Branch faucet and faucet

Abstract

To efficiently perform the mounting work of a branch to a faucet body.SOLUTION: The branch plug 30 includes a cylindrical body part 31, and a fixing ring 32 rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the body part 31 and having a screw groove 32a. The branch plug 30 is fixed to the valve-unit housing part 20 by screwing a screw groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 to a screw groove 22a of the valve-unit housing part 20 in a state that the engaging projection part 35 is engaged with the engaging recessed part 23 of the valve-unit housing part 20 and an abutting part of the body part 31 abuts on a bottom surface 21 of the valve-unit housing part 20. When the branch plug 30 is retrofitted, the engaging projection 35 of the body part 31 is engaged with the engaging recess 23 of the valve-unit housing part 20 before the screw groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 of the branch plug 30 is screwed to the screw groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve-unit housing part 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a corporation valve that is attached to a faucet body and used, and to a faucet. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a branch stop. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the corporation stop 60 has a cylindrical main body 61 and a mounting portion 62 having a thread. The main body 61 of the corporation stop 60 has a cold water flow path 61a, a hot water flow path 61b, and a mixing flow path 61c, which open at one end in the axial direction. The main body 61 of the corporation stop 60 also has a flow path 61d branching from the cold water flow path 61a and a flow path 61e branching from the mixing flow path 61c. These branched flow paths 61d and 61e open on the side of the main body 61 and are each configured to be connectable to other devices via a connecting portion 63. The faucet body (not shown) of the faucet to which the corporation stop 60 is attached has a valve unit housing portion 65 that houses a cartridge serving as a valve unit.

[0003] When retrofitting a corporation stop 60 to a faucet, the valve unit, faucet handle, etc. (all not shown) are first removed from the valve unit housing 65 of the faucet body, and then the main body 61 of the corporation stop 60 is placed in the valve unit housing 65. At this time, the circumferential position of the main body 61 of the corporation stop 60 is adjusted so that the cold water flow path 61a, the hot water flow path 61b, and the mixing flow path 61c of the corporation stop 60 are connected to the cold water flow path pipe, the hot water flow path pipe, and the mixing flow path pipe of the faucet body. Then, the thread groove of the mounting portion 62 of the corporation stop 60 is screwed into the thread groove of the connecting member 66 of the valve unit housing 65. The valve unit, faucet handle, etc. are then assembled to the corporation stop 60, and the corporation stop 60 is retrofitted to the faucet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-94395 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, when placing the branch stop 60 of Patent Document 1 in the valve unit housing 65 of the faucet body, it is necessary to adjust the circumferential position of the main body 61 of the branch stop 60 so that the cold water flow path 61a, the hot water flow path 61b, and the mixing flow path 61c of the branch stop 60 are properly connected to the cold water flow path pipe, the hot water flow path pipe, and the mixing flow path pipe of the faucet body. With the circumferential position of the main body 61 of the branch stop 60 adjusted, it is necessary to screw the thread groove of the mounting portion 62 into the thread groove of the connecting member 66 of the valve unit housing 65, which makes the installation work time-consuming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The branch stop of aspect 1 is a branch stop configured to be retrofitted to a valve unit accommodating section of a faucet body, the valve unit accommodating section having a bottom surface with an engagement recess and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom surface and having a thread groove, the branch stop having a cylindrical main body and a fixing ring rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the main body and having a thread groove, the main body having an abutment section at one axial end and an engagement protrusion integrated with the abutment section, the branch stop being fixed to the valve unit accommodating section by the engagement protrusion engaging with the engagement recess and the abutment section of the main body abutting the bottom surface of the valve unit accommodating section, and the thread groove of the fixing ring threading into the thread groove of the valve unit accommodating section,

[0007] With this configuration, the circumferential position of the corporation stop can be easily determined by engaging the engaging protrusion of the corporation stop with the engaging recess of the valve unit housing of the faucet body. Furthermore, after determining the circumferential position of the corporation stop, the thread groove of the fixing ring can be screwed into the thread groove of the valve unit housing, making the corporation stop installation work efficient.

