JP6441121B2 - Water discharge device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water discharger capable of pulling a water supply hose from a head holder such as a water discharge pipe.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, automatic faucets that can automatically switch the presence or absence of water discharge using a sensor are widely known. A hose pull-out type has been proposed as this automatic faucet. In this automatic faucet, generally, an outlet is provided in a head holder such as a water discharge pipe, and a water supply hose is provided so as to be able to be drawn out from the outlet of the head holder. A water discharge head is connected to the water supply hose, and the water discharge head is detachably held by the head holder.

  In this type of automatic faucet, in addition to the output from the object detection sensor, the output from the switch may be used to control whether or not to discharge water. In this case, when using the output of the object detection sensor, control is performed so that water is discharged only while the user's hand is continuously detected by the object detection sensor. Moreover, when using the output from a switch, it controls so that the presence or absence of water discharge may be switched each time the switch is switched on and off. However, even when the water discharge head is removed from the head holding body, if the same control is performed using the object detection sensor, water is unintentionally discharged when the object detection sensor detects the water discharge head.

  As a countermeasure, Patent Document 1 uses an attachment / detachment detection sensor that detects the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head with respect to the head holding body. When it is detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor that the water discharge head is not attached, unintentional water discharge can be prevented by controlling the presence or absence of water discharge using the detection result of the object detection sensor.

JP 2012-67486 A

  By the way, in recent years, from the viewpoint of design, it is required to reduce the cross-sectional dimension of a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the water supply hose (hereinafter, simply referred to as a hose cross section) for the head holder and the water discharge head. Under such a requirement, when using the attachment / detachment detection sensor, it is necessary to secure an extra space for mounting the attachment / detachment detection sensor. In particular, since the attachment / detachment detection sensor is normally used in a state where a sensor element such as a reed switch is mounted on the circuit board, it is necessary to secure an extra space in consideration of the size of the circuit board. In Patent Document 1, no such consideration is made, and the present inventor has recognized that there is room for further improvement.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a subject, and the objective is to provide the water discharging apparatus suitable for size reduction of the cross-sectional dimension in a hose cross section, when mounting / dismounting a detection sensor.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a water discharge device according to an aspect of the present invention is connected to a head holding body provided with a drawing outlet, a water supply hose that can be drawn out from the drawing outlet, and a water supply hose, and is supplied from the water supply hose. A water discharge head that can be discharged from the head holder, a detected body provided on one of the water discharge head and the head holding body, and a water discharge head provided on the other of the head holding body. And an attachment / detachment detection sensor having a sensor element for detecting the detected object, and a circuit board on which the sensor element is mounted, and the circuit board is arranged to extend in the direction in which the water supply hose is pulled out.
According to this aspect, the increase in the cross-sectional dimension of the head holder or the water discharge head in the cross-section of the hose can be greatly suppressed as compared with the case where the circuit board is arranged in parallel to the direction orthogonal to the drawing direction. Therefore, in mounting the attachment / detachment detection sensor, it is possible to obtain a structure suitable for downsizing the cross-sectional dimension of the head holding body or the water discharge head in the cross section of the hose.

In the above-described aspect, when the water discharge head is held by the head holding body, one of the detected body and the sensor element provided on the water discharge head is along the drawing direction with respect to the other provided on the head holding body. It may be provided at a position shifted.
According to this aspect, when the water discharge head is attached to the head holding member in the direction opposite to the drawing direction, the output value from the sensor element can be monotonously increased. Therefore, the distance in the pull-out direction from the holding position where the water discharge head is held by the head holding body to the current water discharge head position can be accurately reflected in the output value from the sensor element, and the water discharge head is attached by the attachment / detachment detection sensor. It becomes easy to accurately detect the attachment / detachment state.

In the above aspect, the head holding body can guide the water discharging head along one direction when the water discharging head is attached / detached, and the attachment / detachment detection sensor has the water discharging head at a midway position guided by the head holding body. Sometimes, it may be configured to detect that the water discharge head is attached to the head holder.
Consider a case in which the water discharge head is moved to the holding position while being guided along one direction by the head holding body. In this case, even if the user intends to reach the holding position, the water discharge head may actually reach only the midway position guided by the head holding body. At this time, if it is detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor that the water discharge head is not attached, the sense of the user who intends to reach the water discharge head to the holding position is uncomfortable.
According to this aspect, in such a case, it can be detected that the water discharge head is attached by the attachment / detachment detection sensor. Therefore, it is possible to match the feeling of the user who intends to make the water discharge head reach the holding position, and to prevent the user's feeling from being uncomfortable.

In the above-described aspect, the head holding body has a sensor housing portion provided in a direction intersecting the drawing direction with respect to the water discharge head held by the head holding body, and the sensor housing portion includes the sensor housing portion. An object detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a detection object in the pull-out direction may be accommodated.
According to this aspect, the sensor housing portion can regulate displacement of the water discharge head toward the detection area of the object detection sensor by contact with the water discharge head. Thereby, the penetration of the water discharge head into the detection area can be effectively prevented, and the water discharge head can be prevented from being unintentionally detected by the object detection sensor.

