Shower device
The switching shower device addresses the inefficiency of mist water discharge in removing oily dirt by combining continuous water discharge to soften dirt with mist-like water discharge to enhance cleaning power, ensuring effective removal of dirt from the skin's surface and pores.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023205852
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing shower devices with mist water discharge, while effective for removing water-soluble dirt, struggle to efficiently remove oily dirt and mixed dirt from the skin, especially in skin grooves and pores.
A switching shower device that combines continuous water discharge and mist-like water discharge, where the continuous water discharge softens oily dirt and mixed dirt before the mist-like water discharge enhances cleaning power without passing through intermediate modes.
The device effectively suppresses skin conditions where oily dirt and mixed dirt are difficult to remove, significantly enhancing cleaning power and ensuring thorough dirt removal from the skin's surface and pores.
Smart Images
Figure 2025090944000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a shower device that utilizes mist water discharge with a fine particle size.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, a shower device that utilizes mist water discharge with a fine particle size has been known (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003] A shower device that utilizes mist water discharge has less skin irritation while having a high sebum removal rate. For this reason, it is said to be excellent for face washing applications.
[0004] Such characteristics are due to the characteristics of mist water discharge, where the water droplets are finer, the number of water droplets is larger, and the water droplet distribution is more uniform, compared to general shower water discharge.
[0005] More specifically, in general shower water discharge, relatively large water droplets collide with dirt in patches (spottily), while in mist water discharge, relatively small water droplets collide with dirt relatively uniformly. As a result, with mist water discharge, both better skin feel and higher detergency can be achieved simultaneously.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0006]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] As described above, according to mist water discharge, higher detergency can be achieved compared to general shower water discharge. However, the detergency by mist water discharge is not sufficient.
[0008] Specifically, according to mist spraying, water-soluble dirt (e.g., dust and grime) is likely to fall off, but oily dirt with high adhesion to the skin (e.g., oxidized sebum and waterproof cosmetics) is difficult to fall off. Even for mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt, due to its high adhesion, it is difficult to fall off. Particularly, it is difficult to fall off in the skin grooves and pores of the skin rather than the skin papillae.
[0009] In order to wash oily dirt with high adhesion to the skin and mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt, the inventors of the present application considered reducing the adhesion of dirt to the skin before washing, so that oily dirt and mixed dirt can be removed by mist washing.
[0010] As a means to reduce the adhesion of this dirt, in order to achieve (1) swelling the dirt, (2) softening the dirt, and (3) floating the dirt, compared with general shower spraying, the temperature drop until water contacts the user's skin is small, and the inventors came up with the idea of combining continuous spraying, which is a continuous stream of water that does not granulate for a certain distance or more after spraying and has a wide water film area when water contacts the skin.
[0011] More specifically, the inventor of the present case (1) By directly applying a continuous stream of relatively high-temperature water to the skin at the site where the dirt is to be removed, the hot water with a high temperature adheres to the skin, swelling the oily dirt and the mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt, and softening the dirt. Then, by using mist spraying, the cleaning power can be enhanced. (2) By warming the user's body with a continuous stream of relatively high-temperature water to discharge sweat and sebum, floating the oily dirt and the mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt, and then, by using mist spraying, the cleaning power can be enhanced. The inventors found this.
[0012] The present invention was conceived based on the above findings. The object of the present invention is to provide a more suitable shower device by combining a continuous stream of water and mist spraying.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0013] The present invention is a switching shower device having a plurality of water discharge modes including a first water discharge mode and a second water discharge mode, comprising a gripping portion for a user to grip, a first water discharge passage for discharging hot water in the first water discharge mode, a second water discharge passage for discharging hot water in the second water discharge mode, a switching operation portion for switching between the first water discharge mode and the second water discharge mode, and a switching member for switching a water guiding state to the first water discharge passage and a water guiding state to the second water discharge passage in conjunction with an operation in the switching operation portion. The water discharged from the first water discharge passage is continuous water discharge that does not granulate for a distance of a certain length or more, and the water discharged from the second water discharge passage is mist-like water discharge. The switching operation portion is configured to be changeable without passing through other water discharge modes when switching from the first water discharge mode to the second water discharge mode. This is a shower device characterized by this.
[0014] As described above, the inventor of the present case found that: (1) By directly applying a relatively high-temperature continuous water flow to the skin of the part where dirt is to be removed, the hot water in close contact with the skin softens the oily dirt, or the mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt, and softens the dirt. Then, by using mist water discharge, the cleaning power can be enhanced. (2) By warming the user's body with a relatively high-temperature continuous water flow and discharging sweat and sebum, the oily dirt, or the mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt, is floated, and then, by using mist water discharge, the cleaning power can be enhanced. According to the present invention, when switching from the continuous water discharge mode (first water discharge mode) to the mist-like water discharge mode (second water discharge mode), since it is configured to be changeable without passing through other water discharge modes, it is possible to suppress the skin state in which oily dirt, or the mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt, is difficult to fall off, and the effect of enhancing the above-described cleaning power can be more surely brought to the user.
