JP7707770B2 - Valve and faucet systems - Google Patents

Description

The disclosed embodiments relate to valve devices and faucet devices.

Conventionally, there is known a water faucet device in which a valve device housed in a main body is operated in response to the operation of a handle, and the flow rate and temperature of flushing water can be adjusted by such operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, as the above-mentioned valve device, for example, a valve device with a so-called closed structure is known, in which flushing water supplied from a water supply source flows from an inlet passage of a fixed valve body into a movable valve body, and flushing water that has flowed into the movable valve body flows out through an outlet passage of the fixed valve body.

JP 2020-051549 A

However, the conventional technology leaves room for improvement in terms of improving the wear resistance of the valve device. That is, in the valve device, a lever rotates in response to the operation of a handle, and the rotation of the lever moves a movable valve body relative to a fixed valve body, thereby adjusting the flow rate and temperature of the flushing water.

A valve guide member that guides the movement of the movable valve body is attached to the movable valve body. This valve guide member is arranged so as to come into contact with a lever guide member that guides the rotation of the lever within the valve device, so that when the movable valve body is moved, it slides against the lever guide member.

Here, in a valve device with a closed structure, the portion where the valve guide member comes into contact with and slides against the lever guide member is a portion that is not submerged in cleaning water, in other words, a portion that slides in a dry manner. Therefore, when the movable valve body is moved by rotating the lever, the valve guide member can become worn due to sliding against the lever guide member, leaving room for improvement.

One aspect of the embodiment aims to provide a valve device and a faucet device that can improve wear resistance.

One aspect of the embodiment is a valve device with a closed structure, characterized in that it comprises a valve guide member attached to a movable valve body and guiding the movement of the movable valve body relative to a fixed valve body, a lever rotatably connected to the valve guide member, a lever guide member disposed above the valve guide member and guiding the rotation of the lever, and a spacer disposed between the valve guide member and the lever guide member and fixed to the upper surface of the valve guide member.

This improves the wear resistance of the valve device. In other words, because the spacer is placed between the valve guide member and the lever guide member and fixed to the upper surface of the valve guide member, for example, in the valve guide member, when the movable valve element is moved, the spacer slides against the lever guide member.

In other words, because the spacer is fixed to the upper surface of the valve guide member, it is not in direct contact with the lever guide member and does not slide against the lever guide member when the movable valve body is moved.

The valve device has a closed structure, and the locations where the valve guide member, spacer, and lever guide member are located are not submerged in water. In other words, the spacer fixed to the valve guide member and the lever guide member slide in a dry manner.

In such a closed structure valve device, the spacer is fixed to the valve guide member, making it possible to prevent the valve guide member from sliding against the lever guide member. This makes it possible to prevent the valve guide member from wearing down due to sliding against the lever guide member, as in the prior art, for example, and therefore improves the wear resistance of the valve device.

In addition, wear of the valve guide member due to sliding is suppressed, so the strength of the valve guide member can be ensured (maintained).

For example, when trying to miniaturize the valve device, a relatively high surface pressure may act between the lever guide member and the valve guide member, requiring the valve guide member to have strength. On the other hand, to improve the strength of the valve guide member, it is necessary to select a material with relatively low wear resistance. Even in such a case, by fixing the above-mentioned spacer to the valve guide member and disposing it between the valve guide member and the lever guide member, wear of the valve guide member can be suppressed and a material with less wear resistance but greater strength can be used for the valve guide member, thereby improving the wear resistance of the valve device while ensuring (improving) the strength of the valve guide member.

The spacer is also made of polybutylene terephthalate, and the lever guide member is made of polyacetal.

In this way, by forming the spacer from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), it is possible to improve the wear resistance, and as a result, it is possible to further improve the wear resistance of the valve device including the spacer. Furthermore, by forming the lever guide member from polyacetal (POM), it is possible to ensure the strength required to hold and guide the lever.

The spacer is also characterized by having a notch formed to have a shape corresponding to the valve guide side notch formed in the valve guide member.

This makes it possible to easily assemble the spacer to the valve guide member by, for example, aligning the notch with the notch on the valve guide side. Therefore, even when a spacer is provided, it is possible to prevent a decrease in ease of assembly.

The spacer is also characterized by having an engagement portion formed in the notch portion and capable of engaging with the valve guide side notch portion.

