Liquid replenishment container

Abstract

A liquid supply container (2) is provided with: a container body (2a) that accommodates a liquid supplied to a water discharge device; a lid (20) that covers the opening (2b) of the container body (2a) and in which a valve hole (33) is formed; a supply valve (50) which is fitted into the valve hole (33) and into which a plug provided to the water discharge device is inserted; the supply valve (50) has a mouth that is closed in a free state, and when the plug is inserted into the mouth, the peripheral edge of the mouth is elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the plug, thereby being opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid supply container. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an existing supply unit. The supply unit includes an annular wall that protrudes into the supply unit and divides the outlet of the supply unit. The annular wall can be closed at its innermost end by a valve element that applies a force to the annular wall. A hollow plug enters the annular wall, and the valve element is lifted from the annular wall. As a result, a flow path is defined that passes from the supply unit through at least one cutout formed in the upper part of the plug and the bottom of the valve element and reaches the hollow plug, and an annular seal seals between the plug and the annular wall.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-508676 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The inventors of the present application have studied the valve structure of a container for supplying liquid to a water outlet device and have obtained the following new understanding. Since the supply unit described in Patent Document 1 requires a structure in which a valve element applies a force to an annular wall, the structure becomes complicated. The supply unit is provided with an annular seal on the plug, and there is a possibility that the position of the annular seal is misaligned, resulting in the seal not fully functioning.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply container that helps simplify the structure of the valve portion.

[0009] Technical Solution for Solving the Technical Problem

[0010] To solve the above technical problem, one aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid supply container. The liquid supply container according to one aspect includes: a container body that stores liquid supplied to a water outlet device; a lid portion that covers an opening of the container body and has a valve hole formed therein; a supply valve that is fitted into the valve hole and into which a plug provided in the water outlet device is inserted; the supply valve having a mouth portion that is in a closed state in a free state, and when the plug is inserted into the mouth portion, a peripheral portion of the mouth portion elastically deforms in a direction crossing the insertion direction of the plug to be in an open state. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Figure 1 It is an external perspective view of a water outlet device to which the liquid supply container of the mounting embodiment is attached.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of a part inside the water outlet device.

[0013] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the water circuit system and the circuit system of the water outlet device.

[0014] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the liquid supply container.

[0015] Figure 5 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid supply container.

[0016] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the supply valve.

[0017] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the plug part.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a top view of the plug part.

[0019] Figure 9 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the supply valve part enlarged.

[0020] Figure 10 It is a top view showing the mouth part of the supply valve into which the plug part is inserted. Detailed implementation mode

[0021] Hereinafter, an implementation mode for implementing the water outlet device of the present disclosure will be described. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same constituent elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted. In each drawing, for the sake of convenience of explanation, constituent elements are appropriately omitted, enlarged, or reduced. The drawings are viewed in the direction of the reference numerals. It includes not only the structures and shapes that are strictly consistent with those mentioned in the structures and shapes mentioned in this specification, but also the structures and shapes that are offset only by the amounts of errors such as dimensional errors and manufacturing errors. In each drawing, a part of the components that are not important for explaining the implementation mode is omitted.

[0022] Terms including ordinals such as first and second are used to describe a plurality of constituent elements. This term is used only for the purpose of distinguishing one constituent element from other constituent elements, and the structure of the present disclosure is not limited by this term. The following implementation modes are exemplified to help understand the content of the present disclosure and do not limit the structure of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Embodiment 1]

[0024] Refer to Figure 1。The water outlet device 1 houses pipes and various components inside a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped housing 10. In the water outlet device 1, a hose 81 extending from a water supply device 80 is connected to a water supply port 11, and water is supplied from the water supply device 80. The water supply device 80 has, for example, a temperature adjustment function, a flow rate adjustment function, and a switching function for water flow and stoppage.

