Shower head

Abstract

To provide a shower head that allows a large amount of fine bubbles to be mixed with shower water.SOLUTION: A shower head 11 includes: a handle 12; and a head part 13 having a plurality of shower holes 15, 16, and 17. An upstream side bubble generation part for generating fine bubbles in hot water is provided inside the handle 12. A downstream side bubble generation part for generating fine bubbles in hot water likewise is provided inside the head part 13. The upstream side bubble generation part is configured to have an orifice part and a tapered part, and the downstream side bubble generation part is configured to be of a swirl flow system. Since fine bubbles are generated at both upstream side and downstream side, an amount of fine bubbles mixed with hot water can be increased, thereby achieving shower bathing that effectively uses an effect of fine bubbles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a showerhead in which fine bubbles such as microbubbles are contained in tap water (hereinafter referred to as hot and cold water) discharged as a shower. [Background technology]

[0002] This type of showerhead is disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. The showerhead disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a through-hole that diverges at the flow path inside the head at the end of the handle. When hot and cold water passes through this through-hole, pressure changes cause gas dissolved in the hot and cold water to be generated as bubbles.

[0003] The showerhead disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a tablet that generates bubbles when dissolved located upstream of the flow path inside the handle, and a mechanism on the downstream side that generates bubbles by self-sucking air using a swirling flow of hot and cold water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5285794 [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-4317 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the bubble generating portion is provided only at one location in the hot water side flow passage at the tip side of the showerhead, so it is difficult to say that a large amount of bubbles is generated.

[0006] In the configuration of Patent Document 2, the bubbles generated by the dissolution of the tablet have a large diameter in the mm (millimeter) unit, as described in the detailed description of the invention. In addition, the configuration that generates bubbles by self-suction of air utilizes the Venturi effect. For this reason, the ratio of air to the flow rate of hot water tends to be high. This results in a large bubble diameter as described above. Therefore, unless the speed of the hot water flow is significantly increased or the amount of air flowing in is appropriately adjusted, it is difficult to generate the "fine bubbles of about several tens of μm" described in the detailed description of the invention.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a showerhead capable of generating a large amount of fine bubbles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provides a showerhead comprising a handle and a head portion having a plurality of shower holes, characterized in that bubble generating sections that generate fine bubbles by cavitation action are provided at a plurality of locations on the upstream and downstream sides of the water passage.

[0009] In the above configuration, microbubbles including fine bubbles are generated by cavitation in multiple bubble generating sections on the upstream and downstream sides of the water passage. This not only increases the amount of microbubbles generated, but also increases the total number of microbubbles by making the microbubbles generated upstream even finer as they pass through the downstream bubble generating section. This allows hot water containing a large number of microbubbles to be discharged as shower water, making it possible to take a shower that effectively utilizes the properties of microbubbles.

[0010] Here, fine bubbles refer to bubbles with a diameter of 100 μm (micrometers) or less, and are a general term for microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles. In the embodiment, fine bubbles refer to bubbles including fine bubbles. Bubbles with a diameter of 1 to 100 μm are defined as microbubbles, and bubbles with a diameter of less than 1 μm are defined as ultrafine bubbles. Water containing microbubbles becomes cloudy and can be seen with the naked eye, but water containing only ultrafine bubbles is transparent and not cloudy. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a large amount of fine bubbles can be contained in the shower water, making it an excellent invention for a showerhead. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shower head of the first embodiment, as viewed from the front side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the shower head of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shower head in FIG. 1 as seen from the rear side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shower head of FIG. 1 with the back cover removed. [Diagram 5] Cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 2. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Figure 5. [Figure 7] 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a head portion of the showerhead in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the first member in the hot and cold water distribution unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a third member in the hot and cold water distribution unit. [Figure 13]An enlarged partial plan view of a third member in the hot and cold water distribution unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the downstream bubble generating section. [Figure 15] A cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 in Figure 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a head portion of the shower head according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a handle portion of the shower head according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 6 is a partial front view of a shower head according to a second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a shower state using the shower head of FIG. 21. [Diagram 23] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing the diffusion area of ​​the shower produced by the showerhead of FIG. 21. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a side view of a second embodiment in an alternative configuration. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing the shower area of ​​FIG. 24. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an intermediate flow path unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the intermediate flow passage unit of FIG. 26. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a shower head according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 29] 29 is a cross-sectional view of the handle portion of the shower head of FIG. 28. [Diagram 30] FIG. 29 is a side view of the showerhead of FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 29 is a side view showing the showerhead in FIG. 28 with the head portion pulled out. [Diagram 32] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the head portion in a tilted position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1 to 20. FIG.

[0014] (Overall structure of the shower head) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the showerhead 11 of the first embodiment comprises a handle 12 that is held by a user, and a head unit 13 located at the tip of the handle 12. Hot and cold water, which is cold water, hot water, or a mixture of cold and hot water, is supplied from a water hose (not shown) connected to the showerhead 11 into an upstream flow path unit 14 (see Figures 4 and 5) of a water passage in the handle 12. The hot and cold water then flows through the water passage and is discharged as a shower from shower holes 15, 16, and 17 at the tip of the head unit 13. In the first embodiment, the upstream flow path unit 14, an intermediate flow path unit 41 (described below), and a hot and cold water distribution unit 100 form the water passage for flowing hot and cold water within the showerhead 11.

