Waterway switching mechanism and shower head

Abstract

The waterway switching mechanism comprises a button, a push rod, a rotating assembly, a sealing disc and a water distribution disc, the rotating assembly comprises a gear part, a ratchet wheel part and a retaining part, the gear part is connected with the ratchet wheel part through a spline structure, and the retaining part is suitable for enabling the ratchet wheel part to tend to be close to the sealing disc. First ratchets are arranged at the end, away from the gear piece, of the ratchet piece. Compared with the prior art, according to the waterway switching mechanism and the shower head, the waterway switching mechanism is ingenious in design, simple in structure, compact in size and reliable in work, a user can drive the push rod to move through the button, then the rotating assembly is driven to rotate, and therefore the water path switching mechanism and the shower head are convenient to use. The rotating assembly is in meshed connection with the sealing disc through ratchets, so that the sealing disc can be driven to rotate in one direction, and when the sealing disc rotates, the communication relation between the water inlet holes in the sealing disc and the water outlet holes in the water distribution disc is changed, so that the water path switching function is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of shower head technology, and in particular to a water path switching mechanism and a shower head. Background Technology

[0002] With the improvement of living standards, showerheads with multiple water spray modes are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. To facilitate the operation of showerhead water spray modes, existing technologies generally use rotatable spray covers or integrated switching buttons. Among these, button-type switchable showerheads link a button located on the showerhead handle with a switching disc inside the showerhead's water distribution chamber. Pressing the button drives the switching disc to rotate, controlling whether the disc's water inlet connects to the inlet holes of each functional water chamber of the showerhead, thus switching the water spray mode. However, existing button-type switchable showerheads have a complex structure, many parts, and require a large amount of space. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to improve, at least to some extent, the problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this utility model provides a water circuit switching mechanism and a shower head, so as to simplify the structure of the button-type switch shower head to a certain extent, making the shower head more compact and occupying less space.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a water path switching mechanism, which includes a button, a push rod, a rotating assembly, a sealing disc, and a water distribution disc. The button is adapted to drive the push rod to move, and the push rod is provided with a side rack. The rotating assembly includes a gear, a ratchet, and a retainer. The gear has protruding teeth on its circumference that mesh with the side rack. The gear and the ratchet are connected by a spline structure. The retainer is adapted to make the ratchet move closer to the sealing disc. The end of the ratchet away from the gear has a first ratchet tooth. The sealing disc has a second ratchet tooth that meshes with the first ratchet tooth and at least one water inlet hole. The water distribution disc abuts against the sealing disc and has at least one water outlet hole, with the at least one water outlet hole located in the projection area of ​​the rotating sweep path of the water inlet hole.

[0005] Preferably, a rocker arm is provided between the button and the push rod, and the button is adapted to drive the rocker arm to rotate in order to drive the push rod to move.

[0006] Preferably, it further includes a return spring, which is connected to the push rod and is adapted to move the push rod to an initial position, which is the position of the push rod before it is driven to move by the button.

[0007] Preferably, it further includes a mounting bracket, the water distribution plate is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket, a water inlet cavity is formed between the water distribution plate and the mounting bracket, and the sealing plate is located in the water inlet cavity; the mounting bracket has a mounting cavity, the rotating component is rotatably mounted in the mounting cavity, and the protruding teeth of the gear component are located outside the mounting cavity.

[0008] Preferably, it also includes a cover plate located above the mounting cavity to restrict the position of the rotating assembly.

[0009] Preferably, the sealing disc includes a disc body, the second ratchet is located at the center of the disc body, and the water inlet is located on the disc body and arranged around the second ratchet.

[0010] Preferably, the center of the disc body protrudes upward to form an annular wall, and the second ratchet is located inside the annular wall.

[0011] Preferably, the side rack and the gear are provided with alignment marks for indicating the initial installation position.

[0012] Preferably, the water distribution plate has at least one water outlet cavity on the side opposite to the sealing plate, and each water outlet cavity is connected to at least one water outlet hole.

[0013] This application also provides a shower head, including a main body, a water inlet channel disposed within the main body, and a water outlet panel at least partially exposed outside the main body, wherein the water outlet panel is provided with at least one set of spray holes; characterized in that it further includes a water path switching mechanism as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the push rod, the rotating assembly, the sealing disc, and the water distribution disc are located within the main body, the button is at least partially exposed outside the main body, the water inlet hole communicates with the water inlet channel, and each set of spray holes communicates with at least one of the water outlet holes.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the water path switching mechanism and shower head provided in this utility model embodiment are ingeniously designed, simple in structure, compact in size and reliable in operation. The user can drive the push rod to move by pressing the button, which in turn drives the rotating component to rotate. The rotating component and the sealing plate are connected by ratchet meshing, which can drive the sealing plate to rotate in one direction. When the sealing plate rotates, the connection between the water inlet hole on the sealing plate and the water outlet hole on the water distribution plate will change, so as to realize the water path switching function. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is an explosion diagram of a waterway switching mechanism according to this utility model. Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 2 This is an explosion diagram of a waterway switching mechanism according to this utility model. Figure 2;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a waterway switching mechanism according to this utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a partially exploded schematic diagram of a waterway switching mechanism according to this utility model;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a shower head according to this utility model.

