Faucet operation device

Abstract

To provide a faucet operation device in which wear deterioration hardly occurs in a click mechanism.SOLUTION: A hot and cold water mixing valve 10 (faucet operation device) comprises an operation shaft 11 to which a temperature adjustment handle 3 is attached, a housing 12 to which the operation shaft 11 is inserted in the axial direction, and a click mechanism CL which imparts a click feeling to the movement in which the operation shaft 11 is rotated relative to the housing 12. The click mechanism CL includes: a guide 15 assembled to the operation shaft 11; a pin 16 assembled to the guide 15 so as to be slidable in a radial direction; a split ring 17 that applies a resilient force to the pin 16 to pull it inward in the radial direction; and an engagement part 12B formed in the housing 12. The engagement part 12B includes a plurality of engagement grooves B1 to which the pin 16 pulled by the split ring 17 is engaged from the outer side in the radial direction at positions in the rotational direction. As the operation shaft 11 rotates, the pin 16 is engaged with and disengaged from the plurality of engagement grooves B1 by the resilient force of the split ring 17 so as to impart a click feeling.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a faucet operating device, specifically, a faucet operating device having an operating shaft to which a rotary operating member is attached, a housing through which the operating shaft passes in the axial direction, and a click mechanism that imparts a clicking sensation when the operating shaft is rotated relative to the housing. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a faucet operating device equipped with a click mechanism that imparts a clicking sensation to the rotation of a switch handle. The click mechanism is configured to impart a clicking sensation by elastically fitting a protrusion of a leaf spring provided on one of two members that rotate relative to each other when the switch handle is operated into a groove formed on the other member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7027123 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the leaf spring itself slides in the rotational direction while fitting into and removing from the groove. This creates the problem that the leaf spring is prone to wear and settling over long-term use. Therefore, the present invention provides a faucet operating device in which the click mechanism is less susceptible to wear and deterioration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the water faucet operating device of the present invention takes the following measures.

[0006] In other words, the first invention of the present invention is a faucet operating device having an operating shaft to which a rotary operating member is attached, a housing through which the operating shaft passes axially, and a click mechanism that imparts a clicking sensation to the operation of rotating the operating shaft relative to the housing, wherein the click mechanism has a guide that is arranged so as to be integral with the operating shaft in the rotational direction, a movable part that is supported on both sides of the rotational direction so as to be able to slide radially relative to the guide, an elastic member that applies a resilient force to draw the movable part radially inward relative to the guide, and an engaging part that is arranged so as to be integral with the housing and has engaging grooves at multiple locations in the rotational direction into which the movable part drawn in by the elastic member engages from the radially outside, and the movable part is engaged and disengaged with respect to the multiple engaging grooves by the resilient force of the elastic member as the operating shaft rotates, thereby imparting the clicking sensation.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, by configuring the movable part separately from the elastic member, the movable part that slides with the fitting groove can be configured from a hard material that is resistant to wear, while the elastic member that does not slide with the fitting groove can be configured from a soft material that is highly elastic. Therefore, the click mechanism can be configured to be less susceptible to wear and deterioration and to provide a stable clicking operation. The click mechanism pulls the movable part radially inward to fit into the fitting part, so that an appropriate amount of elastic force can be applied to the movable part to perform the clicking operation without applying an axial load to the operating shaft or guide.

[0008] The second invention of the present invention is a faucet operating device in which, in the first invention described above, the elastic member is a C-ring-shaped split ring that is mounted in an mounting groove formed on the outer periphery of the guide and recessed around the axis of the operating shaft.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the elastic member is configured as a split ring attached to the outer periphery of the guide, so that the elastic member can be simply and appropriately fixed to the guide. Furthermore, the elastic member made of a split ring can appropriately apply a spring force to the movable part from the outside in the radial direction.

