Bathtub hot water outlet adapter

Abstract

This invention provides a bathtub hot water outlet adapter that allows for a reduction in the thickness of the portion that protrudes into the bathtub from the inner surface of the bathtub. [Solution] The system comprises a filter guide 2 positioned so that its end face on the bathtub side faces into the bathtub, with a filter member attached to cover the end face, and an external bathtub mounting member 1 attached to the outside of the bathtub. The external bathtub mounting member 1 has a first flow path A and a second flow path B with different hot and cold water flow paths. The filter guide 2 has at least one suction chamber 371, 372 and at least one discharge chamber 373, 374 that open to the inner surface side of the bathtub. Either the first flow path A or the second flow path B communicates with the suction chamber and the other communicates with the discharge chamber. The filter guide 2 has a cylindrical through hole 36 that penetrates in the thickness direction of the bathtub, and the filter guide 2 and the external bathtub mounting member 1 are screwed together by a bolt member 8 that passes through the through hole 36.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hot water supply port adapter for a bathtub that is attached to the bathtub wall in a penetrating state and supplies hot water from a hot water supply machine outside the bathtub into the bathtub.

Background Art

[0002] In a bathtub in an ordinary household or the like, in a hot water supply system capable of supplementary heating, a circulation type hot water supply port adapter is assembled to the bathtub wall in a penetrating state. On the outside of the bathtub of the hot water supply port adapter, there are two outer pipe connection ports, the first and the second. For example, a forward pipe for supplying hot water from an outdoor hot water supply machine into the bathtub is connected to the first outer pipe connection port, and a return pipe for returning the hot water in the bathtub to the hot water supply machine is connected to the second outer pipe connection port. Then, the hot water from the hot water supply machine is supplied into the adapter through the first outer pipe connection port and discharged into the bathtub, and the hot water in the bathtub is sucked into the adapter and returned to the hot water supply machine through the second outer pipe connection port.

[0003] As such a hot water supply port adapter for a bathtub, Patent Document 1 discloses the following. That is, this hot water supply port adapter for a bathtub includes an outer mounting member disposed outside the bathtub, a male screw member (described as an inner mounting member in Patent Document 1) disposed inside the bathtub, and a filter guide (described as a partition member in Patent Document 1).

[0004] The outer mounting member includes a cylindrical outer cylinder portion having an internal thread formed on its inner surface, and a cylindrical inner cylinder portion inside the outer cylinder portion. A first flow path is formed between the outer cylinder portion and the inner cylinder portion, and a second flow path is formed inside the inner cylinder portion. A forward pipe is connected to one of the first flow path and the second flow path, and a return pipe is connected to the other.

[0005] On the other hand, the male threaded member has a cylindrical portion with open ends and male threads formed on its outer surface, and a flange-shaped portion formed at the end of the cylindrical portion on the bathtub side. The flange portion of the bathtub mounting member on the inside of the bathtub is brought into contact with the inner surface of the bathtub, and the male threads on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion that penetrates the bathtub wall are screwed into the female threads on the inner surface of the outer cylinder portion of the bathtub mounting member, thereby connecting the bathtub outer mounting member and the bathtub inner mounting member.