In the above-described aspect, the attachment / detachment detection sensor can detect the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head with respect to the head holding body using a signal output from the sensor element, and the sensor housing portion is attached with the water discharge head. When the water discharge head is within a range assumed to be detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor, the displacement of the water discharge head in the direction orthogonal to the drawing direction and toward the sensor housing portion may be restricted.
According to this aspect, when the water discharge head is attached / detached, it is possible to effectively prevent the water discharge head from entering the detection area of the object detection sensor while the attachment detection sensor detects that the water discharge head is attached. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water discharge head from being unintentionally detected by the object detection sensor even during this time.

In the above-described aspect, an object detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object to be detected is provided, and the attachment / detachment detection sensor is housed in the same sensor case as the circuit board and the object detection sensor, and the circuit board is detected by the object detection. It may be shared with the sensor.
According to this aspect, a dedicated sensor case or circuit board for each of the object detection sensor and the attachment / detachment detection sensor is not required, and space saving and cost reduction can be achieved by reducing the number of components.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when mounting | wearing with an attachment / detachment detection sensor, the water discharging apparatus suitable for size reduction of the cross-sectional dimension in a hose cross section can be provided.

It is the schematic of the kitchen unit in which the water discharging apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is used. It is a perspective view which shows the water discharging apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the water discharging head which concerns on this embodiment from the head holding body. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the water discharging apparatus in the front end side part of the head holding body which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the water discharging apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and the water supply path for supplying water to a water discharging head. It is side surface sectional drawing of the water discharging pipe which concerns on this embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked at the head mounting member which concerns on this embodiment from the bending inner side of the water discharge pipe. It is a disassembled perspective view of the water discharge head concerning this embodiment, Drawing 8 (a) is a figure seen from the bending outside of a water discharging pipe, and Drawing 8 (b) is a figure seen from the bending inside of a water discharging pipe. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the water discharging apparatus in the front-end | tip part of the head holding body which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 10 (a) schematically shows a water discharge device according to a reference example, FIG. 10 (b) schematically shows a hose cross-section at a position where the circuit board of FIG. 10 (a) is located, and FIG. ) Schematically shows the water discharger according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 10D schematically shows a cross section of the hose at the position where the circuit board of FIG. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the permanent magnet and the Hall element in an XY coordinate system, and FIG. 11B shows the X coordinate of the permanent magnet and the Hall element when the permanent magnet moves in the X direction. It is a figure which shows the relationship with the output value from. It is a figure which shows the state in the middle of removing the water discharge head which concerns on this embodiment from a head holding body. FIG. 13A is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship of the permanent magnet according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of the permanent magnet and the output value from the Hall element. . FIG. 14A schematically shows a state in which the water discharge head according to the present embodiment is in the holding position, and FIG. 14B schematically shows a state in which the water discharge head is in the boundary position, and FIG. Schematically shows a state in which the water discharge head is located beyond the boundary position.

  Hereinafter, in the embodiment and the modification, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the duplicate description is omitted. Moreover, in each drawing, a part of component is abbreviate | omitted suitably for convenience of explanation.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a kitchen unit 100 in which a water discharge device 10 according to this embodiment is used. The kitchen unit 100 includes a sink 102 provided at the counter. The sink 102 is provided with a seating portion 104. The seat portion 104 is provided with a water discharge device 10 having a temperature adjustment function on each of the left and right sides when viewed from the front, and another water discharge device 106 for supplying purified water.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the water discharge device 10. The water discharge device 10 is an automatic faucet. The water discharge device 10 is supported by a sink 102 (not shown in the drawing), a head holding body 15 that is supported by the support member 14 with respect to the sink 102, and is detachably held by the head holding body 15. The water discharge head 18 is provided. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the water discharge head 18 is detached from the head holding body 15. The head holder 15 is provided with an outlet 15a. The water discharge device 10 further includes a water supply hose 20 that can be pulled out from the outlet 15 a of the head holding body 15.

  FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the water discharger 10 at the tip side portion of the head holder 15. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the head holding body 15 includes a water discharge pipe 16 and a head mounting member 28 disposed in the water discharge pipe 16. In addition, the water discharge device 10 further includes a first sensor member 24 and a second sensor member 26 disposed in the head holding body 15. The water discharge device 10 includes a permanent magnet 128 mounted on the water discharge head 18 and a hall element 130 mounted on the first sensor member 24. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 9 and the like, the water discharge device 10 has one characteristic in the peripheral structure such as the permanent magnet 128 and the Hall element 130. Other characteristics will be described first.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a control system of the water discharge device 10 and a water supply path for supplying water to the water discharge head 18. In this figure, the electrical connection relationship of each component is shown with a broken line, and a water supply path is shown with the solid line arrow. The water discharge device 10 includes an electromagnetic valve 112 and a mixing valve 114 installed in the water supply channel. A part of the water supply channel is formed in the water supply hose 20.

  The solenoid valve 112 is installed on the back side of the sink 102 (see FIG. 1). The electromagnetic valve 112 is an electrically driven valve that closes or opens based on a control signal output from the control unit 116 described later. The electromagnetic valve 112 switches the water discharge from the water discharge head 18 by opening and closing the water supply path.

