Faucet device and cartridge

Abstract

The objective is to provide a faucet device that is advantageous in that it makes it easier to insert the male connector of the cartridge into the female connector of the water outlet component. [Solution] The device comprises a main body and a water discharge component that can be detachably attached to the main body. Inside at least one of the main body and the water discharge component is a storage chamber 38 that houses a cartridge 36 for modifying raw water, and the cartridge 36 can be inserted into and removed by removing the water discharge component from the main body 12. The water discharge component includes a female connector 74 that is watertightly connected to a male connector 70 provided on the cartridge 36. The female connector 74 includes a small inner diameter portion 74c on which the male connector 70 is positioned inside, and a large inner diameter portion 74d provided on the inlet side of the small inner diameter portion 74c.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a faucet device and a cartridge used in the faucet device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a faucet device including a device main body and a water discharge component detachably attached to the device main body. Inside the device main body, there is a storage chamber for accommodating a cartridge, and the cartridge can be taken in and out by removing the water discharge component from the device main body. This water discharge component includes a female connection portion that is watertightly connected to a male connection portion provided on the cartridge.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When inserting the male connection portion into the female connection portion, consider the case where the axis of the male connection portion is displaced with respect to the axis of the female connection portion. In this case, the tip of the male connection portion interferes with the water discharge component outside the opening of the female connection portion, making it difficult to insert the male connection portion into the female connection portion. The disclosed technology of Patent Document 1 does not take measures from such a perspective and has room for improvement.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a faucet device that is advantageous in enhancing the ease of inserting the male connection portion of the cartridge into the female connection portion of the water discharge component.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A faucet device in one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a device body and a water-discharging component detachably attached to the device body, wherein at least one of the device body and the water-discharging component houses a cartridge for modifying raw water, and a housing chamber is provided inside which the cartridge can be inserted into and removed by removing the water-discharging component from the device body, the water-discharging component includes a female connector that is watertightly connected to a male connector provided on the cartridge, the female connector includes a small inner diameter portion on which the male connector is positioned inside, and a large inner diameter portion provided on the inlet side of the small inner diameter portion.

[0007] A cartridge in another aspect of the present disclosure is connectable between the faucet device and the cartridge by a female connector having a small inner diameter portion and a large inner diameter portion provided on the inlet side of the small inner diameter portion, and a male connector having a small outer diameter portion disposed inside the small inner diameter portion, wherein the male connector has a large diameter structure disposed inside the large inner diameter portion and having an outer diameter larger than the small outer diameter portion and surrounding the axis of the male connector, and the cartridge is watertightly connectable to either the female connector or the male connector provided in the faucet device, and comprises a connector which is the other of the female connector or the male connector. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view showing a faucet device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of a part of the faucet device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the device in the process of removing the water discharge component from the main body. [Figure 4] This is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 2. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing a portion of the cartridge of the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing a portion of the cartridge in its first transformed state. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing a portion of the cartridge in its second transformation form. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the effects of the faucet device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes embodiments for implementing the faucet device of this disclosure. The same reference numerals are used for identical or equivalent elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. For the sake of clarity, components are omitted, enlarged, or reduced in each drawing. The drawings should be viewed in accordance with the orientation of the reference numerals.

[0010] Refer to Figure 1. The faucet device 10 comprises a device body 12 and a water discharge component 14 that is detachably attached to the device body 12. In this embodiment, the device body 12 comprises a first main body component 18 installed on a base 16 and a second main body component 20 that is detachably connected to the first main body component 18. The base 16 is, for example, a sink, a washbasin cabinet, etc. A valve unit 22 is housed inside the first main body component 18. The valve unit 22 can adjust the flow rate and temperature of water supplied from the water source 26 in response to user operation of a first operating member 24 provided on the first main body component 18.

[0011] The water discharge component 14 is capable of discharging water supplied from the water supply channel 28. The water discharge component 14 in this embodiment comprises a first water discharge section 30 for discharging raw water or modified water in a straight stream, and a second water discharge section 32 for discharging raw water in a shower stream. The straight stream is a configuration in which a single stream of water is discharged, and the shower stream is a configuration in which multiple shower-like streams of water are discharged.

[0012] The second main body component 20 and the water discharge component 14 constitute a water discharge head 34 that is detachably connected to the first main body component 18. In this embodiment, the second main body component 20 constitutes the grip portion of the water discharge head 34 that is grasped by the user. In addition, the second main body component 20 does not necessarily have to be detachably connected to the first main body component 18.

