Valve and shower device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a valve and a shower device, the valve comprising: a valve seat, a valve core and a plurality of first joints; the valve core has a water channel therein, and is inserted into the valve seat along a first direction and cooperates with the valve seat in a plane upper limit perpendicular to the first direction; the first joint is inserted into the valve seat along a direction perpendicular to the first direction and is engaged with the valve seat, and is respectively inserted into and sealed with the corresponding water channel to introduce water into or out of the valve core. The valve of this embodiment has a modular assembly structure and a sealing structure, which is compact in structure, quick to assemble, and reliable in sealing, which is conducive to the modular design and development of valve products for shower devices, and effectively reduces the material cost of the product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of bathroom products, specifically to a valve and a shower device. Background Technology

[0002] Shower units typically feature a manifold to switch between handheld and overhead showerheads. A traditional manifold includes a housing, a main body, a manifold valve core, and a pressure cap. The manifold valve core is installed inside the main body via the pressure cap and seals with it to form a water distribution path. The housing has a through hole to allow the water connector of the main body to extend and connect to an external water pipe. The manifold is formed by assembling the main body, equipped with the manifold valve core, into the housing.

[0003] The defects of the above-mentioned water distributor are as follows: (1) When the water distribution valve core is assembled to the water flow body, it not only needs to be limited and assembled with it, but also needs to be sealed and matched with it; the water flow body also needs to be limited and assembled with the outer shell, and it still needs to be sealed and matched with it when it is connected to the external water pipe. The multi-layer structure increases the assembly difficulty and sealing difficulty, increases the volume of the water distributor, and increases the material cost; (2) For the water distributor, the outer shell is visible to the user, the water distribution valve core determines its water distribution function, and the water flow body is not very meaningful to the user as an intermediate component. However, the water distribution valve core of the above-mentioned water distributor needs to be assembled with the outer shell and form a water circuit with the external water pipe through the water flow body. This makes it necessary for different water distribution valve cores to be adapted to the outer shell through different water flow bodies when developing new products, and different outer shells also need to be adapted to the valve core through different water flow bodies. This increases the structural complexity of the product and the redundant work in product design, which is not conducive to the development of new products. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome at least one defect or problem existing in the prior art and to provide a valve with a modular assembly structure and sealing structure. It has a compact structure, quick assembly, reliable sealing, and is suitable for configuration as a water distributor, water switch, mixer, etc. in shower devices. This facilitates the modular design and development of valve products for shower devices and effectively reduces the material cost of the products.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides a valve comprising: a valve seat; a valve core inserted into the valve seat along a first direction and engaging with the valve seat in a plane perpendicular to the first direction; the valve core having at least one inlet channel and at least one outlet channel, and for controlling the communication between each inlet channel and each outlet channel; and a plurality of first connectors corresponding to each channel of the valve core, each inserted into the valve seat along a direction perpendicular to the first direction and engaging with the valve seat, and respectively engaging with and sealing the corresponding channel to introduce or draw water into or out of the valve core.

[0006] In one possible implementation: the valve core is fixedly provided with a plurality of second connectors, which respectively form the water inlet channel and the water outlet channel; each of the first connectors is inserted into and sealed with the corresponding second connector in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0007] In one possible implementation: the valve seat is provided with a plurality of locking holes for the first connector to be inserted and engaged with it; the first connector has a locking portion, which is adapted to elastically engage with the locking hole when the first connector is inserted into the locking hole, so as to realize the locking engagement between the first connector and the valve seat.

[0008] In one possible implementation: the end of the locking hole along the insertion direction of the first connector is provided with an axial limiting part, and the locking part is composed of a plurality of elastic claws symmetrically arranged along the circumference of the first connector; the elastic claws are inserted into the locking hole and are pushed inward by the inner wall of the locking hole, and are released and expanded outward when they move to the axial position corresponding to the axial limiting part, and are engaged with the axial limiting part along the axial limiting part of the locking hole.

[0009] In one possible implementation: the card hole has a guide slope at the beginning of the insertion direction of the first connector to guide the elastic claw to be inserted therein.

[0010] In one possible implementation: the inner peripheral wall of the locking hole is provided with an anti-rotation groove, and the outer peripheral wall of the first connector is provided with an anti-rotation rib; the anti-rotation groove engages with the anti-rotation rib when the first connector is inserted into the locking hole to limit the relative movement of the first connector and the valve seat along the circumference of the locking hole.

[0011] In one possible implementation: the valve core's valve shell is provided with a guide limiting rib; the valve seat is provided with a guide limiting groove arranged along the first direction, which engages with the guide limiting rib in a plane perpendicular to the first direction to achieve a limiting engagement between the valve core and the valve seat and guide the valve core to be inserted into the valve seat along the first direction, and make the inlet and outlet channels aligned with the locking holes of the valve seat in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0012] In one possible implementation: the valve core is a water-dividing valve core, which has a rotating body structure and includes a valve body, a pressing element, a transmission element, a first sealing element, a first elastic element, and a second elastic element; the valve body has an inlet channel and an outlet channel, the number of inlet channels is one, and the number of outlet channels is two, which are respectively the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel; the valve body also has a water-passing cavity and a pressing cavity; the water-passing cavity is connected to the inlet channel, and a first water-passing port and a second water-passing port are provided along the valve core axis, the first water-passing port and the second water-passing port are respectively used to connect the inlet channel to the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel; the pressing cavity has a pressing hole along the valve core axis, and the side wall of the pressing cavity has a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the valve core, the protrusions having a toothed bottom surface, and the... The toothed bottom surface includes a sliding surface inclined towards the tooth root and a guide surface inclined towards the channel; the pressing member is anti-rotatingly engaged with the valve body and slides relative to the valve body along the valve core axis, with one end extending out of the pressing hole and the other end having an inclined abutting surface; the transmission member has a receiving surface opposite to the abutting surface and an outer inclined surface opposite to the sliding surface and the guide surface; the first sealing member is driven by the transmission member to slide along the valve core axis in the water passage cavity and switch between sealing the first water passage and the second water passage; the first elastic member is disposed between the first sealing member and the transmission member, and drives the transmission member to move toward the pressing hole and stop at the tooth root or the channel when the pressing member is released; the two ends of the second elastic member abut against the valve body and the first sealing member respectively, for driving the first sealing member to reset.

