Shower head
The shower head design with a fixed first case and secured second case using engaging portions and screws addresses the rattling issue, providing a stable and efficient connection between components.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023215827
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-03
AI Technical Summary
The connection between the water pipe and the shower head body in existing shower heads can rattle, leading to instability and potential detachment of the lower cover from the water pipe.
A shower head design incorporating a water passage member with a first case and a second case, where the first case is fixed using a screw and the second case is secured with a combination of engaging portions and screws to the water passage member, enhancing stability.
The design effectively suppresses rattling between the cases and the water passage member, ensuring a secure and stable connection, thereby improving the assembly efficiency and durability of the shower head.
Smart Images

Figure 2025099287000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a shower head.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a shower head. As shown in FIG. 13, the shower head 70 includes a head cover 71, a connecting member 72, a water pipe 73, and a cover member 74. The cover member 74 has a lower cover 75 and a shower head body 76.
[0003] The head cover 71 and the water pipe 73 are connected to each other via the connecting member 72. The water pipe 73 has protrusions 73a at one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction. The protrusions 73a protrude radially outward from both ends in the radial direction of the water pipe 73.
[0004] The lower cover 75 has a pair of held portions 75a at two positions spaced apart in the axial direction. The held portions 75a extend toward the rear of the lower cover 75. The pair of held portions 75a have protrusions 75a1 protruding inward at the tip portions.
[0005] The shower head body 76 has a pair of holding portions 76a at two positions spaced apart in the axial direction. The holding portions 76a extend toward the front of the shower head body 76. The pair of holding portions 76a have two through holes 76a1 arranged in the front-rear direction. The protrusion 73a of the water pipe 73 engages with the front through hole 76a1, whereby the shower head body 76 and the water pipe 73 are connected. Further, the protrusion 75a1 of the lower cover 75 engages with the rear through hole 76a1, whereby the shower head body 76 and the lower cover 75 are connected.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0006]
Patent Document 1
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0007] By the way, in the shower head 70 of Patent Document 1, since the connection between the water pipe 73 and the shower head body 76 is made by the engagement of the protrusions 73a of both and the through holes 76a1, there is room for improvement in the connection state between the two. Specifically, there is a possibility that the shower head body 76 may rattle with respect to the water pipe 73. Further, the lower cover 75 is indirectly connected to the water pipe 73 by the protrusion 75a1 of the lower cover 75 engaging with the through hole 76a1 of the shower head body 76. Therefore, there is also room for improvement in the connection state between the water pipe 73 and the lower cover 75. That is, there is a possibility that the lower cover 75 may rattle with respect to the water pipe 73.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0008] The shower head according to Aspect 1 is a shower head including a water passage member, a first case covering the water passage member, and a second case covering the water passage member, wherein the water passage member has a first fixing portion for fixing the first case using a screw and a second fixing portion for fixing the second case.
[0009] According to this configuration, since the first case and the second case can be fixed more firmly to the water passage member, rattling of the first case and the second case with respect to the water passage member can be suppressed.
[0010] Aspect 2 is the shower head according to Aspect 1, wherein the first fixing portion also serves as the second fixing portion. According to this configuration, since the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion can be made into one member, the water passage member can be simplified.
[0011] Aspect 3 is the showerhead of Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, wherein the second case has a first engaging portion that engages with the first fixing portion. According to this configuration, by having the first engaging portion, the rattling of the second case with respect to the water passage member can be more suitably suppressed.
[0012] Aspect 4 is the showerhead according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the second case has a second engaging portion that engages with the water passage member. According to this configuration, by having the second engaging portion, the rattling of the second case with respect to the water passage member can be more suitably suppressed.
[0013] Aspect 5 is the showerhead of Aspect 4, wherein the second engaging portion has a pair of arm portions that extend so as to sandwich the water passage member. According to this configuration, in the direction of sandwiching the water passage member, the rattling of the second case can be suitably suppressed.