In this way, by providing the spacer with an engagement portion, the spacer can be securely fixed to the valve guide member, and the spacer and the valve guide member can be prevented from coming loose and becoming separated after assembly.

In addition, since the engagement portion is formed in the notch, it can function as a stopper against circumferential rotation of the spacer after assembly, for example. In other words, by forming the engagement portion in the notch, it is possible to prevent the spacer from rotating in the circumferential direction relative to the valve guide member after assembly.

The water faucet device according to one embodiment is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned valve device and a main body in which the valve device is housed.

This improves the wear resistance of the valve device in the faucet device.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, the wear resistance of the valve device can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water faucet device including a valve device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the valve device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the valve device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the valve guide member and the spacer. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the valve guide member and the spacer. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the valve guide member and the spacer as viewed from below. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG.

Below, with reference to the attached drawings, an embodiment of the valve device and faucet device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships of each element and the ratios of each element may differ from reality. There may also be parts in which the dimensional relationships and ratios differ between the drawings.

First, the overall configuration of a water faucet device equipped with a valve device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water faucet device 1 equipped with a valve device 10 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the faucet device 1 comprises a main body 2, a water outlet 3, an operating handle 4, and a valve device 10. The main body 2 is formed hollow and houses the valve device 10 and the like. For example, the main body 2 is cylindrical with openings at the top and bottom ends and is formed to extend vertically. The main body 2 is placed on a counter A of a washbasin, kitchen, etc.

The water discharge section 3 is provided so as to protrude laterally from the outer peripheral surface of the main body section 2, and discharges water (cleaning water). For example, the water discharge section 3 has a water discharge pipe 3a and a water discharge port 3b, and as described below, discharges water flowing out of the valve device 10 from the water discharge port 3b via the water discharge pipe 3a. Note that the term "water" may be used to mean water at room temperature, as well as hot water, a mixture of hot and cold water, cold water, etc.

The operating handle 4 is provided at the top end of the main body 2 so that it can be rotated freely. The valve device 10 operates in response to the operation of the operating handle 4, and this operation adjusts the flow rate and temperature of the water. In other words, the valve device 10 is a device (valve mechanism) that adjusts the flow rate and temperature of the water discharged from the water discharge portion 3, and is what is known as a single lever cartridge. The configuration of the valve device 10 will be described in detail later.

The faucet device 1 configured as described above can adjust the mixing ratio of water (e.g., tap water) supplied from the water supply hose 5 and hot water supplied from the hot water supply hose 6 with the valve device 10 by rotating the operating handle 4 horizontally around the vertical central axis B (see arrow C1). In addition, the faucet device 1 can adjust the flow rate of water discharged from the water discharge portion 3 with the valve device 10 by rotating the operating handle 4 vertically (see arrow C2).

In this way, the faucet device 1 is a so-called single-lever faucet device (more specifically, a hot and cold water mixing faucet device) that can adjust the water flow rate and temperature by operating a single operating handle 4 and discharge water from the water discharge unit 3. The main body 2, water discharge unit 3, and operating handle 4 described above are the exterior components (outer shell components) of the faucet device 1.

Next, the configuration of the valve device 10 housed inside the faucet device 1 according to the embodiment (more precisely, inside the main body 2) will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the valve device 10 according to the embodiment, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2. Note that Figure 3 shows the valve device 10 with the upper casing member 11, described below, removed in order to allow for understanding of the internal structure of the valve device 10.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the valve device 10 comprises an upper casing member 11 (not shown in Figure 3), a lower casing member 12, a fixed valve body 13, a movable valve body 14, a valve guide member 15, a spacer 16, a lever guide member 17, and a lever 18. Note that in Figure 2, the fixed valve body 13, the movable valve body 14, the valve guide member 15, and the spacer 16 are hidden by the upper casing member 11 and cannot be seen.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the upper casing member 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has openings at the top and bottom. The lower casing member 12 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape (in other words, a disk shape). The lower casing member 12 is attached to the upper casing member 11 so as to watertightly seal the lower opening of the upper casing member 11.

The fixed valve body 13, movable valve body 14, valve guide member 15, spacer 16, lever guide member 17, and part (lower portion) of lever 18 are housed inside upper casing member 11 and lower casing member 12 attached as described above. In the faucet device 1 (see Figure 1), the valve device 10 is housed in the main body 2 with the lower casing member 12 connected to a valve seat (not shown) located below.

