Faucet unit and washstand

Abstract

To provide a faucet device which is easy to use and can avoid erroneous operation.SOLUTION: The faucet unit 20 (faucet device) includes the base member 30 (housing), the faucet main body 50 housed in the base member 30, the discharge portion 40 provided in the base member 30 and communicating with the faucet main body 50 and having the discharge port 41A for discharging water passing through the faucet main body 50, the water discharge operation portion 60 (first operation portion) provided on the right side of the discharge portion 40 in the base member 30, and the drain operation portion 80 (second operation portion) provided on the left side of the discharge portion 40 on the side opposite to the water discharge operation portion 60 in the base member 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water faucet device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional water faucet device. This water faucet device is configured as a unit that includes a water discharge section, an operating section that controls the discharge of water from the water discharge section, a functional section with a predetermined function, an operating switch that controls the functional section, and operating switches for other functions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-148094 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the operating section and operating switches of the water discharger are arranged offset to one side when viewed from the water discharger, which may lead to a user operating them incorrectly.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a faucet device that is easy to use and can prevent incorrect operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a faucet device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a faucet body housed in the housing, a discharge section provided in the housing and having a discharge port communicating with the faucet body for discharging water that has passed through the faucet body, a first operating section provided on the side of the discharge section in the housing, and a second operating section provided on the side of the discharge section on the opposite side of the housing from the first operating section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a bathroom vanity equipped with a faucet device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a bathroom vanity. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the cabinet and the faucet unit with some parts omitted. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cabinet and the faucet unit with some parts omitted. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the main parts of the faucet unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the main parts of the faucet unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the faucet unit with some parts omitted. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the faucet unit with some parts omitted. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a front view of the faucet unit, partially omitted, showing the state in which it is attached to the cabinet. [Figure 11] 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the bathroom vanity corresponding to the cross section taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the bathroom vanity corresponding to the cross section taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 10. [Figure 13] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Embodiment 1> The bathroom vanity 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a faucet unit 20 as a faucet device. The bathroom vanity 1 has a washbasin 2, a washbowl 3, a back panel 4, and a mirror cabinet 10. The washbasin 2, back panel 4, and mirror cabinet 10 of the bathroom vanity 1 have the same left-to-right widths. In the following description, up-down and left-to-right directions refer to the up-down and left-to-right directions in Figures 1 and 2, and the front-to-back direction refers to the left-to-right direction in Figure 2.

[0009] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the washbasin 2 is placed on a floor F and fixed to a wall W of the building frame with fixing means such as screws. The washbasin 2 is configured with a plate-shaped counter 2A and a box body 2B to which the counter 2A is fixed at the top, and is formed into a box shape as a whole. The interior space of the washbasin 2 is used as a drawer-type storage space and a space for piping for water supply and drainage.

[0010] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the washbasin 3 is placed on top of the sink 2. Specifically, the washbasin 3 is formed in a bowl shape. The washbasin 3 has a peripheral portion 3A placed on the top surface of the counter 2A of the sink 2, and a central bowl portion 3B that passes through a cutout formed in the counter 2A and is fitted into the counter 2A. The washbasin 3 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above. The height of the upper edge of the washbasin 3 gradually decreases from the rear end to the front end. A drain hole 3C is formed in the bottom of the washbasin 3 near the rear end. A drain plug 3D is attached to the drain hole 3C.

[0011] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the back panel 4 has a frame 4A and a front panel 4B. A pair of frames 4A are provided, one on the left and one on the right. The pair of frames 4A are placed on both the left and right ends of the rear end of the upper surface of the washbasin 2. When the bathroom vanity 1 is installed, the pair of frames 4A are fixed to the wall W of the building frame on which the bathroom vanity 1 is installed using fixing means such as screws, just like the washbasin 2. In this state, a space is formed between the pair of frames 4A. This space serves as a piping space. The front panel 4B is formed as a generally rectangular plate in front view, with a width approximately equal to the width of the counter 2A. A number of tiles (not shown) are attached to the front surface of the front panel 4B in an aligned vertical and horizontal direction. The front panel 4B is attached to the front surface of the pair of frames 4A with its rear surface facing the front surfaces of the pair of frames 4A. The lower end of the front panel 4B is placed on the counter 2A via a sealing member (not shown) or the like.

[0012] 1 and 2, the mirror cabinet 10 is disposed above the washbasin 3. Like the washbasin 2, the mirror cabinet 10 is fixed to the wall W of the building frame on which the bathroom vanity 1 is installed by fixing means such as screws. In this state, the lower end of the mirror cabinet 10 is placed on the upper ends of the pair of frames 4A.

[0013] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the mirror cabinet 10 is configured to have a box-shaped cabinet main body 11, multiple mirror doors 12, 13, and 14 (three in Figure 3) lined up in the left-right direction, and vertically long mirror lighting units 15 arranged between the mirror doors 12, 13 and between the mirror doors 12, 14. The cabinet main body 11 forms storage units 12A, 13A, and 14A behind the mirror doors 12, 13, and 14, respectively. The space of each storage unit 12A, 13A, and 14A is formed vertically.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 4, the cabinet body 11 is configured to include a top plate 11A, side plates 11B, a back plate 11C, and a partition plate 11D. The top plate 11A is formed in a generally rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction when viewed from above. The side plates 11B are provided so as to extend downward from both left and right ends of the top plate 11A. Each side plate 11B is formed in a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the side. The top end of the back plate 11C is connected to the rear end of the top plate 11A, and the left and right side ends are connected to the rear ends of the left and right side plates 11B, respectively. The lower end of the back plate 11C is located higher than the lower ends of the side plates 11B, and forms a gap for piping between it and the upper end of the back panel 4 when installed.