[0015] Preferably, the second water discharge channel has at least two second openings, and each second water discharge region through which the mist-like water discharge from each of the at least two second openings is to pass overlaps with the first water discharge region through which the continuous water discharge from the first water discharge channel is to pass.
[0016] According to this, after aiming at the part to be cleaned intensively and applying continuous water discharge to easily remove oily dirt or mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt from the skin, by switching to mist-like water discharge, the user can shift to mist water discharge without changing the position of the shower device. At that time, by overlapping a plurality of mist-like water discharges on the part aimed at initially, the mist water discharge, which is relatively small water droplets, can be made denser, and by discharging the mist water discharge onto the user's skin, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the mist water discharge and more efficiently bring the effect of enhancing the cleaning power to the user.
[0017] Also, preferably, the total area of the second openings of the second water discharge channel is smaller than the total area of the first openings of the first water discharge channel.
[0018] According to this, after efficiently raising the body temperature with a large flow rate by the continuous water discharge of hot water from the first opening with a relatively large total area, by receiving the mist-like water discharge of hot water from the second opening with a relatively small total area, since the water droplet discharge density is reduced, it is effectively suppressed to feel stuffy even when washing the face. In addition, the mist-like water discharge of hot water from the second opening with a relatively small total area also reduces the water droplet discharge speed, so it is possible to relieve the feeling on the skin (stimulation to the skin) even when washing the face.
[0019] Also, preferably, the switching operation part is provided on the gripping part.
[0020] According to this, the time required for the switching operation can be shortened, and the mist-like water discharge can be received before the temperature of the body warmed by the continuous water discharge drops.
Effects of the Invention
[0021] According to the present invention, when switching from a continuous water discharge mode (first water discharge mode) to a mist-like water discharge mode (second water discharge mode), since it is configured to be changeable without passing through other water discharge modes, the effects of enhancing the above-mentioned feeling of use and / or enhancing the cleaning power can be more surely brought to the user.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0022]
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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0023] (Basic Configuration) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The shower device of this embodiment is a shower device that can switch between a plurality of water discharge modes (capable of discharging water in a plurality of water discharge modes).
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the shower device 1 according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shower device 1 of this embodiment, FIG. 3 is a partial sectional perspective view of the shower device 1 of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the shower device 1 of this embodiment. Further, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the opening and closing of the pilot hole, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the disk pressing member.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shower device 1 of this embodiment includes a storage chamber 5 (also referred to as a cavity) in which water is supplied and stored from a water supply source (not shown) via water supply members 2 and 3.
[0026] On the water discharge surface side of the shower device 1 with respect to the storage chamber 5, a secondary flow path member 4 is provided, which is formed by overlapping four substantially disc-shaped element members 40, 47, 48, and 49. The secondary flow path member 4 has three (an example of a plurality) water discharge flow paths corresponding to three (an example of a plurality) water discharge modes.
[0027] Referring also to FIGS. 4 to 6, on the element member 40 of the secondary flow path member 4 facing the storage chamber 5, three valve seats 41 to 43 raised on the storage chamber 5 side are formed, and communication holes communicating with the corresponding flow paths are provided at the centers of the respective valve seats 41 to 43. The three valve seats 41 to 43 (and the corresponding flow paths) are arranged annularly and evenly at 120 degrees intervals in the circumferential direction.
[0028] Corresponding to each of the three valve seats 41 to 43, diaphragm valves 21 to 23 are provided annularly. The three diaphragm valves 21 to 23 are integrally formed as a single-piece diaphragm member 20, but each diaphragm valve 21 to 23 can operate independently.
[0029] Also, a seal ring portion 24 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm member 20. The seal ring portion 24 is water-tightly sandwiched between the upper edge portion 40a of the element member 40 and the cover member 8. On the other hand, the central region of the diaphragm member 20 is supported on the upper surface of the element member 40 via a space member 38.
[0030] Also, a coil spring (not shown) is provided between each of the diaphragm valves 21 to 23 and the lower surface of the cover member 8, and the coil spring biases the diaphragm valves 21 to 23 in the closing direction.
