Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force

Abstract

Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force, characterized in that it comprises: a housing, a force application element arranged in the housing, a drive rotary disc, a rotation stop element and a storage rotary disc; wherein one end of the force-applying element is rigidly connected to the storage turntable, wherein the other end is coupled to the drive turntable; wherein the rotation stop element changes from the first state to the second state under the influence of external forces; wherein the rotation stop element is limitedly coupled to the drive turntable in the direction of the relaxation of the force-applying element when the rotation stop element is in the first state; wherein the limiting coupling between the rotation stop element and the drive turntable in the direction of the relaxation of the force-applying element is released when the rotation stop element is in the second state; the hose is wrapped around the storage turntable, with one end extending outside the housing.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of water taps, in particular a hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force. Background technology

[0002] Most hose reels for faucets on the market do not have an adjustment mechanism for the coil spring tension; they come pre-set to a fixed tension at the factory. This means the user cannot adjust the pull-out force after purchasing the hose reel. A few products do have a mechanism for tensioning the coil spring, but this only increases the pull-out force, not decreases it. If the coil spring is set too tightly, the pull-out force becomes too high, requiring the user to pull the hose out with considerable force, significantly impacting the user experience. To adjust the coil spring, the entire hose reel must be disassembled so the coil spring can be completely relaxed and then reassembled and tensioned.This type of operation is hardly feasible for general users and very time-consuming even for experts. For users, this is cumbersome and complicated, leading to a poor overall impression. Content of the invention

[0003] The central technical problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a hose storage device in which the pull-out force can be increased or decreased according to the user's needs.

[0004] To solve the aforementioned technical problems, the present invention provides a hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force, comprising: a housing, a force application element arranged in the housing, a drive rotary disc, a rotation stop element and a storage rotary disc; wherein one end of the force-applying element is rigidly connected to the storage turntable, wherein the other end is coupled to the drive turntable; wherein the rotation stop element changes from the first state to the second state under the influence of external forces; wherein the rotation stop element is limitedly coupled to the drive turntable in the direction of the relaxation of the force-applying element when the rotation stop element is in the first state; wherein the limiting coupling between the rotation stop element and the drive turntable in the direction of the relaxation of the force-applying element is released when the rotation stop element is in the second state; the hose is wrapped around the storage turntable, with one end extending outside the housing.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, the drive disc is a ratchet wheel.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the rotation stop element is a column-shaped pawl, wherein the rotation stop element moves flat under the influence of an external force, so that the column-shaped pawl and the ratchet wheel are switched from a one-sided limiting clutch to a released one-sided limiting clutch.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the rotation stop element is a pawl, wherein the rotation stop element rotates under the influence of an external force, so that the pawl and the ratchet wheel are switched from a one-sided limiting clutch to a released one-sided limiting clutch.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, stop walls are arranged on both sides of the pawl along the direction of rotation in order to limit the rotation range of the pawl.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, it further comprises a control element for driving the rotation of the drive disc.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the control element is coupled to the drive rotary disc via a switching shaft.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the switching shaft moves from a first position to a second position under the influence of an external force; wherein the switching shaft is decoupled from the drive disk when the switching shaft is in the first position; wherein the switching shaft is coupled to the drive disk when the switching shaft is in the second position.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the side surface of the switching shaft has radially extending projections on both sides; wherein the drive rotary disk has a slot for inserting a switching shaft, wherein the inner wall of the slot has clamping slots radially to both sides which fit together with the protrusions.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the raised section and the slot are each provided with matching guide ramps.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the control element is a water inlet connection, wherein a flat head connection is attached to one end of the switching shaft, which is pluggably connected to the water inlet connection.