[0025] The water outlet device 1 is connected to a hose 82 of a spray head 83 at a water outlet 12. The water outlet device 1 discharges either water or foam from the water outlet 12, and discharges either water or foam to the outside through the hose 82 from the spray head 83. The water outlet device 1 may also be connected to a device other than the spray head 83. The water outlet device 1 may also directly discharge either water or foam to the outside. The water outlet device 1 may also be configured to include a water discharge component such as the spray head 83. The water outlet device 1 may have all the functions of the water supply device 80. The water outlet device 1 may also have a part of the functions of the water supply device 80.

[0026] The water outlet device 1 is detachably connected to a liquid supply container 2 for supplying a liquid containing a foaming component. An operation button 13 that can be operated by a user and a display 14 that can be visually confirmed by the user are arranged on the front surface of the housing 10. The display 14 is composed of components such as an LED and a liquid crystal display screen. The size of the housing 10 is, for example, about 15 cm in height, 20 cm in width, and 5 cm in depth. The size of the housing 10 is not limited to this.

[0027] Refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 。The water outlet device 1 includes a switch 3, a liquid suction device 4, a foaming device 5, a compressor 6, a container mounting portion 7, a control circuit portion 8, a power source 9, etc. A check valve 90 is connected downstream of the water supply port 11, and the check valve 90 and the switch 3 are connected through a flow path 110. The check valve 90 prevents water from flowing back from the flow path 110 to the water supply port 11 side.

[0028] The switch 3 switches the water flow to two flow paths 111 and 112 branching from the flow path 110. One flow path 111 is connected to a confluence portion 92. A check valve 91 provided in the flow path 111 prevents the reverse flow from the confluence portion 92 side to the switch 3 side. A flow rate limiter 93 and a check valve 94 are arranged in the other flow path 112. The flow path 112 is connected to the liquid suction device 4. The flow rate limiter 93 is composed of a constant flow rate valve, a pressure reducing valve, etc. The flow rate limiter 93 adjusts the downstream flow rate to about 1 liter per minute, for example. The check valve 94 prevents the reverse flow from the liquid suction device 4 side to the switch 3 side.

[0029] The liquid suction device 4 is, for example, an ejector. The liquid suction device 4 sucks the liquid supplied from the liquid supply container 2 and mixes it with the water flowing in from the flow path 112, and makes it flow through the downstream flow path 113. The liquid supply container 2 and the liquid suction device 4 are connected by a flow path 114. A check valve 95 for preventing backflow from the liquid suction device 4 side to the liquid supply container 2 side is arranged in the flow path 114.

[0030] The flow path 113 is connected to the foam generator 5. The flow path 113 supplies the mixed water formed by mixing the liquid containing the foaming component and water to the foam generator 5. The foam generator 5 generates foam by mixing the compressed air from the compressor 6 and the mixed water supplied from the flow path 113, and makes it flow through the flow path 115. The compressor 6 sends the compressed air to the foam generator 5 through the air flow path 116. A check valve 96 for preventing backflow from the foam generator 5 side to the compressor 6 side is arranged in the flow path 116.

[0031] The confluence part 92 is a flow path that makes the flow path 111 and the flow path 115 converge and is connected to the water outlet 12. As described above, a hose 82 of the shower head 83 is connected to the water outlet 12.

[0032] The control circuit unit 8 receives the power supply from the power supply 9 and makes the switch 3, the compressor 6, etc. operate. The power supply 9 is, for example, various batteries such as a lithium-ion battery. The power supply 9 can also be composed of a power supply circuit that uses the power supplied from the household power supply. The control circuit unit 8 receives the operation input from the connected operation button 13 and makes the switch 3, the compressor 6, etc. operate. In addition, the control circuit unit 8 displays information such as the operation state of the water outlet device 1 and the remaining amount of the power supply 9 on the display 14.