[0015] In the first embodiment, a normal pressure shower (normal shower) is emitted from the shower holes 15 arranged in two annular regions on the outer periphery. A low pressure mist shower (mist shower) is emitted from the large diameter shower holes 16 arranged in one annular region on the inner periphery. A high pressure shower (jet shower) is emitted from the shower holes 17 in the two annular regions in the center. The shower holes 15 on the outer periphery are called normal shower holes 15, the shower holes 16 on the inner periphery are called mist shower holes 16, and the shower holes 17 in the center are called jet shower holes 17.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a switch button 18 is provided on the front upper end of the handle 12. This switch button 18 is positioned to the right of the center in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the shower head 11. For this reason, as shown in Figure 2, switch button 18 is located in a position that can be easily pressed with the thumb of the left hand holding handle 12. Each time switch button 18 is pressed to perform a switching operation, a first shower mode to a fourth shower mode, described below, is selected in sequence, and the shower type is changed.

[0017] The first shower mode is a simultaneous release of a normal shower and a jet shower. The second shower mode is a single release of a jet shower. The third shower mode is a single release of a mist shower. The fourth shower mode is a simultaneous release of a mist shower and a normal shower. In the first embodiment, fine bubbles including microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles are mixed into the hot water of each shower. In particular, a large amount of fine bubbles are mixed into the mist shower, so that it contains a large amount of microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles.

[0018] The configuration of each part will be described in detail below.

[0019] (Outer shell composition) As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the outer shell 20 of the shower head 11 is composed of a first front cover 21, a second front cover 22, and a back cover 23, which are attached to each other by a plurality of claws 24 (see Fig. 4). The first front cover 21 and the second front cover 22 form the front side of the shower head 11, and the back cover 23 forms the rear side of the shower head 11. The second front cover 22 and the back cover 23 are plated with a metal such as chrome on the surface. The first front cover 21 is made of a transparent material, and the back side has a pattern (not shown) such as a concave and convex pattern extending in the vertical direction. The back side of the first front cover 21 is plated with a metal such as chrome, and the transparent material and the metal plating create a transparent luster. The back side of the metal plating of the first front cover 21 may be further colored plated or colored to add depth to the plating color or improve the durability of the metal plating.

[0020] 1 and 2, the butt portion on the front side of the first front cover 21 and the second front cover 22 extends in the vertical direction in front of the handle 12 and forms a ridge line 27 that continues from the handle 12 to the outer periphery of the head part 13. This ridge line 27 is slightly biased to the left at the position of the handle 12 when viewed from the front.

[0021] (Configuration of the upstream part of the waterway) 4 and 5, an upstream flow passage unit 14 is provided inside the handle 12 of the outer shell 20. A connection pipe 31 forming the upstream side of the upstream flow passage unit 14 protrudes from the handle 12, and a threaded portion 32 for connecting the water supply hose (not shown) is formed in the protruding portion.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the bubble generating member 34 constituting the downstream side of the upstream flow passage unit 14 is connected to the downstream side of the connecting pipe 31 via a seal ring 33. The bubble generating member 34 is generally cylindrical. Inside the bubble generating member 34, a plurality of tubular bubble generating flow passages 35 are arranged at equal intervals at the center position and in the annular region. Each bubble generating flow passage 35 is located on a plurality of parallel central axes, and is provided at seven locations in the first embodiment. A throttle section 37 with a narrowed flow passage cross-sectional area is formed in the upstream part of each bubble generating flow passage 35. A tapered section 38 that widens toward the downstream side is formed on the downstream side of the throttle section 37. Then, when the hot water passes through the throttle section 37 and moves to the tapered section 38, a cavitation effect based on a pressure difference is induced in the hot water, and fine bubbles including microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles are generated in the hot water. This bubble generating member 34 is configured as a straight flow passage type having a throttle portion 37, and serves as an upstream bubble generating portion that generates fine bubbles by utilizing the Venturi effect.

[0023] The number of bubble generating flow paths 35 may be one or more, but taking into account the relationship between the pressure of ordinary tap water and the appropriate amount of fine bubbles, it is preferable to provide them in 5 to 9 locations, and it is even more preferable to provide them in 7 locations.

[0024] The upstream passage unit 14 is fixed to the back cover 23 by screws 39 shown in FIG.

[0025] (Configuration of the midstream and downstream parts of the waterway) As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the intermediate flow passage unit 41 is connected to the downstream side of the bubble generating member 34, which is the upstream bubble generating part, via a seal ring 42. A slit 44 is formed in the center of the width direction of the intermediate flow passage unit 41. As shown in Figs. 4, 16 and 19, the intermediate flow passage unit 41 is composed of an intermediate flow passage body 46 having hot and cold branch flow passages 45 on both sides of the slit 44, and a lid body 47 vibration-welded to the intermediate flow passage body 46 so as to cover the upper surface of the branch flow passage 45. Therefore, the branch flow passage 45 is bifurcated by the slit 44. A support part 48 having a substantially circular shape is integrally formed at the tip of the intermediate flow passage body 46. A support hole 49 is formed through the center of the support part 48. A storage chamber 50 is formed on the lower surface of the support part 48. The ends of the intermediate flow passage body 46 and the lid body 47 on the support part 48 side are formed in a gently curved shape. The storage chamber 50 communicates with the branch flow passage 45 through an opening 51. Therefore, hot and cold water from the branch flow passages 45 are supplied from the opening 51 into the storage chamber 50 and are joined inside the storage chamber 50 .