[0015] The partition plate 11D is disposed between the left and right side plates 11B. The partition plate 11D divides the internal space of the cabinet main body 11 into left and right sections, forming storage sections 12A, 13A, and 14A. Each partition plate 11D is disposed extending in the vertical direction substantially parallel to the left and right side plates 11B. The lower end of each partition plate 11D extends to a position substantially equal to the lower end of the side plate 11B. The partition plate 11D is formed hollow by extrusion molding of aluminum or the like. The internal space of the partition plate 11D thus formed is used as a space for arranging a control unit (not shown) of the mirror illumination unit 15, which will be described later, and the like.

[0016] Shelf board 12B is removably attached to storage section 12A. Multiple shelves 12B can be arranged. Each shelf board 12B can be arranged at a height that can be selected in stages. However, shelf board 12C, which is arranged at the bottom of storage section 12A, is removably attached, but the height cannot be selected. Shelf board 12C is attached above the bottom ends of side panel 11B and partition board 11D. A faucet unit 20, which will be described later, is attached to the space below shelf board 12C. A lighting control unit 73, which controls a lighting unit 70 provided in faucet unit 20, which will be described later, is attached to the underside of shelf board 12C.

[0017] Shelves 13B and 14B are detachably attached to the storage sections 13A and 14A, respectively. A plurality of shelves 13B and 14B can be arranged. Each shelf 13B and 14B can be arranged at a height that can be selected in stages. Fixedly arranged shelves 13C and 14C are attached to the lower ends of the storage sections 13A and 14A, respectively. The shelves 13C and 14C are fixedly attached above the lower ends of the side panel 11B and the partition panel 11D. A power outlet 11E is provided in the space below the shelf 13C. A towel bar 11F is installed in the space below the shelf 14C, spanning the left and right between the side panel 11B and the partition panel 11D.

[0018] The mirror doors 12, 13, and 14 are each formed by attaching a mirror to the surface of a plate material. As shown in FIG. 1, the mirror doors 12, 13, and 14 are generally rectangular in shape when viewed from the front, and are long in the vertical direction. The vertical lengths of the mirror doors 12, 13, and 14 are approximately equal. The vertical lengths of the mirror doors 12, 13, and 14 are slightly shorter than the vertical lengths of the side panels 11B and partition panels 11D of the cabinet main body 11 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). The mirror door 12 is wider in the left-right direction than the mirror doors 13 and 14 located on the left and right. The mirror door 12 is attached to the front of the storage section 12A so that it can be opened and closed freely, with the rear side of the right side edge extending in the vertical direction acting as a rotation axis. The mirror doors 13 and 14 located on the left and right of the mirror door 12 are formed to have approximately the same left-right width. The mirror doors 13 and 14 are attached to the front of the storage sections 13A and 14A so as to be able to open and close freely, with the rear side of one side of the inner side (the side of the central mirror door 12) extending in the vertical direction as a rotation axis.

[0019] The mirror illumination unit 15 is an illumination unit provided separately from the illumination unit 70 of the faucet unit 20, which will be described later. The mirror illumination unit 15 is configured to emit illumination light with a long vertical illumination range by arranging multiple LED light sources (not shown) in the vertical direction. The mirror illumination unit 15 is attached to the front end of each partition plate 11D. Each mirror illumination unit 15 is provided to extend over the entire vertical length of the partition plate 11D.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the faucet unit 20 is provided at the bottom of the mirror cabinet 10. Specifically, the faucet unit 20 is located at the bottom of the storage section 12A, behind the mirror door 12. When the faucet unit 20 is located at the bottom of the storage section 12A, its front is covered by a cover member 21. This cover member 21 prevents the internal functional parts of the faucet unit 20, which will be described later, from being visible when the mirror door 12 is open. The cover member 21 is attached in a form that hangs down from the shelf board 12C above the faucet unit 20.