The lower casing member 12 is formed with a water inlet passage (not shown), a hot water inlet passage (not shown), and a hot and cold water mixed water outlet passage 12a. A water supply hose 5 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the water inlet passage of the lower casing member 12 via a water supply passage drilled in the valve seat. A hot water supply hose 6 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the hot water inlet passage of the lower casing member 12 via a hot water supply passage drilled in the valve seat. The hot and cold water mixed water outlet passage 12a of the lower casing member 12 communicates with the water discharge section 3.

The fixed valve body 13 is fixed to the lower casing member 12. The fixed valve body 13 is formed with a water inlet passage (not shown), a hot water inlet passage (not shown), and a mixed hot and cold water outlet passage 13a (not shown). The water inlet passage of the fixed valve body 13 communicates with the water inlet passage of the lower casing member 12, and the hot water inlet passage communicates with the hot water inlet passage of the lower casing member 12. The mixed hot and cold water outlet passage 13a of the fixed valve body 13 communicates with the mixed hot and cold water outlet passage 12a of the lower casing member 12.

The movable valve body 14 is arranged on the upper part of the fixed valve body 13 so that it can slide and rotate. A flow path 14a is formed in the movable valve body 14. As described below, the movable valve body 14 moves relative to the fixed valve body 13 by rotating the lever 18 in response to the operation of the operating handle 4, and closes (closes) the water inlet and hot water inlet paths of the fixed valve body 13, or opens the water inlet and/or hot water inlet paths of the fixed valve body 13 to communicate with the hot and cold water mixed water outlet path 13a of the fixed valve body 13 via the flow path 14a.

In addition, in Figure 4, the movable valve body 14 (more precisely, the flow path 14a) is shown in phantom lines in a state in which the water inflow path and hot water inflow path of the fixed valve body 13 are connected to the hot and cold water mixed water outlet path 13a of the fixed valve body 13 via the flow path 14a. In this connected state, as shown by arrow D in Figure 4, the valve device 10 allows water supplied from the water supply hose 5 and hot water supply hose 6 (see Figure 1) to flow from the water inflow path and hot water inflow path (not shown) of the fixed valve body 13 into the flow path 14a of the movable valve body 14, and the water that has flowed into the flow path 14a of the movable valve body 14 flows out via the hot and cold water mixed water outlet path 13a of the fixed valve body 13 and the hot and cold water mixed water outlet path 12a of the lower casing member 12, and is discharged from the water discharge section 3 (see Figure 1).

As described above, the valve device 10 according to this embodiment is a valve device with a closed structure (closed type). Specifically, the valve device 10 is structured such that a water flow path is formed by the lower casing member 12, the fixed valve body 13, the movable valve body 14, etc., and the members above the movable valve body 14 (e.g., the valve guide member 15, the spacer 16, the lever guide member 17, etc.) are not submerged in water (non-submerged type).

Continuing with the explanation of the valve device 10, the valve guide member 15 is attached to the top of the movable valve body 14. The valve guide member 15 has an opening 15c formed near the center, to which the lower end 18a of a lever 18 is connected, and guides the movement of the movable valve body 14 relative to the fixed valve body 13 in response to the operation of the lever 18. The detailed configuration of the valve guide member 15 will be described later with reference to Figure 5 onwards.

The spacer 16 is disposed between the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17 and is attached to the valve guide member 15. The detailed configuration of the spacer 16 will be described later with reference to Figure 5 onwards.

The lever guide member 17 is disposed above the spacer 16, in other words, above the valve guide member 15 to which the spacer 16 is attached. The lever guide member 17 holds the lever 18 and guides the rotation (movement) of the lever 18.

The lever 18 is a member that operates the movable valve body 14. For example, the lever 18 is a rod-shaped member, and the lower end 18a is rotatably connected (fitted) into the valve guide member 15, and the upper end is connected to the operating handle 4 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, when the operating handle 4 is operated, the lever 18 rotates, and the movable valve body 14 is operated (moved) via the valve guide member 15 to which the spacer 16 is attached.