[0026] The upstream flow passage unit 14 is fixed to the back cover 23 by the screw 39 shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 17, a pressure receiving plate 52 made of a metal such as brass is attached to the inner upper surface of the accommodation chamber 50 and positioned by a pin 53 and a hole 54. A small diameter boss 56 and a large diameter boss 57 are integrally formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the pressure receiving plate 52, respectively, and the upper boss 56 is supported watertightly on the inner peripheral surface of the support hole 49 via a seal ring 58. A notch 59 corresponding to the opening 51 is formed in the pressure receiving plate 52. This pressure receiving plate 52 has toughness against the internal pressure of the accommodation chamber 50, and this toughness suppresses deformation of the support part 48 due to the internal pressure of the accommodation chamber 50.

[0027] (Configuration for switching flow paths) As shown in Figs. 7 and 17, a support shaft 61 is rotatably supported at the upper side having a D-cut surface in the boss 56 on the upper side of the pressure receiving plate 52. A flange 62 of the support shaft 61 is fitted into a step 63 of the boss 56 of the pressure receiving plate 52. A switching plate 64 that rotates together with the support shaft 61 is attached to the lower side of the accommodation chamber 50, which has a D-cut surface like the upper side of the support shaft 61. A lip seal 67 is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the boss 66 on the upper side of the switching plate 64 and the inner peripheral surface of the boss 57 on the lower side of the pressure receiving plate 52. The switching plate 64 is provided with switching ports 65 at three equally spaced locations for passing hot and cold water in the accommodation chamber 50. The switching plate 64 is urged downward toward a seal ring 108 described later by a coil spring 68 provided between the switching plate 64 and the support shaft 61.

[0028] 7, 8 and 16, a ratchet wheel 71 is supported on the upper side of the support shaft 61 on the upper surface of the support part 48 of the intermediate passage unit 41 so as to be rotatable therewith. Therefore, the switching plate 64 is rotated integrally via the support shaft 61 by the rotation of the ratchet wheel 71. A feed pawl 72 is rotatably supported by a shaft 73 on the upper surface of the support part 48. When the feed pawl 72 rotates around the shaft 73 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 8, the feed pawl 72 is engaged with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 71 while being deformed. This engagement causes the ratchet wheel 71 to rotate and feed a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8.

[0029] A restricting pawl 74 that constantly engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 71 is attached to the upper surface of the support portion 48. When the ratchet wheel 71 is rotated by the feed pawl 72, the restricting pawl 74 is deformed against its own elasticity by the teeth of the ratchet wheel 71 and retreats, allowing the ratchet wheel 71 to rotate. On the other hand, the restricting pawl 74 engages with the teeth to prevent the ratchet wheel 71 from rotating in the reverse direction, that is, clockwise in FIG. 8. The feed pawl 72 is prevented from excessively deforming in a direction away from the ratchet wheel 71 by a wall 75 on the upper surface of the support portion 48.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, a metal retainer 77 is attached to the support portion 48 by a screw 78, and this retainer 77 prevents the ratchet wheel 71, the feed pawl 72 and the regulating pawl 74 from falling off from the support portion 48.

[0031] 7, 8 and 16, a slide member 81 located below the feed claws 72 is supported on the upper surface of the support portion 48 of the intermediate passage unit 41 so as to be slidable in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 8 and the opposite direction. The slide member 81 is biased in the opposite direction to the arrow by a coil spring 82. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a part of the feed claws 72 is hooked to a hook portion 84 at the tip of the slide member 81, and the movement of the slide member 81 in the direction of the arrow and the opposite direction causes the feed claws 72 to rotate around the shaft 73.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the switching button 18 is rotatably supported by a shaft 85 inserted into the intermediate flow path body 46. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 19, a transmission lever 87 is rotatably supported by a shaft 86 on the lower surface of the intermediate flow path body 46. This transmission lever 87 is located in the slit 44 that forms the bifurcated branch flow path. In other words, the transmission lever 87 is located in the narrow width part of the bifurcated part. Then, due to the biasing force of the coil spring 82, one end of this transmission lever 87 abuts against the slide member 81, and the other end of the transmission lever 87 abuts against the switching button 18. The switching button 18 protrudes from the first front cover 21 due to the biasing force of the coil spring 82. The switching button 18, the slide member 81, the coil spring 82, and the transmission lever 87 constitute a shower type switching mechanism.

[0033] In the normal state shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the slide member 81 is moved backward by the biasing force of the coil spring 82. Therefore, the feed pawl 72 is separated from the ratchet wheel 71, and the switch button 18 is disposed in a protruding position where it can be pressed down via the transmission lever 87. In this state, when the switch button 18 is pressed down against the biasing force of the coil spring 82, the slide member 81 is moved forward via the transmission lever 87. Therefore, the feed pawl 72 is rotated toward the ratchet wheel 71, and the ratchet wheel 71 is rotated a predetermined angle in the counterclockwise direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 8. As a result, the switch plate 64 is rotated by one pitch. In the first embodiment, the rotation angle of one pitch of the ratchet wheel 71 and the switch plate 64 is 30 degrees. With this rotation of the ratchet wheel 71 for each pitch, the switch plate 64 is sequentially positioned in the positions of the first to fourth shower modes described below.

[0034] (Hot water distribution unit and related components) 1, 2 and 18, a face plate portion 91 is formed at the upper end of the front surface of the first front cover 21. A plurality of first through holes 92 are formed in two concentric annular regions on the outer periphery of this face plate portion 91. A plurality of second through holes 93 are formed in one annular region concentric with the annular region on the inner periphery of the first through holes 92. A plurality of third through holes 94 are formed in two annular regions concentric with the annular region in the center of the face plate portion 91.

