Shower device

Abstract

To provide a shower device which can impart a comfortable feeling of a shower to a user while satisfying a requirement of water saving.SOLUTION: A shower device (1) fixed to a shower to shower discharge water to a user from above includes: a shower head body (4); and a plurality of spray parts (16) provided on the shower head body at an interval of 30 mm or more to form the shower discharge water enclosing a head part of the user standing below the shower head body. Each of the spray parts discharges warm water obliquely downward to the center of the shower head body, and is configured to fluctuate an angle of discharging the warm water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shower apparatus, and more particularly to a shower apparatus that is fixed so as to shower a user with water from above. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2022-15192 A (Patent Document 1) describes a shower device. This shower device is configured in a disk shape and is attached to a ceiling for use. A large number of spray holes are arranged on the periphery of the disk-shaped shower device, and hot and cold water is sprayed linearly from each spray hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-15192 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors of this invention have developed a shower device that not only allows the user to wash their body, but also allows the user to enjoy the shower time in a relaxed state while taking a shower that drops from above, and thus recover from fatigue and relieve stress. In the shower device described in Patent Document 1, the water spray holes are arranged in a row around the periphery of the disk-shaped shower head, so the shower water is unlikely to directly hit the face of the user standing below the center of the shower head. As a result, the user taking a shower does not feel short of breath, and can continue to shower for a long time while experiencing the comfortable sensation of being enveloped in the shower water.

[0005] However, in the shower device described in Patent Document 1, water is sprayed in a linear fashion from each spray hole that is arranged at intervals on a circumference. Therefore, if water is sprayed enough to fully cover the user's entire body, an extremely large amount of hot and cold water is used, which poses the problem of not being able to meet the demands for water conservation.

[0006] One possible solution would be to increase the spacing between the nozzles on the circumference and reduce the number of nozzles, thereby reducing the amount of hot and cold water used. However, if the spacing between the nozzles is increased and the water is sprayed at intervals, the user will not feel as if they are receiving a sufficient amount of water, and will not feel as if they are taking a comfortable shower.

[0007] Another way to reduce the amount of hot and cold water used is to reduce the diameter of each nozzle and narrow the width of the water line while maintaining the same number of nozzles. However, a thin water line will not stimulate the skin of the user, and the user will not be able to enjoy a comfortable shower.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a shower apparatus which satisfies the demand for water saving while providing the user with a comfortable shower experience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a shower device that is fixed so as to spray a shower of water onto a user from above, and is characterized in that it has a showerhead body and a number of spray sections that are spaced at least 30 mm apart on the showerhead body so as to form a shower of water that surrounds the head of a user standing below the showerhead body, and each spray section is configured to spray hot and cold water diagonally downward toward the center of the showerhead body and to oscillate the angle at which the hot and cold water is sprayed.

[0010] According to the present invention configured in this manner, because each sprinkler section is configured to oscillate the angle at which it sprays hot water, the user can enjoy a comfortable bathing experience even when the spacing between the sprinkler sections is set to 30 mm or more, and the need for water saving can be satisfied by spacing the sprinkler sections apart, while still providing a comfortable bathing experience. In other words, a user who is showered with hot water whose spray angle oscillates can enjoy the sensation of being showered over a fairly wide area, and even with a small amount of water, they can enjoy the comfortable sensation of their body being enveloped in a sufficient amount of water.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the present invention configured as described above, since the hot and cold water discharged from each water spray section is configured as oscillating water discharge, the speed direction of each water discharge changes periodically, and a more cohesive water discharge state can be formed than with linear water discharge. Therefore, the user is hit by large water droplets that have a certain degree of cohesion, which can give the user's skin a pleasant stimulating sensation. In addition, the hot and cold water discharged while oscillating has the effect of drawing in surrounding air, so even if the user's head is surrounded by the shower water discharge, the user is less likely to feel short of breath and can continue showering for a long time.

[0012] In the present invention, preferably, hot and cold water ejected from a first spray section and a second spray section that are arranged adjacent to each other among the multiple spray sections each land on a virtual water landing plane arranged horizontally below the showerhead body, and the first landing point of the hot and cold water ejected from the first spray section and the second landing point of the hot and cold water ejected from the second spray section each move on the virtual water landing plane, with the distance between the first landing point and the second landing point constantly changing.

[0013] According to the present invention thus configured, the distance between the first and second landing points of the hot water discharged from the adjacent first and second spray units is constantly changing, so the user can always get the feeling that they are being showered with a large amount of hot water. In other words, if the distance between the landing points of the hot water discharged from the adjacent first and second spray units changes regularly, the user showering with hot water can predict the movement of each landing point, and cannot always get the feeling that they are showering with a large amount of hot water. In contrast, if the distance between the first and second landing points is constantly changing, it becomes difficult for the user to predict the movement of each landing point, and the user is given the feeling that the hot water is always hitting a wide area, and can get a comfortable showering sensation.

[0014] In the present invention, the first spray section and the second spray section are preferably attached to the showerhead body so that they are at different distances from a virtual water landing plane, thereby causing the distance between the first water landing point and the second water landing point to constantly change.

[0015] According to the present invention configured in this way, the first and second spray units are attached to the showerhead body so that they are different distances from the virtual water landing surface. Therefore, even if the hot and cold water discharged from the first and second spray units oscillate in the same phase and with the same cycle, the distance between the first and second water landing points on the virtual water landing surface will always change, allowing the user to enjoy a comfortable shower.

[0016] In the present invention, the first spray section and the second spray section are preferably attached to the showerhead body so that their water discharge angles relative to a virtual water landing plane are different, thereby causing the distance between the first water landing point and the second water landing point to constantly change.

[0017] According to the present invention configured in this way, the first and second spray units are attached to the showerhead body so that their water discharge angles relative to the virtual water landing plane are different. Therefore, even if the hot and cold water discharged from the first and second spray units oscillate in the same phase and with the same cycle, the distance between the first and second water landing points on the virtual water landing plane is always changing, allowing the user to enjoy a comfortable shower.