[0006] The filter guide (partition member) has a suction chamber and a discharge chamber. One of the suction chamber and the discharge chamber communicates with the first flow path of the external bathtub mounting member, and the other communicates with the second flow path. It is attached to the flange portion of the internal bathtub mounting member. Check valves are installed near both the suction chamber and the discharge chamber. A mesh filter member is fitted to the end face of the partition member on the bathtub side. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-56535 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, the bathtub hot water outlet adapter described in Patent Document 1 above has a filter guide having an internal suction chamber and a discharge chamber, which is connected to an external mounting member of the bathtub via a male screw member that is an internal mounting member of the bathtub. As a result, the bathtub hot water outlet adapter has a large thickness in the part that protrudes into the bathtub from the inner surface of the bathtub, which presents problems such as getting in the way when bathing.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a bathtub hot water outlet adapter that can reduce the thickness of the portion that protrudes into the bathtub from the inner surface of the bathtub. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The above objectives will be achieved by the following means: [1] The system comprises a filter guide, the end face on the inside of the bathtub facing into the bathtub, the end face being covered by a filter member, and an external bathtub mounting member attached to the outside of the bathtub, The aforementioned external mounting member for the bathtub is equipped with a first flow path and a second flow path, which have different hot and cold water flow paths. The filter guide has at least one suction chamber and at least one discharge chamber that open to the inner surface of the bathtub, and one of the first and second flow paths communicates with the suction chamber and the other communicates with the discharge chamber. The bathtub hot water outlet adapter is characterized in that the filter guide has a through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction of the bathtub, and the filter guide and the bathtub external mounting member are screwed together by a bolt member that penetrates the through hole. [2] The external mounting member of the tank comprises an outer cylindrical portion and an inner cylindrical portion formed within the outer cylindrical portion, the first flow path is formed between the outer cylindrical portion and the inner cylindrical portion, and the second flow path is formed within the inner cylindrical portion. The bolt member is screwed into the inner cylinder portion, and a part of the second flow path is formed in the bolt member. The suction chamber and discharge chamber are formed around the through hole in the bathtub hot water outlet adapter described in item 1 above. [3] The bathtub hot water outlet adapter according to item 2, wherein a part of the second flow path is formed by a hollow portion formed inside the shaft portion of the bolt member. [4] The bathtub hot water outlet adapter according to paragraph 2, wherein at one or more locations in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion of the bolt member, a part of the outer circumference is recessed toward the radial center, thereby forming one or more grooves that extend from the end of the bolt member on the bathtub external mounting member side to a position midway along the length, and a part of the second flow path is formed by the grooves. [5] The bathtub hot water outlet adapter according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 4 above, wherein two suction chambers and two discharge chambers are formed, and one suction chamber and one discharge chamber form a pair, with the suction chamber and discharge chamber of one pair communicating with the first flow path, and the suction chamber and discharge chamber of the other pair communicating with the second flow path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the bathtub hot water outlet adapter of invention [1], the filter guide and the bathtub external mounting member are screwed together by a bolt member that passes through a through hole formed in the filter guide. Therefore, the filter guide and the bathtub external mounting member can be directly connected without the need for a conventional male threaded member. As a result, the thickness of the portion that protrudes into the bathtub from the inner surface of the bathtub can be reduced by the thickness of the flange portion of the conventional male threaded member to which the filter guide was attached.

[0012] Furthermore, since the filter guide can be positioned relative to the bathtub and the bolt member can be screwed through the through-hole into the external mounting member for the bathtub, the installation of the bathtub hot water outlet adapter becomes easier.

[0013] According to the bathtub hot water outlet adapter of invention [2], the bolt member is screwed into the inner cylinder portion of the external mounting member in which the second flow path is formed, and a part of the second passage is formed in the bolt member. Therefore, an efficient circulation path for hot water can be formed using the bolt member.

[0014] According to the bathtub hot water outlet adapter of invention [3], an efficient hot water circulation path can be formed by utilizing the hollow portion formed inside the shaft of the bolt member.

[0015] According to the bathtub hot water outlet adapter of the invention [4], an efficient hot water circulation path can be formed by utilizing the groove formed in the bolt member's junction section.

[0016] According to the bathtub hot water outlet adapter of the invention [5], the effects of [1] or [2] above can be achieved for a non-polar bathtub hot water outlet adapter in which the supply and return passages for hot and cold water are not specified. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1]It is a side view showing a state where a hot water supply port adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a bathtub. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the hot water supply port adapter disassembled. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of an external bathtub mounting member. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the first guide in the filter guide as seen from the rear. [Figure 5] It is a rear view of the first guide. [Figure 6] It is a front view of the first guide. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the filter guide in which the second guide is attached to the second cylinder portion of the first guide as seen from the rear. [Figure 8] It is a rear view of the filter guide in which the second guide is attached to the second cylinder portion of the first guide. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of the filter guide in a state before attaching the check valves to the first and second suction chambers and the first and second discharge chambers as seen from the front side. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of the state after attaching the check valves and before attaching the pressing member. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view when the lid member, the mounting ring, and the filter member are separated and seen from the rear. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view of a bolt member for connecting the filter guide and the external bathtub mounting member. [Figure 13] It is a cross-sectional view of a state where the filter guide and the external bathtub mounting member are connected. [Figure 14] It is a cross-sectional view when cut along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. 10. [Figure 15] (A) is a perspective view of the bolt member as seen from the head side, (B) is a perspective view of the bolt member as seen from the rear end side of the shaft portion, (C) is a front cross-sectional view of the bolt member in a state where it is screwed into the inner cylinder portion of the external bathtub mounting member, and (D) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. (C).

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Figure 1 is a side view showing a bathtub hot water outlet adapter, which is one embodiment of this invention, attached to a bathtub, and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the hot water outlet adapter disassembled. As shown in both figures, this hot water outlet adapter comprises, as basic components, a bathtub external mounting member 1 attached to the outside of the bathtub 200, a filter guide 2 attached to the inside of the bathtub 200, a retaining member 6, a lid member 7, a bolt member 8, a filter member 10, etc. In this embodiment, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the inside of the bathtub 200 (left side in Figure 1) along the axial direction of the hot water outlet adapter will be referred to as the "front side," and the outside of the bathtub 200 (right side in Figure 1) as the "rear side."

