Shower device

Abstract

To provide a shower device capable of disposing many mist nozzles in high density.SOLUTION: A shower device which has at least a pair of mist nozzles on a water discharge face includes: a guide flow path guiding hot water or water supplied by a water supply member to the water discharge face side; a run-up flow path which communicates with the guide flow path and extends in the direction crossing a water discharge direction by the mist nozzle; a one end side swirling chamber to be a nearly columnar space which communicates with one end side of the run-up flow path via a one end side orifice; a one end side water discharge hole which communicates with the one end side swirling chamber and configures one of each pair of mist nozzles; an another end side swirling chamber to be a nearly columnar space which communicates with the another end side of the run-up flow path via an another end side orifice; and an another end side water discharge hole which communicates with the another end side swirling chamber and configures the another of each pair of mist nozzles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

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. Therefore, 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, a large number of relatively small water droplets collide with dirt 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.

[0008] The inventor of the present invention has found that if a larger number of mist nozzles can be arranged at a higher density, the degree of freedom in the design of the shower device can be increased. Further, it has been found that if a larger number of mist nozzles can be arranged at a higher density, the degree of freedom in the design (adjustment) of the particle size and flow velocity of the mist discharge can be increased.

[0009] The present invention has been conceived based on the above findings. An object of the present invention is to provide a shower device capable of arranging a larger number of mist nozzles at a higher density.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] The present invention is a shower device having at least one pair of mist nozzles on the water discharge surface side, and includes a guide flow path for guiding hot water or water supplied from a water supply member toward the water discharge surface side, a run-up flow path that communicates with the guide flow path and extends in a direction intersecting the water discharge direction by the mist nozzles, a one-end side swirling chamber that is a substantially cylindrical space and communicates with one end side of the run-up flow path via a one-end side orifice, a one-end side water discharge hole that communicates with the one-end side swirling chamber and constitutes one of each pair of mist nozzles, a other-end side swirling chamber that is a substantially cylindrical space and communicates with the other end side of the run-up flow path via a other-end side orifice, and a other-end side water discharge hole that communicates with the other-end side swirling chamber and constitutes the other of each pair of mist nozzles.

[0011] According to the present invention, since one run-up flow path is shared for mist discharge from two (one pair of) water discharge holes on the one-end side and the other-end side, the space utilization efficiency is high. Therefore, a larger number of mist nozzles can be arranged at a higher density.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that at least a part of the guide flow path is partitioned by an upper member for forming a mist flow path, and at least a part of each of the run-up flow path, the one-end side swirling chamber, and the other-end side swirling chamber is partitioned by a lower member for forming a mist flow path.

[0013] According to this, compared with the case where all components are constituted by a single member, the difficulty level of design and manufacture can be significantly reduced. Therefore, especially when a large number of mist nozzles are mounted, the degree of freedom in design and manufacture can be increased.

[0014] Also, in this case, it is preferable that the upper member for forming the mist flow path partitions the upper side of the one-end-side swirling chamber and the upper side of the other-end-side swirling chamber, and the lower member for forming the mist flow path partitions the lower side of the one-end-side swirling chamber, the one-end-side water discharge hole, the lower side of the other-end-side swirling chamber, and the other-end-side water discharge hole.

[0015] According to this, the dimensional accuracy regarding the water discharge hole corresponding to the lower side of each swirling chamber depends only on the manufacturing accuracy of the lower member for forming the mist flow path and is not affected by the assembly of the upper member for forming the mist flow path and the lower member for forming the mist flow path. Therefore, desired (in accordance with the design content) mist water discharge can be provided with higher precision.

[0016] Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that the lower member for forming the mist flow path partitions a one-end-side truncated conical portion between the lower side of the one-end-side swirling chamber and the one-end-side water discharge hole, and partitions a other-end-side truncated conical portion between the lower side of the other-end-side swirling chamber and the other-end-side water discharge hole.

[0017] According to this, the dimensional accuracy regarding each truncated conical portion also depends only on the manufacturing accuracy of the lower member for forming the mist flow path and is not affected by the assembly of the upper member for forming the mist flow path and the lower member for forming the mist flow path. Therefore, desired (in accordance with the design content) mist water discharge can be provided with higher precision.