[0015] In comparison to the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention has the following advantageous effects: The invention provides a hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force, in which a movable rotary stop element is provided. If necessary, the rotary stop element can be loosened, thereby removing the one-sided limitation between the rotary stop element and the drive disc. This allows the drive disc to adjust the force-applying element in the direction of tension or relaxation. The user can thus tighten or loosen the force-applying element without disassembling the housing, effortlessly setting the desired pull-out force. Simultaneously, the invention is equipped with a switching shaft that has two positions to prevent incorrect operation by the user. Illustration of the attached figures Fig. Figure 1 is a front view of the hose storage device of preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the hose storage device of preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of the drive rotary disk of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of the switching shaft of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of the hose storage device of preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged view at D in Fig. 6; Fig. Figure 8 is a top view of the hose storage device of preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Fig. 8, wherein the rotation stop element is in the first state; Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Fig. 8, wherein the rotation stop element is in the second state; Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of CC in Fig. 8. Fig. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the rotation stop element in the preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention, wherein it is in the first state; Fig. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the rotation stop element in the preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention, wherein it is in the second state; Specific embodiments

[0016] The technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention is described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention; obviously, the described embodiments represent only one component of the embodiments of the present invention and not all embodiments. All other embodiments that experts in this field obtain without creative activity based on the embodiments of the present invention also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] In describing the invention, it should be noted that the terms "top," "bottom," "inside," "outside," "roof / floor," etc., refer to orientations or positions shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the invention and are not intended to indicate or imply that the arrangement or component referred to has a specific orientation or must be constructed and operated in a particular way. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the invention. The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be interpreted as indicating or implying a relative meaning.

[0018] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "mount," "equipped with," "neste / connect," "connect," etc., are to be interpreted broadly unless expressly stated otherwise and limited. For example, "connect" can refer to a wall-mounted connection, a detachable connection, or a one-piece connection; it can be a mechanical or electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art will be able to understand the specific meaning of the aforementioned terms in the present invention depending on the specific circumstances. Example 1

[0019] Referring to the Fig. Figures 1 to 11 of this embodiment provide a hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force, comprising: a housing 1, a force application element 2 arranged in the housing 1, a drive rotary disc 3, a rotation stop element 4 and a storage rotary disc 5; wherein one end of the force-applying element 2 is rigidly connected to the storage turntable 5, and the other end is coupled to the drive turntable 3; to achieve this coupling, the other end of the force-applying element 2 can be directly attached to the drive turntable 3 or indirectly fixed to the drive turntable 3 via other connecting elements; wherein the rotation stop element 4 changes from the first state to the second state under the influence of external forces; wherein the rotation stop element 4 is limitedly coupled to the drive turntable 3 in the direction of the relaxation of the force-applying element 2 when the rotation stop element 4 is in the first state; wherein the limiting coupling between the rotation stop element 4 and the drive turntable 3 in the direction of the relaxation of the force-applying element 2 is released when the rotation stop element 4 is in the second state; wherein the hose 6 is wrapped around the storage turntable 5, with one end extending outside the housing 1.

[0020] The hose storage device described above functions such that one end of the force-applying element 2 is coupled to the drive disc 3. By rotating the drive disc 3, the force-applying element 2 can be tensioned or released, thereby changing the resistance the user must overcome when pulling out the hose 6. Furthermore, the rotation stop element 4 can change its state under the influence of an external force, allowing the drive disc 3 to rotate in both directions of tensioning and release of the force-applying element 2. This enables the user to adjust the resistance when pulling out the hose 6 independently. Thus, the disadvantage of prior art devices, where the resistance of the hose 6 could only be increased but not decreased, is overcome.

[0021] The force-applying element 2 used in this embodiment is a coil spring. To attach one end of the coil spring to the storage turntable 5, several columns 51 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction on the storage turntable 5, which serve to hook the coil spring. The coil spring can be fixed by hooking it onto only one of these columns 51.