[0013] The faucet device 10 includes a cartridge 36 capable of producing modified water by modifying raw water. In this specification, "modification" refers to removing or adding specific components to raw water through either physical or chemical changes. In this embodiment, the modification of raw water will be explained using the case of purifying raw water as an example. In addition, beauty components, fragrance components, carbonation components, hydrogen components, etc., may be added to the raw water. The cartridge 36 is a long body that extends along the cartridge axis. The direction along this cartridge axis, the cartridge axial direction, is called the X direction. The radial direction and circumferential direction, respectively, with respect to the cartridge axis, are called the cartridge radial direction and cartridge circumferential direction.

[0014] The faucet device 10 is equipped with a water supply channel 28 for supplying water to the water discharge component 14. The water supply channel 28 comprises an upstream channel 28a, a containment chamber 38 to which raw water is supplied from the upstream channel 28a, a raw water channel 28b to which raw water is supplied from the containment chamber 38 without passing through a cartridge 36 housed in the containment chamber 38, and a modified water channel 28c to which modified water produced via the cartridge 36 is supplied. In this configuration, the upstream channel 28a is supplied with raw water whose flow rate and temperature have been adjusted by a valve unit 22. The raw water supplied to the raw water channel 28b and the modified water supplied to the modified water channel 28c are supplied to either the first water discharge section 30 or the second water discharge section 32 via a valve mechanism 40, which will be described later. The water supply channel 28 includes a straight channel 28d for sending water that has passed through the valve mechanism 40 to the first water discharge section 30, and a shower channel 28e for sending water that has passed through the valve mechanism 40 to the second water discharge section 32.

[0015] The faucet device 10 in this embodiment includes a valve mechanism 40, such as a switching valve, that can switch the water supply destination from the upstream flow path 28a to either the first water outlet 30 or the second water outlet 32. The valve mechanism 40 in this embodiment can switch the water supply destination to one of three paths: a first path via the raw water flow path 28b and the first water outlet 30, a second path via the modified water flow path 28c and the first water outlet 30, and a third path via the raw water flow path 28b and the second water outlet 32. When in the first or second path, either raw water or modified water in a straight stream is discharged from the first water outlet 30 via the straight stream flow path 28d. When in the third path, raw water in a shower stream is discharged from the second water outlet 32 ​​via the shower stream flow path 28e. The valve mechanism 40 can switch the supply destination as described above in response to user operation on a second operating member (not shown) provided on the water outlet component 14.

[0016] Refer to Figure 2. The first main body component 18 of the device body 12 comprises a main body housing 18a and a joint member 18b which is fixed to the main body housing 18a by a clip or the like, and to which the second main body component 20 is detachably connected.

[0017] The second main body component 20 of the device body 12 comprises a first housing 50 and a first internal assembly 52 housed within the first housing 50. A flexible water supply hose 56 is connected to the base end of the first internal assembly 52 via a hose connector 54. The aforementioned upstream flow path 28a is formed inside the hose connector 54 and the water supply hose 56. The second main body component 20 is detachable from the connector member 18b of the first main body component 18 by moving it along the X direction. When attaching or detaching the second main body component 20 to the first main body component 18, the water supply hose 56 is extended and retracted from the connector member 18b.

[0018] Refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. The water discharge component 14 includes a second housing 58, a second internal assembly 60 housed within the second housing 58, and a water discharge member 62 attached to the second housing 58. An original water flow path 28b and a modified water flow path 28c are formed inside the second internal assembly 60 and the water discharge member 62. The valve mechanism 40 described above is housed within the second internal assembly 60. The water discharge member 62 includes the first water discharge part 30 and the second water discharge part 32 described above. The first water discharge part 30 of the present embodiment includes a water discharge hole formed at the central part of the water discharge surface of the water discharge member 62. The second water discharge part 32 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of water discharge holes arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the first water discharge part 30.

[0019] The accommodation chamber 38 is provided inside at least one of the apparatus main body 12 and the water discharge component 14. The accommodation chamber 38 of the present embodiment is provided inside the first internal assembly 52 as the inside of the apparatus main body 12. In addition to this, the accommodation chamber 38 may be provided inside the second internal assembly 60 as the inside of the water discharge component 14, or may be provided inside both the first internal assembly 52 and the second internal assembly 60.

[0020] The accommodation chamber 38 includes an entrance / exit 38a for inserting and removing the cartridge 36. The entrance / exit 38a of the present embodiment is provided at the end on the water discharge component 14 side in the X direction in the accommodation chamber 38. The cartridge 36 can be inserted and removed through the entrance / exit 38a by removing the water discharge component 14 from the apparatus main body 12. In order to achieve this, the entrance / exit 38a can be opened and closed by attaching and detaching the water discharge component 14 to and from the apparatus main body 12. Specifically, the entrance / exit is closed by attaching the water discharge component 14 to the apparatus main body 12, and is opened by removing the water discharge component 14 from the apparatus main body 12.