[0020] Attached image labels:

[0021] 110. Button; 120. Push rod; 121. Side rack; 122. Return spring; 130. Rotating assembly; 131. Gear; 132. Ratchet; 133. Retaining element; 134. Protruding tooth; 135. First ratchet; 140. Sealing disc; 141. Second ratchet; 142. Water inlet; 143. Annular wall; 150. Water distribution plate; 151. Water outlet; 152. Water outlet cavity; 160. Rocker arm; 170. Mounting bracket; 171. Mounting cavity; 180. Cover plate; 200. Main body; 300. Water outlet panel; Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present utility model 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 utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0023] Reference Figures 1-4 As shown, this utility model embodiment provides a water path switching mechanism, which includes a button 110, a push rod 120, a rotating assembly 130, a sealing disc 140, and a water distribution disc 150. The button 110 is adapted to drive the push rod 120 to move. In this embodiment, the button 110 is configured to be movable or rotatable, and the push rod 120 is configured to be movable. In some embodiments, a wedge-shaped transmission mechanism is provided between the button 110 and the push rod 120 to convert the force driving the button 110 to move into the force driving the push rod 120. In other preferred embodiments, such as... Figure 1 As shown, a rocker arm 160 is provided between the button 110 and the push rod 120. The rocker arm 160 is configured to be rotatable. When the user applies force to the button 110 to move or rotate the button 110, one end of the button 110 abuts against the rocker arm 160 to push the rocker arm 160 to rotate, and the other end of the rocker arm 160 abuts against the push rod 120 to push the push rod 120 to move.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, in some preferred embodiments, a return spring 122 is provided acting on the push rod 120. The return spring 122 is connected to the push rod 120 and is adapted to move the push rod 120 to an initial position, which is the position of the push rod 120 before it is driven to move by the button 110. When the button 110 drives the push rod 120 to move, the return spring 122 accumulates potential energy. When the user removes the force acting on the button 110, the potential energy accumulated by the return spring 122 is released, pushing the push rod 120 to move in the opposite direction, so that the push rod 120 returns to its initial position. During the process of the push rod 120 returning to its initial position, the button 110 is also returned to its initial position, providing convenience for the user to operate the button 110 next time. In this embodiment, the return spring 122 is a compression spring. In other embodiments, the return spring 122 can also be a tension spring, a torsion spring, or a magnetic component, as long as it can move the push rod 120 to its initial position.

[0025] As shown in the figure Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the rotating assembly 130 includes a gear component 131 and a ratchet component 132, wherein the gear component 131 and the ratchet component 132 are connected by a spline structure, allowing the gear component 131 and the ratchet component 132 to move relative to each other along the axial direction, and when the gear component 131 rotates, it can drive the ratchet component 132 to rotate together. In this embodiment, the gear component 131 has a spline shaft with several ribs, and the ratchet component 132 has a groove adapted to the shaft; in other embodiments, a spline shaft may be provided on the ratchet component 132, and a matching groove may be provided on the gear component 131.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the gear component 131 has protruding teeth 134 on its circumference, and the push rod 120 has a rack that meshes with the protruding teeth 134. When the push rod 120 moves in the first direction or the opposite direction, it can drive the gear component 131 to rotate. In this embodiment, both the protruding teeth 134 on the gear component 131 and the teeth on the side rack 121 are provided in multiples, so that the side rack 121 and the protruding teeth 134 remain engaged within the travel range of the push rod 120, thereby improving the stability of the push rod 120 driving the gear component 131, and ensuring that the movement of the button 110 can be reliably transmitted and converted into the rotation of the gear component 131. In some preferred embodiments, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the side rack 121 and the gear component 131 are provided with alignment marks to indicate the initial installation position, so that the side rack 121 and the gear component 131 can be quickly and accurately meshed in the appropriate position during manufacturing or maintenance.