[0013] In one possible implementation: the valve core is a water-dividing valve core, which has a rotating body structure and includes a valve body, a pressing member, a transmission member, a third elastic member, and a second sealing member; the valve body has an inlet channel and an outlet channel, the number of inlet channels is one, and the number of outlet channels is two, which are respectively the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel; the valve body also has a water-passing cavity and a pressing cavity; the water-passing cavity communicates with the inlet channel, and the inner wall of the water-passing cavity forms a water-passing wall perpendicular to the valve core axis; the water-passing wall has a first water-passing port and a second water-passing port along the circumference of the valve core, the first water-passing port and the second water-passing port are respectively used to connect the inlet channel to the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel; the pressing cavity has a pressing hole along the valve core axis. The sidewall of the pressing chamber is provided with a plurality of protrusions spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the valve core. The protrusions have toothed bottom surfaces, and the toothed bottom surfaces include sliding surfaces inclined towards the tooth bottom and guide surfaces inclined towards the grooves. The pressing member is anti-rotatingly engaged with the valve body and slides relative to the valve body along the valve core axis. One end of the member extends out of the pressing hole, and the other end is provided with an inclined abutting surface. The transmission member is provided with a receiving surface opposite to the abutting surface and an outer inclined surface opposite to the sliding surface and the guide surface. When the pressing member is released, the third elastic member drives the transmission member to move toward the pressing hole until it stops at the tooth bottom or the groove. The second sealing member is anti-rotatingly engaged with the transmission member and abuts against the water passage wall to switch between sealing the first water passage and the second water passage.

[0014] To achieve the above objectives, a second aspect of the present invention provides a shower device comprising a valve as described in any of the above technical solutions.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] (1) In the valve of the present invention, the valve core is inserted into the valve seat, and the valve core and the valve seat are connected and engaged by the first connector to achieve the limiting assembly of the two in any direction. The first connector is also directly sealed and engaged with the valve core to communicate with each water channel of the valve core.

[0017] Since the valve core and valve seat only have a limiting assembly relationship and no sealing assembly relationship, they are not directly related when constructing the valve water circuit. This not only gives the valve in this embodiment advantages such as reduced number of parts, smaller size, compact overall structure, quick assembly process, and reduced material cost, but also allows the valve core and valve seat to be configured with corresponding limiting assembly structures and connected to them through a first joint with a fully modular structure when designing and developing the valve. There is no need to construct the limiting assembly relationship and sealing assembly relationship between the valve core and valve seat through different intermediate water passage parts. Different valve cores can be used for different valve seats, and different valve seats can be used for different valve cores. By replacing the valve seat or valve core of an existing valve, a variety of new valve products can be combined, reducing redundant work in product design and facilitating the modular design and development of valve products.

[0018] In addition, after the first connector is inserted into the valve seat, it also engages with the valve seat or valve core to fix the first connector relative to the valve seat, and its fluid communication with the valve core will not fail due to its easy removal.

[0019] (2) In the valve of the present invention, the first connector has elastic claws, and the engagement relationship between the first connector and the valve seat is elastic engagement. The structure is simple and quick to assemble. When the first connector is screwed to the external water pipe, the engagement relationship will not be released, and the stability of the fluid communication between the first connector and the valve core is good.

[0020] (3) The valve in this embodiment of the invention has a guide bevel in the locking hole, which can guide the first connector to be inserted and matched with it, and has the advantage of quick connection;

[0021] (4) In the valve of the present invention, the inner peripheral wall of the locking hole is provided with an anti-rotation groove, and the outer peripheral wall of the first connector is provided with an anti-rotation rib. When the first connector is inserted into the locking hole, the two are matched in a limiting manner along the circumferential direction of the locking hole to limit the relative movement of the first connector and the valve seat along the circumferential direction of the locking hole, which is beneficial to the screw connection of the first connector and the external water pipe.

[0022] (5) In the valve of the present invention, the guide limiting rib and the guide limiting groove have a limiting fit and a guiding fit relationship, which can be used to guide the valve core to be inserted into the valve seat, and can also limit the circumferential position of the valve core assembled into the valve seat, so that each second connector of the valve core and its corresponding water channel are aligned with the locking hole of the valve seat in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, which is conducive to the rapid connection between the first connector and the valve core. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments are briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the valve in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the valve seat according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is another perspective view of the valve seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, which shows the internal structure of the valve seat;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the valve core according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the first connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the top of the first connector;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the first connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the bottom of the first connector;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the valve assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly completed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 This is an exploded perspective view of the valve core of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve core of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 12 This is a perspective view of the valve core embodiment 1 of the present invention when the top cover, pressing component, and transmission component are not assembled;

[0036] Figure 13 This is another perspective view of the valve core embodiment 1 of the present invention when the top cover, pressing member, and transmission member are not assembled;

[0037] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing the state of the valve core in Embodiment 1 of the present invention when water is discharged from the first outlet channel;

[0038] Figure 15This is a diagram showing the state of the valve core in Embodiment 1 of the present invention when water is discharged from the second outlet channel;

[0039] Figure 16 This is an exploded perspective view of the valve core in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 17 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve core of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 18 This is a perspective view of the valve housing in embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 19 This is an exploded perspective view of the second sealing component in embodiment 2 of the valve core of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 20 This is a diagram showing the state of the valve core in Embodiment 2 of the present invention when water is discharged from the first outlet channel;

[0044] Figure 21 This is a diagram showing the state of the valve core in Embodiment 2 of the present invention when water is discharged from the second outlet channel.