[0031] Further, the three diaphragm valves 21 to 23 of the present embodiment are arranged annularly, and pilot holes (partially back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c formed on the lower surface side of the cover member 8) for communicating the back pressure chambers 21b to 23b of each diaphragm valve 21 to 23 with the space below the element member 40, which is the space outside the storage chamber 5, are intensively provided in the region on the central side of the arrangement of the three diaphragm valves 21 to 23 and are opened and closed by a disk member 10 that functions as a common pilot valve. (When there are two diaphragm valves, the pilot holes for communicating the back pressure chambers of each diaphragm valve with the space below the element member 40, which is the space outside the storage chamber 5, can be intensively provided in the region on the intermediate side of the arrangement of the two diaphragm valves.)
[0032] The disk member 10 is made of resin, is rotatably supported around its own rotation axis, and has 12 teeth 10t on its outer peripheral portion (see also FIG. 7 described later).
[0033] Particularly referring to FIG. 4, the disk member 10 has four (an example of a plurality) communication holes 10h, and each of the four communication holes 10h selectively communicates with the back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c provided in the back pressure chambers 21b to 23b of each diaphragm valve 21 to 23 according to the rotational position of the disk member 10 to release the pilot holes of the diaphragm valves 21 to 23. More specifically, the pilot holes of the diaphragm valves 21 to 23 are released when the back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c and the outflow holes 44 to 46 provided in the element member 40 corresponding to the back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c are selectively communicated by the communication holes 10h of the disk member 10. The four communication holes 10h are evenly arranged at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. The back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c and the outflow holes 44 to 46 are evenly arranged at 120-degree intervals in the circumferential direction.
[0034] Next, with particular reference to FIG. 5, the disk pressing member 30 is interposed between the back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c and the disk member 10, and the coil spring 35 presses the disk member 10 in a direction away from the back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23 (toward the element member 40).
[0035] Further, the disk pressing member 30 is provided with outflow communication passages 31c to 33c communicating with the back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c of the respective diaphragm valves 21 to 23. In the present embodiment, the outflow communication passages 31c to 33c are each constituted by a tubular portion 31 to 33, and each tubular portion 31 to 33 is inserted into the corresponding back pressure chamber outflow hole 21c to 23c. A gap remains between each tubular portion 31 to 33 and the back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c, and the gap functions as a back pressure chamber inflow hole. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, an aspect in which back pressure chamber inflow holes 21d to 23d are provided in a part of the diaphragm valves 21 to 23 may also be adopted.
[0036] Returning to FIGS. 1 to 3, a pressing button 11 is provided at a lower portion of the shower head housing 7 as a switching operation portion to which a user applies an operating force. (Instead of the pressing button 11, other types of buttons, slide switches, etc. may be provided.)
[0037] The pressing button 11 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis 11s each time the user performs a pressing operation (each time the user applies a pressing force as an operating force). In conjunction with the rotation operation of the pressing button 11, the abutment (and sliding) between the abutting slide inclined portion 11a (see FIG. 4) of the pressing button 11 and the abutting ring 12a (see FIG. 4) provided at the base end portion of the rod portion 12 is utilized, and the rod portion 12 reciprocates in its own axial direction.
[0038] The rod portion 12 has its tip end exposed in the storage chamber 5 (under water) (see Fig. 6), and is made of a metal rod such as stainless steel having rust - resistant properties. In the present embodiment, the rod portion 12 penetrates slidably through an element member 40 integrally fixed to the shower head housing 7. A seal ring member 12s is provided to maintain watertightness (see Fig. 4). The rod portion 12 may be composed not only of a rigid body but also of a plastic body like a string or an elastic body like rubber.
[0039] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the rotation of the disk member 10. As shown in Fig. 7, a coil spring 14 is disposed around the tip end of the rod portion 12 located in the storage chamber 5. The base end of the coil spring 14 is fixed to the element member 40, and thereby fixed to the shower head housing 7 (with respect to the rotation axis 11s of the push button 11).
[0040] A claw member 15 is fixed to the tip end of the coil spring 14, and a stopper 13 for the claw member 15 is attached to the tip end of the rod portion 12. The tip end of the coil spring 14 and the claw member 15 can move in the axial direction with respect to the stopper 13 in the region on the base - end side of the rod portion 12 due to the deformation of the coil spring 14 in the axial direction.
[0041] Furthermore, the tip end of the coil spring 14 and the claw member 15 can also move (change their postures) in the inclined direction due to the deformation of the coil spring 14 in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the coil spring 14.
[0042] On the side surface of the claw member 15 on the side of the disk member 10, a claw 15t that engages with the teeth 10t of the disk member 10 is provided. And during the movement of the rod portion 12, the disk member 10 is rotated by the claw 15t pulling in the teeth 10t.