[0021] 5 and 6, the faucet unit 20 has a base member 30 (illustrated as a housing), a discharge section 40, a faucet main body 50, a water discharge operation section 60 (illustrated as a first operation section), a water discharge control section 61, an illumination section 70, an illumination operation section 71, and a drain operation section 80 (illustrated as a second operation section). The faucet unit 20 is formed as a unit by attaching each of the functional sections, namely the discharge section 40, the faucet main body 50, the water discharge operation section 60, the water discharge control section 61, the illumination section 70, the illumination operation section 71, and the drain operation section 80, to the base member 30.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9, the base member 30 includes a bottom wall 31, a front wall 32, a rear wall 33, a left side wall 34, a right side wall 35, and a partition wall 36. The base member 30 has a generally rectangular box shape in a plan view. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the base member 30 has a box shape with the front wall 32, the rear wall 33, the left side wall 34, and the right side wall 35 rising from the four edges of the bottom wall 31 on the front, rear, left, and right sides, respectively, and opening upward. As shown in FIG. 8, the partition wall 36 is formed rising from the bottom wall 31 so as to divide the interior space of the box-shaped base member 30 into multiple compartments. As shown in FIG. 8, the partition wall 36 is provided so as to be interposed between adjacent functional components attached to the base member 30.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom wall 31 has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view with the longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom wall 31 has a flat surface portion 31A in the left-right center, inclined surface portions 31B and 31C provided on both the left and right sides of the flat surface portion 31A, and a rear surface portion 31D extending rearward from the rear ends of the flat surface portion 31A and the inclined surface portions 31B and 31C. The flat surface portion 31A has a flat lower surface so as to be generally parallel to the floor surface F (installation surface) when the bathroom vanity 1 is installed. The inclined surface portions 31B and 31C are inclined in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the rear ends of the inclined surface portions 31B and 31C are at a height generally equal to that of the flat surface portion 31A, and the front ends extend to a position higher than the height of the flat surface portion 31A, and are inclined obliquely upward from the rear to the front. As shown in Figure 10, when the faucet unit 20 is assembled to the mirror cabinet 10, the rear ends of the flat surface portion 31A and the inclined surface portions 31B and 31C of the base member 30 are positioned below the lower end of the mirror door 12, and the front ends of the inclined surface portions 31B and 31C are positioned above the lower end of the mirror door 12.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, a protrusion 40A is connected to the flat surface portion 31A. The protrusion 40A forms the base end of the discharge portion 40, which will be described later. The protrusion 40A has a generally elliptical cross section and is formed integrally with the flat surface portion 31A. The protrusion 40A protrudes diagonally downward and forward from the flat surface portion 31A. A connecting portion 40B of the protrusion 40A with the flat surface portion 31A is located below the lower end of the mirror door 12. The left inclined surface portion 31B is formed with a recess 71A to which a lighting operation portion 71, which will be described later, is attached, and an attachment portion 80A having a through hole formed therein to which a drainage operation portion 80, which will be described later, is attached, side by side from the flat surface portion 31A to the left. The right inclined surface portion 31C is formed with an insertion hole 60A (illustrated as an opening) that is generally rectangular in plan view and through which a water discharge operation portion 60, which will be described later, is inserted. The insertion hole 60A is formed penetrating the base member 30 in the vertical direction at a position shifted from a position corresponding to the lower side of the faucet body 50. An upright wall 60B is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole 60A, standing upward.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, the rear surface portion 31D is formed flat, continuing from the rear edges of the flat surface portion 31A and the left and right inclined surface portions 31B, and extending across substantially the entire left-right width of the base member 30. A groove 70A, to which the lighting unit 70 (described later) is attached, is formed in the center of the left and right of the rear surface portion 31D. The groove 70A is formed by the lower surface of the rear surface portion 31D being depressed upward, forming a groove-like shape extending in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the bottom wall of the groove 70A is formed to slope obliquely upward from the rear end to the front end. A plurality of elongated holes are formed on the right side of the groove 70A. The plurality of elongated holes are holes for draining water and are provided in positions corresponding to the lower portion of the faucet body 50 (described later).

[0026] 6 and 7, the front wall 32 is formed to rise upward from the front edge of the bottom wall 31. A notch 32A is formed in the front wall 32 at a position corresponding to the flat surface portion 31A in the center in the left-right direction. Screw holes 32B for attaching the cover member 21 are formed on the left and right sides of the notch 32A.

[0027] As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, the rear wall 33 rises upward from the rear edge of the bottom wall 31. More specifically, the rear wall 33 rises while sloping rearward at the lower part and rises upward approximately vertically at the upper part. The upper edge of the rear wall 33 is located higher than the upper edge of the front wall 32. The rear wall 33 is formed with openings 33A and 33B, a through-hole 33C, and an attachment portion 50A for the faucet body 50. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the opening 33A is formed in a substantially rectangular shape at the lower part of the rear wall 33. The opening 33A is formed extending leftward from the center of the rear wall 33. A hose guide 45 and an operating wire 81, which will be described later, are inserted through the opening 33A.

[0028] External electrical wiring (not shown) connected to the water discharge control unit 61, which will be described later, is inserted through the opening 33B. The opening 33B is formed to the right of the center of the rear wall 33. As shown in FIG. 9, the opening 33B is formed higher than the opening 33A. A plurality of through holes 33C (three in FIG. 7) are formed. The plurality of through holes 33C are formed side by side in the left-right direction in the upper part of the rear wall 33. A fixing means such as a screw is inserted through each through hole 33C. This fixes the base member 30 to the wall surface W behind the rear wall 33 to which the mirror cabinet 10 is fixed.

[0029] The mounting portion 50A of the faucet body 50 is provided at the right end of the rear wall 33. A through-hole (not shown) is formed in the mounting portion 50A, through which the faucet body 50 is inserted. The mounting portion 50A is formed by depressing the rear wall 33 forward. As a result, the rear end of the faucet body 50 when attached to the mounting portion 50A is located forward of the rear wall 33.