[0018] In the present invention, the first spray section and the second spray section are preferably configured so that the phases of the angle change of the hot and cold water being sprayed are different, thereby causing the distance between the first water landing point and the second water landing point to constantly change.

[0019] According to the present invention configured in this way, the first and second sprinkler units are configured to have different phases of change in the angle of the water they spray. Therefore, even if the first and second sprinkler units spray water from the same height and oscillate at the same cycle, the distance between the first and second water landing points on the virtual landing surface is constantly changing, allowing the user to enjoy a comfortable bathing experience.

[0020] In the present invention, the sprinkler section is preferably configured to oscillate the angle of the spouted hot and cold water within a predetermined vibration plane.

[0021] According to the present invention configured in this way, the water sprinkler oscillates the water discharge angle within a predetermined vibration plane, so that it is possible to suppress water from scattering in a direction perpendicular to the vibration plane. Therefore, by setting the vibration plane so that the discharged water is less likely to hit the user's face, and by bringing the vibration plane closer to the user's face, it is possible to give the user the sensation of being showered with a large amount of water while reducing discomfort. Effect of the Invention

[0022] The shower device of the present invention can provide the user with a comfortable showering experience while satisfying the demand for water saving. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a shower device according to a first embodiment of the present invention installed in a shower cubicle. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a shower apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention with an upper cover of a shower head body removed. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shower head body provided in the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the attachment structure of the spray unit in the shower apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fluid element provided in the shower apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of the fluid element shown in FIG. 6 in the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of the fluid element shown in FIG. 6 in the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing an example of hot and cold water discharged from a fluid element in the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing schematic diagrams of hot and cold water discharged from first to third fluid elements provided in the shower head body of the shower apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing schematic diagrams of hot and cold water discharged from first to third fluid elements in a first modified example of the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing schematic diagrams of hot and cold water discharged from first to third fluid elements in a second modified example of the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13]1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of water being sprayed from a spray section and oscillated three-dimensionally in the shower device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a water spray section provided in a shower apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a spray section provided in a shower apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Next, a shower apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a shower device according to a first embodiment of the present invention installed in a shower cubicle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the shower head body provided in the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention with an upper cover removed. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shower head body provided in the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of the spray unit in the shower device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the shower device 1 of this embodiment is fixed to a side wall surface 2a of a shower cubicle 2. The shower device 1 also has a shower head body 4 and a support member 6 for attaching the shower head body 4 to the side wall surface 2a.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the showerhead body 4 is an elliptical ring-shaped component as a whole, with multiple water spray units spaced apart along the elliptical ring. The showerhead body 4 is also made up of an elliptical ring-shaped part 4a and three hot and cold water supply units 4b that extend radially from the center of the ring-shaped part 4a.

[0027] The annular portion 4a is an elliptical ring-shaped portion, and a plurality of water spray parts are provided at intervals on its underside. As described later, a water supply passage for supplying hot and cold water to each water spray part is provided inside the annular portion 4a. Meanwhile, each hot and cold water supply part 4b extends radially from the center of the annular portion 4a, and their tips are connected to the annular portion 4a. Specifically, one hot and cold water supply part 4b extends from the center of the annular portion 4a in the direction of the side wall surface 2a, and two hot and cold water supply parts 4b extend in the opposite direction of the side wall surface 2a, and the tips of each hot and cold water supply part 4b are connected to the annular portion 4a.

[0028] Next, the support member 6 is attached so as to extend generally horizontally from the upper part of the side wall surface 2a, and is configured to support the showerhead body 4 at a predetermined height. Furthermore, the support member 6 is connected to the upper surface of the showerhead body 4, and the tip of the support member 6 is connected to the joint of the three hot and cold water supply parts 4b at the center of the showerhead body 4. A water supply passage (not shown) is provided inside the support member 6, and hot and cold water supplied through this water supply passage flows into each hot and cold water supply part 4b of the showerhead body 4 and is sprayed from each spray part provided on the underside of the annular part 4a.

[0029] In this embodiment, the showerhead body 4 is fixed to the sidewall surface 2a via the support member 6 extending from the sidewall surface 2a, but the showerhead body may also be fixed to the ceiling surface via a support member extending from the ceiling surface. Alternatively, a columnar structure may be erected from the floor surface of a shower room or the like, and the showerhead body 4 may be fixed to this structure at a relatively high position above the user. The showerhead body may also be fixed directly to the sidewall surface or ceiling surface without a support member.

[0030] When the shower device 1 is in use, water is sprayed from each spray section, showering the user standing below the showerhead body 4 from above. Because the spray sections are provided along the annular showerhead body 4, each spray section creates a shower water jet that surrounds the head of the user standing below the showerhead body 4. In other words, as viewed from the user standing below the showerhead body 4, the sprayed water hits the user's body from the front, back, left and right sides, and the user's head is surrounded by the shower water jets.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the showerhead body 4 is composed of an upper cover 8, a flow path forming member 10, and a lower cover 12, and by combining the upper cover 8 and the flow path forming member 10, a water supply passage is formed for supplying hot and cold water to each spray section of the showerhead body 4.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the flow passage forming member 10 is composed of an annular portion and three straight portions extending radially from the center of the annular portion. This annular portion constitutes a part of the annular portion 4a of the shower head body 4, and each straight portion constitutes a part of the hot and cold water supply portion 4b. Furthermore, the annular portion is formed with an annular passage 10a extending annularly so as to go around the annular portion 4a, and each straight portion is formed with a distribution passage 10b. That is, the three distribution passages 10b extend radially from the center of the shower head body 4, and their tips are connected to the annular passage 10a. In this way, hot and cold water flows into the annular passage 10a from multiple locations via each distribution passage 10b.

