WO2016080122A1

WO2016080122A1 - Automatic faucet

Info

Publication number: WO2016080122A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/079271
Authority: WO
Inventors: 祥子結束; 伸明板頭; 雄喜白井; 佑一朗小松; 安住鎌田
Original assignee: 株式会社Ｌｉｘｉｌ
Priority date: 2014-11-21
Filing date: 2015-10-16
Publication date: 2016-05-26
Also published as: CN107002394A; AU2015351375A1; EP3222788A1; EP3222788A4; US20170247866A1; KR20170085501A

Abstract

An automatic faucet comprises a water discharge pipe 12, a water discharge port member 30 that has a water discharge port 38 and is housed in the distal end of the water discharge pipe 12 so as to be pulled out freely, and a sensor 40 that is provided near the water discharge port 38 and is for detecting an object under the water discharge port and causing water to be discharged. The water discharge port member 30 is configured to be pulled from inside the water discharge pipe deeper in the axial direction than the sensor 40.

Description

Automatic faucet

The present invention relates to an automatic faucet that controls water discharge by a sensor.

In kitchens, washstands, and the like, automatic faucets provided with a water discharge pipe, a sensor disposed at the tip of the water discharge pipe, and a water discharge member are widely used. When an object to be detected such as a hand or tableware inserted below the water outlet member is detected by the sensor, control is performed so that water is discharged from the water outlet of the water outlet member.

Some automatic faucets have a water outlet member that can be pulled out from the main body of the water discharge pipe (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-108286 A JP 2011-122359 A JP 2011-94480 A Patent No. 5465687 JP 2011-137289 A

In the automatic faucet described in Patent Document 1, a water outlet member that can be pulled out from the sensor at the front end of the water discharge pipe as viewed from the user is disposed, and the water outlet member is discharged below the sensor. It is comprised so that it may isolate | separate from a water pipe. In such a configuration, since the distance between the light emitting portion of the sensor and the water discharge port is increased, there is a problem that the sensor is difficult to react when a hand is put out under the water discharge port.

This invention is made in view of such a subject, The objective is to provide the technique which raises the usability | use_condition of the automatic water tap which can draw out a water outlet member from the front-end | tip of a water discharge pipe.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an aspect of the present invention is provided in the vicinity of a water discharge pipe, a water discharge outlet member having a water discharge opening, and a water discharge outlet member that is retractably accommodated at the tip of the water discharge pipe. An automatic faucet comprising: a sensor for detecting an object below the water mouth and starting water discharge. The water outlet member is configured to be drawn from the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe from the sensor.

According to the present invention, it is possible to enhance the feeling of use of the automatic faucet that can draw out the spout member from the tip of the spout pipe.

It is the schematic of the kitchen provided with the automatic faucet which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the whole automatic faucet perspective view. It is a side view of a water discharge pipe. It is an expansion perspective view of the tip of a water discharge pipe. It is a perspective view of the state where the water outlet member was pulled out. It is a perspective view which shows a part of kitchen provided with the automatic water tap which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the automatic faucet concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is the enlarged view which looked at the front-end | tip part periphery of the water discharge pipe from the downward direction. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part periphery of a water discharge pipe. It is a perspective view which shows a part of kitchen provided with the automatic water tap which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the automatic faucet concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is the enlarged view which looked at the front-end | tip part periphery of the water discharging pipe from the downward direction which shows the state accommodated in the water discharging pipe. It is the figure which looked at the automatic faucet from the back which shows the state which pulled out the water outlet member from the water discharge pipe with the water supply hose. It is a perspective view which shows a guide member. It is the enlarged view which looked at the front-end | tip part periphery of the water discharging pipe from the downward | lower direction which shows the state which pulled out the water discharging outlet member from the water discharging pipe. It is the schematic of the kitchen provided with the water tap which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is the whole faucet perspective view. It is a side view of a water discharge pipe. It is an expansion perspective view of the tip of a water discharge pipe. It is a perspective view of the state where the water outlet member was pulled out. It is an expansion perspective view from another direction of the tip of a water discharge pipe. It is the figure which looked at the water outlet member from the back side. It is the schematic of the kitchen provided with the automatic water tap which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the whole automatic faucet perspective view. It is a side view of a water discharge pipe. It is an expansion perspective view of the tip of a water discharge pipe. It is a perspective view of the state where the water outlet member was pulled out. It is an expansion perspective view from another direction of the tip of a water discharge pipe. It is the top view which looked at the tip of the water discharge pipe from the direction of the water discharge port. It is a perspective view which shows a part of kitchen provided with the automatic water tap which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the automatic faucet concerning a 6th embodiment of the present invention. It is the enlarged view which looked at the front-end | tip part periphery of the water discharging pipe from the downward direction which shows the state accommodated in the water discharging pipe. It is the figure which looked at the automatic faucet from the back which shows the state which pulled out the water outlet member from the water discharge pipe with the water supply hose. It is a perspective view which shows a guide member. It is the figure which looked at the front-end | tip part of the water discharging pipe from the downward direction. It is a figure which shows the automatic water tap which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The embodiments do not limit the invention but are exemplifications, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

[First embodiment]
An outline of the first embodiment will be described.
An aspect of the present invention is provided in the vicinity of a water discharge pipe, a water discharge outlet member having a water discharge opening, and a water discharge outlet member that is retractably accommodated at the tip of the water discharge pipe, and detects an object below the water discharge opening to discharge water. An automatic faucet comprising a sensor for starting. The water outlet member is configured to be drawn from the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe from the sensor.

According to this aspect, the structure in which the spout member is pulled out from the sensor in the axial direction of the spout pipe, that is, from behind the sensor, reduces the amount of downward protrusion of the spout member with respect to the light emitting part of the sensor. The distance between the light emitting part of the sensor and the water outlet can be reduced. Therefore, when the hand is put out under the spout, the sensor easily reacts and the feeling of use is improved. Moreover, a wide space below the water outlet can be secured.

The water discharge pipe has a shape that swells from its middle part toward the tip, and the water discharge port member may be configured to be drawable from the swelled part. According to this, it can be set as the structure which attaches a water discharge outlet member to the front-end | tip of a water discharge pipe, without enlarging a water discharge pipe over the full length. Moreover, since the unevenness | corrugation of a water discharge pipe can be suppressed to the minimum, while being excellent in design property, cleanability improves.

The water spout member may be formed in a continuous shape with a smooth curve from the upstream side of the water discharge pipe to the water spout member with the water spout member attached. According to this, since the water supply hose connected to the water outlet member is not caught in the water discharge pipe when the water outlet member is pulled out or stored, the water outlet member can be easily operated. Moreover, cleaning becomes easy when the water discharge pipe is smooth.

The water discharge pipe has a shape that swells in the front-rear direction as viewed from the user toward the tip, and may be configured such that the water discharge port member can be drawn out from either side of the part swelled back and forth. According to this, when the automatic faucet is observed from the front side when viewed from the user, the swelled portion is not conspicuous, and the user can give the user a compact and clean impression as a whole.

According to each of the above-described configurations, it is possible to enhance the feeling of use of the automatic faucet that can draw out the spout member from the tip of the spout pipe.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a kitchen equipped with an automatic faucet 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A sink 102 is provided in the kitchen 100, and a counter 104 having a step with respect to the top surface is provided on the rear side of the sink 102. An automatic faucet 10 is installed on the left side of the counter 104, and a purified water faucet 106 is installed on the right side of the counter 104. The automatic faucet 10 is connected to a water pipe and supplies normal tap water, while the purified water faucet 106 is connected to a water purifier installed below the sink 102 and supplies purified water.

Hereinafter, in this specification, the directions such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, “front”, “奧”, etc. are indicated. When the terminology is used, they mean the direction in posture when the automatic faucet 10 is attached to a kitchen or the like.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the automatic faucet 10 of FIG. The automatic faucet 10 mainly includes a water discharge pipe 12, a base end portion 24, and a handle lever 22. FIG. 3 is a side view of the water discharge pipe 12 in a state of being removed from the base end portion 24.

The water discharge pipe 12 is formed in a so-called gooseneck shape in which an intermediate portion 12a is curved and formed in an inverted U shape, and a tip 12b extends obliquely downward. The water discharge pipe 12 is formed of a casting made of a metal material. As will be described in detail later, a water outlet member 30 having a water outlet 38 and an automatic water discharge sensor 40 for controlling water discharge from the water outlet 38 are provided at the tip 12b of the water discharge pipe 12. As shown in FIG. 3, a connecting member 26 for connecting to the base end portion 24 is provided on the base end portion side of the water discharge pipe 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base end portion 24 is disposed on the upper surface of the counter 104 of the kitchen. A handle lever 22 is provided at the upper end of the base end portion 24.

A cold water pipe and a hot water pipe (not shown) connected to the cold water and hot water supply sources respectively extend inside the base end portion 24. An electromagnetic valve (not shown) is provided between the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe and a water supply hose that is housed in the water discharge pipe 12 and supplies water to the water discharge port 38. This electromagnetic valve can control the flow of water from the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe to the water supply hose by opening and closing the valve under the control of a control unit (not shown).

A mixing valve (not shown) is provided inside the base end portion 24 to mix water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to obtain hot water having an appropriate temperature. The handle lever 22 is a lever for operating this mixing valve, and adjusts the mixing ratio of water and hot water by turning left and right, that is, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, and also controls the water discharge flow rate of hot water by turning up and down. Adjust.

An automatic water discharge sensor 40 is provided at the tip 12 b of the water discharge pipe 12. The automatic water discharge sensor 40 is, for example, an infrared distance measuring sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The automatic water discharge sensor 40 projects light from the light emitting unit to the lower side of the water discharge port 38 of the water discharge port member 30, and receives light reflected from an object to be detected such as a user's hand or tableware by the projected light. To detect whether there is an object to be detected within a predetermined detection area. The automatic water discharge sensor 40 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detected object to the control unit.

A hand holding sensor 14 is provided on the front side of the water discharge pipe 12, that is, the side facing the user standing in the kitchen. The hand-holding sensor 14 is an infrared light quantity sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part. The hand-holding sensor 14 projects light obliquely above the sensor 14, receives light reflected from a detected object such as a user's hand by the projected light, and receives the light within a predetermined detection area. Detect whether there is an object to be detected. The hand-holding sensor 14 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detected object to the control unit.

The control unit is composed of a circuit board equipped with a microcomputer. The control unit opens and closes the electromagnetic valve based on an output signal from the automatic water discharge sensor 40 or the hand-holding sensor 14, and switches whether water is supplied from the water outlet 38 of the water outlet member 30. Note that the control unit may be realized by combining elements and circuits including a CPU and a memory of a computer.

The automatic water discharge sensor 40 is controlled so that water is supplied from the water discharge port 38 only while an object to be detected is detected in the detection area, whereas the hand-holding sensor 14 once in the detection area. When the object to be detected is detected, water supply from the water outlet 38 is continued even if the object to be detected is no longer detected. When an object to be detected is detected again in the detection area, water supply from the water outlet 38 is stopped.

A push button type on / off switch 16 is provided on the near side as viewed from the user of the water discharge pipe 12 and below the hand-holding sensor 14 (on the front end 12b side). When the on / off switch 16 is turned off, the automatic water discharge sensor 40 does not operate and water is not supplied from the water discharge port 38 even if an object exists below the sensor 40.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, in the first embodiment, the water discharge pipe 12 is formed to have a constant curvature. Further, a hollow projecting portion 18 that bulges toward the lower side of the water discharge pipe 12 is formed from a portion near the apex of the intermediate portion 12a of the water discharge pipe 12 to the tip 12b. The lower surface of the overhang portion 18 has a smaller curvature than the water discharge pipe 12 itself, but is formed so as to be connected by a continuous smooth curve from the base end portion 24 side of the water discharge pipe 12. The tip 18a of the overhanging portion 18 is located on the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe (the upstream side of the water discharge pipe 12, obliquely upward on the right in FIG. 3) than the tip 12b of the water discharge pipe 12. As a method for manufacturing such a water discharge pipe, there are bulge processing, zinc die casting, resin molding and the like.

A water discharge port member 30 that is configured to be drawable is attached to the back side of the water discharge pipe 12 from the front end 12b of the automatic water discharge sensor 40 as viewed from the user. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the spout member 30 is attached to the heel side as viewed from the user rather than the front end of the overhang portion 18 and the front end 12 b of the spout pipe 12. With the water spout member 30 attached, the inner peripheral side of the water spout member 30 is smoothly curved with the base end portion 24 of the spout pipe 12 and the inner peripheral surface of the overhang portion 18. It is formed to be connected.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the tip 12b of the water discharge pipe 12, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the water discharge port member 30 is pulled out.

The water outlet member 30 has a cover part 32, a switching operation part 34, and a water outlet 38.