[0035] 7 to 9, a hot and cold water distribution unit 100 is disposed between the face plate portion 91 and the support portion 48 of the intermediate passage unit 41, and is fixed to the support portion 48 by screws 78. In this hot and cold water distribution unit 100, a first member 101, a second member 102, and a third member 103 are disposed in this order from the upstream side of the water passage.

[0036] As shown in Figs. 7, 9 and 17, a cylindrical portion 104 is formed on the upper surface of the first member 101. This cylindrical portion 104 is fitted into the support hole 49 via a seal ring 88. The switching plate 64 is located inside the cylindrical portion 104. A central recess 105 is formed on the upper surface of the first member 101. A plurality of selection holes 106 (12 in the first embodiment) are formed at equal intervals around the central recess 105. The number of selection holes 106 is the same as the number of teeth of the ratchet wheel 71. A fitting groove 107 made of a continuous ring is formed around each selection hole 106. A seal ring 108 for sealing between the first member 101 and the switching plate 64 is fitted into the fitting groove 107. As is clear from Figure 10, by rotating the switching plate 64 one pitch at a time, the switching openings 65 of the switching plate 64 are sequentially connected to different selection holes 106, and hot and cold water from the switching openings 65 pass through the opposing selection holes 106.

[0037] 9 and 10, the first member 101 and the second member 102 are positioned by engagement between a projection 115 and a recess 116 at two locations on their outer peripheries. The second member 102 and the third member 103 are positioned by engagement between a recess 119 and a projection 120 at two locations. Furthermore, the first member 101 and the second member 102, and the second member 102 and the third member 103 are vibration welded to each other at their direct contact joint surfaces, respectively, to ensure watertightness between the members 101 to 103.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 7, 9 and 11, partition walls 121 are formed at multiple locations on the outer circumferential side and inner circumferential side of the underside of the first member 101, which are joined to the upper surface of the second member 102. The partition walls 121 partition the underside of the first member 101 into a normal shower side chamber 109, a mist shower side chamber 110 and a jet shower side chamber 111. Each of these chambers 109-111 has one or more selection holes 106. Then, according to the rotational position of the switching plate 64, the first shower mode to the fourth shower mode are switched and set as described above. By this switching, the switching port 65 of the switching plate 64 is connected to one or two of the normal shower side chamber 109, the mist shower side chamber 110 and the jet shower side chamber 111 via the selection hole 106. That is, in the first shower mode, the switching port 65 is connected to the normal shower side chamber 109 and the jet shower side chamber 111. In the second shower mode, the switching port 65 is connected to the jet shower side chamber 111. In the third shower mode, the switching port 65 is connected to the mist shower side chamber 110. In the fourth shower mode, the switching port 65 is connected to the normal shower side chamber 109 and the mist shower side chamber 110.

[0039] Therefore, in the first shower mode, hot and cold water from the switching port 65 and the selection hole 106 is supplied to the normal shower side chamber 109 and the jet shower side chamber 111. In the second shower mode, hot and cold water is similarly supplied only to the jet shower side chamber 111. In the third shower mode, hot and cold water is supplied only to the mist shower side flow passage chamber 110. In the fourth shower mode, hot and cold water is supplied to the normal shower side chamber 109 and the mist shower side chamber 110.

[0040] As shown in Figs. 12, 17 and 20, the second member 102 is provided with a plurality of communication holes 123-125 facing the normal shower side chamber 109, the jet shower side chamber 111 and the mist shower side chamber 110, respectively, for passing hot and cold water from each chamber 109-111. Some of the communication holes 123 extend across both the normal shower side chamber 109 and the mist shower side chamber 110. As shown in Figs. 7 and 17, a guide protrusion 126 is formed on the upper surface of the second member 102 in the vicinity of the communication hole 123 facing the normal shower side chamber 109, in contact with the inner surface of the partition wall 121, for guiding water to the communication holes 123 and 125. As shown in Figs. 4 and 17, a claw 24 is formed on the upper surface of the second member 102 for engaging the hot and cold water distribution unit 100 with the back cover 23.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 20, a holding protrusion 89 is formed on the lower surface of the first member 101 for receiving the second member 102 and preventing the second member 102 from being deformed due to water pressure.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 17, a plurality of partition walls 127 are formed at the center and the outer periphery of the third member 103. The partition walls 127 partition a normal shower side flow passage 128 on the outer periphery, a mist shower side flow passage 129 inside the normal shower side flow passage 128, and a jet shower side flow passage 130 in the center. As shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 20, the normal shower side flow passage 128 communicates with the normal shower side chamber 109 of the second member 102 via a communication hole 123. The mist shower side flow passage 129 communicates with the mist shower side chamber 110 of the second member 102 via one communication hole 123 and a communication hole 124. The jet shower side flow passage 130 communicates with the jet shower side chamber 111 of the second member 102 via a communication hole 125.