[0021] Refer to FIG. 2. The cartridge 36 forms an outer water channel 64 between it and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation chamber 38. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral part of the cartridge 36 is circular as a whole, and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation chamber 38 is also circular. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the outer water channel 64 between these is annular such as an annular shape.

[0022] The cartridge 36 comprises a cartridge body 36a and end caps 36b and 36c attached to both ends of the cartridge body 36a in the X direction. The end caps 36b and 36c include a first end cap 36b provided on the side opposite to the water discharge component 14 in the X direction and a second end cap 36c provided on the side of the water discharge component 14 in the X direction. The cartridge body 36a comprises an internal water channel 36d provided inside the cartridge body 36a and a modification section 36e provided between the outer water channel 64 and the internal water channel 36d. The modification section 36e can pass water from the outer water channel 64 to the internal water channel 36d and can produce modified water by modifying the raw water with a modifying material. When the modification of the raw water is purification, the modifying material is made up of, for example, activated carbon, calcium carbonate, etc.

[0023] Refer to Figure 4. The cartridge 36 is equipped with a male connector 70. The male connector 70 is provided on the part of the cartridge 36 on the water discharge component 14 side in the X direction. In this embodiment, the male connector 70 is provided on the second end cap 36c of the cartridge 36.

[0024] The male connector 70 has an axial shape extending along its axis L70. Here, axis L70 refers to a straight line extending along the center of the outer shape of the small outer diameter portion 70a (described later) of the male connector 70. The direction along axis L70 of the male connector 70 is called the axial direction, and the radial and circumferential directions relative to axis L70 are simply called the radial direction and circumferential direction. In this embodiment, axis L70 of the male connector 70 is located on the cartridge axis (not shown), but it may be offset from the cartridge axis. The X direction is also the axial direction of this male connector 70.

[0025] The water discharge component 14 is inserted into the male connector 70 of the cartridge 36 and includes a female connector 74 that is watertightly connected to the male connector 70 using a first sealing member 72. The female connector 74 is provided in the second internal assembly 60 of the water discharge component 14.

[0026] The female connector 74 has a hole-like shape that extends along its axis L74. Here, the axis L74 of the female connector 74 refers to a straight line that extends along the center of the inner shape of the small inner diameter portion 74c (described later) of the female connector 74. Inside the female connector 74, a modified water channel 28c is provided on the tip side in the X direction compared to the male connector 70. An opening 74a is formed at the inlet end of the female connector 74 through which the male connector 70 passes. Details of the male connector 70 and the female connector 74 will be described later.

[0027] The cartridge 36 includes an end face portion 74b provided around the opening 74a of the female connector portion 74 and an opposing surface portion 36f facing it in the axial direction. When the male connector portion 70 is inserted into the female connector portion 74, a part of the opposing surface portion 36f of the cartridge 36 (a convex surface portion 36g described later in this embodiment) comes into contact with the end face portion 74b of the female connector portion 74, thereby preventing further insertion of the male connector portion 70 into the female connector portion 74.

[0028] The device body 12 includes a body-side connection portion 76. The water discharge component 14 includes a component-side connection portion 80 that is watertightly connected to the body-side connection portion 76 of the device body 12 using a second sealing member 78. In this embodiment, the body-side connection portion 76 is a female-type connection portion, and the component-side connection portion 80 is a male-type connection portion that is inserted into the female-type connection portion, but the reverse may also be true.

[0029] In this embodiment, the main body side connection portion 76 is provided in the device body 12 at the portion on the water discharge component 14 side in the X direction, where the inner circumference of the housing chamber 38 is formed. In this embodiment, the main body side connection portion 76 is provided in the inner circumference of the first internal assembly 52 of the device body 12.

[0030] The second sealing member 78 is an elastic body such as an O-ring. The second sealing member 78 is used to watertightly connect the main body side connection part 76 and the component side connection part 80, and seals the space between the main body side connection part 76 and the component side connection part 80. The second sealing member 78 prevents water from leaking into the containment chamber 38 through the inlet / outlet 38a.

[0031] The water discharge component 14 in this embodiment comprises a first cylindrical portion 82 and a second cylindrical portion 84 surrounding the first cylindrical portion 82. These are provided in the second internal assembly 60 of the water discharge component 14. A female connector portion 74 is provided on the inner circumference of the first cylindrical portion 82, and a component-side connector portion 80 is provided on the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 84. A raw water flow path 28b is provided between the first cylindrical portion 82 and the second cylindrical portion 84.