[0043] In addition, a detent claw 16 that prevents the disk member 10 (teeth 10t) from rotating in the reverse direction is held by a detent - claw fixing portion 17 provided on the element member 40.
[0044] (Function brought about by the basic configuration) When the pressing button 11 is pressed by the user, due to the pressing force (operating force), the contact sliding inclined portion 11a of the pressing button 11 rotates around the rotation axis 11s, and the rod portion 12 is moved axially toward the proximal end side via the contact ring 12a.
[0045] The state of FIG. 7 corresponds to the state before the pressing operation. When the movement of the rod portion 12 starts from this state, the claw 15t of the claw member 15 pulls in the tooth 10t of the disk member 10, and the disk member 10 is rotated. In the state where the pressing button 11 is at the innermost part and the rod portion 12 is moved to the most proximal end side, the detent claw 16 stops the tooth 10t that is one ahead of the state of FIG. 7. With one pressing operation of the pressing button 11 like this, the disk member 10 rotates 30 degrees.
[0046] In the state where the pressing button 11 is at the innermost part and the rod portion 12 is moved to the most proximal end side, the coil spring 14 is compressed between the stopper 13 at the tip of the rod portion 12, the claw member 15, and the element member 40. In this state, when the pressing force on the pressing button 11 is released, the rod portion 12 and the pressing button 11 are returned to their original positions (the state of FIG. 7) by the restoring force of the coil spring 14. In this process, the claw 15t is not engaged with the tooth 10t, and in combination with the presence of the detent claw 16, the disk member 10 does not rotate reversely. Also, in this process, since the claw member 15 can move (change its posture) in the direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the coil spring 14 due to deformation in the inclined direction, the resistance (interference) from the disk member 10 can be effectively avoided. And when the claw member 15 returns to its original position (the state of FIG. 7), it engages with the tooth 10t next to the tooth that was pulled in last time by the restoring force of the coil spring 14.
[0047] As described above, the four communication holes 10h are evenly arranged at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction, and the backpressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c and the outflow holes 44 to 46 are evenly arranged at 120-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the disk member 10 rotates by 30 degrees at a time, there is a first water discharge mode in which the backpressure chamber outflow hole 21c communicates with the outflow hole 44 and the backpressure chamber outflow holes 22c and 23c do not communicate with the outflow holes 45 and 46, a second water discharge mode in which the backpressure chamber outflow hole 22c communicates with the outflow hole 45 and the backpressure chamber outflow holes 21c and 23c do not communicate with the outflow holes 44 and 46, and a third water discharge mode in which the backpressure chamber outflow hole 23c communicates with the outflow hole 46 and the backpressure chamber outflow holes 21c and 22c do not communicate with the outflow holes 44 and 45, which can be sequentially switched.
[0048] An example of a state in which the backpressure chamber outflow hole and the outflow hole do not communicate, that is, the pilot hole of the corresponding diaphragm valve is not released, is the state on the right side in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the state on the right side in FIGS. 4 and 5, the backpressure chamber outflow holes 22c and 23c and the outflow holes 45 and 46 are blocked by the disk member 10. On the other hand, through the backpressure chamber inflow holes 22d and 23d (in the case of FIG. 4), or the gap between the tubular portions 32 and 33 and the backpressure chamber outflow holes 22c and 23c functions as the backpressure chamber inflow hole (in the case of FIG. 5), and the water pressure in the storage chamber 5 and the water pressure in the backpressure chambers 23b and 23c are equal. Therefore, due to the biasing force of a coil spring (not shown), the diaphragm valves 22 and 23 are in a closed state.
[0049] On the other hand, an example of a state in which the backpressure chamber outflow hole and the outflow hole communicate, that is, the pilot hole of the corresponding diaphragm valve is released, is the state on the left side in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the state on the left side in FIGS. 4 and 5, the backpressure chamber outflow hole 21c and the outflow hole 44 are communicated (released) by the communication hole 10h of the disk member 10. In this state, when water flows out from the backpressure chamber 21b through the backpressure chamber outflow hole 21c and the outflow hole 44, the water pressure in the storage chamber 5 becomes higher than the water pressure in the backpressure chamber 21b, and despite the biasing force of a coil spring (not shown), the diaphragm valve 21 is in an open state.
[0050] As described above, according to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, since the communication or cutoff between each of the three flow paths and the storage chamber 5 is controlled by the three diaphragm valves 21 to 23, a remarkable reduction in the operating force of the flow path switching operation can be achieved.
[0051] (The three water discharge flow paths in the present embodiment) Each of the three diaphragm valves 21 to 23 opens and closes three valve seats 41 to 43, which communicate with the first water discharge flow path, the second water discharge flow path, and the third water discharge flow path formed by the secondary side flow path member 4 (including four substantially disc-shaped element members 40, 47, 48, 49 superposed as shown in FIG. 4 and three mist flow path forming members 56 in an arc shape in plan view), respectively.