[0030] As shown in Figures 6, 7, and 9, the left side wall 34 and the right side wall 35 are respectively formed by rising upward from the left and right edges of the bottom wall 31. The front and rear edges of the left side wall 34 and the right side wall 35 are connected to the front wall 32 and the rear wall 33, respectively. Locking portions 34A and 35A are respectively formed at the lower ends of the left side wall 34 and the right side wall 35. The locking portions 34A and 35A are detachably locked to dowels (not shown) provided to protrude from the partition plate 11D of the mirror cabinet 10 toward the storage section 12A. The locking portions 34A and 35A are each formed in a groove shape that is open on the bottom and on the left and right outer sides. A plurality of locking portions 34A and 35A are formed in a row in the front and rear along the wall surfaces of the left and right side walls 34 and 35.

[0031] As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the discharge portion 40 is attached to a protrusion 40A formed on the flat surface portion 31A of the base member 30. The discharge portion 40 is formed to have a generally elliptical cross section with its minor axis extending in the left-right direction, and extends diagonally downward and forward along the protrusion direction of the protrusion 40A. The outer peripheral surface of the discharge portion 40 is formed to be continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 40A. The discharge portion 40 is composed of a water-spouting head 41 and a head holder 42. The water-spouting head 41 and the head holder 42 are each provided in a form divided by a plane perpendicular to the major axis direction of the discharge portion 40, which has a generally elliptical cross section.

[0032] The water spouting head 41 is removably held in a head holder 42. The water spouting head 41 has a discharge port 41A and a switch knob 41B. The discharge port 41A is located at the tip of the water spouting head 41. The water spouting head 41 discharges hot water and cold water from this discharge port 41A. The switch knob 41B is located at the tip of the water spouting head 41 so that it can rotate freely around the discharge port 41A. By manually rotating this switch knob 41B, the water spouting head 41 can freely switch the discharge mode of water discharged from the discharge port 41A between shower water and normal water.

[0033] The head holder 42 is fixed to the protruding portion 40A. As shown in FIG. 10, the head holder 42 is provided with a non-contact sensor 43 for operating the water discharge and a display unit 44. The sensor 43 is attached to the tip of the head holder 42. For example, a photoelectric sensor such as an infrared sensor can be used as the sensor 43. The sensor 43 defines a detection range A as a predetermined distance ahead in the extension direction of the discharge portion 40. 43(see FIG. 12) and detects an object such as a user's hand that enters this range. When sensor 43 detects an object such as a hand, it sends a detection signal to water discharge control unit 61 (described later), thereby switching the discharge state of hot and cold water discharged from outlet 41A from stopped to discharge. Display unit 44 displays the state and temperature of water discharged from discharge unit 40 based on a control signal sent from water discharge control unit 61. Display unit 44 is configured with a light source such as an LED, and displays the water discharge state by changing the lighting color, continuous lighting, intermittent lighting, etc.

[0034] As shown in Figure 11, one end of a flexible water supply hose 41C is connected to the rear end of the water spouting head 41. The other end of the water supply hose 41C is connected to an automatic valve 55 (described below, exemplified as an electrically driven valve). The water supply hose 41C is slidably inserted into a hose guide 45. The hose guide 45 is fixed to the base member 30. The hose guide 45 is formed in an arched cylindrical shape, with one end opening at a predetermined distance from the rear end of the discharge part 40 and the other end passing through opening 33A in the rear wall 33 and extending downward. The hose guide 45 guides the water supply hose 41C in and out when it is pulled out when the water spouting head 41 is removed from the head holder 42.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, a weight 46 is attached to the water supply hose 41C. The weight 46 is attached to the portion of the water supply hose 41C that is housed inside the washbasin 2. The weight 46 moves along with the water supply hose 41C when the water spout head 41 is removed and the water supply hose 41C is pulled out. When the water spout head 41 is reattached to the head holder 42, the weight 46 functions to pull the water supply hose 41C back by the action of gravity.

[0036] Weight 46 also functions as a stopper that prevents water supply hose 41C from being pulled out excessively. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, water supply hose 41C is slidably inserted into stopper member 47 at a portion closer to water spout head 41 than weight 46. Stopper member 47 is fixed to washbasin 2. When water supply hose 41C is pulled out, weight 46 abuts against stopper member 47, preventing water supply hose 41C from being pulled out further.

[0037] Sinker 46 has cushioning member 46A. Cushioning member 46A can be made of a material with a predetermined elasticity, such as rubber. Cushioning member 46A reduces the impact when water supply hose 41C is pulled out and sinker 46 abuts against stopper member 47. Cushioning member 46A is attached to the end of sinker 46 on the water spouting head 41 side.

[0038] As shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, the faucet body 50 is attached to the rear wall 33 of the base member 30 near the right end. The faucet body 50 is configured as a disk valve incorporating a fixed disk, a movable disk, etc. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a water discharge operation unit 60, which will be described later, is connected to the front of the faucet body 50. As shown in Figure 9, the rear of the faucet body 50 penetrates the rear wall 33 and is exposed rearward. A hot water pipe 51 and a cold water pipe 52 are connected to the rear of the faucet body 50. One end of a manual water supply pipe 53 and one end of an automatic water supply pipe 54 are connected to the rear of the faucet body 50. By operating the water discharge operation unit 60, the faucet body 50 can adjust the mixing ratio of hot water (heated water) supplied from the hot water pipe 51 and cold water (room temperature water) supplied from the cold water pipe 52.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the other ends of the manual water supply pipe 53 and the automatic water supply pipe 54 are each connected to an automatic valve 55. In other words, the manual water supply pipe 53 and the automatic water supply pipe 54 are connected in parallel between the faucet main body 50 and the automatic valve 55. The faucet main body 50 supplies hot and cold water at a mixture ratio according to the operation of the water discharge operating unit 60 to each of the manual water supply pipe 53 and the automatic water supply pipe 54. The faucet main body 50 adjusts the amount of water discharged into the manual water supply pipe 53.