For example, in a water-stopped state, the movable valve body 14 is positioned to close (close) the water inlet and hot water inlet channels of the fixed valve body 13. When the operating handle 4 is operated upward, the lever 18 rotates, and the movable valve body 14 moves translationally on the fixed valve body 13, opening the water inlet and/or hot water inlet channels of the fixed valve body 13. As a result, water and hot water supplied from the water supply hose 5 (see FIG. 1) and the hot water supply hose 6 flow into the flow channel 14a of the movable valve body 14 via the water inlet and hot water inlet channels of the lower casing member 12 and the water inlet and hot water inlet channels of the fixed valve body 13, and are mixed therein. The hot and cold water mixture mixed in the flow channel 14a flows out from the hot and cold water mixture outlet channel 13a of the fixed valve body 13 (see arrow D). The mixed water flows out of the mixed water outlet passage 13a of the fixed valve body 13, passes through the mixed water outlet passage 12a of the lower casing member 12, and is discharged from the water outlet 3b (see Figure 1) via the water outlet pipe 3a of the water outlet section 3.

When the operating handle 4 is operated in the vertical direction (see arrow C2 in FIG. 1), the lever 18 rotates and the movable valve body 14 moves translationally on the fixed valve body 13. This changes the flow rate of water and hot water flowing through the water inlet and hot water inlet channels of the fixed valve body 13, and the flow rate of the mixed hot and cold water flowing out of the valve device 10 changes according to the amount of movement of the movable valve body 14. When the operating handle 4 is operated in the horizontal direction about the central axis B (see arrow C1 in FIG. 1), the lever 18 rotates and the movable valve body 14 rotates on the fixed valve body 13, changing the ratio of the flow rates of water and hot water flowing through the water inlet and hot water inlet channels of the fixed valve body 13, and changing the temperature of the mixed hot and cold water flowing out of the valve device 10.

In this way, the valve device 10 operates in response to the operation of the operating handle 4, and can adjust the flow rate and temperature of the water (e.g., hot and cold water mixture) discharged from the faucet device 1.

Next, the configuration of the valve guide member 15 and the spacer 16 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the valve guide member 15 and the spacer 16. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the valve guide member 15 and the spacer 16. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the valve guide member 15 and the spacer 16 shown in Figure 5, as seen from below. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 5.

As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the valve guide member 15 is formed, for example, in the shape of a relatively thin disk. The valve guide member 15 has the above-mentioned opening 15c, the valve guide side cutout portion 15d, the engaged portion 15e, and the mounting portion 15f.

The opening 15c is a hole that penetrates the valve guide member 15 in the vertical direction near the center. The opening 15c is formed by a cylindrical portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface 15a of the valve guide member 15. A lever 18 (see FIG. 4, etc.) is rotatably connected to the opening 15c.

The valve guide side cutout 15d is a portion formed on the outer periphery of the valve guide member 15 and is cut out in a generally rectangular shape in a plan view. The valve guide side cutout 15d functions as a fulcrum when the valve guide member 15 rotates (moves).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the valve guide member 15 is assembled to the main body 2, the protrusion 11a of the upper casing member 11 is disposed in the valve guide side cutout 15d. The protrusion 11a is formed, for example, so as to protrude radially inward from the inner wall (inner circumferential surface) 11b of the upper casing member 11, and is disposed in the valve guide side cutout 15d. This allows the valve guide member 15 to rotate (move) on the fixed valve body 13 with the valve guide side cutout 15d, in which the protrusion 11a is disposed, as a fulcrum.

As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the engaged portion 15e is a portion that engages with the engaging portion 16e of the spacer 16, which will be described later. For example, the engaged portion 15e is formed on the outer periphery of the valve guide member 15. More specifically, the engaged portion 15e is a step formed on each of the two ends on the outer periphery of the valve guide side cutout portion 15d. In other words, multiple engaged portions 15e (two in this example) are formed on the valve guide side cutout portion 15d. Note that the positions and number of the engaged portions 15e described above are merely examples and are not limited.

The mounting portion 15f is a portion for mounting the valve guide member 15 to the movable valve body 14 (see FIG. 4). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, multiple mounting portions 15f (e.g., three) are formed along the outer periphery of the lower surface 15b of the valve guide member 15. The mounting portions 15f are formed so as to protrude downward from the outer periphery of the lower surface 15b. The valve guide member 15 is attached to the movable valve body 14 by positioning the upper part of the movable valve body 14 in a position surrounded by these three mounting portions 15f. Note that the positions and number of mounting portions 15f are merely examples and are not limited.

As described above, the valve guide member 15 is attached to the movable valve body 14, and is connected to the lever 18, transmitting torque caused by the operation (rotation) of the lever 18 to the movable valve body 14. For this reason, the valve guide member 15 is made of a material with relatively high strength.