[0032] When attaching or detaching the water discharge component 14 to the device body 12, the water discharge component 14 is moved in the X direction. When the water discharge component 14 is moved toward the device body 12 in the X direction, the component-side connector 80 is connected to the main body-side connector 76, thereby attaching the water discharge component 14 to the device body 12. At this time, the female connector 74 of the water discharge component 14 is watertightly connected to the male connector 70 of the cartridge 36. When the water discharge component 14 is moved toward the device body 12 in the removal direction, away from it in the X direction, the connection of the component-side connector 80 to the main body-side connector 76 is released, thereby removing the water discharge component 14 from the device body 12. At this time, the connection of the female connector 74 to the male connector 70 is released.

[0033] The faucet device 10 may be equipped with a movement-blocking structure that can prevent the water discharge component 14 from moving in the removal direction relative to the device body 12. If this is used, for example, by rotating the water discharge component 14 around the axis L70 of the male connector 70, it may be possible to move between a blocked position in which the movement of the water discharge component 14 can be prevented from moving in the removal direction by the movement-blocking structure and an allowed position in which such movement is permitted. The faucet device 10 may also be equipped with a locking mechanism that can releasely lock the water discharge component 14 at the mounting position where it is attached to the device body 12.

[0034] The female connector 74 includes a small inner diameter portion 74c on which the male connector 70 is positioned. The small inner diameter portion 74c extends straight in the axial direction. The small inner diameter portion 74c has a circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction. The inner diameter of the small inner diameter portion 74c is of the same size in the axial direction. Here, the inner diameter of a specific part of the female connector 74 refers to the diameter from the axis L74 of the female connector 74 to the inner circumferential surface of that specific part. In this specification, "equivalent" includes cases where the two referred to are the same, as well as cases where they are substantially the same.

[0035] The male connector 70 includes a small outer diameter portion 70a positioned inside the small inner diameter portion 74c. The small outer diameter portion 70a has a circular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction. The small outer diameter portion 70a extends straight in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the small outer diameter portion 70a is of the same size in the axial direction. Here, the outer diameter of the small outer diameter portion 70a refers to the diameter from the axis L70 to the outer circumferential surface in the portion excluding the groove portion 70b in which the first seal member 72 is fitted.

[0036] A first sealing member 72 is sandwiched between the small inner diameter portion 74c of the female connector 74 and the small outer diameter portion 70a of the male connector 70, with elastic deformation. The space between these two is sealed by the first sealing member 72, thereby creating a watertight connection between the female connector 74 and the male connector 70. The first sealing member 72 is an elastic body such as an O-ring. In this embodiment, the first sealing member 72 is fitted into a groove 70b formed in the small outer diameter portion 70a of the male connector 70. The first sealing member 72 prevents the flow of water from passing between the containment chamber 38 and the modified water channel 28c without passing through the modified portion 36e of the cartridge 36.

[0037] The female connector 74 includes a large inner diameter portion 74d located on the entrance side of the small inner diameter portion 74c. The large inner diameter portion 74d has a larger inner diameter than the small inner diameter portion 74c. To satisfy this condition, the large inner diameter portion 74d of the female connector 74 in this embodiment extends in a straight line in the axial direction. Alternatively, the large inner diameter portion 74d may be provided so that its inner diameter decreases continuously or gradually as it moves towards the back in the axial direction. The large inner diameter portion 74d has a circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction. The inner circumferential surface of the large inner diameter portion 74d in this embodiment is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the small inner diameter portion 74c via a stepped surface 74e.

[0038] Let D be the maximum insertion depth of the male connector 70 into the female connector 74. This maximum insertion depth D is the axial dimension from the opening 74a of the female connector 74 to the tip of the male connector 70 when the opposing surface 36f of the cartridge 36 contacts the end face 74b of the female connector 74. In this case, the axial dimension L74d of the large inner diameter portion 74d along the axial direction may be, for example, 1 / 10 or more of the maximum insertion depth D.

[0039] Refer to Figures 4 and 5. The male connector 70 includes a large-diameter structural portion 70c positioned inside the large-diameter inner portion 74d of the female connector 74. The large-diameter structural portion 70c has a larger outer diameter than the small-diameter portion 70a and surrounds the axis L70 of the male connector 70. To satisfy this condition, the large-diameter structural portion 70c may include, for example, either (1) or (2) below. The large-diameter structural portion 70c of (1) includes a continuous surface portion 70d that is continuous in the axial and circumferential directions and surrounds the axis L70. The large-diameter structural portion 70c of (2) includes at least one convex portion 70e (see Figure 6) that protrudes from a surface portion that extends straight in the axial direction with the same outer diameter as the small-diameter portion 70a and surrounds the axis L70. In addition, the large-diameter structural portion 70c may also include the continuous surface portion 70d of (1) and at least one protrusion 70e protruding from the continuous surface portion 70d, the at least one protrusion 70e surrounding the axis L70. Here, the outer diameter refers to the diameter from the axis L70 of the male connector portion 70 to the outer circumferential surface of the element being referred to.