[0008] In a second aspect of the corporation stop of the first aspect, the valve unit housing has a plurality of the engaging recesses, and the corporation stop has a plurality of engaging protrusions that engage with the plurality of the engaging recesses. With this configuration, the engaging protrusions engage with the engaging recesses, which makes it easier to suppress rattle of the corporation stop along the circumferential direction.

[0009] In a third aspect of the corporation stop of the second aspect, one of the plurality of engaging protrusions engages with one of the plurality of engaging recesses of the valve unit accommodating portion before the thread grooves of the fixing ring of the corporation stop thread into the thread grooves of the peripheral wall of the valve unit accommodating portion. This configuration allows one of the plurality of engaging protrusions to be used to adjust the circumferential position of the corporation stop, while the other engaging protrusions can be used to suppress rattle of the corporation stop. Furthermore, the corporation stop can be more easily assembled than when multiple engaging protrusions simultaneously engage with multiple engaging recesses.

[0010] Aspect 4 is the branch stop according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the axial direction of the peripheral wall of the valve unit accommodating portion extends horizontally. With this configuration, the engaging protrusion of the branch stop is integrated with the main body of the branch stop, and therefore the engaging protrusion does not fall off when the branch stop is fixed to the valve unit accommodating portion. Therefore, even if the axial direction of the peripheral wall of the valve unit accommodating portion extends horizontally, the engaging protrusion can be efficiently engaged with the engaging recess.

[0011] Aspect 5 is the corporation stop according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the engaging protrusion is screwed to the main body of the corporation stop. This configuration allows the engaging protrusion to be easily integrated with the corporation stop.

[0012] The faucet of aspect 6 comprises a faucet body and, fixed to the faucet body, the branch stopper according to any one of aspects 1 to 5. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain a faucet that exhibits the above-mentioned effects. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the branch stop of the present invention, the work of attaching the branch stop to the faucet body can be carried out efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a faucet. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet body from which the branch valve and the faucet handle have been removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the valve unit housing portion of the faucet body. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a corporation stop, a valve unit, and a faucet handle. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the corporation stop, the valve unit, and the faucet handle, viewed from a different angle. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the corporation stop. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the corporation stopper being attached to the faucet body. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the corporation stopper attached to the faucet body. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of a conventional corporation stop. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art branch valve attached to a water faucet body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An embodiment of a corporation stop will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the faucet 10 is installed on a wall 11, which is the counter of a kitchen cabinet. The faucet 10 has a cylindrical faucet body 12, a gooseneck-shaped discharge pipe 13 attached to the top of the faucet body 12, and a discharge head 14 detachably attached to the tip of the discharge pipe 13. The faucet 10 also has a branch stop 30 attached to the side of the faucet body 12, a valve unit 40 (see Figure 4), and a faucet handle 15.

[0016] 2 and 3, the faucet body 12 has a valve unit housing 20 on its side. The valve unit housing 20 is configured so that a branch stop 30 can be attached later. <Valve unit housing> The valve unit accommodating section 20 has a bottom surface 21 and a peripheral wall 22 extending from the outer periphery of the bottom surface 21. The axial direction of the peripheral wall 22 extends horizontally along the wall section 11. The valve unit accommodating section 20 has a screw groove 22a on the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 22. The valve unit accommodating section 20 has a cold water supply through hole 21a, a hot water supply through hole 21b, a mixed water through hole 21c, and two engagement recesses 23 on the bottom surface 21. Note that in Figure 2, a portion of the peripheral wall 22 is shown cut away.

[0017] The cold water supply through hole 21a and the hot water supply through hole 21b have the same circular outer periphery, while the mixed water through hole 21c has a triangular shape with curved chamfered corners.

[0018] The water supply through hole 21a, the hot water supply through hole 21b, and the mixed water through hole 21c extend downward within the faucet body 12, and a water supply pipe, a hot water supply pipe, and a mixed water pipe (all not shown) are connected to their lower ends. A hose (not shown) is connected to the mixed water pipe. The hose is inserted through the faucet body 12 and the water discharge pipe 13 and connected to the water discharge head 14.

[0019] The two engagement recesses 23 are circular and have the same shape, with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the water supply through-hole 21a. One of the two engagement recesses 23 (hereinafter also referred to as the first engagement recess 23a) is a through-hole that penetrates the bottom surface 21 and communicates with the mixed water through-hole 21c. The other engagement recess (hereinafter also referred to as the second engagement recess 23b) has a recessed shape toward the back of the bottom surface 21.

