JP7681430B2 - Faucet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sensor-type faucet.

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a water faucet that is equipped with a sensor for detecting an object and that automatically starts and stops water from a water outlet based on a detection signal from the sensor.
The automatic faucet described in Patent Document 1 is configured by assembling a water discharge unit, a valve unit, a power supply unit, a control circuit unit, etc., inside a cylindrical case. The water discharge unit is connected to a water supply as a water supply source via a pipe extending from the automatic faucet to the outside, and includes a water discharge member with a water passage provided therein. The valve unit includes a solenoid valve that is operated by the supply of power from the power supply unit. The solenoid valve opens and closes the water passage based on commands from the control circuit unit.

JP 2013-011150 A

However, there are cases where a faucet does not function properly after long-term use. For example, foreign matter may have entered the water passage, reducing the sealing ability of the valve body against the valve seat, or the wiring that makes up the electrical system may have been broken. This may require inspection of the faucet and replacement of parts.

However, in the automatic faucet described in Patent Document 1, the water discharge member has both a function of connecting to a water supply source and a function of discharging water from a water passage. Therefore, even if only a part of the water discharge member does not function properly, the entire water discharge member must be removed, inspected, and replaced.

Furthermore, when inspecting or replacing the unit, it is necessary to remove the cylindrical case, then remove the valve unit, power supply unit, control circuit unit, etc. from the water discharge member, and then remove the water discharge member from the wall side. Then, they must be reassembled in the reverse order of removal. The water discharge member is assembled from the front of the wall, while the valve unit, power supply unit, control circuit unit, etc. are assembled from above the water discharge member. Because the assembly directions are different, it cannot be said that the workability during inspection or replacement is good.

In order to solve the above problems, the faucet of the present invention is a faucet that includes a connection member that is connected to a pipe from a water supply source, a valve unit that opens and closes a water passage based on a detection signal from a sensor, and a water discharge member that has a water outlet that discharges water from the water passage, and the connection member is provided with a stop valve for manually stopping the water discharge from the water outlet, and the connection member, the valve unit, and the water discharge member are formed separately, and the valve unit is assembled to the connection member and the water discharge member is assembled to the valve unit, and the assembly direction of the valve unit to the connection member and the assembly direction of the water discharge member to the valve unit are the same.

According to this configuration, the connection member, valve unit, and water discharge member are formed as separate bodies. Therefore, if any of the members or units stop working properly, it is only necessary to inspect and replace that member or unit. Furthermore, the assembly directions of the connection member, valve unit, and water discharge member are the same. Therefore, when inspecting or replacing, they can be removed and assembled in the same direction, which is easy to work with. This improves maintainability.

In the above configuration, it is preferable that the connection member, the valve unit, and the water discharge member are arranged side by side in the assembly direction. With this configuration, the faucet can be made smaller in size in the direction perpendicular to the assembly direction.

In the above configuration, the valve unit includes a diaphragm valve that opens and closes the water passage, a back pressure chamber provided on the opposite side of the valve seat on which the diaphragm valve is seated, and a pilot valve that reduces the pressure in the back pressure chamber based on the detection signal, and it is preferable that the pilot valve and the diaphragm valve are arranged side by side in the assembly direction. With this configuration, the valve unit can be made smaller in size in the direction perpendicular to the assembly direction. The faucet can be made more compact.

In the above configuration, it is preferable that the valve seat and the back pressure chamber are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the assembly direction. This configuration allows the water passage configuration to be simplified. This allows the faucet to be made more compact.

In the above configuration, it is preferable that the pilot valve is arranged to move in the assembly direction. With this configuration, the valve unit can be made smaller in size in the direction perpendicular to the assembly direction.

The present invention can improve the ease of maintenance of faucets.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the faucet of the present embodiment, viewed from below. FIG. FIG. FIG.

The following describes a faucet 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The faucet 1 of this embodiment is a sensor-type automatic faucet that is battery-operated and opens and closes the valve body when a sensor detects an object, thereby stopping and releasing water.