[0040] The large-diameter structural portion 70c of this embodiment includes the continuous surface portion 70d described in (1) above. The continuous surface portion 70d may be continuous in the circumferential direction over its entire circumference, or a recess may be formed in a part of it in the circumferential direction.

[0041] Refer to Figure 6. At least one protrusion 70e of (2) may be composed of a plurality of axial rib portions that extend continuously in the axial direction and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, in order to satisfy the condition of "surrounding the axis L70". In this case, three or more axial rib portions may be spaced apart in the circumferential direction, in order to satisfy the condition of "surrounding the axis L70". In the embodiment of Figure 6, four axial rib portions are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The plurality of axial rib portions may extend along the axial direction or in a spiral manner, in order to extend continuously in the axial direction. In addition, at least one protrusion 70e may be composed of a circumferential rib portion that extends continuously in the circumferential direction, in order to satisfy the condition of "surrounding the axis L70". In addition, at least one protrusion 70e may be composed of a plurality of point-like projections aligned in a specific direction instead of the rib portions extending in the specific direction mentioned here.

[0042] In both the large-diameter structural portion 70c shown in Figures 5 and 6, the outer surface of the large-diameter structural portion 70c is connected to the outer surface of the small-diameter portion 70a via a stepped surface 70g, forming a stepped structure. Alternatively, the outer surface of the large-diameter structural portion 70c may be tapered and continuous with the outer surface of the small-diameter portion 70a without the step surface 70g. When the large-diameter structural portion 70c has a stepped structure, the outer surface of the large-diameter structural portion 70c may be stepped, with the outer diameter increasing in stages towards the base end.

[0043] The corner between the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter structural part 70c of the stepped structure and the stepped surface 70g may have an R-shaped, C-shaped, or the like, shape such that the outer diameter gradually increases towards the base end in the axial direction. The outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter structural part 70c of the stepped structure may extend straight in the axial direction as in this embodiment, or it may extend in a tapered shape such that the outer diameter gradually increases towards the base end.

[0044] In the configurations shown in Figures 5 and 6, the opposing surface 36f of the cartridge 36 is provided with a convex portion 36g that protrudes towards the tip of the male connector 70. In each configuration, the convex portion 36g of the cartridge 36 contacts the end surface 74b of the female connector 74, thereby preventing further insertion of the male connector 70 into the female connector 74, as described above (see Figure 4). This convex portion 36g may be omitted, as shown in Figure 7.

[0045] The effects of the above-described faucet device 10 will now be explained.

[0046] The female connector 74 of the water outlet component 14 has a small inner diameter portion 74c in which the male connector 70 is positioned, and a large inner diameter portion 74d provided on the inlet side of the small inner diameter portion 74c. As shown in Figure 3, this allows the opening 74a of the female connector 74 to be wider than if the large inner diameter portion 74d of the female connector 74 were the same diameter as the small inner diameter portion 74c, making it easier to insert the male connector 70 into the large inner diameter portion 74d of the female connector 74. When the male connector 70 is positioned inside the large inner diameter portion 74d of the female connector 74 in this way, the large inner diameter portion 74d can be used as a guide, and by moving the male connector 70 relatively toward the tip while slightly moving it relative to the female connector 74 in a direction intersecting the axial direction, the male connector 70 can be inserted into the small inner diameter portion 74c of the female connector 74. Consequently, this is more advantageous in improving the ease with which the male connector 70 can be inserted into the small inner diameter portion 74c of the female connector 74 than making the large inner diameter portion 74d of the female connector 74 the same inner diameter as the small inner diameter portion 74c.

[0047] Refer to Figure 8. Due to the influence of the weight of the cartridge 36, the male connector 70 may move relative to the female connector 74 such that the axis L70 of the male connector 70 is tilted relative to the axis L74 of the female connector 74. As a result, the male connector 70 may come into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the female connector 74 at two contact points A, at the tip and base ends of the male connector 70. In this state, as the male connector 70 moves further relative to the female connector 74 as described above, a bending force F may be applied to the male connector 70 between these two contact points A. This bending force F acts to bend the male connector 70 between the two contact points A, with the contact point A at the base end of the male connector 70 as the fulcrum.