[0045] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0046] Valve 100; Valve seat 10, Valve core 20, First connector 30;

[0047] 11. Snap hole; 12. First groove; 13. Second groove; 14. Axial limiting part; 15. Guide slope; 16. Limiting rib; 17. Guide limiting groove.

[0048] Valve body 21, pressing element 22, transmission element 23, first sealing element 24, second sealing element 25, first elastic element 26, second elastic element 27, third elastic element 28;

[0049] Valve housing 211, water inlet channel 212, first water outlet channel 213A, second water outlet channel 213B, bottom cover 214, water passage cylinder 215A, support base 215B, top cover 216, water passage cavity 217, pressing cavity 218;

[0050] Second connector 2111, guide limiting rib 2112, neck 2113; first water inlet 2171A (2171B), second water inlet 2172A (2172B), water inlet wall 2173; water passage hole 215A1, clearance hole 215B1; pressing hole 2181, channel 2182, protrusion 2183, tooth bottom 21831, sliding surface 21832, guide surface 21833;

[0051] Pressing surface 221, locking block 222; transmission component body 231, transmission component seat 232, protrusion 233, bearing surface 2321, outer inclined surface 2331; first sealing ring 241, second sealing ring 242; connecting rod 251, leather cup seat 252, leather cup 253, leather cup spring 254, third sealing ring 2511;

[0052] 31. Base body, 32. Plug, 33. Elastic claw, 34. Anti-rotation rib; 321. Plug sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered as excluding other embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0054] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the use of terms such as "first," "second," or "third" in the claims, description, and accompanying drawings of this invention is for distinguishing different objects and not for describing a specific order.

[0055] Unless otherwise expressly defined, in the claims, description, and accompanying drawings of this invention, the use of directional terms such as "center," "lateral," "longitudinal," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise" to indicate orientation or positional relationships is based on the orientation and positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and is only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and is not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the specific scope of protection of this invention.

[0056] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "fixed connection" or "fixed connection" used in the claims, description and drawings of this invention should be interpreted broadly to refer to any connection in which there is no displacement or relative rotation relationship between the two parties, including non-removable fixed connection, detachable fixed connection, integral connection and fixed connection by other means or components.

[0057] In the claims, description and accompanying drawings of this invention, the terms "comprising," "having," and variations thereof are used to mean "including but not limited to."

[0058] Reference Figure 1This invention provides a valve 100, which is exemplarily configured as a water distributor and includes a valve seat 10, a valve core 20, and three first connectors 30.

[0059] In this embodiment, the valve core 20 is configured as a water-dividing valve core, which has a one-inlet and two-outlet water circuit structure. It can be switched by pressing the valve stem to slide within the valve cavity, allowing the inlet water circuit to be connected to one of the two outlet water circuits, thereby achieving water circuit switching. It is self-evident that the present invention can also use a water-dividing valve core with other water circuit control structures and operating methods to achieve water diversion. Furthermore, the valve core 20 of the present invention can also be configured as a stop-flow valve core with a one-inlet and one-outlet water circuit structure or a mixing valve core with a two-inlet and one-outlet water circuit structure. Compared with the water-dividing valve core of this embodiment, it differs only in the number of water circuits, water circuit control structure, and operating method, thus allowing the valve 100 of the present invention to also be configured as a stop-flow switch or a mixing valve, or other valve products.

[0060] The following description refers to other accompanying drawings and returns to the specific structure of the valve 100 in this embodiment.

[0061] Reference Figure 2-3 and Figure 8 The valve seat 10 has a rotating body structure, and its interior also forms an assembly cavity with a rotating structure. In this embodiment, the direction of the rotation axis of the valve seat 10 is defined as the first direction, and it can be understood that the valve seat 10 constitutes the outer shell of the water distributor in this embodiment.

[0062] In the specific structure, the valve seat 10 has three retaining holes 11 on its peripheral wall. Each retaining hole 11 penetrates the peripheral wall of the valve seat 10 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and its outer end has two first grooves 12 and two second grooves 13 spaced 180° apart circumferentially. An axial limiting portion 14 is formed at its inner end. A guide slope 15 is formed at the outward end of each of the first grooves 12 and second grooves 13. The end face at the junction of the inner wall of the valve seat 10 and the retaining hole 11 constitutes the axial limiting portion 14. In other embodiments, the axial limiting portion 14 can also be a groove located at a certain axial position within the retaining hole 11.

[0063] Furthermore, the assembly cavity is provided with two opposing limiting rib groups. Each limiting rib group includes two limiting ribs 16 protruding from the inner wall of the assembly cavity and spaced apart circumferentially. Both limiting ribs 16 extend along the first direction to form a guide limiting groove 17 extending along the first direction between them. Because the two limiting rib groups are arranged opposite to each other, the two guide limiting grooves 17 formed are parallel to each other and their openings are opposite to each other.

