Shower head device and bathroom unit

Abstract

To provide a technology that suppresses impact on the water discharged from a discharge port with a component that is installed to a head body.SOLUTION: A shower head device may include: a head body including one or more discharge ports; a heat source installed to the head body; and a suppression part for suppressing a rise in temperature of water to be discharged from the discharge port with the heat source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a shower head device and a bathroom unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a water discharge device that includes an overhead shower section, a cascading water section, a hand shower section, and a lower-side water discharge section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-049143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some cases, components are attached to a head body having a discharge port in order to perform functions other than the function of discharging water, for example.

[0005] This specification provides a technique for suppressing the influence of parts attached to the head body on water ejected from the ejection port. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed herein relates to a shower head apparatus, which may include a head body having one or more outlets, a heat source attached to the head body, and a suppression unit that suppresses an increase in the temperature of water discharged from the outlets due to the heat source.

[0007] Another technique disclosed in this specification relates to a bathroom unit. The bathroom unit may include a bathroom and the shower head device described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] An oblique view of a bathroom unit of an embodiment is shown. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an overhead shower unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2 according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Bathroom unit configuration) As shown in Figure 1, bathroom unit 1 is defined by wall surface 4, floor surface 5, and ceiling surface 6 that surround bathroom 2. In addition to wall surface 4, floor surface 5, and ceiling surface 6, bathroom unit 1 also includes a bathtub 8, a shower device 10, and a seat portion 12.

[0010] The bathtub 8 stores water for the user to bathe in. In this specification, it is referred to as "water" regardless of the temperature. The bathtub 8 stores water supplied from a water supply port (not shown). The bathtub 8 is located at one end of the bathroom 2. Next to the bathtub 8, there is a space for using the shower device 10. Next to the bathtub 8, there is a seat 12 on which the user sits when using the shower device 10. The top surface of the seat 12 has a generally flat shape to make it easy for the user to sit on.

[0011] A shower unit 10 is disposed on the opposite side of the seat unit 12 from the bathtub 8. The shower unit 10 is disposed along a wall surface 4 located on the opposite side from the bathtub 8. The shower unit 10 includes a hand shower unit 20, an overhead shower unit 30, and an operating unit 100.

[0012] Hand shower unit 20 comprises shower head 22, hose 24, and head holding member 26. Shower head 22 is connected to a water supply source such as a water heater via hose 24. Shower head 22 discharges water supplied via hose 24 from multiple outlets. Shower head 22 is held by head holding member 26. Head holding member 26 is fixed to wall surface 4. Head holding member 26 holds shower head 22 in a manner that allows the user to remove it. The user can use shower head 22 while it is held by head holding member 26. The user can remove shower head 22 from head holding member 26 and use it while holding it in their hand.

[0013] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the overhead shower unit 30 includes a head body 32, a light source 34, and suppression units 36 and 38. The head body 32 is attached to the ceiling surface 6 and has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The head body 32 includes a surface plate 40, a shower unit 44, a mist unit 46, and a pouring water unit 48. The surface plate 40 is exposed downward from the ceiling surface 6 and has a rectangular shape with rounded corners. In a modified example, the surface plate 40 may have a shape other than a rectangular shape. For example, the surface plate 40 may be circular, elliptical, or a polygonal shape other than a rectangular shape.

[0014] A shower section 44, a mist section 46, and a pouring water section 48 are attached to the surface plate 40. The shower section 44 includes a plurality of outlets 54 and a path (not shown). The plurality of outlets 54 have openings for discharging water. The plurality of outlets 54 are arranged penetrating the surface plate 40. The plurality of outlets 54 are arranged at intervals from one another. The plurality of outlets 54 discharge water in shower form. Specifically, in shower form, water droplets having a particle size of approximately 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm are continuously discharged from each outlet 54. The plurality of outlets 54 communicate with the path. The path is connected to a water supply source.

