 4 in which the sensor portion 5 and the water discharge head 3 are combined has a substantially columnar shape in a state in which the water discharge head 3 is held such that the sensor portion 5 and the water discharge head 3 overlap each other and a planar lower surface 5 b of the sensor portion 5 and a planar upper surface 3 a of the water discharge head 3 make planar contact and face each other.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, a cylindrical holding portion 6 protruding to a side in front in a drawing out direction T1 of the water discharge head 3 is provided on a front surface la of the support body 1 which is laterally in contact with a rear end surface 3 b of the water discharge head 3 and facing the rear end surface 3 b. When a hose (flexible pipe) 7 is inserted into the holding portion 6 and freely moves forward and backward and a distal end of the hose 7 is connected to the water discharge head 3, the water discharge head 3 is capable of discharging water and being drawn out.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, a recessed fitting hole 3 c is formed in the rear end surface 3 b of the water discharge head 3. When the water discharge head 3 drawn out from the support body 1 returns to the support body 1, by fitting the holding portion 6 into the fitting hole 3 c, the water discharge head 3 is configured to be detachably attached to and held by the support body 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, a guide portion 8 that is formed in a plate shape and extends forward in the drawing out direction T1 from the front surface la of the support body 1 is provided in the automatic faucet A of the present embodiment. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a guide recess portion 9 which is recessed forward in the drawing out direction T1 from the rear end surface is provided in the water discharge head 3.
Further, in the present embodiment, the guide portion 8 is provided between the sensor portion 5 and the holding portion 6. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a lower end of the guide portion 8 is connected to an upper portion of the holding portion 6. The guide portion 8 protrudes upward from the holding portion 6. An upper end of the guide portion 8 is connected to a planar lower surface 5 b of the sensor portion 5. That is, the guide portion 8 is integrally continuous with the sensor portion 5 and the holding portion 6.
Also, a substantially triangular notch is provided on a distal end side in an extending direction of the guide portion 8 along the drawing out direction T1. By providing this notch, an inclined portion 8 a is provided on the distal end side in the extending direction of the guide portion 8. A lower end of the inclined portion 8 a approaches an upper end side from a rear end side of the inclined portion 8 a toward the distal end thereof. In other words, the guide portion 8 is formed with a pointed portion 8 b on the distal end side. A height dimension of the pointed portion 8 b gradually decreases from a rear end side toward a distal end. A contact point between the guide portion 8 and the lower surface 5 b of the sensor portion 5 which corresponds to the distal end of the pointed portion 8 b of the guide portion 8 is disposed at a position on the front side in the drawing out direction T1 behind a distal end of the holding portion 6.
In the automatic faucet A of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the guide portion 8 is provided on the distal end side of the support body 1 and the guide recess portion 9 is provided in the water discharge head 3. According to these configurations, when the water discharge head 3 is returned from a drawn-out state to an original state, since the holding portion 6 is fitted in the fitting hole 3 c of the water discharge head 3 and a position or orientation of the water discharge head 3 is adjusted by manipulation of rotating the water discharge head 3 around an axis thereof, or the like, it is possible to easily engage the guide portion 8 with the guide recess portion 9.
As described above, the guide recess portion 9 engages with the guide portion 8, and thereby the water discharge head 3 is guided in the forward and backward direction along the drawing out direction T1. That is, the water discharge head 3 is guided such that an axial direction of the water discharge head 3 is aligned with the drawing out direction T1. Therefore, the water discharge head 3 can be accommodated in its original position while suitably fitting to the holding portion 6.
In addition, since the pointed portion 8 b (inclined portion 8 a) is formed on a distal end side of the guide portion 8, even when the water discharge head 3 is somewhat inclined with respect to the guide portion 8, a position or orientation of the water discharge head 3 is adjusted by a manipulation of rotating the water discharge head 3 around the axis, or the like, and thereby it is possible to easily engage the pointed portion 8 b of the guide portion 8 with the guide recess portion 9. When the water discharge head 3 is fitted into the holding portion 6 in a state in which the pointed portion 8 b is engaged with the guide recess portion 9, since the position or orientation of the water discharge head 3 is guided by the guide portion 8, the water discharge head 3 is automatically guided to a predetermined installation state (that is, holding state). Therefore, operability in an accommodating operation of the water discharge head 3 can be further enhanced.
According to the automatic faucet A of the present embodiment, even when the sensor portion 5 is disposed to overlap (above or in front of) the water discharge head 3 and the holding portion 6 becomes difficult to see, it is possible to easily perform the operation of accommodating the water discharge head 3 due to the guide portion 8 and the guide recess portion 9 being provided. That is, according to the automatic faucet A of the present embodiment, it is possible to enhance operability when attaching and detaching the water discharge head 3 to and from the support body 1, particularly to significantly enhance operability when the water discharge head 3 is returned to the support body 1.
In addition, in the automatic faucet A of the present embodiment, in addition to the fitting hole 3 c of the water discharge head 3 being fitted in the holding portion 6, since the guide recess portion 9 of the water discharge head 3 engages with the guide portion 8 to be accommodated and held, rattling of the water discharge head 3 in a state of being held by the support body 1 cannot easily occur.
Further, in the automatic faucet A of the present embodiment, since the guide portion 8 is continuous with the sensor portion 5 and the holding portion 6, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the water discharge head 3 is drawn out from the support body 1, it is possible to support the sensor portion 5 which is cantilevered while protruding from the support body 1 by the guide portion 8 and the holding portion 6. Thereby, a reinforcing effect of the sensor portion 5 due to the guide portion 8 and the holding portion 6 can be obtained. In particular, when the sensor portion 5 and the support body 1 are formed of resin, the above-described reinforcing effect is effective.
While one embodiment of the automatic faucet according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described one embodiment, and can be modified appropriately without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, although the shape of the automatic faucet A is illustrated and described as being a linear shape, the shape of the automatic faucet A may be a shape different from a linear shape such as a gooseneck shape or the like. Also in this case, regarding the side fixed to a counter, a wall, or the like as the rear end side and regarding the side with a water discharge port as the distal end side, the above-described details may be employed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: Support body
1 a: Front surface
2: Water discharge port
3: Water discharge head
3 a: Upper surface
3 b: Rear end surface
3 c: Fitting hole
4: Water discharge portion
5: Sensor portion
5 a: Detection sensor
5 b: Lower surface
6: Holding portion
7: Hose
8: Guide portion
8 a: Inclined portion
8 b: Pointed portion
9: Guide recess portion
A: Automatic faucet
B: Sink dresser
T1: Drawing out direction