[0018] Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that the one-end-side truncated conical portion and the other-end-side truncated conical portion have the same height as each other, the one-end-side orifice and the other-end-side orifice have the same height as each other, and have a height larger than the height of the one-end-side truncated conical portion and the other-end-side truncated conical portion.

[0019] According to this, a relatively high mist discharge flow rate can be realized relatively easily. (The inventor of the present invention has come to grasp the design tendency that by shortening the truncated conical portion, the particle size can be reduced and the flow velocity can be reduced without reducing the flow rate, and this is an example of a configuration that takes advantage of this.)

[0020] Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the upper member for forming the mist flow path is assembled to the lower member for forming the mist flow path by fitting. According to this, it is relatively easy to make each flow path such as the guide flow path and the run-up flow path into a watertight structure.

[0021] In the present invention, the run-up flow path is provided to impart momentum for swirling hot water or water in the swirling chamber to the hot water or water in advance. Therefore, the run-up flow path is preferably provided along the swirling direction in the swirling chamber, that is, preferably extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the water discharge direction by the mist nozzle. The substantially perpendicular direction is a direction including a range of about ±30° with respect to the strictly perpendicular direction.

[0022] Furthermore, when the at least one pair of mist nozzles includes a plurality of pairs of mist nozzles circumferentially distributed on a substantially same circumference, the run-up flow path is preferably a linear flow path slightly inclined with respect to the tangential direction in the circumferential direction. According to this, since a plurality of (all) run-up flow paths can be arranged generally along the circumferential direction, the occupied length in the radial direction can be made very compact. Thereby, a larger number of mist nozzles can be arranged at a higher density.

[0023] Furthermore, regarding the run-up flow path, it is preferable that the one-end-side swirling chamber and the other-end-side swirling chamber are laid out in a relationship of 180° rotational symmetry in a plan view. According to this, the design of evenly (symmetrically) supplying hot water or water to a pair of mist nozzles via the run-up flow path can be facilitated.

Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, since one acceleration flow path is shared for mist discharge from two (a pair of) water discharge holes on one end side and the other end side, the space utilization efficiency is high. Therefore, a larger number of mist nozzles can be arranged at a higher density.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] (Basic Configuration) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The shower device of the present embodiment is a shower device that can switch between a plurality of water discharge modes (water discharge is possible in a plurality of water discharge modes).

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the shower device 1 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a partial sectional perspective view of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the shower device 1 of the present 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.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shower device 1 of the present 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.

[0029] On the water discharge surface side of the shower device 1 with respect to the storage chamber 5, a secondary side flow path member 4 formed by overlapping four substantially disk-shaped element members 40, 47, 48, and 49 is provided. The secondary side 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.

[0030] Referring also to FIGS. 4 to 6, on the element member 40 of the secondary side 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 valve seats 41 to 43. The three valve seats 41 to 43 (and the corresponding flow paths) are arranged annularly and evenly at 120-degree intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0031] The diaphragm valves 21 to 23 are annularly provided so as to correspond to each of the three valve seats 41 to 43. The three diaphragm valves 21 to 23 are integrally formed as a single-part diaphragm member 20, but each diaphragm valve 21 to 23 can operate independently.

[0032] In addition, a seal ring portion 24 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm member 20. The seal ring portion 24 is watertightly 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 the space member 38.

[0033] In addition, each diaphragm valve 21 to 23 is provided with a coil spring (not shown) between the lower surface of the cover member 8, and is biased in the closing direction by the coil spring.

[0034] In addition, the three diaphragm valves 21 to 23 of the present embodiment are annularly arranged, and pilot holes (a part of which are 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 chamber 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.)

[0035] 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).

[0036] Referring particularly 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 back pressure chamber outflow holes 21c to 23c provided in back pressure chambers 21b to 23b of the diaphragm valves 21 to 23 according to the rotational position of the disk member 10, thereby releasing 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 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.

[0037] Subsequently, referring particularly 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).