As shown in Figure 1, the faucet 1 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape and is attached so that its axis is perpendicular to the wall surface W of the bathroom or the like. In the following, the attachment side of the faucet 1 is defined as the base end side, and the opposite side to the attachment side as the tip end side. In addition, the top and bottom of the faucet 1 are defined in the attached state. The axial direction of the faucet 1, or the axial direction of the cover body 6 described below, is referred to as the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the faucet 1 includes a cover member 2 , a water passage unit 3 , a support member 4 , and a valve drive unit 5 .
<Cover Member 2>
As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the cover member 2 includes a substantially cylindrical cover body 6, a decorative cover 7 that covers the base end of the cover body 6, and a cap 8 that closes the tip edge of the cover body 6. A plurality of openings (including notches) are formed on the circumferential surface of the cover body 6. A sensor opening 6a and a water outlet opening 6b are formed on the underside of the cover body 6 from the tip side. A water outlet 35 (described later) attached to the water passage unit 3 protrudes from the water outlet opening 6b. A stopcock notch 6c is formed on the underside of the base end of the cover member 2, through which a stopcock 14 (described later) is exposed. In addition, a stopcock opening 7a is formed on the underside of the decorative cover 7, which is connected to the stopcock notch 6c and through which the stopcock 14 is exposed.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the water passage unit 3 , the support member 4 , and the valve drive unit 5 are housed inside the cover member 2 .
<Regarding the support member 4 and the valve drive unit 5>
The support member 4 is attached to the top of the water passage unit 3 and houses the valve drive unit 5 thereon. The valve drive unit 5 includes a battery box 51, a sensor unit 52, and wiring 53. A battery (not shown) is housed inside the battery box 51. The sensor unit 52 includes a sensor and a control unit that controls water discharge based on a detection signal from the sensor. The wiring 53 includes a wiring 53a that connects the battery box 51 and the sensor unit 52, and a wiring 53b that connects the sensor unit 52 and the valve unit 20. The battery box 51 and the sensor unit 52 are housed in a power supply housing 42 provided at the tip of the support member 4. The wirings 53a and 53b are housed in a wiring housing 41 provided at the base end of the support member 4.

<About Water Flow Unit 3>
3, the water passage unit 3 includes a connection member 10, a valve unit 20, and a water discharge member 30. The connection member 10, the valve unit 20, and the water discharge member 30 are arranged in this order from the base end side of the faucet 1 in the axial direction.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a connection tube 11 is formed at the base end of the connection member 10. The connection member 10 is attached to the wall surface W by a male screw 11a screwed into the outer circumferential surface of the connection tube 11. A connection tube 12 is formed at the tip end of the connection member 10. A gasket 12a is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the connection tube 12. The connection tubes 11 and 12 extend in the axial direction of the faucet 1.

Inside the connection member 10, a water passage 13 is provided that is connected to a water supply source via a pipe (not shown) to connect the connection tubes 11 and 12. Inside the connection member 10, a stop valve 14 is attached in the middle in the axial direction. The stop valve 14 is used to manually stop the water discharge from the water outlet 35 during maintenance of the faucet 1, etc. The stop valve 14 is equipped with a cylindrical bonnet 14a and a spindle 14b that is screwed onto the inner circumference of the bonnet 14a. The water discharge can be switched by rotating the spindle 14b and moving it in the axial direction of the bonnet 14a.