[0064] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 8The valve core 20 has a valve housing 211 adapted to the assembly cavity, and thus the valve housing 211 also has a generally rotary structure. The valve housing 211 has a valve cavity, an inlet channel 212 communicating with the valve cavity, and two outlet channels, namely a first outlet channel 213A and a second outlet channel 213B. A water circuit control structure is installed within the valve cavity to control the inlet channel 212 to switch between the two outlet channels 213A (213B). The valve cavity of the valve core 20 and its internal water circuit control structure will be described in detail below; here, the structure of the valve housing 211 is introduced first.

[0065] Specifically, the valve housing 211 is fixedly provided with three second joints 2111, which respectively form the inlet channel 212 and the two outlet channels 213A (213B). Furthermore, the valve housing 211 is also provided with at least one set of guide limiting ribs. Each guide limiting rib set includes two sheet-like guide limiting ribs 2112 located at the same axial position on the valve housing 211 and protruding from the valve housing 211 in opposite directions. The two guide limiting ribs 2112 are parallel to each other, and their lengths are adapted to the spacing between the two limiting ribs 16 in the limiting rib group. This allows each guide limiting rib 2112 to slide along the extension direction of the guide limiting groove 17 and to be limited and engaged with it on a plane perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment, the valve core 20 has two sets of the aforementioned guide limiting ribs, which are spaced apart along the axial direction of the valve housing 211.

[0066] In this embodiment, the valve core 20 slides along the first direction and is inserted into the assembly cavity of the valve seat 10. During this process, the guide limiting rib 2112 slides within the guide limiting groove 17 and engages with it for limiting, thereby guiding the valve core 20 to be inserted into the valve seat 10 along the first direction and ensuring that the valve core 20 and the valve seat 10 are engaged in a limiting fit on a plane perpendicular to the first direction. More advantageously, through the limiting effect of the guide limiting rib 2112 and the guide limiting groove 17, the circumferential position of the valve core 20 assembled into the valve seat 10 can be restricted, so that each of the second connectors 2111 of the valve core 20 and its corresponding water channels are aligned with the locking holes 11 of the valve seat 10 in the circumferential direction (i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the first direction). This facilitates the rapid connection between the first connector 30 and the valve core 20.

[0067] Reference Figure 5-6 and Figure 8The three first connectors 30 correspond to a water channel of the valve core 20 and are used to connect the inlet channel 212 and the two outlet channels 213A (213B) of the valve core 20 to an external inlet pipe and two outlet pipes. In this embodiment, the first connector 30 includes a seat 31 and a plug 32. The outer wall of the seat 31 is formed with an external thread for screwing into an external water pipe. The end of the plug 32 is provided with a plug sealing ring 321. The plug 32 is adapted to be inserted into the locking hole 11 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and inserted into the valve seat 10, and to be inserted into the second connector 2111 and its water channel, so that the plug sealing ring 321 is tightly fitted with the inner wall of the second connector 2111, thereby achieving a sealing fit between the first connector 30 and the second connector 2111, and introducing or drawing water into or out of the valve core 20.

[0068] Furthermore, after the first connector 30 is inserted into the valve seat 10, it also engages with the valve seat 10, thereby fixing the first connector 30 relative to the valve seat 10 and ensuring that its fluid communication with the valve core 20 is not lost due to easy disengagement. Moreover, since the first connector 30 engages with both the valve seat 10 and the valve core 20 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, the relative movement of the valve core 20 and the valve seat 10 along the first direction is limited by the first connector 30, achieving a limiting engagement between the valve core 20 and the valve seat 10 in any direction.

[0069] In the specific structure, the first connector 30 is a round connector with two elastic claws 33 symmetrically arranged circumferentially. These two elastic claws 33 constitute the locking portion of the first connector 30. When the first connector 30 is inserted into the locking hole 11, the elastic claws 33 enter the locking hole 11 along the first groove 12 and are elastically contracted inward by the inner wall of the locking hole 11. When the elastic claws 33 move to the axial position corresponding to the axial limiting portion 14 with the first connector 30, the resisting effect of the inner wall of the locking hole 11 disappears, causing them to be released and elastically expand outward and hook onto the axial limiting portion 14, thereby making the elastic claws 33 engage with the axial limiting portion 14 along the axial direction of the locking hole 11.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first connector 30 and the valve seat 10 are connected by the elastic snap-fit ​​of the snap-fit ​​part and the snap-fit ​​hole 11. The structure is simple and quick to assemble. Moreover, when the first connector 30 is screwed to the external water pipe, compared with the structure of rotation snap-fit, the snap-fit ​​relationship between the first connector 30 and the valve seat 10 will not be released, and the stability of its fluid communication with the valve core 20 is good.

[0071] In addition, the outer peripheral wall of the first connector 30 is provided with an anti-rotation rib 34, which is used to limit the circumferential movement of the first connector 30 and the second groove 13 of the valve seat 10 when the first connector 30 is inserted into the locking hole 11, so that the second groove 13 forms an anti-rotation groove, and after the first connector 30 is connected to the valve seat 10, it is used to restrict the relative movement of the first connector 30 and the valve seat 10 along the circumferential direction of the locking hole 11, which is beneficial to the screw connection of the first connector 30 to the external water pipe.

[0072] Preferably, during the connection process of the first connector 30, the guide slopes 15 provided in the first groove 12 and the second groove 13 of the locking hole 11 are respectively used to guide the elastic claw 33 and the anti-rotation rib 34 to be inserted into the locking hole 11, thereby guiding the rapid connection between the first connector 30 and the valve seat 10.