As shown in FIG. 5, a flexible metal water supply hose 50 is connected to the water outlet member 30. The other end of the water supply hose 50 is connected to the electromagnetic valve described above. The water supply hose 50 is accommodated in the water discharge pipe 12 and the overhang portion 18 so as to be movable by a predetermined length in the pipe axis direction. Therefore, when the water discharge port member 30 is pulled out from the water discharge pipe 12, the water supply hose 50 is also pulled out accordingly. The direction in which the water discharge port member 30 is pulled out is substantially the same as the axial direction of the water discharge pipe 12. When the spout member 30 is attached to the water discharge pipe 12, the water supply hose 50 moves through the overhang part 18 and the water discharge pipe 12 toward the base end part 24. Water flowing through the water supply hose 50 is discharged through the water outlet 38.

The cover portion 32 connects the water supply hose 50 and the switching operation portion 34 and constitutes a portion that is held by the user when the spout member 30 is removed from the spout tube 12. The cover portion 32 also has a function as an attachment that allows the water outlet member 30 to be easily attached to and detached from the water discharge pipe 12.

An end face 42 that is recessed toward the inside of the pipe is formed at the distal end 12 b of the water discharge pipe 12, and an automatic water discharge sensor 40 is disposed so as to be flush with the end face 42. Since the pipe wall 12c of the water discharge pipe 12 forms the periphery of the automatic water discharge sensor 40, contamination of the sensor light-emitting surface and light-receiving surface due to the user's hand coming into contact with the sensor 40, or tableware hits. Can prevent damage.

At the tip 12 b of the water discharge pipe 12, a part of the pipe wall 12 c is cut out, and a recessed guide part 44 that functions as a guide when the water discharge port member 30 is stored is provided in the cut out part. . On the upper surface (surface on the near side when viewed from the user) of the cover portion 32 of the water outlet member 30, a convex portion 39 that faces the guide portion 44 when the water outlet member 30 is stored is formed.

A cylindrical hose guide portion 52 having a hole through which the water supply hose 50 is inserted is provided at the tip 18a of the overhang portion 18. Although not shown, a recess for receiving the hose guide portion 52 is formed at the rear end of the water discharge port member 30 facing the overhanging portion 18.

When the water outlet member 30 is stored, the rear end of the water outlet member 30 is guided to the hose guide portion 52 by the water supply hose 50 being pushed into the hole of the hose guide portion 52. When the spout member 30 is pushed in as it is, the convex portion 39 formed on the upper surface of the spout member 30 is guided by the guide portion 44 of the spout pipe 12 and the spout member 30 and the hose guide portion 52 are fitted. Thus, the water discharge port member 30 is held against the water discharge pipe 12. In the case of pulling out the water outlet member 30, when the water outlet member 30 is pulled obliquely downward, the convex portion 39 is guided and pulled out by the guide portion.

As described above, the overhang portion 18 and the lower surface of the water discharge pipe 12 are smoothly continuous so that there are no corners or large curvature changes inside the pipe. For this reason, the water supply hose 50 connected to the water discharge port member 30 is not caught in the water discharge pipe 12 and the overhanging portion 18 when the water discharge port member 30 is pulled out or stored. Easy to operate. Further, since there are no bent portions, the outer surfaces of the water discharge pipe 12 and the overhang portion 18 can be easily cleaned.

The tip 18a of the overhanging portion 18 with which the rear end of the water outlet member 30 in the stored state is in contact is located closer to the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe (upstream of the water discharge pipe 12) than the tip 12b of the water discharge pipe 12. Yes. For this reason, in the state in which the water outlet member 30 is accommodated, the water outlet 38 of the water outlet member 30 is positioned relatively near the automatic water discharge sensor 40. As described above, the water outlet member 30 is structured to be drawn out from the axial side of the water discharge pipe from the automatic water discharge sensor 40, that is, from the back of the sensor 40, so The distance between the light emitting part of the sensor and the water outlet can be reduced by reducing the protruding amount. Therefore, it becomes easy for the sensor to react when the hand is put out under the spout.

The switching operation part 34 of the water outlet member 30 is a member for switching the water flowing from the water supply hose 50 to shower water discharge or straight water discharge. The switching operation part 34 has a shape that is smoothly continuous with the lower surface side of the outer periphery of the cover part 32, and has a cylindrical shape as a whole. The switching operation unit 34 is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) around the central axis with respect to the cover unit 32. On the cylindrical surface of the switching operation portion 34, a knob portion 36 for a user to put his / her finger is formed. When the position of the knob portion 36 is rotated by a predetermined angle, shower water discharge and straight water discharge can be switched.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the water discharge member is pulled out from the ridge side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe, that is, from the back of the sensor, rather than the automatic water discharge sensor. It is possible to reduce the amount of downward protrusion of the water port member and to reduce the distance between the light emitting part of the sensor and the water outlet. Therefore, when the hand is put out under the spout, the sensor easily reacts and the feeling of use is improved. Moreover, the space below the water outlet can be secured widely by reducing the amount of downward protrusion of the water outlet member.

Further, the water discharge pipe has an overhanging portion that swells in the front-rear direction as viewed from the user from the intermediate portion toward the tip, and the water discharge port member is configured to be drawable from the overhanging portion. If it carries out like this, it can be set as the structure which accommodates a water discharge port member in the front-end | tip of a water discharge pipe, without enlarging the diameter of a water discharge pipe over the full length. Moreover, since the unevenness | corrugation of a water discharge pipe can be suppressed to the minimum, while being excellent in design property, cleanability improves. Furthermore, by providing the overhanging part on the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe, the overhanging part is not noticeable when the automatic faucet is observed from the front side when viewed from the user, and it is compact and neat overall. Impression can be given to the user.

In the first embodiment described above, the water outlet member is provided on the heel side (counter side) as viewed from the user rather than the automatic water discharge sensor, but the overhanging portion is on the front side (sink side) of the water discharge pipe. You may form and provide a water outlet member in the near side rather than the sensor for automatic water discharge. Even in this case, the boundary between the spout member and the overhanging portion is on the heel side (base end side) in the axial direction of the spout pipe relative to the light emitting portion of the automatic spout sensor, and the spout member is drawn from there. If it is, the same effect as 1st Embodiment can be anticipated.

Instead of a bulging shape in the front-rear direction as seen from the user, only the tip side of the water discharge tube, as in the overhanging portion described in the first embodiment, a shape bulging in the front-rear direction over the entire length of the water discharge tube It is good also as the shape which swelled in the left-right direction over the full length of the water discharge pipe.

The automatic faucet according to the first embodiment can be used for facilities installed in buildings, ships, etc., and may be used for a wash basin, a hand basin, a bathroom, etc. in addition to a kitchen. Moreover, although the counter was illustrated as a base | substrate to which the base end part of an automatic faucet is fixed, the base | substrate may be a wall member etc. which divides the inside and outside of facilities, such as a bathroom.

Moreover, the shape of the water discharge pipe is not limited to the gooseneck shape, and may be formed in other shapes.

[Second Embodiment]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic faucet has been known in which a water outlet member and a sensor are provided at the tip of a water discharge pipe, and water is discharged from the water outlet member by detecting a detection target such as a hand using the sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 2). .

In the conventional automatic faucet as described above, when water is applied to the water discharge pipe, the water reaches the tip of the water discharge pipe along the outer surface of the water discharge pipe, and water droplets adhere to the sensor window of the sensor. there is a possibility. If water droplets adhere to the sensor window, the water droplets may contaminate the sensor window, resulting in erroneous detection.

In the second embodiment, an automatic faucet that can suppress the adhesion of water droplets to the sensor window of the sensor is provided.

An outline of the second embodiment will be described.
An automatic faucet according to an aspect of the present invention includes a water discharge unit, a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a detection target, a water discharge port member that discharges water when a detection target is detected by the sensor, and a sensor that is connected to the water discharge unit. And a holding member held inside. The holding member includes a flat part having a sensor window of the sensor and a rising part formed so as to rise from the periphery of the flat part.

According to this aspect, the rising portion formed at the peripheral edge of the flat surface portion makes it difficult for water to enter the flat surface portion from the tip of the water discharge portion, so that adhesion of water droplets to the sensor window of the sensor can be suppressed. As a result, contamination of the sensor window is prevented, so that erroneous detection can be suppressed.

The water discharge part may be a water discharge pipe. The sensor may be held at the tip of the water discharge pipe. When there is a sensor at the tip of the water discharge pipe, the rising portion is particularly effective because water droplets are likely to adhere to the sensor window.

The flat portion may be disposed at a position deeper than the tip of the water discharge portion, and the rising portion may be formed to rise along the inner wall of the water discharge portion. In this case, since the flat portion is deeper than the tip of the water discharger, it becomes difficult for water to further flow into the flat part from the tip of the water discharger, so that the attachment of water droplets to the sensor window of the sensor can be further suppressed. Moreover, since the rising part is rising along the inner wall of the water discharging part, the inner wall of the water discharging part is covered with the rising part, so that the appearance of the appearance can be improved.

The tip of the rising part may protrude beyond the tip of the water discharge part. In this case, since it becomes more difficult for water to flow around from the tip of the water discharger by the flat part, it is possible to further suppress the attachment of water droplets to the sensor window of the sensor.

The rising part may be connected by a curved surface continuous with the flat part. In this case, even if the water wraps around the flat surface from the tip of the water discharger, the water from the flat surface can be drained. Moreover, since it is hard to get dirt in the joint of a plane part and a standing part, cleaning property can be improved.

According to each of the above configurations, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of water droplets to the sensor window of the sensor in the automatic faucet.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of a kitchen 1100 provided with an automatic faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The kitchen 1100 is provided with a sink 1102 that is recessed in a concave shape. The counter 1104 on the back side of the sink 1102 stores an automatic faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, a water faucet 1106 for supplying purified water, and various items such as dishwashing detergent and sponge. A storage portion 1108 is provided. In the present specification, when terms indicating directions such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, etc. are used, It means the direction in the posture when the automatic faucet 1010 is attached to a kitchen or the like.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an automatic faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the automatic faucet 1010 includes a faucet body portion 1012 erected on a counter and a water discharge pipe 1014 as a water discharge portion extending from the upper end surface of the faucet body portion 1012. . A water discharge port member 1020 having a water discharge port 1018 is provided on the tube axis direction distal end side of the water discharge tube 1014.

The faucet body 1012 has a mixing valve (not shown) provided therein and a lever handle 1016 for operating the mixing valve. Here, the mixing valve mixes water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to obtain hot water having an appropriate temperature. The lever handle 1016 adjusts the mixing ratio of water and hot water by a left / right rotation operation, that is, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, and adjusts the discharged water flow rate of the hot water by an up / down rotation operation.

The water discharge pipe 1014 includes a water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a formed in an inverted U-shaped so-called gooseneck shape, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the middle portion to the tip portion of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a (opposite to the user). 1014b. The water discharge pipe main body 1014a and the overhanging portion 1014b are integrally formed of a casting made of a metal material. The main body 1014a of the water discharge pipe has a downward shape from the uppermost portion toward the tip 1014e, and the opening of the tip 1014e faces downward.

A flexible water supply hose (not shown) is inserted into the water discharge pipe 1014. One end of the water supply hose is connected to the water outlet member 1020. The water discharge port member 1020 can be pulled out from the water discharge pipe 1014 together with the water supply hose. In a state where the water outlet member 1020 is housed in the water discharge pipe 1014, the water outlet 1018 of the water outlet member 1020 faces downward.

A solenoid valve (not shown) is connected to the other end of the water supply hose. This solenoid valve is provided below the counter, and controls water discharge and water stoppage from the water discharge port 1018. The solenoid valve is controlled by a control unit (not shown) configured by a circuit board on which a microcomputer is mounted. This control part should just be implement | achieved combining the elements and circuits, such as computer CPU and memory.

The water discharge pipe 1014 is provided with a hand-holding sensor 1022 as a first human body detection sensor on the surface on the front side (user side). The hand-holding sensor 1022 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, for example. The hand-holding sensor 1022 receives the reflected light from the detection target of the light projected from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit, so whether or not there is a detection target such as a human hand in a predetermined detection area. Is detected. The hand-holding sensor 1022 is provided so that the sensor window 1022a faces obliquely upward.

The hand-holding sensor 1022 detects this when the user holds his hand in front of the sensor window. When a human body is detected by the hand-holding sensor 1022, the electromagnetic valve is opened by the control unit, and water is discharged from the water outlet 1018 of the water outlet member 1020. Once a human body is detected by the hand-holding sensor 1022, water discharge is continued even if the human body is not detected thereafter. Thereafter, when the hand-holding sensor 1022 detects a human body again by a hand-holding operation by the user, the electromagnetic valve is closed by the control unit, and water discharge from the water discharge port 1018 of the water discharge port member 1020 is stopped. By providing such a hand-holding sensor 1022, water discharge and water stopping can be controlled without operating the lever handle 1016, so that the lever handle 1016 is not soiled even when the hand is dirty, for example.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the tip of the water discharge pipe 1014 as viewed from below. As shown in FIG. 8, a water discharge port member 1020 is provided at the distal end of the water discharge pipe 1014 on the back side with respect to the user, and an automatic sensor serving as a second human body detection sensor on the front side with respect to the user. 1024 is provided. The automatic sensor 1024 is provided in the distal end portion 1014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a. The water discharge port member 1020 is provided at the distal end portion 1014d of the overhang portion 1014b so that it can be pulled out together with the water supply hose. As shown in FIG. 8, the tip portion 1014d of the overhang portion 1014b does not extend to the tip portion 1014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a, and a part of the tip portion of the water discharge pipe 1014 is cut away. It has a shape. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction around the distal end portion 1014c of the water discharge tube main body portion 1014a is an arc having a central angle of about 1270 degrees. The water outlet member 1020 is formed so that a part thereof is along the notch of the water discharge pipe 1014 in a state of being housed in the water discharge pipe 1014.