[0019] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bathtub external mounting member 1. The bathtub external mounting member 1 comprises a cylindrical outer cylinder portion 11 that is open on the front side and closed on the rear side, a cylindrical inner cylinder portion 12 that is coaxially arranged inside the outer cylinder portion 11, a large-diameter flange portion 13 provided on the outer circumference of the front end of the outer cylinder portion 11, and tubular first outer pipe connection port 14 and second outer pipe connection port 15 provided on the rear outer surface of the outer cylinder portion 11. An annular packing 16 is fitted to the flange portion 13.

[0020] The annular space between the outer cylinder portion 11 and the inner cylinder portion 12 is configured as part of the first flow path A, and the inner space of the inner cylinder portion 12 is configured as part of the second flow path B. The first outer pipe connection port 14 communicates with the annular space between the outer cylinder portion 11 and the inner cylinder portion 12, which is the first flow path A, and the second outer pipe connection port 15 communicates with the inner space of the inner cylinder portion 12, which is the second flow path B.

[0021] The filter guide 2 comprises a first guide 3 and a second guide 4, both made of rigid synthetic resin or the like. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first guide 3 from the rear, Figure 5 is a rear view of the first guide 3, and Figure 6 is a front view of the same.

[0022] As shown in these figures, the first guide 3 comprises a first cylindrical section 31 located on the outermost side, a second cylindrical section 32 located on the innermost side and coaxially formed inside the first cylindrical section 31, and a third cylindrical section 33 located on the coaxial side between the first cylindrical section 31 and the second cylindrical section 32.

[0023] The outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 31 is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 11 of the outer mounting member 1 for the bathtub. A flange-shaped portion 311 is formed on the outer circumference of the front end of the first cylindrical portion 31, and an annular wall 312 is formed on the outer circumference of the front end of the flange portion 311, protruding forward and slightly backward. A discharge opening 34 is formed at the lower part of the flange portion 311, where the annular wall 312 is not present. An O-ring 35 is fitted around the outer circumference of the rear end of the first cylindrical portion 31. The first cylindrical portion 31 is fitted inside the outer cylindrical portion 11 of the outer mounting member 1 for the bathtub when the filter guide 2 is attached to the outer mounting member 1 for the bathtub. The O-ring 35 prevents leakage of hot water by preventing a gap from forming between the first cylindrical portion 31 and the outer cylindrical portion 11.

[0024] The hollow interior of the second cylindrical section 32 is open at both the front and rear ends, forming a through-hole 36 through which the filter guide 2 passes in the axial direction. As will be described later, a connecting bolt member 8 is inserted through this through-hole 36 from the front.

[0025] The outer circumference of the front end of the second cylindrical portion 32 is enlarged to form a concave bolt insertion portion 321, and the position of the front end of the second cylindrical portion 32 is approximately the same as the position on the front side of the flange portion 311 formed on the first cylindrical portion 31. The bolt insertion portion 321 is the part that accommodates the head of the connecting bolt member 8 that is inserted through the through hole 36. In addition, two notched openings 375 are formed on the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 32 at radially vertical positions, extending partway along the axial direction of the second cylindrical portion 32 and opening at the rear end.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, at the front end of the first guide 3, the first cylindrical portion 31 and the second cylindrical portion 32 are connected by four ribs 322 to 325 formed radially at four locations on the top, bottom, left, and right. These ribs 322 to 325 divide the annular space between the first cylindrical portion 31 and the second cylindrical portion 32 at the front end of the first guide 3 into four spaces, each opening towards the bathtub 200.

[0027] If we consider these four ribs 322-325 as the first rib 322, second rib 323, third rib 324, and fourth rib 325 in counterclockwise order in Figure 6, then the space between the first rib 322 and the second rib 323 functions as the first suction chamber 371, and the space between the first rib 322 and the fourth rib 325 functions as the second suction chamber 372. Furthermore, the space between the second rib 323 and the third rib 324 functions as the first discharge chamber 373, and the space between the third rib 323 and the fourth rib 325 functions as the second discharge chamber 374. In addition, a flow path communicating with each chamber is formed behind each of the chambers 371-374.

[0028] The third cylindrical section 33 is shorter than the length of the first cylindrical section 31 and is positioned midway along the length of the first cylindrical section 31. Of the four ribs 322 to 325 mentioned above, the first rib 322 and the third rib 324, which are located vertically, extend integrally with the third cylindrical section 33 to a point midway along its length. On the other hand, the second rib 323 and the fourth rib 325, which are located horizontally, extend integrally with the third cylindrical section 33 to the rear end of the third cylindrical section 33.