[0038] 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 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 hole 21c to 23c, and the gap functions as a back pressure chamber inflow hole. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, an aspect of providing back pressure chamber inflow holes 21d to 23d in a part of the diaphragm valves 21 to 23 may also be adopted.

[0039] Returning to FIGS. 1 to 3, a push button 11 is provided at the lower part of the shower head housing 7 as a switching operation part to which the user applies an operating force. (Instead of the push button 11, other types of buttons, slide switches, etc. may be provided.)

[0040] Each time the user presses the push button 11 (each time the user applies a pressing force as an operating force), the push button 11 rotates around the rotation axis 11s. Then, in conjunction with the rotation operation of the push button 11, the abutting slide inclined part 11a of the push button 11 (see FIG. 4) and the abutting ring 12a provided at the base end of the rod part 12 (see FIG. 4) are utilized to abut (and slide), and the rod part 12 reciprocates in its own axial direction.

[0041] The tip of the rod part 12 is exposed in the storage chamber 5 (in water) (see FIG. 6), and it is made of a metal rod such as stainless steel having a rust-proof property. In the present embodiment, the rod part 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 part 12 may be composed not only of a rigid body but also of a plastic body such as a string or an elastic body such as rubber.

[0042] 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 of the rod part 12 located in the storage chamber 5. The base end of the coil spring 14 is fixed to the element member 40, and thereby it is fixed to the shower head housing 7 (with respect to the rotation axis 11s of the push button 11).

[0043] A claw member 15 is fixed to the tip of the coil spring 14, and a stopper 13 for the claw member 15 is attached to the tip of the rod part 12. The tip of the coil spring 14 and the claw member 15 are movable in the axial direction with respect to the stopper 13 in the region on the base end side of the rod part 12 due to the deformation of the coil spring 14 in the axial direction of the coil spring 14.

[0044] Furthermore, the tip of the coil spring 14 and the claw member 15 can move (change their postures) in the inclined direction by deforming in the direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the coil spring 14.

[0045] On the side surface of the claw member 15 on the side of the disk member 10, there is provided a claw 15t that engages with the tooth 10t of the disk member 10. And during the movement of the rod portion 12, the disk member 10 is rotated by the claw 15t pulling in the tooth 10t.

[0046] In addition, a detent claw 16 that prevents the disk member 10 (tooth 10t) from rotating in the reverse direction is held by a detent claw fixing portion 17 provided on the element member 40.

[0047] (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 slide inclined portion 11a of the pressing button 11 rotates around the rotation shaft 11s, and the rod portion 12 is moved axially toward the proximal end side via the contact ring 12a.

[0048] 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 position 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.

[0049] In a state where the pressing button 11 is at the innermost part and the rod portion 12 is moved to the most proximal 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 shown in 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 in the reverse direction. Further, in this process, since the claw member 15 can move (change its posture) in the inclined direction by deforming in the direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the coil spring 14, the resistance (interference) from the disk member 10 can be effectively avoided. Then, when the claw member 15 returns to its original position (the state shown in FIG. 7), it engages with the next tooth 10t of the tooth that was pulled in last by the restoring force of the coil spring 14.

[0050] As described above, the four communication holes 10h are evenly arranged at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction, and 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. Therefore, by rotating the disk member 10 by 30 degrees at a time, a first water discharge mode in which the back-pressure chamber outflow hole 21c communicates with the outflow hole 44 and the back-pressure chamber outflow holes 22c, 23c do not communicate with the outflow holes 45, 46, a second water discharge mode in which the back-pressure chamber outflow hole 22c communicates with the outflow hole 45 and the back-pressure chamber outflow holes 21c, 23c do not communicate with the outflow holes 44, 46, and a third water discharge mode in which the back-pressure chamber outflow hole 23c communicates with the outflow hole 46 and the back-pressure chamber outflow holes 21c, 22c do not communicate with the outflow holes 44, 45 can be sequentially switched.