[0020] <Branch stop> 4 and 5, corporation stop 30 has a cylindrical main body 31 and a fixing ring 32 rotatably attached to the outer periphery of main body 31. Fixing ring 32 is attached to approximately the center of main body 31 in the axial direction, and has a thread groove 32a on its outer periphery. The outer periphery of fixing ring 32 has a flat surface that is hexagonal when viewed in the axial direction. Specifically, the outer periphery of fixing ring 32 has a shape with chamfered corners of the hexagon when viewed in the axial direction, and the flat surface functions as a tool hook.

[0021] The main body 31 has an O-ring 33 attached to its outer periphery on one end side in the axial direction relative to the fixing ring 32. The outer diameter of the attached O-ring 33 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating portion 20. The main body 31 also has a branch flow path pipe 34 that protrudes radially outward on the other axial end side relative to the fixing ring 32. The branch flow path pipe 34 has a branch flow path 31d inside.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the main body 31 of the branch stop 30 has a water supply channel 31a, a hot water supply channel 31b, and a mixing channel 31c that open at one end on one axial end side (hereinafter also referred to as one end).

[0023] The main body 31 of the corporation stop 30 also has two cylindrical engaging protrusions 35 that protrude further axially from one axial end. Of the two engaging protrusions 35, one engaging protrusion (hereinafter also referred to as the first engaging protrusion 35a) protrudes longer than the other engaging protrusion (hereinafter also referred to as the second engaging protrusion 35b). The first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b have the same outer diameter. The outer diameters of the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b are slightly smaller than the inner diameters of the first engaging recess 23a and the second engaging recess 23b of the valve unit accommodating section 20.

[0024] As will be described later, when attaching the corporation stop 30 to the valve unit accommodating section 20, the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 is threadedly engaged with the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20. At this time, the first engaging protrusion 35a engages with the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit accommodating section 20 before the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 reaches a position where it threadably engages with the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20. In other words, the protruding length of the first engaging protrusion 35a is a length that engages with the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit accommodating section 20 before the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 threadably engages with the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20. In addition, one end of the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30 functions as an abutment that abuts against the bottom surface 21 of the valve unit accommodating section 20.

[0025] 4, an O-ring 36 is attached to the inner periphery of the water supply passage 31a and the hot water supply passage 31b at one end of the main body 31. The O-ring 36 protrudes slightly from one end of the main body 31 in the axial direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30 has a mounting surface 31e at its other axial end to which a valve unit 40 (described later) is attached. The mounting surface 31e is located closer to one end than the end of the main body 31 on the other end side (hereinafter also referred to as the other end). Therefore, the other end side of the main body 31 from the mounting surface 31e is cylindrical, and a space for accommodating the valve unit 40 is formed inside. The main body 31 has a thread groove 31f on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion. Note that Figure 5 shows a portion of the other end side of the main body 31 cut away.

[0027] The water supply passage 31a, the hot water supply passage 31b, and the mixing passage 31c, which open at one end of the main body 31, extend axially within the main body 31 and open at the mounting surface 31e. The water supply passage 31a communicates with the branch passage 31d inside the main body 31. Therefore, the branch passage pipe 34 can branch the water flowing through the water supply passage 31a. The branch passage pipe 34 is used to supply water to other components such as a dishwasher or a water purifier, for example.

[0028] Furthermore, the mounting surface 31e of the main body 31 has two recesses 31e1 into which the first protrusion 42a and second protrusion 42b of the valve case 41 engage when the valve unit 40 (described later) is mounted. The two recesses 31e1 have a shape recessed from the mounting surface 31e toward the back, and have the same circular outer shape as the first engaging recess 23a and second engaging recess 23b of the valve unit accommodating section 20 described above.