  The mixing valve 114 is mounted inside the support member 14 (see FIG. 2). Hot water is supplied from the hot water supply path 118 to the mixing valve 114 and cold water is supplied from the water supply path 120. The mixing valve 114 adjusts the temperature of the hot water by adjusting the mixing ratio of hot water and cold water (hereinafter collectively referred to as hot water) supplied from the hot water supply path 118 and the water supply path 120, and moves this downstream. Send water. The mixing valve 114 can adjust the temperature of the hot water as well as the flow rate of the hot water supplied to the downstream side by operating a lever 19 (see FIG. 2) attached to the support member 14.

  A first object detection sensor 122 for detecting the presence or absence of an object to be detected in the detection area Sb (see FIG. 4) is mounted on the first sensor member 24. The first object detection sensor 122 is an infrared distance measuring sensor as a non-contact sensor. The object to be detected here is a user's hand, tableware, or the like. The detection area Sb is in the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20 with respect to the sensor housing portion 17 (described later) of the head holding body 15. The first object detection sensor 122 is for performing control to discharge water from the water discharge head 18 while continuing detection that there is an object to be detected.

  A second object detection sensor 124 for detecting the presence or absence of an object to be detected in the detection area Sc (see FIG. 4) is mounted on the second sensor member 26. The second object detection sensor 124 is an infrared light quantity sensor as a non-contact sensor. The detection area Sc is outside the window portion 16 f formed in the water discharge pipe 16. The second object detection sensor 124 functions as a switch that performs control for switching the presence or absence of water discharged from the water discharge head 18 every time it detects that there is an object to be detected.

  An attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 capable of detecting the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head 18 with respect to the head holding body 15 is mounted on the first sensor member 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 includes a Hall element 130 that detects the permanent magnet 128 and a signal processing unit 132 that processes a signal output from the Hall element 130. The Hall element 130 is a magnetic sensor element that can output a voltage signal having a magnitude corresponding to the magnitude of the applied magnetic field (magnetic flux density) to the signal processing unit 132.

  The signal processing unit 132 detects the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head 18 using a signal output from the hall element 130. Specifically, a threshold value is set in advance for the signal value (voltage value) output from the Hall element 130, and the output value actually output is compared with the threshold value. When the output value exceeds the threshold value, it is detected that the water discharge head 18 is attached. When the output value does not exceed the threshold value, it is detected that the water discharge head 18 is not attached. The signal processing unit 132 outputs a signal indicating a detection result regarding the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head 18 to the control unit 116 described later.

  A control unit 116 is mounted on the second sensor member 26. The control unit 116 is configured by a microcomputer or the like mounted on a circuit board. As will be described in detail below, the control unit 116 controls the water discharge operation by the water discharge head 18 by controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 112 using signals output from the sensors 122, 124, 126, and the like. Whether the first object detection sensor 122 is controlled by the control unit 116 is switched by an on / off switch 134 (see FIG. 4) mounted on the second sensor member 26.

  When the controller 116 detects that the water discharge head 18 is attached by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126, the control unit 116 controls any of the following (1) and (2) according to the detection result of the first object detection sensor 122. I do. That is, (1) when it is detected that there is an object to be detected, control is performed to discharge water from the water discharge head 18 while the detection that there is an object to be detected continues. (2) When the object detection sensor 122 detects that there is no object to be detected, control is performed to stop water discharge from the water discharge head 18.

  On the other hand, when the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 detects that the water discharge head 18 is not attached, the water discharge by the water discharge head 18 is not performed regardless of the detection result by the first object detection sensor 122. In addition, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the water discharge head 18 discharges water every time the second object detection sensor 124 switches to detection that there is no object to be detected, regardless of the detection result of the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126. Switch.

  FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the water discharge pipe 16. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the water discharge pipe 16 includes a main pipe portion 16 a in which an internal space continuous along the pipe axis direction of the water discharge pipe 16 is formed, and an intermediate portion of the main pipe portion 16 a to the tip side. At least a part of the bulging portion 16b formed on the radially outer side of the main pipe portion 16a. The water discharge pipe 16 is a cast article made of a metal, and the bulging portion 16b is formed by bulging, but may be manufactured by resin molding or the like.

  The main pipe portion 16a has a so-called gooseneck shape that is curved in an inverted U shape so as to be folded downward from the upper side toward the distal end side from the base end side. A first opening 16d is provided at the distal end of the main pipe portion 16a. The bulging portion 16b is formed so as to bulge from the main pipe portion 16a toward the bent inner side (lower side in the figure). The bulging portion 16b is formed in a hollow shape so as to communicate with the inside of the main pipe portion 16a in a range from the intermediate portion of the main pipe portion 16a to the distal end side. A second opening 16g is provided at the tip of the bulging portion 16b. The main pipe portion 16a is provided with a distal end side portion 16h protruding from the bulging portion 16b toward the distal end side of the water discharge pipe 16. The distal end portion 16h is formed with a third opening 16i having a shape in which a part in the circumferential direction of the main pipe portion 16a is cut out.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the head mounting member 28 viewed from the inside of the water discharge pipe 16 bent. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the head mounting member 28 is an integrally molded product made of resin. The head mounting member 28 includes a first end surface portion 28c that closes the first opening portion 16d of the water discharge pipe 16, a peripheral surface portion 28d that closes the third opening portion 16i of the water discharge pipe 16, and a second opening portion 16g of the water discharge pipe 16. And a second end face portion 28e to be closed. The head mounting member 28 includes a sensor mounting portion 28 a on which the first sensor member 24 is mounted and a support portion 28 b that supports the second sensor member 26. The head mounting member 28 is fixed to the water discharge pipe 16 using a fastener 44 such as a screw.