[0073] Reference Figure 7-9 The assembly process of valve 100 in this embodiment is as follows: (1) The valve core 20 is inserted into the valve seat 10 along the first direction, and the valve core 20 and the valve seat 10 are matched in a plane perpendicular to the first direction by the limiting effect of the guide limiting rib 2112 and the guide limiting groove 17; (2) Each first connector 30 is inserted into the corresponding snap hole 11 along the direction perpendicular to the first direction and is matched with it; at the same time, each first connector 30 is also inserted into the second connector 2111 of the valve core 20 and sealed to achieve the water flow in the valve core 20 from the outside or out to the outside; (3) Since the operation mode of the water distribution valve core 20 in this embodiment is a press operation, the valve 100 in this embodiment also includes a button, a connecting seat and a screw. The button is interference-fitted with the connecting seat and the connecting seat is fixed to the valve stem of the valve core 20 by the threaded fastener to realize the assembly of valve 100. The user can operate and control the water distribution switching by pressing the button.

[0074] As can be seen from the above description, in this embodiment, the valve core 20 is inserted into the valve seat 10, and the first connector 30 is inserted into both the valve core 20 and the valve seat 10 to achieve limiting assembly in any direction. The first connector 30 also directly seals with the valve core 20 to allow water to flow into or out of the valve core 20. Since the valve core 20 and the valve seat 10 only have a limiting assembly relationship and no sealing assembly relationship, they are not directly related when constructing the valve water circuit. This not only gives the valve 100 of this embodiment advantages such as reduced number of parts, smaller size, compact overall structure, quick assembly process, and reduced material costs, but also allows the valve core 20 and valve seat 10 to be configured with corresponding limiting assembly structures and connected to them via the first connector 30, which has a fully modular structure, without the need for different intermediate water-passing components to construct the limiting assembly relationship and sealing assembly relationship between the valve core 20 and the valve seat 10. In this way, different valve cores 20 can be used for different valve seats 10, and different valve seats 10 can also be used for different valve cores 20. By replacing the valve seat or valve core of an existing valve, a variety of new valve products can be combined, reducing redundant work in product design and facilitating the modular design and development of valve products.

[0075] To enable those skilled in the art to more easily implement the valve 100 of the present invention, the internal structure of the valve core 20 is described in detail below. To this end, the present invention provides two different valve core embodiments.

[0076] Valve core Example 1

[0077] Reference Figure 10-15 The valve core 20 has a rotating body structure and includes a valve body 21, a pressing member 22, a transmission member 23, a first sealing member 24, a first elastic member 26, and a second elastic member 27.

[0078] Reference Figure 10-11 The valve body 21 includes a valve shell 211 fixedly connected to each other, a bottom cover 214, a water passage 215A, and a top cover 216. The valve shell 211 contains an inlet channel 212, a first outlet channel 213A, and a second outlet channel 213B. The bottom cover 214 is fixedly connected to one end of the valve shell 211, the water passage 215A is installed inside the valve shell 211, and the top cover 216 is fixedly connected to the other end of the valve shell 211. Thus, after the components of the valve body 21 are assembled, a water passage cavity 217 and a pressing cavity 218 are formed within the valve body 21.

[0079] The water passage cavity 217 is formed by the valve housing 211 and the water passage cylinder 215A. The water passage cavity 217 is connected to the water inlet channel 212 and has a first water passage port 2171A and a second water passage port 2172A along the axial direction of the valve core 20. The first water passage port 2171A and the second water passage port 2172A are respectively used to connect the water inlet channel 212 to the first water outlet channel 213A and the second water outlet channel 213B. In this embodiment, the valve housing 211 has a neck 2113 inside, and its neck mouth constitutes the first water passage port 2171A; the water passage cylinder 215A is hollow inside and has a water passage hole 215A1 that penetrates its peripheral wall. One end of the water passage cylinder 215A is open and constitutes the second water passage port 2172A. The water passage hole 215A1 is used to connect the second water passage port 2172A and the second water outlet channel 213B.

[0080] The pressing cavity 218 is formed by the top cover 216 surrounding it. The pressing cavity 218 is provided with pressing holes 2181 along the axial direction of the valve core 20. The side wall of the pressing cavity 218 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 2183 spaced apart from each other by grooves 2182 along the circumference of the valve core 20. The protrusions 2183 have toothed bottom surfaces, and the toothed bottom surfaces include sliding surfaces 21832 inclined towards the tooth bottom 21831 and guide surfaces 21833 inclined towards the grooves 2182.

[0081] Reference Figure 11-13 The pressing member 22 is basically assembled inside the pressing cavity 218, with one end extending out of the pressing hole 2181 so as to be fixed to the button, and the other end having an inclined pressing surface 221. The outer wall of the pressing member 22 is also provided with a locking block 222, which is inserted into the groove 2182, so that the pressing member 22 and the valve body 21 are in a non-rotational engagement.

[0082] Reference Figure 11-13 The transmission component 23 is assembled within the pressing cavity 218, and it has a receiving surface 2321 opposite to the pressing surface 221 and an outer inclined surface 2331 opposite to the sliding surface 21832 and the guide surface 21833. Specifically, the transmission component 23 includes a transmission component body 231, a transmission component seat 232, and a plurality of protrusions 233 protruding from the transmission component seat 232. The transmission component body 231 has a rotating body structure. The transmission component seat 232 has a plurality of receiving surfaces 2321 spaced circumferentially along the transmission component body 231. The protrusions 233 are spaced circumferentially along the transmission component body 231 and have the aforementioned outer inclined surfaces 2331. The plurality of receiving surfaces 2321 and the plurality of outer inclined surfaces 2331 are staggered along the circumferential direction of the transmission component body 231.