[0043] As shown in Figs. 7 and 20, protrusions 96-98 are formed on the front surface of the third member 103, through which the normal shower hole 15, the mist shower hole 16, and the jet shower hole 17 are opened, respectively, and these protrusions 96-98 are exposed forward from the first to third through holes 92-94 provided in the face plate portion 91. The normal shower hole 15 is connected to the normal shower side flow path 128, the mist shower hole 16 is connected to the mist shower side flow path 129, and the jet shower hole 17 is connected to the jet shower side flow path 130. The normal shower hole 15, the mist shower hole 16, and the jet shower hole 17 are directed outward at a small oblique angle. Therefore, the shower water is discharged slightly outward. The discharge area of ​​this shower water is an annular area that follows the arrangement shape of the first to third through holes 92, 93, and 94.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 14, the bottom of the mist shower side flow path 129 is formed higher than the other flow paths 128, 130, and as shown in Fig. 12, a plurality of accommodating recesses 131 are formed at equal intervals at this bottom. As shown in Fig. 15, the mist shower hole 16 is provided at the bottom of this accommodating recess 131, and a guide wall 132 of the same height as the partition wall 127 is formed at the upper opening of the accommodating recess 131. A flow path 133 is formed in the guide wall 132.

[0045] As shown in Figs. 14 to 16, a step 134 is formed inside the accommodation recess 131. A covered cylindrical swirl flow generating member 135 that is lower than the bottom of the mist shower side flow path 129 is accommodated in this step 134. Introduction grooves 136 are formed at multiple locations on the outer periphery of the swirl flow generating member 135. A guide opening 137 that communicates with the internal space of the swirl flow generating member 135 and opens in the tangential direction is formed at the lower end of this introduction groove 136. Then, hot water that has flowed into the accommodation recess 131 flows through the introduction groove 136 and the guide opening 137 into the inside of the swirl flow generating member 135 as a high-speed swirl flow. Therefore, fine bubbles including micro-fine bubbles and ultra-fine bubbles are generated in the hot water by the cavitation effect. Therefore, the accommodation recess 131 and the swirl flow generating member 135 form a swirl flow type lower side bubble generating section.

[0046] (Shower Head 11 Function) Next, the operation of the showerhead 11 configured as above will be described.

[0047] By operating the switching button 18, the ratchet wheel 71 is rotated by the feed pawl 72 via the transmission lever 87 and the slide member 81. When the switching plate 64 is placed in the first shower mode position due to this rotation, the switching port 65 of the switching plate 64 communicates with the selection holes 106 of the normal shower side chamber 109 and the jet shower side chamber 111. As a result, hot and cold water reaches the normal shower side chamber 109 and the jet shower side chamber 111, passes through the communication holes 123, 125, passes through the normal shower side flow path 128 and the jet shower side flow path 130, and is released simultaneously as a normal shower and a jet shower from the normal shower hole 15 and the jet shower hole 17.

[0048] Therefore, by simultaneously releasing the normal shower and the jet shower, hair washing and bath water can be efficiently stored in the bathtub. At this time, fine bubbles including microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles are mixed into the shower water in the upstream bubble generating section consisting of the bubble generating member 34. This allows a shower bath to be taken by utilizing the action of the fine bubbles, and the fine bubbles can be mixed into the water stored in the bathtub.

[0049] When the switching button 18 is pressed and the ratchet wheel 71 rotates to rotate the switching plate 64 to the position of the second shower mode, the rotation of the switching plate 64 causes the switching port 65 to face the other selection hole 106. This causes hot and cold water to be discharged as a single jet shower water from the jet shower hole 17 via the jet shower side chamber 111, the communication hole 125, and the jet shower side flow path 130. Therefore, in the same way as above, hair washing and bath water can be stored using shower water containing microbubbles and ultra-fine bubbles.

[0050] Also, when the switching plate 64 is placed at the position of the third shower mode by operating the switching button 18, the switching port 65 faces the other selection hole 106. As a result, hot water containing fine bubbles generated in the upstream bubble generating part reaches the mist shower side chamber 110 and the mist shower side flow path 129. Then, the hot water is supplied between the inner surface of the accommodation recess 131, which is the downstream bubble generating part, and the swirling flow generating member 135. Next, the hot water is swirled at high speed inside the swirling flow generating member 135, and the fine bubbles are further mixed into the hot water. Therefore, mist shower water containing a large amount of fine bubbles is released alone from the mist shower hole 16, and a shower bath can be performed by effectively using a large amount of fine bubbles.

[0051] Furthermore, when the switching button 18 is operated to place the switching plate 64 at the position of the fourth shower mode and the switching port 65 faces the other selection hole 106, hot and cold water reaches the normal shower side chamber 109 and the mist shower side chamber 110. The hot and cold water then passes through the normal shower side flow path 128 and the mist shower side flow path 129 and is discharged as a normal shower and a mist shower from the normal shower hole 15 and the mist shower hole 16. Therefore, a normal shower with fine bubbles mixed in the upstream bubble generator and a mist shower with additional fine bubbles mixed in the downstream bubble generator are simultaneously discharged and can be used for washing the face or hair, or for storing bath water.

[0052] The showerhead of the example having the configuration of the first embodiment and the showerhead of the comparative example having a conventional configuration were showered under the same conditions such as water pressure, water temperature, and water quality, and the amount of ultra-fine bubbles generated was measured. The showerhead of the example was set to the third shower mode in which a mist shower is emitted alone. The showerhead of the comparative example is configured such that a bubble generating section of a straight flow channel type having a throttle section 37 is provided inside the head section, and the bubble generating section has only one stage, not multiple stages.

[0053] One milliliter of water discharged from these showerheads was stored in a transparent container. Immediately after storing, the amount of ultra-fine bubbles was measured according to the fine bubble measurement method implemented by the Fine Bubble Industry Association. The measuring device used was a NanoSight (registered trademark) product number NS300 manufactured by Malvern Panalytical Ltd. of the UK. The measurement results were as follows:

[0054] The water discharged from the shower head of the embodiment was measured to have 29,300,000 ultra-fine bubbles, while the water discharged from the shower head of the comparative example was measured to have 4,100,000 ultra-fine bubbles.