[0010] The third invention of the present invention is a faucet operating device according to the second invention, further comprising a rubber buffer member attached to the guide so as to be interposed radially between the movable part and the split ring.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rubber buffer member can reduce the reverberation that occurs when the movable part fits into the fitting groove, thereby suppressing the reverberation of the clicking sound and improving the texture of the clicking sound.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a faucet operating device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the movable part is made of a round rod-shaped pin extending in the axial direction.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the movable portion can be fitted into the fitting groove so as to be in line contact with the fitting groove, thereby improving load distribution compared to a configuration in which these are in point contact.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a faucet operating device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the plurality of fitting grooves are arranged in a sawtooth pattern in the rotational direction along the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to impart a clicking sensation at regular intervals to the rotation of the operating shaft.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the faucet operating device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the movable parts are provided at a plurality of positions in the rotation direction of the guide.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the mechanism that causes the movable part to make a clicking motion is distributed to multiple locations in the rotational direction, making it possible to obtain a clicking sensation of appropriate strength without making the spring force of each part too strong. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a faucet operating device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet body with the temperature adjustment handle removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single hot and cold water mixing valve. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the guide with the assembled parts removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the guide as seen from the outside in the axial direction. [Figure 7] 2 is a partially sectional perspective view showing the main part of FIG. 1 cut along a vertical plane passing through the axial center. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] First Embodiment (Schematic configuration of the faucet operating device) First, the configuration of a faucet operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, top, bottom, left, and right are indicated, they refer to the directions shown in each figure.

[0021] The directions shown in each figure are those seen from the front of a mixer faucet 1 to which the faucet operating device according to this embodiment is applied. In the following description, when no specific reference figure is shown or when no reference figure has a corresponding symbol, reference will be made to any of Figures 1 to 7 as appropriate.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the faucet operating device according to this embodiment is configured as a hot and cold water mixing valve 10 incorporated into a wall-mounted mixer faucet 1 that is installed on the wall of a bathroom. The mixer faucet 1 has the function of mixing hot and cold water supplied from the back side of the bathroom wall and discharging the mixed water.

[0023] Specifically, the mixer faucet 1 is configured so that the mixing ratio of hot and cold water supplied to the faucet body 2 can be adjusted internally by operating a substantially cylindrical temperature adjustment handle 3 attached to the left side of the faucet body 2. In addition, the mixer faucet 1 is configured so that the mixed hot and cold water can be switched on and off and the amount of hot and cold water discharged can be adjusted by operating a substantially cylindrical switching handle 4 attached to the right side of the faucet body 2.

[0024] More specifically, when the user turns the temperature adjustment handle 3 to the desired rotation position, the ratio of hot and cold water mixed inside the faucet body 2 is adjusted to the set temperature corresponding to the rotation position. Also, when the user turns the switch handle 4 upward from a predetermined water stop position (position shown), an amount of hot and cold water corresponding to the amount of rotation is discharged from the shower elbow 5 connected to the flow path on the back surface of the faucet body 2 to a shower head (not shown).

[0025] Furthermore, when the user turns the switch handle 4 downward from a predetermined water stop position (position shown), an amount of hot and cold water corresponding to the amount of rotation is discharged from the faucet 6 connected to the flow path on the underside of the faucet body 2. The above-mentioned adjustment of the hot and cold water mixing ratio and switching between water discharge and water stop are performed by the hot and cold water mixing valve 10 (thermo cartridge) built into the faucet body 2.

[0026] The hot and cold water mixing valve 10 consists of a roughly cylindrical assembly that extends in the left-right direction. A temperature adjustment handle 3 is attached to the left end of the hot and cold water mixing valve 10. A switching valve (not shown) is connected to the right end of the hot and cold water mixing valve 10 via a flow path. A switching handle 4 is attached to the right end of this switching valve (not shown). When the temperature adjustment handle 3 is turned, the hot and cold water mixing valve 10 operates an internal valve mechanism (not shown), which adjusts the mixing ratio of the hot and cold water taken in.

[0027] Furthermore, when the switching handle 4 is turned, a switching valve (not shown) is operated to switch between water discharge and water stop and adjust the discharge rate of hot and cold water whose mixing ratio has been adjusted in the hot and cold water mixing valve 10. The basic configuration of the hot and cold water mixing valve 10 is the same as the publicly known configuration disclosed in documents such as JP 2023-146082 A. Therefore, a detailed description of the basic configuration of the hot and cold water mixing valve 10 will be omitted.

[0028] The hot and cold water mixing valve 10 described above incorporates a click mechanism CL that can impart a clicking sensation at regular intervals to the rotation of the temperature adjustment handle 3. This click mechanism CL allows the user to feel the progress of the rotation operation at regular intervals through sound and tactile feedback when rotating the temperature adjustment handle 3. Here, the temperature adjustment handle 3 corresponds to the "operating member" of the present invention.

[0029] (Click mechanism CL) The specific configuration of the above-mentioned click mechanism CL will be described in detail below, along with the related structure of the hot and cold water mixing valve 10.