  A sensor window portion 28f into which a part of the first sensor member 24 is fitted is formed on the first end surface portion 28c. The peripheral surface portion 28d extends in the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20 and is curved so as to be recessed toward the distal end portion 16h of the water discharge pipe 16. In the head holder 15, the sensor housing portion 17 is formed by the distal end side portion 16 h of the water discharge pipe 16, the first end surface portion 28 c and the peripheral surface portion 28 d of the head mounting member 28. The sensor housing part 17 projects outward from the second opening 16g of the water discharge pipe 16. A first sensor member 24 is accommodated in the sensor accommodating portion 17.

  The second end face portion 28e is provided with a holding portion 28g that detachably holds the water discharge head 18. The holding part 28g is provided so as to protrude outward from the second opening 16g of the water discharge pipe 16. The holding part 28g is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an outlet 15a is formed at the tip of the holding part 28g. The holding portion 28g communicates the inside and outside of the head holding body 15 through the inside. The water supply hose 20 is inserted into the holding portion 28g through the outlet 15a. Details of the holding unit 28g will be described later.

  The water supply hose 20 is made of a flexible material. The downstream end 20 a of the water supply hose 20 is connected to the water discharge head 18. The water discharge head 18 is provided with a water discharge port 18 a on the tip side opposite to the connection position of the water supply hose 20. A water passage 18 b is formed inside the water discharge head 18. The water discharge head 18 can discharge water supplied from the water supply hose 20 through the water passage 18b from the water discharge port 18a.

  FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the water discharge head 18, FIG. 8 (a) is a view seen from the outside of the water discharge pipe 16, and FIG. 8 (b) is a view seen from the inside of the water discharge pipe 16. . As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, a concave cover mounting portion 18 e is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the water discharge head 18 at a position facing the sensor housing portion 17 of the head holding body 15. A protective cover 18f is detachably attached to the cover attaching portion 18e by a snap fit method or the like. The outer surface of the protective cover 18 f constitutes a part of the outer shape of the water discharge head 18. A permanent magnet 128 is housed in the protective cover 18f at a position 18fa facing the cover mounting portion 18e.

  FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the water discharge device 10 at the tip of the head holder 15. The permanent magnet 128 is formed in a circular plate shape. The permanent magnet 128 is disposed substantially parallel to the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20. The magnetization direction D of the permanent magnet 128 is a direction substantially orthogonal to the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20, that is, a direction crossing the drawing direction C. The “drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20” here refers to a direction along the center line Lc of the outlet 15a. In addition, the term “substantially parallel” here includes a case where it is completely parallel to the drawing direction C and a case where the angle formed with respect to the drawing direction C is 10 ° or less. In the figure, an example in which this angle is around 5 ° is shown. In addition, the term “substantially orthogonal” here includes a case where it is completely orthogonal to the drawing direction C and a case where the angle formed with respect to the surface orthogonal to the drawing direction C is 10 ° or less. This interpretation is the same in the following.

  The first sensor member 24 is arranged away from the magnetization direction D of the permanent magnet 128. The first sensor member 24 includes a sensor case 24a serving as an outer shell, and a first circuit board 24b accommodated in the sensor case 24a. The first circuit board 24 b is a rigid board that is disposed substantially parallel to the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20. That is, the first circuit board 24b is arranged so as to extend in the drawing direction C. The “main surface” here is a surface in the thickness direction of the circuit board.

  The first circuit board 24 b is arranged so that one main surface faces the water discharge head 18. The Hall element 130 is mounted on one main surface of the first circuit board 24b, and the IC chip 24c constituting the signal processing unit 132 is mounted on the opposite main surface. The Hall element 130 is a planar body. The hall element 130 is disposed in a direction intersecting with the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20 with respect to the permanent magnet 128.

The effect by the above water discharging apparatus 10 is demonstrated.
FIG. 10A schematically shows a water discharge device 10 according to a reference example, and FIG. 10B schematically shows a cross section of a hose at a position where the first circuit board 24b of FIG. Moreover, FIG.10 (c) shows typically the water discharging apparatus 10 which concerns on this embodiment, FIG.10 (d) shows typically the hose cross section in the position with the 1st circuit board 24b of FIG.10 (c). Shown in In this figure, the positions of the head holding body 15, the water discharge head 18, the water supply hose 20, the permanent magnet 128, the Hall element 130, and the first circuit board 24b are schematically shown. In this figure, for the convenience of explanation, an exaggerated one from the actual positional relationship is shown.

  In the water discharge device 10 of the reference example, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, the hall element 130 is disposed in the direction opposite to the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20 with respect to the permanent magnet 128, and the hall element 130 is the main surface. The first circuit board 24b mounted on is disposed in parallel with a direction (vertical direction in the drawing) orthogonal to the drawing direction C. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), it is necessary to secure a space corresponding to the plate width dimension L1 of the first circuit board 24b with respect to the cross-sectional dimension of the head holder 15 in the cross section of the hose.