[0029] Furthermore, on the side of the first suction chamber 371 and the first discharge chamber 373, the space between the second cylindrical section 32 and the third cylindrical section 33 is blocked from communication in the front-rear direction by being closed at the front end of the third cylindrical section 33, but the space between the first cylindrical section 31 and the third cylindrical section 33 is open and communicates in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, on the side of the second suction chamber 372 and the second discharge chamber 374, the space between the second cylindrical section 32 and the third cylindrical section 33 is open and communicates in the front-rear direction, but the space between the first cylindrical section 31 and the third cylindrical section 33 is blocked from communication in the front-rear direction by partitions 331 and 332 near the rear end of the third cylindrical section 33.

[0030] Furthermore, on the side of the second suction chamber 372 and the second discharge chamber 374, a communication opening 333 (partially shown in Figure 4) is formed at the front end of the third cylindrical portion 33, and this communication opening 333 connects the space between the second cylindrical portion 32 and the third cylindrical portion 33 to the second suction chamber 372 and the second discharge chamber 374. In addition, the space between the second cylindrical portion 32 and the third cylindrical portion 33 is connected to the inner space of the second cylindrical portion 32 via a notched opening 375 in the second cylindrical portion 32, so that the inner space of the second cylindrical portion 32 and the second suction chamber 372 and the second discharge chamber 374 are in mutual communication.

[0031] On the other hand, on the side of the first suction chamber 371 and the first discharge chamber 373, the space between the second cylindrical portion 32 and the third cylindrical portion 33 and the inner space of the second cylindrical portion 32 are blocked by the third cylindrical portion 33, and the first suction chamber 371 and the first discharge chamber 373 are not in communication with the inner space of the second cylindrical portion 32.

[0032] As a result, as shown in Figure 4, a flow path A is formed that connects the first suction chamber 371 and the first discharge chamber 373 to the space between the first cylindrical section 31 and the third cylindrical section 33, and a flow path B is formed that connects the second cylindrical section 32 to the second suction chamber 372 and the second discharge chamber 374 via the notched opening 375 and the communication opening 333.

[0033] A second guide 4 is attached to the second cylindrical portion 32. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the filter guide 1 with the second guide 4 attached to the second cylindrical portion 32, as seen from the rear, and Figure 8 is a rear view of the same.

[0034] The second guide 4 is cylindrical, and its inner diameter is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 32. The second guide 4 has a diameter-enlarged portion 41 that bulges slightly radially on the outer circumference of its front end, and a flange-shaped portion 42 located behind the diameter-enlarged portion 41. The outer diameter of the diameter-enlarged portion 41 is set to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the third cylindrical portion 33, and the outer diameter of the flange portion 42 is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the third cylindrical portion 33.

[0035] The second guide 4 is fitted onto the second cylindrical portion 32 from the side of the larger diameter portion 41, and the larger diameter portion 41 is fitted onto the third cylindrical portion 33 from the inside. With the flange portion 42 in contact with the rear end surface of the third cylindrical portion 33, the flange portion 311 and the third cylindrical portion 33 are joined together with an adhesive or the like. This joining prevents hot water from leaking out of the gap between the second guide 4 and the third cylindrical portion 33. A pair of radially positioned protrusions 42a on the outer circumference of the flange portion 42 of the second guide 4 come into contact with the rear end surfaces of the second rib 323 and the fourth rib 325 when the flange portion 42 is in contact with the rear end surface of the third cylindrical portion 33, and are joined to these ribs, thereby reinforcing the joint.

[0036] When the second guide 4 is attached to the first guide 3, of the two notched openings 375 formed in the second cylindrical portion 32, the rear one is closed by the second guide 4, but the front one remains open as shown in Figure 7 because the second guide 4 does not reach it. Therefore, the inner space of the second guide 4 and the space between the second cylindrical portion 32 and the third cylindrical portion 33 are maintained in communication through the notched openings 375.

[0037] An O-ring 43 (shown in Figure 7) is fitted to the inner circumference of the rear end of the second guide 4. The second guide 4 is fitted onto the inner cylindrical portion 12 of the outer bathtub mounting member 1 when the filter guide 2 is attached to the outer bathtub mounting member 1. The O-ring 43 prevents leakage of hot water by preventing a gap from forming between the second guide 4 and the inner cylindrical portion 12. In addition, an O-ring 44 (shown in Figure 2) is fitted to the outer circumference of the large diameter portion 41 of the second guide 4.

[0038] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the filter guide 2 from the front, before the check valves 51-54 are installed in each chamber 371-374, while Figure 10 is a perspective view of the filter guide 2 after the check valves 51-54 are installed and before the retaining member 6 is installed.