[0030] 2 to 4, the hot and cold water mixing valve 10 has an operating shaft 11 to which the temperature adjustment handle 3 is attached, and a cylindrical housing 12 through which the operating shaft 11 passes in the axial direction (left and right direction in the figure). The hot and cold water mixing valve 10 also has a ring-shaped cap 13 that covers the cylindrical end on the left side of the housing 12, and an E-ring 14 that is attached to the outer periphery of the operating shaft 11 that protrudes outward (left side) from the cap 13 to prevent it from coming off.

[0031] The operating shaft 11 is inserted into the cylindrical housing 12 from the right side and is assembled in a state in which movement to the left relative to the housing 12 is restricted. With this assembly, the operating shaft 11 is set so as to be rotatable around the axial center relative to the housing 12.

[0032] In this state, the cap 13 is passed over the operating shaft 11 from the left side, and an E-ring 14 is attached to the outer periphery of the operating shaft 11 adjacent to the outside of the cap 13 (see Figure 2). The cap 13 is shaped like a ring plate with approximately the same outer diameter as the outer periphery of the left cylindrical end of the housing 12.

[0033] The cap 13 is assembled to the operating shaft 11 so as to be integral with the operating shaft 11 in the rotational direction by fitting with the key 11A that protrudes from the outer periphery of the operating shaft 11. With this assembly, the operating shaft 11 is restricted from moving to the right relative to the housing 12 via the E-ring 14 and the cap 13.

[0034] 4, the click mechanism CL is provided between the operating shaft 11 and the housing 12. Specifically, the click mechanism CL has a ring-plate-shaped guide 15 attached to the operating shaft 11, and round bar-shaped pins 16 assembled into guide grooves 15B formed in six locations in the rotational direction of the guide 15.

[0035] 4 to 6, the click mechanism CL has a rubber buffer member 18 that is assembled into each corresponding guide groove 15B together with each pin 16. The click mechanism CL also has a C-ring-shaped split ring 17 that is attached to an annular attachment groove 15C formed on the outer periphery of the guide 15.

[0036] 4, the click mechanism CL has a cylindrical fitting portion 12B that extends concentrically from the left cylindrical end of the housing 12 and has sawtooth fitting grooves B1 on its outer circumferential surface. Each fitting groove B1 is formed in the shape of a groove that extends in the axial direction, into which each pin 16 assembled to the guide 15 can be fitted from the outside in the radial direction.

[0037] The guide 15 is passed through the operating shaft 11 from the left side and assembled to be integral with the operating shaft 11 in the rotational direction. Specifically, the guide 15 is assembled to be integral with the operating shaft 11 in the rotational direction by fitting a key groove 15A extending from a hole in the center of the guide 15 into a key 11A of the operating shaft 11.

[0038] 5 and 6, guide grooves 15B recessed in a T-shape when viewed in the axial direction from the left side are formed at six locations in the rotational direction in the intermediate portion between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the guide 15. Each guide groove 15B is T-shaped and has a first groove B2 extending radially toward the axial center of the guide 15 and a second groove B3 protruding from the radially outer end of the first groove B2 so as to extend in both directions in the rotational direction.

[0039] The guide grooves 15B are formed to be aligned at equal intervals in the rotational direction of the guide 15. The guide grooves 15B are formed to have the same groove shape. In addition, a mounting groove 15C is formed in the outer periphery of the guide 15 in the middle part excluding both axial ends, and is recessed in a shape that extends approximately annularly around the axial center of the guide 15.

[0040] Strictly speaking, the mounting groove 15C is not annular, but is formed in a C-ring-like groove shape with a portion interrupted. The mounting groove 15C is recessed deeply radially inward to a position where it overlaps with the second groove B3 of each guide groove 15B in the radial direction. This allows the mounting groove 15C to communicate with the second groove B3 of each guide groove 15B.

[0041] A C-shaped split ring 17 is fitted into the mounting groove 15C from the outer periphery. A pin 16 and a buffer member 18 are set in each guide groove 15B by being passed through them in the axial direction.

[0042] Specifically, each pin 16 is set so as to be passed through the first groove B2 of the corresponding guide groove 15B from the left side, whereby each pin 16 is set in a state where it is supported from both sides in the rotational direction so as to be slidable in the radial direction relative to the corresponding first groove B2.

[0043] Each buffer member 18 is set so as to be passed through the second groove B3 of the corresponding guide groove 15B from the left side, so that each buffer member 18 is set in a state of being fitted into the corresponding second groove B3 and covering the corresponding pin 16 set in the corresponding first groove B2 from the outside in the radial direction.

