Lock mechanism

Abstract

To provide a lock mechanism capable of automatically releasing a lock when a large force in a returning direction is applied to a plug lid and realizing the release of the lock by a relatively simple structure.SOLUTION: The lock mechanism 57 includes a rotation part 53 having a projection part 53c and a transmission terminal part 54 having two opposite surface 54d, and the projection part 53c is put in a state of being sandwiched between both opposite surface 54d. When the drain outlet is in an open state, the transmission part 54 can be locked in a state of being moved forward by using friction force in a direction of regulating slide movement of the projection part side 53c in the connecting hole side 54d generated by contact of the projection part side 54c and the opposed surface side 53c. On the other hand, when a force in the backward movement direction is applied to the plug lid, and a force to such an extent that the projection portion 53c can slide against the friction force is applied to the transmission end portion 54, the projection portion 53c moves backward while sliding, and the lock of the transmission portion 54 is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for keeping a drain outlet of a tank body in an open state. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, drain plug devices are known for switching between open and closed states of a drain outlet formed in a tank body (for example, a bathtub or a washbasin).

[0003] A drain plug device includes a plug cover for opening and closing a drain outlet, a support shaft that supports the plug cover and is capable of reciprocating movement (for example, moving up and down), an operated part (for example, an operation button), and a transmission part (for example, a wire) that is capable of reciprocating movement for transmitting driving force generated by operating the operated part from the operated part to the plug cover. In such a drain plug device, operation of the operated part causes the transmission part to move back and forth, and as a result, the support shaft and plug cover move back and forth, switching the open / closed state of the drain outlet.

[0004] Furthermore, it is common to provide a locking mechanism for maintaining the drain outlet in an open position in association with the drain plug device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The locking mechanism maintains the drain outlet in an open position by locking the plug cover in a forward (e.g., upward) position. An example of a locking mechanism is a thrust locking mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-65773 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when the drain outlet is in an open state, i.e., when the plug cover is in a forward (upward) movement state, a large force in the backward movement direction may be applied to the plug cover by placing a heavy object on it or stepping on it, etc. If such a force is applied to the plug cover, the thrust lock mechanism will maintain the lock, and excessive load will be applied to the components of the drain plug device, such as the plug cover, support shaft, locking mechanism, and transmission unit, which may ultimately cause damage or breakage to these components.

[0007] The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a locking mechanism that can automatically release the lock when a large force in the returning direction is applied to the plug cover when the drain outlet is in the open state, and that can achieve this lock release with a relatively simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The following describes each of the means suitable for achieving the above object, itemized below. Note that, where necessary, the specific effects of the corresponding means will be added.

[0009] Means 1. A drain plug device having a plug lid for opening and closing the drain outlet of a tank body, an operated part that can move back and forth, and a transmission part that can move back and forth in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the operated part and transmits the driving force caused by the movement of the operated part to the plug lid side, and the forward movement of the operated part causes the transmission part to move forward, thereby moving the plug lid forward and opening the drain outlet, while the return movement of the operated part causes the transmission part to move backward, thereby moving the plug lid backward and closing the drain outlet, A locking mechanism for maintaining the drain outlet in an open state by locking the transmission part in a forward movement state, a rotating part that rotates about a predetermined rotation axis as the operated part moves back and forth; a transmission end portion provided at an end of the transmission portion and restricted to reciprocating in a linear direction; the rotating portion has a protrusion that can reciprocate along an arc-shaped path centered on the rotation axis when the rotating portion rotates, The transmission end portion has two opposing surfaces that face each other along the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion, the protrusion is reciprocally movable across a second imaginary plane that includes the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion, within a range not exceeding a first imaginary plane that includes the rotation axis and is parallel to the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion, and is connected to the transmission end portion by being sandwiched between the two opposing surfaces; the two opposing surfaces are configured to allow sliding movement of the protrusion along a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion when the protrusion reciprocates along an arc-shaped path, The operated portion is moved forward to position the protrusion portion beyond the second imaginary plane, thereby opening the drain outlet, When the drain outlet is in an open state and a force in the backward direction is applied to the plug cover, the force in the backward direction is applied to the transmission end portion, When the drain outlet is in an open state, the friction force generated by the contact between the protrusion and the opposing surface in a direction that restricts the sliding movement of the protrusion can be used to lock the transmission part in a forward movement state, A locking mechanism characterized in that when the drain outlet is in an open state and a force in the returning direction is applied to the plug cover, and a force sufficient to enable the protrusion to slide against the frictional force is applied to the transmission end portion, the protrusion moves back while sliding in contact with the opposing surface, thereby unlocking the transmission portion.

[0010] According to the above-mentioned means 1, the locking mechanism has a transmission end part provided at the end of the transmission part and restricted to linear movement, and a rotatable rotating part, and the protrusion provided on the rotating part is connected to the transmission end part by being sandwiched between two opposing surfaces provided on the transmission end part. Furthermore, the two opposing surfaces are configured to allow sliding movement of the protrusion in the direction perpendicular to the reciprocating movement direction of the transmission end part when the protrusion reciprocates along an arc-shaped path as the rotating part rotates, for example, by making the length of the two opposing surfaces in the direction perpendicular to the reciprocating movement direction of the transmission end part sufficiently large.

[0011] When the drain outlet is in the open position, the frictional force generated by the contact between the protrusion and the opposing surface, which acts in a direction that restricts the sliding movement of the protrusion, is utilized to lock the transmission unit in a forward movement state, thereby maintaining the drain outlet in an open position. On the other hand, when the drain outlet is in the open position, a force in the backward movement direction (e.g., downward movement) is applied to the plug cover, and when a force sufficient to allow the protrusion to slide against the frictional force is applied to the transmission end portion, the protrusion slides backward while in contact with the opposing surface, resulting in the transmission end portion moving backward and unlocking the transmission unit. Therefore, when a large force in the backward movement direction is applied to the plug cover while the drain outlet is in the open position, the lock can be automatically released, more reliably preventing excessive load from being applied to the drain plug cover, the transmission unit, and other components of the drain plug device. This very effectively prevents damage or breakage to the components of the drain plug device.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned means 1, the above-mentioned automatic unlocking can be achieved with a relatively simple structure. Therefore, while realizing automatic unlocking, it is possible to more reliably suppress increases in costs related to the manufacturing and maintenance of the locking mechanism and the drain plug device having the same.

[0013] Means 2. A locking mechanism according to Means 1, characterized in that it is provided with a resistance generating part that assists in locking the transmission part by coming into contact with the transmission part and generating frictional resistance between the transmission part and the resistance generating part in a direction that inhibits the reciprocating movement of the transmission part.

[0014] According to the above-mentioned means 2, since the resistance generating part is provided, the transmission part can be more reliably maintained in the locked state, which makes it possible to more reliably maintain the drain outlet in the open state against, for example, water pressure or the weight of the plug cover.

[0015] Means 3: A locking mechanism according to the means, characterized in that the resistance generating portion is constituted by an annular part that contacts the entire outer periphery of the transmission portion.

[0016] According to the above-mentioned means 3, the resistance generating portion is configured by an annular part such as an O-ring made of resin or rubber, for example. This prevents the structure of the locking mechanism and the drain plug device having the same from becoming complicated, thereby further improving the effect of suppressing increases in costs.

[0017] Means 4. A locking mechanism as described in Means 1, characterized in that it is provided with a spring portion that assists in locking the transmission portion by applying a force to the rotating portion in a direction that inhibits the return movement of the protrusion portion when the drain outlet is in an open state.

[0018] According to the above-mentioned means 4, by using the spring portion, the transmission portion can be more reliably maintained in the locked state, and consequently the drain outlet can be more reliably maintained in the open state.