[0029] (Fixing ring mounting mechanism) As shown in Figure 6, a retaining ring 37 is attached to the outer periphery of the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30 at the location where the fixing ring 32 is attached. This retaining ring 37 fits into a groove 32b on the inner periphery of the fixing ring 32, so that the fixing ring 32 is attached to the outer periphery of the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30 in a rotatable manner and in a prevented state from coming off. The main body 31 of the corporation stop 30 also has a V-packing 38 attached to its outer periphery at a position closer to the other end than the O-ring 33. By abutting against the inner periphery of the fixing ring 32, the V-packing 38 can stabilize the axis of the fixing ring 32 when the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 is screwed into the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20.

[0030] (Attachment mechanism for engagement protrusions) As shown in Fig. 6, the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b are each composed of a cylindrical portion and a threaded portion. The first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b have thread grooves 35a1 and 35b1 in the threaded portion. Before being screwed into the main body 31, the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b have exactly the same shape, including the overall length and the thread grooves 35a1 and 35b1. By making the shapes the same, the component configuration can be simplified.

[0031] Furthermore, screw grooves 35a1, 35b1 of the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b are threadedly engaged with a screw hole 31g formed in one end of the main body 31, thereby screwing the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b to the main body 31. As a result, the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b are attached to the main body 31 in an integrated state. A hexagonal recess is provided at one end of the cylindrical portion of the engaging protrusion 35 for engaging a hexagonal wrench when threading the engaging protrusion 35 into the screw hole 31g.

[0032] The protruding height of the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b can be adjusted by adjusting the screwing position relative to the screw hole 31g or by adjusting the depth of the screw hole 31g.

[0033] <Valve unit> 4 and 5, the valve unit 40 has a cylindrical valve case 41, a valve member (not shown) housed in the valve case 41, and a shaft member 45 connected to the valve member. The valve unit 40 is attached to the corporation stop 30 using a fixing nut 46.

[0034] (Valve case) 4 and 5, the valve case 41 has an O-ring 44 attached to the outer periphery of one end. The outer diameter of the attached O-ring 44 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the other end of the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30. The outer diameter of the attached O-ring 44 is also slightly larger than the inner diameter of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating portion 20.

[0035] The valve case 41 has a stepped portion 41d in the axial center where the outer diameter is reduced over the entire circumference. The outer diameter of the valve case 41 on the other axial end side of the stepped portion 41d is slightly smaller.

[0036] Valve case 41 has a water supply passage 41a, a hot water supply passage 41b, and a mixing passage 41c that open at one axial end. Water supply passage 41a, hot water supply passage 41b, and mixing passage 41c communicate with a valve member inside valve case 41. Valve case 41 also has two cylindrical protrusions 42 that protrude further axially from one axial end. Of the two protrusions 42, one protrusion (hereinafter also referred to as first protrusion 42a) and the other protrusion (hereinafter also referred to as second protrusion 42b) have the same protrusion height.

[0037] The first protrusion 42a and the second protrusion 42b have the same outer diameter, and also have the same outer diameter as the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b. An O-ring 43 is attached to the inner periphery of the water supply passage 41a and the hot water supply passage 41b of the valve case 41. The O-ring 43 protrudes slightly from one end of the valve case 41 in the axial direction.

[0038] The arrangement of the water supply passage 41a, hot water supply passage 41b, mixed water passage 41c, first convex portion 42a, and second convex portion 42b in the valve case 41 is approximately the same as the arrangement of the water supply passage 31a, hot water supply passage 31b, mixed water passage 31c, first engaging convex portion 35a, and second engaging convex portion 35b in the main body portion 31 of the branch stopcock 30.

[0039] (Valve member) The valve member is used to mix hot and cold water flowing in from the water supply passage 41a and hot water supply passage 41b of the valve case 41 to form mixed water that flows out from the mixing water passage 41c. By operating the valve member, the mixing ratio of hot and cold water can be adjusted, and the temperature of the mixed water can be adjusted. Also, by operating the valve member, the flow rate of the mixed water can be adjusted. In other words, the faucet 10 can be switched between discharging and stopping water.

[0040] (Shaft member) 4 and 5, one end of the shaft member 45 is connected to the valve member inside the valve case 41. The other end of the shaft member 45 protrudes from the valve case 41 and is connected to the faucet handle 15.