[0052] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the three switchable water discharge flow paths. The valve seat 41 (see FIG. 7) communicates with the first water discharge flow path through the opening in the central region (the region shown by hatching) of FIG. 8, and the first water discharge flow path reaches the opening P (see FIG. 1) for pillar-shaped water discharge. The valve seat 43 (see FIG. 7) communicates with the third water discharge flow path through the opening in the substantially reverse C-shaped region (the region shown by broken line hatching) adjacent to the central region of FIG. 8 in plan view, and the third water discharge flow path reaches the circular shower nozzle C and the rectangular fluid element nozzle R (see FIG. 1). The valve seat 42 (see FIG. 7) communicates with the second water discharge flow path through the opening in the annular region (the region shown in a matt finish) adjacent to the substantially reverse C-shaped region of FIG. 8, and the second water discharge flow path reaches the mist nozzle M (see FIG. 1).
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the opening P (φ16.1) for pillar-shaped water discharge is composed of a group of openings at the lower end side of the rectifying member 57 located at the center on the water discharge surface side, and the total area of the opening P is 203.6 mm 2 is. The mist nozzle M (φ1.05) for mist-shaped water discharge has 18 provided at substantially equal intervals on the circumference of φ55, and the total area is 15.6 mm 2It is as follows. Twelve circular shower nozzles C (first round) are provided on the φ37 circumference inside the mist nozzle M. Each of the three nozzles on the lower side (pressing button side) thereof has a diameter of φ0.8, and each of the remaining nine has a diameter of φ0.6. Four rectangular fluid element nozzles R (1 mm × 3 mm) are provided on the same circumference as the circular shower nozzles C inside the mist nozzle M. Sixteen circular shower nozzles C (second round) are further provided on the φ71 circumference outside the mist nozzle M, and each of them has a diameter of φ0.5. Twenty more circular shower nozzles C (third round) are provided on the φ87 circumference further outside the 16 circular shower nozzles C (second round) of φ0.5. Four of them on the lower side (pressing button side) have a diameter of φ1.25, and the remaining 16 have a diameter of φ0.5. The total area of these circular shower nozzles C and rectangular fluid element nozzles R is 27.2 mm 2 It is as follows.
[0054] And at a water discharge pressure of 0.1 MPa, the pillar-shaped water discharge volume from the opening P is 5.5 L / min, the mist-shaped water discharge volume from the 18 mist nozzles M is 3.9 L / min, the particle size is about 410 μm, the flow velocity is about 2.9 m / s, the water discharge volume from the 52 nozzles C and R is 5.9 L / min, the particle size is about 1500 μm, and the flow velocity is about 3.3 m / s. However, these are merely examples. The pillar-shaped water discharge may be continuous water discharge that does not granulate for a certain distance or more (for example, at least 10 cm or more) under the water discharge volume condition of 1.0 L / min (ordinary shower water discharge granulates at about 1 cm from the nozzle).
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the nozzles C and R are composed of an element member 48. The element member 48 is made of rubber, has a low thermal conductivity, and is difficult to release heat. Also, the mist nozzle M is composed of an element member 47. The element member 47 and the rectifying member 57 are made of resin and have a higher thermal conductivity than the element member 48.
[0056] (Details of the second water discharge flow path (mist flow path) in this embodiment) FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a cross-section passing through the center lines of each of a pair of adjacent mist nozzles M, and FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 9 of the element member 47 constituting the mist nozzle M. Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the 18 mist nozzles M of the present embodiment are divided into three groups of six each and arranged, and each group includes three pairs of mist nozzles M. Then, referring also to FIG. 4, one mist flow path forming member 56 is arranged in each group.
[0057] Furthermore, FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mist nozzle M by a diametral cross-section of the shower device 1, and FIG. 12 is a perspective cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, the hot water flowing through the opening of the annular region (the region shown in a satin finish) in FIG. 8 flows downward through the gap (guide flow path) between the mist flow path forming member 56 and the element member 47 and reaches the run-up flow path 51. The run-up flow path 51 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the water discharge direction by the mist nozzle M and is a linear flow path slightly inclined with respect to the tangential direction in the circumferential direction (see particularly FIG. 8: the illustration of the mist flow path forming member 56 is omitted in FIG. 8).
[0058] Referring to FIG. 8, the right end as viewed from above the run-up flow path 51 is smoothly connected via the orifice 52 to the radially outer end of the swirling chamber 53, which is a substantially cylindrical space, of the shower device. Symmetric with a 180° rotation, the left end as viewed from above the run-up flow path 51 is smoothly connected via the orifice 52 to the radially inner end of the swirling chamber 53, which is a substantially cylindrical space, of the shower device.