[0019] Means 5. The locking mechanism according to Means 4, characterized in that it has a force reversal mechanism that can reverse the direction of the force applied from the spring portion to the rotating portion during the return movement of the protrusion portion.

[0020] According to the above-mentioned means 5, the force reversal mechanism reverses the direction of the force applied from the spring to the pivot part while the protrusion is moving back, from a force that would hinder the protrusion's movement to a force that promotes the protrusion's movement. Therefore, when operating the operated part to switch the open / closed state of the drain outlet, the force applied from the spring part can be used as an assist force to help with the switch. This improves the operability of switching the open / closed state of the drain outlet.

[0021] Means 6. The force reversal mechanism is a first end portion rotatably supported about a first end rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis; the other end portion is attached to the rotating part or an intermediate rotating part that is rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotating shaft and that is configured so that the driving force due to the rotation of the intermediate rotating part is transmitted to the rotating part, and the other end portion is attached to the intermediate rotating part in a state that the other end portion is rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotating shaft; The other end portion moves along an arcuate path when the rotating portion or the intervening rotating portion to which the other end portion is attached rotates, and the spring portion is disposed in a compressed state between the one end portion and the other end portion, The locking mechanism described in means 5 is characterized in that, during the return movement of the protrusion, the other end side rotation axis crosses a third imaginary plane that includes the one end side rotation axis and the rotation center of the rotation part or the intervening rotation part to which the other end side portion is attached, thereby reversing the direction of the force applied from the spring part to the rotation part.

[0022] According to the above-mentioned means 6, the applied force reversal mechanism can be realized with a relatively simple configuration, which can more reliably prevent the structure from becoming complicated and further enhance the effect of suppressing increases in costs.

[0023] Furthermore, since the spring portion is provided in a compressed state, the device can be made smaller than when the spring portion is provided in a natural length state or an extended state.

[0024] Means 7: The operated part moves back and forth by rotating, The locking mechanism described in means 1 is characterized in that the drain plug device has an amplification mechanism interposed between the operated part and the rotating part, which increases the rotation angle of the rotating part more than the rotation angle of the operated part.

[0025] According to the above-mentioned means 7, the amplification mechanism can increase the rotation angle of the rotating part and thus the amount of reciprocating movement of the protrusion when the operated part is operated. Therefore, the amount of operation of the operated part can be kept relatively small while ensuring an appropriate amount of reciprocating movement (stroke amount) of the plug cover. This can improve operability while ensuring good drainage capacity when the drain outlet is in the open state.

[0026] The technical features relating to the above-mentioned means may be combined as appropriate. For example, the technical feature relating to the above-mentioned means 2 may be combined with at least one of the technical features relating to the above-mentioned means 4 to 7. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a washbasin and a drain plug device in a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the operating device when the drain outlet is in a closed state in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view of the operating device with the cover removed when the drain outlet is in a closed state in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view of the operating device with the cover removed when the drain outlet is in an open state in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG. 2 when the drain outlet is in a closed state in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG. 2 when the drain outlet is in an open state in the first embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line KK in FIG. 2 when the drain outlet is in a closed state in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line KK in FIG. 2 when the drain outlet is in an open state in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LL in FIG. 2 when the drain outlet is in a closed state in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LL in FIG. 2 when the drain outlet is in an open state in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the operating device taken along a cross section including the rotation center of an interposed rotation part in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the operating device in the first embodiment, taken along a cross section including the center of an inner wire connected to a transmission end portion. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the operating device in a cross section including the rotation axis of the rotation part in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the operating device with the cover removed when the drain outlet is in an open state in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the operating device with the cover removed when the drain outlet is in a closed state in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a transmission end portion in a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the operating device taken along a cross section passing through the cover in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the operating device taken along a cross section passing through the housing attachment portion in the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an operating device for explaining a resistance generating unit in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] As shown in Figure 1, drain plug device 1 is attached to washbasin 100, which serves as a tub. Washbasin 100 has bottom wall 101, which forms the bottom surface, and peripheral wall 102, which stands on the outside of bottom wall 101. Drain port 103 is formed through bottom wall 101, and overflow port 104 (see Figure 5, etc.), which serves as an attachment hole, is formed through the upper side of peripheral wall 102. In this embodiment, overflow port 104 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front side (the water storage space side of washbasin 100).

[0029] The drain plug device 1 comprises a plug cover 2 and an operating device 3. The plug cover 2 opens and closes the drain outlet 103 by reciprocating (moving up and down) due to the driving force generated by the reciprocating movement of an operated part 7 (described later) of the operating device 3. When the drain outlet 103 is in the open state (i.e., when the plug cover 2 is moving forward (upward)), if a force in the backward (downward) direction is applied to the plug cover 2, the force in the backward direction is applied to a transmission end part 54a (described later) via an inner wire 54b (described later).

[0030] The operating device 3 is used to open and close the drain outlet 103 by remotely operating the plug 2. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the operating device 3 includes a case member 4, a transmission body 5, a biasing force imparting part 6, and an operated part 7.

[0031] The case member 4 functions as an attachment portion for the operating device 3 to the washbasin 100, and also forms a flow path into which wastewater flows when the water level in the washbasin 100 rises. The case member 4 includes a flange member 41 and an elbow member 42.

[0032] Flange member 41 is inserted into overflow port 104 and has a rectangular cylindrical shape overall. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, flange member 41 includes a cylindrical main body 41a extending substantially horizontally, a flange 41b formed to protrude outward from one end of main body 41a (the end on the water storage space side of washbasin 100), and an inward protrusion 41c formed to protrude inward from the other end of main body 41a. Two inward protrusions 41c are provided at positions on either side of the central axis of main body 41a, and each inward protrusion 41c is formed with an insertion hole 41d (see Figure 12) extending along the central axis direction of main body 41a.

[0033] Furthermore, one end opening of flange member 41 (main body portion 41a) is opening 41e that opens toward the water storage space in washbasin 100. Water in washbasin 100 can flow into case member 4 through opening 41e. In this embodiment, when viewed from the front (when viewed from the water storage space side of washbasin 100), opening 41e has parallel upper and lower bases, and a pair of sides (legs) connecting these bases form an asymmetric trapezoid. In other words, opening 41e is asymmetrical both vertically and horizontally.

[0034] Additionally, flange member 41 has a cylindrical upper shaft portion 41f (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that protrudes downward from its upper inner circumferential surface corresponding to the top of opening 41e, and a cylindrical lower shaft portion (not shown) that is coaxial with upper shaft portion 41f and protrudes upward from its lower inner circumferential surface corresponding to the bottom of opening 41e. Upper shaft portion 41f and lower shaft portion are used to rotatably attach operated unit 7 to case member 4. In this embodiment, upper shaft portion 41f and lower shaft portion are located at positions shifted to the right from the widthwise center (left-right center) of opening 41e when viewing opening 41e from the water storage space side of washbasin 100.

[0035] Furthermore, flange member 41 has end surface 41g located on the water storage space side of washbasin 100. End surface 41g corresponds to the end surface of case member 4. End surface 41g is a portion extending from one end of the inner circumferential surface of flange member 41 to the outer circumferential edge of flange portion 41b, and in this embodiment, it protrudes slightly from peripheral wall portion 102. Note that end surface 41g may be configured not to protrude from peripheral wall portion 102 (for example, to be approximately flush with peripheral wall portion 102) by, for example, arranging end surface 41g in a recess provided in peripheral wall portion 102. In this case, it is possible to improve appearance, safety, and usability.