[0014] Aspect 6 is the showerhead according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the second case has a third engaging portion that engages with the water passage member in a concave-convex relationship along the axial direction of the water passage member. According to this configuration, the rattling of the second case in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the water passage member can be suitably suppressed.
Advantages of the Invention
[0015] According to the showerhead of the present invention, the rattling of the case with respect to the water passage member can be suppressed.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016]
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
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0017] Embodiments of the shower head will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shower head 10 includes a head case 11, a water passage member 14, a cover member 15, and a discharge unit 20.
[0018] Hereinafter, with reference to the surface of the shower face 60 of the discharge unit 20 described later, the front side toward the shower face 60 is defined as the front in the front-rear direction, and the back side is defined as the rear in the front-rear direction. Also, the right side is defined as the right in the left-right direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the left in the left-right direction. Further, the upper side is defined as the upper in the up-down direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the lower in the up-down direction.
[0019] Hereinafter, each member constituting the shower head 10 will be described. <Head Case> As shown in FIG. 2, the head case 11 has a main body case 12 as a first case and a front case 13 as a second case. The main body case 12 is attached to the water passage member 14 and the discharge unit 20 from the rear side, and houses the water passage member 14 and the discharge unit 20 inside. The main body case 12 has three boss portions 12a for receiving screws 19 (see FIG. 7) for attaching the discharge unit 20 and four boss portions 12b for receiving screws 19 for attaching the water passage member 14. The front case 13 is attached to the water passage member 14 from the front side and covers the front side of the water passage member 14. The front case 13 has an opening 13a, and the front case 13 is attached to the water passage member 14 with the switching button 23a of the water passage member 14 inserted through the opening 13a. The main body case 12 and the front case 13 are configured to face each other with the water passage member 14 sandwiched therebetween in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the water passage member 14. Details of the front case 13 will be described later.
[0020] <Water passage member> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water passage member 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a water passage inside. The water passage member 14 has a joint 40, an inner pipe 23, and a hose connection member 24. The joint 40 has a discharge unit 20 connected to its upper end and an inner pipe 23 connected to its lower end. Also, the inner pipe 23 has a hose connection member 24 connected to its lower end. The hose connection member 24 has a hose (not shown) connected to its lower end. The water passage member 14 circulates the hot and cold water supplied from the hose to the discharge unit 20. Details of the joint 40 will be described later.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner pipe 23 has a switching button 23a on its front surface. Also, the inner pipe 23 has a valve member 23e inside. The inner pipe 23 can switch between an open state and a closed state of the water passage that the inner pipe 23 has by operating the switching button 23a to operate the valve member 23e. That is, by operating the switching button 23a, the on / off of the water discharge from the shower head 10 can be switched.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the inner pipe 23 has a reduced-diameter portion 23b with a smaller diameter over the entire circumference at a position below the switching button 23a. The width T1 of the reduced-diameter portion 23b along the axial direction of the inner pipe 23 is constant over the entire circumference.
[0023] The reduced-diameter portion 23b has ribs 23c extending in the left-right direction toward the outer periphery of the inner pipe 23 at two positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Further, the reduced-diameter portion 23b has a pair of ribs 23d extending from the central portion in the left-right direction to both sides in the front-rear direction toward the outer periphery of the inner pipe.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the hose connection member 24 is configured in a cylindrical shape. The hose connection member 24 has a thread groove 24a on the outer periphery of the lower end portion. This thread groove 24a is used for connection with a hose. The hose connection member 24 has a first flange portion 25 protruding in the radial direction over the entire circumference above the thread groove 24a. Further, the hose connection member 24 has a plate-like protruding wall 25a protruding upward along the thickness direction of the first flange portion 25 at a position on the front side of the upper surface of the first flange portion 25. The protruding wall 25a protrudes along the axial direction of the hose connection member 24. Further, the hose connection member 24 has a support wall 25b extending rearward from the central portion in the left-right direction on the back surface of the protruding wall 25a.