[0051] An example of a state where 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 of FIGS. 4 and 5. In the state on the right side of FIGS. 4 and 5, the backpressure chamber outflow holes 22c, 23c and the outflow holes 45, 46 are blocked by the disk member 10. On the other hand, through the backpressure chamber inflow holes 22d, 23d (in the case of FIG. 4), or the gap between the tubular portions 32, 33 and the backpressure chamber outflow holes 22c, 23c functions as the backpressure chamber inflow hole (in the case of FIG. 5), the water pressure in the storage chamber 5 and the water pressure in the backpressure chambers 23b, 23c are equal. Therefore, due to the biasing force of a coil spring (not shown), the diaphragm valves 22, 23 are in a closed state.

[0052] On the other hand, an example of a state where 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 of FIGS. 4 and 5. In the state on the left side of 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, water flows out from the backpressure chamber 21b through the backpressure chamber outflow hole 21c and the outflow hole 44, so that 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.

[0053] 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 significant reduction in the operating force of the flow path switching operation can be achieved.

[0054] (The three water discharge flow paths in the present embodiment) The three valve seats 41 to 43 that are opened and closed by each of the three diaphragm valves 21 to 23 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 the four substantially disk-shaped element members 40, 47, 48, 49 superposed as shown in FIG. 4 and the three mist flow path forming members 56 in an arc shape in plan view), respectively.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining three switchable water discharge channels. The valve seat 41 (see FIG. 7) communicates with the first water discharge channel through the opening in the central region (the hatched region in FIG. 8), and the first water discharge channel leads to the opening P (see FIG. 1) for rectified water discharge. The valve seat 43 (see FIG. 7) communicates with the third water discharge channel through the opening in a substantially reverse C-shaped region (the region illustrated with broken-line hatching) adjacent to the central region in FIG. 8 in plan view, and the third water discharge channel leads to 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 channel through the opening in an annular region (the region illustrated with a matt finish) adjacent to the substantially reverse C-shaped region in FIG. 8, and the second water discharge channel leads to the mist nozzle M (see FIG. 1).

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the opening P (φ16.1) for rectified water discharge consists 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 . The mist nozzle M (φ1.05) for mist-like water discharge has 18 provided at substantially equal intervals on the circumference of φ55, and the total area is 15.6 mm 2 . The circular shower nozzle C (first round) has 12 provided on the circumference of φ37 inside the mist nozzle M. Each of the 3 on the lower side (the pressing button side) thereof is φ0.8, and each of the remaining 9 is φ0.6. The rectangular fluid element nozzle R (1 mm×3 mm) has 4 provided on the same circumference as the shower nozzle C inside the mist nozzle M. The shower nozzle C (second round) has 16 further provided on the circumference of φ71 outside the mist nozzle M, and each of them is φ0.5. Further, 20 more shower nozzles C (third round) are provided on the circumference of φ87 outside the 16 shower nozzles C (second round) of φ0.5. Each of the 4 on the lower side (the pressing button side) thereof is φ1.25, and the remaining 16 are φ0.5. The total area of these shower nozzles C and the rectangular fluid element nozzle R is 27.2 mm 2 .

[0057] And at a water discharge pressure of 0.1 MPa, the rectified water discharge amount from the opening P is 5.5 L / min, the mist-like water discharge amount 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 amount 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, and the rectified water discharge may be continuous water discharge that does not granulate within a certain distance (for example, at least 10 cm or more) under a water discharge amount condition of 1.0 L / min (the water discharge from a general fluid element nozzle granulates at about 1 cm).

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the shower nozzle C and the fluid element nozzle R are constituted by an element member 48. The element member 48 is made of rubber, has a low thermal conductivity, and is difficult to release heat. Further, the mist nozzle M is constituted by 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.

[0059] (Details of the second water discharge passage (mist passage) in the present 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 each group includes three pairs of mist nozzles M. And referring to FIG. 4, one mist passage forming member 56 is arranged in each group.

[0060] Furthermore, FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the mist nozzle M in the diametrical cross-section of the shower device 1, and FIG. 12 is a perspective sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, hot water or water flowing through the opening of the annular region (the region shown in a matte finish) in FIG. 8 flows downward through the gap (guide channel) between the mist channel forming member 56 and the element member 47 and reaches the run-up channel 51. The run-up channel 51 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the water discharge direction by the mist nozzle M and is a linear channel slightly inclined with respect to the tangential direction in the circumferential direction (see particularly FIG. 8: In FIG. 8, the illustration of the mist channel forming member 56 is omitted).