[0036] The elbow member 42 has the function of guiding water that has flowed into the case member 4 through the opening 41e into an overflow pipe (not shown). The overflow pipe is connected to a pipe into which drainage water from the drain outlet 103 flows, and the water that has flowed into the case member 4 is finally guided to the pipe through the overflow pipe. The elbow member 42 is coaxial with the main body 41a and includes a first pipe portion 42a that extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and a second pipe portion 42b (see FIG. 2, etc.) that extends downward from the lower portion on the other end side of the first pipe portion 42a and to which the overflow pipe is connected.

[0037] The first pipe portion 42a has a rectangular cylindrical shape that is slightly larger than the main body portion 41a and has two threaded holes (not shown) extending in the axial direction of the first pipe portion 42a. Then, the flange member 41 (main body portion 41a) is inserted into the first pipe portion 42a through the overflow port 104, and a male screw (not shown) is threaded into the threaded holes through the insertion holes 41d of the flange member 41. The peripheral wall portion 102 is sandwiched between the flange portion 41b and one end face of the first pipe portion 42a, whereby the elbow member 42 is connected to the flange member 41 and the case member 4 is attached to the washbasin 100.

[0038] An elastically deformable annular seal member 8 is provided between one end face of the first pipe portion 42a and the peripheral wall portion 102. The seal member 8 prevents water leakage from between the washbasin 100 and the case member 4.

[0039] 3 and 4, the upper surface of the elbow member 42 is provided with a housing attachment portion 42c that forms a space for housing the biasing force application portion 6 and a rotating portion 53 (described later) of the transmission body 5, and that is for attaching one end of a tube member 54e (described later). The housing attachment portion 42c is generally formed of a rectangular protrusion that protrudes upward, and the internal space defined by the protrusion forms a space for housing the biasing force application portion 6, the rotating portion 53, and the like. In addition, a part of the protrusion forms a tube attachment portion 42d that holds one end of the tube member 54e.

[0040] In addition, a through hole 42e (see Figure 11) is provided at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the elbow member 42, connecting the internal space of the first pipe portion 42a with the internal space of the accommodating mounting portion 42c (accommodating space for the biasing force imparting portion 6, etc.).

[0041] A cover 43 is provided to cover the top of the housing mounting portion 42c (see FIG. 2, etc.; FIGS. 3 and 4 show the state in which the cover 43 is removed). The cover 43 is attached to the housing mounting portion 42c by, for example, screwing. The cover 43 holds the biasing force imparting portion 6, one end of a tube member 54e (described later), and the transmission end portion 54a, etc., in place so that they do not fall off. A sealing component (not shown) is provided between the cover 43 and the housing mounting portion 42c, and this sealing component prevents water from leaking out of the housing mounting portion 42c.

[0042] Furthermore, the cover 43 is provided with a guide portion 43a having two parallel surfaces facing each other on either side of the transmission end portion 54a (see Figure 11), and the guide portion 43a (particularly the two parallel surfaces) restricts the transmission end portion 54a to move back and forth in a linear direction.

[0043] The transmission body 5 transmits the driving force generated by the rotation of the operated part 7 to the stopper lid 2. As shown in Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8, the transmission body 5 includes a connecting rotation part 51, an intervening rotation part 52, a rotation part 53 and a transmission part 54.

[0044] The connecting rotation part 51 is disposed between the operated part 7 and the intervening rotation part 52 inside the case member 4, and serves to rotate the intervening rotation part 52 when the operated part 7 is pressed and rotated. The connecting rotation part 51 is attached to the lower part of the intervening rotation part 52 by a predetermined ring part 55 (see Figures 5, 11, etc.) so as to be prevented from coming off the intervening rotation part 52. The connecting rotation part 51 is unable to rotate relative to the intervening rotation part 52, and rotates together with the intervening rotation part 52. The connecting rotation part 51 is attached to the elbow member 42 via the intervening rotation part 52.

[0045] Furthermore, the connecting rotation part 51 has two arm parts 51a. The arm parts 51a are shaped like an eight, with the distance between them gradually increasing as they move away from the rotation center of the connecting rotation part 51. A rotation part arrangement gap 51b is formed between the base ends of the two arm parts 51a. The rotation part arrangement gap 51b has a constant width and extends from the rear side, which is the rotation center side of the connecting rotation part 51, to the front side, which is the side away from the rotation center. A rotation locking part 73a (described later) of the operated part 7 is arranged in the rotation part arrangement gap 51b. As the operated part 7 rotates, the rotation locking part 73a rotates, and a force is applied from the rotation locking part 73a to the arm part 51a, causing the connecting rotation part 51 and the intervening rotation part 52 to rotate.

[0046] Furthermore, while the position of the swivel locking portion 73a along the extension direction of the swivel portion arrangement gap 51b varies depending on the thickness of the peripheral wall portion 102 sandwiched between the flange member 41 and the elbow member 42, the swivel portion arrangement gap 51b has a length that allows two or more swivel locking portions 73a to be arranged side by side along the extension direction of the swivel portion arrangement gap 51b. Therefore, even if the thickness of the peripheral wall portion 102 to be attached varies slightly, the swivel locking portion 73a can be more reliably arranged in the swivel portion arrangement gap 51b.

[0047] The intervening rotation part 52 is inserted through the through hole 42e in a state where it can rotate relatively to the elbow member 42 (see FIG. 11), and is supported by the elbow member 42 and the cover 43. More specifically, the intervening rotation part 52 has an upper portion supported by the cover 43 and a middle portion in the height direction supported by the elbow member 42. The intervening rotation part 52 has an attachment recess 52a that opens to the outer periphery, and an upstream gear part 52b provided on the opposite side of the attachment recess 52a across the rotation center of the intervening rotation part 52 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0048] The mounting recess 52 a is a recess in which the other end portion of the force reversing mechanism 61 (described later) is disposed, and is used to connect the force reversing mechanism 61 and the interposed rotation part 52 .

[0049] The upstream gear portion 52 b is meshed with a downstream gear portion 53 a (described later) of the rotating portion 53 , and transmits the driving force generated by the rotation of the intermediate rotating portion 52 to the rotating portion 53 .

[0050] The rotating part 53 is disposed between the intervening rotating part 52 and the transmission part 54, and is attached to the upper surface part of the elbow member 42 in a state capable of rotating about a predetermined rotation axis R1. The rotating part 53 has a shape in which a downstream gear part 53a (see Figures 9, 12, etc.) and a disk part 53b are coaxially arranged along the direction of the rotation axis R1.

[0051] As described above, the downstream gear portion 53a is meshed with the upstream gear portion 52b, and rotates when it receives a rotational force transmitted from the intermediate rotation portion 52. The rotation radius of the upstream gear portion 52b (i.e., the distance from the rotation center of the intermediate rotation portion 52 to the outer periphery of the upstream gear portion 52b) is larger than the rotation radius of the downstream gear portion 53a (i.e., the distance from the rotation axis R1, which is the rotation center of the rotation portion 53, to the outer periphery of the downstream gear portion 53a). This makes it possible to increase the rotation angle of the rotation portion 53 more than the rotation angle of the operated portion 7. In this embodiment, the upstream gear portion 52b and the downstream gear portion 53a form an amplification mechanism 56 (see FIG. 12).

[0052] The disk portion 53b has a disk shape with a larger diameter than the downstream gear portion 53a, and includes a protrusion 53c that protrudes upward from the outer periphery of the end face opposite the downstream gear portion 53a. The protrusion 53c is a portion that is connected to the transmission portion 54, and is capable of reciprocating along an arc-shaped path centered on the rotation axis R1 when the rotating portion 53 rotates. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the protrusion 53c is capable of reciprocating within a range not exceeding a first imaginary plane V1 that includes the rotation axis R1 and is parallel to the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion 54a, while straddling a second imaginary plane V2 that includes the rotation axis R1 and is perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion 54a.