[0025] Further, the hose connection member 24 has a pair of vertical walls 26 extending upward from positions on both sides in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the first flange portion 25 and on the rear side of the protruding wall 25a. The pair of vertical walls 26 has notches 26a cut from both outer sides in the left-right direction toward the inner side. With the screw 19 (see FIG. 2) inserted through the notch 26a, the hose connection member 24 is fixed to the main body case 12 by attaching the screw 19 to the boss portion 12b of the main body case 12. The vertical wall 26 functions as a first fixing portion for fixing the main body case 12 to the hose connection member 24 using the screw 19.
[0026] The hose connection member 24 has a second flange portion 27 that protrudes radially over the entire circumference above the vertical wall 26. Further, an O-ring 24b is attached to the outer circumference above the second flange portion 27. The hose connection member 24 has a thread groove 24c above the O-ring 24b. By screwing this thread groove 24c into a thread groove (not shown) on the inner circumference of the lower end portion of the inner pipe 23, the hose connection member 24 is connected to the inner pipe 23. When the main body case 12 and the front case 13 are attached to the water passage member 14, the lower end portions of the main body case 12 and the front case 13 abut on the upper surface of the first flange portion 25 of the hose connection member 24.
[0027] In addition to the joint 40, the inner pipe 23, and the hose connection member 24, the water passage member 14 may have other members. Also, among these members, two or more of the joint 40, the inner pipe 23, and the hose connection member 24 may be formed as one cylindrical member.
[0028] <Cover member> As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 15 is configured in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction. The cover member 15 has a rectangular opening 15a that is long in the vertical direction and has a frame shape.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the cover member 15 is attached to the shower face 60 so as to cover the outer peripheral side of the front face of the shower face 60. <Discharge unit> As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge unit 20 has an inner cup 30, a rectifying member 21, a mist flow path forming member 22, and a shower face 60.
[0030] (Inner cup) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the inner cup 30 has a plate-shaped main body portion 31. The main body portion 31 is configured in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction, and at both longitudinal ends, both outer sides in the longitudinal direction are curved and convex. The main body portion 31 has a through hole 31a that penetrates the main body portion 31 in the thickness direction at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction. The main body portion 31 has three insertion holes 31b through which the screw 19 is inserted on the upper side of the through hole 31a.
[0031] The inner cup 30 has a peripheral wall 32 that protrudes forward along the thickness direction of the main body portion 31 from the outer periphery of the main body portion 31. The inner cup 30 has nut accommodation portions 33 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "accommodation portions 33") at the four corners of the main body portion 31. The accommodation portions 33 are integrally formed with the peripheral wall 32 and protrude to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral wall 32. The accommodation portions 33 have insertion holes 33a through which the screw 16 is inserted on the front side. With the nut 37 accommodated in the accommodation portion 33, the screw 16 inserted through the insertion hole 60a of the shower face 60 described later is inserted through the insertion hole 33a of the accommodation portion 33. Further, by screwing this screw 16 into the nut 37 in the accommodation portion 33, the shower face 60 and the inner cup 30 are connected.
[0032] The type of the screw 16 is not particularly limited, and a male screw that can be screwed into the nut 37 as a female screw can be adopted. Examples of the type of the screw 16 include screws and bolts. It should be noted that the same applies to the screw 19 other than the screw 16 in the present embodiment.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the inner cup 30 has a cylindrical portion 38 on the rear side of the main body portion 31. The cylindrical portion 38 is integrally formed with the main body portion 31 and extends along the vertical direction of the main body portion 31. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 38 extends to substantially the same position as the lower end of the main body portion 31. The lower end of the cylindrical portion 38 is open.
[0034] The inner cup 30 has a pair of plate-shaped engaged portions 39 that extend further downward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 38. The pair of engaged portions 39 are arranged to face each other in the left-right direction. The engaged portion 39 has a through hole 39a in the central portion.
