JP7818206B2 - Water stop device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a water discharge and stop device.

Various types of water discharge/stop devices that can start and stop water discharge are known, such as sprinkler nozzles and cleaning nozzles. These devices allow you to switch between water discharge and water stop by operating an operating lever.

JP 2009-22848 A discloses a watering nozzle in which an operating member moves a follower along a cam, locking the on-off valve so that it remains open. This watering nozzle has a guide path separate from the follower's entry path that leads to the cam's circular path, which guides the follower that has disengaged from the path back toward the circular path or the entry path.

JP 2009-22848 A

In the water discharge and stop device described above, the operating lever switches between the retracted and extended positions each time it is squeezed. When the operating lever is in the retracted position, the follower engages the cam. When the operating lever is squeezed from this state, it switches to the extended position.

However, if the grease in the sliding parts has hardened or if sand or other particles have gotten into the gaps between the parts, the operating lever may have difficulty returning to the extended position even with normal lever operation (pushing the lever). In this case, the user may pull the operating lever, which is in the retracted position, toward the extended position. Also, if something gets caught on the operating lever or the operating lever is subjected to an impact, a force may act on the operating lever in the retracted position, pulling it toward the extended position. When a force acts on the operating lever in the retracted position, pulling it toward the extended position, a force is applied to the engagement part of the follower, which may cause damage (deformation, breakage, etc.) to that engagement part. If this damage occurs, the cam mechanism will not operate, and it will be impossible to switch between water flow and water stop.

One of the purposes of this disclosure is to provide a water discharge and stop device that protects the cam mechanism even when a force acts on the operating lever in the retracted position toward the protruding side.

In one aspect, the water discharge and stop device comprises a main body having a flow path and an on-off valve; an operating lever that can be switched between a retracted position and an extended position and opens and closes the on-off valve; a cam mechanism having a cam and a follower that holds the operating lever in the retracted position by engagement between the cam and the follower; and a cam member having the cam. The cam member is held in a normal position on the operating lever side. The follower is held in a normal position on the main body side. When the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled out toward the extended side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position on the operating lever side, or the follower moves out of the normal position on the main body side, before the follower is damaged.

On one hand, the cam mechanism is protected even if a force acts on the operating lever in the retracted position toward the extension side.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the water discharge and stop device according to the first embodiment, in which the operating lever is in the protruding position. 2(a) is a side view of the water discharge and stop device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view thereof. Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are side views of the water discharge and stop device of Figure 1 with the outer cover removed. In Figure 3(a), the operating lever is in the extended position, and in Figure 3(b), the operating lever is in the retracted position. 4(a) is a side view of the state in which the operating lever is removed from FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 4(b) is a side view of the state in which the operating lever is removed from FIG. 3(b). 5(a) is a perspective view of FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of FIG. 5(a) with the cam member and follower removed. FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the follower, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view of the follower with a damaged (deformed) engagement portion. Fig. 7(a) is a perspective view of the cam member, Fig. 7(b) is a side view of the cam member, Fig. 7(c) is a bottom view of the cam member, Fig. 7(d) is a rear view of the cam member, and Fig. 7(e) is a rear view of the cam member of a comparative example. 8(a) is a perspective view of the operating lever seen from above, FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view of the operating lever seen from below, FIG. 8(c) is a side view of the operating lever, and FIG. 8(d) is a bottom view of the operating lever. 9 is a partially enlarged side view of FIG. 3(b), in which the cam member disposed inside the operating lever is indicated by a broken line. Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged side view showing a state in which the operating lever has been pulled out to the protruding side by an external force from the state shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 10 as well, the cam member disposed inside the operating lever is shown by a broken line. Figure 11(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line aa in Figure 9, and Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in Figure 10. Figures 11(a) and 11(b) show only the operating lever and the cam member. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11(a) when a cam member of a comparative example is used. Fig. 13 is a partially enlarged side view of the water discharge and stop device of the second embodiment. Fig. 13 is a view showing a state in which the outer cover has been removed. In Fig. 13, the operating lever is in the retracted position. In Fig. 13, the cam member arranged inside the operating lever is shown by a dashed line. Fig. 14 is a partially enlarged side view showing a state in which the operating lever has been pulled out to the protruding side by an external force from the state in Fig. 13. In Fig. 14 as well, the cam member disposed inside the operating lever is indicated by a broken line. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the circled area in FIG.

Embodiments will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

Figure 1 is an oblique view of the water discharge and stop device 2 of the first embodiment. Figure 2(a) is a side view of the water discharge and stop device 2, and Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the water discharge and stop device 2. Figures 1, 2(a) and 2(b) show the water stop state, with the operating lever 6 in the extended position. Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are side views of the water discharge and stop device 2 with the outer cover 23 removed. Figure 3(a) shows the water stop state, with the operating lever 6 in the extended position. Figure 3(b) shows the water discharge state, with the operating lever 6 in the retracted position. Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are side views of the water discharge and stop device 2 with the outer cover 23 and operating lever 6 removed. Figure 4(a) shows the water stop state, and Figure 4(b) shows the water discharge state. Figure 5(a) is a perspective view of the water discharge and stop device 2 in Figure 4(a), and Figure 5(b) is a perspective view of Figure 5(a) with the cam member 8 and follower 34 further removed.