[0055] The minimum measurable unit of the measuring device is 100,000. From the above results, it was found that the showerhead of the example generates more than seven times the amount of ultra-fine bubbles as the showerhead of the comparative example.

[0056] In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0057] (1) By operating the selector button 18, it is possible to select a first shower mode in which a normal shower and a jet shower are both discharged, a second shower mode in which a jet shower is discharged alone, a third shower mode in which a mist shower is discharged alone, and a fourth shower mode in which a normal shower and a mist shower are both discharged simultaneously. As described above, by operating the selector button 18, four different shower modes can be easily selected to select the desired type of shower bath, and fine bubble mixed hot and cold water can be obtained by discharging water from the shower.

[0058] (2) Fine bubbles are generated by the cavitation effect in both the upstream bubble generating section and the downstream bubble generating section. Therefore, fine bubbles containing a large amount of microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles can be efficiently contained in the hot water. As a result, effective effects such as cleaning effect and heat retention effect of the fine bubbles can be obtained when taking a shower or bathing in a bathtub. In particular, since ultrafine bubbles hardly disappear for a long time (10 hours or more), when shower water is used as bath water, the bath water having the above-mentioned effective effects can be maintained for a long time.

[0059] (3) In the third shower mode in which the mist shower is discharged alone and in the fourth shower mode in which the mist shower and the normal shower are discharged simultaneously, fine bubbles are mixed into the hot water in the upstream bubble generating section. Then, fine bubbles are further mixed into the hot water in the downstream bubble generating section, so that a large amount of fine bubbles are mixed into the mist shower. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to obtain shower water that contains a large amount of fine bubbles, including microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles, and fine bubbles with larger diameters.

[0060] (4) When the hot water containing fine bubbles mixed in the upstream bubble generating section passes through the downstream bubble generating section, the fine bubbles are further refined, increasing the number of ultrafine bubbles and, as a result, increasing the total number of fine bubbles. This makes it possible to obtain shower water or bath water in which bubbles are less likely to disappear and in which the fine bubble function can be further enhanced.

[0061] (5) The upstream bubble-generating section generates bubbles in a linear flow path that utilizes the Venturi effect, which continues from the throttle section 37 to the tapered section 38. This allows the upstream bubble-generating section to be disposed within the handle 12 along its length. Therefore, even if the upstream bubble-generating section is disposed inside the handle 12, the handle 12 does not need to be thick, making the shower head 11 easy to hold and allowing for a high level of design.

[0062] (6) Because the downstream bubble-generating section generates bubbles in the swirling flow path, which is the mist water flow path, the thickness of head section 13 in the direction in which the mist water is discharged can be reduced. As a result, shower head 11 can be made lightweight, compact, easy to use, and with a high level of design by reducing the thickness of head section 13.

[0063] (7) By replacing the upstream bubble generating section with one having a different number of bubble generating passages 35, the content and diameter of fine bubbles in the shower water can be adjusted as needed.

[0064] (8) The transmission lever 87 of the switching mechanism is provided within the narrow portion of the bifurcated portion of the intermediate passage unit 41. Therefore, the switching mechanism can be incorporated into the intermediate passage unit 41 with good space efficiency, which contributes to making the showerhead 11 more compact.

[0065] (9) By displacing ridge 27 of handle 12 to one side, a large area for mounting switch button 18 can be secured below face plate 91 having shower holes 15-17. Switch button 18 can be installed in this secured area with almost no positional restrictions. This makes it easier to operate switch button 18, resulting in an easy-to-use showerhead 11.

[0066] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 21 to 25, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 21, in the second embodiment, there are normal shower holes 15 in two inner and outer annular regions, and every other normal shower hole 151 of the normal shower holes 15 in the inner annular region is directed obliquely inward, and the remaining normal shower holes 152 are directed obliquely outward. Also, there are two inner and outer jet shower holes 17, and every other jet shower hole 171 of the jet shower holes 171 in the outer annular region is directed obliquely inward, and the remaining jet shower hole 172 is directed obliquely outward. Although the difference in the direction of direction between the normal shower holes 151, 152 and the jet shower holes 171, 172 is clearly depicted in Fig. 21, in reality, this difference in direction of direction is difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.

[0068] Therefore, as shown in Figures 22 and 23, the normal shower 15α is discharged toward three outer annular regions. The mist shower 16α is discharged toward one inner annular region. The jet shower 17α is discharged toward two central annular regions. These six annular regions are concentrically arranged at approximately equal intervals.

[0069] For this reason, when the showerhead of the second embodiment is used in the first shower mode, the shower density hitting the skin and hair is high, and the hot and cold water hits the entire surface of the shower discharge area. This increases the softness of the shower and improves the feel of the shower. In contrast, when the number of annular areas of the shower discharge is small, the hot and cold water hits the skin and hair at a low density and with high water pressure, making the shower less soft and the feel worse.

[0070] [Table 1] Table 1 shows the results of showering in the first shower mode with the showerhead 11 of the example placed above the upward-facing palms of 14 subjects, and the showerhead 11 of the experimental example, under the same conditions of water pressure and water temperature. The showerhead 11 of the example has the configuration of the second embodiment, and as shown in Figures 22 and 23, sprays water onto six annular regions. The showerhead 11 of the experimental example has the configuration of the first embodiment, and sprays water onto four annular regions. Water was sprayed from the face plate 91 of both showerheads 11 at distances of 250 mm (millimeters), 500 mm, and 750 mm from the palms.