The automatic sensor 1024 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, for example. The automatic sensor 1024 detects the presence / absence of a detection target such as a human hand in a predetermined detection area by receiving light reflected from the detection target of the light projected from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit. The automatic sensor 1024 is provided such that the sensor window 1024a faces downward.

The automatic sensor 1024 detects this when the user puts his / her hand below the spout 1018. When a human body is detected by the automatic sensor 1024, the electromagnetic valve is opened by the control unit, and water is automatically discharged from the water outlet 1018 of the water outlet member 1020. Thereafter, when the user pulls in the hand and moves out of the detection area of the automatic sensor 1024, the automatic sensor 1024 is not detected by the human body, the electromagnetic valve is closed by the control unit, and the water outlet 1018 of the water outlet member 1020 Water discharge stops. By providing such an automatic sensor 1024, water can be discharged only while the detection object is detected by the automatic sensor 1024, so that water can be saved.

A switch 1026 for switching on / off the automatic sensor 1024 is provided on the front side (user side) of the water discharge pipe 1014. Only when the automatic sensor 1024 is on, automatic water discharge and water stop as described above are performed.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view around the tip of the water discharge pipe 1014. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the water discharge port member is pulled out from the water discharge pipe 1014, and a state in which the water supply hose 1028 extends from the water discharge pipe 1014 is illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 9, the automatic sensor 1024 is held inside the distal end portion 1014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a by a holding member 1030. The holding member 1030 is made of resin and is integrally formed with the guide portion 1032 of the water supply hose 1028 provided inside the overhang portion 1014b. The guide portion 1032 also has a role of holding the water outlet member 1020.

The holding member 1030 includes a flat surface portion 1030a provided so as to close the opening of the distal end portion 1014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a. An opening 1030b for exposing the sensor window 1024a of the automatic sensor 1024 to the outside of the water discharge pipe 1014 is formed in the flat portion 1030a. In a state where the automatic sensor 1024 is held by the holding member 1030, the sensor window 1024 a of the automatic sensor 1024 may be flush with the flat portion 1030 a of the holding member 1030. The light emitting surface of the light emitting unit and the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit are located in the sensor window 1024a of the automatic sensor 1024.

In the second embodiment, the flat surface portion 1030a is disposed deeper in the tube axis direction than the tip end 1014e of the water discharge tube main body portion 1014a, that is, on the inner side in the tube axis direction than the tip end 1014e of the water discharge tube main body portion 1014a. Yes.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the holding member 1030 includes a rising portion 1030c formed so as to rise outward from the periphery of the flat portion 1030a in the tube axis direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the tip 1030d of the rising portion 1030c protrudes outward in the tube axis direction from the tip 1014e of the water discharge pipe main body 1014a. The rising portion 1030c is formed to rise along the inner wall 1014f of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the rising portion 1030c is an arc having a central angle of about 1270 degrees, like the tip portion 1014c of the water discharge tube main body portion 1014a. The rising portion 1030c is formed so as to be connected by a curved surface 1030e continuous with the flat surface portion 1030a.

The effect of the automatic faucet 1010 configured as described above will be described. When the automatic faucet 1010 is used, water may splash on the outer surface of the water discharge pipe 1014. The water applied to the outer surface of the water discharge pipe 1014 travels along the outer surface of the water discharge pipe 1014 by gravity and reaches the tip 1014e of the water discharge pipe main body 1014a. If this water wraps inside the water discharge pipe 1014 and adheres to the sensor window 1024a of the automatic sensor 1024, the sensor window may become dirty, and as a result, erroneous detection may easily occur.

In the automatic faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, the rising portion 1030c formed at the peripheral edge of the flat surface portion 1030a makes it difficult for water to enter the flat surface portion 1030a from the tip 1014e of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a. Adhesion of water droplets to the sensor window 1024a of 1024 is suppressed. As a result, contamination of the sensor window is prevented, so that erroneous detection can be suppressed.

Further, in the automatic faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, the tip 1030d of the rising portion 1030c protrudes outward in the tube axis direction from the tip 1014e of the water discharge pipe main body 1014a. Thereby, since it becomes difficult for water to flow around from the front-end | tip 1014e of the water discharge pipe main-body part 1014a by the plane part 1030a, adhesion of the water droplet to the sensor window 1024a of the automatic sensor 1024 is suppressed more.

Further, in the automatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, the flat surface portion 1030a is disposed at a position deeper in the tube axis direction than the tip 1014e of the water discharge tube main body portion 1014a. With such an arrangement, it becomes more difficult for water to further enter the flat surface portion 1030a from the tip 1014e of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a, and thus adhesion of water droplets to the sensor window 1024a of the automatic sensor 1024 is further suppressed.

Here, when the rising portion 1030c is not formed as in the second embodiment, and the flat surface portion 1030a is simply disposed at a position deeper in the tube axis direction than the tip 1014e of the water discharge tube main body portion 1014a, the water discharge tube main body The inner wall 1014f of the portion 1014a is exposed. When the inner wall 1014f is exposed in this manner, the appearance may be deteriorated. Moreover, if the inner wall 1014f is surface-treated, deterioration in appearance may be suppressed, but in this case, production cost may increase. Further, dirt is likely to enter the corners between the flat portion 1030a and the inner wall 1014f of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a, which may deteriorate the cleaning performance.

In the automatic faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, the rising portion 1030c is formed so as to rise along the inner wall 1014f of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a. Covered by. Therefore, since the inner wall 1014f of the water discharge pipe main body 1014a is not exposed, the appearance of the external appearance can be improved without performing a special surface treatment on the inner wall 1014f. Since it is not necessary to perform a special surface treatment on the inner wall 1014f, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed. Moreover, since the corner | angular part of the plane part 1030a and the inner wall 1014f of the water discharge pipe main-body part 1014a is covered by the rising part 1030c, dirt does not enter and it becomes a thing with good cleaning property.

Further, in the automatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, the rising portion 1030c is connected by a curved surface 1030e continuous with the flat surface portion 1030a, so that water is temporarily supplied from the tip 1014e of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a to the flat surface portion 1030a. Even in the case of wrapping around, drainage from the flat surface portion 1030a is good. In addition, since the stain is hardly attached to the joint between the flat portion 1030a and the rising portion 1030c, the cleaning property can be improved.

In the second embodiment described above, the flat surface portion 1030a is disposed at a position deeper in the tube axis direction than the tip 1014e of the water discharge tube main body portion 1014a. However, the position of the flat portion 1030a is not limited to this, and may be flush with the tip 1014e of the water discharge pipe main body portion 1014a or may protrude from the tip 1014e, for example.

The shape of the water discharge section is not limited to the gooseneck-shaped water discharge pipe as described above, and may be formed in a known shape such as a straight water discharge pipe or a box-shaped water discharge section. Further, the water discharger may be configured by combining a plurality of members instead of a single member.

The automatic faucet according to the above-described second embodiment may be used for facilities installed in buildings, ships, etc., and may be used for a wash basin, a hand basin, a bathroom, etc. in addition to a kitchen. In the second embodiment described above, the automatic faucet is illustrated as having the hand-holding sensor, but the hand-holding sensor is not an essential component.

[Third Embodiment]
Conventionally, a faucet provided with a spout member that can be pulled out from a spout pipe together with a water supply hose is known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). According to such a faucet, water can be supplied to every corner of the sink, so that the sink can be easily cleaned.

In the faucet capable of pulling out the spout member from the spout pipe as described above, it is desirable that the spout member can be easily stored in the spout pipe.

In the third embodiment, in a faucet provided with a spout member that can be pulled out together with a water supply hose from a spout unit, a technique that can improve the storage performance of the spout member in the spout unit is provided.

An outline of the third embodiment will be described.
A faucet according to an aspect of the present invention includes a water discharge portion, a water supply hose inserted into the water discharge portion, and a water discharge port member connected to the water supply hose and provided so as to be able to be pulled out together with the water supply hose. When storing the spout member in the spout unit, a part of the side surface of the spout member and a part of the side surface of the spout unit can abut, and the abutment part of the spout member and the abutment part of the spout unit Any one of them is formed in a convex shape, and the other is formed in a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape.

According to this aspect, when the drawn water outlet member is stored in the water discharge part, the water discharge part moves along the corresponding uneven shape with the contact part of the water discharge member and the contact part of the water discharge part. The member is guided to a predetermined posture suitable for storage. Thereby, the operation | work which accommodates a water outlet member in a water discharging part becomes easy.

The convex shape or concave shape formed in the contact portion of the water discharge port member extends along the longitudinal direction of the water supply hose, and the convex shape or concave shape formed in the contact portion of the water discharge portion is water discharge. It may extend along the axial direction of the part. In this case, since the inductivity of the water outlet member is improved, the work of housing the water outlet member in the water discharge portion is further facilitated.

In the state where the water outlet member is housed in the water discharge portion, the water outlet member may be located on the back side of the water discharge portion with respect to the user. In this case, since the spout member is hidden behind the spout, the spout member becomes difficult to see and the appearance of the faucet can be improved.

According to each of the above-described configurations, in the faucet provided with a water outlet member that can be pulled out together with the water supply hose from the water discharge portion, it is possible to improve the storability of the water outlet member in the water discharge portion.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a part of a kitchen 2100 provided with an automatic faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The kitchen 2100 is provided with a sink 2102 that is recessed in a concave shape. The counter 2104 on the back side of the sink 2102 has an automatic faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment, a water faucet 2106 for supplying purified water, and various items such as dishwashing detergent and sponge. A storage portion 2108 is provided. In the present specification, when terms indicating directions such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, etc. are used, It means the direction in the posture when the automatic faucet 2010 is attached to a kitchen or the like.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an automatic faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the automatic faucet 2010 includes a faucet body portion 2012 erected on a counter, and a water discharge pipe 2014 as a water discharge portion extending from the upper end surface of the faucet body portion 2012. . A water discharge port member 2020 having a water discharge port 2018 is provided on the front end side in the tube axis direction of the water discharge tube 2014.

The faucet main body 2012 has a mixing valve (not shown) provided therein and a lever handle 2016 for operating the mixing valve. Here, the mixing valve mixes water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to obtain hot water having an appropriate temperature. The lever handle 2016 adjusts the mixing ratio of water and hot water by a left-right rotation operation, that is, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, and adjusts the discharged water flow rate of the hot water by a vertical rotation operation.

The water discharge pipe 2014 is a water discharge pipe main body portion 2014a formed in an inverted U-shaped so-called gooseneck shape, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the middle portion to the tip portion of the water discharge pipe main body portion 2014a (the side opposite to the user). 2014b. The water discharge pipe main body 2014a and the overhanging portion 2014b are integrally formed of a casting made of a metal material. The water discharge pipe main body 2014a has a downward shape from the uppermost portion toward the tip 2014e, and the opening of the tip 2014e faces downward.

Inside the water discharge pipe 2014, a flexible water supply hose (not shown) is inserted. One end of the water supply hose is connected to the water outlet member 2020. The water outlet member 2020 can be pulled out from the water discharge pipe 2014 together with the water supply hose. In a state where the water discharge member 2020 is housed in the water discharge pipe 2014, the water discharge port 2018 of the water discharge port member 2020 faces downward.

A solenoid valve (not shown) is connected to the other end of the water supply hose. This electromagnetic valve is provided below the counter, and controls water discharge and water stoppage from the water discharge port 2018. The solenoid valve is controlled by a control unit (not shown) configured by a circuit board on which a microcomputer is mounted. This control part should just be implement | achieved combining the elements and circuits, such as computer CPU and memory.

The water discharge pipe 2014 is provided with a hand-holding sensor 2022 as a first human body detection sensor on the front side (user side) surface thereof. The hand-holding sensor 2022 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, for example. The hand-holding sensor 2022 receives the reflected light from the detection target of the light projected from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit, so whether or not there is a detection target such as a human hand in a predetermined detection area. Is detected. The hand-holding sensor 2022 is provided such that the sensor window 2022a faces obliquely upward.

The hand-holding sensor 2022 detects this when the user holds his hand in front of the sensor window. When a human body is detected by the hand-holding sensor 2022, the electromagnetic valve is opened by the control unit, and water is discharged from the water outlet 2018 of the water outlet member 2020. Once a human body is detected by the hand-holding sensor 2022, water discharge is continued even if the human body is not detected thereafter. Thereafter, when the hand-holding sensor 2022 detects a human body again by a hand-holding operation by the user, the electromagnetic valve is closed by the control unit, and water discharge from the water discharge port 2018 of the water discharge port member 2020 is stopped. By providing such a hand-holding sensor 2022, water discharge and water stopping can be controlled without operating the lever handle 2016, so that the lever handle 2016 is not soiled even when the hand is dirty, for example.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip of the water discharge tube 2014 viewed from below, showing a state in which the water discharge port member 2020 is housed in the water discharge tube 2014. Moreover, FIG. 13 is the figure which looked at the automatic faucet 2010 from the back which shows the state which pulled out the water outlet member 2020 with the water supply hose 2028 from the water discharge pipe 2014. FIG.