[0048] (A) If the large-diameter structural portion 70c of the male connector 70 is positioned within the large-diameter inner portion 74d of the female connector 74, the base end portion of the male connector 70 that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the female connector 74 can be made into the large-diameter structural portion 70c. In this case, the tip portion of the male connector 70 that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the female connector 74 becomes the small-outer diameter portion 70a. The male connector 70 and the female connector 74 can also be said to be configured such that when the male connector 70 moves relative to the female connector 74 as described above, it can contact the inner circumferential surface of the female connector 74 at least two points, the small-outer diameter portion 70a and the large-diameter structural portion 70c. As described above, the large inner diameter portion 74d of the female connector 74 can be said to have a circular shape with an inner diameter that allows it to contact the large diameter structural portion 70c when the small outer diameter portion 70a comes into contact with the small inner diameter portion 74c as the male connector 70 moves relative to the female connector 74. In this configuration, the second clearance 92, which will be described later, can be adjusted to be close in size to the first clearance 90, or the second clearance 92 can be omitted as described later. In this way, having one of the two contact points A be the large diameter structural portion 70c is advantageous in ensuring the bending strength against the bending force F in the male connector 70 compared to the case where both contact points A have the same outer diameter as the small outer diameter portion 70a.

[0049] Next, other features of the faucet device 10 will be described. Refer to Figure 4. A first clearance 90 is provided between the small outer diameter portion 70a of the male connector 70 and the small inner diameter portion 74c of the female connector 74. The first clearance 90 is provided as a radial gap between them. By providing the first clearance 90, the ease of inserting the small outer diameter portion 70a into the small inner diameter portion 74c is improved.

[0050] In this embodiment, a second clearance 92 is provided between the large-diameter structural portion 70c of the male connector 70 and the small-outer diameter portion 70a of the female connector 74. The second clearance 92 is provided as a radial gap between them.

[0051] In this embodiment, the radial dimension L2 of the second clearance 92 is larger than the radial dimension L1 of the first clearance 90. The radial dimensions L1 and L2 of each clearance 90 and 92 are based on the state in which the axis L74 of the female connector 74 and the axis L70 of the male connector 70 are aligned (hereinafter referred to as the reference state). The radial dimension L1 of the first clearance 90 is the distance from the outer circumferential surface of the small outer diameter portion 70a to the inner circumferential surface of the small inner diameter portion 74c when in the reference state. The radial dimension L2 of the second clearance 92 is the distance from the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter structural portion 70c to the inner circumferential surface of the small inner diameter portion 74c when in the reference state.

[0052] Next, a modified form of the faucet device 10 described above will be explained. If the radial dimension L2 of the second clearance 92 is made greater than or equal to the radial dimension L1 of the first clearance 90 in order to improve the ease of insertion of the male connector 70 into the female connector 74, as a consequence, the cartridge 36 will be more prone to tilting due to the influence of the respective clearances 90 and 92, as shown in Figure 8. Here, tilting of the cartridge 36 refers to the tilting of the cartridge axis of the cartridge 36 with respect to the center line of the housing chamber 38. As a countermeasure, it is desirable to satisfy at least one of the following conditions (1) and (2) as conditions related to this clearance (hereinafter referred to as clearance conditions).

[0053] Condition (1) is that a second clearance 92 is provided between the large inner diameter portion 74d and the large diameter structural portion 70c, having a radial dimension L2 smaller than the radial dimension L1 of the first clearance 90. Condition (2) is that no clearance is provided between the large diameter structural portion 70c and the small outer diameter portion 70a. When condition (2) is satisfied, the contact of the large diameter structural portion 70c of the male connector 70 with respect to the large inner diameter portion 74d of the female connector 74 will restrict the radial relative movement of the male connector 70 with respect to the female connector 74. Condition (2) assumes, for example, that the large diameter structural portion 70c of the male connector 70 is composed of multiple elastically deformable protrusions 70e, and that the large diameter structural portion 70c is positioned within the large inner diameter portion 74d with the elastic deformation of these multiple protrusions 70e. These multiple protrusions 70e refer, for example, to the multiple axial rib portions mentioned above.

[0054] In order to satisfy the aforementioned clearance conditions, either condition (1) or condition (2) may be satisfied in the entire circumferential range where the large-diameter structural portion 70c of the male connector 70 is located. Alternatively, one of conditions (1) or (2) may be satisfied in a part of the circumferential range where the large-diameter structural portion 70c is located, and the other of conditions (1) or (2) may be satisfied in the remaining circumferential range.

[0055] By satisfying the aforementioned clearance conditions, it is advantageous in suppressing the tilt of the cartridge 36 compared to the case where the radial dimension L2 of the second clearance 92 is greater than or equal to the radial dimension L1 of the first clearance 90. Therefore, by providing the first clearance 90 as described above, it is advantageous in suppressing the tilt of the cartridge 36 that results from the ease of inserting the male connector 70 into the female connector 74.