[0033] Meanwhile, multiple communication holes 10c are provided along the annular passage 10a, and these communication holes 10c communicate with spray unit mounting recesses 10d (Fig. 4) provided on the underside of the flow path forming member 10. This allows the annular passage 10a formed in the annular portion 4a of the showerhead body 4 to communicate with each spray unit mounting recess 10d, and hot and cold water is supplied to the spray unit, or fluid element 16 (Fig. 4), attached thereto.

[0034] 4 and 5, a number of spray unit mounting recesses 10d are provided along the annular passage 10a on the underside of the flow path forming member 10. These spray unit mounting recesses 10d are cylindrical depressions extending vertically, and are formed to communicate with the annular passage 10a via communication holes 10c, and are open toward the underside of the showerhead body 4. A spray unit holding member 14 holding a fluid element 16 is removably fitted into each spray unit mounting recess 10d. The structure of the fluid element 16 provided as the spray unit will be described later.

[0035] The sprinkler unit holding member 14 is a generally cylindrical member and is watertightly attached in each sprinkler unit mounting recess 10d. Furthermore, a fluid element 16 is held in each sprinkler unit holding member 14. That is, the sprinkler unit holding member 14 has a stepped hole penetrating between the upper end surface and the lower end surface, and the fluid element 16 is inserted into this hole, so that the sprinkler unit holding member 14 holds the fluid element 16. The fluid element 16 is held so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis of the sprinkler unit holding member 14. As a result, the fluid element 16 sprays hot water diagonally downward toward the center of the elliptical shower head body 4. Furthermore, a groove 14a is provided on the outer periphery of the sprinkler unit holding member 14, and an O-ring (not shown) is placed in this groove 14a to ensure watertightness between the sprinkler unit holding member 14 and the sprinkler unit mounting recess 10d.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 5, mounting grooves 14b are provided at two locations on the outer circumferential surface of sprinkler unit holding member 14 (only one is shown in Fig. 5). Each mounting groove 14b is formed in a hook shape and is composed of an axial portion extending in the axial direction from the upper end of sprinkler unit holding member 14, and a circumferential portion extending in the circumferential direction of sprinkler unit holding member 14 from the lower end of this axial portion. Meanwhile, two engagement protrusions 10e are provided on the inner wall surface of sprinkler unit mounting recess 10d at positions corresponding to the axial portions of each mounting groove 14b (only one is shown in Fig. 5).

[0037] When attaching the sprinkler unit holding member 14, first, the sprinkler unit holding member 14 is fitted into the sprinkler unit mounting recess 10d so that each engagement protrusion 10e is received in the axial portion of each mounting groove 14b. Next, by rotating the sprinkler unit holding member 14, each engagement protrusion 10e is received in the circumferential portion of each mounting groove 14b, and the sprinkler unit holding member 14 can be fixed to the flow path forming member 10. In this embodiment, the sprinkler unit holding member 14 is rotated until each engagement protrusion 10e abuts against the end of the circumferential portion of each mounting groove 14b, so that the fluid element 16 held by the sprinkler unit holding member 14 is configured to face in the appropriate direction.

[0038] Furthermore, the intervals at which the fluid elements 16, which serve as the spray holes, are provided on the showerhead body 4 are not uniform, but are adjusted so that the user is comfortably enveloped in the hot and cold water sprayed from each fluid element 16. In this embodiment, the intervals between adjacent fluid elements 16 are set to about 43 mm to about 167 mm. Preferably, the intervals between each fluid element 16 are set to about 30 mm to about 200 mm. In contrast, in a typical conventional disc-shaped overhead shower, spray holes are provided uniformly at intervals of about 10 mm to about 30 mm over the entire showerhead.

[0039] Next, the configuration of the fluid element 16, which is a water spray unit provided in the shower device 1, will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a fluid element provided in the shower apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, the fluid element 16 is a generally thin rectangular parallelepiped member with a rectangular water outlet 16a provided on its front end face and a flange 16b formed on its rear end. Furthermore, a groove 16c is provided in flange 16b so as to go around the entire periphery of the fluid element 16. An O-ring (not shown) is fitted into this groove 16c to ensure watertightness between the sprinkler unit holding member 14 and the fluid element 16.

[0041] 7, a passage with a rectangular cross section is formed so as to penetrate longitudinally inside the fluid element 16. This passage is formed as, in order from the upstream side, a water supply passage 18a, a vortex street passage 18b, and a flow straightening passage 18c. The water supply passage 18a is a straight passage that extends from the inlet 16d on the rear side of the fluid element 16 and has a constant rectangular cross-sectional area.

[0042] The vortex passage 18b is a passage with a rectangular cross section that is provided downstream of the water supply passage 18a so as to be continuous with the water supply passage 18a (without any step). That is, the downstream end of the water supply passage 18a and the upstream end of the vortex passage 18b have the same dimensions and shape. A pair of opposing wall surfaces (both side wall surfaces) of the vortex passage 18b are tapered so that the flow path cross-sectional area decreases toward the downstream side over the entire vortex passage 18b. That is, the vortex passage 18b is tapered toward the downstream side, and gradually narrows in width.

[0043] The straightening passage 18c is a passage with a rectangular cross section provided downstream so as to communicate with the vortex street passage 18b, and is formed linearly with a constant cross-sectional area. The straightening passage 18c straightens the hot and cold water containing vortex streets guided by the vortex street passage 18b, and discharges it from the water outlet 16a. The flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the straightening passage 18c is configured to be smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the downstream end of the vortex street passage 18b, and a step 20 is formed between the vortex street passage 18b and the straightening passage 18c. The step wall surface, which is the surface of the step 20, is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the vortex street passage 18b.