[0040] Automatic valve 55 is configured as a solenoid valve, an electric valve, or the like, and can open or close the flow path connecting automatic-use water supply pipe 54 and water supply hose 41C by receiving a control signal based on detection by sensor 43 transmitted from water discharge control unit 61. Automatic valve 55 always leaves the flow path connecting manual-use water supply pipe 53 and water supply hose 41C open. In other words, water is discharged from discharge unit 40 in two ways: manual water discharge, in which faucet body 50 is opened by operating water discharge operating unit 60 to discharge water, and automatic water discharge, in which automatic valve 55 is opened based on detection of an object such as a hand by sensor 43.

[0041] The water discharge operating unit 60 is a lever-type operating unit. As shown in FIG. 10, the water discharge operating unit 60 is formed in a generally inverted J shape when viewed from the front. Specifically, when viewed from the front, the water discharge operating unit 60 curves in an arc shape upward and to the right from the connection point with the faucet body 50 at one end, extends downward in a generally linear manner, and extends downward through the insertion hole 60A in the bottom wall 31. As a result, the other end of the water discharge operating unit 60 is located lower than the height of the one end and is exposed below the base member 30 when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side, the other end of the water discharge operating unit 60 is formed to be inclined so that it slopes forward as it extends downward (see FIGS. 6 and 7). It can also be said that the other end of the water discharge operating unit 60 extends along the extension direction of the discharge portion 40 when viewed from the side. The hot and cold water mixing ratio in the faucet body 50 is adjusted by rotating the water discharge operating unit 60 around a predetermined axis that extends in the front-to-rear direction at the connection part with the faucet body 50. In this case, the water discharge operating unit 60 is rotated through a range of approximately 65° from the state shown in Figure 10 in a direction in which the lower end approaches the discharge part 40 (clockwise in Figure 10). By tilting the water discharge operating unit 60 in the front-to-rear direction, the flow path that communicates with the manual water supply pipe 53 of the faucet body 50 is opened and closed, and water discharge is stopped during manual water discharge and the flow rate during manual water discharge is adjusted.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 8, the water discharge control unit 61 is disposed between the discharge unit 40 and the attachment portion of the faucet body 50 in a plan view of the base member 30. The water discharge control unit 61 is configured to have, for example, a circuit board, a control circuit, etc. (not shown). The water discharge control unit 61 can be configured, for example, such that electronic components such as the circuit board are fixed to the bottom wall 31 of the base member 30, and the circuit board, etc. are covered watertight from above with a lid member 61A. The water discharge control unit 61 controls the display of the display unit 44 and the opening and closing of the automatic valve 55 based on a detection signal transmitted when the sensor 43 detects an object such as a hand. The water discharge control unit 61 is connected to a wiring for an external power supply that is inserted through an opening 33B formed in the rear wall 33 of the base member 30.

[0043] The lighting unit 70 is attached to the lower part of the base member 30 and emits illumination light downward. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the lighting unit 70 is disposed behind the outlet portion 40. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, when the faucet unit 20 is disposed at the lower part of the mirror cabinet 10, the lighting unit 70 is disposed with its lower surface as the light-emitting surface. The lighting unit 70 is disposed in a narrow space in the front-rear direction between the outlet portion 40 at the front and the back panel 4 at the rear. The lighting unit 70 has an elongated shape with its longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction. The lighting unit 70 is fitted over substantially the entire left-right length of a recessed groove 70A formed in the rear surface portion 31D of the bottom wall 31 of the base member 30. The lower surface of the lighting unit 70 is substantially flush with the lower surface of the base member 30 around the lighting unit 70.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the illumination unit 70 has a case 70B, a cover 70C, and a light source unit 70D. The case 70B has a concave cross section with one longitudinal surface open. The cover 70C has a concave cross section that fits over the opening of the case 70B. The illumination unit 70 is formed into a cylindrical shape by combining the case 70B and the cover 70C, and houses the light source unit 70D inside. The case 70B is the part that fits into the groove 70A, and has an outer shape that follows the inner surface of the groove 70A. The bottom wall of the case 70B, like the bottom wall of the groove 70A, is formed to slope upward from the rear end to the front end when fitted into the groove 70A.

[0045] The cover 70C is translucent. The cover 70C transmits light from the light source unit 70D. The cover 70C is attached to the case 70B with its underside serving as the light-emitting surface. The light source unit 70D is configured by arranging multiple light sources such as LEDs in the longitudinal direction, and is a unit capable of emitting long illumination light in one direction. The light source unit 70D is attached to the bottom wall at the top of the case 70B. The optical axis C of the light source unit 70D is oriented in a direction approximately perpendicular to the bottom wall surface at the top of the case 70B.

[0046] 11, when the illumination unit 70 is attached to the recessed groove 70A, the optical axis C of the emitted illumination light is directed obliquely downward and forward. The angle θ of the optical axis C with respect to the vertical direction is C is the angle θ between the vertical direction and the extension direction of the discharge portion 40 40 The lighting unit 70 can suitably illuminate the washbasin 3 below, and can also irradiate sufficient illumination light in the front and rear directions of the lighting unit 70, such as in front of the direction in which the discharge unit 40 extends and on the surface of the back panel 4.