[0056] If the tilt of the cartridge 36 increases, the distribution of the dimensions of the outer channel 64 in the cartridge diameter direction, located between the base end portion of the cartridge 36 and the inner surface of the housing chamber 38, can vary greatly in the cartridge circumferential direction. For example, the dimensions of the outer channel 64 in the cartridge diameter direction may decrease below the base end portion of the cartridge 36, and increase above the base end portion. Such large variations in the distribution of the dimensions of the outer channel 64 can lead to large variations in the flow velocity distribution of the water flowing through the outer channel 64 in the cartridge circumferential direction. Consequently, the flow velocity distribution of the water flow entering the modification section 36e of the cartridge 36 from the outer channel 64 will also vary in the cartridge circumferential direction, which is disadvantageous for efficiently obtaining the modification effect of the modification section 36e of the cartridge 36 over the entire cartridge circumferential direction. In other words, the tilt of the cartridge 36 makes it difficult to efficiently obtain the modifying effect of the modifying portion 36e of the cartridge 36 throughout the entire circumferential direction of the cartridge.

[0057] In this regard, as mentioned above, by advantageously suppressing the tilt of the cartridge 36, variations in the distribution of the outer channel 64's dimensions in the cartridge radial direction and its distribution in the cartridge circumferential direction can be suppressed. Consequently, variations in the flow velocity distribution of the water flowing through the outer channel 64 in the cartridge circumferential direction can be suppressed, and variations in the flow velocity distribution of the water flow entering the modified section 36e of the cartridge 36 from the outer channel 64 in the cartridge circumferential direction can be suppressed. As a result, it is advantageous to efficiently obtain the modification effect of the modified section 36e of the cartridge 36 over the entire cartridge circumferential direction.

[0058] The device body 12 in the configuration shown in Figure 2 is configured to allow relative movement of the cartridge 36 with respect to the device body 12. This means that the device body 12 does not have a restraining part that restricts the relative movement of the cartridge 36 in the housing chamber 38 with respect to the device body 12. Here, relative movement refers in particular to the relative movement of the cartridge 36 with respect to the device body 12 in a direction perpendicular to the cartridge axis direction. In particular, the device body 12 is configured to allow relative movement at the base end portion of the cartridge 36 that is opposite to the male connector portion 70 in the X direction. It is desirable to satisfy the aforementioned clearance conditions when configured in this way. The problem of cartridge 36 tilt as described above becomes apparent when relative movement of the cartridge 36 with respect to the device body 12 is permitted in this manner. Even in situations where such a problem of cartridge 36 tilt becomes apparent, the problem can be advantageously resolved by satisfying the aforementioned clearance conditions.

[0059] Next, we will describe the transformation forms of each component described so far.

[0060] The number of discharge sections in the discharge component 14 is not particularly limited, nor is the discharge pattern of each discharge section particularly limited. For example, there may be only one discharge section. In this case, only one of the first and second paths described above may be switchable by the valve mechanism 40. Also, the discharge component 14 only needs to have discharge sections capable of discharging reformed water, and does not need to have discharge sections for discharging raw water. In this case, the valve mechanism 40 is not necessary. It can also be said that the reformed water supplied to the reformed water flow path 28c only needs to be supplied to at least one discharge section in the discharge component 14, regardless of the presence or absence of the valve mechanism 40.

[0061] The male connector 70 may have only a small outer diameter portion 70a and not a large diameter structural portion 70c. The large diameter structural portion 70c does not have to be located within the large inner diameter portion 74d of the female connector 74. The device body 12 may have a restraining portion that restricts the relative movement of the cartridge 36 with respect to the device body 12.

[0062] Up to this point, we have described an example in which the faucet device 10 is equipped with a female connector 74 and the cartridge 36 is equipped with a male connector 70. Alternatively, the faucet device 10 may be equipped with a male connector 70 and the cartridge 36 may be equipped with a female connector 74. The cartridge 36 may be equipped with a connector that is watertightly connectable to either the female connector 74 or the male connector 70 of the faucet device 10, and may also be equipped with the other connector of the female connector 74 or the male connector 70.

[0063] If the cartridge 36 is equipped with a female connector 74, the female connector 74 may be equipped with a small inner diameter portion 74c and a large inner diameter portion 74d. Furthermore, the male connector 70 of the faucet device 10 may be equipped with a large diameter structural portion 70c located inside the large inner diameter portion 74d, in addition to the small outer diameter portion 70a. In this case as well, similar to (A) above, it is advantageous in ensuring bending strength against bending force F in the male connector 70 of the faucet device 10. In this case, the male connector 70 of the faucet device 10 may be provided in either the device body 12 or the water discharge component 14 of the faucet device 10.