[0015] The cascading water section 48 has one outlet 58 and a path 59. One outlet 58 is disposed so as to penetrate the surface plate 40. The outlet 58 has an opening for discharging water. The outlet 58 is disposed in the center of the head body 32. The hole diameter of the outlet 58 is larger than the hole diameters of the outlets 54 and 56. By employing outlets 54, 56, and 58 with different hole diameters in one head body 32, different types of water discharges and different types of water discharges can be used. The outlet 58 discharges water in the cascading water state. In the cascading water state, water is continuously discharged from the outlet 58 in a waterfall-like manner. The outlet 58 communicates with the path 59. The outlet 58 and the path 59 are defined by a supply pipe 60. The supply pipe 60 is attached to the surface plate 40. The supply pipe 60 is made of engineering plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (i.e., ABS resin) or polypropylene. The path 59 extends in the vertical direction. The discharge port 58 is disposed at the lower end of the path 59. Although an example in which one discharge port 58 is provided is illustrated, a plurality of discharge ports 58 may be provided in the head main body 32. The arrangement of the discharge ports 58 in the head main body 32 is not particularly limited. The discharge port 58 may be provided in a position other than the center of the head main body 32. Furthermore, for example, a plurality of discharge ports 58 may be provided symmetrically.

[0016] The mist section 46 includes a plurality of outlets 56 and a path 57. The plurality of outlets 56 are disposed through the surface plate 40. Each of the outlets 56 has an opening for discharging water. The plurality of outlets 56 are disposed at intervals around the outlet 58. The diameter of the outlets 56 is smaller than the diameter of the outlet 54. The plurality of outlets 56 discharge water in a mist state. Specifically, in the mist state, water droplets having a particle diameter of approximately 100 μm to 350 μm are sprayed in a mist form from each outlet 56. The outlets 56 communicate with the path 57. The outlets 56 and the path 57 are defined by a water supply member 62. The water supply member 62 is attached to the surface plate 40. The water supply member 62 has a cylindrical shape that surrounds the outlets 58 and the supply pipe 60. The water supply member 62, like the supply pipe 60, is made of, for example, resin. The path 57 extends in the vertical direction. The outlet 56 is disposed at the lower end of the path 59. The number of outlets 56 disposed in the mist section 46 is not particularly limited. For example, the mist section 46 may have one outlet 56. The head body 32 may not have an outlet 56. In this case, a mechanism for changing the aperture diameter of one or more of the multiple outlets 54 may be provided. The shower state and the mist state may be switched by changing the aperture diameter of one or more outlets 54.

[0017] The outlets 54, 56, and 58 are different types of outlets. For example, if one of the outlets 54 and 56 is a first type of opening, the outlet 58 is a second type of opening.

[0018] A switching valve device (not shown) is arranged between the water supply source and each of the shower section 44, mist section 46, and pouring water section 48. The switching valve device switches the water supply destination between the shower section 44, mist section 46, and pouring water section 48. After the pouring water section 48 has finished, water remains in the path 59.

[0019] A cylindrical space 64 is formed between the supply pipe 60 and the water supply member 62. The light source 34 is arranged in the space 64. The light source 34 is arranged between the outlet 58 and the plurality of outlets 56. The light source 34 is arranged around the outlet 58. The light source 34 includes a plurality of LEDs. In FIG. 4, the light source 34 is shown hatched. In reality, the LEDs are arranged. The plurality of LEDs are arranged at equal intervals around the outlet 58. Power is supplied to the light source 34 via wiring (not shown).

[0020] The suppression unit 36 ​​is disposed between the light source 34 and the discharge port 58. The suppression unit 36 ​​has a cylindrical shape that surrounds the discharge port 58 on the outer periphery of the discharge port 58. The suppression unit 36 ​​is sandwiched between the light source 34 and the supply pipe 60. The suppression unit 38 is disposed between the light source 34 and the plurality of discharge ports 56. The suppression unit 38 has a cylindrical shape that surrounds the light source 34 on the outer periphery of the light source 34. The suppression unit 38 is sandwiched between the light source 34 and the water supply member 62.

[0021] The suppression portions 36, 38 are made of a heat insulating material. The heat insulating material is made of a material with lower thermal conductivity than the resin material used to make the head body 32. The heat insulating material is, for example, a foamed plastic material such as rigid polyurethane foam or polyethylene foam. The heat insulating material is not particularly limited. For example, it may be an inorganic porous material such as calcium silicate.

[0022] The light source 34 is switched on and off automatically or by operation of the operation unit 100. For example, the light source 34 may be turned on when the pouring water section 48 is used. The light source 34 may be turned off by switching from the pouring water section 48 to either the shower section 44 or the mist section 46. For example, the light source 34 may be turned on when a user is detected by a human presence sensor. The light source 34 may be turned off when a user is not detected by the human presence sensor.