[0053] The transmission part 54 is for transmitting the driving force generated by the rotation of the rotation part 53 to the stopper lid 2 side, and includes a transmission end part 54a and an inner wire 54b.

[0054] The transmission end portion 54a is provided at the end of the transmission portion 54 on the operating device 3 side, and as described above, is restricted to reciprocating movement in a linear direction by the guide portion 43a of the cover 43. Furthermore, the rotation of the transmission end portion 54a is restricted by the cover 43 and the elbow member 42. Note that the transmission end portion 54a may be restricted to reciprocating movement in a linear direction by a component other than the cover 43.

[0055] Furthermore, a connecting hole 54c through which the protrusion 53c is inserted is formed in the transmission end portion 54a. Two opposing surfaces 54d that face each other along the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion 54a are provided at the portion of the transmission end portion 54a where the connecting hole 54c is formed. In this embodiment, the two opposing surfaces 54d are flat surfaces that are perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion 54a, but they may also be flat surfaces or curved surfaces that are slightly inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction.

[0056] The protrusion 53c is sandwiched between two opposing surfaces 54d, thereby connecting the protrusion 53c and the transmission end portion 54a. The distance between the opposing surfaces 54d along the direction of movement of the transmission end portion 54a is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the protrusion 53c (for example, 1.0 to 1.1 times the outer diameter of the protrusion 53c). This allows the driving force generated by the movement of the protrusion 53c to be immediately applied to the transmission end portion 54a.

[0057] In addition, when protrusion 53c moves along the arc-shaped path, protrusion 53c moves in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of transmission end portion 54a, and connecting hole 54c is made relatively wide so as not to hinder the movement of protrusion 53c in this perpendicular direction. As a result, two opposing surfaces 54d are configured to allow sliding movement of protrusion 53c in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of transmission end portion 54a when protrusion 53c moves reciprocating along the arc-shaped path.

[0058] The inner wire 54b is configured, for example, of a core coil or stranded wire made of a metal wire, and its end is connected to the transmission end portion 54a. The inner wire 54b is inserted through the inner circumference of a long, cylindrical tube member 54e, and moves back and forth within the tube member 54e as the operated portion 7 rotates.

[0059] One end of the tube member 54e is provided with a flange-shaped flared portion, and this flared portion is placed in the tube mounting portion 42d and sandwiched between the elbow member 42 and the cover 43, thereby attaching one end of the tube member 54e to the housing mounting portion 42c. Meanwhile, the other end of the tube member 54e is placed on the plug lid 2 side. As a result, the inner wire 54b is guided by the tube member 54e from the operating device 3 side to the plug lid 2 side. The inner wire 54b and the tube member 54e are guided from the operating device 3 side to the plug lid 2 side through the case member 4 and the overflow pipe, respectively (see the dashed dotted line in Figure 12).

[0060] The biasing force applying portion 6 is disposed within the housing mounting portion 42c, and applies a biasing force to the rotating portion 53 via the interposed rotating portion 52. The biasing force applying portion 6 includes an applied force reversing mechanism 61 that is rod-shaped overall, and a spring portion 62 (see FIGS. 9 and 10; not shown in FIG. 3, etc.) that is formed by spirally winding a predetermined metal wire.

[0061] The force reversal mechanism 61 includes a cylindrical cylinder portion 61a having one end closed and a bottom, and a rod-shaped portion 61b inserted into the cylinder portion 61a. One end portion of the force reversal mechanism 61, i.e., one end portion of the cylinder portion 61a, is supported by the case member 4 (elbow member 42) so as to be rotatable about a one-end rotation axis L1 parallel to the rotation axis R1. Meanwhile, the other end portion of the force reversal mechanism 61, i.e., the other end portion of the rod-shaped portion 61b protruding from the other end opening of the cylinder portion 61a, is disposed in the mounting recess 52a, and is thereby supported by the interposed rotation portion 52 so as to be rotatable about a other-end rotation axis L2 parallel to the rotation axis R1. The other end portion of the force reversal mechanism 61 (the other end portion of the rod-shaped portion 61b) is configured to move along an arc-shaped path centered on the rotation center of the interposed rotation portion 52 when the interposed rotation portion 52 rotates.

[0062] The spring portion 62 is disposed in a compressed state between one end portion (the portion that abuts the bottom of the cylinder portion 61a) and the other end portion (the other end portion of the rod-shaped portion 61b) of the force reversal mechanism 61. The spring portion 62 and the force reversal mechanism 61 are provided at positions that do not pass through the rotation center of the intervening rotation portion 52 when the intervening rotation portion 52 rotates. This makes it possible to support the upper portion of the intervening rotation portion 52 by the cover 43, as described above.

[0063] Furthermore, when the drain outlet 103 is in an open state, i.e., when the operated part 7 is not protruding from the opening 41e of the case member 4 (see Figure 4), the spring part 62 applies a force to the rotating part 53 in a direction that inhibits the return movement of the protrusion part 53c (movement in the direction indicated by the thick arrow in Figure 4).

[0064] On the other hand, during the return movement of the protrusion 53c due to the rotation of the operated part 7, the other end side rotation axis L2 crosses a third imaginary plane V3 including the one end side rotation axis L1 and the rotation center of the intervening rotation part 52, thereby reversing the direction of the force applied from the spring part 62 to the rotation part 53, and the spring part 62 applies a force to the rotation part 53 in a direction that promotes the return movement of the protrusion 53c.

[0065] Furthermore, when drain outlet 103 is in a closed state, that is, when operated portion 7 protrudes from opening 41e of case member 4 (see FIG. 3), spring portion 62 applies a force to rotating portion 53 in a direction that inhibits forward movement of protrusion 53c. Therefore, spring portion 62 can more reliably maintain drain outlet 103 in an open state and a closed state.

[0066] On the other hand, during the forward movement of the protrusion 53c due to the rotation of the operated part 7, the other-end rotation axis L2 crosses the third imaginary plane V3, thereby reversing the direction of the force applied from the spring part 62 to the rotating part 53, and the spring part 62 applies a force to the rotating part 53 in a direction that promotes the forward movement of the protrusion 53c. Therefore, the applied force reversal mechanism 61 can reverse the direction of the force applied from the spring part 62 to the rotating part 53 during the reciprocating movement of the protrusion 53c due to the rotation of the operated part 7.

[0067] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, a retracting movement portion 71b (described later) of the operated portion 7 is pressed and moved, and when the other-end side rotation axis L2 crosses the third imaginary plane V3, a force is applied from the spring portion 62 to the rotation portion 53 in a direction that presses and moves the retracting movement portion 71b. On the other hand, when the drain outlet 103 is in the closed state, a protruding movement portion 71a (described later) of the operated portion 7 is pressed and moved, and when the other-end side rotation axis L2 crosses the third imaginary plane V3, a force is applied from the spring portion 62 to the rotation portion 53 in a direction that presses and moves the protruding movement portion 71a. In other words, when switching the open / closed state of the drain outlet 103, if the operated portion 7 is moved to a certain extent, a force is applied from the spring portion 62 to the rotation portion 53 in a direction that assists in switching the open / closed state.

[0068] The operated part 7 is a part that is operated by the user when opening or closing the drain outlet 103. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the operated part 7 includes a pressed part 71, a shaft mounting part 72, and a swivel plate part 73. Note that the operated part 7 in this embodiment moves back and forth by rotating.