[0033] The water outlet device 1 discharges the water supplied from the water supply device 80 from the water outlet 12 without generating foam through the flow path 111. By switching the switch 3, the water outlet device 1 generates foam through the flow paths 112, 113, and 115 and discharges it from the water outlet 12. The water outlet device 1 forms fine bubbles through the foam generator 5 and discharges delicate foam.

[0034] The water outlet device 1 switches between a first discharge state and a second discharge state. In the first discharge state, the supplied water is discharged, and in the second discharge state, a fluid containing an additive in the supplied water is discharged. The fluid containing the additive in the second discharge state may also contain air. The water outlet device 1 can make the supplied water contain a fluid with an additive in the second discharge state, make the supplied water contain a liquid with a foaming component, further make it contain air to generate foamed bubbles, and discharge them from the water outlet 12. The water outlet device 1 can also make the supplied water contain various additives for the cleaning, beauty, and health care of the user's body. When the water outlet device 1 makes the supplied water contain an additive other than the liquid with a foaming component, the foamer 5 can be replaced with an injector, and the compressor 6 can be replaced with a suction mechanism.

[0035] The liquid supply container 2 stores an additive for the liquid contained in the water supplied to the water outlet device 1. The liquid supply container 2 is detachable from the water outlet device 1, and if the liquid in the container is exhausted, it can be replaced with a new liquid supply container. For the water outlet device 1, for example, a plurality of liquid supply containers 2 containing liquids with different scents are prepared in advance, and before the liquid is exhausted, the user can replace the liquid supply container 2 according to their mood for use. The water outlet device 1 supplies the additive by detaching and attaching the liquid supply container 2, making the water outlet device 1 smaller in size.

[0036] Refer to Figure 4 . The liquid supply container 2 has a container body 2a, a lid portion 20, a supply valve 50, and a suction valve 55. The container body 2a is a cylindrical hollow container that stores the liquid inside. The container body 2a has a cylindrical opening 2b. The lid portion 20 is installed to cover the opening 2b. The lid portion 20 has an inner lid 21 and an outer lid 22 and is installed to cover the opening 2b.

[0037] The inner lid 21 is a flat cylindrical shape and has a bottom portion 31 and a plurality of valve holes 33, 34 that penetrate the bottom portion 32. The valve hole 33 is provided at the center, and the valve hole 34 is provided at an eccentric position. The supply valve 50 is installed in the valve hole 33. The suction valve 55 is installed in the valve hole 34.

[0038] The inner lid 21 has side wall portions 35, 36. The side wall portion 35 is cylindrical, and a bottom portion 31 is formed at the end on the side of the container body 2a. The side wall portion 35 is fitted inside the opening 2b of the container body 2a. The side wall portion 36 has a larger diameter than the side wall portion 35 and is fitted outside the opening 2b of the container body 2a.

[0039] The outer lid 22 is flat and cylindrical, and is installed in a manner to cover the inner lid 21. The side wall portion 41 of the outer lid 22 is fitted to the inner side surface of the container mounting portion 7 provided on the water outlet device 1 side. The bottom portion 42 of the outer lid 22 has valve holes 43, 44 penetrating the bottom portion 42 at positions corresponding to the valve holes 33, 34 of the inner lid 21. The bottom portion 42 has claw portions 45 at each of the four circumferentially equally divided positions, and the claw portions 45 are hooked to the side wall portion 36 of the inner lid 21. The outer lid 22 has a mounting portion 46 formed in a manner to pass through the side wall portion 41.

[0040] Refer to Figure 5 . The side wall portion 35 of the inner lid 21 is fitted to the inside of the opening portion 2b of the container body 2a in a closely fitting manner. The side wall portion 36 of the inner lid 21 is prevented from coming off by being fitted to the annular protrusion portion 2c provided on the outside of the opening portion 2b of the container body 2a. The claw portion 45 of the outer lid 22 is hooked to the side wall portion 36 of the inner lid 21. The mounting portion 46 of the outer lid 22 has a protrusion portion 46a. The protrusion portion 46a is hooked to the claw portion 71 formed on the inner side of the side wall portion 70 of the container mounting portion 7.