[0071] The questionnaire was then divided into two groups: those who felt no variation in the shower water hitting them (i.e., those who felt it was soft), and those who felt variation. As is clear from Table 1, the results showed that at each distance, the shower head 11 of the embodiment had less variation compared to the experimental example. For example, at a distance of 250 mm, 8 subjects did not feel a sense of variation in the embodiment, but only 1 subject did not feel a sense of variation in the experimental example. At a distance of 750 mm, 10 subjects did not feel a sense of variation, but 0 subjects did not feel a sense of variation in the experimental example.

[0072] Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the second embodiment has the following effects.

[0073] (10) When the shower water hits the skin and hair, it feels soft and there is little unevenness, allowing for a comfortable shower. Moreover, the configuration for this only requires changing the orientation of the normal shower holes 15 and the jet shower holes 17, so there is no increase in the number of parts and the configuration can be made less complicated.

[0074] (11) As described above, the feel of the shower water can be improved simply by changing the orientation of the normal shower holes 15 in the inner annular region and the jet shower holes 17 in the outer annular region. This makes the showerhead 11 easier to use without increasing its size or weight.

[0075] 24 and 25 show a configuration in which a jet shower hole 17 (not shown) is added to the center of the face plate portion 91 of the showerhead 11. Even in this configuration, the same effects as those of the showerhead 11 of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0076] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0077] In the third embodiment, the upper surface of an intermediate flow path main body 46 having a branch flow path 45 of an intermediate flow path unit 41 and the cover body 47 are not curved but are formed in a straight line on the side, and the joining surfaces 461, 471 of the intermediate flow path main body 46 and the cover body 47 are not curved but are entirely flat.

[0078] Therefore, the third embodiment has the following advantages.

[0079] (11) Since the joining surfaces 461, 471 of the intermediate flow passage body 46 and the cover 47 are flat, the intermediate flow passage body 46 and the cover 47 are properly vibration welded together without any gaps by vibration in one direction along the flat surface.

[0080] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0081] The fourth embodiment is capable of detachably storing a tablet that dissolves ingredients effective for beauty and the like in hot water.

[0082] In the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the base end side of the handle 12 is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in Figures 28 and 29, in the fourth embodiment, the base end side of the handle 12 is configured by a cylindrical member 141, and a window hole 142 is formed in the front surface thereof.

[0083] 29, a cylindrical lower water channel member 143 made of a transparent material is fixedly disposed inside the cylindrical member 141. A joint 144 is connected to the downstream side of the bubble generating member 34, which is the upstream bubble generating section, and this joint 144 is detachably inserted and connected to the upstream opening of the lower water channel member 143 via a seal ring 145.

[0084] As shown in Figures 29, 31 and 32, a holding member 147 is rotatably supported via a shaft 146 at the lower end of the joint 144. This holding member 147 is positioned away from the window hole 142 so as not to obstruct the view through the window hole 142. A cylindrical transparent holder 148 is supported on the holding member 147, and the upper end of the holder 148 is open, with a plurality of through holes 149 formed in the peripheral wall of the holder 148. A tablet 150 is housed inside the holder 148.

[0085] In the fourth embodiment, the tablet 150 dissolves carbon dioxide in hot water. When the shower head 11 is in use, hot water passes through the lower water channel member 143. In this case, carbon dioxide is dissolved in the hot water through the through hole 149 of the holder 148.

[0086] The tablet 150 gradually becomes smaller as the carbon dioxide dissolves, and the degree of shrinkage can be visually confirmed through the window hole 142. When it becomes necessary to add new tablets 150, as shown in Figures 30 and 31, the joint 144 is pulled out of the cylindrical member 141, and the upper opening of the holder 148 is exposed to the outside. In this state, as shown in Figure 32, by tilting the head portion 13 side around the axis 146, the upper opening of the holder 148 is opened upward. Therefore, a new tablet 150 can be inserted into the holder 148 through the upper opening. Thereafter, the head portion 13 side is returned to the state shown in Figures 28 and 30.

[0087] The fourth embodiment has the following advantages.

[0088] (12) Using carbon dioxide, you can take a beauty shower or bathtub. And when you need to refill your bathtub with new tablets 150, you can easily do so.

[0089] (Example of change) The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows: The above-described embodiments and the following modifications may be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0090] The present invention can be embodied in a showerhead that does not have a handle. Such showerheads include those in which the head is fixed to the end of a water pipe that is fixed to a wall or ceiling, and those in which the head can be gripped. In such a configuration, a unit that generates multiple micro-bubbles is provided in the head.

[0091] For example, the structure of the partition wall 121 of the first member 102 may be changed, or the arrangement of the selection holes 106 may be changed to change the selected shower mode. That is, in the first to third embodiments, the shower mode may be selected from a first shower mode in which a normal shower and a jet shower are simultaneously released, a second shower mode in which a jet shower is released alone, a third shower mode in which a mist shower is released alone, and a fourth shower mode in which a mist shower and a normal shower are simultaneously released. In addition to the above, for example, a simultaneous release mode from the normal shower holes 15 and the jet shower holes 17 in one of the normal shower holes 15 in the inner and outer annular regions may be selected. In this way, the number of normal shower holes 15 from which the shower water is released is reduced, and the pressure of the shower water from the normal shower holes 15 is increased. Alternatively, a mode in which only a normal shower is released from the normal shower holes 15 in the inner and outer annular regions may be selected. This also increases the pressure of the shower water from the normal shower holes 15.