[0069] The pressed portion 71 is plate-shaped and is disposed in the opening 41e of the case member 4. The pressed portion 71 has a shape corresponding to the opening 41e (see FIG. 2). That is, like the opening 41e, the pressed portion 71 has parallel upper and lower bases when viewed from the front, and the two sides (legs) connected to these bases form an asymmetric trapezoid. Therefore, the pressed portion 71 has an asymmetric shape both vertically and horizontally.

[0070] Furthermore, pressed portion 71 has protruding and moving portion 71a and retracting and moving portion 71b positioned on either side of the rotation center of pressed portion 71. Protruding and moving portion 71a is a portion located to the left of the rotation center of operated portion 7 when viewed from the front (when viewed from the water storage space side of washbasin 100), and is a portion that protrudes from opening 41e as operated portion 7 rotates. Protruding and moving portion 71a protrudes from opening 41e when drain outlet 103 is in the closed state, and is pressed when drain outlet 103 is switched from the closed state to the open state.

[0071] On the other hand, the retracting movement part 71b is a part located to the right of the rotation center of the operated part 7 when viewed from the front, and is a part that retracts into the case member 4 as the operated part 7 rotates. The retracting movement part 71b is pressed when switching the drain outlet 103 from an open state to a closed state. Therefore, by pressing the protruding movement part 71a or the retracting movement part 71b, the operated part 7 is rotated, and the open / closed state of the drain outlet 103 can be switched.

[0072] The shaft mounting portion 72 is a portion for mounting the operated portion 7 in a rotatable state on the outside of the upper shaft portion 41f and the lower shaft portion coaxial therewith. The shaft mounting portion 72 protrudes from the rear surface of the pressed portion 71 toward the back side of the case member 4, and holds the upper shaft portion 41f and the lower shaft portion therebetween. As a result, the operated portion 7 is mounted to the case member 4 in a rotatable state with the upper shaft portion 41f and the lower shaft portion as rotation centers.

[0073] The swivel plate portion 73 is a plate-shaped portion that extends from the upper portion of a portion of the back surface of the pressed portion 71 that is located between the widthwise edge on the protruding / moving portion 71a side and the rotation center of the operated portion 7 toward the intervening rotation portion 52 side. A cylindrical rotation locking portion 73a is provided at the tip end (the end on the intervening rotation portion 52 side) of the swivel plate portion 73, and as described above, the rotation locking portion 73a is disposed in the rotation portion arrangement gap 51b. When the swivel plate portion 73 rotates in response to an operation on the operated portion 7, the intervening rotation portion 52 and the rotation portion 53 rotate, and ultimately the transmission portion 54 moves back and forth.

[0074] In the drain plug device 1 described above, when the drain outlet 103 is in the closed state, the operated part 7 has the protruding / moving part 71a protruding from the end surface 41g and the retracting / moving part 71b retracted into the case member 4 (see Figures 2, 3, etc.). In this state, when the drain outlet 103 is switched to the open state, the protruding / moving part 71a is pressed to rotate the operated part 7 to one side, which activates the connecting rotation part 51, causing the intervening rotation part 52 to rotate to one side, and ultimately causing the rotation part 53 to rotate to one side (forward movement). Then, the protrusion part 53c moves forward along an arc-shaped path, causing the transmission part 54 to move forward. As a result, the plug cover 2 moves forward (upward), and the drain outlet 103 is opened.

[0075] When the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, the protrusion 53c is positioned beyond the second imaginary plane V2 but in front of the first imaginary plane V1 (not beyond the first imaginary plane V1) (for example, a position where the smaller of the angles between the first imaginary plane V1 and an imaginary plane connecting the center of the protrusion 53c and the rotation axis R1 is 20 degrees or less). When the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, the transmission unit 54 is locked in the forward movement state by utilizing the friction force generated by the contact between the protrusion 53c and the opposing surface 54d, which acts in a direction that restricts the sliding movement of the protrusion 53c relative to the transmission end unit 54a. By locking the transmission unit 54 in the forward movement state, the plug lid 2 is maintained in the forward (upward) movement state, i.e., the open state of the drain outlet 103. Therefore, in this embodiment, the transmission end portion 54a, the rotating portion 53, etc. constitute a locking mechanism 57 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that locks the transmission portion 54 in a forward movement state. When the drain outlet 103 is in an open state, the spring portion 62 applies a force to the rotating portion 53 in a direction that inhibits the return movement of the protrusion 53c. In other words, the spring portion 62 assists in locking the transmission portion 54. Therefore, in this embodiment, the biasing force applying portion 6 also constitutes part of the locking mechanism 57.

[0076] Furthermore, when the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, the surfaces of the protruding and retracting portions 71a and 71b of the operated portion 7 are substantially flush with the end face 41g (see Figures 4, 6, etc.). Note that the term "substantially flush" does not mean strictly flush, but also includes cases where there are slight irregularities, gaps, or steps (e.g., 5 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or less) between the surfaces of the protruding and retracting portions 71a, etc., and the end face 41g. In this state, when the drain outlet 103 is switched to the closed state, the retracting portion 71b is pressed to rotate the operated portion 7 to the other side, which activates the connecting rotation portion 51 and rotates the intervening rotation portion 52 to the other side. Then, the rotation portion 53 rotates to the other side, and the protrusion 53c returns along the arc-shaped path, thereby returning the transmission portion 54. As a result, the plug lid 2 moves back (down) and the drain outlet 103 is put into a closed state.

[0077] In addition, the drain outlet 103 is basically maintained in the open state by the locking mechanism 57, but in this state, for example, when a heavy object is placed on the plug lid 2, a relatively large force is applied to the plug lid 2 in the backward (downward) direction, and as a result, when a force is applied to the transmission end part 54a that is large enough to enable the protrusion 53c to slide against the frictional force, the protrusion 53c will slide backward while in contact with the opposing surface 54d. Therefore, when a relatively large force is applied to the plug lid 2 in the backward (downward) direction, the lock of the transmission part 54 is released, and the drain outlet 103 automatically switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0078] The locking and unlocking of transmission part 54 is made possible by adjusting the frictional force when drain outlet 103 is in the open state so that the sliding movement is restricted by the force applied to transmission end part 54a under normal circumstances (when there is no water in washbasin 100 and drain outlet 2 is moving forward) due to the weight of plug lid 2 or the like, but the sliding movement is possible due to a relatively large force applied to transmission end part 54a when a heavy object is placed on drain outlet 2. The frictional force can be adjusted by adjusting factors such as the material, shape, and surface roughness of protrusion 53c and opposing surface 54d, the contact area between protrusion 53c and opposing surface 54d, and the position (angle) of protrusion 53c when drain outlet 103 is in the open state.

[0079] Furthermore, when the drain outlet 103 is in a closed state and the protruding moving portion 71a protrudes from the end face 41g, drainage water can easily flow into the case member 4 through the gap between the back side of the protruding moving portion 71a and the case member 4.

[0080] On the other hand, when the drain outlet 103 is in the open state and the surfaces of the protruding and retracting portions 71a and 71b are substantially flush with the end face 41g, the opening 41e is closed by the operated portion 7, and there is almost no gap between the case member 4 and the operated portion 7 (for example, a gap of 1 mm or less). From the perspective of improving appearance, the smaller the gap, the better. Therefore, it is more preferable to set the size of the gap to 0.5 mm or less, and even more preferable to set the size of the gap to 0.3 mm or less. It is most preferable to configure the case member 4 and the operated portion 7 so that there is no gap between them.

[0081] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the locking mechanism 57 has the transmission end portion 54a and the rotating portion 53, and the protrusion 53c provided on the rotating portion 53 is coupled to the transmission end portion 54a by being sandwiched between two opposing surfaces 54d provided on the transmission end portion 54a. In addition, the two opposing surfaces 54d are configured to allow the protrusion 53c to slide in a direction perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating movement of the transmission end portion 54a when the protrusion 53c reciprocates along an arc-shaped path as the rotating portion 53 rotates.