For example, the valve guide member 15 is formed of a resin material (in other words, made of resin). The resin material for the valve guide member 15 may be, for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), and one example is PPS-GF40 (polyphenylene sulfide with 40% glass fiber), but is not limited to this.

In this way, since the valve guide member 15 is formed from a material with relatively high strength (here, PPS), it is possible to ensure that the valve guide member 15 has an adequate strength, for example, required for receiving torque caused by the operation of the lever 18 and transmitting it to the movable valve body 14.

Next, the spacer 16 will be described. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the spacer 16 is formed, for example, in the shape of a relatively thin disk, more specifically, in the shape of a disk thinner than the valve guide member 15.

The spacer 16 is attached and fixed to the upper surface 15a of the valve guide member 15. More specifically, the spacer 16 is fixed to the valve guide member 15 with the lower surface 16b facing the upper surface 15a of the valve guide member 15. The spacer 16 is fixed to the valve guide member 15 using an engaging portion 16e (described below) and an engaged portion 15e, etc., which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 4, the valve guide member 15 to which the spacer 16 is fixed is disposed below the lever guide member 17 when the valve guide member 15 and the like are assembled to the main body 2. Therefore, the spacer 16 is disposed between the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17.

As a result, in this embodiment, the wear resistance of the valve device 10 can be improved. To explain in more detail, the spacer 16 is arranged in the valve device 10 so that the upper surface 16a contacts the lower surface 17a of the lever guide member 17. Therefore, for example, in the valve guide member 15, when the movable valve body 14 is moved, the spacer 16 (more precisely, the upper surface 16a of the spacer 16) slides against the lever guide member 17 (more precisely, the lower surface 17a of the lever guide member 17).

In other words, the valve guide member 15 according to this embodiment has the spacer 16 fixed to the upper surface 15a, so it is not in direct contact with the lever guide member 17 and does not slide against the lever guide member 17 when the movable valve body 14 is moved.

As described above, the valve device 10 has a closed structure, and the locations where the valve guide member 15, spacer 16, and lever guide member 17 are located are not submerged. In other words, the spacer 16 fixed to the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17 slide in a dry manner.

In this embodiment, in the valve device 10 with such a closed structure, the spacer 16 is fixed to the valve guide member 15, so that the valve guide member 15 does not slide (dry slide) against the lever guide member 17. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress wear of the valve guide member 15 due to sliding against the lever guide member 17 as in the prior art, for example, and therefore to improve the wear resistance of the valve device 10.

In addition, the valve guide member 15 according to this embodiment is designed to suppress wear due to sliding, so the strength of the valve guide member 15 can be ensured (maintained).

In addition, for example, when the valve device 10 is made smaller, a relatively high surface pressure may act between the lever guide member 17 and the valve guide member 15, and the valve guide member 15 is required to have strength. On the other hand, when trying to improve the strength of the valve guide member 15, it is necessary to select a material with relatively low wear resistance. Even in such a case, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned spacer 16 is fixed to the valve guide member 15 and disposed between the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17, so that wear of the valve guide member 15 can be suppressed and a material with less wear resistance but greater strength can be used for the valve guide member 15, thereby improving the wear resistance of the valve device 10 while ensuring (improving) the strength of the valve guide member 15.

Continuing with the explanation of the spacer 16, the spacer 16 is a member that slides relative to the lever guide member 17 as described above. For this reason, the spacer 16 is made of a material that has relatively high abrasion resistance.

For example, the spacer 16 is formed of a resin material (in other words, made of resin). The resin material used for the spacer 16 is a material (material quality) different from the resin material used for the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17 described below. In more detail, the resin material for the spacer 16 may be, for example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), but is not limited to this.

In this way, by forming the spacer 16 from PBT, the wear resistance can be improved, and as a result, the wear resistance of the valve device 10 including the spacer 16 can be further improved.

Here, the material of the lever guide member 17 that comes into contact with the spacer 16 will be explained. As described above, the lever guide member 17 is a member that comes into contact with the spacer 16. Furthermore, the lever guide member 17 is a member that holds the lever 18 while guiding the rotation of the lever 18. Therefore, the lever guide member 17 is made of a material that has the strength required to hold and guide the lever 18.