[0041] The container mounting portion 7 is provided with a bolt portion 60 at the bottom portion 72. The bolt 63 of the bolt portion 60 extends toward the liquid supply container 2 side and is inserted into the supply valve 50. The supply valve 50 is in an open state by inserting the bolt 63. By the supply valve 50 being in an open state, the liquid stored in the liquid supply container 2 flows into the flow path 114 through the bolt 63.

[0042] The supply valve 50 and the suction valve 55 are held in a manner to be sandwiched between the inner lid 21 and the outer lid 22.

[0043] Refer to Figure 6 . The supply valve 50 and the suction valve 55 are formed of an elastic material such as rubber and have the same structure. The supply valve 50 and the intake valve 55 are duckbill valves or the like. Hereinafter, the supply valve 50 will be described as an example. The supply valve 50 has a sealing portion 51, a root portion 52, and a mouth portion 53, and is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape. The sealing portion 51 is cylindrical and has a flange portion 51a extending outward at one end side. The other end side of the sealing portion 51 is continuous with the root portion 52. When viewed from the container body 2a side, the sealing portion 51 is provided on the outer side of the mouth portion 53.

[0044] The root portion 52 is hollow, extends in a spatula shape, and is continuous with the mouth portion 53. A slit 53a is provided in the mouth portion 53. The mouth portion 53 is in a closed state by the peripheral edge portions 53b, 53c on both sides of the slit 53a being closely fitted. The mouth portion 53 is in a closed state in the free state without applying a load.

[0045] The mouth part 53 is elastically deformed in the direction retreating from the slit 53a through the peripheral parts 53b, 53c to be in an open state. When the mouth part 53 is in the open state, the deformation direction of the peripheral parts 53b, 53c is a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the slit 53a and the central axis direction of the supply valve 50. The central axis direction of the supply valve 50 is the same as the insertion direction of the plug 63 on the container mounting part 7 side into the supply valve 50. The mouth part 53 is elastically deformed in the direction crossing the insertion direction of the plug 63 inserted into the supply valve 50 through the peripheral parts 53b, 53c to be in an open state.

[0046] Refer to Figure 7 , Figure 8 . The plug part 60 has a plug body part 61, a barrel part 62, and a plug 63. The plug body part 61 is cylindrical, and a flow path for liquid to flow through is formed inside. The barrel part 62 is cylindrical and extends from the plug body part 61 toward the liquid supply container 2 side. The inside of the barrel part 62 communicates with the inside of the plug body part 61. The plug 63 is rod-shaped, extends from the end part 62a of the barrel part 62 toward the liquid supply container 2 side, and is supported by the barrel part 62. In a cross-section crossing the central axis direction, the plug 63 has plate-like members remaining on two orthogonal diameters and has a shape passing through the outer side surface.

[0047] A plurality of through holes 62b are formed between the end part 62a of the barrel part 62 and the plug 63. The through holes 62b communicate with the inside of the barrel part 62 and the inside of the plug body part 61. The liquid supplied from the liquid supply container 2 flows through the plurality of through holes 62b, the inside of the barrel part 62, and the inside of the plug body part 61 to the flow path 114.

[0048] Next, the operation when the liquid supply container 2 is installed on the water outlet device 1 will be described. Before the stage of installing the liquid supply container 2 on the water outlet device 1, the liquid supply container 2 is carried in an arbitrary posture. For example, the user sometimes holds the container with the lid part 20 of the liquid supply container 2 on the upper side, and sometimes holds the container upside down. The supply valve 50 of the liquid supply container 2 is in a free state and is in a closed state when not inserted into the plug 63. The suction valve 55 is also in a free state and is in a closed state.