The water discharge and stop device 2 has a main body 4, an operating lever 6, and a cam member 8. The main body 4 has a flow path 10, an on-off valve 12, a biasing member 14, a center lever 16, a water type switching unit 18, a water discharge port 20, a connecting unit 22, and an outer cover 23.

The operating lever 6 can be switched between a retracted position and an extended position. The retracted position is a position relatively close to the main body 4. The extended position is a position relatively far from the main body 4. In Figure 3(a), the operating lever 6 is in the extended position. In Figure 3(b), the operating lever 6 is in the retracted position. When the operating lever 6 is in the extended position, the water discharge and stop device 2 is in a water stop state. When the operating lever 6 is in the retracted position, the water discharge and stop device 2 is in a water discharge state. Each time the operating lever 6 is pressed, it switches between the retracted position (water discharge state) and the extended position (water stop state).

However, this relationship may be reversed. That is, when the operating lever 6 is in the extended position, the water discharge/stop device 2 may be in a water discharge state. When the operating lever 6 is in the retracted position, the water discharge/stop device 2 may be in a water stop state.

As shown in Figure 2(b), the on-off valve 12 has a sliding valve element 12a, a seal 12b provided at the front end of the sliding valve element 12a, and a valve seat 12c against which the seal 12b abuts. The sliding valve element 12a forms a flow path 10 inside and slides forward and backward. The on-off valve 12 is closed when the sliding valve element 12a moves forward and the seal 12b abuts against the valve seat 12c. The on-off valve 12 is opened when the sliding valve element 12a moves backward and the seal 12b moves away from the valve seat 12c.

The biasing member 14 is a compression spring (compression coil spring). The biasing member 14 constantly biases the slide valve body 12a forward. The middle lever 16 has a lever portion 16a, a rotation support portion 16b, and a link engagement portion 16c. The middle lever 16 is rotatably supported by the rotation support portion 16b. The middle lever 16 rotates around the rotation axis 24 (see Figures 4(a) and 4(b)). The link engagement portion 16c of the middle lever 16 engages with the slide valve body 12a. The middle lever 16 rotates in conjunction with the slide valve body 12a. When the slide valve body 12a moves forward, the middle lever 16 rotates toward the protruding side. When the slide valve body 12a moves rearward, the middle lever 16 rotates toward the retracting side. The biasing member 14 constantly biases the middle lever 16 in the protruding direction via the slide valve body 12a. In this way, the middle lever 16 converts the movement of the operating lever 6 into the opening and closing movement of the on-off valve 12. The middle lever 16 also constantly presses the operating lever 6 in the protruding direction.

The middle lever 16 (lever portion 16a) has a pressing portion 16d that presses against the cam member 8 (its underside). The cam member 8 has a pressed portion 33 that the middle lever 16 (pressing portion 16d) abuts against. The middle lever 16 constantly presses the operating lever 6 in the protruding direction via the cam member 8.

The water type switching unit 18 is rotated to change the type of water discharged from the outlet 20. The connection unit 22 is connected to the faucet via a hose or the like. Typically, the connection unit 22 is connected to a fitting at the end of the hose.

The water discharge and stop device 2 has a cam mechanism 30. The cam mechanism 30 has a cam 32 and a follower 34. The cam 32 is attached to the cam member 8. The cam member 8 is a separate member from the operating lever 6. In this embodiment, the cam 32 is a heart-shaped cam, and the follower 34 is a stopper pin.

Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the follower (stopper pin) 34, and Figure 6(b) is a perspective view of the follower 34 with its engagement portion deformed.

As shown in Figure 6(a), the stopper pin 34 has a cantilever extension 34a, an engaging portion 34b, and a connecting portion 34c. The cantilever extension 34a extends straight. The base (lower end) of the cantilever extension 34a is held by the main body. The engaging portion 34b is the upper end of the cantilever extension 34a. The engaging portion 34b is the end on the free end side of the cantilever extension 34a. The engaging portion 34b forms a tip bent at a right angle. The stopper pin 34 has a symmetrical shape. The cantilever extension 34a and the engaging portion 34b are formed on each side. The cantilever extensions 34a are connected to each other by the connecting portion 34c. The left and right engaging portions 34b engage with the cams 32 located on the left and right, respectively. The connecting portion 34c is not necessary.

As shown in the enlarged views of Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the cam 32 has a first guide surface 32a, a second guide surface 32b, a concave surface 32c, and a third guide surface 32d. The first guide surface 32a is located in a position that includes directly above the stopper pin 34. "Directly above" refers to the direction in which the cantilever extension portion 34a is oriented in its natural state. The first guide surface 32a forms a slope that slopes toward one side (the front side of the water discharge and stop device 2) as it extends upward. The concave surface 32c extends between the upper end of the first guide surface 32a and the upper end of the third guide surface 32d. The second guide surface 32b is located above the concave surface 32c and spaced apart from it. The lower end of the second guide surface 32b is located to one side of directly above the stopper pin 34. The lower end of the second guide surface 32b is close to the bottom of the concave surface 32c. The lowest part of the concave surface 32c is located to one side of directly above the stopper pin 34. The other end of the concave surface 32c (the rear side of the water discharge and stop device 2) is located to one side of directly above the stopper pin 34. The third guide surface 32d forms a slope that slopes downward to the other side.