[0044] 8, the wall surfaces (ceiling and floor surfaces) facing each other in the height direction of the water supply passage 18a, the vortex passage 18b, and the flow straightening passage 18c are all provided on the same plane. That is, the heights of the water supply passage 18a, the vortex passage 18b, and the flow straightening passage 18c are all the same and constant.

[0045] Next, a hot and cold water collision section 22 is formed at the downstream end of the water supply passage 18a (near the connection between the water supply passage 18a and the vortex passage 18b), and this hot and cold water collision section 22 is provided so as to block a part of the flow path cross section of the water supply passage 18a. This hot and cold water collision section 22 is a triangular prism-shaped part extending so as to connect the wall surfaces (ceiling surface and floor surface) facing each other in the height direction of the water supply passage 18a, and is arranged in an island shape in the center of the width direction of the water supply passage 18a. The cross section of the hot and cold water collision section 22 is formed in an isosceles triangle shape, and is arranged so that its hypotenuse is perpendicular to the central axis of the water supply passage 18a, and the apex angle of the isosceles triangle is arranged so that it faces the downstream side.

[0046] By providing this hot and cold water collision section 22, a Karman vortex is generated downstream, and the angle of the hot and cold water discharged from the water outlet 16a fluctuates. That is, hot and cold water supplied from the water supply passage (not shown) of the support member 6 flows into the annular passage 10a (FIG. 3) in the shower head body 4, and further flows into the inlet 16d of each fluid element 16 held by the spray section holding member 14. The hot and cold water that flows into the water supply passage 18a from the inlet 16d of each fluid element 16 collides with the hot and cold water collision section 22 that is provided to block a part of the flow path. As a result, a vortex street of Karman vortices that rotate in the opposite directions alternately is formed downstream of the hot and cold water collision section 22. The Karman vortex formed by this hot and cold water collision section 22 grows while being guided by the tapered vortex street passage 18b, and reaches the straightening passage 18c.

[0047] The hot and cold water that flows into the straightening passage 18c downstream of the vortex street passage 18b is straightened here. The hot and cold water discharged from the water outlet 16a through the straightening passage 18c is bent based on the flow velocity distribution at the water outlet 16a, and the discharge direction changes as the part with high flow velocity moves up and down in FIG. 7. That is, when the part with high flow velocity is located at the upper end of the water outlet 16a in FIG. 7, the hot and cold water is sprayed downward, and when the part with high flow velocity is located at the lower end of the water outlet 16a, the hot and cold water is sprayed upward. In this way, by alternately generating Karman vortices downstream of the hot and cold water collision section 22, a flow velocity distribution is generated at the water outlet 16a, and the jet is deflected. In addition, the position of the part with high flow velocity moves back and forth due to the progression of the vortex street, so the sprayed hot and cold water also oscillates sinusoidally in a predetermined vibration plane (a plane parallel to the paper surface in FIG. 7).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, each fluid element 16 is attached facing diagonally downward, so that hot and cold water discharged from the water outlet 16a of the fluid element 16 falls while spreading in a fan shape within a predetermined vibration plane facing approximately diagonally downward. That is, the hot and cold water discharged from the water outlet 16a of the fluid element 16 vibrates (oscillates) back and forth in a sinusoidal wave, so that the trajectory of the water discharged per certain time spreads in a fan shape. Also, in this embodiment, each fluid element 16 is attached to the shower head body 4 so that its vibration plane faces the tangential direction (circumferential direction) of the elliptical shower head body 4. As a result, a cylindrical shower water discharge with an elliptical cross section is formed below the shower head body 4 as a whole, and the head of a user standing below the shower head body 4 is surrounded by the shower water discharge.

[0049] It is preferable that the hot water discharged from the water outlet 16a of the fluid element 16 spreads downward at an angle of about 10° or more. If the water spread is too large, the amount of water that falls without landing on the body of the user standing below the shower head body 4 increases, and water saving decreases. On the other hand, if the water spread is too small, the area that falls on the user's body becomes small, and the number of fluid elements 16 required to wrap the user's body increases, and water saving decreases. Therefore, the spread angle α (FIG. 7) of the hot water discharged from the water outlet 16a of the fluid element 16 is set to about 10° to about 45°, more preferably about 20° to about 30°. In addition, the interval at which the fluid elements 16 are provided is set to about 30 to about 200 mm, preferably about 43 to about 167 mm, because the discharged water falls while spreading in a fan shape.

[0050] Next, the operation of the shower device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when a user operates the shower device 1 to start discharging water, the supply of hot and cold water to the shower device 1 begins. The supplied hot and cold water passes through a water supply passage (not shown) formed inside the support member 6 and flows into the shower head body 4. The hot and cold water that flows into the shower head body 4 is branched into three at the junction of the three hot and cold water supply parts 4b. That is, the hot and cold water supplied to the shower head body 4 is distributed to the three distribution passages 10b inside the hot and cold water supply part 4b, as shown by the arrows in Figure 3, and flows into the annular passage 10a from the tip of each distribution passage 10b.

[0051] Hot and cold water that enters the annular passage 10a from the tip of each distribution passage 10b branches into two and flows in both directions into the annular passage 10a, as shown by the arrows in Figure 3, and is distributed throughout the entire annular passage 10a. As a result, the hot and cold water flows into each sprinkler unit mounting recess 10d through each communication hole 10c provided along the annular passage 10a. The hot and cold water that flows into the sprinkler unit mounting recess 10d flows into the fluid element 16 held by the sprinkler unit holding member 14 that is fitted into the sprinkler unit mounting recess 10d. The hot and cold water supplied to each fluid element 16 is discharged while vibrating back and forth.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of hot water discharged from the fluid element 16. Column (a) of FIG. 9 is a photograph of hot water discharged from the fluid element 16 taken from a direction perpendicular to the vibration plane, and column (b) is a photograph taken from a direction parallel to the vibration plane. As shown in column (a) of FIG. 9, the angle at which hot water discharged from the fluid element 16 is oscillated within the vibration plane, vibrating sinusoidally, and it falls while spreading in a direction parallel to the vibration plane. On the other hand, as shown in column (b) of FIG. 9, the hot water discharged from the fluid element 16 hardly spreads in a direction perpendicular to the vibration plane, and falls with the same width as when it was discharged. As a result, the hot water discharged from the fluid element 16 lands in an almost linear area.