[0059] Then, referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, below each swirling chamber 53, a water discharge hole 55 (mist nozzle M) is provided via a truncated conical chamber 54. As a result, the water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) communicate with both the left and right sides of one run-up flow path 51 to constitute a pair of mist nozzles M.
[0060] Also, referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the upper side of the swirling chamber 53 is partitioned by the mist flow path forming member 56, while the accelerating flow path 51, the orifice 52, the swirling chamber 53, the truncated conical chamber 54, and the water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) are partitioned by the element member 47. The mist flow path forming member 56 is made of a soft resin, and the large-diameter bulging portion 56a thereof is press-fitted into the fitting hole 47a of the corresponding element member 47, so that the swirling chamber 53 is configured to be watertight.
[0061] With the above configuration, the hot water flowing from the guide flow path into the accelerating flow path 51 flows through the accelerating flow path 51, passes through the orifice 52, reaches the swirling chamber 53, swirls in the swirling chamber 53 and the truncated conical chamber 54, and heads toward the water discharge holes 55, and is discharged in a mist form from the water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M).
[0062] An example of specific dimensions is that the width of the orifice 52 (width as viewed from the extending direction of the accelerating flow path 51) is 1.1 m, the height of the orifice 52 is 1.2 m, the diameter of the swirling chamber 53 is 3.3 mm, the height of the swirling chamber 53 is 1.5 mm, the height of the truncated conical chamber 54 is 1.5 mm, the height (length) of the water discharge hole 55 is 0.5 mm, and the diameter of the water discharge hole 55 is 1.05 mm.
[0063] The layout (position, shape, size, etc.) of the guide flow path is configured to supply hot water evenly (symmetrically) to a pair of water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) via the accelerating flow path 51 (see FIG. 13). Specifically, the guide flow path of the present embodiment is laid out so as to be located in the middle of a pair of water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) in a plan view.
[0064] In the present embodiment, one arc-shaped mist flow path forming member 56 is arranged in a plan view with respect to a group of (six) water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) composed of three pairs of water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) (see FIG. 4). And overall, three arc-shaped mist flow path forming members 56 are arranged in a plan view with respect to three groups of water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) (see FIG. 4).
[0065] With the layout as described above, the second water discharge channel (mist channel) of the present embodiment has a very compact radial occupancy length (specifically, the inner diameter of the matte area in Fig. 8 is φ52 mm and the outer diameter is φ58 mm). As a result, the degree of freedom in designing the first water discharge channel (pillar channel) and the third water discharge channel (shower nozzle channel) is high (in particular, as described above, it is possible to disperse and arrange the nozzles C and R in a relatively wide area).
[0066] (Features regarding the switching operation in the present embodiment) As described above, in the present embodiment, by rotating the disk member 10 by 30 degrees with a single pressing operation of the pressing button 11 (an example of a switching operation unit), the first water discharge mode (pillar water discharge is performed), the second water discharge mode (mist water discharge is performed), and the third water discharge mode (shower water discharge is performed) can be sequentially switched in this order.
[0067] That is, when switching from the first water discharge mode to the second water discharge mode, the third water discharge mode is not passed through.
[0068] Such a feature can also be realized by other types of switching operation units. For example, by rotating a part of the secondary side channel member 4 with a lever operation unit, the first water discharge mode, the second water discharge mode, and the third water discharge mode may be switched.
[0069] (Features regarding the water landing range in the present embodiment) Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the mutual positional relationship between the opening P for pillar-shaped (continuous) water discharge and the mist nozzle M for mist-shaped water discharge in the present embodiment. Fig. 14(a) is a schematic diagram seen from the side, and Fig. 14(b) is a schematic diagram seen from above.
[0070] As shown in Fig. 14, in the present embodiment, each second water spray region MF (the region shown in a matt finish) through which the mist-like water spray from each of the two mist nozzles M located approximately opposite passes overlaps with the first water spray region PF (the region shown hatched) through which the pillar-like water spray from the opening P is expected to pass.
[0071] Also, the region where each second water spray region MF overlaps with the first water spray region PF starts (occurs) at a distance of 1 cm from the opening P of the first water flow path.
[0072] And, as is clear from Fig. 14 and the above description, in the present embodiment, each second water spray region MF (the region shown in a matt finish) through which the mist-like water spray from each of the 18 mist nozzles M is expected to pass overlaps with the first water spray region PF (the region shown hatched) through which the pillar-like water spray from the opening P is expected to pass.
