JP7324154B2 - Connection structure of water purifier cartridge and faucet with water purification function - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connection structure of a water purifier cartridge and a faucet with a water purification function. The present invention relates to a water purifier cartridge connection structure and a faucet with a water purifying function, which can improve the handleability by giving a continuous sense of unity so as not to be seen from the water purifier cartridge, and further improve the design.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a water purifier cartridge that can be connected to a spout of a faucet to discharge purified water has been widely used.
As a structure for connecting a water purifier cartridge to a spout, for example, those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known.
In the connection structure described in Patent Document 1, the connecting portion located on the tip side of the adapter main body is pressed against the faucet, and the threaded cap supported by the connecting portion is screwed around the water supply port of the water purifier cartridge. The device cartridge can be connected to the connecting portion.
In addition, the connection structure described in Patent Document 2 includes a U-shaped metal fitting (adapter) between the neck provided on the base side of the water receiving port (water supply port) in the water purifier cartridge and the top surface of the tip of the water discharge pipe. A structure is adopted in which the water purifier cartridge can be connected to the spout by stretching the lock bolt toward the top of the spout and tightening the lock bolt toward the top of the spout.
Furthermore, the connection structure described in Patent Document 3 includes a mounting adapter that is threadably provided on the inner periphery of the spout and a tightening ring is arranged on the outer periphery, and a water purifier cartridge that protrudes the water supply port from the outer periphery of the case. By screwing the screw provided on the inner surface side of the tightening ring into the outer peripheral screw of the water supply port, the water faucet and the water purifier cartridge are connected.

Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-64259 Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-13484 JP-A-8-199644

However, in the connection structures of Patent Documents 1 to 3, the outer surface of the cartridge case is partially protruded to form a water supply port, and the connection portion is formed around the water supply port. That is, in the connection structures of Patent Documents 1 to 3, since the connection portion is formed in a portion protruding from the outer surface of the case forming the water purifier cartridge, the connection portion appears in the appearance of the water purifier cartridge. becomes large, and the handleability thereof deteriorates.
In addition, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 has a unique shape using a bifurcated adapter, and does not have versatility that can be adapted to various water discharge pipes. Moreover, not only is the length of the adapter elongated along the water discharge pipe, but parts must be arranged at predetermined locations along the length, which is a factor in increasing the number of parts. In addition, there are uneven portions around the connecting portion, which increases the number of portions to which water droplets are likely to adhere, making it difficult to maintain.
Furthermore, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, the adapter is an individualized exclusive component made up of U-shaped metal fittings, and does not have versatility. Moreover, as in Patent Document 1, the ease of maintenance around the adapter is deteriorated.
Moreover, the configuration described in Patent Document 3 has the inconvenience that the water purifier cartridge and the adapter cannot be connected without using a tightening ring.

[Purpose of Invention]
The present invention has been devised by paying attention to such inconveniences, and its object is to connect the water purifier cartridge with the adapter inside the water purifier cartridge when connecting the water purifier cartridge to the faucet via the adapter. To provide a connection structure and a water faucet with a water purification function capable of giving unity by making a connection part invisible.
Another object of the present invention is to prevent the water purifier cartridge from moving even if the water purifier cartridge is accidentally bumped with a finger or the like without causing unevenness or the like to appear on the outer surface side. To provide a connection structure of a water purifier cartridge and a faucet with a water purifying function which are excellent in handleability such as effectively preventing the falling off of the water purifier cartridge.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure for a water purifier cartridge and a faucet with a water purifying function that is easy to clean by eliminating the unevenness and the like, thereby eliminating the parts where limescale tends to adhere due to water splashes and the like. .
Another object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier cartridge and a faucet with a water purifying function that can be expected to be provided at a low cost while reducing the number of parts and imparting versatility.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the configuration described in the claims. Specifically, it includes an adapter detachable to the spout of a faucet, and a water purifier cartridge connected to the spout via the adapter,
The water purifier cartridge includes a substantially truncated cone-shaped, substantially cylindrical, or substantially truncated pyramid-shaped case with an opening at the top, and the adapter includes a tubular portion having a water passage in the center, and the tubular portion a hook portion that extends downward from the lower end of the and engages with the case,
A connection portion between the adapter and the water purifier cartridge is provided inside the water purifier cartridge.

In the present invention, the opening is formed on the inner side of the top surface of the case with a low surface position via a stepped portion. A configuration can be adopted in which the hook portion is provided so as to be engageable with an annular engaging surface positioned around the opening by relatively rotating the container cartridge.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a faucet with a water purification function, which is equipped with the connection structure according to any one of claims 1 and 2 .