[0053] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing hot and cold water discharged from a first fluid element 16A, a second fluid element 16B, and a third fluid element 16C arranged side by side among the multiple fluid elements 16 provided in the showerhead body 4. As shown in Figure 10, in the shower device 1 of this embodiment, the angle of the hot and cold water discharged from each fluid element oscillates with approximately the same period and the same amplitude. However, the phases of the angle change of the hot and cold water discharged from each adjacently arranged fluid element are configured to be different.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, hot and cold water discharged from the first fluid element 16A lands on a virtual water landing plane P that is set at a predetermined height below the showerhead body 4 and faces in the horizontal direction. The hot and cold water discharged from the first fluid element 16A then lands on a water landing area R1 that extends in a straight line on the water landing plane P. That is, the landing point of the hot and cold water discharged from the first fluid element 16A moves back and forth on the water landing area R1. Similarly, the hot and cold water discharged from the second fluid element 16B lands on a water landing area R2 on the water landing plane P, and the landing point moves back and forth within the water landing area R2. Furthermore, the hot and cold water discharged from the third fluid element 16C lands on a water landing area R3 on the water landing plane P, and the landing point moves back and forth within the water landing area R3.

[0055] At the moment shown in Fig. 10, hot and cold water discharged from the first fluid element 16A lands at point p11, hot and cold water discharged from the second fluid element 16B lands at point p21, and hot and cold water discharged from the third fluid element 16C lands at point p31. Furthermore, at a moment slightly after the moment shown in Fig. 10, hot and cold water discharged from the first fluid element 16A and located at point d1 lands near point p12, hot and cold water discharged from the second fluid element 16B and located at point d2 lands near point p22, and hot and cold water discharged from the third fluid element 16C and located at point d3 lands near point p23.

[0056] Now, if we look at each water landing point on the water landing plane P, after hot water lands at point p11 at the moment shown in Figure 10, water only lands at this point after a certain time has passed, and no water lands there during that time. In other words, at each point on the water landing area R1, hot water actually lands only once or twice while the water landing point moves back and forth within the water landing area R1, and no water lands at any other time. In this way, in the shower device 1 of this embodiment, water landing is "thinned out" over time, so the total amount of hot water discharged can be reduced.

[0057] In contrast, in conventional shower devices, water is continuously sprayed onto the entire water landing area, resulting in an extremely large total amount of hot and cold water being sprayed. Alternatively, if the spacing between each spray hole (not shown) is widened in order to reduce the total amount of hot and cold water in a conventional shower device, the user feels as if the water is being sprayed in a "sparse" manner, making the shower less comfortable. Also, if the spacing between the spray holes (not shown) is narrowed while the flow rate of hot and cold water sprayed from each spray hole is reduced to reduce the total amount of hot and cold water, the user feels that the water pressure is weak, making the shower less comfortable.

[0058] On the other hand, in the shower device of this embodiment, although the water landing is "thinned out" over time, the flow rate of water landing at each landing point is relatively large, providing a moderate stimulation to the user's skin and making for a comfortable shower.

[0059] Furthermore, the landing points of the hot and cold water discharged from each fluid element move back and forth within the respective landing areas, but because the phases at which the angles of the hot and cold water discharged from each fluid element are oscillated are out of sync with each other, the distance between each landing point is constantly changing. That is, at the moment shown in Fig. 10, the hot and cold water discharged from the first fluid element 16A lands on point p11, and the hot and cold water discharged from the second fluid element 16B lands on point p21. Then, at the next moment in Fig. 10, the landing points of the hot and cold water discharged from the first and second fluid elements move to points p12 and p22, respectively. In this way, the distance between the landing points of the hot and cold water discharged from the first and second fluid elements that are adjacently arranged is the distance L11 between points p11 and p21 at the moment shown in Fig. 10, and changes to the distance L12 between points p12 and p22 at the next moment.

[0060] That is, in the shower device 1 of this embodiment, hot and cold water discharged from adjacently arranged first and second fluid elements 16A and 16B each land on an imaginary water landing plane P arranged horizontally below the showerhead body 4. The first water landing points p11, p12... of the hot and cold water discharged from the first fluid element 16A and the second water landing points p21, p22... of the hot and cold water discharged from the second fluid element 16B each move on the imaginary water landing plane P. Furthermore, the distances L11, L12... between the first water landing points p11, p12... and the second water landing points p21, p22... are constantly changing.

[0061] Similarly, the distance between the landing points of hot and cold water discharged from the adjacent second fluid element 16B and third fluid element 16C is the distance L21 between points p21 and p31 at the moment shown in Fig. 10, and changes to the distance L22 between points p22 and p32 at the next moment. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 10, the distances L21, L22... between the second landing point of water discharged from the second fluid element 16B and the third landing point of water discharged from the third fluid element 16C also constantly change.

[0062] In the shower device 1 of this embodiment, the water discharged from each fluid element 16 is oscillated, so even if the intervals between the fluid elements 16 are wide, the user feels as if the water is landing on a wide area, which provides a comfortable feeling. In addition, in the shower device of this embodiment, the phases at which the angle of the hot and cold water discharged from the first and second fluid elements arranged adjacent to each other are oscillated are different, so the distance between the landing points is constantly changing. This makes it difficult for the user to predict the movement of each landing point, and the user feels as if the hot and cold water is always hitting a wide area. Here, the phase at which the angle of the hot and cold water discharged from each fluid element 16 is oscillated can be set depending on the supply state of the hot and cold water from the water supply source to each fluid element.