[0039] As shown in these figures, the first suction chamber 371, the first discharge chamber 373, the second suction chamber 372, and the second discharge chamber 374 are all formed by recesses that are recessed rearward from the front position of the flange portion 311 of the first cylindrical portion 31. In addition, arc-shaped valve seats 376 and 377 are formed at the bottom (rear end) of the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372, along the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 32. Furthermore, narrow valve seats 378 and 379 are formed at the bottom of the first discharge chamber 373 and the second discharge chamber 374, forming annular continuous valve seats along the opening edge of each chamber. Moreover, in the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372, check valves 51 and 52 are attached to the valve seats 376 and 377, respectively. In the first discharge chamber 373 and the second discharge chamber 374, the check valves 53 and 54 are attached to the portion of the annular valve seat 378 and 379 that runs along the outer circumference of the second cylindrical portion 32.

[0040] The check valves 51 and 52 installed in the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372 allow the flow of hot and cold water from inside the bathtub to each suction chamber 371 and 372, and from each suction chamber 371 and 372 to the external mounting member for the bathtub, while blocking the flow from the external mounting member 1 for the bathtub to each suction chamber 371 and 372, and further into the bathtub. The check valves 53 and 54 installed in the first discharge chamber 373 and the second discharge chamber 375 allow the flow of hot and cold water from the external mounting member 1 for the bathtub to each discharge chamber 373 and 374, and further from each discharge chamber 373 and 374 into the bathtub, while blocking the flow from inside the bathtub to each discharge chamber 373 and 374, and further into the external mounting member 1 for the bathtub.

[0041] Multiple minute protrusions 380 are formed on the mounting valve seats 376 to 379 of each check valve 51 to 54, and minute holes 55 corresponding to the minute protrusions 380 are formed in each check valve 51 to 54. Each check valve 51 to 54 is mounted to the valve seats 376 to 379 with the minute protrusions 380 of each valve seat 51 to 54 passing through the minute holes 55 of each check valve 51 to 54.

[0042] Each of the check valves 51 to 54 is pressed and fixed by projections 631 to 634 provided on the retaining member 6 shown in Figure 10 at the mounting valve seats 376 to 379 of each chamber 371 to 374. The retaining member 6 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 31 of the first guide 3, and has a circular hole 61 in its center with an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 32. In addition, the retaining member 6 has narrow annular projections 631 and 632 that protrude to the rear side along the opening edges of the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372 in the regions corresponding to the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372. The portion of the annular projections 631 and 632 on the side of the circular hole 61 serves to press down on the check valves 51 and 52 of the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372, respectively. For this purpose, these pressing projections have multiple minute holes 62 into which minute projections 380 of the valve seats 376 and 377, which protrude through the check valves 51 and 52, fit. The portions of the annular projections 631 and 632 other than the side of the circular hole 61 abut and lock against the circumferential ends of the check valves 51 and 52, preventing deformation of the check valves 51 and 52 toward the bathtub 200. Within the region surrounded by the annular projections 631 and 632, flow holes 64 are formed to connect the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372 to the bathtub 200 side, respectively.

[0043] On the other hand, in the region of the retaining member 6 corresponding to the first discharge chamber 373 and the second discharge chamber 374, arc-shaped projections 633 and 634 are formed at positions corresponding to the valve seats 378 and 379 for mounting the check valves of each discharge chamber 373 and 374, respectively, projecting toward the rear side. These projections 633 and 634 serve to press down on the check valves 53 and 54, and for this purpose, these projections 633 and 634 have multiple small holes 62 into which the small projections 380 of the valve seats 378 and 379 that protrude through the check valves 53 and 54 fit. In addition, flow holes 65 are formed near the arc-shaped projections 633 and 634 to connect the first discharge chamber 373 and the second discharge chamber 374 to the bathroom 200 side, respectively.

[0044] The retaining member 6 described above is fitted onto the inner circumference of the front end of the first cylindrical portion 31, and the circular hole 61 of the retaining member 6 is fitted onto the front end of the second cylindrical portion 32, and is then attached to the first guide 3. In this state, as described above, each of the check valves 51 to 54 in each chamber 371 to 374 is pressed down by predetermined projections 631 to 634 of the retaining member 6 and fixed to predetermined mounting valve seats 376 to 379.