[0044] Each pin 16 and each buffer member 18 has approximately the same axial length, which is slightly shorter than the plate thickness (axial length) of the guide 15. Each pin 16 is made of stainless steel, which is harder than the resin material that makes up the housing 12. Here, each pin 16 corresponds to the "movable part" of the present invention.

[0045] After the above assembly, the split ring 17 is attached to the attachment groove 15C of the guide 15. This attachment sets the split ring 17 in a state where it exerts a resilient force in the radially contracting direction inside the attachment groove 15C. This resilient force applies a pressing force from the outside in the radial direction to the buffer members 18 attached to each guide groove 15B. Here, the split ring 17 corresponds to the "elastic member" of the present invention.

[0046] By assembling as described above, a pressing force is applied from the outside in the radial direction from each buffer member 18 to each pin 16. As a result, a pulling force is applied to each pin 16, pulling it radially inward along the first groove B2 of each guide groove 15B.

[0047] 7, guide 15 is passed through operating shaft 11 from the left side, so that its left axial portion is attached to the outer periphery of operating shaft 11 and its right portion is loosely fitted onto the outer periphery of fitting portion 12B of housing 12. Specifically, with the above assembly, guide 15 is set so that it faces, from the left side, journal portion 12A formed on the inner periphery of housing 12 and protruding in a reduced diameter.

[0048] The fitting portion 12B has a shape that extends concentrically in the left direction (axial direction) from the inner peripheral portion of the journal portion 12A. With this configuration, when the guide 15 is assembled, each pin 16 assembled in each guide groove 15B of the guide 15 faces from the outside in the radial direction relative to the outer peripheral surface on which each fitting groove B1 of the fitting portion 12B is formed.

[0049] Specifically, each first groove B2 through which each pin 16 of the guide 15 passes is shaped to open radially inward at the axial rear portion of the guide 15, i.e., the portion attached to the outer periphery of the fitting portion 12B. More specifically, each first groove B2 is shaped to have a radial length that allows each pin 16 to be pulled into the corresponding fitting groove B1 of the fitting portion 12B at the axial front portion of the guide 15, i.e., the portion attached to the outer periphery of the operating shaft 11.

[0050] Therefore, by assembling the guide 15, each pin 16 passed through each guide groove 15B of the guide 15 faces from the radially outer side of the outer circumferential surface on which each fitting groove B1 of the fitting portion 12B is formed.

[0051] After the cap 13 is inserted onto the operating shaft 11, the guide 15 is placed on the operating shaft 11 from the left side, so that the guide 15 is sandwiched in the axial direction between the cap 13 and the pivot support portion 12A of the housing 12. As a result, the guide 15 is held in a state where it does not shift axially relative to the operating shaft 11 by the retaining action of the E-ring 14 that is attached to the operating shaft 11 after the cap 13 is inserted.

[0052] The journal support portion 12A of the housing 12 functions as an axial direction restricting portion that restricts the axial insertion position when the operating shaft 11 is inserted from the right side into the cylindrical portion of the housing 12. Specifically, when the operating shaft 11 is passed through the journal support portion 12A from the right side, a flange 11B that protrudes in an expanded diameter and is formed in the axial middle portion of the operating shaft 11 comes into contact with the journal support portion 12A from the right side, restricting axial movement.

[0053] The shaft support portion 12A also functions as a rotation support portion that supports the operating shaft 11 inserted therein from the outer periphery so that the operating shaft 11 can rotate about its axis. Between the shaft support portion 12A and the cap 13, the guide 15 is held so as not to be displaced in the axial direction relative to the operating shaft 11.

[0054] By the above assembly, each pin 16 assembled to the guide 15 is drawn in so as to fit into each fitting groove B1 located radially inward by the elastic force applied from the split ring 17. As a result, the fitting force between each pin 16 and each fitting groove B1 via the elastic force of the split ring 17 applies a resistance force to the operating shaft 11 that restricts movement in the rotational direction.

[0055] This prevents the temperature control handle 3 attached to the operating shaft 11 from turning unintentionally. Because each pin 16 has a round bar shape extending in the axial direction, it makes line contact with each fitting groove B1 rather than point contact. This allows each pin 16 to widely distribute the pressing force that occurs when it comes into contact with each fitting groove B1 in the axial direction. As a result, the load caused by the sliding between each pin 16 and each fitting groove B1 is reduced, making each fitting groove B1 less likely to wear out.