[0022] In the exemplary embodiment, the drive disc 3 is a ratchet wheel. Accordingly, the rotation stop element 4 is a columnar pawl, which moves flat under the influence of an external force, thus switching the columnar pawl and the ratchet wheel from a one-sided limit clutch to a released one-sided limit clutch. That is, the user only needs to pull the cylinder section 41 of the columnar pawl and move it from the first state to the second state to move the pawl section 42 and the ratchet wheel from a one-sided limit state to a released one-sided limit state. Furthermore, the cylinder section 41 of the pawl is connected to one end of the first return spring 43, while the other end of the first return spring 43 is fixedly connected to the mounting cover 44.After the column-shaped pawl transitions from the first to the second state, the first return spring 43 is compressed when the column-shaped pawl is moved, storing the elastic return force. As soon as the user releases the pawl, it automatically returns to its first state, forming a one-sided limit clutch with the ratchet wheel. For ease of operation, an operating lever 45 is attached to the portion of the column-shaped pawl that protrudes from the housing 1, extending radially outwards.

[0023] In this embodiment, the housing 1 uses an easily removable snap-lock design, and a control element 7 is housed within the housing. This element drives the rotation of the drive disc 3. As a result, the control element 7 is not visible from the outside of the storage device, ensuring a uniform product design. When the user wishes to adjust the extension force, the housing 1 is removed to expose the control element 7, and the drive disc 3 is rotated by turning the control element 7. After the adjustment is complete, the housing is replaced.

[0024] Simultaneously, a coupled movement between the control element 7 and the drive disc 3 is to be implemented. The control element 7 is coupled to the drive disc 3 via a switching shaft 8. However, if the user rotates the control element 7 at any time, thereby also moving the drive disc 3, operating errors can easily occur. Therefore, the coupled movement between the control element 7 and the drive disc 3 should only be established when the user wants to adjust the resistance when pulling out the hose 6.For this purpose, in the present embodiment, if the user wishes to adjust the resistance required to pull out the hose 6, he will first actuate the control element 7 by external force, whereby the switching shaft 8 moves from a first position to a second position under the influence of an external force; wherein the switching shaft 8 is decoupled from the drive disc 3 when the switching shaft 8 is in the first position; wherein the switching shaft 8 is coupled to the drive disc 3 when the switching shaft 8 is in the second position.

[0025] Since the switching shaft 8 must be moved back and forth, a fixed fit between the switching shaft 8 and the drive disk 3 would result in a relatively large force being required for the forward and backward movement of the switching shaft 8, which would impair the switching feel. Therefore, in this embodiment, projections 81 extend radially along the sides of the switching shaft 8 on both sides. The drive disk 3 has a slot 31 for inserting a switching shaft 8, the inner wall of which has clamping slots 32 extending radially to both sides, which engage with the projections 81. When the switching shaft 8 moves the projections 81 into the clamping slots 32, they press against the clamping slots 32 in the direction of rotation, thus moving the drive disk 3.This type of rotary connection only requires that the protrusions 81 sit in the clamping slots 32, without a tight fit being necessary. This reduces the force required for the forward and reverse movement of the switching shaft 8, which improves the switching feel.

[0026] Furthermore, a second return spring 82 is mounted on the switching shaft 8 to further improve ease of use. When the switching shaft 8 is moved forward, the second return spring 82 builds up an elastic restoring force. This allows the user to easily return the switching shaft 8 to its original position by releasing the control element 7, without having to forcefully pull the switching shaft 8 backward.

[0027] To ensure that the projection 81 can be easily inserted into the clamping slot 32, both the projection 81 and the clamping slot 32 are provided with matching guide ramps 811 and 321. The action of the guide ramps 811 and 321 allows the projection 81 to be inserted precisely into the clamping slot 32. In this embodiment, there are two projections 81 arranged at an angle of 180°. Four clamping slots 32 are provided and arranged at an angle of 90°. Thus, regardless of the insertion angle into the slot 31, the projection 81 can interact with any two of the four clamping slots 32 via the guide ramps 811 and 321, further ensuring that the projection 81 can be easily inserted into the clamping slot 32.The drive rotary disc 3 is also provided on the outer circumference of the plug slot 31 with an annular, non-continuous surrounding wall; the interrupted parts of the surrounding wall form the gaps 33, which are firmly connected to the force application element 2.