[0045] At the rear of each of the first suction chamber 371, first discharge chamber 373, second suction chamber 372, and second discharge chamber 374, each flow path communicating with the chamber has projections 391 and 392 that extend radially from the outer surface of the third cylindrical portion 33 toward the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 31 and also extend toward the rear. Furthermore, the front-to-back position of the projections 391 provided in the rear flow paths of the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372 on the third cylindrical portion 33 side is approximately the same position as the valve seats 376 and 377 for mounting the check valves 51 and 52, but as it approaches the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 31, the front-to-back position becomes more rearward. In other words, as shown in Figure 14 described later, the front surface of the projection 391 is an inclined surface that slopes toward the rear as it approaches the first cylindrical portion 31. Therefore, when pressure is applied to the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372, the check valves 51 and 52 installed in the first and second suction chambers 371 deform along the inclined front surface of the projection 391, as shown by arrow C in Figure 14. As a result, a gap is created between the check valves 51 and 52 and the projections 631 and 632 of the retaining member 6, allowing hot water to flow from front to back, in other words, from the bathtub 200 side to the bathtub external mounting member 1 side. Conversely, even if pressure is applied to the first and second suction chambers 371 and the second suction chamber 372 toward the bathtub 200 side, causing the check valves 51 and 52 to deform toward the bathtub 200 side, the annular projections 631 and 632 of the retaining member 6 restrain the circumferential ends of the check valves, preventing deformation toward the bathtub 200 side. For this reason, the flow of hot water toward the bathtub 200 side is prevented.

[0046] On the other hand, the check valves 53 and 54 of the first discharge chamber 373 and the second discharge chamber 374 have their peripheral ends in contact with and locked to the annular valve seats 378 and 379 at the bottom of each discharge chamber 373 and 374. Therefore, when pressure is applied to the rear, the contact with the annular valve seats 378 and 379 becomes tighter, preventing the flow of hot water from the bathtub 200 side to the bathtub external mounting member 1 side. Conversely, when pressure is applied to the bathtub 200 side, the check valves 53 and 54 deform toward the bathtub 200 side as shown by arrow D in Figure 14. As a result, a gap is created between the check valves 53 and 54 and the valve seats 378 and 379, and hot water flows through this gap from rear to front, in other words, from the bathtub external mounting member 1 side to the bathtub 200 side.

[0047] On the front side of the retaining member 6, the lid member 7 is attached to the first guide 3. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the lid member 7, mounting ring 9, and filter member 10 separated and viewed from the rear.

[0048] The lid member 7 has an annular wall 71 projecting rearward from the outer circumference of a disc-shaped body 70. The outer diameter of the annular wall 71 is approximately the same as the diameter of the flange portion 311 of the first guide 3, and it has a circular hole 72 in its center with an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 32. In addition, a number of mesh-like small holes 73 are formed in the region of the body 70 facing the first suction chamber 371 and the second suction chamber 372. Furthermore, a part of the annular wall 71 bulges radially outward at the lower part of the lid member 7, and a discharge port 74 opening downward is formed in this bulging portion.

[0049] The lid member 7 described above is attached to the first guide 3 by fitting the annular wall 71 of the lid member 7 into the annular wall 312 on the outer circumference of the flange portion 311 of the first cylindrical portion 31, with the discharge port 74 aligned with the discharge opening 34 of the first guide 3.

[0050] The filter member 10 is installed after the filter guide 2 and the bathtub external mounting member 1 are connected by the bolt member 8. Specifically, the filter member 10 is attached to the mounting ring 9, and the mounting ring 9 is fitted onto the outer circumference of the annular wall 312 of the first guide 3 from the front side of the lid member 7.

[0051] The filter member 10 has a filter section formed by numerous mesh-like small holes 101, and a discharge port 102 is formed on the lower outer circumference of the filter member 10 for discharging hot water from the filter guide 2 into the bathtub 200.

[0052] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a bolt member 8 for connecting the filter guide 2 and the bathtub external mounting member 1. The bolt member 8 has a long shaft portion 81 with a large diameter head 84 at its front end, and a male threaded portion 85 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 81. When connecting the filter guide 2 and the bathtub external mounting member 1, the bolt member 8 is inserted through the through hole 36 of the filter guide 2 from the bathtub 200 side, and the male threaded portion 85 on the outer circumference of the shaft portion 81 is screwed into the female threaded portion 12a of the inner cylinder portion 12 of the bathtub external mounting member 1.

[0053] A hollow section 82 is formed inside the shaft section 81, and a plurality of through holes 83 communicating with the hollow section 82 are formed on the outer circumference of the front part of the shaft section 81. Therefore, when the filter guide 2 and the bathtub external mounting member 1 are connected, the internal space of the inner cylindrical section 12 of the bathtub external mounting member 1 and the hollow section 82 of the bolt member 8 are in communication. Furthermore, the internal space of the inner cylindrical section 12 and the internal space of the second cylindrical section 32 of the first guide 3 are in communication via the through holes 83, and further, the second suction chamber 372 and the second discharge chamber 374 are also in communication. An O-ring 86 is fitted to the outer circumference of the shaft section 81 at a position between the through holes 83 and the head 84.

[0054] Next, a method for attaching the bathtub hot water outlet adapter according to this embodiment to the bathtub 200 will be described.