At the tip of the water discharge pipe 2014, a water discharge port member 2020 is provided on the back side with respect to the user, and an automatic sensor 2024 as a second human body detection sensor is provided on the front side with respect to the user. The automatic sensor 2024 is provided in the distal end portion 2014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 2014a. The water discharge port member 2020 is provided at the tip end portion 2014d of the overhang portion 2014b so as to be able to be pulled out together with the water supply hose 2028. The tip portion 2014d of the overhang portion 2014b does not extend to the tip portion 2014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 2014a, and has a shape in which a part of the tip portion of the water discharge pipe 2014 is cut out. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction around the tip end portion 2014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 2014a is an arc having a central angle of about 2270 degrees.

The automatic sensor 2024 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, for example. The automatic sensor 2024 detects the presence or absence of a detection target such as a human hand in a predetermined detection area by receiving light reflected from the detection target of the light projected from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit. The automatic sensor 2024 is provided so that the sensor window 2024a faces downward.

The automatic sensor 2024 detects this when the user puts his / her hand below the spout 2018. When a human body is detected by the automatic sensor 2024, the electromagnetic valve is opened by the control unit, and water is automatically discharged from the water outlet 2018 of the water outlet member 2020. Thereafter, when the user withdraws the hand and moves out of the detection area of the automatic sensor 2024, the automatic sensor 2024 is not detected by the human body, the electromagnetic valve is closed by the control unit, and the water discharge port 2018 of the water discharge port member 2020 is closed. Water discharge stops. By providing such an automatic sensor 2024, water can be discharged only while a detection target is detected by the automatic sensor 2024, so that water can be saved.

A switch 2026 for switching on / off the automatic sensor 2024 is provided on the front side (user side) of the water discharge pipe 2014. Only when the automatic sensor 2024 is on, the automatic water discharge and water stop as described above are performed.

The water discharge member 2020 includes a water guide member (not shown) for guiding water from the water supply hose 2028 to the water discharge port 2018, a resin cover member 2040 that covers the distal end portion of the water supply hose 2028 and the water supply member from the outside, And a switching operation member 2042 for switching the water discharged from the water discharge port 2018 from straight water discharge to shower water discharge or vice versa.

A guide member 2044 is provided inside the water discharge pipe main body 2014a and the overhanging portion 2014b. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the guide member 2044. The guide member 2044 is an integrally formed member made of resin, and includes a hose guide portion 2044a for guiding the water supply hose 2028, a sensor holding portion 2044b for holding the automatic sensor 2024, an automatic sensor 2024, and a control portion. A wiring guide portion 2044c for guiding the wiring to be connected and a water outlet member guide portion 2044d for guiding the water outlet member 2020 are provided. As shown in FIG. 13, in a state where the guide member 2044 is mounted in the water discharge pipe main body 2014a and the overhanging portion 2014b, the hose guide portion 2044a protrudes from the distal end portion 2014d of the overhanging portion 2014b. Further, the spout member guide portion 2044d covers the opening of the cutout portion of the spout main body 2014a, and constitutes a part of the spout 2014 in combination with the spout main body 2014a and the overhanging portion 2014b. ing.

The cover member 2040 has a recess 2040a formed on the upper surface thereof so as to be fitted with the hose guide portion 2044a. When the water discharge port member 2020 is accommodated in the water discharge tube 2014, the water discharge port member 2020 is held by the water discharge tube 2014 by fitting the concave portion 2040a with the hose guide portion 2044a.

In a state where the water discharge port member 2020 is housed in the water discharge tube 2014, the guided portion 2040b which is a part of the side surface of the water discharge port member 2020 faces the water discharge port member guide portion 2044d which is a part of the side surface of the water discharge tube 2014. is doing. Here, the side surface of the water discharge port member 2020 is an outer peripheral surface extending along the substantially longitudinal direction of the water supply hose 2028 (that is, the direction in which the water discharge port member 2020 is pulled out). Moreover, the side surface of the water discharge pipe 2014 is an outer peripheral surface extending along the pipe axis direction. When the spout member 2020 is accommodated in the spout tube 2014, the spout member 2020 is located behind the tip end portion 2014c of the spout tube main body portion 2014a with respect to the user. That is, in a state where the water discharge port member 2020 is housed in the water discharge tube 2014, the guided portion 2040b of the cover member 2040 of the water discharge port member 2020 is located on the user side.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip of the water discharge tube 2014 viewed from below, showing a state in which the water discharge port member 2020 is pulled out from the water discharge tube 2014. As shown in FIG. 15, the guided portion 2040b of the water discharge port member 2020 is formed in a convex shape. The convex shape of the guided portion 2040b extends along the longitudinal direction of the water supply hose 2028. On the other hand, the spout member guide portion 2044d of the spout tube 2014 is formed in a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the guided portion 2040b of the spout member 2020. The concave shape of the water discharge port member guide portion 2044d extends along the tube axis direction of the water discharge tube main body portion 2014a.

As shown in FIG. 15, the hose guide portion 2044a of the water discharge pipe 2014 has a projection 2044e. On the other hand, a groove (not shown) that engages with the protrusion 2044e is formed in the recess 2040a of the water outlet member 2020. The spout member 2020 is not held by the spout tube 2014 unless the protrusion 2044e and the groove are engaged in a predetermined posture (that is, the guided portion 2040b of the spout member 2020 faces the user). It has become.

In the automatic faucet 2010 formed as described above, when the drawn water outlet member 2020 is stored in the water discharge pipe 2014, the guided portion 2040b of the water outlet member 2020 and the water outlet member guide part of the water discharge pipe 2014 are stored. The water outlet member 2020 is guided to a predetermined posture suitable for storage by contacting with 2044d and moving along the corresponding uneven shape. Thereby, since the operation | work which fits the hose guide part 2044a of the water discharge pipe 2014 in the recessed part 2040a of the water discharge outlet member 2020 becomes easy, the stowability of the water discharge outlet member 2020 to the water discharge pipe 2014 can be improved. Further, since the guided portion 2040b of the water discharge port member 2020 and the water discharge port member guide portion 2044d of the water discharge tube 2014 are curved in the tube axis direction along the water discharge tube shape, the water discharge port member is arranged along the water discharge tube shape. By being moved, it is naturally guided to a predetermined posture suitable for storage.

Particularly in the third embodiment, in a state where the water discharge port member 2020 is housed in the water discharge tube 2014, the water discharge port member 2020 is located on the back side of the tip end portion 2014c of the water discharge tube main body portion 2014a with respect to the user. . If the guided portion 2040b of the water discharge port member 2020 and the water discharge port member guide portion 2044d of the water discharge tube 2014 are not in the corresponding uneven shape, the posture of the water discharge port member 2020 is hidden by hiding behind the water discharge tube main body portion 2014a. Since it becomes difficult to visually check, it may be difficult to store the water outlet member 2020 in the water discharge pipe 2014. In that respect, in the automatic faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment, the spout member 2020 is guided to a predetermined posture suitable for storage by the unevenness of the guided portion 2040b and the spout member guide portion 2044d. Even when it is difficult to visually check the accurate posture of the member 2020, the water outlet member 2020 can be easily accommodated in the water discharge pipe 2014.

In the third embodiment, the guided portion 2040b of the water outlet member 2020 extends along the longitudinal direction of the water supply hose 2028, and the water outlet member guide portion 2044d of the water discharge pipe 2014 is It extends along the tube axis direction of the water tube main body 2014a. In this case, since the guided portion 2040b can be slid along the spout member guide portion 2044d, the inductivity of the spout member 2020 can be improved, and the storage performance of the spout member 2020 in the spout tube 2014 can be further improved. it can.

In the third embodiment, in a state where the water discharge port member 2020 is housed in the water discharge tube 2014, the guided portion 2040b of the water discharge port member 2020 corresponds to the water discharge port member guide portion 2044d of the water discharge tube 2014. Since the shapes are in line with each other, it is possible to prevent rattling in the housed state, and the gap between the water outlet member 2020 and the water discharge pipe 2014 is less noticeable when viewed from the left and right.

Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to dispose the water discharge pipe main body 2014a on the front side with respect to the user without sacrificing the storage property and to dispose the water discharge port member 2020 on the back side. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the automatic faucet can be improved. For example, as in the automatic faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment, the automatic sensor 2024 can be disposed on the front side of the water outlet member 2020 with respect to the user. Arranging the automatic sensor 2024 on the user side has an advantage that the detection sensitivity of the detection target can be increased. Furthermore, when the water discharge pipe main body 2014a is arranged on the front side with respect to the user as in the third embodiment and the water discharge port member 2020 is arranged on the back side, when the automatic faucet 2010 is viewed from the front, the water discharge port Since the member 2020 is hidden behind the water discharge pipe main body 2014a, the water discharge port member 2020 becomes difficult to see, and there is an advantage that the appearance of the automatic faucet 2010 can be improved.

In the third embodiment described above, the guided portion 2040b that is the contact portion of the water discharge port member 2020 has a convex shape, and the water discharge port member guide portion 2044d that is the contact portion of the water discharge tube 2014 has a concave shape. May be reversed. That is, the spout member guide portion 2044d that is a contact portion of the water discharge pipe 2014 may have a convex shape, and the guided portion 2040b that is a contact portion of the spout member 2020 may have a concave shape. Also in this case, the storage property of the water outlet member 2020 to the water discharge pipe 2014 can be improved.

In the third embodiment described above, the automatic faucet is exemplified as the faucet. However, the faucet type is not limited to the automatic faucet, and water of the type that can draw out the spout member 2020 together with the water supply hose 2028 from the spout pipe 2014. What is necessary is just a stopper.

In the above-described third embodiment, the automatic sensor 2024 is provided in the tip end portion 2014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 2014a, but other members may be provided. For example, the member which discharges foamy soap may be provided in the front-end | tip part 2014c of the water discharge pipe main-body part 2014a.

The shape of the water discharge section is not limited to the gooseneck-shaped water discharge pipe as described above, and may be formed in a known shape such as a straight water discharge pipe or a box-shaped water discharge section.

The faucet according to the above-described third embodiment may be used for facilities installed in buildings, ships, and the like, and may be used for a wash basin, a hand basin, a bathroom, etc. in addition to a kitchen.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Conventionally, a faucet provided with a water outlet member that can be pulled out from a water discharge portion together with a water supply hose is known (see, for example, Patent Document 3). According to such a faucet, water can be supplied to every corner of the sink, so that the sink can be easily cleaned.

When trying to pull out the spout member from the faucet, water and bubbles are often attached to the user's hand. Therefore, it may be difficult to pull out the water outlet member without grasping it well.

In the fourth embodiment, a technique is provided for facilitating grasping of the water discharge port member in the faucet that can draw out the water discharge port member from the tip of the water discharge unit.

An outline of the fourth embodiment will be described.
An aspect of the present invention is a faucet including a water discharge portion and a water discharge port member having a water discharge port that is retractably accommodated at a distal end of the water discharge portion, and the water discharge port member holds the water discharge port member. In this case, a finger hooking part for hooking the gripping means in the pulling direction is provided. The gripping means may be a user's finger, for example.

According to this aspect, the gripping means is naturally guided to the finger hook portion when trying to pull out the spout member. Further, even when water or bubbles adhere to the hand and it is slippery, it becomes easy to grasp the water outlet member, and the drawing operation becomes easy.

The finger hook portion may have a shape in which a tip end side of the water discharge port member is a large diameter portion, a pulling direction side is a small diameter portion, and a taper shape or a concave shape is formed between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion. According to this, the gripping means fits into the tapered or concave portion, and the gripping means can be naturally hung on the finger hook portion.

The water outlet member may be located on the heel side of the water discharge portion as viewed from the user in the stored state. According to this, when the stored spout member is on the heel side of the spout unit when viewed from the user, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the spout member, but the spout is provided by the finger hook portion. Even if it is difficult to visually recognize the member, there is no problem in the pulling-out operation.

The water discharge part has a bulge that bulges from the water discharge pipe toward the tip from the middle part of the water discharge pipe, and the curve that defines the boundary between the water discharge part and the bulge and the step of the finger hook part. The defining curve may be smoothly continuous. According to this, the gripping means can be naturally guided to the finger hooking part by touching the boundary between the water discharge part and the overhanging part with the gripping means.

According to each configuration described above, the faucet member can be easily grasped in the faucet that can draw out the spout member from the tip of the water discharge portion.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a kitchen provided with a faucet 3010 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A sink 3102 is provided in the kitchen 3100, and a counter 3104 having a step with respect to the top surface is provided on the rear side of the sink 3102. A faucet 3010 is installed on the left side of the counter 3104, and a purified water faucet 3106 is installed on the right side of the counter 3104. The faucet 3010 is connected to a water pipe and supplies normal tap water, whereas the purified water faucet 3106 is connected to a water purifier installed below the sink 3102 and supplies purified water.