As shown in FIG. 3, a screw hole 15 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and opens upward is formed in the upper part of the connection member 10. In addition, a pair of screw holes 16 that extend in the axial direction and open to the tip side are formed on both sides of the connection tube 12 of the connection member 10. Furthermore, a screw hole 17 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and opens upward, and a screw hole 18 that opens to the side are formed in the base end part of the connection member 10.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the valve unit 20 is assembled to the connection member 10. As shown in Figure 4, a connection recess 21 is formed at the base end of the valve unit 20, extending in the axial direction and into which the connection tube 12 of the connection member 10 is inserted. Therefore, the assembly direction of the valve unit 20 to the connection member 10 coincides with the axial direction of the faucet 1. In addition, an opening 25c is formed at the tip end of the valve unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, an attachment portion 22 is formed at the base end of the valve unit 20. A through hole 22a is formed in the attachment portion 22, penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. In addition, attachment portions 23 are formed on both sides of the base end. A through hole 23a is formed in the attachment portion 23, penetrating in the axial direction. A screw hole 24 is formed on both sides of the tip end of the valve unit 20, extending in the axial direction. The valve unit 20 is assembled to the connection member 10 by screwing a screw S1 inserted into the through hole 22a into the screw hole 15 of the connection member 10, and screw S2 inserted into the through hole 23a into the screw hole 16 of the connection member 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, a water passage 25 is formed inside the valve unit 20, which communicates with the water passage 13 of the connection member 10. The water passage 25 has a main water passage 25a and a pilot water passage 25b. The main water passage 25a extends in the axial direction and connects the connection recess 21 of the valve unit 20 to the opening 25c. The pilot water passage 25b extends from the back pressure chamber P of the main valve portion 26 described later and communicates with the downstream side of the diaphragm valve 26a in the main water passage 25a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the valve unit 20 is an internal pilot type, and has a main valve section 26 with a diaphragm valve 26a as the main valve, and a sub-valve section 27 with a pilot valve 27a as the sub-valve. The main valve section 26 has a diaphragm valve 26a, a valve seat 26b, a spring 26c, and a back pressure chamber P. The diaphragm valve 26a moves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and opens and closes the main water passage 25a by seating on and leaving the valve seat 26b. The spring 26c is disposed above the diaphragm valve 26a and biases the diaphragm valve 26a downward. The back pressure chamber P is formed on the back side of the diaphragm valve 26a (the upper side in FIG. 4).

The auxiliary valve section 27 has a pilot valve 27a, a valve seat 27b, a coil 27c, and a core 27d. The pilot valve 27a is attached to the tip of the core 27d. The valve seat 27b of the pilot valve 27a is formed on the tip edge of the portion of the main valve section 26 where the pilot water passage 25b is formed. The pilot valve 27a is a valve that pilot operates the diaphragm valve 26a by opening and closing the pilot water passage 25b. The pilot valve 27a moves in the axial direction and opens and closes the pilot water passage 25b by seating on and leaving the valve seat 27b.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the main valve section 26 and the sub-valve section 27 are arranged side by side in the axial direction. The sub-valve section 27 is located at the tip side of the main valve section 26, above the water discharge member 30. The vertical dimension of the main valve section 26 is larger than the vertical dimension of the sub-valve section 27 and larger than the vertical dimension of the water discharge member 30. The vertical dimension of the water passage unit 3 in the portion where the sub-valve section 27 is located is equal to the vertical dimension of the water passage unit 3 in the portion where the main valve section 26 is located.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the water discharge member 30 is assembled to the valve unit 20. Inside the water discharge member 30, a water passage 31 is formed that communicates with the water passage 25 of the valve unit 20. At the base end of the water discharge member 30, a connecting tube 32 is formed that extends in the axial direction and is inserted into the opening 25c of the valve unit 20. Therefore, the assembly direction of the water discharge member 30 to the valve unit 20 coincides with the axial direction. A gasket 32a is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the connecting tube 32. At the tip of the water discharge member 30, an opening 33 that opens downward is formed. A female thread 33a is screwed into the inner peripheral surface of the opening 33.

As shown in FIG. 3, a through hole 34 is formed on both sides of the base end of the water discharge member 30, penetrating in the axial direction. The water discharge member 30 is assembled to the valve unit 20 by screwing a screw S3 inserted into the through hole 34 into the screw hole 24 of the valve unit 20.

<Operation of Faucet 1>
Next, the operation of the faucet 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
When the sensor does not detect an object, the pilot valve 27a sits on the valve seat 27b and closes the pilot water passage 25b. The diaphragm valve 26a sits on the valve seat 26b due to the water pressure in the back pressure chamber P and the bias of the spring 26c. The main water passage 25a is closed, and water discharge from the water outlet 35 is stopped.