[0061] Referring to FIG. 8, the right end as viewed from above the run-up channel 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 channel 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.

[0062] Then, referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, below each swirling chamber 53, water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) are provided via the truncated conical chambers 54. As a result, the water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) communicate with both the left and right sides of one run-up channel 51, constituting a pair of mist nozzles M.

[0063] Also, referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the upper side of the swirling chamber 53 is partitioned by the mist channel forming member 56, while the run-up channel 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 channel forming member 56 is made of a soft resin, and the large-diameter bulging portion 56a is press-fitted into the fitting hole 47a of the corresponding element member 47, whereby the swirling chamber 53 is configured to be watertight.

[0064] With the above configuration, the hot water or water flowing from the guide channel into the acceleration channel 51 flows through the acceleration channel 51, passes through the orifice 52, reaches the swirling chamber 53, swirls inside the swirling chamber 53 and the truncated conical chamber 54, and heads towards the water discharge hole 55, and is discharged in the form of mist from the water discharge hole 55 (mist nozzle M).

[0065] An example of specific dimensions is that the width of the orifice 52 (width as viewed from the extending direction of the acceleration channel 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.

[0066] The layout (position, shape, size, etc.) of the guide channel is configured to evenly (symmetrically) supply hot water or water to a pair of water discharge holes 55 (mist nozzles M) via the acceleration channel 51 (see Fig. 13). Specifically, the guide channel 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.

[0067] 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).

[0068] With the above layout, the second water discharge channel (mist channel) of the present embodiment has a very compact occupied length in the radial direction (specifically, the inner peripheral diameter of the matte area in Fig. 8 is φ52 mm and the outer peripheral diameter is φ58 mm). As a result, the degree of freedom in designing the first water discharge channel (rectifying channel) and the third water discharge channel (fluid element 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).

[0069] FIG. 14 is an L18 orthogonal array showing the relationship between the dimensions of the second water discharge channel (mist channel) and the flow rate, particle size, and flow velocity of the mist water discharge. As shown in FIG. 14, when the height of the truncated conical portion is smaller than the height of the orifice (No. 1 to No. 4, No. 6 to No. 9, No. 11 to No. 18), a relatively high mist water discharge flow rate can be achieved.

[0070] More specifically, from the data shown in FIG. 14, it was possible to grasp the tendency that "by shortening the truncated conical portion, the particle size can be reduced and the flow velocity can be decreased without reducing the flow rate".

[0071] Note that each of the symbols "A", "B", and "C" in each item of FIG. 14 is an example of a numerical value that a person skilled in the art can typically select. Also, the relationship between the numerical values is "A" < "B" < "C".

[0072] (Features Regarding the Switching Operation in the Present Embodiment) As described above, in the present embodiment, by pressing the pressing button 11 (an example of a switching operation unit) once, the disk member 10 rotates 30 degrees, whereby the first water discharge mode (rectified water discharge is performed), the second water discharge mode (mist water discharge is performed), and the third water discharge mode (fluid element water discharge is performed) can be sequentially switched in this order.

[0073] 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.

[0074] Such features can also be realized by other types of switching operation units. For example, in a mode of switching between the first water discharge mode, the second water discharge mode, and the third water discharge mode by rotating a part of the secondary flow path member 4 by a lever operation unit, it is also possible to configure so as not to pass through the third water discharge mode when switching from the first water discharge mode to the second water discharge mode. Alternatively, even in a mode where start buttons corresponding to the first water discharge mode, the second water discharge mode, and the third water discharge mode are provided, it is possible to configure (or configure to invalidate the operation) so that the start button corresponding to the third water discharge mode cannot be operated while the first water discharge mode is being implemented.