  In the water discharge device 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the Hall element 130 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the pulling direction C of the water supply hose 20 with respect to the permanent magnet 128, and the Hall element 130 is the main element. The first circuit board 24b mounted on the surface is arranged so as to extend along the drawing direction C. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (d), with regard to the cross-sectional dimension of the head holding body 15 in the cross section of the hose, it is mainly sufficient to ensure a space corresponding to the thickness dimension L2 of the first circuit board 24b. Become. In the drawing, the first circuit board 24b shows an example parallel to the drawing direction C. However, if the first circuit board 24b is arranged to extend in the drawing direction C, it is parallel to the direction orthogonal to the drawing direction C. The increase in the cross-sectional dimension of the head holding body 15 in the cross section of the hose can be greatly suppressed as compared with the arrangement of the head holding body 15.

  Here, when many electronic components are mounted on the first circuit board 24b, it is necessary to increase the plate width dimension L1 of the first circuit board 24b in order to secure a mounting space. In this case, in the structure of the reference example, as the plate width dimension L1 increases, the cross-sectional dimension of the head holding body 15 in the cross section of the hose greatly increases. On the other hand, in the structure of this embodiment, even if the plate width dimension L1 of the first circuit board 24b is increased, it is sufficient to ensure a large space corresponding to the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20, and the hose crossing of the head holding body 15 is sufficient. An increase in cross-sectional dimension on the surface can be suppressed. Therefore, as compared with the water discharging device 10 of the reference example, when the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 is mounted, a structure suitable for downsizing the cross-sectional dimension of the head holding body 15 in the cross section of the hose can be obtained.

  Returning to FIG. 9, when the water discharge head 18 is held by the head holding body 15, the permanent magnet 128 is arranged at a position shifted along the pull-out direction C with respect to the Hall element 130. It can be said that the central position 128a of the permanent magnet 128 in the pulling direction C is arranged at a position shifted along the pulling direction C with respect to the central position 130a of the Hall element 130 in the pulling direction C. The central position 128a of the permanent magnet 128 is provided so as not to overlap the Hall element 130 in the direction orthogonal to the drawing direction C. This advantage will be described.

  FIG. 11A is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the permanent magnet 128 and the Hall element 130 in the XY coordinate system. The permanent magnet 128 is arranged in parallel with the X direction, and the magnetization direction D is the Y direction. It is assumed that the hall element 130 is arranged in parallel to the X direction and away from the permanent magnet 128 in the Y direction. The distribution in the X direction of the magnetic flux density generated by the permanent magnet 128 shows a peak at the central position 128a in the X direction of the permanent magnet 128, and decreases as the distance from the central position 128a in the X direction increases. This tendency is the same even at a position away from the permanent magnet 128 in the Y direction.

  FIG. 11B is a diagram showing the relationship between the X coordinate of the central position 128a in the X direction of the permanent magnet 128 and the output value V from the Hall element 130 when the permanent magnet 128 moves in the X direction. is there. When the magnetic field applied by the permanent magnet 128 is detected by the Hall element 130, the output value V from the Hall element 130 is such that the central position 130a in the X direction of the Hall element 130 and the central position 128a of the permanent magnet 128 are X. When overlapping in the direction, the maximum value Vmax is reached. In FIG. 11A, this corresponds to the case where the center position 128a of the permanent magnet 128 is at the X coordinate xa. When the center position 128a of the permanent magnet 128 is displaced from the coordinate xa to both sides in the X direction, the output value V from the Hall element 130 decreases as the displacement amount of the permanent magnet 128 increases. Therefore, when the permanent magnet 128 moves from xb to xa to xc in the + X direction, the output value from the Hall element 130 increases until reaching the maximum value Vmax and then decreases.

  In the present embodiment, the permanent magnet 128 is disposed at a position displaced along the pull-out direction C with respect to the Hall element 130 when the water discharge head 18 is held with respect to the head holding body 15. This is because, in the example of FIG. 11A, when the drawing direction C and the X direction are parallel to each other, the permanent magnet 128 is positioned at the X coordinate Xd shifted from the Hall element 130 along the drawing direction C. Means placing. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the permanent magnet 128 moves in the + X direction from Xb to Xd, the output value from the Hall element 130 does not reach the maximum value Vmax but only increases monotonously. . That is, when the water discharge head 18 is attached to the head holder 15 by moving it in the direction opposite to the drawing direction C, the output value from the Hall element 130 can be increased monotonously. Therefore, the output value from the Hall element 130 increases more accurately as the distance in the drawing direction C from the holding position at which the water discharge head 18 is held by the head holding body 15 to the current position of the water discharge head 18 decreases. The attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 makes it easy to accurately detect the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head 18.

  In particular, in the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 of the present embodiment, as described above, the threshold value Vs is set for the output value V from the Hall element 130, and the water discharge head is compared by comparing the output value V and the threshold value Vs. 18 is detected. In addition, the relative position of the permanent magnet 128 with respect to the Hall element 130 is accurately positioned due to the influence of tolerances such as a dimensional tolerance and a geometric tolerance regarding the head holder 15, the water discharge head 18, the permanent magnet 128, the Hall element 130, and the like. Have difficulty. Therefore, when the water discharge head 18 is attached, if the permanent magnet 128 is movable to a position shifted in the direction opposite to the pulling direction C with respect to the Hall element 130, the output value V from the Hall element 130 is affected by the tolerance. Becomes less than the set value Vs, and the possibility that the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head 18 cannot be accurately detected increases. The present embodiment has a great advantage in that it is easy to accurately detect the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head 18 by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 while suppressing the influence of such tolerances.