[0063] For example, in the shower device 1 of this embodiment, hot and cold water supplied from the water supply source flows in from the connection point of each hot and cold water supply unit 4b of the showerhead body 4, and is supplied to each fluid element 16 through a flow path in the showerhead body 4. If the length of the flow path from the water supply source to each fluid element 16 (the length of the flow path from the connection point of each hot and cold water supply unit 4b to each fluid element 16) is all the same (not shown), oscillation will begin in all fluid elements 16 at the same time, and the angle of the hot and cold water discharged from each fluid element 16 will oscillate in the same phase. In this case, the user will recognize that the water landing point is moving monotonically, and may feel that the amount of water landing is small.

[0064] In contrast, in the shower apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the lengths of the flow paths from the connection points of each hot and cold water supply unit 4b to each fluid element 16 are different, so the timing at which each fluid element 16 starts oscillating is different, and the hot and cold water oscillates in different phases. Note that even in the shower apparatus 1 of this embodiment, for some two adjacent fluid elements 16, the lengths of the flow paths to the fluid elements 16 are equal, and the hot and cold water oscillates in the same phase for these two fluid elements 16. However, for many other two adjacent fluid elements 16, the hot and cold water discharged is oscillated in different phases, so the user cannot predict the movement of the landing point, and the user is given the sensation that the hot and cold water is always hitting a wide area.

[0065] According to the shower device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, the water spraying section, fluid element 16, is configured to oscillate the angle at which the water is sprayed, so that even if the fluid elements 16 are spaced apart by 30 mm or more, the user can still enjoy a comfortable bathing experience. By spacing the fluid elements 16 apart, the need for water saving is satisfied, and a comfortable bathing experience can be provided. In addition, since the water sprayed from each fluid element is configured as oscillating water spray, the speed direction of each water spray changes periodically, and a more cohesive water spray state can be formed than with linear water spray. In other words, a user showered with water sprayed at an oscillating angle can feel as if the water is spraying over a relatively wide area, and even with a small amount of water, the user can feel as if the body is enveloped in a sufficient amount of water.

[0066] Furthermore, with the shower device 1 of this embodiment, the fluid elements 16 are spaced apart at a distance of 30 mm or more, so the demand for water conservation can be met even if the flow rate of hot and cold water discharged from each fluid element 16 is relatively large. This allows the user to receive a line of water that has a certain degree of cohesion, providing a pleasant stimulating sensation to the user's skin. The hot and cold water that is discharged while oscillating also has the effect of drawing in surrounding air, so that even if the user's head is surrounded by the shower water, the user is less likely to feel short of breath and can continue showering for long periods of time.

[0067] Furthermore, with shower device 1 of this embodiment, the distance between the first and second water landing points is constantly changing, making it difficult for the user to predict the movement of each landing point, and giving the user the sensation that the water is always hitting a wide area. This gives the user the sensation that they are always receiving a large amount of water, providing a comfortable shower experience.

[0068] According to the shower device 1 of this embodiment, the first and second fluid elements, which are the first and second water spraying units, are configured so that the phases of the angle change of the hot and cold water they spray are different. Therefore, even if the first fluid element 16A and the second fluid element 16B spray hot and cold water from the same height so as to oscillate at the same period, the distance between the first water landing point and the second water landing point on the virtual water landing plane P is constantly changing, so that the user can have a comfortable shower. In this embodiment, the first and second fluid elements oscillate at the same period but with different phases, but in this specification, the oscillation "with different phases" also includes the mode in which the water spray direction oscillates at different periods.

[0069] Furthermore, with the shower device 1 of this embodiment, the water discharge angle is oscillated within a specified vibration plane, which makes it possible to prevent water from splashing in a direction perpendicular to the vibration plane. Therefore, by setting the vibration plane so that the discharged water is less likely to hit the user's face, and by bringing the vibration plane closer to the user's face, it is possible to give the user the sensation of being showered with a large amount of water while reducing discomfort.

[0070] In the first embodiment described above, hot and cold water discharged from adjacent fluid elements oscillate in the same cycle but in different phases. In contrast, as a modified example, hot and cold water discharged from adjacent fluid elements can be oscillated in the same cycle and in the same phase.

[0071] In the modified example shown in Figure 11, a first fluid element 16A', which is a first spray unit, and a second fluid element 16B', which is a second spray unit, are attached to the showerhead body 4' so that they are at different distances from an imaginary water landing plane P. As a result, even when hot and cold water are being sprayed from two adjacent fluid elements with the same period and phase, the distance between the first and second water landing points is constantly changing.

[0072] That is, in the modification shown in FIG. 11, the second fluid element 16B' is attached to the shower head body 4' at a lower position than the adjacent first fluid element 16A' and third fluid element 16C'. Therefore, the distance to the imaginary water landing plane P arranged horizontally below the shower head body 4' of the second fluid element 16B' is shorter than that of the first and third fluid elements. As a result, even if the angles of hot and cold water discharged from the first to third fluid elements change with the same period and phase, the hot and cold water discharged from the second fluid element 16B' reaches the water landing plane P before the hot and cold water discharged from the first and third fluid elements. As a result, the movement of each water landing point on the water landing plane P is no longer in the same phase, and the distance between the first water landing point and the second water landing point, and the distance between the second water landing point and the third water landing point always change.

[0073] Thus, with this modified shower device, even if the hot and cold water ejected from the first and second fluid elements oscillate in the same phase and with the same period, the distance between the first and second water landing points on the virtual water landing plane P is constantly changing, allowing the user to enjoy a comfortable shower.