When the operating lever 6 is in the extended position P1, the stopper pin 34 is located below the cam 32. When the operating lever 6 is pressed from the extended position P1, the engaging portion 34b of the stopper pin 34 abuts the first guide surface 32a and moves along the first guide surface 32a. As the stopper pin 34 elastically deforms to one side, the engaging portion 34b clears the upper end of the first guide surface 32a. As the stopper pin 34 attempts to return straight, the engaging portion 34b abuts the second guide surface 32b and, guided by the second guide surface 32b, falls to the bottom of the recessed surface 32c. In this state, the operating lever 6 is held in the retracted position P2 (Figure 4(b)). When the operating lever 6 is pressed again, the stopper pin 34 attempts to return straight, so the engaging portion 34b leaves the recessed surface 32c to the other side and is guided by the third guide surface 32d to return to its original position (Figure 4(a)).

The cam mechanism 30 constitutes an alternate mechanism that performs alternate operations on the operating lever 6. When the operating lever 6 is pressed from the extended position P1, it moves to the retracted position P2 via the depressed position. The depressed position is closer to the main body 4 than the retracted position P2. Pressing the operating lever 6 can be easily achieved, for example, by holding the water discharge and stop device 2 with one hand and clenching the other hand. When the pressure is released, the retracted position P2 is maintained. When the operating lever 6 is pressed from the retracted position P2, it moves to the extended position P1 via the depressed position. When the pressure is released, the extended position P1 is maintained. Each time it is pressed, the operating lever 6 repeatedly moves between the extended position P1 and the retracted position P2. In this way, the operation of the operating lever 6 is an alternate operation. The cam mechanism that performs alternate operations may be a heart-shaped cam system as in this embodiment, or other known mechanisms may be used.

Figure 7(a) is a perspective view of the cam member 8, Figure 7(b) is a side view of the cam member 8, Figure 7(c) is a bottom view of the cam member 8, and Figure 7(d) is a rear view of the cam member 8 as seen from behind. Figure 7(e) is a rear view of a cam member 8x of a comparative example. This cam member 8x will be described later.

The cam member 8 is a bilaterally symmetrical member. It has a left side wall portion 8a, a right side wall portion 8b, and a connecting portion 8c.

The connecting portion 8c connects the upper edge of the left side wall portion 8a to the upper edge of the right side wall portion 8b. The connecting portion 8c has the aforementioned pressed portion 33. The pressed portion 33 is located on the underside of the connecting portion 8c. The pressed portion 33 has a convex curved surface, and stably contacts the middle lever 16 regardless of the rotational positions of the operating lever 6 and middle lever 16.

The left side wall portion 8a and the right side wall portion 8b each have a cam 32. The left side wall portion 8a has the cam 32 on its outer surface. The right side wall portion 8b has the cam 32 on its outer surface. The cam member 8 has a slide engagement portion 36. The left side wall portion 8a and the right side wall portion 8b each have a slide engagement portion 36. Each slide engagement portion 36 has a first surface 36a and a second surface 36b. The first surface 36a faces forward. The first surface 36a is formed by an extending convex portion 38 that is provided in front of the cam 32 and extends in the vertical direction. The second surface 36b faces rearward. The second surface 36b is the rear end surface of the cam member 8. The first surface 36a and the second surface 36b are parallel to each other.

The cam member 8 has a leg portion 40 and an engagement end portion 42. The left side wall portion 8a and the right side wall portion 8b each have a leg portion 40 and an engagement end portion 42. The leg portion 40 forms the rear end surface of the cam member 8. The leg portion 40 extends in a cantilevered manner. The lower end of the leg portion 40 is a free end. The width of the leg portion 40 is not limited. The engagement end portion 42 is formed at the free end of the leg portion 40. The engagement end portion 42 has an engagement protrusion portion 42a. The engagement protrusion portion 42a has an engagement abutment surface 42b.

As shown in Figure 5(a), the cam member 8 is positioned above the middle lever 16. The middle lever 16 is positioned between the left side wall portion 8a and the right side wall portion 8b. The middle lever 16 abuts against the underside (pressed portion 33) of the connecting portion 8c. The cam member 8 is constantly pressed upward by the middle lever 16.

Figure 8(a) is a perspective view of the operating lever 6 as viewed from above, Figure 8(b) is a perspective view of the operating lever 6 as viewed from below, Figure 8(c) is a side view of the operating lever 6, and Figure 8(d) is a bottom view of the operating lever 6.

The operating lever 6 has an upper wall portion 6a, a left wall portion 6b, and a right wall portion 6c. The upper wall portion 6a connects the upper edge of the left wall portion 6b to the upper edge of the right wall portion 6c. A space that is open downward is formed between the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c. The cam member 8 and the middle lever 16 are disposed in this space (see Figures 5(a) and 5(b)). The cam member 8 is disposed between the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c.

The operating lever 6 has a shaft hole 6d at its rear. A rotation shaft z1 is inserted through the shaft hole 6d (see Figure 5(a)). The rotation shaft z1 also passes through the shaft support portion 46 of the main body 4 (see Figure 5(a)). The operating lever 6 is rotatably supported by the main body 4.