Next, other features of the water discharge device 10 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the water discharge head 18 is provided with a held portion 18 c at a base end portion opposite to the water discharge port 18 a. The held portion 18c is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the holding portion 28g of the head mounting member 28 is inserted therein. The position of the water discharge head 18 in the direction orthogonal to the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20 is held by fitting the holding portion 28g of the head mounting member 28 and the held portion 18c.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the holding portion 28 g of the head mounting member 28 is provided with an elastically deformable claw portion 28 h, and the claw portion 28 h can be engaged with the held portion 18 c of the water discharge head 18. A locking portion 18d (see also FIG. 8B) is provided. The position of the water discharge head 18 in the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20 is maintained by the engagement of the claw portion 28h with the locking portion 18d.

  FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in the middle of removing the water discharge head 18 from the holding portion 28 g of the water discharge pipe 16. When the water discharge head 18 is removed, the held portion 18c of the water discharge head 18 pulls the water discharge head 18 in the pulling direction C, and the claw portion 28h of the holding portion 28g is elastically deformed. The engagement with the locking portion 18d is released, and it can be easily detached from the holding portion 28g. On the other hand, the claw portion 28h of the holding portion 28g can be engaged with the locking portion 18d in the pull-out direction C with the elastic deformation of the claw portion 28h when the held portion 18c of the water discharge head 18 is attached to the holding portion 28g. It is arranged in the position. That is, the water discharge head 18 is detachably held by the holding portion 28g of the head holding body 15 by a snap fit method.

  Thus, when attaching / detaching the water discharge head 18, the holding portion 28 g of the head holder 15 can guide the water discharge head 18 along one direction E (see FIG. 12) parallel to the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20. is there. The one direction E (hereinafter referred to as the guide direction E) includes a pulling direction C and a direction opposite to the pulling direction C.

  FIG. 13A is a diagram schematically illustrating the positional relationship of the permanent magnet 128 when the water discharge head 18 is attached and detached. In the drawing, a range Sa (hereinafter referred to as a guidance range Sa) in which the water discharge head 18 is separated from the holding position Pa and guided along the guide direction E by the head holder 15 is shown. The water discharge head 18 at the holding position Pa is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the water discharge head 18 at the guide limit position Pb at the end in the drawing direction C in the guide range Sa is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a signal value V output from the Hall element 130 when the permanent magnet 128 is present at each position in FIG. The horizontal axis of the figure shows the central position 128a of the permanent magnet 128 with respect to the X coordinate axis along the guide direction E. As described above, the signal processing unit 132 of the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 has the water discharge head 18 attached to the head holder 15 when a signal value within the predetermined output range R is output from the Hall element 130. Is detected. The output range R for attachment / detachment determination is determined as a range equal to or greater than the threshold value Vs.

  Here, a signal value assumed in advance as being output from the hall element 130 when the water discharge head 18 is at the holding position Pa is Vpa, and is output from the hall element 130 when the water discharge head 18 is at the guide limit position Pb. It is assumed that the signal value assumed in advance is Vpb. The signal processing unit 132 determines the output range R for attachment / detachment determination so that the range from the signal value Vpa when the holding position Pa is present to the signal value Vpb when the holding position Pa is present is included. Thus, when the water discharge head 18 is in the entire range Sa guided by the head holding body 15, that is, when the water discharge head 18 is in the middle position guided by the head holding body 15, the water discharge head 18 is attached. It becomes possible to detect.

  This advantage will be described. Consider a case in which the water discharge head is moved to the holding position Pa while being guided along the guide direction E by the head holding body 15. In this case, even if the user intends to make the water discharge head 18 reach the holding position Pa, the user may actually reach only the midway position guided by the head holding body 15. At this time, if it is detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 that the water discharge head 18 is not attached, the sense of discomfort of the user who intends to make the water discharge head 18 reach the holding position Pa will be uncomfortable. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, it can be detected that the water discharge head 18 is attached by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 at such a time. Therefore, it is possible to match the feeling of the user who intends to make the water discharge head 18 reach the holding position Pa, and to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the first sensor member 24 has a second circuit board 24d in addition to the first circuit board 24b housed in the sensor case 24a. The second circuit board 24d is arranged such that one main surface faces the first opening 16d. On one main surface, a light emitting element 24e and a light receiving element (not shown) as sensor elements constituting the first object detection sensor 122 are mounted. The first object detection sensor 122 is housed in the sensor housing portion 17 of the head holding body 15. The first object detection sensor 122 uses the light emitting element 24e to project detection light to the outside through the first opening 16d and the sensor window 28f, and uses the light receiving element to detect the detection light reflected from the object to be detected. Receive light. This figure shows the range Sb in which the detection light is projected. When the object to be detected is arranged in this range Sb, it can be detected if there is an object to be detected by the detection light reflected from the object to be detected, and this range Sb becomes the detection area Sb of the first object detection sensor 122. The detection area Sb of the first object detection sensor 122 is in the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20 with respect to the sensor housing portion 17.