[0082] When the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, the frictional force generated by contact between the protrusion 53c and the opposing surface 54d restricts the sliding movement of the protrusion 53c, thereby locking the transmission unit 54 in the forward movement state, and as a result, the drain outlet 103 is maintained in the open state. On the other hand, when the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, a force in the backward movement direction (e.g., downward movement) is applied to the plug lid 2, and when a force sufficient to allow the protrusion 53c to slide against the frictional force is applied to the transmission end portion 54a, the protrusion 53c slides backward while contacting the opposing surface 54d, and as a result, the transmission end portion 54a moves backward, and the transmission unit 54 is unlocked. Therefore, when the drain outlet 103 is in the open state and a large force in the backward movement direction is applied to the plug lid 2, the lock can be automatically released, and excessive loads can be more reliably prevented from being applied to the components of the drain plug device 1, such as the plug lid 2 and the transmission unit 54. This makes it possible to very effectively prevent damage or breakage to the components of the drain plug device 1.

[0083] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the above-described automatic unlocking can be achieved with a relatively simple structure. Therefore, while achieving automatic unlocking, it is possible to more reliably suppress increases in costs associated with manufacturing and maintenance of locking mechanism 57 and drain plug device 1 having same.

[0084] In addition, by using the spring portion 62, the transmission portion 54 can be more reliably maintained in the locked state, and consequently the drain outlet 103 can be more reliably maintained in the open state.

[0085] Furthermore, by the force reversal mechanism 61, while the protrusion 53c is moving back, the direction of the force applied from the spring 62 to the rotating part 53 is reversed from a force that would hinder the moving back of the protrusion 53c to a force that would promote the moving back of the protrusion 53c. Therefore, when the operated part 7 is operated to switch the open / closed state of the drain outlet 103, the force applied from the spring 62 can be used as an assisting force to help with the switch. This improves the operability of switching the open / closed state of the drain outlet 103.

[0086] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the force reversing mechanism 61 can be realized with a relatively simple configuration. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the structure from becoming complicated, and the effect of suppressing increases in costs can be further enhanced.

[0087] Additionally, because spring portion 62 is provided in a compressed state, drain plug device 1 and operating device 3 can be made smaller than when spring portion 62 is provided in a natural length state or an extended state.

[0088] Furthermore, amplification mechanism 56 can further increase the rotation angle of rotating portion 53 and thus the amount of reciprocating movement of protrusion 53c when operated portion 7. Therefore, the amount of operation of operated portion 7 can be kept relatively small while ensuring an appropriate amount of reciprocating movement (stroke amount) of plug cover 2. This can improve operability while ensuring good drainage capacity when drain outlet 103 is in the open state. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Similar to the first embodiment, the operating device 23 in this second embodiment is attached to the peripheral wall 102 of the washbasin 100, and as shown in Figures 13 to 15, includes a case member 24, a transmitter 25, a biasing force imparting unit 26, and an operated unit 27. Note that the washbasin 100 (peripheral wall 102) is not shown in Figure 14 and other figures.

[0089] The case member 24 has the same function as the case member 4, and, like the first embodiment, includes a flange member 241 and an elbow member 242. However, while in the first embodiment the flange member 41 and the elbow member 42 are fixed by screws, in the second embodiment the flange member 241 and the elbow member 242 are attached to the peripheral wall portion 102 while sandwiching the peripheral wall portion 102 by screwing a cylindrical small flange member 244, which has a male thread formed on its outer periphery, into a cylindrical female thread portion 242f formed on the elbow member 242 and extending in the horizontal direction, while the small flange member 244 is engaged with the flange member 241.

[0090] In addition, a water passage hole (not shown) is formed in a portion 241h of the flange member 241, which is located between the portion where the small flange member 244 is fastened and the portion where the flange member 241 is fastened to the peripheral wall portion 102. Water that enters the case member 24 through the opening 241e of the case member 24 (the opening in the flange member 241 facing the water storage space of the washbasin 100) passes through the water passage hole and flows into the rear side of the case member 24 (the elbow member 242 side). As in the first embodiment, the water that flows into the rear side of the case member 24 passes through an overflow pipe (not shown) connected to the elbow member 242 and is guided to the piping into which wastewater from the drain port 103 flows.

[0091] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, a through hole 42e is formed in the upper surface portion of the elbow member 42, but in this second embodiment, the through hole 242e is formed in the side portion of the elbow member 242 so as to penetrate horizontally through the portion corresponding to the bottom of the female thread portion 242f.

[0092] Additionally, while in the first embodiment, the housing attachment portion 42c is provided on the top surface of the elbow member 42, in the second embodiment, the housing attachment portion 242c is provided on the side surface (rear surface) of the elbow member 242. Therefore, the internal space of the housing attachment portion 242c, which is the space for accommodating a rotating portion 253 and part of the transmission body 25 (described later), is formed on the side surface (rear surface) of the elbow member 242. Also, a predetermined cover 243 is attached to the housing attachment portion 242c so as to close the internal space of the housing attachment portion 242c (see FIG. 17). Note that the cover 243 is not shown in FIG. 13 and other figures. The cover 243 has a slit 243b extending linearly formed therein.

[0093] Similar to the transmitter 5 in the first embodiment, the transmitter 25 transmits the driving force caused by the movement (rotation) of the operated part 27 to the stopper lid 2. However, while the transmitter 25 in this second embodiment has a rotation part 253 and a transmission part 254, it does not have parts corresponding to the intervening rotation part 52 or the connecting rotation part 51. Therefore, in this second embodiment, the driving force caused by the rotation of the operated part 27 is transmitted directly from the operated part 27 to the rotation part 253.

[0094] The rotating part 253 is fixed to the operated part 27 (connecting shaft part 275 described later) by using a predetermined male screw 258 while being inserted into the through hole 242e, and the rotation center of the rotating part 253 coincides with the rotation center of the operated part 27. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, when the operated part 27 rotates, the rotating part 253 rotates by the same rotation angle as the rotation angle of the operated part 27.

[0095] The rotating portion 253 also includes a disk portion 253b, and a protrusion 253c and a mechanism connecting protrusion 253d are formed on the outer periphery of the end surface of the disk portion 253b.

[0096] When the operated part 27 is rotated, the protrusion part 253c includes the rotation axis R21 of the rotating part 253 and is capable of moving back and forth across a second imaginary plane V22 that includes the rotation axis R21 and is perpendicular to the reciprocating movement direction of the transmission end part 254a, within a range that does not exceed a first imaginary plane V21 that is parallel to the reciprocating movement direction of the transmission end part 254a described later.

[0097] The mechanism coupling protrusion 253d is a portion to be coupled to the application force reversal mechanism 261, which will be described later, and is formed at a position offset by a predetermined angle (for example, 90°) from the protrusion 253c along the rotation direction of the rotating part 253. Furthermore, the mechanism coupling protrusion 253d has a larger diameter than the protrusion 253c, and cannot be inserted into a coupling hole 254c, which will be described later. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the mechanism coupling protrusion 253d from being erroneously inserted into the coupling hole 254c when assembling the operating device 23.