[0083] Reference Figure 10-1114-15, the first sealing member 24 is constructed as a rod, which passes through the water-passing cylinder 215A, with a first sealing ring 241 fitted at one end and sliding within the water-passing cavity 217. The other end extends into the pressing cavity 218 and is driven by the transmission member 23 to slide along the axial direction of the valve core 20 between the first axial position and the second axial position. The other end of the first sealing member 24 is fitted with a second sealing ring 242, which seals against the inner wall of the water-passing cylinder 215A to seal and isolate the water-passing cavity 217 and the pressing cavity 218. In the first axial position, the end of the first sealing member 24 with the first sealing ring 241 blocks the second water outlet 2172A, allowing water to pass through the first water outlet 2171A, such as... Figure 14 As shown; at the second axial position, the end of the first sealing member 24 with the first sealing ring 241 blocks the first water inlet 2171A, allowing water to pass through the second water inlet 2172A, as shown. Figure 15 As shown.

[0084] Reference Figure 11 Both the first elastic element 26 and the second elastic element 27 are springs. The first elastic element 26 is disposed between the first sealing element 24 and the transmission element 23 to transmit the driving force of the transmission element 23 to the first sealing element 24, and to drive the transmission element 23 toward the pressing hole 2181 to stop at the tooth root 21831 or the channel 2182 when the pressing element 22 is released. The two ends of the second elastic element 27 abut against the bottom cover 214 of the valve body 21 and the first sealing element 24 respectively, and are used to drive the first sealing element 24 to reset when the first sealing element 24 is not abutted by the transmission element 23 and the first elastic element 26.

[0085] The working process of valve core 20 in this embodiment is as follows.

[0086] exist Figure 15 Based on the state shown, the pressing member 22 is pressed to the left and moves to the left until the pressing surface 221 presses against the resisting surface 2321, causing the transmission member 23 to move to the left first. During this period, the first elastic member 26 is compressed and stores energy. When the pressing member 22 is released, the first elastic member 26 releases energy, driving the transmission member 23 to move to the right, pressing against the guide surface 21833 and continuing to rotate until it stops in the channel 2182. Subsequently, since the stopping position of the channel 2182 is higher than the stopping position of the tooth root 21831, in the direction shown, the transmission member 23 moves to the right as a whole and does not have a top resistance force on the first sealing member 24. The second elastic member 27 then drives the first sealing member 24 to reset to the right and slide to the first axial position. The first sealing member 24 blocks the second water outlet 2172A, allowing water to flow through the first water outlet 2171A, and the valve core 20 enters the... Figure 14As shown, water flows out from the first outlet channel 213A.

[0087] exist Figure 14 Based on the state shown, the pressing member 22 is still pressed to the left and moves to the left until the pressing surface 221 presses against the receiving surface 2321, causing the transmission member 23 to move to the left first. During this period, the first elastic member 26 is compressed and stores energy. When the pressing member 22 is released, the first elastic member 26 releases energy, driving the transmission member 23 to move to the right, pressing against the sliding surface 21832 and continuing to rotate until it stops at the tooth root 21831. Subsequently, since the stopping position of the channel 2182 is higher than the stopping position of the tooth root 21831, in the direction shown, the transmission member 23 moves to the left as a whole and pushes against the first sealing member 24 to overcome the elastic force of the second elastic member 27 and slides to the second axial position. The first sealing member 24 blocks the first water outlet 2171A, allowing water to flow through the second water outlet 2172A, and the valve core 20 enters the... Figure 15 As shown, water flows out from the second outlet channel 213B.

[0088] Valve core embodiment 2

[0089] Reference Figure 16-21 The present invention also provides another embodiment of the valve core 20. Since the two embodiments have many components with basically the same structure and function, in the description of this valve core embodiment, the above-mentioned basically the same components are referred to by the same reference numerals as those in valve core embodiment 1. In valve core embodiment 2, the valve core 20 has a rotating body structure and includes a valve body 21, a pressing member 22, a transmission member 23, a second sealing member 25, and a third elastic member 28.

[0090] Reference Figure 16-18 The valve body 21 includes a valve housing 211 fixedly connected to each other, a bottom cover 214, a support base 215B, and a top cover 216. The valve housing 211 contains an inlet channel 212, a first outlet channel 213A, and a second outlet channel 213B. The bottom cover 214B is fixedly connected to one end of the valve housing 211, the support base 215B is fixedly connected to the other end of the valve housing 211, and the top cover 216 is fixedly connected to the other end of the support base 215B. Thus, after the components of the valve body 21 are assembled, a water-passing cavity 217 and a pressing cavity 218 are formed within the valve body 21.

[0091] The water passage cavity 217 is formed by the valve housing 211 and the support base 215B. The water passage cavity 217 is connected to the water inlet channel 212, and the inner wall of the water passage cavity 217 forms a water passage wall 2173 that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve core 20. The water passage wall 2173 is provided with a first water passage port 2171B and a second water passage port 2172B along the circumference of the valve core 20. The first water passage port 2171B and the second water passage port 2172B are respectively used to connect the water inlet channel 212 to the first water outlet channel 213A and the second water outlet channel 213B. In this embodiment, there are two first water inlets 2171B and two second water inlets 2172B, which are staggered. Each first water inlet 2171B and the adjacent second water inlet 2172B are spaced 90° apart along the circumference of the valve core 20. The two first water inlets 2171B are spaced 180° apart, and the two second water inlets 2172B are also spaced 180° apart.

