JP3261838B2 - Faucet structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a faucet structure comprising a double faucet body composed of an inner tube and an outer tube.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one form of a faucet, a faucet body has a double tube structure of an inner tube and an outer tube, and a water discharge passage is integrally formed inside the faucet body. In some cases, a discharge port is provided near the tip of the faucet body.

[0003] Then, the faucet body is extended toward the near side with respect to its mounting base, and the discharge port is opened substantially directly below,
In general, water or hot water is discharged downward.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned faucet structure still has the following problems.

That is, when a water faucet is attached to a basin or the like, the size of the basin to be attached is limited, the distance between the body of the user and the position where the hand is washed, or a problem of water splashing, etc. If the water discharge direction is downward as described above, the so-called hand washing space where the discharged water hits the hand is inevitably located on the back side of the washbasin (faucet mounting base side).

[0006] Therefore, when the hand is extended below the water outlet for washing the hand, the vicinity of the fingertip becomes cramped, so that it is apt to be pulled slightly backward.

[0007] In such a position, there is a problem that the user does not feel that the water from the discharge port is fully received in the palm, the flow rate of the discharged water is bulky without knowing, and the water is wasted.

When the faucet body has a double structure,
If the faucet main body is substantially circular, the inner tube and the outer tube may rotate in the circumferential direction, and when rotated, the inner tube and the outer tube are displaced from each other, and due to the wall surface of the outer tube, In some cases, the spout formed in the inner pipe was blocked.

An object of the present invention is to provide a faucet structure that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a water faucet body is constituted by a cylindrical outer tube and a cylindrical inner tube fitted in the outer tube, and a water discharge nozzle is provided on the faucet body. The pipe protrudes in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the faucet body, and furthermore, the inner pipe of the faucet body is fixed to the faucet mounting surface, and the rotation of the outer pipe relative to the inner pipe is prevented from rotating. The present invention relates to a faucet structure characterized by comprising means.

The present invention also has the following features.

A) The detent means has a convex portion on one of the inner tube and the outer tube, and a concave portion on the other.

(B) In the above-mentioned detent means, the inner pipe and the outer pipe are formed in an elliptical or polygonal hollow irregular cross-sectional shape.

C) The skirt portion is formed by expanding the skirt portions of the inner tube and the outer tube of the faucet body.

D) The faucet main body is erected so as to have a predetermined inclination angle forward with respect to the faucet mounting surface.

E) The outer tube is made of metal and the inner tube is made of synthetic resin.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The faucet in this embodiment is provided with a hand detection sensor, and is an automatic faucet capable of automatically discharging and stopping water by detecting the behavior of the hand, but this is not limited to the automatic faucet. Absent.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a use state of an automatic faucet having a faucet structure according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a faucet part in the automatic faucet, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet portion, FIG. 5 is a rear view of the faucet portion,
FIG. 6 is an arrow view in FIG.

First, the overall structure of the automatic faucet A will be described below.

(Overall Configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic faucet A in this embodiment has a faucet body 1 and a nozzle pipe 3 attached to the faucet body 1 for discharging mixed hot water. The plug A1 is attached to the faucet mounting surface 30a formed at the back of the basin 30 of the basin B, and below the basin B,
An automatic faucet control box C is provided and connected to the faucet body 1 through a hot water supply tube 5.

In the automatic faucet control box C, a mixing valve V and a control device F for the automatic faucet A are provided.
Further, a power supply device E and the like are provided.

The faucet main body 1 constituting the faucet part A1 is composed of a tubular outer tube 11 and a tubular inner tube 12 fitted in the outer tube 11. , 12 are formed into a substantially perfect circle in cross section.

Further, the faucet main body 1 is in an upright state by fixing the base end of the inner tube 12 to the faucet mounting surface 30a.

A nozzle mounting head 2 is housed and fixed in the head of the faucet main body 1. A nozzle pipe 3 for discharge is provided on the peripheral wall of the nozzle mounting head 2, and inner and outer pipes 12 and 11 are provided. Penetrate,
In addition, it protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the faucet main body 1.

Further, the hand sensor S is housed and mounted inside the faucet body 1 at a position below the nozzle tube 3.

Further, a constant flow valve 6 is interposed between the mixing valve V and the hot and cold water supply tube 5, and the identification flow valve 6 allows the automatic faucet to exceed a predetermined flow rate irrespective of water pressure fluctuation. Water is not discharged from A.

The hot / water supply tube 5 is flexible, so that the work of arranging the tube 5 in the faucet main body 1 can be made easier, and a water passage must be formed in the inner tube 12. Since there is no need for sealing or the like, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the hot and cold water supply tube 5
Is formed of vinyl chloride, and the tube 5 is inserted into the inner tube 12, and is connected to the nozzle mounting head 2 to be connected to the nozzle tube 3.