The operating lever 6 has a slide engagement portion 50. The slide engagement portion 50 is provided on each of the left wall portion 6b (inner surface) and the right wall portion 6c (inner surface). Each slide engagement portion 50 has a first opposing surface 50a and a second opposing surface 50b. The first opposing surface 50a is a surface facing rearward. The first opposing surface 50a is formed by a first extending protrusion 51 provided on each of the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c. The second opposing surface 50b is a surface facing forward. The second opposing surface 50b is formed by a second extending protrusion 53 provided on each of the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c. The second extending protrusion 53 is located rearward of the first extending protrusion 51. The first opposing surface 50a and the second opposing surface 50b are parallel to each other.

When the cam member 8 is positioned inside the operating lever 6, the first opposing surface 50a faces the first surface 36a, and the second opposing surface 50b faces the second surface 36b. In this way, the slide engagement portion 50 of the operating lever 6 engages with the slide engagement portion 36 of the cam member 8. Movement of the cam member 8 relative to the operating lever 6 is restricted to a predetermined direction (the extension direction of the slide engagement portions 36, 50).

The operating lever 6 has an engagement retaining portion 52. The engagement retaining portion 52 is provided on each of the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c. The engagement retaining portion 52 is a through hole.

The operating lever 6 has a protruding locking portion 54. When the operating lever 6 is in the protruding position P1, the protruding locking portion 54 engages with the main body 4. This engagement defines the protruding position P1, which is the limit of movement of the operating lever 6 in the protruding direction.

As explained above, the cam member 8 is located inside the operating lever 6, and the middle lever 16 is located inside (below) the cam member 8. The middle lever 16 constantly urges the operating lever 6 upward via the cam member 8. The cam mechanism 30 switches the operating lever 6 between the extended position P1 (stopping water) and the retracted position P2 (discharging water) each time it is pressed.

Figure 9 is a partially enlarged side view of Figure 3(b). In Figure 9, the operating lever 6 is in the retracted position, and the water discharge and stop device 2 is in a water discharge state. Figure 10 is a partially enlarged side view showing the state in which the operating lever 6 has been pulled out toward the protruding side by an external force F from the state shown in Figure 9. In Figures 9 and 10, the cam member 8 arranged inside the operating lever 6 is shown in dashed lines. Figure 11(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a in Figure 9. Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line b-b in Figure 10. For ease of understanding, only the operating lever 6 and cam member 8 are shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b).

In Figure 9, the cam member 8 is held in its normal position on the operating lever 6 side. An external force F is applied to the operating lever 6, which is in the retracted position P2, causing it to be pulled out toward the extension side. As described above, this situation, where external force F is applied in this manner, unlike normal operation, can occur. The external force F increases the force acting on the engaging portion 34b of the stopper pin 34. If this force becomes excessive, the engaging portion 34b will be damaged. This damage can be, for example, deformation (plastic deformation). If the stopper pin 34 is made of metal, the engaging portion 34b will be deformed by the application of excessive force. Figure 6(b) shows the stopper pin 34 with the engaging portion 34b deformed. If this deformation occurs, the stopper pin 34 cannot engage with the cam 32, and the cam mechanism 30 will lose its function.

However, in the water discharge and stop device 2, the cam member 8 moves out of its normal position on the operating lever 6 side before the stopper pin 34 breaks. Figure 10 shows the cam member 8 in a state where it has moved out of its normal position. This prevents damage to the stopper pin 34 (engagement portion 34b).

As mentioned above, the cam member 8 is pushed toward the protruding side by the middle lever 16 (see Figure 5(a)). Therefore, even if the cam member 8 is disengaged from the operating lever 6, the position of the cam member 8 does not change, and the engagement between the cam 32 and the stopper pin 34 is maintained.

As shown in Figure 11(a), when the cam member 8 is in the normal position on the operating lever 6 side, the engagement end 42 of the cam member 8 engages with the engagement retaining portion 52. When an external force F is applied, the engagement end 42 disengages from the engagement retaining portion 52 before the engagement portion 34b is damaged (Figure 11(b)). As a result, the cam member 8 disengages from the operating lever 6 before the engagement portion 34b is damaged.

In this embodiment, when the cam member 8 is in the normal position, a concave-convex engagement is formed between the engagement end 42 of the cam member 8 and the engagement retaining portion 52. In this embodiment, the engagement end 42 is convex and the engagement retaining portion 52 is concave. When an external force F is applied to the operating lever 6, the convex portion (engagement end 42) in the concave-convex engagement is pressed against the concave portion (engagement retaining portion 52). Simultaneously, a bending deformation occurs in the leg portion 40 so that the convex portion (engagement end 42) overcomes the concave portion (engagement retaining portion 52) (see Figure 11(b)). When the amount of bending deformation of the leg portion 40 exceeds the engagement allowance K1, the concave-convex engagement is released. In this configuration, the concave-convex engagement is easily released. As a result, the cam member 8 disengages from the operating lever 6 before the engagement portion 34b is damaged. Note that, contrary to this embodiment, the engagement end 42 may be concave and the engagement retaining portion 52 may be convex. In this case, however, the convex portion of the engagement retaining portion 53 may come into contact with the leg portion 40 after disengagement, and the further the cam member 8 moves downward, the greater the deflection of the leg portion 40. In this case, the load on the leg portion 40 increases, and the cam member 8 becomes more difficult to move. From this perspective, it is preferable that the engagement end portion 42 is convex and the engagement retaining portion 52 is concave.