[0055] First, at the location of the adapter mounting hole (not shown) provided in the bathtub wall, the external bathtub mounting member 1 is placed on the outside of the bathtub 200, and the filter guide 2, without the filter member 10 attached, is placed on the inside of the bathtub 200. Next, the second guide 4 of the filter guide 2 is fitted onto the inner cylinder portion 12 of the external bathtub mounting member 1 via the adapter mounting hole. In this state, the bolt member 8 is inserted through the through hole 36 of the filter guide 2 from the inside of the bathtub 200, and the male threaded portion 85 of the bolt member 8 is lightly screwed into the female threaded portion 12a of the inner cylinder portion 12 of the external bathtub mounting member 1.

[0056] Next, while positioning the filter guide 2 in the circumferential direction so that the discharge port 74 of the lid member 7 attached to the filter guide 2 is facing downwards, the bolt member 8 is tightened to firmly connect the filter guide 2 and the bathtub external mounting member 1.

[0057] After that, the mounting ring 9 of the filter member 10 is fitted onto the front annular wall 312 of the filter guide 2 to complete the installation. Then, a supply pipe for supplying hot water into the bathtub is connected to one of the first external pipe connection port 14 and the second external pipe connection port 15 of the bathtub external mounting member 1, and a return pipe for returning the hot water in the bathtub to the water heater is connected to the other. In this embodiment, the return pipe is connected to the first external pipe connection port 14 and the supply pipe is connected to the second external pipe connection port 15.

[0058] In this embodiment, the filter guide 2 and the external bathtub mounting member 1 are connected by a bolt member 8 that passes through a through hole 36 formed in the filter guide 2. Therefore, the filter guide 2 and the external bathtub mounting member 1 can be directly connected without the need for a conventional male threaded member. As a result, the thickness of the portion that protrudes into the bathtub 200 from the inner surface of the bathtub 200 can be reduced by the thickness of the flange portion of the conventional male threaded member to which the filter guide 2 was attached.

[0059] Furthermore, since the filter guide 2 can be positioned relative to the bathtub 200, and the bolt member 8 can be screwed through the through hole 36 into the bathtub external mounting member 1, the installation work of the bathtub hot water outlet adapter becomes easier.

[0060] In the connected state of the filter guide 2 and the external mounting member 1 of the bathtub, the second guide 4 of the filter guide 2 is externally fitted into the inner cylindrical portion 12 of the external mounting member 1 of the bathtub, and the first cylindrical portion 31 of the first guide 3 is internally fitted into the outer cylindrical portion 11 of the external mounting member 1 of the bathtub. As a result, the space between the outer cylindrical portion 11 and the inner cylindrical portion 12 of the external mounting member 1 of the bathtub communicates with the space between the first cylindrical portion 31 and the third cylindrical portion 33 of the first guide 3, and the internal space of the inner cylindrical portion 12 of the external mounting member 1 of the bathtub communicates with the internal space of the second guide 4.

[0061] As mentioned above, the first suction chamber 371 and the first discharge chamber 373 are in communication with the space between the first cylindrical portion 31 and the third cylindrical portion 33 of the first guide 3 via check valves 51 and 53. Therefore, the first suction chamber 371 and the first discharge chamber 373 are in communication with the space between the outer cylindrical portion 11 and the inner cylindrical portion 12 of the bathtub external mounting member 1. In other words, the first suction chamber 371 and the first discharge chamber 373 are in communication with the return pipe, and a first flow path, indicated by arrow A in Figures 3, 4, 13, and 14, is formed, leading from the first suction chamber 371 and the first discharge chamber 373 to the return pipe.

[0062] On the other hand, the second suction chamber 372 and the second discharge chamber 374 communicate with the internal space of the second guide 4 via the check valves 52 and 54 and the hollow portion 82 of the bolt member 8, and further communicate with the internal space of the inner cylindrical portion 12 of the bathtub external mounting member 1. In other words, the second suction chamber 372 and the second discharge chamber 374 communicate with the supply pipe, and a second flow path, indicated by arrow B in Figures 3, 4, 13, and 14, is formed from the supply pipe to the second suction chamber 372 and the second discharge chamber 374. In this way, since a part of the second flow path B is formed by the internal hollow portion 82 of the bolt member 8, an efficient circulation path for hot water can be formed by utilizing the inside of the bolt member 8.

[0063] A suction pressure of hot and cold water is applied to the return pipe from the water heater side, and a discharge pressure of hot and cold water is applied to the supply pipe. The suction pressure is also applied to the first suction chamber 371 located on the first flow path A. Due to this suction pressure, the check valve 51 of the first suction chamber 371 deforms backward as shown by arrow C in Figure 14, and as a result, the hot and cold water in the bathtub 200 passes through the check valve 51 and flows through the first flow path A to the return pipe. Although a suction pressure is also applied to the first discharge chamber 373, the check valve 53 of the first discharge chamber 373 is prevented from deforming backward by the annular valve seat 378, so the hot and cold water in the bathtub does not flow from the first discharge chamber 373 to the first flow path A.