When a hand is brought close to the sensor opening 6a, the control unit drives the coil 27c based on the detection signal from the sensor. This causes the pilot valve 27a to move axially away from the valve seat 27b. The water in the back pressure chamber P flows into the pilot water passage 25b, reducing the pressure in the back pressure chamber P. The diaphragm valve 26a moves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction against the biasing force of the spring 26c, and moves away from the valve seat 26b. When the diaphragm valve 26a opens, water from the water passage 13 flows axially through the main water passage 25a and is discharged from the water outlet 35.

When the hand is removed from the sensor opening 6a, the control unit stops driving the coil 27c. This causes the pilot valve 27a to move axially and seat on the valve seat 27b. When the pilot water passage 25b is closed, the water pressure in the back pressure chamber P increases, and the diaphragm valve 26a moves downward together with the biasing force from the spring 26c. When the diaphragm valve 26a seats on the valve seat 26b, the main water passage 25a is closed.

<About the maintenance work for Faucet 1>
During use of the faucet 1, water leakage may occur, or the valve unit 20 may not operate normally, making it necessary to inspect and replace the water passage unit 3. Examples of cases where the water passage unit 20 may not operate normally include cases where debris flows into the valve unit 20 from the water passages 13, 25, and 31, damaging the valve seat 26b of the diaphragm valve 26a. Other examples include cases where the wiring 53a and 53b is subjected to a load during construction or maintenance, causing it to break. Another example is cases where the spindle 14b of the stop valve 14 is tightened too tightly during maintenance. Below, we will explain cases where the valve unit 20 does not operate normally.

First, rotate the spindle 14b of the stop valve 14 to forcibly stop the water flow. Next, remove the water outlet 35, and remove the decorative cover 7 by unscrewing the screw S5 shown in Figure 1. Next, remove the screw S4 shown in Figure 2 to remove the cover body 6 and cap 8, and remove the support member 4 and valve drive unit 5 from above the water passage unit 3. This exposes the water passage unit 3 as shown in Figure 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the screw S3 is removed from the through-holes 34 on both sides of the water discharge member 30, and the water discharge member 30 is moved axially to remove it from the valve unit 20. Next, the screws S1 and S2 are removed from the through-holes 23a on both sides of the valve unit 20 and the upper through-hole 22a, and the valve unit 20 is moved axially to remove it from the connection member 10. Because the connection tube 32 of the water discharge member 30 and the connection tube 12 of the connection member 10 extend in the axial direction, both the water discharge member 30 and the valve unit 20 can be removed by pulling them out in the axial direction. In addition, because the through-holes 22a and 34 extend in the axial direction, the screws S2 and S3 can be pulled out axially from the tip side of the faucet 1.

After removing the valve unit 20, a new valve unit 20 is assembled. The assembly work can be performed in the reverse order of the removal work. The new valve unit 20 is moved in the axial direction from the tip side of the connection member 10, and the connection recess 21 of the valve unit 20 is fitted onto the connection tube 12 of the connection member 10. A screw S2 is inserted into the through hole 23a from the tip side of the valve unit 20 and tightened, and a screw S1 is inserted into the through hole 22a from above the valve unit 20 and tightened. Similarly, the water discharge member 30 is assembled to the new valve unit 20 with a screw S3. For the same reason as the removal work, the water discharge member 30 and the valve unit 20 are both assembled in the axial direction, and their assembly directions are the same. The screws S2 and S3 can also be tightened in the axial direction from the tip side of the faucet 1.

The support member 4 and valve drive unit 5 are attached from above the assembled water passage unit 3, and the cover body 6 and decorative cover 7 are attached from the tip side and fixed with screws S4 and S5. Finally, the water outlet 35 is attached, and the spindle 14b is rotated to enable water discharge.

<Effects of the faucet 1 of this embodiment>
(1) The water passage unit 3 of the faucet 1 is formed with the connection member 10, the valve unit 20, and the water discharge member 30 formed separately. Therefore, for example, if the valve unit 20 stops working properly, it is only necessary to inspect and replace the malfunctioning valve unit 20, not the entire water passage unit 3. Also, the water passage unit 3 has the same assembly direction of the valve unit 20 to the connection member 10 and the assembly direction of the water discharge member 30 to the valve unit 20. Therefore, when inspecting or replacing, it is sufficient to remove and install in the same direction. This improves maintainability.