[0049] When the lid part 20 of the liquid supply container 2 is on the lower side, the weight of the liquid in the container body 2a applies a load to the supply valve 50 and the suction valve 55. The load applied by the liquid acts in the direction of closely fitting the peripheral parts 53b, 53c of the mouth parts 53 of the supply valve 50 and the suction valve 55 to each other, so the closed state is maintained.

[0050] Refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10. In a state where the liquid supply container 2 is attached to the water outlet device 1, the plug 63 is inserted into the supply valve 50. The mouth portion 53 of the supply valve 50 becomes open by the insertion of the plug 63. The peripheral portions 53b, 53c of the mouth portion 53 are elastically deformed in a direction crossing the insertion direction of the plug 63, and the slit 53a is opened. As Figure 10 shown, a gap 54 is generated between the mouth portion 53 and the plug 63.

[0051] The liquid in the container body 2a flows out through the gap 54 and is supplied to the water outlet device 1 through the through-hole 62b of the plug portion 60. Since the liquid supply container 2 becomes open and closed by the structure of inserting and removing the plug 63 into and from the supply valve 50, it contributes to the simplification of the structure of the valve portion and enables low cost.

[0052] The sealing portion 51 of the supply valve 50 is fitted into the cylinder portion 62 that supports the plug 63 and is in close contact with the cylinder portion 62 to prevent liquid leakage. As described above, the supply valve 50 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber and can be in close contact with the cylinder portion 62. The sealing portion 51 suppresses misalignment by maintaining the position of the supply valve 50 and can maintain the function of preventing liquid leakage.

[0053] The supply valve 50 is held in such a manner that the flange portion 51a is sandwiched between the inner lid 21 and the outer lid 22. The supply valve 50 can be held with a simple structure by the inner lid 21 and the outer lid 22.

[0054] The intake valve 55 can be configured in the same manner as the supply valve 50. As described above, when the lid portion 20 of the liquid supply container 2 is on the lower side, the intake valve 55 is in a closed state. When the liquid in the container body 2a is supplied to the water outlet device 1 and the pressure in the container body 2a decreases, air is inhaled from the intake valve 55. The intake valve 55 becomes open at the moment of inhaling air. At the moment when the intake valve 55 becomes open, the liquid is blocked in the container body 2a by the inhaled air, and liquid leakage can be suppressed.

[0055] The intake valve 55 is held in such a manner that the flange portion 51a is sandwiched between the inner lid 21 and the outer lid 22 in the same manner as the supply valve 50. The intake valve 55 can be held with a simple structure by the inner lid 21 and the outer lid 22.

[0056] As the supply valve 50 and the intake valve 55, for example, a duckbill valve can be used. The duckbill valve can be used as a one-way valve. By using the duckbill valve as a valve element opened and closed by the plug 63 in the liquid supply container 2, the structure of the valve portion can be simplified at low cost and low cost can be achieved.

[0057] By using the cylindrical body portion of the duckbill valve as the sealing portion 51 for the supply valve 50 and the intake valve 55, liquid leakage in the open state can be prevented and the structure of the valve portion can be further simplified.

[0058] [Modification Example]

[0059] The supply valve 50 and the suction valve 55 are not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may also be a polygonal square tube shape. Similarly, the container body 2a, the inner lid 21 of the lid portion 20, and the outer lid 22 are not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may also be a polygonal square tube shape.

[0060] In addition to being held in the manner of being sandwiched between the inner lid 21 and the outer lid 22 as described above, the supply valve 50 and the suction valve 55 may also be configured to be held by either the inner lid 21 or the outer lid 22.

[0061] The shape of the bolt 63 provided in the container mounting portion 7 of the water outlet device 1 is not limited to the above example. The bolt 63 can be any shape that can create a gap 54 between the bolt 63 and the mouth portion 53 of the supply valve 50 when inserted into the supply valve 50.

[0062] Any combination of the above components is also effective as a solution to the technical idea that abstracts the embodiments and modification examples. For example, any explanatory items of other embodiments can be combined on the basis of the embodiments, and any explanatory items of the embodiments and other modification examples can be combined on the basis of the modification examples.