According to the present invention, since the adapter can be connected inside the water purifier cartridge, the connecting portion can be made invisible, and the overall length of the water purifier cartridge can be suppressed to reduce the size of the water purifier cartridge. It can be made excellent in handleability and design by imparting integrity with.
Moreover, for example, when a truncated cone case is used for the water purifier cartridge, the outer surface of the case can be a simple circular surface, so that the connection will be released even if an unintended external force is applied from the outside. force is less likely to act, and a stable connection state can be maintained.
Furthermore, the spout axis of the faucet and the case axis of the water purifier cartridge can be made to coincide, and the water purifier cartridge can obtain an integral form extending straight from the tip side of the faucet. Workability of water work can be improved without narrowing the surrounding space.
In addition, it is possible to eliminate unevenness and the like of the connecting portion seen in the prior art, so that the surroundings of the water purifier cartridge can be easily cleaned and sanitary.
Moreover, cost reduction can be expected by minimizing the number of parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic perspective view which shows the whole structure by which the water purifier cartridge which concerns on 1st Embodiment was attached to the faucet. FIG. 1 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of the main part showing the connected state of the water purifier cartridge of FIG. Schematic perspective view of an adapter. Bottom view of the adapter Front view of the adapter. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. Top view of the adapter. BB line arrow sectional drawing of FIG. The top view of a water purifier cartridge. The front view of the adapter in 2nd Embodiment. CC arrow sectional view of FIG. The schematic perspective view of the adapter in 2nd Embodiment. Bottom view of FIG. 11 is a plan view of FIG. 10; FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 showing the first embodiment, a faucet 10 with a water purification function is provided in a shape facing a sink (not shown) or the like, and a water purifier cartridge 12 is connected to the tip thereof via an adapter 11. there is The faucet 10 has a lever 13, and turning the lever 13 turns the water spout on and off.

The adapter 11 is made of an appropriate synthetic resin molded product, and can be attached by screwing it into the inner circumference of the spout 10A of the faucet 10, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the adapter 11 includes a cylindrical portion 15, a flange portion 16, and a claw-like hook portion 17. As shown in FIG.
The tubular portion 15 is provided with a water passage 20 in the axial direction of the central portion, and is provided with a male thread 15A on its outer peripheral surface that engages with a female thread 10B formed on the inner peripheral surface of the spout 10A. .
The tip of the faucet 10 abuts against the upper surface of the flange portion 16, and the tip of the faucet 10, that is, the outer periphery of the tip of the spout 10A and the outer periphery of the upper surface of the flange portion 16 substantially coincide with each other. The tip of the faucet 10 and the upper surface of the flange portion 16 are butted against each other so that there is no step, projection, or the like on which a finger may be caught.
O-rings 21 and 22 are arranged between the upper end surface of the cylindrical portion 15 and the faucet 10 and between the lower end side outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 15 and the water purifier cartridge 12, respectively.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 15, recessed portions 24 are formed at positions spaced apart by 120 degrees in the circumferential direction in consideration of sink marks during molding. there is

The hook portion 17 is composed of a leg piece 25 projecting downward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 15 and a claw piece 26 directed substantially horizontally outward from the lower end of the leg piece 25. It is arranged between the cutouts 24 at spaced apart locations. As shown in FIG. 6, convex ribs 25A are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the leg pieces 25, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the claw piece 26 is provided in a substantially fan-like shape whose width direction dimension increases toward the tip, and a chamfered portion 26A (see FIG. 5) is provided at the upper tip. there is

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, the water purifier cartridge 12 includes a case 30 having a substantially truncated cone shape, activated carbon 31 arranged in the case 30, and a central portion of the case 30. and a tubular body 33 having a lower end serving as a purified water outlet.
The case 30 has a top surface 35 on the upper outer peripheral side that contacts the lower surface of the flange portion 16, and a stepped portion 36 on the inner side of the top surface 35. The surface position is provided low and an opening 40 (see FIG. 9) is formed in the center. An annular engaging surface 37, a skirt-shaped peripheral wall 38 having an outer diameter that gradually widens downward, and a lower end of the peripheral wall 38 that continues to the outer periphery of the top surface 35 and the engaging surface 37. and a bottom wall (not shown) that supports the lower end side of the tubular body 33 . The top surface 35 on the outside of the case 30 has an outer peripheral edge positioned on the same circumference as the outer peripheral edge of the lower end of the flange portion 16, so that the outer surface from the tip side of the faucet 10 to the water purifier cartridge 12 is smooth. Expresses a continuous appearance form.