[0075] (Features regarding the watering range in this embodiment) FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the mutual positional relationship between the opening P for rectified (continuous) water discharge and the mist nozzle M for mist-like water discharge in this embodiment. FIG. 15(a) is a schematic diagram seen from the side, and FIG. 15(b) is a schematic diagram seen from above.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, each second water discharge region MF (the region shown in a textured pattern) through which the mist-like water discharge from each of the two mist nozzles M located approximately opposite passes overlaps with the first water discharge region PF (the region shown by hatching) through which the rectified water discharge from the opening P passes.

[0077] In addition, the region where each second water discharge region MF overlaps with the first water discharge region PF starts (occurs) at a distance of 3 cm from the opening P of the first water discharge passage.

[0078] And as is clear from FIG. 15 and the above description, in this embodiment, each second water discharge region MF (the region shown in a textured pattern) through which the mist-like water discharge from each of all 18 mist nozzles M passes overlaps with the first water discharge region PF (the region shown by hatching) through which the rectified water discharge from the opening P passes.

[0079] Each second water ejection region MF may be a so-called hollow conical shape or a filled conical shape.

[0080] (Function and effect of this embodiment) The shower device 1 of this embodiment has nine pairs (an example of at least one pair) of mist nozzles M (water ejection holes 55) on the water ejection surface side, and guides hot water or water supplied from the water supply members 2 and 3 toward the water ejection surface side. A guide flow path (a gap between the mist flow path forming member 56 and the element member 47), a run-up flow path 51 that communicates with the guide flow path and extends in a direction orthogonal (an example of an intersecting direction) to the water ejection direction by the mist nozzles M, and one end side of the run-up flow path 51 An end-side turning chamber 53 which is a substantially cylindrical space communicating via an end-side orifice 52, an end-side water ejection hole 55 communicating with the end-side turning chamber 53 and constituting one of each pair of mist nozzles M, and the other end side of the run-up flow path 51 And an end-side turning chamber 53 which is a substantially cylindrical space communicating via an orifice 52 on the other end side, and an end-side water ejection hole 55 communicating with the end-side turning chamber 53 and constituting the other of each pair of mist nozzles M.

[0081] That is, in the shower device 1 of this embodiment, one run-up flow path 51 is shared for mist water ejection from two (one pair) water ejection holes 55 on the one end side and the other end side. For this reason, the space utilization efficiency is high. Therefore, a larger number of mist nozzles M (water ejection holes 55) can be arranged at higher density on the water ejection surface side.

[0082] Further, according to the shower device 1 of this embodiment, at least a part of the guide flow path is partitioned by a mist flow path forming member 56 (an example of an upper member for forming a mist flow path), and at least a part of each of the run-up flow path 51 and a pair of turning chambers 53 (an example of an end-side turning chamber and an other end-side turning chamber) is partitioned by an element member 47 (an example of a lower member for forming a mist flow path). Thereby, compared with the case where all of these components 56, 51, and 53 are configured by one member, the difficulty of design and manufacture can be significantly reduced. Therefore, particularly when a large number of mist nozzles M (water ejection holes 55) are mounted, the degree of freedom in design and manufacture can be increased.

[0083] Further, according to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the mist flow path forming member 56 (an example of an upper member for forming a mist flow path) partitions the upper side of a pair of swirling chambers 53 (an example of a swirling chamber on one end side and a swirling chamber on the other end side), and the element member 47 (an example of a lower member for forming a mist flow path) partitions the lower side of the pair of swirling chambers 53 (an example of a swirling chamber on one end side and a swirling chamber on the other end side) and a pair of water discharge holes 55 (an example of a water discharge hole on one end side and a water discharge hole on the other end side). Thereby, the dimensional accuracy regarding the lower side of each swirling chamber 53 and the corresponding water discharge hole 55 depends only on the manufacturing accuracy of the mist flow path forming member 56 and is not affected by the assembly of the mist flow path forming member 56 and the element member 47. Therefore, desired (in accordance with the design content) mist water discharge can be provided with higher accuracy.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the element member 47 (an example of a lower member for forming a mist flow path) partitions a truncated conical portion 54 (a truncated conical portion on one end side and a truncated conical portion on the other end side) between the lower side of each swirling chamber 53 (a swirling chamber on one end side and a swirling chamber on the other end side) and each water discharge hole 55 (a water discharge hole on one end side and a water discharge hole on the other end side). And regarding the dimensional accuracy of each truncated conical portion 54, it depends only on the manufacturing accuracy of the element member 47 and is not affected by the assembly of the mist flow path forming member 56 and the element member 47. Therefore, desired (in accordance with the design content) mist water discharge can be provided with higher accuracy.