As shown in the enlarged portion of Figure 11(a), the engagement abutment surface 42b abuts against the engagement retaining portion 52 (edge of the opening). The straight line D1 in the enlarged portion of Figure 11(a) is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cam member 8 when it disengages from the operating lever 6. The engagement abutment surface 42b is inclined with respect to direction D1. The inclination angle θ with respect to direction D1 is greater than zero. The engagement abutment surface 42b is inclined so that as the cam member 8 moves in the direction of disengagement from the operating lever 6 (downward), the engagement protrusion 42a moves in the direction of disengagement from the engagement retaining portion 52 (toward the inside of the operating lever 6). This engagement abutment surface 42b reduces the force required to disengage the cam member 8 from its normal position.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a comparative example cam member 8x used in place of the cam member 8. Like Figure 11(a), Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cam member 8x in its normal position on the operating lever 6. Like Figure 11(a), Figure 12 also shows only the cam member 8x and the operating lever 6.

Figure 7(e) is a rear view of the cam member 8x. The cam member 8x has an engagement end 43. The engagement end 43 has an engagement protrusion 43a. The engagement protrusion 43a has an engagement abutment surface 43b. Apart from the change in the shape of the engagement end, the cam member 8x is the same as the cam member 8. The difference between the engagement end 42 and the engagement end 43 is the angle of the engagement abutment surface.

As shown in the enlarged portion of Figure 12, the engagement abutment surface 43b is parallel to direction D1. In other words, the inclination angle θ of the engagement abutment surface 43b is 0°. The engagement abutment surface 43b is not inclined with respect to direction D1. The engagement between the engagement abutment surface 43b and the engagement retaining portion 52 is difficult to disengage. For this reason, a large force is required to remove the cam member 8 from its normal position. If the cam member 8x were used instead of the cam member 8, the cam member 8x would not be able to disengage from the operating lever 6 before the engagement portion 34b was damaged, and the engagement portion 34b of the stopper pin 34 would be deformed (see Figure 6(b)).

As shown in Figures 10 and 11(b), the cam member 8 disengages from the operating lever 6, preventing damage to the stopper pin 34. From this state, if the operating lever 6 is pushed back to the retracted position P2, the engagement end 42 re-engages with the engagement retaining portion 52, and the cam member 8 returns to its normal position. With the cam member 8 returning to its normal position, the cam mechanism 30 returns to a normal operating state, making it possible to switch between stopping and discharging water using the alternate operation of the operating lever 6.

In Figure 9, the cam member 8 is in the normal position R1 on the operating lever 6 side. When the cam member 8 is disengaged from the operating lever 6 by external force F, the cam member 8 moves to the irregular position N1 relative to the operating lever 6. As described above, this relative movement is achieved by the operating lever 6 moving relative to the stationary cam member 8. Furthermore, by pushing the operating lever 6, the cam member 8 returns from the irregular position N1 to the normal position R1. That is, as shown in Figure 10, when the operating lever 6 is in the extended position and the cam member 8 is in the irregular position N1, applying an external force B that pushes the operating lever 6 returns the cam member 8 to the normal position R1 (Figure 9). While holding the water discharge and stop device 2 in one hand, the user can return the cam member 8 to the normal position R1 simply by squeezing that hand. In this way, the relative movement between the operating lever 6 and the cam member 8 allows the cam member 8 to transition between the normal position R1 and the irregular position N1.

The path of relative movement of the cam member 8 with respect to the operating lever 6 is constant. A slide engagement portion is formed between the operating lever 6 and the cam member 8, defining the path of relative movement between the normal position R1 and the abnormal position N1. In this embodiment, this slide engagement portion is the slide engagement portion 50 of the operating lever 6 and the slide engagement portion 36 of the cam member 8. This slide engagement portion ensures that the cam member 8, once disengaged from the operating lever 6, returns to the normal position R1. There is play (gap) between the slide engagement portion 50 and the slide engagement portion 36, and virtually no frictional force occurs between them. The cam member 8 is held in the operating lever 6 substantially solely by the engagement between the engagement end portion 42 and the engagement retaining portion 52. Therefore, when this engagement is released, the cam member 8 easily detaches from the operating lever 6.

Figures 13 and 14 are partially enlarged side views of the water discharge and stop device 60 of the second embodiment. Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the area circled in Figure 13. As with Figures 9 and 10, Figures 13 and 14 are partially enlarged views of the state with the outer cover 23 removed. In Figure 13, the operating lever 6y is in the retracted position, and the water discharge and stop device 60 is in the water discharge state. Figure 14 shows the state in which the operating lever 6y has been pulled out from the state shown in Figure 13 to the protruding side by an external force F. In Figures 13 and 14, the cam member 8y located inside the operating lever 6y is shown by a dashed line.

The operating lever 6y of the water discharge and stop device 60 has an engagement retaining portion 55. The shape of the engagement retaining portion 55 differs from the engagement retaining portion 52 of the first embodiment. Except for this, the operating lever 6y is the same as the operating lever 6 of the first embodiment.

The cam member 8y of the water discharge and stop device 60 has an engagement end 44. This engagement end 44 has a different shape from the engagement end 42 of the first embodiment. The engagement end 44 has an engagement protrusion 44a. The engagement protrusion 44a has a smaller width than the engagement protrusion 42a of the first embodiment. The engagement protrusion 44a has an engagement abutment surface 44b. The engagement abutment surface 44b has an inclination angle θ of 0°, the same as the engagement abutment surface 43b (Figure 12). Except for these points, the cam member 8y is the same as the cam member 8.