[0028] Finally, the control element 7 is a water inlet connection, with a flat-head connector 83 attached to one end of the switching shaft 8, which is pluggably connected to the water inlet connection. The user can move the switching shaft 8 forward by simply pressing the water inlet connection. This allows the existing water inlet connection to be used as the control element 7, without the need for an additional control element 7. This maintains the clean appearance of the hose storage device. Example 2

[0029] Referring to Fig.12-13 In contrast to the type of flat movement of the rotary stop element 4 used in the exemplary embodiment, in the exemplary embodiment the rotary stop element 4 is a pawl, wherein the rotary stop element 4 rotates under the influence of an external force, so that the column-shaped pawl and the ratchet wheel are switched from a one-sided limiting clutch to a released one-sided limiting clutch. In order that the pawl can stop precisely in the first or second state when rotating, stop walls 46 are arranged on both sides of the pawl along the direction of rotation to limit the rotation range of the pawl.

[0030] The above-mentioned descriptions merely represent preferred specific embodiments of the present invention; however, the conceptual design of the invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the technical field and who makes non-essential modifications using this concept within the technical framework specified in the scope of disclosure of the invention infringes the scope of protection of the present invention. Industrial practicality

[0031] In the hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to the invention, the movable rotary stop element is loosened as needed. This allows the drive disc to adjust the force-applying element in the direction of tension or relaxation. The user can thus tighten or loosen the force-applying element without disassembling the housing, effortlessly setting the desired pull-out force. The invention is cleverly designed, has a wide range of applications, and is well-suited for industrial use.

Claims

[1] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force, characterized by , that it comprises: a housing, a force-exercise element arranged in the housing, a drive-type rotary disc, a rotation-stop element and a storage rotary disc; wherein one end of the force-applying element is rigidly connected to the storage turntable, wherein the other end is coupled to the drive turntable; wherein the rotation stop element changes from the first state to the second state under the influence of external forces; wherein the rotation stop element is limitedly coupled to the drive turntable in the direction of the relaxation of the force-applying element when the rotation stop element is in the first state; wherein the limiting coupling between the rotation stop element and the drive turntable in the direction of the relaxation of the force-applying element is released when the rotation stop element is in the second state; the hose is wrapped around the storage turntable, with one end extending outside the housing. [2] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 1, characterized by that the drive wheel is a ratchet wheel. [3] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 2, characterized by , that the rotation stop element is a column-shaped pawl, wherein the rotation stop element moves flat under the influence of an external force, so that the column-shaped pawl and the ratchet wheel are switched from a one-sided limiting clutch to a released one-sided limiting clutch. [4] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 2, characterized by, that the rotation stop element is a pawl, wherein the rotation stop element rotates under the influence of an external force, so that the pawl and the ratchet wheel are switched from a one-sided limiting clutch to a released one-sided limiting clutch. [5] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 4, characterized by , that stop walls are arranged on both sides of the pawl along the direction of rotation in order to limit the rotation range of the pawl. [6] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to one of claims 1-5, characterized by , that it also includes a control element for driving the rotation of the drive wheel. [7] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 6, characterized by that the control element is coupled to the drive rotary disc via a switching shaft. [8] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 7, characterized by that the switching shaft moves from a first position to a second position under the influence of an external force; wherein the switching shaft is decoupled from the drive disk when the switching shaft is in the first position; wherein the switching shaft is coupled to the drive disk when the switching shaft is in the second position. [9] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 8, characterized by , that the side surface of the switching shaft has radially extending protrusions on both sides; wherein the drive rotary disk has a slot for inserting a switching shaft, wherein the inner wall of the slot has clamping slots extending radially to both sides which fit together with the protrusions. [10] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 9, characterized by that the raised section and the slot are each provided with matching guide ramps. [11] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 8, characterized by that the control element is a water inlet connection, wherein a flat head connection is attached to one end of the switching shaft, which is pluggably connected to the water inlet connection. [12] Hose storage device with adjustable pull-out force according to claim 1, characterized by , that the force-applying element is a coil spring, wherein several columns are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction on the storage turntable, which serve to hook the coil spring.

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