[0035] As described later, the insertion portion 45 of the joint 40 is inserted into the lower end of the cylindrical portion 38, and the engaging projection 45a of the insertion portion 45 engages with the engaged portion 39 of the inner cup 30, whereby the cylindrical portion 38 and the joint 40 are connected.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the upper end portion inside the cylindrical portion 38 communicates with the through hole 31a of the main body portion 31. The hot and cold water flowing through the water passage member 14 flows through the inside of the cylindrical portion 38 from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 38. Further, it flows from the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 38 through the through hole 31a to the front side of the main body portion 31. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 38 of the inner cup 30 functions as a water passage.
[0037] (Rectifying member) As shown in FIG. 2, the rectifying member 21 is configured in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction. As described later, the rectifying member 21 is disposed in a storage portion (not shown) as a space formed by the inner cup 30 and the shower face 60, and is used to make the flow of the hot and cold water flowing through the storage portion uniform.
[0038] (Mist flow path forming member) As shown in FIG. 2, the mist flow path forming member 22 is configured in a long plate shape having an elongated shape. The mist flow path forming member 22 has a flow path that communicates from the back side to the front side. When the mist flow path forming member 22 is attached to the back surface of the shower face 60, the flow path is positioned to overlap the mist discharge holes 63. Thereby, a mist discharge flow path leading from the back side of the mist flow path forming member 22 to the mist discharge holes 63 is formed. In the mist discharge flow path, a swirling flow is generated in the flow path, and the swirling flow is ejected from the mist discharge holes 63, whereby mist discharge is performed.
[0039] (Shower Face) As shown in Fig. 2, the shower face 60 is configured in a vertically long rectangular plate shape. The shower face 60 has insertion holes 60a through which screws 16 are inserted at its four corners. The shower face 60 has a plurality of shower water discharge holes 62 and a plurality of mist water discharge holes 63.
[0040] When the inner cup 30 and the shower face 60 are connected using the screw 16 and the nut 37, a storage portion for temporarily storing hot and cold water is formed between the inner cup 30 and the shower face 60. This storage portion is a space where the hot and cold water supplied from the cylindrical portion 38 of the inner cup 30 as a water passage is temporarily stored until it is discharged from the plurality of shower water discharge holes 62 and the plurality of mist water discharge holes 63. By arranging the flow rectifying member 21 in this storage portion, the flow of the hot and cold water flowing through the storage portion becomes uniform. By making the flow of the hot and cold water flowing through the storage portion uniform, it becomes possible to circulate the hot and cold water with a substantially uniform water pressure to the plurality of shower water discharge holes 62 and the plurality of mist water discharge holes 63.
[0041] The shower head 10 is constituted by the above-described respective members. The material of each member constituting the shower head 10 is not particularly limited. For example, the material of each member can be made of resin, metal, etc. A metal plating may be formed on the surface of the resin.
[0042] <Water Discharge Mechanism of Shower Head>[ As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the hot and cold water supplied from a hose (not shown) to the lower end of the hose connection member 24 of the water passage member 14 flows from the upper end of the joint 40 of the water passage member 14 into the cylindrical portion 38 of the inner cup 30 as a water passage. Further, it flows from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 38 through the through hole 31a into the storage portion located on the front side of the main body portion 31 of the inner cup 30.
[0043] The hot and cold water flowing through the reservoir is rectified while passing around the rectifying member 21, enabling the hot and cold water to flow to the plurality of shower water discharge holes 62 and the mist water discharge holes 63 with substantially uniform water pressure. Then, shower water is discharged from the plurality of shower water discharge holes 62, and mist water is simultaneously discharged from the plurality of mist water discharge holes 63.