[0092] The present invention can be embodied in a showerhead that does not have the function of switching between different types of shower water (normal shower, jet shower, etc.). In other words, the present invention can be embodied in a showerhead that only has the function of emitting a normal shower or a mist shower.

[0093] The upstream bubble-generating section is provided inside the intermediate flow passage unit 41. In this case, the multiple bubble-generating flow passages 35 are arranged in parallel along the width direction of the intermediate flow passage unit 41.

[0094] In a configuration in which fine bubbles are generated by the throttle portion 37 and the tapered portion 38, the throttle portion 37 and the tapered portion 38 are made to have an elliptical or oval cross section, or a rectangular or oblong cross section.

[0095] Both the upstream bubble generating section and the downstream bubble generating section should be of a straight flow type with a throttle section or of a swirling flow type.

[0096] The method of generating fine bubbles is a shear generation method in which fine bubbles are generated when a high-speed hot water flow hits an edge such as a corner edge or a blade-shaped edge.

[0097] The method of generating microbubbles is to use a pore generation method in which bubbles are generated when the hot water flow passes through many narrow porous areas such as a pore filter. For example, porous ceramics are used as the pore filter.

[0098] Changing the internal and external arrangement of the normal shower holes 15, the mist shower holes 16, and the jet shower holes 17. For example, the mist shower holes 16 may be arranged in the center, and the jet shower holes 17 may be arranged on the outer periphery.

[0099] In the second embodiment, the normal shower holes 15 and jet shower holes 17 are oriented in three or more directions. This increases the annular area formed by the release of shower water, making the shower water feel even softer on the skin.

[0100] The normal shower holes 15 on the outer periphery and the jet shower holes 17 on the inner periphery should also have multiple shower discharge directions. This increases the annular area from which the shower water is discharged, providing an even softer feel.

[0101] In each of the above embodiments, the micro-bubble generating section is provided in two stages, one on the upstream side and one on the downstream side, but it may be provided in three stages or more.

[0102] The tablet 150 in the fourth embodiment is a type of tablet in which fragrance, cosmetic materials, or medicines are dissolved or mixed in hot water. By mixing medicines or cosmetic materials in the mist shower, their penetration into the skin can be improved.

[0103] In the fourth embodiment, a cartridge containing a carbon dioxide generating tablet, a liquid fragrance, or the like can be replaceably stored instead of the tablet 150. In this configuration, an opening through which hot and cold water can flow in and out is formed in the cartridge case.

[0104] The position of the switch button 18 for switching the type of shower (normal shower, mist shower, etc.) can be changed. For example, it can be provided on the side of the head part 13 or the handle 12, or on the back of the head part 13.

[0105] In a configuration in which a straight-flow type or swirling-flow type bubble generating unit with multiple throttling sections is installed, a mechanism should be provided to adjust the number of bubble generating sections through which hot water passes in response to high or low water pressure, etc. The technical thinking is described below. A showerhead having a head portion with a plurality of shower holes, in which microbubble generating sections are provided at a plurality of locations on the upstream and downstream sides inside a water passage. Furthermore, the shower head has a bifurcated portion in part of the water passage, and a shower type switching mechanism is provided in the gap between the bifurcated portions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 11...shower head, 12...handle, 13...head portion, 14...upstream flow path unit, 15...normal shower hole, 16...mist shower hole, 17...jet shower hole, 12...handle, 13...head portion, 34...bubble generating member, 37...throttle portion, 38...tapered portion, 41...intermediate flow path unit, 100...hot water / cold water distribution unit, 135...swirling flow generating member.

Claims

1. A showerhead having a head portion with a plurality of shower holes, Microbubble generating sections are provided at multiple locations on the upstream and downstream sides inside the water passage, A switching mechanism for the water passage is provided, The switching mechanism of this showerhead can be switched between a water passage that passes through the upstream fine bubble generating section and the downstream fine bubble generating section, and a water passage that passes through the upstream fine bubble generating section but does not pass through the downstream fine bubble generating section.

2. 2. The showerhead of claim 1, further comprising a handle adapted to be gripped by a user, the head portion being located distal to the handle.

3. 3. The showerhead of claim 2, wherein a portion for generating fine bubbles upstream of the hot and cold water is provided within the handle, and a portion for generating fine bubbles downstream of the hot and cold water is provided within the head.

4. 4. The showerhead of claim 3, wherein the upstream micro-bubble generating section is configured as a straight flow path type utilizing a Venturi effect having a throttle section, and the downstream micro-bubble generating section is configured as a swirling flow type.

5. 4. The showerhead according to claim 3, wherein the upstream micro-bubble generating section is configured by a straight flow path having a plurality of throttle sections.

6. 4. The showerhead according to claim 3, wherein the downstream micro-bubble generating section is constituted by a plurality of swirl flow paths.

7. A showerhead having a head portion with a plurality of shower holes, Microbubble generating sections are provided at multiple locations on the upstream and downstream sides inside the water passage, The shower head has a bifurcated portion in a part of the water passage, and a shower type switching mechanism is provided in the gap between the bifurcated portions.

8. 8. The showerhead of claim 7, wherein fine bubble generating sections are provided on both the upstream and downstream sides of the bifurcated section.

9. The showerhead of claim 8 , wherein the switching button of the switching mechanism is displaced from a center position in the left-right direction on the front side of the head portion.

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