For example, the lever guide member 17 is formed of a resin material (in other words, made of resin). The resin material used for the lever guide member 17 is a material (material quality) different from the resin material used for the spacer 16, for example. In more detail, the resin material for the lever guide member 17 may be, for example, POM (polyacetal), but is not limited to this.

In this way, by forming the lever guide member 17 from POM, it is possible to ensure the strength required to hold and guide the lever 18.

As mentioned above, the spacer 16 and the lever guide member 17 are made of different materials. This makes it possible to avoid problems such as linking that can occur when the same materials are slid together. In particular, PBT is compatible with POM and exhibits excellent sliding properties.

Next, the shape of the spacer 16 will be described. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the spacer 16 has an opening 16c, a notch 16d, and an engagement portion 16e.

The opening 16c is a hole drilled near the center of the spacer 16. The opening 16c is formed at a position corresponding to the opening 15c of the valve guide member 15. Therefore, the spacer 16 is attached to the valve guide member 15 by inserting the opening 16c into the cylindrical portion that forms the opening 15c of the valve guide member 15.

The notch 16d is formed to have a shape corresponding to the valve guide side notch 15d of the valve guide member 15. For example, the notch 16d is formed in a part of the outer periphery of the spacer 16, and is a portion cut out into a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The spacer 16 is then attached to the valve guide member 15 so that the notch 16d coincides with the valve guide side notch 15d.

In this way, since the spacer 16 has the notch portion 16d that has a shape corresponding to the valve guide side notch portion 15d, it can be easily assembled to the valve guide member 15, for example, by aligning the notch portion 16d with the valve guide side notch portion 15d. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the spacer 16 is provided, it is possible to prevent a decrease in ease of assembly.

The engaging portion 16e is formed in the notch portion 16d and is a portion that engages with the engaged portion 15e described above. For example, the engaging portion 16e is formed on the outer periphery of the spacer 16. More specifically, the engaging portion 16e is formed on each of the two ends on the outer periphery of the notch portion 16d.

As shown in FIG. 8, the engagement portion 16e has a claw portion 16e1. More specifically, the claw portion 16e1 is formed on each of the two engagement portions 16e. The two claw portions 16e1 are formed to extend from the lower end of the notch portion 16d in a circumferential direction away from each other. The spacer 16 is fixed to the valve guide member 15 by the claw portion 16e1 of the engagement portion 16e engaging with the step that is the engaged portion 15e.

In this way, by providing the spacer 16 with the engagement portion 16e, the spacer 16 can be securely fixed to the valve guide member 15, and the spacer 16 and the valve guide member 15 can be prevented from coming loose and becoming separated after assembly.

In addition, since the engagement portion 16e is formed in the notch portion 16d, it can function as a stopper against the circumferential rotation of the spacer 16 after assembly, for example. That is, in this embodiment, since the engagement portion 16e is formed in the notch portion 16d, it is possible to prevent the spacer 16 from rotating in the circumferential direction relative to the valve guide member 15 after assembly.

As described above, the valve device 10 of the closed structure according to the embodiment includes a valve guide member 15, a lever 18, a lever guide member 17, and a spacer 16. The valve guide member 15 is attached to the movable valve body 14 and guides the movement of the movable valve body 14 relative to the fixed valve body 13. The lever 18 is rotatably connected to the valve guide member 15. The lever guide member 17 is disposed above the valve guide member 15 and guides the rotation of the lever 18. The spacer 16 is disposed between the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17 and is fixed to the upper surface 15a of the valve guide member 15. This improves the wear resistance of the valve device 10.

Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 faucet device 10 valve device 13 fixed valve body 14 movable valve body 15 valve guide member 16 spacer 17 lever guide member 18 lever

Claims (4)

A valve device having a closed structure,
a valve guide member attached to the movable valve body and configured to guide movement of the movable valve body relative to the fixed valve body;
a lever pivotably connected to the valve guide member;
a lever guide member that is disposed above the valve guide member and guides the rotation of the lever;
a spacer disposed between the valve guide member and the lever guide member and fixed to an upper surface of the valve guide member ,
The spacer is
a notch formed to have a shape corresponding to a valve guide side notch formed in the valve guide member;
A valve device comprising : the spacer is made of polybutylene terephthalate;
2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the lever guide member is made of polyacetal. The spacer is
The valve device according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: an engagement portion formed in the notch portion and capable of engaging with the valve guide side notch portion. A valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ;
A water faucet device comprising: a main body in which the valve device is housed.