[0073] Each second water spray region MF may be a so-called hollow conical shape or a filled conical shape.
[0074] (Usage examples and effects of the present embodiment) The shower device 1 of the present embodiment (1) directly applies a continuous water spray with a relatively high temperature (for example, 42°C) to the skin of the part where dirt is to be removed, so that the hot water closely adheres to the skin to soften the oily dirt and the mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt. Then, by using the mist water spray, the cleaning power can be enhanced. For example, as shown in Fig. 15, this usage example can be applied when cleaning the region called the T-zone of the face where a large amount of sebum is secreted or the region called the T-zone of the back where a large amount of sebum is secreted (not shown).
[0075] Alternatively, the shower device 1 of the present embodiment warms the user's body with a continuous water flow having a relatively high temperature to discharge sweat and sebum, thereby floating oily dirt, or mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt. Then, by using mist water discharge, the cleaning power can be enhanced. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, first, the user's body is warmed with a continuous water flow having a relatively high temperature, and sweat and sebum are discharged onto the skin surface, thereby floating oily dirt, or mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt. Thereafter, by aiming at the part to be cleaned intensively and applying mist water discharge, which is a group of relatively uniform water droplets, the floating dirt including oily dirt, or mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt can be cleaned not only up to the skin papillae of the skin but also in the details including skin grooves and pores of the skin.
[0076] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the cleaning power according to the usage example (2) of FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 17, when rinsing only with mist-like water discharge, the dirt removal rate is 7%, and oily dirt, or mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt remains in the skin papillae of the skin and in the skin grooves and pores of the skin. On the other hand, when rinsing with mist-like water discharge after promoting sweating by continuous water discharge, the dirt removal rate is 97%, and oily dirt, or mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt can be cleaned even in the skin papillae of the skin and in the skin grooves and pores of the skin.
[0077] According to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, when switching from the continuous water discharge mode (the first water discharge mode) to the mist-like water discharge mode (the second water discharge mode), it is configured to be changeable without passing through other water discharge modes. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the state of the skin in which oily dirt, or mixed dirt of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt is likely to fall off, and the above-described effect of enhancing the cleaning power can be more surely brought to the user.
[0078] Furthermore, according to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, each second water discharge region MF through which the mist-like water discharge from each of all 18 mist nozzles M is scheduled to pass overlaps with the first water discharge region PF through which the pillar-like water discharge from the opening P is scheduled to pass. By aiming at the site to be intensively cleaned and applying continuous water discharge to remove oily dirt, or a mixture of water-soluble dirt and oily dirt from the skin, and then switching to mist-like water discharge, the user can shift to mist water discharge without changing the position of the shower device. At that time, by overlapping a plurality of mist-like water discharges on the site initially targeted, the mist water discharge, which consists of relatively small water droplets, can be made denser. By discharging the mist water discharge onto the user's skin, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the mist water discharge and more efficiently provide the user with the effect of enhancing the cleaning power.
[0079] Also, according to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the total area (15.6 mm 2 ) of the mist nozzles M in the second water discharge passage is smaller than the total area (203.6 mm 2 ) of the openings P in the first water discharge passage. As a result, after efficiently raising the body temperature at a large flow rate by continuous water discharge from the opening P with a relatively large total area, by being exposed to the mist-like water discharge from the mist nozzles M with a relatively small total area, the water discharge density of the water droplets is reduced, so that it is effectively suppressed to feel stuffy even when washing the face. In addition, the mist-like water discharge from the mist nozzles M with a relatively small total area also reduces the water discharge speed of the water droplets, so that it is possible to relieve the feeling on the skin (stimulation to the skin) even when washing the face.
[0080] Also, according to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the pressing button 11 as a switching operation portion is provided on the gripping portion. Thereby, the time required for the switching operation can be shortened, and the mist-like water discharge can be received before the temperature of the body warmed by the continuous water discharge drops.
[0081] (Modification example) Regarding the method of switching the water spraying mode, in addition to the above-described mode, a mode in which start buttons corresponding to the first water spraying mode, the second water spraying mode, and the third water spraying mode are provided may also be used.
[0082] The opening P for continuous water spraying is not limited to a circular shape. For example, FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing a modified example in which the opening for continuous water spraying is in a slit shape. The present invention can also adopt such a belt-like mode as continuous water spraying.
[0083] FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing a modified arrangement example of the opening P for continuous water spraying and the mist nozzle M for mist-like water spraying. FIG. 19(a) shows a pattern similar to the above-described embodiment, but is not limited thereto. The present invention may adopt a layout in which the opening P and a group of a plurality of mist nozzles M are adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 19(b), or a plurality of openings P may be provided outside a plurality of mist nozzles M as shown in FIG. 19(c), or a plurality of mist nozzles M may be provided outside a plurality of openings P as shown in FIG. 19(d).