Hereinafter, in this specification, the directions such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, “front”, “奧”, etc. are indicated. When the terminology is used, they mean the direction in posture when the faucet 3010 is attached to a kitchen or the like.

FIG. 17 is an overall perspective view of the faucet 3010 of FIG. The faucet 3010 mainly includes a base end portion 3024, a handle lever 3022, and a water discharge pipe 3012 serving as a water discharge portion extending from the upper end surface of the base end portion 3024. FIG. 18 is a side view of the water discharge pipe 3012 in a state where it is detached from the base end portion 3024.

The water discharge pipe 3012 is formed in a so-called gooseneck shape in which an intermediate portion 3012a is curved and formed in an inverted U shape, and a tip 3012b extends obliquely downward. The water discharge pipe 3012 is formed of a casting made of a metal material. Although details will be described later, a water outlet 3030 having a water outlet 3038 and an automatic water outlet sensor 3040 for controlling water discharge from the water outlet 3038 are provided at the tip 3012b of the water outlet 3012. As shown in FIG. 18, a connecting member 3026 for connecting to the base end 3024 is provided on the base end side of the water discharge pipe 3012.

As shown in FIG. 16, the base end 3024 is disposed on the upper surface of the counter 3104 of the kitchen. A handle lever 3022 is provided at the upper end of the base end portion 3024.

Inside the base end portion 3024, a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe (not shown) connected to a cold water and hot water supply source respectively extend. An electromagnetic valve (not shown) is provided between the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe and a water supply hose stored in the water discharge pipe 3012 and supplying water to the water discharge port 3038. This electromagnetic valve can control the flow of water from the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe to the water supply hose by opening and closing the valve under the control of a control unit (not shown).

Inside the base end 3024, a mixing valve (not shown) is provided that mixes water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to obtain hot water having an appropriate temperature. The handle lever 3022 is a lever for operating this mixing valve, and adjusts the mixing ratio of water and hot water by a left-right rotation operation, that is, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, and controls the discharge rate of hot water by a vertical rotation operation. Adjust.

An automatic water discharge sensor 3040 is provided at the tip 3012 b of the water discharge pipe 3012. The automatic water discharge sensor 3040 is, for example, an infrared distance measuring sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The automatic water discharge sensor 3040 projects light from the light emitting unit to the lower side of the water discharge port 3038 of the water discharge port member 3030, and receives light reflected from the detected object such as a user's hand or tableware by the light emitted. To detect whether there is an object to be detected within a predetermined detection area. The automatic water discharge sensor 3040 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detected object to the control unit.

A hand hold sensor 3014 is provided on the front side of the water discharge pipe 3012, that is, the side facing the user standing in the kitchen. The hand-holding sensor 3014 is an infrared light quantity sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part. The hand-holding sensor 3014 projects light obliquely above the sensor 3014, and the reflected light from the object to be detected such as the user's hand due to the projected light is received by the light-receiving unit, and is detected within a predetermined detection area. Detect whether there is an object to be detected. The hand-holding sensor 3014 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detected object to the control unit.

The control unit is composed of a circuit board equipped with a microcomputer. The control unit opens and closes the electromagnetic valve based on an output signal from the automatic water discharge sensor 3040 or the hand-holding sensor 3014, and switches whether water is supplied from the water outlet 3038 of the water outlet member 3030. Note that the control unit may be realized by combining elements and circuits including a CPU and a memory of a computer.

The automatic water discharge sensor 3040 is controlled so as to supply water from the water discharge port 3038 only while an object to be detected is detected in the detection area, whereas the hand-holding sensor 3014 is once in the detection area. When the object to be detected is detected, water supply from the water outlet 3038 is continued even if the object to be detected is not detected thereafter. When an object to be detected is detected again in the detection area, water supply from the water outlet 3038 is stopped.

A push button type on / off switch 3016 is provided on the near side as seen from the user of the water discharge pipe 3012 and below the hand-holding sensor 3014 (on the tip 3012b side of the water discharge pipe 3012). When the on / off switch 3016 is turned off, the automatic water discharge sensor 3040 does not operate, and water is not supplied from the water discharge port 3038 even if an object exists below the sensor 3040.

As can be seen from FIG. 18, in the fourth embodiment, the water discharge pipe 3012 is formed to have a constant curvature. Further, a hollow projecting portion 3018 bulging downward from the water discharge pipe 3012 is formed from a portion near the top of the intermediate portion 3012 a of the water discharge pipe 3012 to the tip 3012 b of the water discharge pipe. The lower surface of the overhang portion 3018 has a smaller curvature than the water discharge tube 3012 itself, but is formed so as to be connected by a continuous smooth curve from the base end portion 3024 side of the water discharge tube 3012. The tip 3018a of the overhang portion 3018 is located on the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe (upstream side of the water discharge pipe 3012, diagonally right above in FIG. 18) with respect to the tip 3012b of the water discharge pipe 3012. As a method for manufacturing such a water discharge pipe, there are bulge processing, zinc die casting, resin molding and the like.

A water outlet member 3030 configured to be freely drawable is attached to the back side of the water discharge pipe 3012 as viewed from the user rather than the sensor 3040 for automatic water discharge. As can be seen from FIG. 18, the spout member 3030 is attached to the heel side as viewed from the user rather than the distal end of the overhang portion 3018 and the distal end 3012 b of the spout pipe 3012. With the water spout member 3030 attached, the curved inner peripheral side of the water spout member 3030 is a continuously smooth curve with the base end portion 3024 of the spout pipe 3012 and the inner peripheral surface of the overhang portion 3018. It is formed to be connected.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the tip 3012b of the water discharge pipe 3012, and FIG. 20 is a view showing a state in which the water discharge port member 3030 is pulled out.

The water outlet member 3030 has a cover part 3032, a switching operation part 3034, and a water outlet 3038.

As shown in FIG. 20, a flexible metal water supply hose 3050 is connected to the spout member 3030. The other end of the water supply hose 3050 is connected to the above-described electromagnetic valve. The water supply hose 3050 is housed inside the water discharge pipe 3012 and the overhang part 3018 so as to be movable by a predetermined length in the pipe axis direction. Therefore, when the water discharge port member 3030 is pulled out from the water discharge pipe 3012, the water supply hose 3050 is also pulled out accordingly. The direction in which the water discharge port member 3030 is pulled out is substantially the same as the axial direction of the water discharge pipe 3012. When the spout member 3030 is attached to the water discharge pipe 3012, the water supply hose 3050 moves through the overhang part 3018 and the water discharge pipe 3012 toward the base end part 3024. Water flowing through the water supply hose 3050 is discharged through the water outlet 3038.

The cover unit 3032 connects the water supply hose 3050 and the switching operation unit 3034 and constitutes a portion that the user grips when removing the water discharge port member 3030 from the water discharge tube 3012. Further, the cover portion 3032 also has a function as an attachment that allows the water outlet member 3030 to be easily attached to and detached from the water discharge pipe 3012.

An end face 3042 that is recessed toward the inside of the pipe is formed at the tip 3012b of the water discharge pipe 3012, and an automatic water discharge sensor 3040 is disposed so as to be flush with the end face 3042. Since the pipe wall 3012c of the water discharge pipe 3012 forms the periphery of the automatic water discharge sensor 3040, contamination of the sensor light-emitting surface and the light-receiving surface due to contact of the user's hand with the sensor 3040, or tableware hits. Can prevent damage.

At the tip 3012b of the water discharge pipe 3012, a part of the pipe wall 3012c is cut out, and a recessed guide part 3044 that functions as a guide when the water discharge port member 3030 is stored is provided in the cut out part. . A convex portion 3039 that faces the guide portion 3044 when the water outlet member 3030 is housed is formed on the upper surface (the front surface when viewed from the user) of the cover portion 3032 of the water outlet member 3030.

A cylindrical hose guide portion 3052 having a hole through which the water supply hose 3050 is inserted is provided at the tip 3018a of the overhang portion 3018. Although not shown, a recessed portion for receiving the hose guide portion 3052 is formed at the rear end facing the protruding portion 3018 of the water discharge port member 3030.

When the water outlet member 3030 is stored, the water supply hose 3050 is pushed into the hole of the hose guide portion 3052, whereby the rear end of the water outlet member 3030 is guided to the hose guide portion 3052. When the spout member 3030 is pushed in as it is, the convex portion 3039 formed on the upper surface of the spout member 3030 is guided by the guide portion 3044 of the spout tube 3012 and the spout member 3030 and the hose guide portion 3052 are fitted. Thereby, the water discharge port member 3030 is held with respect to the water discharge pipe 3012. When pulling out the water outlet member 3030, when the water outlet member 3030 is pulled obliquely downward, the convex portion 3039 is guided and pulled out by the guide portion.

As described above, the overhang part 3018 and the lower surface of the water discharge pipe 3012 are smoothly continuous so that there are no corners or large curvature changes in the pipe. For this reason, when the water outlet member 3030 is pulled out or stored, the water supply hose 3050 connected to the water outlet member 3030 is not caught in the water discharge pipe 3012 and the overhang portion 3018. Easy to operate. Further, since there are no bent portions, the outer surfaces of the water discharge pipe 3012 and the overhang portion 3018 can be easily cleaned.

The tip 3018a of the overhang portion 3018 with which the rear end of the spout member 3030 in the stored state is in contact is located closer to the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe (upstream side of the water discharge pipe 3012) than the tip 3012b of the water discharge pipe 3012. Yes. For this reason, in the state where the water outlet member 3030 is housed, the water outlet 3038 of the water outlet member 3030 is positioned relatively near the automatic water outlet sensor 3040. In this way, the water outlet member 3030 is drawn out from the back side of the axial direction of the water discharge pipe in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe, that is, from the back of the sensor 3040, relative to the automatic water discharge sensor 3040. Thus, the distance between the light emitting part of the sensor and the water outlet can be reduced. Therefore, when the hand is put out under the spout, the sensor is likely to react and the usability is improved. Moreover, the space below the water outlet can be secured widely by reducing the amount of downward protrusion of the water outlet member.

The switching operation unit 3034 of the water outlet member 3030 is a member for switching the water flowing from the water supply hose 3050 to shower water discharge or straight water discharge. The switching operation unit 3034 has a shape that is smoothly continuous with the lower surface side of the outer periphery of the cover unit 3032, and has a cylindrical shape as a whole. The switching operation unit 3034 is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) around the central axis with respect to the cover unit 3032. On the cylindrical surface of the switching operation unit 3034, a knob unit 3036 for a user to put his / her finger is formed. When the position of the knob portion 3036 is rotated by a predetermined angle, shower water discharge and straight water discharge can be switched.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the tip of the water discharge pipe as viewed from a direction different from that in FIG. FIG. 22 is a view of the water spout member viewed from the back side (rear side) when viewed from the user.

The cover portion 3032 of the water outlet member 3030 is provided with a finger hook portion 3032a that makes it easy for the user to grasp the water outlet member 3030. The finger hook portion 3032a may be, for example, a smooth step widened in the left-right direction (sink width direction) in FIG. More specifically, the finger hook portion 3032a has a tapered portion or a concave portion between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion, with the distal end side of the spout member 3030 being a large-diameter portion and the pull-out side ridge side being a small-diameter portion. It has a shape. The finger hook portion 3032a is formed on the lower side of the cover portion 3032 of the water outlet member 3030 so that when the user tries to pull out the water outlet member 3030, the finger is naturally caught in the drawing direction. Moreover, it is preferable to form a downward semicircular smooth curved surface so that the fingertip fits. By providing such a finger hook portion 3032a, even when water or bubbles adhere to the user's hand and it is slippery, it becomes easy to grip the water discharge port member, and the water discharge port member 3030 can be easily pulled out. Become.

As described above, the spout member 3030 is located on the heel side of the spout pipe 3012 when viewed from the user in the housed state. In such a configuration, it becomes difficult for the user standing in front of the faucet to visually recognize the water discharge port member. However, by providing the finger hook portion 3032a in the left-right direction (sink width direction) of the water outlet member 3030, it is difficult to visually recognize the water outlet member 3030 because the finger hook portion 3032a is caught if the finger is moved along the pull-out direction. In both cases, there is no problem in the drawer operation. It is also easy to grasp from the rear of the water discharge pipe.

As shown in FIG. 21, a curved line 3060 defining a boundary between the water discharge pipe 3012 and the overhang part 3018 is formed on the side surface of the water discharge pipe 3012 by forming the overhang part 3018 in a shape swelled in the front-rear direction from the water discharge pipe 3012. Exists on the side. In addition, when the finger hook portion 3032 a is formed as a step, there is a curve 3062 that defines the step from the side surface of the cover portion 3032. When the faucet 3010 is observed from the side, the curve 3060 and the curve 3062 may be configured to be smoothly continuous. In this way, when the user tries to pull out the spout 3030, the user first aligns his / her finger with the boundary between the spout 3012 and the overhang 3018, and then moves the finger downward, so that The fingertip can be guided to the finger hook portion 3032a. For this reason, for example, it becomes easy to pull out the spout member 3030 even in a dark room, or to operate the switching operation unit 3034 below the finger hook unit 3032a.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, by providing the finger hook portion in the direction of pulling out the water outlet member, when the user tries to pull out the water outlet member, the finger naturally becomes the finger hook portion. Can lead. In addition, even when water or bubbles are attached to the hand and it is slippery, it becomes easy to grasp the water discharge port member and the drawing operation becomes easy.