Also, the mixing valve V is connected to the hot water supply source and the other end of the water supply pipe 8 for connecting one end to the water supply source, and the other end of the water supply pipe 8 is connected to the mixing valve V. Mixing hot and cold water at an appropriate temperature can be discharged into the vessel B.

In this embodiment, the faucet mounting surface 30a is formed on the basin B. However, the present invention is not limited to the basin B alone. For example, a wall or the like may be used as the mounting surface. .

Here, in the automatic faucet A having the above structure,
The configuration of the faucet main body 1 which is the gist of the present invention will be described in detail below.

(Faucet body 1) The faucet body 1 is a cylindrical outer tube.
11 and a cylindrical inner tube 12 fitted in the outer tube 11, and the outer tube 11 is formed of metal,
The inner tube 12 is formed of a synthetic resin, so that the production cost can be reduced without impairing the aesthetic appearance.

Then, the base end of the inner tube 12 is connected to the faucet mounting surface 30.
The water faucet main body 1 is set in the upright state by being fixed to the water faucet a. Further, the water faucet main body 1 has a constant inclination angle α (for example, 15 degrees) forward with respect to the water faucet mounting surface 30a. It is standing up.

Accordingly, the nozzle pipe 3 mounted on the faucet main body 1 in an orthogonal state can also be inclined downward at an angle equal to the inclination angle α with respect to the horizontal plane. On the parabola of the water spout, an optimal position for hand washing can be determined, and the hand washing space at that position can be widened.

The faucet main body 1 has an inner tube 12 and an outer tube.
There is also a feature in that the skirt portion 12a, 11a is formed by expanding the skirt portion of the eleventh, and the skirt portion 12a, 11a improves the adhesion between the inner and outer tubes 12, 11, and
For example, when the nozzle tube 3 is attached to or removed from the faucet body 1, the inner and outer tubes 12, 11 are prevented from being twisted.

Further, it is characterized in that it comprises a rotation preventing means for preventing the relative rotation of the outer tube 11 with respect to the inner tube 12.
In this embodiment, as a detent means, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a projection 32 as a projection is formed on the back of the skirt 12a of the inner tube 12, and the projection 32 is formed so as to correspond to the projection 32. A notch groove 33 as a recess is formed in the skirt portion 11a of the outer tube 11.
Is formed.

Then, when fitting the inner tube 12 to the outer tube 11,
By engaging the projection 32 with the notch groove 33, the outer tube 11 is configured not to rotate around the inner tube 12.

By the way, the above-mentioned projection 32 and notch groove 33
Although they are provided on the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 11, respectively, they may be provided on the outer tube 11 and the inner tube 12 in reverse.

With this configuration, when the automatic faucet A having the faucet structure according to the present invention is installed, the outer tube 11 does not shift during the installation of the faucet, etc.
Positioning of 2 and 11 becomes easy, and mounting work becomes easy.

Further, there is no possibility that the outer tube 11 is rotated around the inner tube 12 to be displaced, and the wall of the outer tube 11 blocks a sensor mounting hole 14 described later provided in the inner tube 12 to hinder the sensor function. .

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 18 denotes an operating rod of a pop-up drain cock (not shown) of the basin B. In FIG. 5, 18a denotes an operating rod groove, 18b denotes an operating rod insertion hole, and 18c denotes an operating rod outer hole. It is.

As another embodiment of the detent means, as shown in FIG. 8, the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 11 of the faucet main body 10 may have hollow irregular cross-sectional shapes other than a perfect circle.

In this case, the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 11 are made, for example, elliptical or polygonal, such as a triangle or a quadrangle, to prevent rotational displacement between the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 11. Can be.

Also in this case, skirt portions 12a, 11a can be provided at the bottoms of the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 11.

Next, a structure other than the faucet main body 1 of the automatic faucet A having the faucet structure according to the present invention will be described below.

(Nozzle tube 3) In the head of the faucet main body 1,
The nozzle mounting head 2 is housed and fixed, and a nozzle pipe 3 for discharging mixed hot and cold water is penetrated on the peripheral wall of the nozzle mounting head 2, penetrates the inner and outer pipes 12 and 11, and extends along the axis of the faucet main body 1. It protrudes in the orthogonal direction.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
The nozzle mounting head 2 is fitted on the upper side of the inner tube 12 in a state where the nozzle mounting head 2 is fitted on the outer tube 11, and a square female screw body is formed in a nut storage portion 2 a provided on the nozzle mounting head 2. The nozzle fixing nut 9 is stored and arranged.

Then, on the front side wall of the nozzle mounting head 2,
Nozzle fixed with the base 3a of the nozzle tube 3 inserted through the front wall of the faucet body 1 (the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 11) and the base 3a housed in the nut housing 2a of the nozzle mounting head 2. The nozzle tube 3 is fixed to the nozzle mounting head 2 in a state orthogonal to the nozzle mounting head 2 by screwing with the nut 9.