[0047] 8, 9, and 10, the lighting operation unit 71 is disposed adjacent to the left of the discharge unit 40. The lighting operation unit 71 is provided in a recess 71A formed in the inclined surface portion 31B of the bottom wall 31 of the base member 30. The lighting operation unit 71 is configured to have a non-contact sensor 72 (illustrated as a second sensor) such as an infrared sensor similar to the sensor 43 for operating the water discharge.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 12, the sensor 72 defines a detection range A 72 (illustrated as a second detection range) and detects an object such as the user's hand that enters this range. When the sensor 72 detects an object such as a hand, the sensor 72 transmits a detection signal to the illumination control unit 73. The illumination control unit 73 performs switching control of the illumination unit 70, such as turning on and off, based on the detection signal transmitted when the sensor 72 detects an object such as a hand.

[0049] Sensor 72 detection range A 72 is the detection range A of the sensor 43 for water discharge operation. 43 As described above, the lighting operation unit 71 is disposed adjacent to the left of the discharge unit 40 in a front view. The sensor 43 for operating the water discharge is provided at the tip of the discharge unit 40. As shown in FIG. 12, the sensor 72 of the lighting operation unit 71 is disposed behind the direction of extension of the discharge unit 40 in a side view. In other words, the sensor 72 and the sensor 43 for operating the water discharge are disposed adjacent to each other on the left and right in a front view, lined up along the direction of extension of the discharge unit 40 in a side view, and disposed close to each other. Detection range A of the sensor 43 for operating the water discharge 43 is set in a predetermined area in front of the discharge portion 40 in the extension direction in a side view. 72 is set in the direction of the sensor 43 for the water discharge operation in a side view. However, the maximum detection distance of the sensor 72 in a side view is set on the front side of the tip of the discharge part 40. The faucet unit 20 has the detection range A of each of the two sensors 43, 72 arranged close to each other. 43 ,A 72 By making the values ​​different, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations.

[0050] The drain operation unit 80 is an operation unit for the drain plug 3D provided at the bottom of the washbasin 3. As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the drain operation unit 80 is located adjacent to the left of the lighting operation unit 71. The drain operation unit 80 is attached to a mounting portion 80A of the drain operation unit 80 formed on the inclined surface portion 31B of the bottom wall 31 of the base member 30.

[0051] The drain operation unit 80 is a rod-shaped member with one end protruding below the underside of the bottom wall 31 and the other end penetrating upward through the bottom wall 31. The drain operation unit 80 is attached so as to be approximately perpendicular to the underside of the inclined surface portion 31B, which serves as the attachment surface. In other words, when attached to the attachment portion 80A of the drain operation unit 80, the drain operation unit 80 extends obliquely downward and forward, so that the downward extension faces the forward direction. The drain operation unit 80 is a push-pull type operation unit. The drain operation unit 80 opens the drain plug 3D by pinching and pulling out the knob at the bottom end. The drain operation unit 80 closes the drain plug 3D by pinching and pushing in the knob at the bottom end. One end of an operation wire 81 is connected to the upper end of the drain operation unit 80.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, a tailpiece 82 is attached in advance to the other end of the operating wire 81. The tailpiece 82 is the part that is connected to the drain plug 3D during installation. The tailpiece 82 is provided with a mechanism 82A that moves the drain plug 3D up and down. The other end of the operating wire 81 is connected to this mechanism 82A. During installation, the drain operating unit 80 is attached by inserting the operating wire 81 through the opening 33A in the rear wall 33 of the base member 30 and routing it inside the back panel 4 and the sink unit 2, and then connecting the tailpiece 82 to the drain plug 3D. The tailpiece 82 is connected to the drain plug 3D by a one-touch clip 82B.

[0053] As shown in Figure 13, marker portions 12D, 12E are provided at the lower end of the front surface of the mirror door 12. Mark portion 12D is provided above a position corresponding to the water discharge operation unit 60 when viewed from the front. Mark portion 12D displays a pictogram indicating how to operate the water discharge operation unit 60. Mark portion 12E is provided above a position corresponding to the lighting operation unit 71 when viewed from the front. Mark portion 12E indicates the position of the lighting operation unit 71, which is hidden behind the mirror door 12. Mark portion 12E displays a pictogram (not shown) indicating that it is an operation unit for operating the lighting.

[0054] The effects of the faucet unit 20 having the above configuration will now be described.

[0055] Faucet unit 20 has a water discharge operation unit 60 and a drain operation unit 80 as a first operation unit and a second operation unit, provided on the left and right sides of discharge unit 40. In this way, faucet unit 20 has two operation units, water discharge operation unit 60 and drain operation unit 80, positioned apart, so that the operation unit for performing the desired operation can be operated appropriately, while preventing the operation of an unintended operation unit from being operated.

[0056] The faucet unit 20 is more effective at preventing erroneous operation because the operating parts with opposing functions, the water discharge operating part 60 and the water drain operating part 80, are located separately on the left and right sides of the discharge part 40. In other words, the faucet unit 20 reliably prevents erroneous operation that activates opposing functions, such as draining water when you intend to discharge water, or discharging water when you intend to drain water, thereby improving usability.