The openings 40 are formed at positions having central axes substantially identical to the central axes of the water conduit 20 and the tubular body 33, and the openings 40 are spaced approximately 120 degrees apart in the circumferential direction, as shown in FIG. three large-diameter portions 40A capable of receiving the hook portion 17 and three small-diameter portions 40B positioned between the large-diameter portions 40A. The small-diameter portion 40B is on an imaginary circle in which the claw piece 26 of the hook portion 17 cannot be received from above. are provided respectively. At the boundary between the large diameter portion 40A and the small diameter portion 40B, a block-shaped stopper 44 is formed on the lower surface of the small diameter portion 40B to restrict excessive rotation of the hook portion 17. As shown in FIG.

In the first embodiment, when attaching the water purifier cartridge 12 to the faucet 10 , the male thread 15A of the adapter 11 is screwed into the female thread 10B of the faucet 10 .
Next, the three hook portions 17 of the adapter 11 are inserted into the three large diameter portions 40A in the opening 40 of the water purifier cartridge 12. As shown in FIG. Then, by rotating the case 12 in the circumferential direction by a predetermined angle, the claw pieces 26 of each hook portion 17 relatively move while being in contact with the lower surface of the small-diameter portion 40B and engage with it, and are formed on the leg pieces 25. The connection can be completed at the position where the rib 25A is fitted in the groove 42 . It can be said that such a feeling of operation is similar to the connection of a hanging ceiling.
When the water purifier cartridge 12 is to be removed, the above operations may be reversed.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. FIG. This second embodiment is characterized mainly in that the portion for attaching the adapter 11 to the faucet 10 is different from the first embodiment.
Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for components that are the same as or equivalent to those of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted or simplified.
This second embodiment is characterized in that serrated portions 15B are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 15 of the adapter 11 at predetermined intervals, thereby replacing the external thread 15A shown in the first embodiment. .
In the second embodiment, for example, a hose or the like is connected to the faucet 10 side, and the adapter 11 can be attached to the faucet side by inserting the serrated portion 15 into the tip of the hose or the like. . The faucet 10 to which a hose or the like can be connected is not limited to indoor use, and includes a single faucet that is often used outdoors, and the target faucet 10 is expanded.
Other configurations in the second embodiment are substantially the same as in the first embodiment, and the water purifier cartridge 12 shown in FIG. 2 can be connected.

Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the engagement surface 37 forming the opening 40 is provided at a position lower than the top surface 35 of the water purifier cartridge 12, and the engagement surface 37 is used to Since the hook portion 17 is configured to be engaged, the joint portion between the adapter 11 and the water purifier cartridge 12 can be positioned inside the water purifier cartridge 12, so that it is not exposed on the outside and unevenness etc. It is possible to provide a connection structure that does not expose the outer surface shape of the water purifier cartridge, can suppress the overall length of the water purifier cartridge, and is excellent in handleability.

Although the best configuration, method, etc. for carrying out the present invention have been disclosed in the above description, the present invention is not limited thereto.
That is, although the present invention has been particularly illustrated and described with respect to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention can be applied to such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Various modifications can be made by the trader.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the hook portion 17 is engaged and disengaged from the engaging surface 37, but a screw is formed on the lower outer circumference or inner circumference of the adapter 11, and a screw that can be engaged with this screw is attached to the case 30. It can also be formed inside the upper part and joined.
Furthermore, the spout of the present invention includes not only the opening at the tip of the faucet, but also the opening at the tip of a tubular body such as a hose connected to the opening.
In the above embodiment, the water purifier cartridge 12 having the substantially truncated cone-shaped case 30 was illustrated and described, but a substantially cylindrical or substantially truncated pyramid-shaped case may be used.
In short, according to the present invention, it suffices if the joint is provided inside the water purifier cartridge.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Faucet, 10A... Spout, 11... Adapter, 12... Water purifier cartridge, 15... Cylindrical part, 17... Hook part, 20... Water passage, 30... Case, 37... Engagement surface, 40... Opening

Claims (3)

An adapter detachable to a spout of a faucet, and a water purifier cartridge connected to the spout via the adapter,
The water purifier cartridge includes a substantially truncated cone-shaped, substantially cylindrical, or substantially truncated pyramid-shaped case with an opening at the top, and the adapter includes a tubular portion having a water passage in the center, and the tubular portion a hook portion that extends downward from the lower end of the and engages with the case,
A connection structure for a water purifier cartridge, wherein a connecting portion between the adapter and the water purifier cartridge is provided inside the water purifier cartridge. The opening is formed on the inside of the top surface of the case with a low surface position via a stepped portion, and the adapter and the water purifier cartridge are rotated relative to each other while the hook portion is inserted into the opening. 2. The connection structure of a water purifier cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said hook portion is provided so as to be engageable with an annular engaging surface positioned around said opening when said hook portion is engaged. A faucet with a water purification function, comprising the connection structure according to claim 1 or 2 .

Images