The water discharge and stop device 60 is the same as the water discharge and stop device 2, except that the operating lever 6 has been replaced with an operating lever 6y and the cam member 8 has been replaced with a cam member 8y.

As shown in Figure 15, the engagement retaining portion 55 is an L-shaped hole. The engagement retaining portion 55 has an engagement edge 55a and an expanded hole portion 55b that expands rearward and downward from the engagement edge 55a. When the cam member 8y is in the normal position R1, the engagement abutment surface 44b engages with the engagement edge 55a. When an external force F (Figure 13) is applied, the cam member 8y attempts to move downward relative to the operating lever 6y. More precisely, the direction of this relative movement is along a circle. The operating lever 6y rotates around the rotation center line z2 (see Figure 13). Therefore, the direction of movement of the engagement edge 55a relative to the engagement abutment surface 44b is along a circle C1 centered on the rotation center line z2. At the abutment position between the engagement edge 55a and the engagement abutment surface 44b, the direction of the circle C1 is not perpendicular to the abutment boundary surface between the engagement edge 55a and the engagement abutment surface 44b. As a result, a force acts on the engagement abutment surface 44b in a direction that causes it to slide laterally relative to the engagement edge 55a (see the arrow in Figure 15). This sliding direction is the direction in which the engagement end 44 moves toward the expanded hole portion 55b. This sliding causes the engagement abutment surface 44b to disengage from the engagement edge 55a, and the engagement end 44 is guided into the expanded hole portion 55b. As a result, the engagement between the engagement retaining portion 55 and the engagement end 44 is released.

As explained above, in the water discharge and stop device 2 of the first embodiment, when the operating lever 6 in the retracted position P2 is pulled out toward the protruding side by the external force F, the cam member 8 moves out of the normal position R1 on the operating lever 6 side before the follower 34 is damaged. As a result, damage to the follower 34 is prevented. Instead of the cam member 8 being disengaged, the follower 34 may also be disengaged. In other words, when the operating lever 6 in the retracted position P2 is pulled out toward the protruding side by the external force F, the follower 34 may move out of the normal position on the main body 4 side before the follower 34 is damaged. In this case, damage to the follower 34 is also prevented. Note that the term "damage" here includes both deformation and destruction. Furthermore, "deformation" typically refers to plastic deformation.

This structure, which protects the follower 34 from damage, can be explained by the moment of an external force applied to the operating lever 6. Referring to Figure 3(a), consider the case where an external force F is applied to the point of application Pw on the operating lever 6, with the operating lever 6 in the retracted position P2. The distance between the rotation center line z2 of the operating lever 6 and the point of application Pw is r. Force F1 is the vertical component of the external force F. This vertical component refers to the component perpendicular to the line L1 connecting the rotation center line z2 and the point of application Pw. Note that line L1 is perpendicular to the rotation center line z2. The value of F1 multiplied by r is the moment of the external force F about the rotation center line z2. Defining this moment (F1 x r) makes it possible to unambiguously evaluate the value of the external force related to disengagement of the cam member 8 and damage to the follower 34. The unit of this moment can be N·m.

The moment of the external force F about the rotation center line z2 required to displace the cam member 8 from the normal position R1 is defined as M1. On the other hand, the moment of the external force F about the rotation center line z2 required to break the follower 34 and disengage it from the cam 32 is defined as M2.

Moment M1 is set smaller than moment M2. As a result, when the operating lever 6, which is in the retracted position P2, is pulled toward the protruding side by external force F, the cam member 8 moves out of its normal position R1 on the operating lever 6 side before the follower 34 breaks. To measure moment M2, the cam member 8 must be firmly fixed to the operating lever 6 so that it does not move out of its normal position R1 until the follower 34 breaks. One example of this modification is to glue the cam member 8 to the operating lever 6. However, it is possible to determine that moment M1 is smaller than moment M2 without measuring moments M1 and M2. In other words, if the cam member 8 moves out of its normal position R1 on the operating lever 6 side before the follower 34 breaks, it can be determined that moment M1 is smaller than moment M2.

Preferably, moment M1 can be set to 0.7 (N·m) or less, further 0.5 (N·m) or less, or even 0.3 (N·m) or less. In this case, a small external force F will cause the cam member 8 to disengage from the operating lever 6, making it easy to achieve a configuration in which the cam member 8 disengages before the follower 34 is damaged. If moment M1 is too small, the operating lever 6, which is in the retracted position, may easily disengage from the cam member 8 due to its own weight or vibration, and move in the protruding direction. From this perspective, moment M1 can be set to 0.1 (N·m) or more, further 0.15 (N·m) or more, or even 0.2 (N·m) or more.

By reducing the ratio (M1/M2), a configuration can be reliably achieved in which the cam member 8 disengages before the follower 34 is damaged. From this perspective, the ratio (M1/M2) is preferably 0.6 or less, more preferably 0.4 or less, and even more preferably 0.2 or less. Considering the preferred lower limit of the moment M1, the ratio (M1/M2) is preferably 0.04 or more, more preferably 0.09 or more, and even more preferably 0.31 or more.