[0056] When the temperature adjustment handle 3 is rotated from the above-described fitted state against the resilient force of the split ring 17, the operating shaft 11 is rotated relative to the housing 12 while elastically removing the pins 16 from the fitting grooves B1. Then, as the operating shaft 11 rotates, the fitting grooves B1 are again aligned with the radially inner positions of the pins 16, and as the pins 16 are fitted into the fitting grooves B1 by the resilient force of the split ring 17, the operating shaft 11 receives a resistance force in the rotational direction accompanied by a clicking sensation.

[0057] Therefore, by ceasing operation of the temperature control handle 3 at such a position, the temperature control handle 3 can be stopped appropriately at a position at regular intervals where a clicking sensation is imparted. The fitting grooves B1 are formed so that they are continuously aligned at 9-degree intervals in the rotational direction. Each pin 16 is subjected to the same elastic force from the radial outside by a single split ring 17. As a result, each pin 16 fits into its corresponding fitting groove B1 simultaneously, imparting a high-quality clicking sensation.

[0058] In addition, rubber buffer members 18 are provided between each pin 16 and split ring 17. This allows the rubber buffer members 18 to reduce the reverberation that occurs when each pin 16 fits into each fitting groove B1. This suppresses the reverberation of the clicking sound, improving the texture of the clicking sound. Furthermore, the presence of the buffer members 18 prevents the metal pins 16 and split ring 17 from hitting each other.

[0059] To summarize the above, the faucet operating device (hot water / cold water mixing valve 10) according to the first embodiment has the following configuration: Note that the reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0060] That is, the faucet operating device (10) has an operating shaft (11) to which a rotary operating member (3) is attached, a housing (12) through which the operating shaft (11) passes in the axial direction, and a click mechanism (CL) that imparts a clicking sensation to the operation of turning the operating shaft (11) relative to the housing (12). The click mechanism (CL) has a guide (15) that is provided so as to be integral with the operating shaft (11) in the rotational direction, and a movable part (16) that is supported from both sides in the rotational direction so as to be slidable radially relative to the guide (15).

[0061] The click mechanism (CL) also includes an elastic member (17) that applies a resilient force to draw the movable part (16) radially inward relative to the guide (15), and a fitting part (12B) that is provided integrally with the housing (12). The fitting part (12B) has fitting grooves (B1) at multiple locations in the rotational direction, into which the movable part (16) drawn in by the elastic member (17) fits from the radially outer side. As the operating shaft (11) rotates, the elastic force of the elastic member (17) causes the movable part (16) to fit into and disengage from the multiple fitting grooves (B1) so as to provide a clicking sensation.

[0062] According to the above configuration, by separating the movable part (16) from the elastic member (17), the movable part (16), which slides in the fitting groove (B1), can be made of a hard material that is resistant to wear, while the elastic member (17), which does not slide in the fitting groove (B1), can be made of a soft material that is highly elastic. Therefore, the click mechanism (CL) can be configured to be less susceptible to wear and to provide a stable clicking action. The click mechanism (CL) pulls the movable part (16) radially inward to fit it into the fitting part (12B), so that an appropriate amount of elastic force can be applied to the movable part (16) to perform the clicking action without applying an axial load to the operating shaft (11) or the guide (15).

[0063] The elastic member 17 is a C-ring-shaped split ring 17 that is attached to an attachment groove 15C that is formed on the outer periphery of the guide 15 and recessed around the axis of the operating shaft 11. By configuring the elastic member 17 as a split ring 17 that is attached to the outer periphery of the guide 15 in this way, the elastic member 17 can be simply and appropriately fixed to the guide 15. Furthermore, the elastic member 17 made of the split ring 17 can appropriately apply a spring force to the movable part 16 from the outside in the radial direction.

[0064] The faucet operating device 10 also includes a rubber buffer member 18 attached to the guide 15 so as to be radially interposed between the movable portion 16 and the split ring 17. With this configuration, the rubber buffer member 18 can reduce the reverberation generated when the movable portion 16 engages with the engaging groove B1. This reduces the reverberation of the clicking sound and improves the quality of the clicking sound.

[0065] Furthermore, the movable part 16 is formed of a round bar-shaped pin 16 extending in the axial direction. With this configuration, the movable part 16 can be fitted into the fitting groove B1 so as to make line contact with the fitting groove B1. This improves load distribution compared to a configuration in which these parts make point contact.