(2) The connection member 10 is provided with a stop valve 14. For example, even if the valve seat of the stop valve 14 is damaged by debris or the like that has flowed into the water passage 13, there is no need to replace the entire water passage unit 3. This is also advantageous in terms of cost.

(3) The connection member 10, the valve unit 20, and the water discharge member 30 are arranged side by side in the axial direction inside the substantially cylindrical cover member 2. This allows the dimensions of the faucet 1 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction to be reduced in size.

(4) In the valve unit 20, the main valve section 26 and the sub-valve section 27 are arranged side by side in the axial direction. This allows the valve unit 20 to be made smaller in size in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. This allows the dimensions of the faucet 1 to be made smaller in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

(5) The valve seat 26b of the diaphragm valve 26a of the main valve section 26 and the back pressure chamber P are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, so that the diaphragm valve 26a moves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. If the diaphragm valve 26a were to move in the axial direction and the back pressure chamber P were located at the tip side of the diaphragm valve 26a, the main water passage 25a would need to be formed up to the tip side of the diaphragm valve 26a, and the shape of the main water passage 25a would become complex. In this regard, by configuring the diaphragm valve 26a to move in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the configuration of the main water passage 25a can be simplified. The faucet 1 can be made even more compact.

(6) The pilot valve 27a of the sub-valve portion 27 is disposed so as to move in the axial direction, so that the dimension of the sub-valve portion 27 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction can be reduced.
(7) The vertical dimension of the water-spouting member 30 is smaller than the vertical dimension of the main valve portion 26, and the sub-valve portion 27 is disposed above the water-spouting member 30. The vertical dimension of the portion of the water-passing unit 3 where the sub-valve portion 27 is disposed is equal to the vertical dimension of the portion of the water-passing unit 3 where the main valve portion 26 is disposed. By placing the sub-valve portion 27 in the space created between the main valve portion 26 and the water-spouting member 30, the faucet 1 can be made smaller.

(8) The through holes 22a, 34 extend in the axial direction. Therefore, the removal and tightening of the screws S2, S3 can be performed from the tip side of the faucet 1. In the faucet 1 of this embodiment, which is attached perpendicularly to the wall surface W, the work can be performed from the front of the faucet 1. A large space can be secured for the removal and tightening work, improving workability.

The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.
As long as the assembly direction of the valve unit 20 to the connection member 10 and the assembly direction of the water discharge member 30 to the valve unit 20 are the same, the connection member 10, the valve unit 20, and the water discharge member 30 do not have to be arranged side by side in the assembly direction. For example, the valve unit 20 and the water discharge member 30 may be arranged so as to overlap in the vertical direction.

The configuration and shape of the valve unit 20 are not limited to those described above. Any configuration and shape may be used as long as the valve unit 20 opens and closes the water passage based on a detection signal from a sensor.
The configuration and shape of the valve unit 20 and the water discharge member 30 are not limited to those described above. For example, the water passage 31 of the water discharge member 30 may extend to below the main valve portion 26, and the valve seat 26b of the diaphragm valve 26a may be provided in the water discharge member 30.

The diaphragm valve 26a and the pilot valve 27a may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.
The diaphragm valve 26a may be disposed so as to be movable in the axial direction.

The tightening direction of the screws S1, S2, and S3 is not limited to the above. The tightening direction of the screws S2 and S3 does not have to coincide with the axial direction.
The connection member 10 and the valve unit 20 are not limited to being assembled using the screws S1 and S2. For example, the screw S1 may be omitted and the assembly may be performed using only the screw S2, or the assembly may be performed using a screw other than the screws S1 and S2. The same applies to the valve unit 20 and the water discharge member 30. The assembly may not be performed using only the screw S3.