[0063] The embodiments and modification examples have been described above. When understanding the technical idea that abstracts the embodiments and modification examples, the technical idea should not be construed in a limited manner by the content of the embodiments and modification examples. The foregoing embodiments and modification examples merely represent specific examples, and various design changes such as changes, additions, and deletions of components can be made. In the embodiments, for the content that allows such design changes, a mark of "Embodiment" is used for emphasis. However, even for such unmarked content, design changes are allowed. The hatching marked on the cross-section of the drawings does not limit the material of the object marked with hatching.

[0064] Generalizing the technical idea embodied by the above embodiments and modification examples, it can be said that it includes the technical ideas described in the following items.

[0065] The first item is a liquid supply container, comprising: a container body that stores a liquid supplied to a water outlet device; a lid portion that covers an opening of the container body and forms a valve hole; a supply valve that is fitted into the valve hole and into which a bolt provided in the water outlet device is inserted; the supply valve having a mouth portion that is in a closed state in a free state, and when the bolt is inserted into the mouth portion, a peripheral portion of the mouth portion elastically deforms in a direction crossing the insertion direction of the bolt to be in an open state.

[0066] In the second item, based on the liquid supply container described in the first item, when viewed from the side of the container body, the supply valve has a sealing portion on the outer side of the mouth portion, and the sealing portion contacts the cylindrical body portion that supports the plug to prevent liquid leakage.

[0067] In the third item, based on the liquid supply container described in any one of the first item to the second item, the lid portion has an inner lid and an outer lid, and the supply valve is held in a manner of being sandwiched between the inner lid and the outer lid.

[0068] In the fourth item, based on the liquid supply container described in the third item, an air intake valve is provided, and the air intake valve is fitted into the valve hole of the inner lid and is held in a manner of being sandwiched between the inner lid and the outer lid.

[0069] In the fifth item, based on the liquid supply container described in any one of the first item to the fourth item, the supply valve is a duckbill valve.

[0070] In the sixth item, based on the liquid supply container described in any one of the fourth item to the fifth item, the air intake valve is a duckbill valve.

[0071] Industrial Applicability

[0072] The present disclosure relates to a liquid supply container and can be used for a liquid supply container.

[0073] Description of Reference Numerals

[0074] 1: Water outlet device; 2: Liquid supply container; 2a: Container body; 2b: Opening portion; 20: Lid portion, 21: Inner lid; 22: Outer lid; 33, 34: Valve holes; 50: Supply valve, 51: Sealing portion; 53: Mouth portion; 53b, 53c: Peripheral portions; 55: Air intake valve; 62: Cylindrical body portion; 63: Plug.

Claims

1. A liquid supply container, characterized in that, Comprising: A container body that stores the liquid supplied to the water outlet device; A lid portion that covers the opening of the container body and has a valve hole formed therein; A supply valve that is fitted into the valve hole and into which a plug provided in the water outlet device is inserted; The supply valve has a port that is in a closed state in a free state. When the plug is inserted into the port, the peripheral portion of the port elastically deforms in a direction crossing the insertion direction of the plug to become an open state.

2. The liquid supply container according to claim 1, When viewed from the container body side, the supply valve has a sealing portion on the outer side of the port, and the sealing portion contacts the cylindrical body portion that supports the plug to prevent liquid leakage.

3. The liquid supply container according to claim 1, The lid portion has an inner lid and an outer lid, The supply valve is held in such a manner as to be sandwiched between the inner lid and the outer lid.

4. The liquid supply container according to claim 3, Comprising an intake valve that is fitted into the valve hole of the inner lid and is held in such a manner as to be sandwiched between the inner lid and the outer lid.

5. The liquid supply container according to claim 1, The supply valve is a duckbill valve.

6. The liquid supply container according to claim 4, The intake valve is a duckbill valve.

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