The nozzle tube 3 is fitted with a nozzle cover 4 for covering the outer periphery of the nozzle tube 3, and the nozzle cover 4 has a cover engaging flange formed on the peripheral surface of the tip of the nozzle tube 3. 3d and the outer tube 11 which forms the outer peripheral surface of the faucet main body 1 are squeezed and supported.

By the way, the above nozzle cover 4 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, while being formed in a cylindrical shape, the base end is formed into an arc shape matching the curvature of the outer periphery of the outer tube 12 so as to be in close contact with the outer periphery of the outer tube 11. In addition, the discharge cap is set so that the tip is extended from the upper part to the lower part.
It looks good by covering 10.

On the inner peripheral surface of the nozzle cover 4, an engagement step portion which comes into contact with the cover engagement flange 3 d is provided at a position substantially at the front end side.
4a.

Further, a discharge cap 10 having a discharge port 10a at the distal end thereof is screwed to the tip of the nozzle tube 3, and the discharge port 10a is open in the axial direction of the nozzle tube 3. Since the user can clearly see the discharge port 10a, the usability is improved.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mixed hot water supplied from the hot water supply tube 5 is discharged in a parabolic shape in the axial direction of the nozzle tube 3. Therefore, when you reach out below the automatic faucet to wash your hands,
It is possible to receive water in a natural way as much as possible in the palm of your hand, and it is possible to comfortably wash your hands with the minimum required water consumption without wastefully increasing the amount of water discharged, and to create a water saving effect .

Further, in the present embodiment, the angle of the water discharge direction is a downward tilt angle α (15) of the faucet body 1 with respect to the horizontal plane.
Degrees) downward.

This is obtained from the result of an experiment for determining an optimum hand-washing position in a sufficiently large hand-washing space in the wash bowl 30 of the basin B. On the parabola, the user can wash his / her hand slowly.

A discharge hole 3b is formed at the tip of the nozzle tube 3, and a discharge hole 3c is formed behind the discharge hole 3b.
A plurality of straightening plates arranged in a superposed state in the discharge cap 10; 27, an O-ring interposed between the nozzle mounting head 2 and the inner tube 12; 28, a nozzle tube An O-ring 29 interposed between the nozzle tube 3 and the nozzle cover 4;
Is a groove for engaging a screwing tool when screwing the discharge cap 10 to the nozzle tube 3.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 2b denotes a nozzle insertion hole provided in the nozzle mounting head 2, and 11b and 12b denote nozzle insertion holes provided in the outer tube 11 and the inner tube 12, respectively.
The inner tube 12 is fitted to the outer tube 11 so that the centers of 1b and 12b coincide with the axis of the discharge nozzle 3, and the nozzle mounting head 2 is fitted to the upper side of the inner tube 12.

(Hand-sensing sensor S) Inside the faucet body 1, a hand made of a photoelectric sensor whose sensor directing direction is the same as the water discharging direction is provided substantially at the center of the faucet body 1 at a position below the nozzle tube 3. The sensor S is housed and mounted.

The hand sensor S can identify the hand, the running water, or the basin 30 of the basin B by the change in the amount of received light.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a sensor window 13 is provided on the front side of the outer tube 11 of the faucet main body 1 and the inner tube is provided.
12 has a sensor mounting hole at a position corresponding to the sensor window 13.
The sensor mounting cover 15 is fitted into the mounting hole.

A hand sensor S is disposed inside the lid 15 and, as shown in FIG. surface
At a certain vertical angle β or more with respect to 30a in the vertical direction, and
In plan view, they are arranged so as to be within a predetermined included angle γ in the left-right direction with respect to the central axis of the water discharge.

Thus, the position of the hand when the hand is generally washed can be sensed, and the spouting water can always be sensed.

In this embodiment, the hand-sensing sensor S is arranged so that the sensor directing direction is downward (θ) (10 degrees) with respect to the axial direction of the discharge nozzle 3 and passes through the center axis of the water discharge. ing. This is because, from the viewpoint of the location of the automatic faucet A such as the size of the general basin B, it is most easy for a human to move his hand, and the state in which the hand reaches out below the discharged water. It is determined experimentally from the viewpoint of ergonomics such as the position that is easy to maintain.

The predetermined included angle γ is an angle set so that the hand-sensing sensor S can always detect the flowing water. That is, since the light projected from the hand sensor S has a certain width, the water discharge can be always detected within the above range.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 17 denotes a hand sensor S
And a control line disposed in the automatic faucet control box C. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 16 denotes a sensor through hole provided in the sensor mounting cover 15, which is formed at a position corresponding to the sensor window 13.