The technical ideas understood from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below.
(i) A faucet comprising a connecting member connected to a piping from a water supply source, a valve unit which opens and closes a water passage based on a detection signal from a sensor, and a water outlet member provided with a water outlet for discharging water from the water passage, wherein the connecting member is provided with a stop valve for manually stopping the water outlet, the connecting member, the valve unit, and the water outlet member are formed separately and housed in a cylindrical cover body, the connecting member, the valve unit, and the water outlet member are assembled in the axial direction of the cover body and arranged side by side in the same direction, the valve unit comprises a diaphragm valve which opens and closes the water passage with the pressure in a back pressure chamber, and a pilot valve which reduces the pressure in the back pressure chamber based on the detection signal, and the pilot valve is located on the upper part of the water outlet member and arranged side by side in the axial direction of the diaphragm valve.

With this configuration, it is necessary to inspect and replace only those components and units that are not functioning properly among the connection member, valve unit, and water discharge member. In addition, since the assembly directions of the connection member, valve unit, and water discharge member are consistent, the workability during inspection and replacement is good. Furthermore, since the diaphragm valve and pilot valve of the valve unit are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the cover body, the faucet can be made smaller.

(b) The faucet described in (a) above, characterized in that the vertical dimension of the water discharge member is smaller than the vertical dimension at the portion where the diaphragm valve is located, and the pilot valve is located at the top of the water discharge member.

With this configuration, the pilot valve is located at the top of the water discharge member, which has a small vertical dimension, making it possible to reduce the vertical dimension of the faucet.

P...back pressure chamber, 1...water faucet, 10...connecting member, 14...stop valve, 20...valve unit, 25...water passage, 26a...diaphragm valve, 26b...valve seat, 27a...pilot valve, 30...water discharge member, 35...water discharge port.

Claims (6)

A connecting member having a connecting tube formed at a base end thereof for connection to a pipe from a water supply source;
a valve unit that opens and closes a water passage based on a detection signal from the sensor;
a water outlet member having a water outlet for discharging water in the water passage , and the water faucet is attached to a wall surface by the connecting tube ,
The connecting member is provided with a stop valve for manually stopping the discharge of water from the water outlet,
The connection member, the valve unit, and the water discharge member are formed separately,
The valve unit is assembled to the connection member by a first fastening member, and the water discharge member is assembled to the valve unit by a second fastening member,
An assembly direction of the valve unit relative to the connecting member and an assembly direction of the water discharge member relative to the valve unit are the same,
A faucet characterized in that the insertion direction of the first fastening member into the valve unit and the connecting member is the same as the insertion direction of the second fastening member into the water discharge member and the valve unit . The faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection member, the valve unit, and the water discharge member are arranged side by side in the assembly direction. the valve unit includes a diaphragm valve that opens and closes the water passage, a back pressure chamber provided on the opposite side to a valve seat on which the diaphragm valve is seated, and a pilot valve that reduces the pressure in the back pressure chamber based on the detection signal,
The faucet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pilot valve and the diaphragm valve are arranged side by side in the assembly direction. The faucet according to claim 3, characterized in that the valve seat and the back pressure chamber are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the assembly direction. The faucet according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the pilot valve is arranged to move in the assembly direction. A connection member that is connected to a pipe from a water supply source;
a valve unit that opens and closes a water passage based on a detection signal from the sensor;
A faucet including a water outlet member having a water outlet for discharging water in the water passage,
The connecting member is provided with a stop valve for manually stopping the discharge of water from the water outlet,
The connection member, the valve unit, and the water discharge member are formed separately,
The valve unit is assembled to the connection member, and the water discharge member is assembled to the valve unit,
An assembly direction of the valve unit relative to the connecting member and an assembly direction of the water discharge member relative to the valve unit are the same ,
the valve unit includes a diaphragm valve that opens and closes the water passage, a back pressure chamber provided on the opposite side to a valve seat on which the diaphragm valve is seated, and a pilot valve that reduces the pressure in the back pressure chamber based on the detection signal,
The pilot valve and the diaphragm valve are arranged side by side in the assembly direction,
The faucet, wherein the pilot valve is arranged to move in the assembly direction .