[0041] <Faucet handle> 4 and 5, the faucet handle 15 has a cylindrical main body 15a with a bottom and a lever 15b that protrudes from the side of the main body 15a. The faucet handle 15 has a connection portion (not shown) inside the main body 15a that connects to the shaft member 45 of the valve unit 40. By gripping the lever portion 15b and operating the faucet handle 15, the valve member can be operated via the shaft member 45.

[0042] <Fixing nut> 4 and 5, the fixing nut 46 has a thread groove 46a on its outer periphery. The fixing nut 46 also has a stepped portion 46b on its inner periphery at one axial end, where the inner diameter is smaller over the entire periphery. The inner diameter of the fixing nut 46 on the other axial end side of the stepped portion 46b is slightly smaller.

[0043] The inner diameter of the fixing nut 46 on the other end side of the stepped portion 46b is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the valve case 41 on the other end side of the stepped portion 41d, and slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the valve case 41 on one end side of the stepped portion 41d.

[0044] <Attachment mechanism for valve unit and faucet handle to branch stop> 4 and 5, when attaching the valve unit 40 to the branch stop 30, one end of the valve unit 40 is brought close to the other end of the main body 31 of the branch stop 30, and the one end of the valve unit 40 is housed on the inner periphery of the other end of the main body 31. The O-ring 44 on the outer periphery of the valve case 41 abuts against the inner periphery of the main body 31 of the branch stop 30, creating a watertight seal between the outer periphery of the valve case 41 and the inner periphery of the main body 31 of the branch stop 30.

[0045] The first protrusion 42a and the second protrusion 42b of the valve unit 40 are engaged with the two recesses 31e1 on the mounting surface 31e of the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30. This causes the O-ring 43 attached to the inner periphery of the water supply channel 41a and the hot water supply channel 41b at one end of the valve unit 40 to abut against the periphery of the water supply channel 31a and the hot water supply channel 31b that open to the mounting surface 31e of the corporation stop 30. A slight gap is also formed between the mixed water channel 41c at one end of the valve unit 40 and the mixed water channel 31c that opens to the mounting surface 31e of the corporation stop 30. In this state, the water supply channel 41a, the hot water supply channel 41b, and the mixed water channel 41c of the valve unit 40 are watertightly connected to the water supply channel 31a, the hot water supply channel 31b, and the mixed water channel 31c of the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30, respectively.

[0046] The first convex portion 42a and the second convex portion 42b of the valve unit 40 and the two recesses 31e1 on the mounting surface 31e of the branch stop 30 function as determining portions that determine the circumferential position of the valve unit 40 relative to the branch stop 30. That is, by engaging the first convex portion 42a and the second convex portion 42b of the valve unit 40 with the two recesses 31e1 on the mounting surface 31e of the branch stop 30, the positions of the valve unit 40 and the branch stop 30 can be easily determined to be correct.

[0047] Furthermore, one end of the fixing nut 46 is brought closer to the other end of the valve unit 40. The fixing nut 46 is inserted into the valve unit 40 from the other end, and the thread groove 46a of the fixing nut 46 is screwed into the thread groove 31f on the inner periphery of the main body 31 of the branch stop 30 at a position where the stepped portion 46b of the fixing nut 46 abuts against the stepped portion 41d of the valve case 41. This positions the valve unit 40 within the main body 31 of the branch stop 30 and secures it in place.

[0048] Furthermore, by attaching the faucet handle 15 to the shaft member 45 of the valve unit 40, the valve unit 40 and the faucet handle 15 are attached to the corporation stop 30. <Branch stopper mounting mechanism for valve unit housing> 2, when attaching the branch stop 30 to the valve unit housing 20, one end of the branch stop 30 is brought close to the valve unit housing 20 and housed within the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit housing 20. An O-ring 33 on the outer periphery of the branch stop 30 abuts against the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit housing 20, creating a watertight seal between the outer periphery of the branch stop 30 and the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit housing 20.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, when one end of the branch stop 30 is further inserted, the first engaging protrusion 35a of the branch stop 30 engages with the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit accommodating section 20 before the screw groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 reaches a position where it screws into the screw groove 22a on the inner circumference of the peripheral wall 22.