Further, the water discharge pipe has an overhanging portion that swells in the front-rear direction as viewed from the user from the intermediate portion toward the tip, and the water discharge port member is configured to be drawable from the overhanging portion. If it carries out like this, it can be set as the structure which accommodates a water discharge port member in the front-end | tip of a water discharge pipe, without enlarging the diameter of a water discharge pipe over the full length. Moreover, since the unevenness | corrugation of a water discharge pipe can be suppressed to the minimum, while being excellent in design property, cleanability improves. Furthermore, by providing the overhanging part on the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe, the overhanging part is not conspicuous when the faucet is observed from the front side when viewed from the user, and the overall impression is compact and neat. Can be given to the user.

In the fourth embodiment, the water outlet member is provided on the heel side (counter side) as viewed from the user rather than the automatic water discharge sensor, but the overhanging portion is formed on the front side (sink side) of the water discharge pipe. The water outlet member may be provided in front of the automatic water discharge sensor.

Instead of a bulging shape in the front-rear direction as seen from the user, only the distal end side of the water discharge tube, as in the overhang portion described in the fourth embodiment, a shape that bulges in the front-rear direction over the entire length of the water discharge tube Good. Moreover, you may make it pull out a water discharge port member from the front-end | tip of a water discharge pipe, without expanding a water discharge pipe.

The shape of the finger hook portion may be other shapes such as a stepped shape or a non-slip groove or protrusion formed.

The faucet according to the fourth embodiment can be used for facilities installed in buildings, ships, and the like, and may be used for a wash basin, a hand-washer, a bathroom, etc. in addition to a kitchen. Moreover, although the counter was illustrated as a base | substrate to which the base end part of a faucet is fixed, the base | substrate may be a wall member etc. which divides the inside and outside of facilities, such as a bathroom.

Further, the shape of the water discharge portion is not limited to the gooseneck-shaped water discharge tube, and may be formed in other shapes such as a linear water discharge tube or a box-shaped water discharge portion.

[Fifth Embodiment]
An automatic faucet provided with a water discharge pipe, a sensor disposed at the tip of the water discharge pipe, and a water discharge port member is widely used in kitchens and washstands. When an object to be detected such as a hand or tableware inserted below the water outlet member is detected by the sensor, control is performed so that water is discharged from the water outlet of the water outlet member (for example, Patent Document 1).

Some automatic faucets include a switching operation unit that can switch water discharged from a water discharge port to straight water discharge or shower water discharge (for example, Patent Document 4). The switching operation portion is provided with a knob portion that protrudes outward so that the user can easily put the finger.

When the switching operation part as described in Patent Document 4 is provided in an automatic faucet having a sensor for automatic water discharge, if the position of the sensor is inappropriate, the knob part may be erroneously detected by the sensor. is there.

In the fifth embodiment, there is provided a technique for preventing erroneous detection of a sensor in an automatic faucet in which a sensor for starting water discharge is closer to the user than the water outlet.

An outline of the fifth embodiment will be described.
An aspect of the present invention includes a water discharge unit, a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a detection target, a water discharge port that discharges water when a detection target is detected by the sensor, and a switch that can switch a water discharge state from the water discharge port. And an automatic faucet. The sensor is positioned on the near side of the spout as seen from the user, and the switching operation portion includes a convex portion that is moved to the switching position of each water discharge state, and the convex portion is in any position. But it is on the far side of the spout.

According to this aspect, by disposing the convex portion on the heel side of the water outlet, even if the sensor is positioned in front of the water outlet when viewed from the user, there is no possibility that the convex portion is erroneously detected by the sensor. . Therefore, the position of the sensor and the water discharge port can be approximated, and the water discharge unit can be made compact. It should be noted that the “back side of the water outlet” may be the back side from the center of the water outlet.

The switching position may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis. According to this, when the water discharge part is observed from the front, it is easy to visually recognize which switching position the convex part is at.

The pictogram which suggests each water discharge state may be provided in the position corresponding to the switching position on the near side of the water discharge section. According to this, the user can easily know the current water discharge state by seeing the switching position of the convex part and the pictogram together.

The upper part of the convex part may be a smooth taper. According to this, when grasping the water discharge port member, the finger can be naturally guided to the convex portion.

According to each of the above-described configurations, erroneous detection of the sensor can be prevented in the automatic water faucet in which the sensor for starting water discharge is closer to the user than the water outlet.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of a kitchen provided with an automatic faucet 4010 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. A sink 4102 is provided in the kitchen 4100, and a counter 4104 having a step with respect to the top surface is provided on the rear side of the sink 4102. An automatic faucet 4010 is installed on the left side of the counter 4104, and a purified water faucet 4106 is installed on the right side of the counter 4104. The automatic faucet 4010 is connected to a water pipe and supplies normal tap water, while the purified water faucet 4106 is connected to a water purifier installed below the sink 4102 and supplies purified water.

Hereinafter, in this specification, the directions such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, “front”, “奧”, etc. are indicated. When the terminology is used, they mean the direction in posture when the automatic faucet 4010 is attached to a kitchen or the like.

FIG. 24 is an overall perspective view of the automatic faucet 4010 of FIG. The automatic faucet 4010 mainly includes a base end portion 4024, a handle lever 4022, and a water discharge pipe 4012 serving as a water discharge portion extending from the upper end surface of the base end portion 4024. FIG. 25 is a side view of the water discharge pipe 4012 in a state where it is detached from the base end part 4024.

The water discharge pipe 4012 is formed in a so-called gooseneck shape in which an intermediate portion 4012a is curved and formed into an inverted U shape, and a tip 4012b thereof extends obliquely downward. The water discharge pipe 4012 is formed of a casting made of a metal material. Although details will be described later, a water discharge port member 4030 having a water discharge port 4038 and an automatic water discharge sensor 4040 for controlling water discharge from the water discharge port 4038 are provided at the distal end 4012b of the water discharge tube 4012. As shown in FIG. 25, a connecting member 4026 for connecting to the base end 4024 is provided on the base end side of the water discharge pipe 4012.

23, the base end portion 4024 is disposed on the upper surface of the counter 4104 of the kitchen. A handle lever 4022 is provided at the upper end of the base end portion 4024.

Inside the base end portion 4024, a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe (not shown) connected to a supply source of cold water and hot water respectively extend. An electromagnetic valve (not shown) is provided between the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe and a water supply hose stored in the water discharge pipe 4012 and supplying water to the water discharge port 4038. This electromagnetic valve can control the flow of water from the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe to the water supply hose by opening and closing the valve under the control of a control unit (not shown).

Inside the base end 4024, a mixing valve (not shown) is provided that mixes water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to obtain hot water having an appropriate temperature. The handle lever 4022 is a lever for operating this mixing valve, and adjusts the mixing ratio of water and hot water by turning left and right, that is, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, and controls the water discharge flow rate of hot water by turning up and down. Adjust.

An automatic water discharge sensor 4040 is provided at the tip 4012b of the water discharge pipe 4012. The automatic water discharge sensor 4040 is, for example, an infrared distance measuring sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The automatic water discharge sensor 4040 projects light from the light emitting unit to the lower side of the water discharge port 4038 of the water discharge port member 4030, and receives light reflected from the object to be detected such as a user's hand or tableware by the projected light. To detect whether there is an object to be detected within a predetermined detection area. The automatic water discharge sensor 4040 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detected object to the control unit.

A hand hold sensor 4014 is provided on the front side of the water discharge pipe 4012, that is, the side facing the user standing in the kitchen. The hand-holding sensor 4014 is an infrared light quantity sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part. The hand-holding sensor 4014 projects light obliquely above the sensor 4014, and the reflected light from the object to be detected such as the user's hand due to the projected light is received by the light receiving unit, and is detected within a predetermined detection area. Detect whether there is an object to be detected. The hand-holding sensor 4014 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detected object to the control unit.

The control unit is composed of a circuit board equipped with a microcomputer. The control unit opens and closes the electromagnetic valve based on the output signal from the automatic water discharge sensor 4040 or the hand-holding sensor 4014, and switches the presence or absence of water supply from the water discharge port 4038 of the water discharge port member 4030. Note that the control unit may be realized by combining elements and circuits including a CPU and a memory of a computer.

The automatic water discharge sensor 4040 is controlled to supply water from the water discharge port 4038 only while an object to be detected is detected in the detection area, whereas the hand-holding sensor 4014 is temporarily in the detection area. When the object to be detected is detected, water supply from the water outlet 4038 is continued even if the object to be detected is not detected thereafter. When an object to be detected is detected again in the detection area, water supply from the water outlet 4038 is stopped.

A push button type on / off switch 4016 is provided on the near side as viewed from the user of the water discharge pipe 4012 and below the hand-holding sensor 4014 (on the tip 4012b side of the water discharge pipe 4012). When the on / off switch 4016 is off, the automatic water discharge sensor 4040 does not operate, and water is not supplied from the water discharge port 4038 even if an object exists below the sensor 4040.

As can be seen from FIG. 25, in the fifth embodiment, the water discharge pipe 4012 is formed to have a constant curvature. Further, a hollow projecting portion 4018 that bulges toward the lower side of the water discharge tube 4012 is formed from a portion near the apex of the intermediate portion 4012a of the water discharge tube 4012 to the tip 4012b of the water discharge tube. The lower surface of the overhanging portion 4018 has a smaller curvature than the water discharge tube 4012 itself, but is formed so as to be connected by a continuous smooth curve from the base end portion 4024 side of the water discharge tube 4012. The tip 4018a of the overhanging portion 4018 is located on the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe (the upstream side of the water discharge pipe 4012, diagonally upward on the right in FIG. 25) than the tip 4012b of the water discharge pipe 4012. As a method for manufacturing such a water discharge pipe, there are bulge processing, zinc die casting, resin molding and the like.

A water outlet member 4030 configured to be freely drawable is attached to the back side of the water discharge pipe 4012 as viewed from the user rather than the sensor 4040 for automatic water discharge. As can be seen from FIG. 25, the spout member 4030 is attached to the heel side as viewed from the user rather than the front end of the overhang portion 4018 and the front end 4012 b of the spout pipe 4012. With the spout member 4030 attached, the inner peripheral side of the spout member 4030 is curved continuously and smoothly with the base end 4024 of the spout 4012 and the inner peripheral surface of the overhang 4018. It is formed to be connected.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the tip 4012b of the water discharge pipe 4012, and FIG. 27 is a view showing a state in which the water discharge port member 4030 is pulled out.

The water outlet member 4030 has a cover part 4032, a switching operation part 4034, and a water outlet 4038.

As shown in FIG. 27, a flexible metal water supply hose 4050 is connected to the water outlet member 4030. The other end of the water supply hose 4050 is connected to the above-described electromagnetic valve. The water supply hose 4050 is accommodated in the water discharge pipe 4012 and the overhanging part 4018 so as to be movable by a predetermined length in the pipe axis direction. Therefore, when the water discharge port member 4030 is pulled out from the water discharge pipe 4012, the water supply hose 4050 is also pulled out accordingly. The direction in which the water outlet member 4030 is pulled out is substantially the same as the axial direction of the water discharge pipe 4012. When the spout member 4030 is attached to the water discharge pipe 4012, the water supply hose 4050 moves in the overhanging part 4018 and the water discharge pipe 4012 toward the base end part 4024 side. Water flowing through the water supply hose 4050 is discharged through the water outlet 4038.

The cover unit 4032 connects the water supply hose 4050 and the switching operation unit 4034 and constitutes a portion that the user holds when removing the water discharge port member 4030 from the water discharge tube 4012. The cover portion 4032 also has a function as an attachment that allows the water outlet member 4030 to be easily attached to and detached from the water discharge pipe 4012.

An end surface 4042 that is recessed toward the inside of the tube is formed at the tip 4012b of the water discharge tube 4012, and an automatic water discharge sensor 4040 is disposed so as to be flush with the end surface 4042. The pipe wall 4012c of the water discharge pipe 4012 makes the periphery of the automatic water discharge sensor 4040 deeper, so that the sensor light emitting surface and the light receiving surface are contaminated by the user's hand coming into contact with the sensor 4040, or the tableware collides. Can prevent damage.

At the tip 4012b of the water discharge tube 4012, a part of the tube wall 4012c is cut out, and a recessed guide portion 4044 that functions as a guide when the water discharge port member 4030 is stored is provided in the cut out portion. . A convex portion 4039 that faces the guide portion 4044 when the water discharge port member 4030 is stored is formed on the upper surface of the cover portion 4032 of the water discharge port member 4030 (the surface on the near side as viewed from the user).