With the above configuration, the attachment / detachment of the hand-sensing sensor S can be facilitated and the assemblability can be improved. In addition, the direction of the sensor can be deviated downward by a certain angle with respect to the axial direction of the discharge nozzle 3. Since β is provided, the position of the hand and the sensor pointing direction are easily matched, and the hand movement in the hand-washing space can be easily identified.
Erroneous operation can be prevented.

Finally, the mounting structure for fixing the faucet main body 1 to the faucet mounting surface 30a will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the faucet main body 1 is mounted on the faucet mounting surface 30a.
Are fitted and connected and fixed, and on the upper side of the mounting seat 21,
An inner pipe engaging member 22 is provided, and the engaging member 22 and the faucet mounting seat are provided.
A mounting bolt 20 screwed to 21 extends to the back side of the faucet mounting surface 30a.

Then, on the back of the faucet mounting surface 30, a washer is provided.
The tightening seat plate 24 is brought into contact with the mounting plate 20 through the base plate 23, and the mounting bolt 20 is inserted through the seat plate 24.
25 is screwed.

With this structure, when the tightening nut 25 is tightened, the inner pipe 12 is strongly fixed to the faucet mounting surface 30a between the inner pipe engaging body 22 and the tightening seat plate 24. Will be done.

[0071]

As described above, the water faucet main body is constituted by the cylindrical outer pipe and the cylindrical inner pipe fitted into the outer pipe, and the water discharge nozzle pipe is provided on the faucet main body. A detent means for projecting in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the faucet main body, further fixing the inner pipe of the faucet main body to the faucet mounting surface, and preventing relative rotation of the outer pipe with respect to the inner pipe. By being configured to have, for example, when the inner and outer pipes are made into a perfect circular shape, the outer pipe does not shift during the installation of the faucet, etc., and the positioning of the inner and outer pipes becomes easy. Mounting work becomes easier.

For example, in the case of an automatic faucet equipped with a hand-sensing sensor, the outer pipe rotates around the inner pipe and shifts, and the outer pipe wall closes a sensor window provided in the inner pipe to perform the sensor function. There is no risk of obstruction.

The skirt portion is formed by expanding the skirts of the inner tube and the outer tube of the faucet body, thereby improving the adhesion between the inner and outer tubes and, for example, adding a nozzle tube to the faucet body. When installing or removing, the inner and outer tubes can be prevented from being twisted.

The water faucet main body is located on the water faucet mounting surface.
By being erected so as to have a certain inclination angle forward, the nozzle pipe attached to the faucet body in an orthogonal state can also be inclined downward at an angle equal to the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane, On the parabola of the water discharged from the discharge port opening at the tip, an optimal position for hand washing can be determined, and the hand washing space at that position can be widened.

Since the outer tube is made of metal and the inner tube is made of synthetic resin, the manufacturing cost can be reduced without impairing the appearance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a use state of an automatic faucet having a faucet structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a faucet part in the automatic faucet.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the faucet unit.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet unit.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the faucet unit.

6 is a view as seen from the arrow P in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an attached state of a hand detection sensor.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a faucet main body according to another embodiment as viewed in plan cross section.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A automatic faucet 1 faucet body 3 nozzle pipe 11 outer pipe 12 inner pipe 11a skirt part 12a skirt part 30a faucet mounting surface α inclination angle

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Murahashi 2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Yukio Mine 2 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka Chome 1-1 No.1 Inside Tohki Kiki Co., Ltd. (56) References: JP-U 5-61255 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E03C 1/042

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water faucet body (1) comprising a cylindrical outer pipe (11) and a cylindrical inner pipe (12) fitted in the outer pipe (11), and a water faucet main body. In (1), a spout nozzle pipe (3) is projected in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the faucet body (1), and the inner pipe (12) of the faucet body (1) is attached to the faucet mounting surface. (30a), and a water faucet structure provided with detent means for preventing relative rotation of the outer pipe (11) with respect to the inner pipe (12). The detent means comprises an inner pipe (12) and an outer pipe (1).
2. The faucet structure according to claim 1, wherein a convex portion is formed on one of the first and the second, and a concave portion is formed on the other. 3. The detent means comprises an inner pipe (12) and an outer pipe.
The faucet structure according to claim 1, wherein (11) is formed in an elliptical or polygonal hollow irregular cross-sectional shape. 4. An inner pipe (12) and an outer pipe (1) of the faucet body (1).
The faucet structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the skirt portion (12a), (11a) is formed by expanding the skirt portion of (1). 5. The faucet body (1) includes a faucet mounting surface (30a).
The water faucet structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water faucet structure is provided so as to have a predetermined inclination angle (α) in front of the water faucet. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said outer tube is made of metal, and said inner tube is made of synthetic resin.
5. The faucet structure according to any one of 5.