[0066] In addition, the plurality of fitting grooves (B1) are arranged in a sawtooth pattern in the rotational direction along the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion (12B). According to the above configuration, a clicking sensation can be imparted at regular intervals to the rotation of the operating shaft (11).

[0067] Furthermore, the movable parts 16 are provided at multiple locations in the rotational direction of the guide 15. With the above configuration, the mechanisms that cause the movable parts 16 to click are distributed to multiple locations in the rotational direction, making it possible to obtain a clicking sensation of appropriate strength without making the resilience of each part too strong.

[0068] Other Embodiments Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in various forms as described below in addition to the above embodiment.

[0069] 1. The faucet operating device of the present invention can be used in a variety of applications, imparting a clicking sensation to the rotation of the operating shaft. For example, the operating shaft to which the rotating operating member of the faucet operating device is attached may be configured to be fitted with a single lever handle or a switch handle for switching between water flow and water stop.

[0070] The operating shaft can also be installed so that it is embedded in the bathroom wall or the support pillar of the shower unit, and the operating handle can be attached to the front side of the wall or pillar.The faucet operating device can be used not only for bathroom mixer faucets, but also for mixer faucets used in kitchens and bathroom vanities.

[0071] 2. The movable part assembled to the guide so as to be slidable in the radial direction is not limited to a round bar-shaped pin extending in the axial direction. In other words, the movable part may have a shape that fits into and disengages from the multiple fitting grooves with the resilient force of the elastic member as the operating shaft rotates, providing a clicking sensation. For example, it may have a tapered tip that is spherical, hemispherical, or triangular bar-shaped.

[0072] The movable part may be provided at multiple locations in the rotation direction of the guide, or may be provided at only one location. Furthermore, when the movable part is provided at multiple locations in the rotation direction of the guide, the number is not particularly limited, and the number can be any appropriate number, such as two, three, or four locations in the rotation direction.

[0073] 3. The multiple fitting grooves do not necessarily have to be formed in a sawtooth pattern aligned in the rotational direction along the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion. In other words, some or all of the multiple fitting grooves may be formed at intervals in the rotational direction on the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion.

[0074] 4. The elastic member may be a split ring (spring) or rubber. When there are multiple movable parts attached to the guide, multiple elastic members may be provided so as to apply a resilient force to each movable part individually or collectively.

[0075] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...mixing faucet, 2...faucet body, 3...temperature adjustment handle (operating member), 4...switching handle, 5...shower elbow, 6...faucet, 10...hot and cold water mixing valve (faucet operating device), 11...operating shaft, 11A...key, 11B...flange, 12...housing, 12A...axial support portion, 12B...fitting portion, B1...fitting groove, 13...cap, 14...E-ring, 15...guide, 15A...key groove, 15B...guide groove, B2...first groove, B3...second groove, 15C...mounting groove, 16...pin (movable portion), 17...split ring (elastic member), 18...buffer member, CL...click mechanism

Claims

1. A faucet operating device having an operating shaft to which a rotary operating member is attached, a housing through which the operating shaft passes in the axial direction, and a click mechanism that imparts a clicking sensation to the operation of rotating the operating shaft relative to the housing, The click mechanism is a guide provided integrally with the operating shaft in a rotational direction; a movable portion supported from both sides in the rotation direction so as to be slidable in the radial direction relative to the guide; an elastic member that applies a resilient force to the movable portion so as to draw the movable portion radially inward relative to the guide; a fitting portion provided integrally with the housing and having fitting grooves at a plurality of positions in a rotational direction into which the movable portion retracted by the elastic member is fitted from the outside in the radial direction, The faucet operating device wherein the movable portion is fitted into and disengaged from the plurality of fitting grooves by the elastic force of the elastic member as the operating shaft rotates, providing the clicking sensation.

2. The faucet operating device according to claim 1, The faucet operating device wherein the elastic member is a C-ring-shaped split ring that is fitted into a fitting groove that is formed on the outer periphery of the guide and recessed around the axis of the operating shaft.

3. The faucet operating device according to claim 2, The faucet operating device further includes a rubber buffer member attached to the guide so as to be interposed radially between the movable portion and the split ring.

4. The faucet operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A faucet operating device in which the movable part consists of a round rod-shaped pin extending in the axial direction.

5. The faucet operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A faucet operating device in which the plurality of fitting grooves are arranged in a sawtooth pattern in the rotational direction along the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion.

6. The faucet operating device according to claim 5, A faucet operating device in which the movable parts are provided at multiple locations in the rotation direction of the guide.

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