[0050] The first engaging protrusion 35a of the corporation stop 30 engages with the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit housing 20, thereby determining the circumferential position of the corporation stop 30 relative to the valve unit housing 20. That is, the circumferential position of the corporation stop 30 is determined so that the water supply passage 31a, the hot water supply passage 31b, and the mixed water passage 31c of the corporation stop 30 overlap the water supply through hole 21a, the hot water supply through hole 21b, and the mixed water through hole 21c of the valve unit housing 20. Furthermore, in this state, relative rotation of the corporation stop 30 is restricted.

[0051] The first engaging protrusion 35a of the corporation stop 30 and the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit accommodating section 20 function as a determining section that determines the circumferential position of the corporation stop 30 relative to the valve unit accommodating section 20. In other words, by engaging the first engaging protrusion 35a of the corporation stop 30 with the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit accommodating section 20, the positions of the corporation stop 30 and the valve unit accommodating section 20 can be easily determined to be correct.

[0052] As shown in Figure 8, with the first engaging protrusion 35a of the branch stop 30 engaged with the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit accommodating section 20, the screw groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 of the branch stop 30 is screwed into the screw groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20.

[0053] As a result, at one end of the branch stop 30, O-rings 36 attached to the inner peripheries of the water supply passage 31a and the hot water supply passage 31b come into contact with the peripheries of the water supply through hole 21a and the hot water supply through hole 21b that open to the bottom surface 21 of the valve unit housing 20. Also, a slight gap is formed between the mixed water passage 31c at one end of the branch stop 30 and the mixed water through hole 21c that opens to the bottom surface 21 of the valve unit housing 20. In this state, the water supply passage 31a, the hot water supply passage 31b, and the mixed water passage 31c of the branch stop 30 are watertightly connected to the water supply through hole 21a, the hot water supply through hole 21b, and the mixed water through hole 21c of the valve unit housing 20, respectively.

[0054] The abutment portion, which is one end of the main body 31 of the branch stop 30, does not abut directly against the bottom surface 21 of the valve unit accommodating portion 20, but rather abuts against the bottom surface 21 of the valve unit accommodating portion 20 via an O-ring 36 attached to the inner periphery of the water supply passage 31a and the hot water supply passage 31b.

[0055] 8, the second engaging protrusion 35b of the corporation stop 30 engages with the second engaging recess 23b of the valve unit accommodating section 20. In addition to the engagement between the first engaging protrusion 35a and the first engaging recess 23a, the engagement between the second engaging protrusion 35b and the second engaging recess 23b effectively prevents the corporation stop 30 from wobbling circumferentially around the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20.

[0056] <Procedure for retrofitting a branch stop> The procedure for retrofitting a corporation stop 30 to a faucet 10 to which no corporation stop 30 has been attached will be described.

[0057] In the faucet 10 to which the branch stop 30 is not attached, the valve unit 40 is directly connected to the valve unit accommodating portion 20. When the valve unit 40 is directly connected to the valve unit accommodating section 20, the first convex portion 42a and the second convex portion 42b of the valve unit 40 engage with the first engagement recess 23a and the second engagement recess 23b on the bottom surface 21 of the valve unit accommodating section 20. The water supply passage 41a, the hot water supply passage 41b, and the mixed water passage 41c of the valve case 41 communicate in a watertight manner with the water supply through hole 21a, the hot water supply through hole 21b, and the mixed water through hole 21c of the valve unit accommodating section 20. The thread groove 46a of the fixing nut 46 is threadedly engaged with the thread groove 22a on the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20, so that the valve unit 40 is positioned and fixed in the valve unit accommodating section 20.

[0058] From this state, the fixing nut 46 is removed, and then the valve unit 40 is removed from the valve unit housing 20. The branch stop 30 is then attached to the valve unit housing 20 as described above. After the branch stop 30 is attached to the valve unit housing 20, the valve unit 40 and faucet handle 15 can be attached to the branch stop 30, allowing the branch stop 30 to be retrofitted. When retrofitting the branch stop 30, the branch stop 30, valve unit 40, and faucet handle 15 may be assembled in advance and then attached to the valve unit housing 20.

[0059] <Actions and Effects of This Embodiment> (1) The branch stop 30 of this embodiment is configured so that it can be retrofitted to the valve unit accommodating section 20 of the faucet body 12. Before the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 of the branch stop 30 screws into the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20, the first engaging protrusion 35a of the main body 31 of the branch stop 30 is configured to engage with the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit accommodating section 20.