A cylindrical hose guide portion 4052 having a hole through which the water supply hose 4050 is inserted is provided at the tip 4018a of the overhang portion 4018. Although not shown, a recessed portion for receiving the hose guide portion 4052 is formed at the rear end facing the protruding portion 4018 of the water discharge port member 4030.

When the water outlet member 4030 is stored, the water supply hose 4050 is pushed into the hole of the hose guide portion 4052, whereby the rear end of the water outlet member 4030 is guided to the hose guide portion 4052. When the spout member 4030 is pushed in as it is, the convex portion 4039 formed on the upper surface of the spout member 4030 is guided by the guide portion 4044 of the spout tube 4012 and the spout member 4030 and the hose guide portion 4052 are fitted. As a result, the water outlet member 4030 is held against the water discharge pipe 4012. When the water outlet member 4030 is pulled out, when the water outlet member 4030 is pulled obliquely downward, the convex portion 4039 is guided and pulled out by the guide portion.

As described above, the overhanging portion 4018 and the lower surface of the water discharge tube 4012 are smoothly continuous so that there are no corners or large curvature changes inside the tube. For this reason, when the water outlet member 4030 is pulled out or stored, the water supply hose 4050 connected to the water outlet member 4030 is not caught in the water discharge pipe 4012 and the overhanging portion 4018. Easy to operate. Further, since there are no bent portions, the outer surfaces of the water discharge pipe 4012 and the overhanging portion 4018 can be easily cleaned.

The tip 4018a of the overhang portion 4018 with which the rear end of the water outlet member 4030 in the stored state is in contact is located closer to the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe (upstream side of the water discharge pipe 4012) than the tip 4012b of the water discharge pipe 4012. Yes. For this reason, in the state where the water outlet member 4030 is housed, the water outlet 4038 of the water outlet member 4030 is positioned relatively near the automatic water discharge sensor 4040. As described above, the water outlet member 4030 is structured to be drawn out from the rear side of the sensor 4040 in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe in the tube axis direction from the automatic water discharge sensor 4040, so that the water outlet member for the light emitting portion of the sensor 4040 is drawn. Thus, the distance between the light emitting part of the sensor and the water outlet can be reduced. Therefore, when the hand is put out under the spout, the sensor is likely to react and the usability is improved. Moreover, the space below the water outlet can be secured widely by reducing the amount of downward protrusion of the water outlet member.

If the water outlet member 4030 is configured to be drawable from the overhanging portion 4018, the water outlet member can be accommodated at the tip of the water discharge pipe without increasing the diameter of the water discharge pipe 4012 over its entire length. Moreover, since the unevenness | corrugation of a water discharge pipe can be suppressed to the minimum, while being excellent in design property, cleanability improves. Furthermore, by providing the overhanging portion 4018 on the heel side of the water discharge pipe 4012, the overhanging portion is not conspicuous when the automatic faucet 4010 is observed from the front side, and the overall impression is compact and clean. Can be given.

The switching operation unit 4034 of the water outlet member 4030 is a member for switching the water flowing from the water supply hose 4050 to shower water discharge or straight water discharge. The switching operation unit 4034 has a shape that is smoothly continuous with the lower surface side of the outer periphery of the cover unit 4032, and has a cylindrical shape as a whole. The switching operation unit 4034 is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) around the central axis with respect to the cover unit 4032. On the cylindrical surface of the switching operation unit 4034, a convex portion 4036 for the user to put his / her finger is formed. When the position of the convex portion 4036 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the shower water discharge and the straight water discharge can be switched.

FIG. 28 is an enlarged perspective view of the tip 4012b of the water discharge pipe 4012 as seen from a direction different from that in FIG.

The cover portion 4032 of the water outlet member 4030 is provided with a finger hook portion 4032a that makes it easy for the user to grip the water outlet member 4030. This finger hook portion 4032a may be a smooth step widened in the left-right direction (sink width direction) in FIG. 29, for example. More specifically, the finger hook portion 4032a has a tapered portion or a concave shape between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion, with the tip end side of the water discharge port member 4030 being a large diameter portion and the pulling direction heel side being a small diameter portion. It has a shape. The finger hook portion 4032a is formed below the cover portion 4032 of the water outlet member 4030 so that when the user tries to pull out the water outlet member 4030, the finger is naturally caught in the pulling direction. Moreover, it is preferable to form a downward semicircular smooth curved surface so that the fingertip fits. By providing such a finger hook portion 4032a, even when water or bubbles adhere to the user's hand and it is slippery, it becomes easy to grasp the water discharge port member, and the operation of pulling out the water discharge port member 4030 is easy. Become.

FIG. 29 is a plan view of the tip 4012b of the water discharge pipe 4012 as viewed from the direction (downward) of the water discharge port 4038. The convex portion 4036 of the switching operation unit 4034 is configured to be movable between the shower water discharge position A and the straight water discharge position B. When the convex portion 4036 is at the shower water discharge position A, shower water is supplied from the water outlet 4038, and when it is at the straight water discharge position B, straight water is supplied from the water outlet 4038.

Pictograms 4060a and 60b are marked with, for example, a laser on the left surface and the right surface of the tip 4012b of the water discharge tube as viewed from the user. In FIG. 29, only the shapes of pictograms 4060a and 60b are shown, and actually, the positions are marked as shown by pictogram 4060b in FIG. The pictogram 4060a is marked on the opposite side in the radial direction from the pictogram 4060b.

Pictogram 4060a suggests shower water discharge, and pictogram 4060b suggests straight water discharge. The positions where the pictograms 4060a and 60b on the surface of the tip 4012b are marked correspond to the shower water discharge position A and the straight water discharge position B of the convex part 4036 of the switching operation unit 4034, respectively. By seeing the switching position of the convex portion 4036 and the pictogram together, the user can easily know the current water discharge state.

As shown in FIG. 29, even when the convex portion 4036 is in either the shower water discharge position A or the straight water discharge position B, the convex portion 4036 is located on the heel side (lower side in FIG. 29) from the water discharge port 4038. . With such an arrangement, even if the automatic water discharge sensor 4040 is on the nearer side than the water discharge port 4038 when viewed from the user, the convex portion 4036 is not likely to be erroneously detected by the automatic water discharge sensor 4040. . Therefore, the positions of the automatic water discharge sensor 4040 and the water discharge port 4038 can be approximated, and the tip of the water discharge pipe can be made compact.

It is preferable that the shower water discharge position A and the straight water discharge position B are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis, and the central angle D is about 90 degrees. This makes it easy to visually recognize whether the convex portion 4036 is in the shower water discharge position A or the straight water discharge position B when the automatic faucet 4010 is observed from the front side (upper side in FIG. 29) when viewed from the user. Become.

As shown in FIG. 28, the upper portion of the convex portion 4036 is preferably a smooth taper. In this way, when the user tries to hold the convex portion 4036 with the finger, the finger can be naturally guided to the convex portion.

The automatic faucet according to the fifth embodiment can be used for facilities installed in buildings, ships, etc., and may be used for a wash basin, a hand basin, a bathroom, etc. in addition to a kitchen. Moreover, although the counter was illustrated as a base | substrate to which the base end part of an automatic faucet is fixed, the base | substrate may be a wall member etc. which divides the inside and outside of facilities, such as a bathroom.

Further, the shape of the water discharge portion is not limited to the gooseneck-shaped water discharge tube, and may be formed in other shapes such as a linear water discharge tube or a box-shaped water discharge portion. The present invention can also be applied to an automatic faucet that is not provided with a pull-out water spout member.

In the fifth embodiment, it has been described that the switching operation unit can switch between shower water discharge and straight water discharge, but in addition to or instead of these, it may be possible to switch to another water discharge state. .

[Sixth Embodiment]
Conventionally, a faucet in which a member such as an automatic water discharge sensor or a water discharge port member is accommodated in a water discharge pipe is known (see, for example, Patent Document 5).

In the faucet as described above, it is desirable that the accommodated member can be stably accommodated in the water discharge pipe.

In the sixth embodiment, a faucet capable of stably accommodating a member to be accommodated in a water discharge pipe is provided.

The outline of the sixth embodiment will be described.
A water faucet according to an aspect of the present invention includes a water discharge pipe with a part of a tip portion cut away, and a member to be stored in the water discharge pipe. A holding portion for holding the member to be accommodated in the water discharge pipe is formed at the tip of the water discharge pipe.

According to this aspect, even when a part of the tip of the water discharge pipe is cut out, the member to be housed can be stably accommodated without falling off from the notch.

The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the tip of the water discharge tube may be an arc shape with a central angle exceeding 180 degrees. In this case, since the member to be accommodated is held by the circumferential end of the tip portion of the water discharge pipe, the member to be accommodated can be stably accommodated in the water discharge pipe.

The accommodated member may include a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the detection target. A water discharge port member that discharges water when a detection target is detected by the sensor may be disposed in the cutout portion of the water discharge pipe.

According to each of the above configurations, it is possible to provide a faucet that can stably accommodate the member to be accommodated in the water discharge pipe.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a part of a kitchen 5100 provided with an automatic faucet 5010 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The kitchen 5100 is provided with a sink 5102 that is recessed in a concave shape. The counter 5104 on the back side of the sink 5102 has an automatic faucet 5010 according to the sixth embodiment, a water faucet 5106 for supplying purified water, and various items such as dishwashing detergent and sponge. A storage portion 5108 is provided. In the present specification, when terms indicating directions such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, etc. are used, It means the direction in the posture when the automatic faucet 5010 is attached to a kitchen or the like.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an automatic faucet 5010 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 31, the automatic faucet 5010 includes a faucet body 5012 standing on a counter and a water discharge pipe 5014 extending from the upper end surface of the faucet body 5012. A water discharge port member 5020 having a water discharge port 5018 is provided on the tube axis direction distal end side of the water discharge tube 5014.

The faucet body 5012 has a mixing valve (not shown) provided therein and a lever handle 5016 for operating the mixing valve. Here, the mixing valve mixes water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to obtain hot water having an appropriate temperature. The lever handle 5016 adjusts the mixing ratio of water and hot water by a left-right rotation operation, that is, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, and adjusts the discharged water flow rate of the hot water by an up-down rotation operation.

The water discharge pipe 5014 includes a water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a formed in an inverted U-shaped so-called gooseneck shape, and a protruding portion that protrudes from the middle portion to the tip portion of the water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a (opposite to the user). 5014b. The water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a and the overhang portion 5014b are integrally formed of a casting made of a metal material. The main body 5014a of the water discharge pipe has a downward shape from the uppermost portion toward the tip 5014e, and the opening of the tip 5014e faces downward.

A flexible water supply hose (not shown) is inserted into the water discharge pipe 5014. One end of the water supply hose is connected to the water outlet member 5020. The water outlet member 5020 can be pulled out from the water discharge pipe 5014 together with the water supply hose. In a state where the water outlet member 5020 is housed in the water discharge pipe 5014, the water outlet 5018 of the water outlet member 5020 faces downward.

A solenoid valve (not shown) is connected to the other end of the water supply hose. This solenoid valve is provided below the counter, and controls water discharge and water stoppage from the water discharge port 5018. The solenoid valve is controlled by a control unit (not shown) configured by a circuit board on which a microcomputer is mounted. This control part should just be implement | achieved combining the elements and circuits, such as computer CPU and memory.

The water discharge pipe 5014 is provided with a hand-holding sensor 5022 as a first human body detection sensor on the front side (user side). The hand-holding sensor 5022 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, for example. The hand-holding sensor 5022 receives the reflected light from the detection target of the light projected from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit, so whether or not there is a detection target such as a human hand in a predetermined detection area. Is detected. The hand-holding sensor 5022 is provided so that the sensor window 5022a faces obliquely upward.

The hand-holding sensor 5022 detects this when the user holds his hand in front of the sensor window. When the human body is detected by the hand-holding sensor 5022, the electromagnetic valve is opened by the control unit, and water is discharged from the water outlet 5018 of the water outlet member 5020. Once a human body is detected by the hand-holding sensor 5022, water discharge is continued even if the human body is not detected thereafter. Thereafter, when the hand holding sensor 5022 detects the human body again by the hand holding operation by the user, the electromagnetic valve is closed by the control unit, and water discharge from the water outlet 5018 of the water outlet member 5020 is stopped. By providing such a hand-holding sensor 5022, water discharge and water stopping can be controlled without operating the lever handle 5016, so that the lever handle 5016 is not soiled even when the hand is dirty, for example.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the distal end portion of the water discharge pipe 5014 showing the state in which the water discharge port member 5020 is housed in the water discharge pipe 5014. FIG. 33 is a view of the automatic faucet 5010 as seen from the rear, showing a state in which the water outlet member 5020 is pulled out from the water discharge pipe 5014 together with the water supply hose 5028.