[0085] Also, according to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the large-diameter bulging portion 56a of the mist flow path forming member 56 is press-fitted into the fitting hole 47a of the corresponding element member 47 (that is, the mist flow path forming member 56 and the element member 47 are assembled by fitting), so that the swirling chamber 53 is relatively easily configured to be watertight.

[0086] Moreover, according to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, nine pairs (an example of at least one pair) of mist nozzles M (water discharge holes 55) are dispersedly arranged in the circumferential direction on the same circumference, and the auxiliary flow path 51 is a linear flow path slightly inclined with respect to the tangential direction in the circumferential direction. As a result, since the plurality of (all) auxiliary flow paths 51 can be arranged generally along the circumferential direction, the occupied length in the radial direction can be made very compact. Thereby, a larger number of mist nozzles M (water discharge holes 55) can be arranged at a higher density.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, with respect to the auxiliary flow path 51, a pair of swirling chambers 53 (one - end - side swirling chamber and the other - end - side swirling chamber) are laid out in a relationship of 180° rotational symmetry in plan view. Thereby, the design of evenly (symmetrically) supplying hot water or water to a pair of mist nozzles M (water discharge holes 55) via the auxiliary flow path 51 can be facilitated.

[0088] Note that the present invention includes the following features (inventions). [Feature 1] A shower device having at least one pair of mist nozzles on the water - discharging surface side, a guiding flow path for guiding hot water or water supplied from a water - supply member toward the water - discharging surface side, an auxiliary flow path that communicates with the guiding flow path and extends in a direction intersecting the water - discharging direction by the mist nozzles, a one - end - side swirling chamber, which is a substantially cylindrical space, communicating with one end side of the auxiliary flow path via a one - end - side orifice, a one - end - side water - discharging hole that communicates with the one - end - side swirling chamber and constitutes one of each pair of mist nozzles, a other - end - side swirling chamber, which is a substantially cylindrical space, communicating with the other end side of the auxiliary flow path via a other - end - side orifice, a other - end - side water - discharging hole that communicates with the other - end - side swirling chamber and constitutes the other of each pair of mist nozzles, characterized by comprising the above. [Feature 2] At least a part of the guiding flow path is partitioned by a mist - flow - path - forming upper member, At least a part of each of the pre - running flow path, the one - end - side swirling chamber, and the other - end - side swirling chamber is partitioned by a mist flow path forming lower member. The shower device according to Feature 1, characterized in that. [Feature 3] The mist flow path forming upper member partitions the upper sides of the one - end - side swirling chamber and the upper side of the other - end - side swirling chamber. The mist flow path forming lower member partitions the lower side of the one - end - side swirling chamber, the one - end - side water discharge hole, the lower side of the other - end - side swirling chamber, and the other - end - side water discharge hole. The shower device according to Feature 2, characterized in that. [Feature 4] The mist flow path forming lower member partitions a one - end - side truncated conical portion between the lower side of the one - end - side swirling chamber and the one - end - side water discharge hole, and partitions a other - end - side truncated conical portion between the lower side of the other - end - side swirling chamber and the other - end - side water discharge hole. The shower device according to Feature 3, characterized in that. [Feature 5] The one - end - side truncated conical portion and the other - end - side truncated conical portion have the same height as each other. The one - end - side orifice and the other - end - side orifice are at the same height as each other and have a height greater than the height of the one - end - side truncated conical portion and the other - end - side truncated conical portion. The shower device according to Feature 4, characterized in that. [Feature 6] The mist flow path forming upper member is assembled to the mist flow path forming lower member by fitting. The shower device according to any one of Features 1 to 5, characterized in that. [Feature 7] The pre - running flow path extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the water discharge direction by the mist nozzle. The shower device according to any one of Features 1 to 6, characterized in that. [Feature 8] The at least one pair of mist nozzles includes a plurality of pairs of mist nozzles that are circumferentially distributed on a substantially same circumference. The pre - running flow path is a linear flow path slightly inclined with respect to the tangential direction in the circumferential direction. The shower device according to any one of Features 1 to 7, characterized in that. [Feature 9] Regarding the pre - running flow path, the one - end - side swirling chamber and the other - end - side swirling chamber are laid out in a rotationally symmetric relationship of 180° in plan view. The shower device according to any one of Features 1 to 8, characterized in that.