[0060] The circumferential position of the corporation stop 30 can be easily determined by engaging the first engaging protrusion 35a of the corporation stop 30 with the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit housing 20 of the faucet body 12. Furthermore, after determining the circumferential position of the corporation stop 30, the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 can be screwed into the thread groove 22a of the valve unit housing 20, making the installation of the corporation stop 30 efficient.

[0061] If the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 were to thread into the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating portion 20 before the engaging protrusion 35, it would be difficult to visually check the position of the engaging protrusion 35, and there is a risk that the engaging protrusion 35 would not engage with the engaging recess 23. In other words, there is a risk that the fixing ring 32 would be screwed on without the engaging protrusion 35 engaging with the engaging recess 23. In this case, there is a risk that the engaging protrusion 35 would hit and damage the bottom surface 21, which is the sealing surface. In this embodiment, it is possible to screw on the fixing ring 32 after confirming with the touch that the first engaging protrusion 35a has reliably engaged with the first engaging recess 23a.

[0062] (2) The bottom surface 21 of the valve unit accommodating section 20 has a first engaging recess 23a and a second engaging recess 23b, and the corporation stop 30 has a first engaging protrusion 35a and a second engaging protrusion 35b that engage with the first engaging recess 23a and the second engaging recess 23b. In addition to the first engaging protrusion 35a engaging with the first engaging recess 23a, the second engaging protrusion 35b engages with the second engaging recess 23b, resulting in a state in which the multiple engaging protrusions 35 are engaged with the multiple engaging recesses 23. This makes it easier to suppress rattling of the corporation stop 30 along the circumferential direction.

[0063] (3) Before the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 of the corporation stop 30 threads into the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20, the first engaging protrusion 35a engages with the first engaging recess 23a. Thereafter, the second engaging protrusion 35b engages with the second engaging recess 23b. That is, after the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 of the corporation stop 30 begins to thread into the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20, the second engaging protrusion 35b engages with the second engaging recess 23b. Therefore, of the multiple engaging protrusions 35, the first engaging protrusion 35a is used to define the circumferential position of the corporation stop 30, and the second engaging protrusion 35b can be used to suppress rattle of the corporation stop 30. Furthermore, the corporation stop 30 can be more easily assembled than when multiple engaging protrusions 35 simultaneously engage multiple engaging recesses 23.

[0064] (4) In the valve unit accommodating section 20, the axial direction of the peripheral wall 22 extends horizontally. In a configuration in which the axial direction of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20 extends horizontally, it is necessary to visually check the interior of the peripheral wall 22 from the horizontal side. Therefore, it may be difficult to check the positions of the cold water supply through hole 21a, the hot water supply through hole 21b, and the mixed water through hole 21c in the bottom surface 21. That is, it may be more difficult to check the positions than in a configuration in which the axial direction of the peripheral wall 22 extends vertically and the interior of the peripheral wall 22 is visually checked from above. Furthermore, it may be difficult to adjust the circumferential position of the corporation stop 30 to a predetermined position. In the corporation stop 30 of this embodiment, the first engaging protrusion 35a is integrated with the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30. Therefore, even if the corporation stop 30 is rotated circumferentially to adjust the circumferential position, the first engaging protrusion 35a will not fall off. Furthermore, by engaging the first engaging protrusion 35a of the branch stop 30 with the first engaging recess 23a of the valve unit accommodating section 20, the circumferential position of the branch stop 30 can be determined, thereby making the installation work of the branch stop 30 efficient.

[0065] (5) The first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b are screwed to the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30. Therefore, the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b can be easily integrated with the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30.