[0023] By arranging the light sources 34 around the outlets 56, 58, it is possible to irradiate the water being discharged from the outlets 56, 58 with light. By arranging multiple LEDs at equal intervals around the outlet 58, it is possible to evenly irradiate the water being discharged from the outlet 58 with light. This improves the design. In a modified example, it is not necessary to arrange the multiple LEDs at equal intervals. The light sources 34 may be arranged asymmetrically around the outlets 56, 58. In this case as well, it is possible to irradiate the water being discharged from the outlets 56, 58 with light, thereby improving the design.

[0024] When power is supplied to the light source 34 and it is turned on, the light source 34 generates heat. In other words, the light source 34 is a heat source. A suppression unit 36 ​​is arranged between the light source 34 and the outlet 58. This can suppress the heat from the light source 34 from being transferred to the water remaining in the path 59 surrounded by the light source 34. In other words, it can reduce the thermal conductivity between the light source 34 and the outlet 58. When water is discharged from the cascading water section 48, the water in the path 59 is discharged. This can suppress the heat from the light source 34 from increasing the temperature of the initial water discharged from the cascading water section 48. The suppression unit 36 ​​surrounds the light source 34 from the outside. A suppression unit 36 ​​is arranged between the light source 34 and the outlet 56. This can suppress the heat from the light source 34 from increasing the temperature of the water discharged from the outlet 56.

[0025] (Second embodiment) Differences from the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. In the overhead shower unit 130 of this embodiment, air layers 136, 138 are disposed instead of the suppression units 36, 38. The air layer 136 is disposed between the light source 34 and the outlet 58. Similar to the suppression unit 36, the air layer 136 has a cylindrical shape surrounding the outlet 58 on the outer periphery of the outlet 58. The air layer 136 is sandwiched between the light source 34 and the supply pipe 60. The air layer 138 is disposed between the light source 34 and the plurality of outlets 56. Similar to the suppression unit 38, the air layer 138 has a cylindrical shape surrounding the light source 34 on the outer periphery of the light source 34. The air layer 138 is sandwiched between the light source 34 and the water supply member 62.

[0026] According to this configuration, the air layers 136, 138, like the suppression sections 36, 38, can suppress the transfer of heat from the light source 34 to the outlets 56, 58. In other words, the thermal conductivity between the light source 34 and the outlet 58 can be reduced.

[0027] In a variant, one of the air layers 136, 138 may replace one of the suppressors 36, 38. The air layers 136, 138 and the suppressors 36, 38 may be arranged together.

[0028] (Third embodiment) Differences from the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the overhead shower unit 230 of this embodiment, a plurality of heat dissipation fins 235 are arranged above the light source 34. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 235 are arranged at equal intervals on the upper end surface of the light source 34. The heat dissipation fins 235 have a flat plate shape. The heat dissipation fins 235 may have a shape other than a flat plate, such as a curved plate shape. The heat dissipation fins 235 are made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper. The upper end of the heat dissipation fins 235 is exposed to the atmosphere. This allows heat from the light source 34 to be dissipated to the atmosphere via the heat dissipation fins 235.

[0029] In a modified example, at least one of the air layers 136, 138 may be arranged instead of at least one of the suppression units 36, 38. At least one of the suppression units 36, 38 and the air layers 136, 138 may not be arranged. At least three or more of the suppression units 36, 38 and the air layers 136, 138 may not be arranged.

[0030] (Fourth embodiment) Differences from the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. Components that are the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. The overhead shower unit 330 of this embodiment has a through-hole 262 in the water supply member 62 that communicates with the path 59. The through-hole 262 connects the path 59 with the atmospheric layer outside the water supply member 62. This configuration makes it possible to prevent water from accumulating in the path 59 after the cascading water unit 48 has finished. It is also possible to prevent the temperature of the water accumulating in the path 59 from increasing due to the heat from the light source 34.

[0031] In a modified example, at least one of the suppression units 36, 38 may be replaced with at least one of the air layers 136, 138. At least one of the suppression units 36, 38 and the air layers 136, 138 may not be provided. A plurality of heat dissipation fins 235 may be provided. At least three or more of the suppression units 36, 38 and the air layers 136, 138 may not be provided.

[0032] Aspects of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below.

[0033] A first aspect relates to a shower head device. The shower head device may include a head body having one or more outlets, a heat source attached to the head body, and a suppression unit that suppresses an increase in temperature of water discharged from the outlets due to the heat source.