[0098] The transmission portion 254 includes a transmission end portion 254a and an inner wire 254b, and reciprocates in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the protrusion 253c. The transmission end portion 254a includes a connecting hole 254c through which the protrusion 253c is inserted, and two opposing surfaces 254d that face each other along the reciprocating movement direction of the transmission end portion 254a are provided at the portion of the transmission end portion 254a where the connecting hole 254c is formed. The protrusion 253c is sandwiched between the two opposing surfaces 254d, thereby connecting the protrusion 253c and the transmission end portion 254a. The distance between the opposing surfaces 254d along the movement direction of the transmission end portion 254a is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the protrusion 253c (for example, 1.0 to 1.1 times the outer diameter of the protrusion 253c).

[0099] In addition, a pair of guide protrusions 254f are formed to protrude from both ends of the transmission end portion 254a in the reciprocating direction (see FIG. 16). The guide protrusions 254f are arranged in the slits 243b of the cover 243 (see FIG. 17). As a result, the cover 243 restricts the transmission end portion 254a to reciprocate in a linear direction.

[0100] The inner wire 254b has an end connected to the transmission end portion 254a, and moves back and forth within the tube member 254e in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the transmission end portion 254a. In the second embodiment, the inner wire 254b and the tube member 254e pass outside the overflow pipe and elbow member 242 and are guided toward the plug cap 2.

[0101] The biasing force applying portion 26 is disposed in the housing mounting portion 242c, and applies a biasing force to the rotating portion 253. The biasing force applying portion 26 includes an applied force reversing mechanism 261 that is rod-shaped as a whole, and a spring portion 262 (see FIG. 18; not shown in FIG. 14, etc.) that is formed by spirally winding a predetermined metal wire.

[0102] In the second embodiment, the force reversal mechanism 261 includes a cylindrical sliding holder 261c and a rod-shaped portion 261b inserted into the sliding holder 261c. The sliding holder 261c holds the inserted rod-shaped portion 261b in a state where it can slide along its longitudinal direction.

[0103] One end portion of the force reversal mechanism 261, i.e., the sliding holding portion 261c, is pivotally supported by the case member 24 (elbow member 242) to be rotatable about a one-end rotation axis L21 that is parallel to the rotation axis R21. Meanwhile, the other end portion of the force reversal mechanism 261, i.e., the other end portion of the rod-shaped portion 261b, is ring-shaped, and the mechanism connecting protrusion 253d is inserted into this other end portion. As a result, the other end portion of the force reversal mechanism 261 is pivotally supported by the rotating portion 253 to be rotatable about a other-end rotation axis L22 that is parallel to the rotation axis R21. The other end portion of the force reversal mechanism 261 (the other end portion of the rod-shaped portion 261b) moves along an arc-shaped path centered on the rotation axis R21 when the rotating portion 253 rotates. When the rotating part 253 rotates, the rod-shaped part 261b slides relative to the sliding holding part 261c, thereby making it possible to accommodate variations in the distance from one end side part of the applied force reversal mechanism 261 to the mechanism connecting protrusion 253d.

[0104] Spring portion 262 is arranged in a compressed state between one end portion (sliding holding portion 261c) and the other end portion (ring-shaped portion of rod-shaped portion 261b) of applied force reversal mechanism 261. When drain outlet 103 is in the open state, spring portion 262 applies force to rotating portion 253 in a direction that inhibits the return movement of protrusion 253c (movement in the direction indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 14).

[0105] On the other hand, during the returning movement of the protrusion 253c due to the rotation of the operated unit 27, the other-end side rotation axis L22 passes over a third imaginary plane V23 that includes the one-end side rotation axis L21 and the rotation center (rotation axis R21) of the rotating unit 253, thereby reversing the direction of the force applied from the spring unit 262 to the rotating unit 253, and a force in a direction that promotes the returning movement of the protrusion 253c is applied from the spring unit 262 to the rotating unit 253. Therefore, the applied force reversal mechanism 261 can reverse the direction of the force applied from the spring unit 262 to the rotating unit 253 during the returning movement of the protrusion 253c due to the rotation of the operated unit 27.

[0106] In the second embodiment, when the drain outlet 103 is in the open state and the drain outlet 103 is to be switched to the closed state, the operated part 27 is rotated to one side, and when the other-end rotation axis L22 passes the third imaginary plane V23, a force is applied from the spring part 262 to the rotation part 253 in a direction to rotate the operated part 27 to one side. On the other hand, when the drain outlet 103 is in the closed state and the drain outlet 103 is to be switched to the open state, the operated part 27 is rotated to the other side, and when the other-end rotation axis L22 passes the third imaginary plane V23, a force is applied from the spring part 262 to the rotation part 253 in a direction to rotate the operated part 27 to the other side. In other words, when the open / closed state of the drain outlet 103 is switched, when the operated part 27 is rotated to a certain extent, a force is applied from the spring part 262 to the rotation part 253 in a direction to assist in switching the open / closed state.

[0107] Like the operated part 7 in the first embodiment, the operated part 27 is a part that is operated by the user when opening and closing the drain outlet 103. However, the operated part 27 in this second embodiment rotates around a rotation axis R21 that extends horizontally. The operated part 27 includes a disk handle part 274 and a connecting shaft part 275. Note that the operated part 27 in this second embodiment also moves back and forth by rotating.

[0108] The disc handle portion 274 is an object that the user grasps and operates when switching the open / closed state of the drain outlet 103. The disc handle portion 274 protrudes further toward the water storage space of the washbasin 100 than the opening 241e of the case member 24, and has a disc shape with a larger diameter than the opening 241e. Therefore, when viewed from the front (when viewed from the water storage space side of the washbasin 100), the opening 241e is hidden by the disc handle portion 274 and is difficult to see.

[0109] The connecting shaft portion 275 has a cylindrical shape in the center, through which the male screw 258 can be inserted, and is a portion that is connected to the rotating portion 253 by the male screw 258. In addition, the connecting shaft portion 275 is inserted into the inner periphery of the small flange member 244, and as a result, the operated portion 27 is supported by the small flange member 244.

[0110] In the second embodiment, when drain outlet 103 is in the open state and drain outlet 103 is to be switched to the closed state, operated portion 27 is rotated to one side, causing rotating portion 253 to rotate to one side, and as a result, protrusion 253c moves back along the arc-shaped path, causing transmission portion 254 to move back. As a result, plug lid 2 moves back (down), and drain outlet 103 is closed.

[0111] On the other hand, when drain outlet 103 is in the closed state and drain outlet 103 is to be switched to the open state, operated portion 27 is rotated to the other side, causing rotating portion 253 to rotate (move forward) to the other side, and as a result, protrusion 253c moves forward along the arc-shaped path, causing transmission portion 254 to move forward. As a result, plug 2 moves forward (upward), and drain outlet 103 is opened.

[0112] When the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, the protrusion 253c is positioned beyond the second imaginary plane V22. When the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, the frictional force generated by the contact between the protrusion 253c and the opposing surface 254d is utilized to restrict the sliding movement of the protrusion 253c relative to the transmission end portion 254a, thereby locking the transmission portion 254 in the forward movement state. By locking the transmission portion 254 in the forward movement state, the plug lid 2 is maintained in the forward movement (upward movement), i.e., the open state of the drain outlet 103. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the transmission end portion 254a and the rotating portion 253 form a locking mechanism 257 that locks the transmission portion 254 in the forward movement state. When the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, the spring portion 262 applies a force to the rotating portion 253 in a direction that inhibits the return movement of the protrusion 253c. In other words, the spring portion 262 assists in locking the transmission portion 254 .

[0113] In addition, the drain outlet 103 is basically maintained in the open state by the locking mechanism 257, but in this state, for example, when a heavy object is placed on the plug lid 2, a relatively large force is applied to the plug lid 2 in the backward (downward) direction, and as a result, when a force is applied to the transmission end part 254a that is large enough to allow the protrusion 253c to slide against the frictional force, the protrusion 253c will slide backward while in contact with the opposing surface 254d. Therefore, when a relatively large force is applied to the plug lid 2 in the backward (downward) direction, the lock of the transmission part 254 is released, and the drain outlet 103 switches from the open state to the closed state, as in the first embodiment.