[0044] <Connection mechanism between the discharge unit and the water passage member> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connection between the discharge unit 20 and the water passage member 14 is achieved by connecting the inner cup 30 of the discharge unit 20 and the joint 40 of the water passage member 14.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the joint 40 has a cylindrical main body portion 41 and a cylindrical insertion portion 45 that extends upward, inclined from the upper end portion of the main body portion 41. The lower end portion of the main body portion 41 is connected to the inner pipe 23 using a screw 17.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main body portion 41 has plate-shaped fixing portions 42 that project on both sides of the main body portion 41 along the left-right direction. The plate surfaces of the fixing portions 42 are along the left-right direction and also along the up-down direction.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the fixing portion 42 has a bent portion (hereinafter also referred to as "first bent portion 42a") at the lower end portion and a bent portion (hereinafter also referred to as "second bent portion 42b") at the upper end portion. The first bent portion 42a is bent toward the rear side. The second bent portion 42b is bent forward and then further bent upward.
[0048] Further, the fixing portion 42 has notches 42c that are cut from both outer sides in the left-right direction toward the inner side at a position between the first bent portion 42a and the second bent portion 42b. By attaching the screw 19 to the boss portion 12b (see FIG. 7) of the main body case 12 with the screw 19 inserted through the notch 42c, the joint 40 is fixed to the main body case 12. Therefore, the fixing portion 42 functions as a first fixing portion for fixing the main body case 12 using the screw 19.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, at the center of the second bent portion 42b in the left - right direction, the main body portion 41 has a screw hole portion 43 that protrudes further upward from the upper end of the second bent portion 42b. The screw hole portion 43 has a pair of screw holes 43a. By screwing a screw 44 (see FIG. 8) into the screw hole 43a, a front case 13 described later is connected to the joint 40. Therefore, the screw hole portion 43 functions as a second fixing portion for fixing the front case 13 using the screw 44.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, on both the left and right sides sandwiching the screw hole portion 43, the upper ends of the second bent portions 42b extend linearly in the left - right direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insertion portion 45 has engaging protrusions 45a that protrude outward in the left - right direction at the lower end portion in the axial direction. The engaging protrusions 45a have a tapered shape in which the protruding amount decreases as it goes toward the upper end portion side of the insertion portion 45 along the axial direction of the insertion portion 45. Also, an O - ring 46 is attached to the outer periphery of the upper end portion in the axial direction of the insertion portion 45.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, when connecting the inner cup 30 and the joint 40, first, a nut 37 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 33 of the inner cup 30. After accommodating the nut 37 in the accommodating portion 33, the insertion portion 45 of the joint 40 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 38 of the inner cup 30.
[0052] When the engaging protrusions 45a of the joint 40 engage with the through - holes 39a of the engaged portion 39 of the inner cup 30, the joint 40 and the inner cup 30 are connected in a state where they are prevented from coming off. When the O - ring 46 of the insertion portion 45 abuts against the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 38, the space between the inner cup 30 and the joint 40 is sealed in a watertight state.
[0053] <Discharge unit and water - passing member, and connection mechanism of main body case> As shown in Fig. 7, the connection between the discharge unit 20 and the main body case 12 is achieved by inserting a screw 19 through the insertion hole 31b of the inner cup 30 of the discharge unit 20 and screwing this screw 19 into the boss portion 12a of the main body case 12. Also, the connection between the water passage member 14 and the main body case 12 is achieved by inserting a screw 19 through the notch 42c of the fixing portion 42 of the joint 40 of the water passage member 14 and screwing this screw 19 into the boss portion 12b of the main body case 12. Further, it is achieved by inserting a screw 19 through the notch 26a (see Fig. 3) of the hose connection member 24 of the water passage member 14 and screwing this screw 19 into the boss portion 12b of the main body case 12.
[0054] As shown in Fig. 2, after connecting the water passage member 14 and the inner cup 30 to the main body case 12, a rectifying member 21, a mist flow path forming member 22, and a shower face 60 are arranged on the front side of the inner cup 30. Further, a screw 16 is inserted through the insertion hole 60a of the shower face 60, and this screw 16 is screwed into the nut 37 in the accommodating portion 33 of the inner cup 30.
[0055] With the above connection mechanism, the main body case 12 is attached to the discharge unit 20 and the water passage member 14. <Connection mechanism between the water passage member and the front case> As shown in Fig. 3, the front case 13 has a pair of arm portions 13b spaced apart in the left - right direction at a position above the opening 13a. The pair of arm portions 13b extend rearward along the thickness direction of the front case 13 and have, at their tips, claw portions 13b1 protruding upward.