[0027] like Figure 1As shown, the rotating assembly 130 also includes a retainer 133, which is adapted to bring the ratchet 132 closer to the sealing disc 140. The retainer 133 can be a compression spring, an elastic rubber block, a tension spring, or a magnetic component, as long as it can bring the ratchet 132 away from the gear 131. In this embodiment, the retainer 133 is a compression spring, and a cavity is provided at the axial position of the gear 131 and the ratchet 132 to accommodate the retainer 133. By placing the retainer 133 between the gear 131 and the ratchet 132, the rotating assembly 130 has a more compact structure and a smaller size. In some preferred embodiments, the cavity on the gear component 131 for accommodating the retainer 133 is a through hole that passes through the gear component 131. One end of the retainer 133 abuts against the ratchet component 132, and the other end passes through the gear component 131 and abuts against other structural components such as the mounting bracket 170 or the shower head body. This allows the retainer 133 to be installed after the gear component 131 and the ratchet component 132 are assembled, which facilitates manufacturing and maintenance.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the water circuit switching mechanism also includes a mounting bracket 170. The water distribution plate 150 is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket 170, and a water inlet cavity is formed between the water distribution plate 150 and the mounting bracket 170. The sealing plate 140 is located inside the water inlet cavity, and the water inlet hole 142 communicates with the water inlet cavity. The mounting bracket 170 has a mounting cavity 171, and the rotating component 130 is rotatably mounted in the mounting cavity 171. The teeth 134 of the gear component 131 are located outside the mounting cavity 171. A cover plate 180 is also provided on the mounting bracket 170, and the cover plate 180 is located above the mounting cavity 171 to restrict the position of the rotating component 130.

[0029] like Figure 1As shown, the sealing disc 140 is located below the rotating assembly 130. The sealing disc 140 includes a disc body, with a second ratchet 141 at the center of the disc body. At least one water outlet hole 151 is evenly arranged around the second ratchet 141. A first ratchet 135 is provided at the end of the ratchet member 132 away from the gear member 131. The first ratchet 135 and the second ratchet 141 mesh. Under the action of the retaining member 133, the ratchet member 132 tends to move towards the sealing disc 140. Since the ratchet member 132 can move relative to the gear member 131 along the axial direction, the ratchet member 132 can also move relative to the sealing disc 140 along the axial direction. Due to the unidirectional force transmission characteristic of the ratchet, when the ratchet member 132 rotates in the forward direction, the sealing disc 140 will rotate with the ratchet member 132. When the ratchet member 132 rotates in the reverse direction, the first ratchet 135 will pass over the second ratchet 141, and the sealing disc 140 will no longer rotate with the ratchet member 132. In some preferred embodiments, the center of the disc body protrudes upward to form an annular wall 143, the second ratchet 141 is located inside the annular wall 143, and the ratchet 132 is inserted into the cylindrical cavity enclosed by the annular wall 143 to contact the second ratchet 141. The annular wall 143 can provide support for the rotating assembly 130, so that the rotating assembly 130 can rotate more stably. At the same time, a sealing ring is provided outside the annular wall 143 to cooperate with the mounting cavity 171 of the mounting bracket 170 to prevent water from flowing out of the mounting cavity 171.

[0030] like Figure 2As shown, a water distribution plate 150 is disposed below a sealing plate 140, with the sealing plate 140 abutting against each other and capable of relative rotation. The water distribution plate 150 has at least one water outlet 151, wherein at least one water outlet 151 is located within the projection area of ​​the rotational sweep path of the water inlet 142, so that when the sealing plate 140 rotates relative to the water distribution plate 150 to a specific position, at least one water outlet 151 on the water distribution plate 150 communicates with the water inlet 142 on the sealing plate 140. At least one water outlet cavity 152 is provided on the side of the water distribution plate 150 facing away from the sealing plate 140, and each water outlet cavity 152 communicates with at least one water outlet 151. In this embodiment, the sealing disc 140 has four water inlet holes 142, which are evenly arranged around the second ratchet 141. By providing multiple water inlet holes 142, the sealing disc 140 can connect with the water outlet hole 151 when it rotates at a small angle. The water distribution disc 150 has six water outlet holes 151, with the water inlets arranged in a ring. The water outlet holes 151 are paired, and there are three water outlet chambers 152. Each water outlet chamber 152 is connected to two opposite water outlet holes 151 on the water distribution disc 150. By arranging the water outlet holes 151 in pairs, at least two water outlet holes 151 are connected to the water inlet holes 142 each time they are connected, increasing the water flow area and improving the water flow capacity. Preferably, a sealing ring is provided around the water outlet holes 151 to improve the sealing performance between the sealing disc 140 and the water distribution disc 150.