The water discharge pipe 5014 is provided with a water discharge port member 5020 on the back side with respect to the user, and an automatic sensor 5024 as a second human body detection sensor on the near side with respect to the user. The automatic sensor 5024 is provided in the distal end portion 5014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a. The water discharge port member 5020 is provided so as to be able to be pulled out together with the water supply hose 5028 at the tip portion 5014d of the overhang portion 5014b. The tip portion 5014d of the overhang portion 5014b does not extend to the tip portion 5014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a. Therefore, the water discharge pipe 5014 has a shape in which a part of its tip is cut out along the pipe axis direction. The water outlet member 5020 is disposed in a notch portion of the tip end portion 5014 c of the water discharge pipe 5014 in a state of being housed in the water discharge pipe 5014.

The automatic sensor 5024 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, for example. The automatic sensor 5024 detects the presence or absence of a detection target such as a human hand in a predetermined detection area by receiving light reflected from the detection target of the light projected from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit. The automatic sensor 5024 is provided so that the sensor window 5024a faces downward.

The automatic sensor 5024 detects this when the user puts his hand below the spout 5018. When a human body is detected by the automatic sensor 5024, the electromagnetic valve is opened by the control unit, and water is automatically discharged from the water outlet 5018 of the water outlet member 5020. Thereafter, when the user pulls in the hand and moves out of the detection area of the automatic sensor 5024, the automatic sensor 5024 is not detected by the human body, the electromagnetic valve is closed by the control unit, and the water outlet 5018 of the water outlet member 5020 is removed. Water discharge stops. By providing such an automatic sensor 5024, water can be discharged only while the detection object is detected by the automatic sensor 5024, so that water can be saved.

On the front surface (user side) of the water discharge pipe 5014, a switch 5026 for switching the automatic sensor 5024 on / off is provided. Only when the automatic sensor 5024 is on, the automatic water discharge and water stop as described above are performed.

The water outlet member 5020 includes a water guide member (not shown) for guiding water from the water supply hose 5028 to the water outlet 5018, a resin cover member 5040 that covers the front end portion and the water guide member of the water supply hose 5028 from the outside, And a switching operation member 5042 for switching the water discharged from the water outlet 5018 from straight water discharge to shower water discharge or vice versa.

A guide member 5044 is accommodated inside the water discharge pipe main body 5014a and the overhang 5014b. FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the guide member 5044. The guide member 5044 is an integrally formed member made of resin, and includes a hose guide portion 5044a for guiding the water supply hose 5028, a sensor holding portion 5044b for holding the automatic sensor 5024, an automatic sensor 5024, and a control portion. A wiring guide portion 5044c for guiding the wiring to be connected and a water outlet member guide portion 5044d for guiding the water outlet member 5020 are provided. As shown in FIG. 33, in a state where the guide member 5044 is mounted in the water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a and the overhang portion 5014b, the hose guide portion 5044a protrudes from the distal end portion 5014d of the overhang portion 5014b. Further, the water outlet member guide portion 5044d covers the opening of the cutout portion of the water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a.

The cover member 5040 has a recess 5040a formed on the upper surface thereof so as to be fitted with the hose guide portion 5044a. When the water outlet member 5020 is housed in the water discharge pipe 5014, the water outlet member 5020 is held by the water discharge pipe 5014 by fitting the concave portion 5040 a with the hose guide portion 5044 a.

FIG. 35 is a view of the tip 5014c of the water discharge pipe 5014 as viewed from below. FIG. 35 shows a state in which the water outlet member is pulled out from the water discharge pipe 5014. A guide member 5044 including an automatic sensor 5024 is accommodated in the distal end portion 5014 c of the water discharge pipe 5014. As described above, a part of the tip of the water discharge pipe 5014 is cut away. Therefore, in the automatic faucet 5010 according to the sixth embodiment, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the distal end portion 5014c of the water discharge tube 5014 is an arc shape having a central angle θ of about 270 degrees. In other words, the distal end portion 5014c of the water discharge pipe 5014 has a substantially cylindrical shape of 3/4. When the tip 5014c of the water discharge pipe 5014 has such a shape, since the guide member 5044 is held by the circumferential ends 5060 and 61 of the tip 5014c, the guide member 5044 falls off from the notch of the water discharge pipe 5014. Without being carried out, it is stably accommodated in the water discharge pipe 5014. The circumferential end portions 5060 and 61 of the tip end portion 5014c function as a holding portion for holding the guide member 5044 in the water discharge pipe 5014.

The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the distal end portion 5014c of the water discharge tube 5014 may be an arc shape whose central angle θ exceeds 180 degrees. When the central angle θ is 180 degrees or less, the guide member 5044 cannot be held by the circumferential end portions 5060 and 61 of the tip end portion 5014c, and thus the guide member 5044 may fall off from the notch portion of the water discharge pipe 5014. is there.

The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the distal end portion 5014c of the water discharge pipe 5014 is not particularly limited to an arc shape, and may be an arbitrary shape such as a square shape as long as a holding portion for holding the guide member 5044 in the water discharge pipe 5014 is formed. The shape may be

[Seventh Embodiment]
Also in the seventh embodiment, a faucet that can stably accommodate the member to be accommodated in the water discharge pipe is provided.

An outline of the seventh embodiment will be described.
A faucet according to an aspect of the present invention includes a water discharge pipe and a member to be stored that is accommodated in the water discharge pipe. A holding portion for holding the member to be accommodated in a partial space in the water discharge pipe is formed inside the water discharge pipe. Also according to this aspect, the member to be accommodated can be stably accommodated in the water discharge pipe.

FIG. 36 shows an automatic faucet 5070 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the automatic faucet 5010 shown in FIG. 36, the same or corresponding components as those in the automatic faucet 5010 according to the above-described sixth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 36 shows a state in which the water outlet member is pulled out from the water discharge pipe 5014.

Also in the automatic faucet 5070 shown in FIG. 36, the water discharge pipe 5014 has a water discharge pipe main body part 5014a formed in an inverted U-shaped gooseneck shape, and projects from the middle part to the tip part of the water discharge pipe main body part 5014a. And an overhanging portion 5014b. In the automatic faucet 5070, the distal end portion 5014d of the overhang portion 5014b extends to the distal end portion 5014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a. That is, in the automatic water tap 5070, the water discharge pipe 5014 is not cut out.

As shown in FIG. 36, in the automatic faucet 5070 according to the seventh embodiment, the first space in which the automatic sensor 5024 is accommodated and the second space in which the water supply hose 5028 is accommodated in the internal space of the water discharge pipe 5014. A partition wall 5072 is formed in the water discharge pipe 5014. The partition wall 5072 holds the sensor holding portion 5044b including the automatic sensor 5024 in the first space in the water discharge pipe 5014. By providing the partition wall 5072 in the water discharge pipe 5014, the automatic sensor 5024 and the water supply hose 5028 can be stably accommodated in separate spaces in the water discharge pipe 5014.

36, the partition 5072 is provided in the water discharge pipe 5014, and the internal space of the water discharge pipe 5014 is completely divided into the first space and the second space. However, the sensor holding unit 5044b may be held in the first space without providing the partition wall 5072. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the first space in FIG. 36 is an arc shape with a central angle θ exceeding 180 degrees, so that even if there is no partition wall 5072, the sensor holding portion 5044b is stable. Held in space. Therefore, even when the partition wall 5072 is removed from the automatic faucet 5070 shown in FIG. 36, the automatic sensor 5024 and the water supply hose 5028 can be stably accommodated in different spaces in the water discharge pipe 5014.

The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the distal end portion 5014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a is not particularly limited to an arc shape, and a holding portion that holds a member to be accommodated such as the sensor holding portion 5044b in the water discharge tube 5014 is formed. Any shape such as a square shape may be used.

In the sixth and seventh embodiments described above, the automatic faucet is exemplified as the faucet. However, the faucet type is not limited to the automatic faucet, and a normal faucet that discharges water by manually operating a lever handle or the like. It's okay.

In the sixth and seventh embodiments described above, the automatic sensor 5024 is provided in the distal end portion 5014c of the water discharge pipe main body portion 5014a, but other members may be provided. For example, a member that discharges foamy soap may be provided in the distal end portion 5014c of the water discharge pipe main body 5014a.

The shape of the water discharge pipe 5014 is not limited to the gooseneck shape as described above, and may be formed in a known shape such as a straight water discharge pipe.

The faucets according to the sixth and seventh embodiments described above may be used in facilities installed in buildings, ships, etc., and may be used in sinks, hand-washers, bathrooms, etc. in addition to kitchens.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the embodiments only show the principle and application of the present invention. In the embodiment, many modifications and arrangements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention defined in the claims.

The present invention can be used for an automatic faucet that controls water discharge by a sensor.

Claims

A water discharge part,
A water discharge member having a water discharge port, which is housed in a freely retractable manner at the tip of the water discharge unit;
A sensor provided in the vicinity of the water outlet, for detecting an object below the water outlet and starting water discharge;
An automatic water faucet comprising
The water faucet member is an automatic water faucet configured to be pulled out from the heel side in the axial direction of the water discharger rather than the sensor.
The automatic water faucet according to claim 1, wherein the water discharge portion has a shape that swells from an intermediate portion of the water discharge portion toward a tip, and the water discharge port member is configured to be drawable from the swelled portion. .
3. The automatic water according to claim 1, wherein the water outlet member has a shape that is continuous with a smooth curve from the upstream side of the water discharge portion to the water outlet member in a state in which the water outlet member is housed. plug.
The said water discharge part is a shape which swells in the front-back direction seeing from a user toward the front-end | tip, and is comprised so that the said water discharge port member can be pulled out from any one side of the part swelled back and forth. The automatic faucet in any one of.
A holding member that holds the sensor inside the water discharger;
The holding member is
A plane portion having a sensor window of the sensor;
A rising portion formed so as to rise from the periphery of the planar portion;
The automatic water faucet according to claim 1, comprising:
The water discharge part is a water discharge pipe,
The automatic water faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor is held at a distal end portion of the water discharge pipe.
The flat part is disposed at a position deeper than the tip of the water discharge part,
The automatic water faucet according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the rising portion is formed to rise along an inner wall of the water discharge portion.
The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a tip of the rising portion protrudes from a tip of the water discharge portion.
The automatic water faucet according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the rising part is connected by a curved surface continuous with the flat part.
A water supply hose inserted in the water discharger;
The water outlet member is connected to the water supply hose and is provided so as to be able to be pulled out together with the water supply hose from the water discharge part.
When storing the water outlet member in the water discharge portion, a part of the side surface of the water outlet member and a part of the side surface of the water discharge portion can contact,
Either one of the contact part of the water discharge port member and the contact part of the water discharge part is formed in a convex shape, and the other is formed in a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape. An automatic water tap according to any one of the above.
The convex shape or concave shape formed in the contact portion of the water outlet member extends along the longitudinal direction of the water supply hose,
The automatic water faucet according to claim 10, wherein the convex shape or the concave shape formed in the contact portion of the water discharge portion extends along the axial direction of the water discharge portion.
The state in which the said spout member is accommodated in the said spout part WHEREIN: The said spout member is located in the back | inner side rather than the said spout part with respect to a user. Automatic faucet.
The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the water spout member includes a finger hooking portion that hooks the gripping means in a pulling direction when the water spout member is gripped.
The finger hook portion is formed in a tapered shape or a concave shape between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion, with the distal end side of the spout member being a large diameter portion and the pulling direction saddle side being a small diameter portion. The automatic faucet according to 13.
The automatic faucet according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the spout member is located on the heel side of the spout portion when viewed from the user in the housed state.
The water discharge part has an overhang part swelled from the water discharge pipe toward the tip from the middle part of the water discharge pipe,
16. The curve according to claim 13, wherein a curve that defines a boundary between the water discharge portion and the overhang portion and a curve that defines a step of the finger hook portion are smoothly continuous. Automatic faucet.
A switching operation unit capable of switching the water discharge state from the water outlet;
The sensor is located on the near side of the water outlet when viewed from the user,
The switching operation unit includes a convex portion that is moved to a switching position of each water discharge state, and is located on the heel side of the water discharge port when the convex portion is in any position. Automatic faucet as described in.
The automatic faucet according to claim 17, wherein the switching position is arranged symmetrically with respect to a central axis.
The automatic faucet according to claim 17 or 18, wherein a pictogram indicating each water discharge state is provided at a position corresponding to the switching position on the near side of the water discharge portion.
The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein an upper portion of the convex portion is formed in a smooth taper shape.
The water discharge part is a water discharge pipe with a part of the tip part cut away,
The automatic faucet in any one of Claim 1 to 4 with which the holding | maintenance part which hold | maintains a to-be-contained member in the said water discharging pipe is provided in the front-end | tip part of the said water discharging pipe.
The automatic faucet according to claim 21, wherein the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the tube axis direction of the tip of the water discharge tube is an arc shape with a central angle exceeding 180 degrees.
The accommodated member includes a sensor that detects the presence / absence of a detection object;
The automatic faucet according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the water outlet member is disposed in a notch portion of the water discharge pipe, and water is discharged from the water outlet when a detection object is detected by the sensor.
The water discharge part is a water discharge pipe;
The automatic faucet in any one of Claim 1 to 4 in which the holding part which hold | maintains a to-be-contained member in at least one part of the space in the said water discharging pipe is formed in the inside of the said water discharging pipe.