[0084] Note that the present invention of the present application includes the following features (inventions). [Feature 1] A switching type shower device having a plurality of water spraying modes including a first water spraying mode and a second water spraying mode, a gripping portion for the user to grip, a first water spraying passage for spraying hot water in the first water spraying mode, a second water spraying passage for spraying hot water in the second water spraying mode, a switching operation portion for switching between the first water spraying mode and the second water spraying mode, a switching member for switching the water guiding state to the first water spraying passage and the water guiding state to the second water spraying passage in conjunction with an operation in the switching operation portion, and the water spraying from the first water spraying passage is continuous water spraying that does not granulate for a distance of a certain distance or more, the water spraying from the second water spraying passage is mist-like water spraying, When switching from the first water discharge mode to the second water discharge mode, the switching operation unit is configured to be changeable without passing through other water discharge modes. A shower device characterized by the above. [Feature 2] The second water discharge passage has at least two second openings, Each second water discharge region through which mist-like water discharge from each of the at least two second openings is expected to pass overlaps with the first water discharge region through which continuous water discharge from the first water discharge passage is expected to pass. The shower device according to Feature 1, characterized by the above. [Feature 3] The total area of the second openings of the second water discharge passage is smaller than the total area of the first openings of the first water discharge passage. The shower device according to Feature 1 or 2, characterized by the above. [Feature 4] The switching operation unit is provided on the gripping part. The shower device according to any one of Features 1 to 3, characterized by the above.
Explanation of Signs
[0085] 1 Shower device 2 Water supply member 3 Water supply member 4 Secondary side flow path member 5 Storage chamber 7 Shower head housing 8 Cover member 10 Disk member 10h Communication hole 10t Teeth 11 Push button 11a Contact slide inclined part 11s Rotation shaft 12 Rod part 12a Contact ring 12s Seal ring member 13 Stopper 14 Coil spring 15 Claw member 15t Claw 16 Stop claw 17 Stop claw fixing part 20 Diaphragm member 21 Diaphragm valve 21b Back pressure chamber 21c Back pressure chamber outflow hole 21d Back pressure chamber inflow hole 22 Diaphragm valve 22b Back pressure chamber 22c Back pressure chamber outflow hole 22d Back pressure chamber inflow hole 23 Diaphragm valve 23b Back pressure chamber 23c Back pressure chamber outflow hole 23d Back pressure chamber inflow hole 24 Seal ring part 30 Disk pressing member 31 Tubular part 31c Outflow connecting passage 32 Tubular part 32c Outflow connecting passage 33 Tubular part 33c Outflow connecting passage 35 Coil spring 38 Space member 40 Element member 40a Upper edge part 41 Valve seat 42 Valve seat 43 Valve seat 44 Outflow hole 45 Outflow hole 46 Outflow hole 47 Element member 47a Fitting hole 48 Element member 49 Element member 51 Run-up flow path 52 Orifice 53 Swirl chamber 54 Truncated cone chamber 55 Water discharge hole (mist nozzle) 56 Mist flow path forming member 56a Large diameter bulging part 57 Straightening member P Opening PF First water discharge region M Mist nozzle MF second water discharge area C Circular shower nozzle R Rectangular fluid element nozzle
Claims
1. A switching-type shower device having a plurality of water discharge modes including a first water discharge mode and a second water discharge mode, a gripping portion for the user to grip, a first water discharge passage for discharging hot water in the first water discharge mode, a second water discharge passage for discharging hot water in the second water discharge mode, a switching operation portion for switching between the first water discharge mode and the second water discharge mode, a switching member that switches the water guiding state to the first water discharge passage and the water guiding state to the second water discharge passage in conjunction with an operation in the switching operation portion, comprising, the water discharged from the first water discharge passage is continuous water discharge that does not granulate for a distance of a certain length or more, the water discharged from the second water discharge passage is mist-like water discharge, the switching operation portion is configured to be changeable without passing through other water discharge modes when switching from the first water discharge mode to the second water discharge mode A shower device characterized by this.
2. the second water discharge passage has at least two second openings, each second water discharge region through which the mist-like water discharge from each of the at least two second openings is to pass overlaps with the first water discharge region through which the continuous water discharge from the first water discharge passage is to pass The shower device according to claim 1, characterized by this.
3. the total area of the second openings of the second water discharge passage is smaller than the total area of the first opening of the first water discharge passage The shower device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by this.
4. the switching operation portion is provided on the gripping portion The shower device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by this.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Shower head
JP2022013839A