[0031] In actual use, the water circuit switching mechanism provided in this application embodiment allows the user to press button 110 to drive push rod 120 to move. The side rack 121 on push rod 120 meshes with the convex teeth 134 on gear component 131 to drive gear component 131 to rotate, which in turn drives ratchet component 132 to rotate. Ratchet component 132 drives sealing disc 140 to rotate through ratchet teeth, thereby changing the connection between water inlet hole 142 on sealing disc 140 and water outlet hole 151 on water distribution disc 150, thus realizing the switching of shower water circuit. When the user removes the force applied to button 110, the potential energy stored in reset spring 122 is released to push push rod 120 to move in the opposite direction, thereby driving gear component 131 to rotate in the opposite direction. Ratchet component 132 also rotates in the opposite direction. Since ratchet component 132 and sealing disc 140 are meshed through ratchet teeth, sealing disc 140 will not rotate in the opposite direction with ratchet component 132 at this time.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the water path switching mechanism and shower head provided in this utility model embodiment are ingeniously designed, simple in structure, compact in size and reliable in operation. The user can drive the push rod 120 to move by the button 110, which in turn drives the rotating component 130 to rotate. The rotating component 130 is connected to the sealing plate 140 by ratchet engagement, thereby driving the sealing plate 140 to rotate in one direction. When the sealing plate 140 rotates, the connection between the water inlet hole 142 on the sealing plate 140 and the water outlet hole 151 on the water distribution plate 150 will change, so as to realize the water path switching function.

[0033] This application also provides a shower head, such as Figure 5 As shown, the shower head includes a main body 200, a water inlet channel disposed within the main body 200, and a water outlet panel 300 at least partially exposed outside the main body 200, wherein the water outlet panel 300 is provided with at least one set of spray holes; characterized in that it further includes a water path switching mechanism as described in any of the above claims, wherein the push rod 120, the rotating assembly 130, the sealing disc 140 and the water distribution disc 150 are located within the main body 200, the button 110 is at least partially exposed outside the main body 200, the water inlet hole 142 communicates with the water inlet channel, and each set of spray holes is connected to at least one of the water outlet holes 151.

[0034] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A waterway switching mechanism, characterized in that, The water path switching mechanism includes a button, a push rod, a rotating assembly, a sealing disc, and a water distribution disc. The button is adapted to drive the push rod to move, and the push rod is provided with a side rack. The rotating assembly includes a gear, a ratchet, and a retainer. The gear has convex teeth on its circumference that mesh with the side rack. The gear and the ratchet are connected by a spline structure. The retainer is adapted to make the ratchet move closer to the sealing disc. The end of the ratchet away from the gear has a first ratchet tooth. The sealing disc has a second ratchet tooth that meshes with the first ratchet tooth. The water distribution disc abuts against the sealing disc. The sealing disc has at least one water inlet hole, and the water distribution disc has at least one water outlet hole. At least one water outlet hole is located in the projection area of ​​the rotating sweep path of the water inlet hole.

2. The waterway switching mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A swing arm is also provided between the button and the push rod, and the button is adapted to drive the swing arm to rotate in order to drive the push rod to move.

3. The waterway switching mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It also includes a return spring, which is connected to the push rod and is adapted to move the push rod to an initial position, which is the position of the push rod before it is driven to move by the button.

4. The waterway switching mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a mounting bracket, the water distribution plate is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket, a water inlet cavity is formed between the water distribution plate and the mounting bracket, and the sealing plate is located in the water inlet cavity; the mounting bracket has an installation cavity, the rotating component is rotatably installed in the installation cavity, and the protruding teeth of the gear component are located outside the installation cavity.

5. The waterway switching mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a cover plate located above the mounting cavity to restrict the position of the rotating assembly.

6. The waterway switching mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sealing disc includes a disc body, the second ratchet is located at the center of the disc body, and the water inlet is located on the disc body and arranged around the second ratchet.

7. The waterway switching mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The center of the disc protrudes upward to form an annular wall, and the second ratchet is located inside the annular wall.

8. The waterway switching mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side rack and the gear are provided with alignment marks to indicate the initial installation position.

9. The waterway switching mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water distribution plate has at least one water outlet cavity on the side opposite to the sealing plate, and each water outlet cavity is connected to at least one water outlet hole.

10. A shower head, comprising a main body, a water inlet channel disposed within the main body, and a water outlet panel at least partially exposed outside the main body, the water outlet panel having at least one set of spray holes; characterized in that, It also includes a water circuit switching mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the push rod, the rotating assembly, the sealing disc and the water distribution disc are located inside the main body, the button is at least partially exposed outside the main body, the water inlet is connected to the water inlet channel, and each group of spray holes is connected to at least one of the water outlet holes.

Images