[0056] The front case 13 has, at its upper end, a rectangular plate - shaped protruding piece 13c protruding upward. The protruding piece 13c has a pair of insertion holes 13d through which a screw 44 is inserted. The front case 13 has a pair of arm portions 13e spaced apart in the left-right direction at a position below the opening 13a. The pair of arm portions 13e extend rearward along the thickness direction of the front case 13 and have claw portions 13e1 protruding inward in the left-right direction at their tips. The width T2 of the arm portion 13e in the direction orthogonal to both the direction in which the pair of arm portions 13e extend and the direction in which they face each other is substantially equal to the width T1 of the reduced-diameter portion 23b of the inner pipe 23.
[0057] The front case 13 has a horizontal wall 13f extending obliquely downward rearward at the inner periphery of the lower end portion. The front case 13 also has a hanging wall 13g extending downward from the rear end portion of the horizontal wall 13f. The hanging wall 13g has a notch 13h extending upward from the lower end of the hanging wall 13g at the central portion in the left-right direction.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, a space S is formed among the inner periphery of the front case 13, the horizontal wall 13f, and the hanging wall 13g. As shown in FIG. 2, when attaching the front case 13 to the water passage member 14, first, as the water passage member 14, a joint 40, an inner pipe 23, and a hose connection member 24 are connected to prepare an integrated cylindrical water passage member 14.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 10, next, the hanging wall 13g of the front case 13 is engaged with the protruding wall 25a of the hose connection member 24. Specifically, the lower end portion of the front case 13 is brought closer from obliquely upward in the front with respect to the axial direction of the hose connection member 24. Then, the hanging wall 13g of the front case 13 is inserted behind the protruding wall 25a of the hose connection member 24. At this time, the support wall 25b of the hose connection member 24 is inserted through the notch 13h of the hanging wall 13g of the front case 13. Then, starting from the hanging wall 13g of the front case 13, the upper end portion side of the front case 13 is rotated so as to approach the water passage member 14 side.
[0060] Hereinafter, the operation of rotating the upper end portion side of the front case 13 is also referred to as the "rotation operation". As shown in Fig. 11, when a rotation operation is performed, the protruding wall 25a of the hose connection member 24 and the hanging wall 13g of the front case 13 engage with each other along the axial direction of the hose connection member 24. In other words, the hanging wall 13g of the front case 13 is in a state of engaging with the protruding wall 25a of the hose connection member 24 in an uneven relationship along the axial direction of the hose connection member 24. Then, the protruding wall 25a of the hose connection member 24 is in a state of being fitted into the space S formed between the inner circumference of the front case 13 and the hanging wall 13g. Therefore, the hanging wall 13g of the front case 13 functions as a third engaging portion that engages with the hose connection member 24 in an uneven relationship along the axial direction of the hose connection member 24.
[0061] The space S formed between the inner circumference of the front case 13, the transverse wall 13f, and the hanging wall 13g is configured such that when the protruding wall 25a of the hose connection member 24 is inserted into this space S, the movement of the hanging wall 13g with respect to the protruding wall 25a is suppressed. Specifically, it is configured such that the movement of the front case 13 in the left - right direction side and the front - back direction side with respect to the protruding wall 25a is suppressed.