[0057] The faucet unit 20 has two different operating methods, namely, a rotational operation and a push-pull operation, and the two operating parts, the water discharge operating part 60 and the water drain operating part 80, which have different visual shapes, are arranged separately on the left and right sides of the discharge part 40, making it possible to more reliably prevent incorrect operation.

[0058] When discharging water from the discharge portion 40, the faucet unit 20 can discharge water in two ways: automatically when detected by the sensor 43 at the tip of the discharge portion 40, or manually by tilting the linear portion 64 of the water discharge operating portion 60 forward. The faucet unit 20 can adjust the hot and cold water mixture ratio during both automatic and manual water discharge, i.e., the hot and cold water temperature during water discharge, by rotating the water discharge operating portion 60 clockwise when viewed from the front.

[0059] In the faucet unit 20, the water discharge operating part 60, which moves closer to the discharge part 40 when rotated, is positioned away from the discharge part 40 to the right. The water discharge operating part 60 is positioned to the right of the discharge part 40, which is positioned in the center of the faucet unit 20 in the left-right direction, at the right end of the faucet unit 20, so that even when the lower end of the water discharge operating part 60 is rotated in a direction that moves it to the left during temperature adjustment operation, interference between the water discharge operating part 60 and the discharge part 40 is avoided.

[0060] The faucet unit 20 has a faucet body 50 housed in a base member 30, which is fixed to a wall W to which the mirror cabinet 10 is fixed. A connecting portion 62 on one end of the water discharge operating unit 60 is connected to the faucet body 50, and a linear portion 64 on the other end is inserted into an insertion hole 60A formed in the base member 30. The insertion hole 60A is formed to penetrate in the vertical direction at a position shifted from a position corresponding to the bottom of the faucet body 50. The linear portion 64 of the water discharge operating unit 60 protrudes from the insertion hole 60A to the outside of the base member 30 and is exposed to the outside of the base member 30.

[0061] As described above, the faucet unit 20 comprises a base member 30 as a housing, a faucet main body 50, a discharge portion 40, and a water discharge operation portion 60 and a drain operation portion 80 as a first and second operation portion. The faucet main body 50 is housed in the base member 30. The discharge portion 40 is provided on the base member 30. The discharge portion 40 has a discharge port 41A that communicates with the faucet main body 50 and discharges water that has passed through the faucet main body 50. The water discharge operation portion 60 and the drain operation portion 80 are provided on one side of the discharge portion 40 in the left-right direction, respectively, on the base member 30. In this way, the faucet unit 20 has the water discharge operation portion 60 and the drain operation portion 80 located separately on both left and right sides of the discharge portion 40. As a result, each operation portion is easy to use while preventing unintended operation of the operation portion.

[0062] In faucet unit 20, the first and second operating sections are water discharge operating section 60 and water drain operating section 80. In this way, faucet unit 20 has the operating sections for the opposing functions of water discharge and water drain located apart, which reliably prevents incorrect operation and further improves usability.

[0063] The faucet unit 20 includes a sensor 43, an automatic valve 55 as an electrically driven valve, and a water discharge control unit 61. The sensor 43 has a detection range A 43 The automatic valve 55 detects an object, such as a hand, that has entered the flow path. The automatic valve 55 is provided in the flow path between the faucet body 50 and the outlet 41A and opens and closes this flow path. The water discharge control unit 61 is provided in the base member 30 between the water discharge operating unit 60 and the outlet 40. The water discharge control unit 61 controls the opening and closing of the flow path by the automatic valve 55 based on the detection results of the sensor 43. In this way, by arranging the water discharge control unit 61 for automatic water discharge between the outlet 40 and the water discharge operating unit 60, the faucet unit 20 can ensure space to avoid interference between the water discharge operating unit 60 and the outlet 40 during operation. By arranging the water discharge control unit 61 in the space to avoid interference between the water discharge operating unit 60 and the outlet 40 during operation, the space between the outlet 40 and the water discharge operating unit 60 can be effectively utilized, thereby improving the spatial efficiency of the faucet unit 20 and achieving a more compact faucet device.

[0064] The faucet unit 20 comprises an illumination unit 70 that emits illumination light, and an illumination operation unit 71 that is provided on the base member 30 between the drain operation unit 80 and the discharge unit 40 and switches the illumination light emission state. In this way, the faucet unit 20 positions the drain operation unit 80 away from the discharge unit 40, and positions the illumination operation unit 71, as another operation unit, in the space between them. This makes it possible to avoid interference with the discharge unit 40 when operating the drain operation unit 80, and makes effective use of the space between the discharge unit 40 and the drain operation unit 80, improving the space efficiency of the faucet unit 20. As a result, a faucet device that is both easy to use and compact can be realized.

[0065] The illumination operation unit 71 detects the predetermined second detection range A. 72 The lighting operation unit 71 has a sensor 72 as a second sensor that detects an object that has entered the lighting operation unit 71. Therefore, compared to the water discharge operation unit 60 and the water drain operation unit 80, which have a part that is gripped by the user, the lighting operation unit 71 can be configured without any protruding parts, thereby improving the design.