[0034] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the suppression portion may reduce the thermal conductivity between the discharge port and the heat source.

[0035] In a third aspect, in the second aspect, the suppression section may include a heat insulating material disposed between the discharge port and the heat source.

[0036] As a fourth aspect, in any one of the second and third aspects, the suppression section may include an air layer disposed between the discharge port and the heat source.

[0037] A fifth aspect is that, in the first to fourth aspects, the head body may have a path through which water ejected from the ejection port passes, and the suppression portion may have a discharge portion that discharges the water from the path.

[0038] In a sixth aspect, in any one of the first and fifth aspects, the suppression section may include a heat dissipation section that dissipates heat from the heat source.

[0039] A seventh aspect is any one of the first and sixth aspects, wherein the discharge port comprises one or more first type openings and one or more second type openings having openings larger than the first type openings, and the heat source may be arranged around the second type openings.

[0040] In an eighth aspect, in any one of the first and seventh aspects, the heat source may include a light source.

[0041] A ninth aspect relates to a bathroom unit. The bathroom unit may include a bathroom and the shower head device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.

[0042] Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above. These are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0043] (1) The overhead shower unit 30 may include another heat source in addition to the light source 34. The overhead shower unit 30 may include another heat source instead of the light source 34. The overhead shower unit 30 may have a configuration similar to at least one of the suppression units 36, 38 and air layers 136, 138 disposed between the other heat source and the outlets 54, 56, 58. The other heat source may have a configuration similar to the heat dissipation fins 235 disposed therein. The other heat source may be, for example, an electrically operated device such as a motor or a circuit board.

[0044] (2) The light source 34 may be disposed at a position other than around the outlet 58. For example, the light source 34 may be disposed near a plurality of outlets 54. In this case, a configuration similar to at least one of the suppression units 36, 38 and the air layers 136, 138 may be disposed between the light source 34 and at least one of the outlets 54, 56, 58.

[0045] (3) At least one of light source 34 and another heat source may be attached to shower head 22 of hand shower unit 20. In this case, a configuration similar to at least one of suppression units 36, 38 and air layers 136, 138 may be arranged between the outlet of shower head 22 and at least one of light source 34 and another heat source. A configuration similar to heat dissipation fin 235 may be arranged in at least one of light source 34 and another heat source.

[0046] (4) At least one of the suppression sections 36, 38 may be arranged intermittently in the circumferential direction of the discharge port 58. In other words, at least one of the suppression sections 36, 38 may be arranged such that suppression sections made of a heat insulating material and air layers are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the discharge port 58.

[0047] The technical elements described in at least one of the specification and drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies exemplified in at least one of the specification and drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: bathroom unit, 2: bathroom, 4: wall surface, 5: floor surface, 6: ceiling surface, 8: bathtub, 10: shower device, 12: seat portion, 20: hand shower portion, 22: shower head, 24: hose, 26: head holding member, 30, 130, 230: overhead shower portion, 32: head body, 34: light source, 36, 38: suppression portion, 44: shower portion, 46: mist portion, 48: cascading water portion, 54, 56, 58: outlet, 57, 59: path, 60: supply pipe, 62: water supply member, 64: space, 100: operation portion, 136, 138: air layer, 235: heat dissipation fin, 262: through hole

Claims

1. a head body having one or more ejection ports; a heat source attached to the head body; a suppression unit that suppresses an increase in the temperature of water discharged from the discharge port due to the heat source.

2. The shower head apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the suppression portion reduces thermal conductivity between the outlet and the heat source.

3. The showerhead apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the suppression portion comprises a thermal insulator disposed between the outlet and the heat source.

4. The shower head apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the suppression portion comprises an air layer disposed between the outlet and the heat source.

5. the head body includes a path through which water discharged from the discharge port passes; The shower head apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the suppression portion comprises a discharge portion that discharges the water from the path.

6. The shower head apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the suppression unit includes a heat dissipation unit that dissipates heat from the heat source.

7. the discharge port includes one or more first-type openings and one or more second-type openings that are larger than the first-type openings; The shower head apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the heat source is disposed around the second type of opening.

8. The showerhead apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises a light source.

9. The bathroom and A bathroom unit comprising: a shower head device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is placed in the bathroom.

Images