[0062] As shown in Fig. 12, when a rotation operation is performed, a pair of arm portions 13e of the front case 13 are inserted into the reduced-diameter portion 23b of the inner pipe 23. At this time, the pair of arm portions 13e are inserted in a state where the claw portions 13e1 at the tips have overcome the ribs 23c of the inner pipe 23. Then, when the pair of arm portions 13e engage with the reduced-diameter portion 23b in a state of sandwiching the rib 23c, the claw portions 13e1 also engage with the rib 23c. Since the claw portions 13e1 have overcome the rib 23c, the front case 13 is suppressed from moving forward. Also, since the pair of arm portions 13e sandwich the rib 23c, the front case 13 is also suppressed from moving in the left-right direction. Further, since the width T2 of the pair of arm portions 13e is substantially equal to the width T1 of the reduced-diameter portion 23b, the front case 13 is also suppressed from moving in the up-down direction along the axial direction of the inner pipe 23. Therefore, the pair of arm portions 13e function as a second engaging portion that engages with the inner pipe 23 of the water passage member 14. Also, since the front case 13 is fixed in the reduced-diameter portion 23b as well, the reduced-diameter portion 23b also functions as a second fixing portion that fixes the front case 13.
[0063] The pair of arm portions 13e as the second engaging portion regulate the movement of the front case 13 in the direction opposite to the assembling direction (forward), the movement of the front case 13 in the longitudinal direction, and the movement of the front case 13 in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the front case 13 in a front view.
[0064] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, when a rotation operation is performed, the claw portions 13b1 of the pair of arm portions 13b of the front case 13 engage with the lower end of the first bent portion 42a in the fixing portion 42 of the joint 40. Therefore, the pair of arm portions 13b function as a first engaging portion that engages with the joint 40 of the water passage member 14.
[0065] The pair of arm portions 13b as the first engaging portion regulate the movement of the front case 13 in the direction opposite to the assembling direction (forward) and the movement of the front case 13 upward in the longitudinal direction. In addition, since the front case 13 is fixed at the fixing portion 42 of the joint 40, the fixing portion 42 of the joint 40 functions as a second fixing portion for fixing the front case 13. As described above, since the fixing portion 42 also functions as a first fixing portion for fixing the main body case 12, the fixing portion 42 serves both as the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion.
[0066] Furthermore, a pair of insertion holes 13d provided in the protruding piece 13c of the front case 13 are arranged at positions overlapping with the screw holes 43a of the screw hole portion 43 of the joint 40. By inserting a screw 44 through the pair of insertion holes 13d and screwing this screw 44 into the screw hole 43a of the screw hole portion 43 of the joint 40, the front case 13 is connected to the joint 40.
[0067] With the above connection mechanism, the front case 13 is attached to the water passage member 14. <Function and Effect> The function and effect of this embodiment will be described.
[0068] (1) The joint 40 of the water passage member 14 has a fixing portion 42 (first fixing portion) for fixing the main body case 12 (first case) using a screw 19. Also, the hose connection member 24 of the water passage member 14 has a vertical wall 26 (first fixing portion) for fixing the main body case 12 (first case) using a screw 19. Further, the joint 40 of the water passage member 14 has a screw hole portion 43 (second fixing portion) for fixing the front case 13 (second case). Since the main body case 12 (first case) and the front case 13 (second case) can be fixed more firmly to the water passage member 14, rattling between the main body case 12 (first case) and the front case 13 (second case) with respect to the water passage member 14 can be suppressed.
[0069] (2) The fixing portion 42 of the joint 40 that functions as the first fixing portion also serves as the second fixing portion. Therefore, since the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion can be made into one member, the water passage member 14 can be simplified.
[0070] (3) The front case 13 (second case) has a pair of arm portions 13b (first engaging portion) that engage with the fixing portion 42. By having the pair of arm portions 13b, rattling of the front case 13 (second case) with respect to the water passage member 14 can be more suitably suppressed.
[0071] (4) The front case 13 (second case) has a pair of arm portions 13e (second engaging portion) that extend so as to sandwich the reduced-diameter portion 23b of the inner pipe 23 of the water passage member 14. Therefore, rattling of the front case 13 (second case) in the left-right direction, which is the direction of sandwiching the reduced-diameter portion 23b, can be suitably suppressed. Further, by the claw portions 13e1 at the tips of the pair of arm portions 13e engaging with the rib 23c of the inner pipe 23, rattling of the front case 13 (second case) in the front-rear direction can also be suppressed. Also, since the width T2 of the pair of arm portions 13e is substantially equal to the width T1 of the reduced-diameter portion 23b, rattling of the front case 13 (second case) in the vertical direction can also be suppressed.