  The sensor accommodating portion 17 of the head holding body 15 is provided in a direction intersecting the drawing direction C with respect to the distal end side portion 18 g of the water discharge head 18. Therefore, the sensor housing portion 17 can regulate the displacement of the water discharge head 18 into the detection area Sb of the first object detection sensor 122 by contact with the water discharge head 18. Thereby, the penetration of the water discharge head 18 into the detection area Sb can be effectively prevented, and the first object detection sensor 122 can prevent the water discharge head 18 from being unintentionally detected.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship when the water discharge head 18 is removed from the head holder 15. This figure shows an example in which the head holder 15 and the water discharge head 18 are formed so as to extend linearly. FIG. 14A shows a state in which the water discharge head 18 is at the holding position Pa. FIG. 14B shows a state in which the water discharge head 18 is at the boundary position Ps that is assumed in advance that the detection result of the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 is switched when the water discharge head 18 moves from the holding position Pa along the pulling direction C. Indicates. The range from the holding position Pa to the boundary position Ps is a range along the drawing direction C from the holding position Pa by the head holding body 15, and when the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 detects that the water discharge head 18 is attached. The assumed detection range R1.

  The sensor accommodating portion 17 of the head holding body 15 is configured to restrict displacement in a predetermined direction F (upward in this figure) when the water discharge head 18 is in the detection range R1. This direction F is a direction orthogonal to the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20 and is a direction toward the sensor housing portion 17 when viewed from the water discharge head 18. In configuring in this way, a length dimension and the like along the pull-out direction C of the sensor housing portion 17 is determined. Thereby, when the water discharge head 18 is attached or detached, the water discharge head 18 is prevented from entering the detection area Sb of the first object detection sensor 122 while the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 detects that the water discharge head 18 is attached. It can be effectively prevented. Therefore, even during this time, it is possible to prevent the water discharge head 18 from being unintentionally detected by the first object detection sensor 122.

  In addition, FIG.14 (c) shows the state which has the water discharge head 18 in the position beyond detection range R1. Thus, the sensor accommodating part 17 of the head holding body 15 allows the displacement in the above-described direction F when the water discharge head 18 is located beyond the detection range R1.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the hall element 130, the signal processing unit 132, and the first circuit board 24 b constituting the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 are mounted in the same sensor case 24 a as the sensor element constituting the first object detection sensor 122. Moreover, these share the 1st circuit board 24b between the sensor elements which comprise the 1st object detection sensor 122. FIG. Sharing here means sharing an electronic component such as an IC chip mounted on the first circuit board 24b and a conductor pattern formed on the first circuit board 24b. The electronic components and conductor patterns include those constituting a power supply circuit for supplying power to the first object detection sensor 122 and the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126. This eliminates the need for a dedicated sensor case or circuit board for each of the first object detection sensor 122 and the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126, thereby reducing the number of components and saving space and cost.

  Further, the wiring 24 f is drawn from the sensor case 24 a of the first sensor member 24. The wiring 24f electrically connects various electronic components mounted on the first circuit board 24b to the control unit 40 (see also FIG. 5) of the second sensor member 26. The wiring 24f transmits and receives signals to / from various power supply components mounted on the first circuit board 24b from an external power source or the like, and the control unit 40 of the second sensor member 26. A signal line is included. The sensor element of the first object detection sensor 122 and the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 also share the wiring 24f serving as the power line and the signal line. Therefore, dedicated wiring for each of the first object detection sensor 122 and the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 becomes unnecessary, and space saving and cost reduction can be achieved by reducing the number of parts. The second circuit board 24d is electrically connected to the first circuit board 24b through wiring (not shown).

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment, embodiment only shows the principle and application of this 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 water discharge device 10 may be used for facilities installed in buildings, ships, and the like, and may be used for a washstand, a hand-washer, a bathroom, and the like in addition to a kitchen.

  The head holding body 15 has been described as an example having the water discharge pipe 16 and the head mounting member 28. The head holding body 15 only needs to be provided with an outlet 15a through which the water supply hose 20 can be drawn and can hold the water discharge head 18 in a detachable manner, and does not necessarily require the water discharge pipe 16. For example, the head holder 15 may include a wall member such as a washstand.

  Although the water discharge pipe | tube 16 demonstrated the example which has the bulging part 16b in addition to the main pipe part 16a, it does not need to have the bulging part 16b. In this case, the water supply hose 20 may be configured to be drawable through the first opening 16d of the main pipe portion 16a. Moreover, although the main part 16a of the water discharge pipe 16 demonstrated the example formed in gooseneck shape, you may form in linear form.

  The 1st circuit board 24b should just be arrange | positioned substantially parallel with the drawing-out direction C of the water supply hose 20, and does not need to be completely parallel with the drawing-out direction C. FIG.

  The permanent magnet 128 of the water discharge head 18 is described as a detected object detected by the Hall element 130 of the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126, and the Hall element 130 of the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 is described as a sensor element that detects the approach of the detection object. . The combination of the detected object and the sensor element is not limited to this. For example, the sensor element may be a magnetic sensor element such as a reed switch in addition to the hall element 130. When the sensor element is a magnetic sensor element, the detected object may be a magnet such as an electromagnet in addition to the permanent magnet 128.