[0092] The pressing chamber 218 is formed by being surrounded by the top cover 216, and the support seat 215B is provided with a clearance hole 215B1. Since the internal structure of the pressing chamber 218, the pressing member 22, and the transmission member 23 in this valve core embodiment are basically the same as the corresponding components in valve core embodiment 1, they will not be described in detail again. Furthermore, the designations of the aforementioned components and their sub-components mentioned below can also refer to the designations of the corresponding components in valve core embodiment 1. However, it is worth noting that although the structure and motion state of the transmission member 23 are the same in both valve core embodiments—that is, a superposition of rotational and linear motion—the linear motion of the transmission member 23 is mainly utilized in valve core embodiment 1. Therefore, the transmission member 23 provides a driving force along the axial direction of the valve core 20 to the first sealing member 24. In this valve core embodiment, the rotational motion of the transmission member 23 is mainly utilized, and the transmission member 23 provides a driving force along the circumferential direction of the valve core 20 to the second sealing member 25 described below.

[0093] Reference Figure 19The second sealing component 25 includes a connecting rod 251, two cup seats 252, two cups 253, and two cup springs 254. The connecting rod 251 passes through the clearance hole 215B1 of the support seat 215B, and its two ends are located in the water passage cavity 217 and the pressing cavity 218, respectively. A third sealing ring 2511 is sleeved in the middle of the connecting rod 251, which seals with the support seat 215B to achieve a sealed isolation between the water passage cavity 217 and the pressing cavity 218. Specifically, one end of the connecting rod 251 extends into the pressing cavity 218 and is slidably anti-rotatingly engaged with the transmission component 23, so that it is driven by the transmission component 23 to rotate circumferentially along the valve core 20 between a first circumferential position and a second circumferential position. The two cup holders 252 are integrally connected to the connecting rod 251, and the two cup holders 252 protrude circumferentially from the other end of the connecting rod 251 along the valve core 20, with the two cup holders spaced 180° apart. The cup holder 252 has a hollow inner cavity, and the two cups 253 are respectively disposed in the inner cavity of one cup holder 252. The two cup springs 254 are also respectively disposed in the inner cavity of one cup holder 252, and their two ends abut against the cup holder 252 and the cups 253, so that the two cups 252 are pressed against the water passage wall 2173.

[0094] At the first circumferential position, the two cups 253 of the second sealing member 25 correspondingly seal the two second water inlets 2172B, allowing water to pass through the first water inlet 2171B, such as... Figure 20 As shown; at the second circumferential position, the two cups 253 of the second sealing member 25 correspondingly seal the two first water inlets 2171B, allowing water to pass through the second water inlet 2172B, as shown. Figure 21 As shown.

[0095] Reference Figure 17 The third elastic element 28 is a spring, which is disposed between the transmission element 23 and the support seat 215B, so as to drive the transmission element 23 toward the pressing hole 2181 to stop at the tooth root 21831 or the channel 2182 when the pressing element 22 is released.

[0096] The working process of valve core 20 in this embodiment is as follows.

[0097] exist Figure 21Based on the indicated state, the pressing member 22 is pressed to the left and moves to the left until the pressing surface 221 presses against the receiving surface 2321, causing the transmission member 23 to move to the left first. During this period, the third elastic member 28 is compressed and stores energy. When the pressing member 22 is released, the third elastic member 28 releases energy, driving the transmission member 23 to move to the right, pressing against the guide surface 21833 and continuing to rotate until it stops in the channel 2182. During this process, the transmission member 23 drives the second sealing member 25 to rotate 90° to the first circumferential position. The second sealing member 25 blocks the second water outlet 2172B, allowing water to flow through the first water outlet 2171B, and the valve core 20 enters the channel. Figure 20 As shown, water flows out from the first outlet channel 213A.

[0098] exist Figure 21 Based on the indicated state, the pressing member 22 is pressed to the left and moves to the left until the pressing surface 221 presses against the receiving surface 2321, causing the transmission member 23 to move to the left first. During this period, the third elastic member 28 is compressed and stores energy. When the pressing member 22 is released, the third elastic member 28 releases energy, driving the transmission member 23 to move to the right, pressing against the guide surface 21833 and continuing to rotate until it stops at the tooth root 21831. During this process, the transmission member 23 drives the second sealing member 25 to continue rotating 90° to the second circumferential position. The second sealing member 25 blocks the first water outlet 2171B, allowing water to flow through the second water outlet 2172B, and the valve core 20 enters the... Figure 21 As shown, water flows out from the second outlet channel 213B.

[0099] Furthermore, this embodiment of the invention also provides a shower device, which includes a shower faucet, an overhead shower head, a handheld shower head, and a valve 100 configured as a water distributor as provided in the above embodiment. The shower faucet, overhead shower head, and handheld shower head are all connected to the first connectors 30 of the valve 100 via water pipes to achieve overall assembly of the shower device and connection of corresponding water circuits.