[0114] As described above, the second embodiment basically achieves the same effects as the first embodiment, i.e., when a large force is applied to the plug 2 in the return direction, the lock can be automatically released, and it is possible to more reliably suppress increases in costs related to the manufacturing and maintenance of the locking mechanism 257, etc.

[0115] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented as follows: Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

[0116] (a) As shown in Figure 19, the locking mechanism 57 may include a resistance generating part 9 that comes into contact with the transmission part 54 (e.g., inner wire 54b) and generates frictional resistance between the transmission part 54 and the resistance generating part 9 in a direction that inhibits the reciprocating movement of the transmission part 54, thereby assisting in locking the transmission part 54. By providing the resistance generating part 9, the transmission part 54 can be more reliably maintained in the locked state. This makes it possible to more reliably maintain the drain outlet 103 in the open state against, for example, water pressure or the weight of the plug lid 2.

[0117] It should be noted that an annular part (for example, an O-ring made of rubber, resin, or the like) that comes into contact with the entire outer periphery of transmission part 54 (for example, inner wire 54b) may be used as resistance generating part 9. Using such a resistance generating part 9 can prevent locking mechanism 57 and the drain plug device 1 having the same from becoming complicated in structure, thereby further improving the effect of suppressing increases in costs.

[0118] (b) In the first embodiment described above, when viewed from the water storage space side of washbasin 100, the rotation center of operated part 7 is shifted to the right of the widthwise center of pressed part 71, but the position of the rotation center of operated part 7 may be changed as appropriate. For example, when viewed from the water storage space side of washbasin 100, the rotation center of operated part 7 and the widthwise center of pressed part 71 may be set to overlap.

[0119] (c) In the first embodiment described above, the operated portion 7 is configured so that its entirety fits within the case member 4 when the drain outlet 103 is in the open state, and so that a portion of it protrudes outside the case member 4 when the drain outlet 103 is in the closed state. However, the state of the operated portion 7 when the drain outlet 103 is in the open state or the closed state may be changed as appropriate. Therefore, for example, the operated portion 7 may be configured so that its entirety fits within the case member 4 whether the drain outlet 103 is in the open state or the closed state. Furthermore, similar to the second embodiment described above, the operated portion 7 may be configured so that a portion of it protrudes outside the case member 4 whether the drain outlet 103 is in the open state or the closed state.

[0120] (d) In the above embodiment, the operated units 7 and 27 are configured to reciprocate by rotating, but they may also reciprocate by moving along a linear path. Therefore, for example, an operation button that can reciprocate along a linear path may be used as the operated unit.

[0121] (e) In the above embodiment, the operated parts 7, 27 rotate (move back and forth) when operated by the user, but the operated parts may also be those that move back and forth when subjected to force from a driving source such as a motor.

[0122] (f) In the above embodiment, the washbasin 100 is used as an example of a tank body, but the tank body to which the technical concept of the present invention can be applied is not limited to a washbasin. Therefore, for example, the technical concept of the present invention may be applied to a bathtub, a kitchen sink, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1...drain plug device, 2...plug cover, 7, 27...operated part, 9...resistance generating part, 52...intervening rotating part, 53, 253...rotating part, 53c, 253c...projection part, 54, 254...transmission part, 54a, 254a...transmission end part, 54d, 254d...opposing surface, 56...amplifying mechanism, 57, 257...locking mechanism, 61, 261...force reversal mechanism, 62, 262...spring part, 100...washbasin (tank body), 103...drain outlet, R1, R21...rotating axis, V1, V21...first imaginary plane, V2, V22...second imaginary plane, V3, V23...third imaginary plane, L1, L21...one end side rotating axis, L2, L22...other end side rotating axis.

Claims

1. The drain plug device has a plug lid for opening and closing the drain outlet of a tank body, an operated part that can move back and forth, and a transmission part that can move back and forth in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the operated part and transmits the driving force caused by the movement of the operated part to the plug lid side, and is used in a drain plug device that can move back and forth with the operated part moving back and forth, causing the transmission part to move back and forth to move the plug lid to open the drain outlet, while causing the operated part to move back and forth to move the transmission part to close the drain outlet, A locking mechanism for maintaining the drain outlet in an open state by locking the transmission part in a forward movement state, a rotating part that rotates about a predetermined rotation axis as the operated part moves back and forth; a transmission end portion provided at an end of the transmission portion and restricted to reciprocating in a linear direction; the rotating portion has a protrusion that can reciprocate along an arc-shaped path centered on the rotation axis when the rotating portion rotates, The transmission end portion has two opposing surfaces that face each other along a reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion, The protrusion is reciprocally movable across a second imaginary plane that includes the rotation axis and is perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion, within a range not exceeding a first imaginary plane that includes the rotation axis and is parallel to the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion, and is connected to the transmission end portion by being sandwiched between the two opposing surfaces, the two opposing surfaces are configured to allow sliding movement of the protrusion along a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the transmission end portion when the protrusion reciprocates along an arc-shaped path, The operated portion is moved forward to position the protrusion portion beyond the second imaginary plane, thereby opening the drain outlet, When the drain outlet is in an open state and a force in the backward direction is applied to the plug cover, the force in the backward direction is applied to the transmission end portion, When the drain outlet is in an open state, the friction force generated by the contact between the protrusion and the opposing surface in a direction that restricts the sliding movement of the protrusion can be used to lock the transmission part in a forward movement state, A locking mechanism characterized in that when the drain outlet is in an open state and a force in the returning direction is applied to the plug cover, and a force sufficient to enable the protrusion to slide against the frictional force is applied to the transmission end portion, the protrusion moves back while sliding in contact with the opposing surface, thereby unlocking the transmission portion.

2. 2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a resistance generating portion that assists in locking the transmission portion by contacting the transmission portion and generating frictional resistance between the transmission portion and the resistance generating portion in a direction that inhibits reciprocating movement of the transmission portion.

3. 3. The lock mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the resistance generating portion is formed of an annular part that contacts the entire outer periphery of the transmission portion.

4. The locking mechanism described in claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a spring portion that assists in locking the transmission portion by applying a force to the rotating portion in a direction that inhibits the return movement of the protrusion portion when the drain outlet is in an open state.

5. 5. The locking mechanism according to claim 4, further comprising a force reversal mechanism that can reverse the direction of the force applied from the spring portion to the rotating portion during the return movement of the protrusion portion.

6. The force reversal mechanism includes: a first end portion rotatably supported about a first end rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis; the other end portion is attached to the rotating part or an intermediate rotating part that is rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotating shaft and that is configured so that the driving force due to the rotation of the intermediate rotating part is transmitted to the rotating part, and the other end portion is attached to the intermediate rotating part in a state that the other end portion is rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotating shaft; The other end portion moves along an arcuate path when the rotating portion or the intervening rotating portion to which the other end portion is attached rotates, and the spring portion is disposed in a compressed state between the one end portion and the other end portion, 6. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein, during the returning movement of the protrusion, the other-end side rotation shaft crosses a third imaginary plane that includes the one-end side rotation shaft and a rotation center of the rotation part or the intervening rotation part to which the other-end side portion is attached, thereby reversing the direction of the force applied from the spring part to the rotation part.

7. The operated portion moves back and forth by rotating, The locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the drain plug device has an amplification mechanism interposed between the operated part and the rotating part, which increases the rotation angle of the rotating part more than the rotation angle of the operated part.

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