[0074] Next, in the modified example shown in FIG. 12, a first fluid element 16A″ which is a first spray section, and a second fluid element 16B″ which is a second spray section, are attached to the showerhead body 4″ so that their water discharge angles with respect to a virtual water landing plane P are different. This causes the distance between the first and second water landing points to constantly change. As a result, even when hot and cold water are sprayed from two adjacent fluid elements at the same period and in the same phase, the distance between the first and second water landing points constantly changes.

[0075] That is, in the modified example shown in FIG. 12, the water discharge angles (the angle of the center line C of the angle range in which the water discharge is oscillated) of the first fluid element 16A'' and the third fluid element 16C'' are oriented vertically, whereas the water discharge angle of the second fluid element 16B'' disposed between them is tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical. In this way, the first fluid element 16A'' and the second fluid element 16B'' have different water discharge angles with respect to the imaginary water landing plane P. Therefore, the distance between the center line C of the first fluid element 16A'' and the center line C of the second fluid element 16B'' on the plane P differs from the distance between the center line C of the second fluid element 16B'' and the center line C of the third fluid element 16C'', and the timing of each water landing changes. As a result, the distance between the first water landing point and the second water landing point, and the distance between the second water landing point and the third water landing point always change irregularly.

[0076] Thus, with this shower device, even if the hot and cold water discharged from the first and second fluid elements oscillate in the same phase and with the same cycle, the distance between the first and second water landing points on the virtual water landing plane P is constantly changing, allowing the user to enjoy a comfortable shower. Also, with this shower device, the first and second fluid elements have different water discharge angles, so the first and second fluid elements spread in different ways when they hit the user's skin. As a result, the hot and cold water is perceived as landing more randomly, and the user perceives that there is a greater amount of hot and cold water landing.

[0077] In the first embodiment of the present invention described above, a fluid element 16 is used as the sprinkler unit, and the hot water that is discharged is oscillated two-dimensionally within a predetermined vibration plane. In contrast, a shower device may be provided with a plurality of sprinkler units that oscillate the discharged hot water three-dimensionally. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of water discharge that is oscillated three-dimensionally. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the water discharge direction from the sprinkler unit is oscillated (rotated) to draw a circle when viewed from above, and the hot water discharged from each sprinkler unit falls while spreading downward in a spiral. In this way, by oscillating the angle at which the hot water is discharged three-dimensionally, it is possible to provide a comfortable bathing experience while satisfying the demand for water saving.

[0078] Next, a shower apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The shower device of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the spray section. Therefore, in the following explanation, only the differences between the second embodiment of the present invention and the first embodiment will be explained, and a description of the similar configurations, actions, and effects will be omitted. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the spray section provided in the shower device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram that illustrates the principle of oscillating the water discharge angle.

[0079] As shown in Figure 14, the spray unit 30 provided in the shower device of this embodiment has a hot and cold water inlet 32, a flow path cross-sectional constriction 34, a chamber 36 provided downstream of the flow path cross-sectional constriction 34, and a shield 38 arranged within the chamber 36. The spray unit 30 oscillates the discharge angle of the hot and cold water supplied to the hot and cold water inlet 32 ​​via a flow path (not shown in Figure 14) in the showerhead body so that the discharge direction rotates. The showerhead body of the shower device of this embodiment is provided with multiple spray units 30, each of which sprays hot and cold water in a spiral that spreads downward.

[0080] The hot and cold water inlet 32 ​​is a cylindrical flow passage, the cross-sectional area of ​​which narrows in a funnel shape toward the downstream side. The flow passage cross-sectional constriction portion 34 is a thin cylindrical flow passage provided at the downstream end of the hot and cold water inlet 32.

[0081] Chamber 36 is a cylindrical space provided at the downstream end of flow path cross-sectional constriction 34, and is configured to have a diameter larger than that of flow path cross-sectional constriction 34. In this embodiment, chamber 36 and flow path cross-sectional constriction 34 are concentrically arranged, the diameter of chamber 36 is about five times the diameter of flow path cross-sectional constriction 34, and the flow path cross-sectional area is suddenly expanded in a step shape at the connection between flow path cross-sectional constriction 34 and chamber 36.

[0082] The shield 38 is a disk-shaped member arranged near the outlet of the chamber 36, and is arranged concentrically with the chamber 36 so as to block part of the flow path. In this embodiment, the shield 38 is supported on the inner wall surface of the chamber 36 by three thin supports (not shown), and is provided spaced apart by a central angle of 120 degrees between the supports. As a result, a slit extending in an arc shape is formed between the outer edge of the shield 38 and the inner wall surface of the chamber 36.

[0083] Furthermore, the downstream end of the chamber 36 is open and functions as a circular water outlet for discharging hot and cold water. Furthermore, the open downstream end of the chamber 36 is formed with an inclined surface 36a that protrudes radially inward.

[0084] Next, the operation of the water sprinkler unit 30 will be described. First, hot and cold water introduced from hot and cold water inlet 32 ​​flows into chamber 36 through flow path cross-sectional constriction 34. When the hot and cold water flows into chamber 36 from flow path cross-sectional constriction 34, the flow path cross-sectional area suddenly expands, preventing the hot and cold water from flowing along the inner wall surface of chamber 36, causing separation of the flow from the inner wall surface.

[0085] When hot or cold water is sprayed from the flow path cross-sectional constriction 34, if there is a wall surface near the jet, the jet itself is bent toward the wall surface, and the flow again follows the inner wall surface of the chamber 36. That is, the flow reattaches to a part of the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface of the chamber 36. The main flow that has attached to the inner wall surface of the chamber 36 continues along the inner wall surface of the chamber 36, flows between the outer edge of the shield 38 and the inner wall surface of the chamber 36 toward the outlet, and is sprayed as a jet inclined with respect to the central axis C along the inclined surface 36a formed just before the outlet. As a result, the flow of the main flow a shown by the thick arrow in Figure 14(a) is formed within the spray section 30.