[0100] The foregoing description of the specifications and embodiments is intended to explain the scope of protection of this invention, but does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, or other improvements to the embodiments of this invention or a portion thereof that can be obtained by those skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation, based on the teachings of this invention or the foregoing embodiments, in conjunction with common knowledge, general technical knowledge, and / or existing technology, should all be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A valve, characterized in that: include: Valve seat; A valve core is inserted into the valve seat along a first direction and cooperates with the valve seat in an upper limit position in a plane perpendicular to the first direction; the valve core has at least one water inlet and at least one water outlet, and is used to control the communication between each water inlet and each water outlet; A plurality of first connectors corresponding to the water inlets and water outlets of the valve core, which are inserted into the valve seat in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and are engaged with the valve seat, and are respectively inserted and sealed with the corresponding water inlets or water outlets to introduce water into or out of the valve core; The valve seat is provided with a plurality of clamping holes for the first connector to be inserted into and plug-fitted therewith; the first connector has a clamping portion, which is suitable for elastically clamping with the clamping hole when the first connector is inserted into the clamping hole, so as to realize the clamping fit between the first connector and the valve seat.

2. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve shell of the valve core is fixedly provided with a plurality of second joints, in which the water inlet and the water outlet are respectively formed; each of the first joints is respectively plugged and sealed with the corresponding second joint along a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: An axial limit portion is provided at the end of the clamping hole along the insertion direction of the first joint, and the clamping portion is composed of a plurality of elastic clamping claws symmetrically arranged along the circumference of the first joint; The elastic claw is inserted into the clamping hole and is pressed against by the inner wall of the clamping hole to shrink inwardly. When it moves to the axial position corresponding to the axial limiting portion, it is released and expands outwardly, and cooperates with the axial limiting portion along the axial limit of the clamping hole.

4. The valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: A guiding slope is provided at the beginning of the clamping hole along the insertion direction of the first joint, for guiding the elastic clamping claw to be inserted therein.

5. The valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner peripheral wall of the clamping hole is provided with a rotation-stopping groove, and the outer peripheral wall of the first joint is provided with a rotation-stopping rib; When the first connector is inserted into the clamping hole, the anti-rotation groove cooperates with the anti-rotation rib to limit the relative movement between the first connector and the valve seat along the circumference of the clamping hole.

6. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve housing of the valve core is provided with guide limiting ribs; A guide limit groove is provided in the valve seat along the first direction, and cooperates with the guide limit rib in the plane limit position perpendicular to the first direction to achieve the limit cooperation between the valve core and the valve seat and guide the valve core to be inserted into the valve seat along the first direction, and align the water inlet and outlet with the clamping hole of the valve seat along the direction perpendicular to the first direction.

7. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve core is a water-dividing valve core, which has a rotating body structure and includes a valve body, a pressing member, a transmission member, a first blocking member, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member; The water inlet and the water outlet are formed in the valve body, the number of the water inlet is one, the number of the water outlets is two and they are respectively the first water outlet and the second water outlet; a water passing chamber and a pressing chamber are also formed in the valve body; the water passing chamber is connected to the water inlet, and a first water passing port and a second water passing port are provided along the axial direction of the valve core, the first water passing port and the second water passing port are respectively used to connect the water inlet to the first water outlet and the second water outlet; the pressing chamber is provided with a pressing hole along the axial direction of the valve core, and a plurality of convex blocks spaced apart by grooves are provided on the side wall of the pressing chamber along the circumference of the valve core, the convex blocks have a toothed bottom surface, and the toothed bottom surface includes a sliding surface inclined toward the tooth bottom and a guide surface inclined toward the groove; The pressing piece is in anti-rotation cooperation with the valve body and slides relative to the valve body along the axial direction of the valve core, one end of the pressing piece extends out of the pressing hole, and the other end is provided with an inclined pressing surface; The transmission member is provided with a resisting surface opposite to the resisting surface and an outer inclined surface opposite to the sliding surface and the guiding surface; The first blocking member is driven by the transmission member to slide along the axial direction of the valve core in the water passage cavity and switch to block the first water passage and the second water passage; The first elastic member is disposed between the first blocking member and the transmission member, and drives the transmission member to move toward the pressing hole until it stops at the tooth bottom or the groove when the pressing member is released; Two ends of the second elastic member respectively abut against the valve body and the first blocking member, so as to drive the first blocking member to reset.

8. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve core is a water-dividing valve core, which has a rotating body structure and includes a valve body, a pressing member, a transmission member, a third elastic member and a second blocking member; The water inlet and the water outlet are formed in the valve body, the number of the water inlet is one, the number of the water outlets is two and they are respectively the first water outlet and the second water outlet; a water passing chamber and a pressing chamber are also formed in the valve body; the water passing chamber is connected to the water inlet, and the inner wall of the water passing chamber forms a water passing wall arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve core; the water passing wall is provided with a first water passing port and a second water passing port along the circumference of the valve core, and the first water passing port and the second water passing port are respectively used to connect the water inlet to the first water outlet and the second water outlet; the pressing chamber is provided with a pressing hole along the axial direction of the valve core, and a plurality of convex blocks spaced apart by grooves are provided on the side wall of the pressing chamber along the circumference of the valve core, and the convex blocks have a toothed bottom surface, and the toothed bottom surface includes a sliding surface inclined toward the tooth bottom and a guide surface inclined toward the groove; The pressing piece is in anti-rotation cooperation with the valve body and slides relative to the valve body along the axial direction of the valve core, one end of the pressing piece extends out of the pressing hole, and the other end is provided with an inclined pressing surface; The transmission member is provided with a resisting surface opposite to the resisting surface and an outer inclined surface opposite to the sliding surface and the guiding surface; When the pressing member is released, the third elastic member drives the transmission member to move toward the pressing hole until it stops at the tooth bottom or the groove; The second blocking member is in rotationally-stopping cooperation with the transmission member and abuts against the water passing wall to switch and block the first water passing port and the second water passing port.

9. A shower device, characterized in that: Comprising a valve as claimed in any one of claims 1-8.

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