In the first embodiment, the middle lever 16 presses the operating lever 6 toward the extended position via the cam member 8. The cam member 8 is constantly pressed toward the extended position by the middle lever 16. As clearly shown in Figures 9 and 10, the position of the cam member 8 remains unchanged before and after it is detached from the operating lever 6. Because the cam member 8 is supported by the middle lever 16, the engagement between the follower 34 and the cam 32 is maintained even when the cam member 8 is detached from the operating lever 6. In this way, the cam member 8 can maintain the engagement between the follower 34 and the cam 32 without relying on the holding force of the operating lever 6. Therefore, even if the holding force of the cam member 8 by the operating lever 6 is extremely small, the cam member 8 can maintain the retracted position P2 and can maintain the normal position R1 by following the movement of the operating lever 6 between the extended position P1 and the retracted position P2. This allows the holding force of the cam member 8 by the operating lever 6 to be reduced. In other words, the moment M1 can be reduced. This makes it easier for the cam member 8 to come off the operating lever 6, and a configuration is easily achieved in which the cam member 8 comes off before the follower 34 is damaged.

This disclosure may also be applied to conventional watering nozzles, such as those described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 (JP 2009-22848 A). In such watering nozzles, the contact point where the middle lever presses the operating lever is far from the cam portion, making it impossible to support the cam portion with the middle lever. Therefore, if the cam portion is a separate component (cam member) from the operating lever, a high holding force is required between the operating lever and the cam member to hold the operating lever in the retracted position against the bias in the protruding direction. This increases the force (moment M1) required to disengage the cam member, and the ratio (M1/M2) is likely to increase. Of course, by making appropriate adjustments, such as increasing the rigidity of the follower's engagement portion, it is possible to achieve a configuration in which the cam member disengages from the operating lever before the follower breaks, even in conventional watering nozzles.

Examples of configurations that allow the cam member to easily detach from the operating lever are shown in the first and second embodiments described above. In these embodiments, the cam member has a leg portion extending in a cantilevered manner and an engaging end portion formed at the free end of the leg portion. The operating lever also has an engaging retaining portion that engages with the engaging end portion to hold the cam member in the normal position. When the cam member is in the normal position R1, a convex-concave engagement is formed between the engaging end portion and the engaging retaining portion. When an external force F is applied to the operating lever, the convex portion of the convex-concave engagement is pressed against the concave portion, and bending deformation occurs in the leg portion so that the convex portion overcomes the concave portion. This allows the convex-concave engagement to be easily released, allowing the cam member to easily detach from the operating lever.

In the first embodiment, the ease with which the cam member 8 comes off can also be adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle θ (Figure 11(a)). The ease with which the cam member 8 comes off can also be adjusted by the length and rigidity of the leg. The ease with which the cam member 8 comes off can also be adjusted by adjusting the engagement allowance K1. In the embodiment of Figure 11(a), the inclination angle θ is 45°, and the engagement allowance K1 is 0.7 to 0.8 mm. The inclination angle θ can be set to an angle such that the amount of flexural deformation of the leg is equal to or greater than the engagement allowance K1 when the moment M1 is within the preferred range described above (for example, 0.7 (N·m)).

The structure by which the operating lever 6 holds the cam member 8 is not limited. Examples include holding by concave-convex engagement, holding by static friction, and holding by magnetic force. The first and second embodiments described above provide examples of holding by concave-convex engagement, but the form and arrangement of the concave-convex engagement can be set in various ways. When holding by static friction, for example, the dimensions of the cam member 8 and operating lever 6 can be adjusted to create a configuration in which static friction occurs between the cam member 8 and operating lever 6 in the normal position R1. When holding by magnetic force, for example, a magnet can be placed on either the operating lever 6 or the cam member 8, and a magnet or magnetic material can be placed on the other. In either configuration, the holding force can be easily adjusted to a small value.

In the above embodiment, the cam member 8 is directly held by the operating lever 6. The cam member 8 may also be indirectly held by the operating lever 6 via another member. The cam member 8 in the first embodiment is also referred to as a stopper guide, but the form of the cam member is not limited thereto. For example, in the cam member 8 (Figures 7(a) to (d)), each of the left and right portions including the cam 32 (portions outside the two dotted chain lines in Figure 7(c)) can be configured as cam members, and can slide relative to the other portion (the central portion between the two dotted chain lines). In this case, the central portion can be fixed to the operating lever 6 and become part of the operating lever 6. By providing a concave-convex engagement on the sliding surface between the central portion and the cam member, a configuration can be achieved in which the cam member disengages from the central portion when a predetermined force is applied.

The follower (stopper pin, etc.) can be made of metal or resin. From the standpoint of separating the cam member from the operating lever without deformation of the tip, it is preferable for the follower to be thin but have excellent rigidity and strength. In the case of metal, one preferred material is stainless steel, such as SUS304. The follower may also be made of spring steel. Spring steel is the steel used in springs. The follower may also be made of piano wire. SUS304 was used in the above embodiment.

Resin is one example of a material for the cam member (stopper guide, etc.). Because deformation occurs when the operating lever is displaced from its normal position, a material with excellent durability is preferable. From this perspective, POM (polyacetal) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer synthetic resin) are preferable. Considering the ease with which the operating lever is displaced from its normal position, a material with a certain degree of slipperiness is preferable. From this perspective, POM is more preferable. From the perspective of sliding with the middle lever, POM, which has moderate slipperiness, is also preferable. In the above embodiment, POM was used.