[0066] The lighting operation unit 71 has a sensor 72 as a second sensor, and is provided adjacent to the left of the discharge unit 40 in which the sensor 43 for water discharge operation is provided. 72 is the detection range A of the automatic water discharge sensor 43. 43 Therefore, the water faucet unit 20 can realize a miniaturized water faucet device while avoiding erroneous operation of the two non-contact sensors, the sensor 72 and the sensor 43.

[0067] The discharge portion 40, the water discharge operation portion 60 as the first operation portion, and the drain operation portion 80 as the second operation portion protrude downward from the base member 30. This allows the user to easily recognize the positions of the discharge portion 40, the water discharge operation portion 60, and the drain operation portion 80. As a result, a user-friendly faucet device can be realized.

[0068] The discharge section 40, water discharge operating section 60, and drain operating section 80 are arranged so that the discharge section 40 is located in the center in the left-right direction and protrudes downward, while the water discharge operating section 60 and drain operating section 80 are arranged symmetrically on the left and right of the discharge section 40 and protrude downward symmetrically. This makes it possible to realize a faucet device with a good design.

[0069] The faucet unit 20 has a discharge section 40, a water discharge operation section 60, and a drain operation section 80 that protrude downward and are exposed from the bottom of the mirror cabinet 10, and each extend diagonally downward toward the front. In this way, the bathroom vanity 1 creates a sense of unity at the bottom of the mirror cabinet 10, further improving the design.

[0070] The faucet unit 20 is unitized. This reduces the number of parts compared to when each element is installed separately. The faucet unit 20 is unitized and the number of parts is reduced, which reduces the labor required during installation. As a result, on-site work can be simplified.

[0071] The faucet unit 20 has a water discharge control unit 61, lighting unit 70, and lighting operation unit 71, which are configured with electronic components, located adjacent to the right, left, and rear of the discharge unit 40, respectively. In particular, the water discharge control unit 61 is located between the discharge unit 40 and the faucet body 50. The discharge unit 40, faucet body 50, water discharge operation unit 60, water discharge control unit 61, lighting unit 70, lighting operation unit 71, and drain operation unit 80 are individually attached to the base member 30 for each compartment separated by the partition wall 36. Even if a leak occurs inside the base member 30, the faucet unit 20 can prevent water from entering other compartments separated by the partition wall 36.

[0072] The present disclosure is not limited to the disclosure of embodiment 1 described above with reference to the drawings, and also includes, for example, the following embodiments.

[0073] (1) The first and second operating units are not limited to the water discharge operating unit and the water drain operating unit shown in embodiment 1. The first and second operating units may be used to operate a functional unit that performs some function, such as an operating unit for lighting or a mirror heater, or an operating unit for discharging modified water (functional water) such as purified water or sterilized water. In this case, the functional unit may be provided integrally with the faucet device or separately from the faucet device.

[0074] (2) When the first and second operating units, i.e., the water discharge operating unit and the drain operating unit, are arranged on the left and right sides of the discharge unit, the water discharge operating unit may be arranged on the left side of the discharge unit and the drain operating unit may be arranged on the right side of the discharge unit.

[0075] (3) The installation form of the faucet device is not limited to the form in which it is installed in the mirror cabinet shown in embodiment 1. The faucet device may be installed, for example, on a standing wall or wall surface rising up behind the washbasin, such as a so-called back guard.

[0076] (4) The operation forms of the operation parts provided in the faucet device, such as the first operation part, the second operation part, and other operation parts, are not limited to the rotation operation, push-pull operation, non-contact operation such as waving of hands, etc. shown in embodiment 1, and various forms can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 3...Washbasin, 3D...Drain plug, 20...Faucet unit (faucet device), 30...Base member (housing), 40...Discharge section, 41A...Discharge port, 43...Sensor, 50...Faucet body, 55...Automatic valve (electrically driven valve), 60...Water discharge operation section (first operation section), 61...Water discharge control section, 70...Lighting section, 71...Lighting operation section, 72...Sensor (second sensor), 80...Drain operation section (second operation section), A 43 …detection range, A 72 …Detection range (second detection range)

Claims

1. The housing and A faucet body housed in the housing; a discharge portion provided in the housing and having a discharge port communicating with the faucet body for discharging water that has passed through the faucet body; a first operating unit provided on the housing at a side of the discharge unit; a second operating unit provided on the housing at a side of the discharge unit opposite to the first operating unit; A faucet device comprising:

2. The first operating unit is a water discharge operating unit that operates the faucet body, The second operating unit is a drain operating unit that operates a drain plug of a washbasin that is disposed below the discharge unit. The water faucet device according to claim 1.

3. a sensor that detects an object that has entered a predetermined detection range; an electrically driven valve provided in a flow path between the faucet body and the outlet for opening and closing the flow path; a water discharge control unit provided in the housing between one of the first operating unit and the second operating unit and the discharge unit, the water discharge control unit controlling opening and closing of the flow path by the electrically driven valve based on the detection result of the sensor; The water faucet device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. an illumination unit that emits illumination light; an illumination operation unit that is provided in the housing between the other of the first operation unit and the second operation unit and the discharge unit and that switches an irradiation state of the illumination light; The water faucet device according to claim 3, further comprising:

5. The lighting operation unit has a second sensor that detects an object that has entered a predetermined second detection range. The water faucet device according to claim 4.

6. The discharge portion, the first operating portion, and the second operating portion protrude downward from the housing. A water faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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