[0072] (5) The front case 13 (second case) has a hanging wall 13g (third engaging portion) that engages with the protruding wall 25a of the hose connection member 24 in the concave-convex relationship along the axial direction of the hose connection member 24 as the water passage member 14. Therefore, rattling of the front case 13 (second case) in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the water passage member 14 can be suitably suppressed.
[0073] (6) When the hanging wall 13g (third engaging portion) of the front case 13 engages with the protruding wall 25a of the hose connection member 24, the lower end portion of the front case 13 abuts on the upper surface of the first flange portion 25 of the hose connection member 24. Since movement of the front case 13 downward from the position of the first flange portion 25 of the hose connection member 24 can be suppressed, rattling of the front case 13 (second case) along the vertical direction can be suitably suppressed.
[0074] (7) Insert the hanging wall 13g of the front case 13 behind the protruding wall 25a of the hose connection member 24, and rotate the upper end side of the front case 13 so as to approach the water passage member 14 side. By such a simple operation, the front case 13 can be attached to the water passage member 14. Therefore, the working efficiency when assembling each member constituting the shower head 10 can be improved.
[0075] <Modified Example> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.
[0076] ·In this embodiment, the front case 13 has a pair of arm portions 13b as the first engaging portion, but is not limited to this aspect. The arm portions 13b do not have to be a pair. There may be only one arm portion 13b, or three or more arm portions 13b. The arm portions 13b may be omitted.
[0077] ·In this embodiment, the front case 13 has a pair of arm portions 13e as the second engaging portion, but is not limited to this aspect. The arm portions 13e do not have to be a pair. There may be only one arm portion 13e, or three or more arm portions 13e. The arm portions 13e may be omitted.
[0078] ·In this embodiment, the pair of arm portions 13e as the second engaging portion have claw portions 13e1 protruding inward in the left - right direction at the tips, but are not limited to this aspect. The pair of arm portions 13e may have recesses recessed outward in the left - right direction from positions facing each other. This recess may be configured to engage with the rib 23c of the reduced - diameter portion 23b of the inner pipe 23.
[0079] ·The hanging wall 13g (the third engaging portion) of the front case 13 that engages with the hose connection member 24 due to the uneven relationship along the axial direction of the hose connection member 24 may be omitted. · In this embodiment, the head case 11 had the main body case 12 as the first case and the front case 13 as the second case, but it is not limited to this mode. In addition to the main body case 12 and the front case 13, it may have a third case.
[0080] · In this embodiment, the front case 13 was fixed to the screw hole portion 43 of the joint 40 as the second fixing portion using the screw 44, but it is not limited to this mode. The screw hole portion 43 may be omitted, and the front case 13 may be fixed to the water passing member 14 without using the screw 44.
Explanation of Reference Numerals
[0081] 10…shower head, 12…main body case (first case), 13…front case (second case), 14…water passing member, 19…screw, 26…vertical wall (first fixing portion), 42…fixing portion (first fixing portion), 43…screw hole portion (second fixing portion).
Claims
1. A shower head comprising a water passage member, a first case covering the water passage member, and a second case covering the water passage member, wherein the water passage member has a first fixing portion for fixing the first case using a screw, and a second fixing portion for fixing the second case, characterized in that it is a shower head.
2. The shower head according to claim 1, wherein the first fixing portion also serves as the second fixing portion.
3. The shower head according to claim 1, wherein the second case has a first engaging portion that engages with the second fixing portion.
4. The shower head according to claim 1, wherein the second case has a second engaging portion that engages with the water passage member.
5. The shower head according to claim 4, wherein the second engaging portion has a pair of arm portions that extend so as to sandwich the water passage member.
6. The shower head according to claim 1, wherein the second case has a third engaging portion that engages with the water passage member in an uneven relationship along the axial direction of the water passage member.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Shower head
JP2021078573A