  Moreover, the example which provided the permanent magnet 128 in the water discharge head 18 as a to-be-detected body, and provided the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 in the head holding body 15 was demonstrated. In addition, the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 may be provided in the water discharge head 18 and the detection target may be provided in the head holding body 15. Even in this case, the circuit board on which the sensor element of the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 is mounted on the main surface is arranged so as to extend in the drawing direction C. Thereby, the increase in the cross-sectional dimension of the water discharge head 18 in the cross-section of the hose can be greatly suppressed as compared with the case where the circuit board is arranged in parallel with the direction orthogonal to the drawing direction C. Therefore, when the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 is mounted, a structure suitable for reducing the cross-sectional dimension of the water discharge head 18 in the cross-section of the hose can be obtained.

  In this case, the water discharge head 18 may be provided with a communication control unit for transmitting the output value from the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 to the control unit 40 by wireless communication. In any case, the detected body may be provided on one of the water discharge head 18 and the head holding body, and the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 may be provided on the other.

  In order to obtain the effect described with reference to FIG. 11, that is, the effect of easily detecting the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head 18 by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126, the following condition may be satisfied. That is, when the water discharge head 18 is held by the head holding body 15, one of the detected body and the sensor element provided on the water discharge head 18 is in contrast to the other provided on the head holding body 15. What is necessary is just to arrange | position in the position shifted along the drawer | drawing-out direction C of No .. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which “one” is the permanent magnet 128 (detected body) and “the other” is the hall element 130 (sensor element) has been described. This means that “one” may be a sensor element and “the other” may be a detected object.

  The example in which the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 can detect that the water discharge head 18 is attached when the water discharge head 18 is in the entire range Sa guided by the head holding body 15 has been described. The attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 is not limited to this, and when the water discharge head 18 is located at an intermediate position between the holding position Pa and the guide limit position Pb in the entire range Sa guided by the head holding body 15, the water discharge head. It may be configured to detect that 18 is attached. In this configuration, when the attachment / detachment detection sensor 126 includes the Hall element 130 and the signal processing unit 132, the following configuration may be used. That is, the signal processing unit 132 assumes a signal value that is assumed when the water discharge head 18 is located at a midway position guided by the head holding body 15 from the signal value Vpa that is assumed when the water discharge head 18 exists at the holding position Pa. The output range R for attachment / detachment determination described above may be determined so that the above range is included.

  Moreover, although the guide direction E of the head holding body 15 demonstrated the example parallel to the drawing-out direction C of the water supply hose 20, it is not restricted to this. The guide direction E may be substantially parallel to the drawing direction C of the water supply hose 20.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Water discharging apparatus, 15 ... Head holding body, 15a ... Drawer outlet, 17 ... Sensor accommodating part, 18 ... Water discharging head, 20 ... Water supply hose, 24a ... Sensor case, 122 ... Object detection sensor, 126 ... Detachment detection sensor, 128 ... permanent magnet (detected body), 130 ... Hall element (sensor element).

Claims (6)

A head holding body provided with an outlet,
A water supply hose that can be pulled out from the outlet;
A water discharge head connected to the water supply hose, capable of discharging water supplied from the water supply hose, and detachably held by the head holder;
A body to be detected provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the water discharge head;
Wherein the outer peripheral surface opposite to the position of the water discharge head than the outlets provided in the front serial head holder at the site extending in the pull-out direction of the water supply hose, detachment detection having a sensor element for detecting the detection object body A sensor,
A circuit board on which the sensor element is mounted,
The water discharge device, wherein the circuit board is arranged to extend in a direction in which the water supply hose is drawn. The head holding body can guide the water discharge head along one direction when the water discharge head is attached and detached.
The attachment / detachment detection sensor is configured to detect that the water discharge head is attached to the head holding body when the water discharge head is in a midway position guided by the head holding body. The water discharging apparatus according to claim 1 . The head holding body has a sensor housing portion provided in a direction intersecting the drawing direction with respect to the water discharge head held by the head holding body,
The water discharge according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein an object detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object to be detected in the pull-out direction with respect to the sensor housing portion is housed in the sensor housing portion. apparatus. The attachment / detachment detection sensor can detect the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge head with respect to the head holding body, using a signal output from the sensor element.
When the water discharge head is in a range where the attachment / detachment detection sensor detects that the water discharge head is attached, the sensor storage portion is in a direction orthogonal to the pull-out direction, and the sensor storage portion The water discharging device according to claim 3 , wherein the water discharging device is configured to regulate displacement of the water discharging head in a direction toward the water. It has an object detection sensor to detect the presence or absence of the object to be detected,
2. The attachment / detachment detection sensor is accommodated in the same sensor case as the circuit board and the object detection sensor, and the circuit board is shared with the object detection sensor. 4. The water discharging apparatus according to any one of 4 above.   A head holding body provided with an outlet,
  A water supply hose that can be pulled out from the outlet;
  A water discharge head connected to the water supply hose, capable of discharging water supplied from the water supply hose, and detachably held by the head holder;
  A detected body provided on one of the water discharge head and the head holding body;
  An attachment / detachment detection sensor provided on the other of the water discharge head and the head holding body and having a sensor element for detecting the detected body;
  A circuit board on which the sensor element is mounted,
  The circuit board is disposed so as to extend in a pulling-out direction of the water supply hose,
  It has an object detection sensor to detect the presence or absence of the object to be detected,
  The detachable detection sensor is housed in the same sensor case as the circuit board and the object detection sensor, and shares the circuit board with the object detection sensor.

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