[0064] In this embodiment, the device body 12 is a first device component constituting the faucet device 10, and the water discharge component 14 is a second device component constituting the faucet device 10. In this embodiment, the first device component is provided with a storage chamber 38 that houses the cartridge 36 so that it can be moved in and out from the entrance, and the second device component is considered to be capable of opening and closing the entrance by moving relative to the first device component. Specific examples of the first and second device components are not limited to this. For example, either the first or second device component may be composed of a part of either the device body 12 or the water discharge component 14. Alternatively, the storage chamber 38 may be provided inside only one of the device body 12 and the water discharge component 14, and that one of them may be composed of the first and second device components, so that the second device component can open and close the entrance to the storage chamber 38 of the first device component, thereby allowing the cartridge 36 to be moved in and out of the storage chamber 38. The storage chamber 38 does not necessarily have to be designed so that the cartridge 36 can be inserted and removed by removing the water discharge component 14 from the main body of the device 12. In this case, the main body of the device 12 and the water discharge component 14 may not be detachable. Alternatively, the first device component may be the water discharge component 14 and the second device component may be the main body of the device 12. Either the first device component or the second device component may be equipped with either the male connector 70 or the female connector 74 described above.

[0065] The contents of each component described in the embodiments above are illustrative. The abstract technical ideas derived from these should not be interpreted restrictively to the contents of this specification. Many design changes, such as modifications, additions, and deletions, are possible for the contents of each component described in the embodiments. Such modifications are emphasized with notations such as "this form" and "embodiment." However, design changes are also permitted for contents without such notations. The hatching applied to the cross-sections in the drawings does not limit the material to which the hatching is applied. The structures and numerical values ​​mentioned in the embodiments and variations naturally include those that can be considered identical when considering manufacturing tolerances, etc. Components composed of a single member in the description in this specification may be composed of multiple members. Similarly, components composed of multiple members may be composed of a single member. Any combination of the above components is also valid. For example, any explanatory items of a variation may be combined with an embodiment, or any explanatory items of another variation may be combined with a variation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 10... Faucet device, 12... Device body, 14... Water discharge part, 36... Cartridge, 38... Housing chamber, 70... Male connector, 70a... Small outer diameter part, 70c... Large diameter structural part, L70... Axis, 74... Female connector, 74c... Small inner diameter part, 74d... Large inner diameter part, L74... Axis, 90... First clearance, 92... Second clearance.

Claims

1. The main body of the device, The device comprises a water discharge component that can be detachably attached to the main body of the device, A storage chamber is provided inside at least one of the device body and the water discharge component to house a cartridge for modifying raw water, and the cartridge can be inserted into or removed by removing the water discharge component from the device body. The water discharge component comprises a male connector provided on the cartridge and a female connector that is watertightly connected to it. The female connector comprises a small inner diameter portion on which the male connector is positioned, and a large inner diameter portion provided on the inlet side of the small inner diameter portion.

2. The aforementioned male connector is, A small outer diameter portion is positioned inside the small inner diameter portion, The faucet device according to claim 1, further comprising: a large-diameter structural portion disposed inside the large-diameter portion, having a larger outer diameter than the small-diameter portion and surrounding the axis of the male-type connector.

3. A first clearance is provided between the small outer diameter portion and the small inner diameter portion. The following conditions (1) and (2) must be met: The above condition (1) is that a second clearance having a radial dimension smaller than the radial dimension of the first clearance is provided between the large diameter structural portion and the large inner diameter portion. The faucet device according to claim 2, wherein the condition (2) is that no clearance is provided between the large diameter structural part and the large inner diameter part.

4. The faucet device according to claim 3, wherein the device body is configured to allow relative movement of the cartridge with respect to the device body.

5. A cartridge used in a faucet device, The faucet device and the cartridge can be connected by a female connector having a small inner diameter portion and a large inner diameter portion located on the inlet side of the small inner diameter portion, and a male connector having a small outer diameter portion located inside the small inner diameter portion. The male connector is positioned inside the large inner diameter portion and has a large diameter structure that has a larger outer diameter than the small outer diameter portion and surrounds the axis of the male connector. The cartridge is capable of being watertightly connected to either the female connector or the male connector of the faucet device, and comprises a connector that is the other of the female connector or the male connector.

6. The cartridge according to claim 5, which is removable from a storage chamber provided inside at least one of the device body provided in the faucet device and the water discharge component detachably attached to the device body.

Images