Claims

1. An automatic faucet comprising:

a support body;

a water discharge head provided by connecting a hose and supported at a distal end side of the support body to be detachable and be capable of being drawn out;

a sensor portion provided on the distal end side of the support body and provided above or in front of the water discharge head, to overlap the water discharge head in a vertical direction or a forward and backward direction,

a holding portion which holds the water discharge head by fitting a proximal end side of the water discharge head to the support body to be detachable and be capable of being drawn out therefrom; and

a guide portion which protrudes forward in a drawing out direction of the water discharge head, engages with the water discharge head when the water discharge head drawn out is returned to the distal end side of the support body, and guides the water discharge head along the drawing out direction.

2. The automatic faucet according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is provided to be continuous with the sensor portion and the holding portion.

3. The automatic faucet according to claim 1, further comprising an inclined portion provided on a distal end side of the drawing out direction of the guide portion, wherein the distal end side of the guide portion is formed in a pointed shape.

4. The automatic faucet according to claim 2, further comprising an inclined portion provided on a distal end side of the drawing out direction of the guide portion, wherein the distal end side of the guide portion is formed in a pointed shape.

5. The automatic faucet according to claim 1, wherein:

a guide recess portion which engages with the guide portion is provided in the water discharge head.

6. The automatic faucet according to claim 2, wherein:

a contact point between the guide portion and the sensor portion which corresponds to the distal end of the guide portion is disposed at a position on the front side in the drawing out direction behind a distal end of the holding portion.