Explanation of symbols

[0089] 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 Pressing button 11a Contact sliding inclined part 11s Rotation axis 12 Rod part 12a Contact ring 12s Seal ring member 13 Stopper 14 Coil spring 15 Claw member 15t Claw 16 Locking claw 17 Locking 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 inlet hole 24 Seal ring part 30 Disk pressing member 31 Tubular part 31c Outflow communication path 32 Tubular part 32c Outflow communication path 33 Tubular part 33c Outflow communication path 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 Discharge hole (mist nozzle) 56 Mist flow path forming member 56a Large-diameter bulging part 57 Rectifying member P Opening PF First discharge region M Mist nozzle MF Second discharge region C Circular shower nozzle R Rectangular fluid element nozzle

Claims

1. A shower device having at least one pair of mist nozzles on the water discharge surface side, a guide flow path for guiding hot water or water supplied from a water supply member toward the water discharge surface side, an accelerating flow path that communicates with the guide flow path and extends in a direction intersecting the water discharge direction by the mist nozzles, a one-end-side swirling chamber, which is a substantially cylindrical space, communicating with one end side of the accelerating flow path via a one-end-side orifice, a one-end-side water discharge hole that communicates with the one-end-side swirling chamber and constitutes one of each pair of mist nozzles, a other-end-side swirling chamber, which is a substantially cylindrical space, communicating with the other end side of the accelerating flow path via a other-end-side orifice, a other-end-side water discharge hole that communicates with the other-end-side swirling chamber and constitutes the other of each pair of mist nozzles, and characterized by comprising the above.

2. At least a part of the guide flow path is partitioned by an upper member for forming a mist flow path, and at least a part of each of the accelerating flow path, the one-end-side swirling chamber, and the other-end-side swirling chamber is partitioned by a lower member for forming a mist flow path. The shower device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The upper member for forming a mist flow path also partitions the upper sides of the one-end-side swirling chamber and the other-end-side swirling chamber, and the lower member for forming a mist flow path partitions the lower sides of the one-end-side swirling chamber, the one-end-side water discharge hole, the lower side of the other-end-side swirling chamber, and the other-end-side water discharge hole. The shower device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The lower member for forming a mist flow path partitions a one-end-side truncated conical portion between the lower side of the one-end-side swirling chamber and the one-end-side water discharge hole, and partitions a other-end-side truncated conical portion between the lower side of the other-end-side swirling chamber and the other-end-side water discharge hole. The shower device according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. The one-end-side truncated conical portion and the other-end-side truncated conical portion have the same height as each other, and the one-end-side orifice and the other-end-side orifice have the same height as each other and have a height greater than the height of the one-end-side truncated conical portion and the other-end-side truncated conical portion. The shower device according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. The mist flow path forming upper member is assembled to the mist flow path forming lower member by fitting. The shower device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that.

7. The auxiliary flow path extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the water discharge direction by the mist nozzle. The shower device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that.

8. The at least one pair of mist nozzles includes a plurality of pairs of mist nozzles circumferentially distributed on a substantially same circumference, and the auxiliary flow path is a linear flow path slightly inclined with respect to the tangential direction in the circumferential direction. The shower device according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. With respect to the auxiliary flow path, the one-end-side swirling chamber and the other-end-side swirling chamber are laid out in a rotationally symmetric relationship of 180° in plan view. The shower device according to claim 8, characterized in that.

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