[0086] Furthermore, since a shield 38 is provided in the chamber 36 so as to block part of the flow path, part of the flow is not ejected from the outlet but is returned to the upstream side of the chamber 36, as shown by arrow b in column (b) of Figure 14.

[0087] This flow returned to the upstream side flows into a stagnation region near the upstream end of the chamber 36, as shown in Fig. 14(c), and as a result, a swirling flow is formed around the central axis C near the upstream end of the chamber 36, as shown in Fig. 14(d). As a result, the reattachment position of the main flow with respect to the inner wall surface of the chamber 36 moves in the circumferential direction, and a jet flow swirling around the central axis C is ejected from the outlet of the chamber 36.

[0088] According to the shower device of the second embodiment of the present invention, the hot water ejected from the spray section 30 oscillates three-dimensionally, making the area where the water hits the user feel larger and giving the sensation of receiving more hot water, resulting in a more comfortable shower.

[0089] Next, a shower apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the water spray section of the shower apparatus of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, in the following explanation, only the differences between the third embodiment of the present invention and the first embodiment will be explained, and explanations of similar configurations, actions, and effects will be omitted. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the water spray section provided in the shower apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] As shown in Figure 15, the spray unit 40 provided in the shower device of this embodiment has a hot water inlet orifice 42, a swirl chamber 44 provided downstream of the hot water inlet orifice 42, and an ejection flow path 46 provided at the downstream end of the swirl chamber 44. The spray unit 40 oscillates the discharge angle of the hot water supplied to the hot water inlet orifice 42 via a flow path 48 in the shower head body so that the discharge direction rotates. The shower head body of the shower device of this embodiment is provided with multiple spray units 40, each of which sprays hot water so that it spreads downward.

[0091] The hot and cold water inlet orifice 42 is a small hole with a narrower cross-sectional area than the flow path 48 that supplies hot and cold water within the showerhead body, and the flow rate of the hot and cold water supplied from the flow path 48 is increased by passing through the hot and cold water inlet orifice 42.

[0092] The swirl chamber 44 is a chamber provided downstream of the hot and cold water inlet orifice 42. The upper part of the swirl chamber 44 is formed in a low cylindrical shape, and the lower part is configured in a truncated cone shape that tapers downward. The ejection flow passage 46 is a passage with a circular cross section that is connected to the lower end of the truncated cone-shaped swirl chamber 44 and is configured to eject hot water downward.

[0093] Next, the configuration of spray section 40 provided in a shower apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hot and cold water supplied to the hot and cold water inlet orifice 42 via the flow path 48 in the showerhead body has its flow rate increased by passing through the hot and cold water inlet orifice 42. The fast-flowing hot and cold water that passes through the hot and cold water inlet orifice 42 has a velocity component in the tangential direction of the cylindrically formed swirl chamber 44. For this reason, the hot and cold water that flows into the swirl chamber 44 forms a swirling flow within the swirl chamber 44. This swirling flow flows downward within the swirl chamber 44 and is discharged from the ejection flow path 46 at the bottom end of the swirl chamber 44. The hot and cold water discharged from the ejection flow path 46 has a velocity component based on the swirling flow within the swirl chamber 44, and forms a flow that spreads out in a cone shape downward.

[0094] According to the shower device of the third embodiment of the present invention, the hot water ejected from the spray section 40 forms a flow that spreads out three-dimensionally, making the area where the water hits the user feel larger and giving the sensation of receiving more hot water, resulting in a more comfortable shower.

[0095] While the shower apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1. Shower equipment 2. Shower room 2a Side wall 4. Shower head body 4a Annular section 4b Hot water supply section 6 Supporting member 8 Top cover 10 Flow path forming member 10a Circular passage 10b Distribution aisle 10c communication hole 10d Water sprinkler mounting recess 10e Engagement protrusion 12 Lower cover 14 Water spray part holding member 14a Groove 14b Mounting groove 16 Fluid element (water spray section) 16a Outlet 16b Tsubabe 16c groove 16d Inlet 18a Water supply passage 18b Vortex row passage 18c rectification passage 20 steps 22 Hot water collision part 30 Water Spray Section 32 Hot and cold water inlet 34 Flow passage cross-sectional constriction 36 Chambers 36a Slope 38 Shield 40 Water Spray Section 42 Hot and cold water inlet orifice 44 Turning room 46 Spout Channel 48 Flow Path

Claims

1. A shower device that is fixed so as to shower water onto a user from above, The shower head body, a plurality of water spray sections provided on the shower head body at intervals of 30 mm or more so as to form a shower spout that surrounds the head of a user standing below the shower head body; A shower device characterized in that each spray section is configured to spray hot and cold water diagonally downward toward the center of the showerhead body and to vary the angle at which the hot and cold water is sprayed.

2. 2. The shower device of claim 1, wherein the hot water sprayed from the first spray section and the second spray section, which are adjacent to each other among the multiple spray sections, each land on a virtual landing plane arranged horizontally below the showerhead body, and the first landing point of the hot water sprayed from the first spray section and the second landing point of the hot water sprayed from the second spray section each move on the virtual landing plane, and the distance between the first landing point and the second landing point is constantly changing.

3. 3. The shower device of claim 2, wherein the first spray section and the second spray section are attached to the showerhead body so that their distances from the virtual water landing plane are different, thereby causing the distance between the first water landing point and the second water landing point to constantly change.

4. 3. The shower device of claim 2, wherein the first spray section and the second spray section are attached to the showerhead body so that their water discharge angles relative to the virtual water landing plane are different, thereby causing the distance between the first water landing point and the second water landing point to constantly change.

5. The shower device of claim 2, wherein the first spray section and the second spray section are configured so that the phases of the angle change of the hot and cold water sprayed are different, thereby causing the distance between the first water landing point and the second water landing point to constantly change.

6. 3. The shower apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water spray section is configured to oscillate the angle of the sprayed hot and cold water within a predetermined vibration plane.

Images