The operating lever can be made of resin. Examples of this resin include ABS, POM, and PP (polypropylene). When the engagement retaining portion of the operating lever engages with the engagement end of the cam member, as in the above embodiment, a material that is not easily crushed by the engagement end is preferred. From this perspective, ABS and POM are preferred. In the above embodiment, ABS was used.

The following notes are part of the inventions presented in this disclosure.
[Appendix 1]
a main body having a flow path and an on-off valve;
an operating lever that can be switched between a retracted position and a protruding position to open and close the on-off valve;
a cam mechanism having a cam and a follower, the cam engaging with the follower holding the operating lever at the retracted position;
a cam member having the cam;
It is equipped with
The cam member is held at a normal position on the operating lever side,
The follower is held in a normal position on the main body side,
A water discharge and stop device in which, when the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled toward the protruding side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position on the operating lever side, or the follower moves out of the normal position on the main body side, before the follower is damaged.
[Appendix 2]
A water discharge and stop device as described in Appendix 1, wherein when the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled out toward the protruding side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position before the follower is damaged.
[Appendix 3]
the operating lever has a rotation centerline,
A water discharge and stop device as described in Appendix 2, wherein the moment of the external force about the rotation center line required to remove the cam member from the normal position is smaller than the moment of the external force about the rotation center line required to break the follower and disengage the follower from the cam.
[Appendix 4]
A water discharge and stop device as described in Appendix 2 or 3, wherein the cam member is held in the normal position by a concave-convex engagement.
[Appendix 5]
the cam member has a cantilevered leg and an engagement end formed at a free end of the leg;
the operating lever has an engagement holding portion that holds the cam member in the normal position by engaging with the engagement end portion,
When the cam member is in the normal position, the engagement end and the engagement holding portion form the concave-convex engagement,
A water discharge and stop device as described in Appendix 4, in which when the external force is applied to the operating lever, the convex part in the concave-convex engagement is pressed against the concave part, and a bending deformation occurs in the leg part so that the convex part overcomes the concave part.
[Appendix 6]
A water discharge and stop device as described in any one of Appendices 2 to 5, in which the cam member returns to its normal position by pushing the operating lever to the retracted position when the cam member is out of its normal position.
[Appendix 7]
the main body portion includes a biasing member that biases the on-off valve in a direction to close the on-off valve, and a middle lever that converts the movement of the operating lever into an opening/closing movement of the on-off valve and presses the operating lever toward the protruding side,
A water discharge and stop device as described in any one of appendixes 2 to 6, wherein the middle lever presses the cam member in the normal position toward the protruding side.

This application also describes other inventions not included in the inventions described in the claims (including independent claims). Each form, element, configuration, etc. described in the claims and embodiments of this application is recognized as an invention based on the effects that each possesses.

The forms, components, configurations, etc. shown in each of the above embodiments may be individually applied to all inventions described herein, including the inventions claimed herein, even if not all of the forms, components, or configurations of these embodiments are included.

2, 60... Water discharge and stop device 4... Main body 6, 6y... Operating lever 8, 8y... Cam member 12... Opening and closing valve 14... Pressing member 16... Middle lever 30... Cam mechanism 32... Cam 34... Follower (stopper pin)
40: Leg portion 42, 44: Engagement end portion 52, 55: Engagement holding portion z2: Rotation center line of operating lever

Claims (7)

a main body having a flow path and an on-off valve;
an operating lever that can be switched between a retracted position and a protruding position to open and close the on-off valve;
a cam mechanism having a cam and a follower, the cam engaging with the follower holding the operating lever at the retracted position;
a cam member having the cam;
It is equipped with
The cam member is held at a normal position on the operating lever side,
The follower is held in a normal position on the main body side,
A water discharge and stop device in which, when the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled toward the protruding side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position on the operating lever side, or the follower moves out of the normal position on the main body side, before the follower is damaged. A water discharge and stop device as described in claim 1, wherein when the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled toward the protruding side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position before the follower is damaged. the operating lever has a rotation centerline,
A water discharge and stop device as described in claim 2, wherein the moment of the external force about the rotation center line required to move the cam member out of the normal position is smaller than the moment of the external force about the rotation center line required to break the follower and disengage the follower from the cam. A water discharge and stop device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the cam member is held in the normal position by a concave-convex engagement. the cam member has a cantilevered leg and an engagement end formed at a free end of the leg;
the operating lever has an engagement holding portion that holds the cam member in the normal position by engaging with the engagement end portion,
When the cam member is in the normal position, the engagement end and the engagement holding portion form the concave-convex engagement,
5. The water discharge and stop device according to claim 4, wherein when the external force is applied to the operating lever, the convex portion of the concave-convex engagement is pressed against the concave portion, and the leg portion is flexed and deformed so that the convex portion overcomes the concave portion. A water discharge and stop device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the cam member returns to its normal position by pushing the operating lever to the retracted position when the cam member is out of its normal position. the main body portion includes a biasing member that biases the on-off valve in a direction to close the on-off valve, and a middle lever that converts the movement of the operating lever into an opening/closing movement of the on-off valve and presses the operating lever toward the protruding side,
7. The water discharge and stop device according to claim 2, wherein the middle lever presses the cam member in the normal position toward the protruding side.