[0066] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the corporation stopper 30 has the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b, but this is not limited to this embodiment. The second engaging protrusion 35b may be omitted. Furthermore, in addition to the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b, the corporation stopper 30 may have a third engaging protrusion. Furthermore, the corporation stopper 30 may have multiple engaging protrusions. In an embodiment having a third engaging protrusion, the valve unit accommodating section 20 may have a third engaging recess with which the third engaging protrusion engages. Furthermore, in an embodiment having multiple engaging protrusions, the valve unit accommodating section 20 may have multiple engaging recesses with which the multiple engaging protrusions engage.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first engagement protrusion 35a engages with the first engagement recess 23a before the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 of the corporation stop 30 threads into the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20. Then, when the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 of the corporation stop 30 threads into the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20, the second engagement protrusion 35b engages with the second engagement recess 23b. However, this is not limited to this embodiment. It is also possible for both the first engagement protrusion 35a and the second engagement protrusion 35b to engage with the first engagement recess 23a and the second engagement recess 23b before the thread groove 32a of the fixing ring 32 of the corporation stop 30 threads into the thread groove 22a of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b are screwed to the main body 31 of the corporation stop 30, but this is not limiting. The first engaging protrusion 35a and the second engaging protrusion 35b may be integrated with the main body of the corporation stop by a method other than screwing. Examples of methods other than screwing include welding, press-fitting, and adhesive bonding.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the abutment portion, which is one end of the main body 31 of the branch stop 30, does not abut directly against the bottom surface 21 of the valve unit accommodating section 20, but rather abuts against the bottom surface 21 of the valve unit accommodating section 20 via the O-ring 36, but this is not limiting. The abutment portion, which is one end of the main body 31 of the branch stop 30, may also abut directly against the bottom surface 21 of the valve unit accommodating section 20.

[0071] In this embodiment, the fixing ring 32 of the corporation stop 30 has a thread groove 32a on its outer periphery, and the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20 has a thread groove 22a on its inner periphery, and they are configured to be screwed together, but this is not limited to this. The fixing ring 32 of the corporation stop 30 may have a thread groove on its inner periphery, and the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating section 20 may have a thread groove on its outer periphery, and they may be configured to be screwed together.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the axial direction of the peripheral wall 22 of the valve unit accommodating portion 20 extends horizontally, but this is not limited to this. The axial direction of the peripheral wall 22 may extend in any direction other than the horizontal direction.

[0073] In this embodiment, the branch flow path 31d of the main body 31 of the branch stop 30 is connected to the water supply path 31a, but this is not limiting. The branch flow path 31d may be connected to the hot water supply path 31b or the mixing path 31c. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10...faucet, 12...faucet body, 20...valve unit accommodating section, 21...bottom surface, 22...peripheral wall, 22a...screw groove, 23...engaging recess, 30...branch stop, 31...main body, 32...fixing ring, 32a...screw groove, 35...engaging protrusion.

Claims

1. A branch valve configured to be retrofittable to a valve unit accommodating portion of a faucet body, the valve unit accommodating portion includes a bottom surface having an engagement recess, and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom surface and having a thread groove; The corporation stopper includes a cylindrical main body and a fixing ring rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the main body and having a thread groove, the main body portion has an abutment portion at one end in the axial direction and an engaging protrusion portion integrated with the abutment portion, the corporation stopper is fixed to the valve unit accommodating section by having the thread groove of the fixing ring screwed into the thread groove of the valve unit accommodating section with the engaging convex portion engaged with the engaging concave portion and the abutting portion of the main body portion abutting against the bottom surface of the valve unit accommodating section, A branch stopper is characterized in that, when the branch stopper is retrofitted, the engaging convex portion of the main body portion engages with the engaging concave portion of the valve unit accommodating portion before the screw groove of the fixing ring of the branch stopper is screwed into the screw groove of the peripheral wall of the valve unit accommodating portion.

2. the valve unit accommodating portion has a plurality of the engagement recesses, The corporation stop according to claim 1, wherein the corporation stop has a plurality of engaging protrusions that engage with a plurality of the engaging recesses.

3. A branch stop as described in claim 2, wherein one of the plurality of engaging protrusions engages with one of the plurality of engaging recesses of the valve unit accommodating portion before the thread groove of the fixing ring of the branch stop threads into the thread groove of the peripheral wall of the valve unit accommodating portion.

4. The branch stop according to claim 1 , wherein the axial direction of the peripheral wall of the valve unit accommodating portion extends horizontally.

5. The corporation stop according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging projection is screwed to the body of the corporation stop.

6. A faucet comprising the faucet body and the branch valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5 fixed to the faucet body.

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