[0064] On the other hand, the discharge pressure of the hot and cold water applied to the supply pipe is applied to the second discharge chamber 374 located in the second flow path B. Due to this discharge pressure, the check valve 54 of the second discharge chamber 374 deforms forward as shown by arrow D in Figure 14. As a result, the hot and cold water supplied from the supply pipe through the second flow path B passes through the check valve 54 and is supplied into the bathtub from the discharge port 102 of the filter member 10. Although discharge pressure is also applied to the second suction chamber 372, the check valve 52 of the second suction chamber 372 is prevented from deforming forward by the annular projection 632 of the retaining member 6. Therefore, the hot and cold water from the supply pipe does not flow towards the second suction chamber 372 and, consequently, does not flow into the bathtub 200.

[0065] In this way, the hot water in the bathtub 200 flows from the first suction chamber 371 along the first flow path A into the inside of the filter guide 2, and further flows through the space between the outer cylinder 11 and inner cylinder 12 of the bathtub external mounting member 1, and then flows from the supply pipe to the water heater. After being heated by the water heater, it flows along the second flow path B from the return pipe into the internal space of the inner cylinder 12 of the bathtub external mounting member 1, and further into the filter guide 2, and is supplied to the bathtub 200 from the second discharge chamber 374 via the discharge port 74 of the lid member 7 and the discharge port 102 of the filter member. In this way, the hot water circulates between the bathtub 200 and the water heater via the bathtub hot water outlet adapter, making reheating possible.

[0066] In this embodiment, as described above, the first and second suction chambers 371 and 372 and the first and second discharge chambers 373 and 374 are formed by recesses that are recessed rearward from the front end surface of the first cylindrical portion 31 of the filter guide 2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14, the positions P2 of each check valve 51 to 54, which are located at the bottom of the first and second suction chambers 371 and 372 and the first and second discharge chambers 373 and 374, are located behind the position P1 on the inner surface of the bathtub 200, which is the mounting surface of the bathtub hot water outlet adapter, that is, on the side of the bathtub external mounting member 1. The position P2 of each check valve 51 to 54 being behind the position P1 on the inner surface of the bathtub 200 means that at least the rearmost position of each check valve 51 to 54 in the non-operating state is located behind the position P1 on the inner surface of the bathtub 200. Setting the positional relationship of each check valve 51 to 54 in this way has the following effects.

[0067] In other words, with the above setting, the distance between the lid member 7 and filter member 100 of the filter guide 2 and the check valves 51-54 increases in the first and second suction chambers 271 and 272 and the first and second discharge chambers 373 and 374. As a result, the first and second suction chambers 271 and 272 and the first and second discharge chambers 373 and 374 can be made wider, which suppresses abrupt changes in the flow direction of the hot and cold water flowing from the bathtub into the suction chambers 271 and 272, and the hot and cold water discharged into the discharge chambers 373 and 374. In short, the flow of hot and cold water is straightened, which enables the smooth opening and closing operation of the check valves 51 and 52.

[0068] Furthermore, since each suction chamber 371, 372 and discharge chamber 373, 374 is formed by a recess in each chamber, the check valves 51-54 are isolated from each other by the walls between the recesses. This reduces the influence that the behavior of one check valve has on other check valves, thereby suppressing short circuits and the like.

[0069] In order to achieve these effects more effectively, it is desirable that not only the rearward position of each check valve 51-54, but the entirety of the check valves 51-54 is located behind the position P1 on the inner surface of the bathtub 200.

[0070] Furthermore, the above embodiment showed a case where the position P2 of all check valves 51-54 was located behind the position P1 on the inner surface of the bathtub 200, which is the mounting surface for the bathtub hot water outlet adapter. However, it is also possible that the position P2 of only the check valves 51 and 52 of the first and second suction chambers 271 and 272, or only the check valves 53 and 54 of the first and second discharge chambers 373 and 374, is located behind the position P1 on the inner surface of the bathtub 200, which is the mounting surface for the bathtub hot water outlet adapter. In short, it is sufficient that the position P2 of at least one of the check valves 51-54 is located behind the position P1 on the inner surface of the bathtub 200, which is the mounting surface for the bathtub hot water outlet adapter.

[0071] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as the bolt member 8 shown in Figure 12, a hollow portion 82 is formed inside the shaft portion 81, and a plurality of through holes 83 communicating with the hollow portion 82 are formed on the outer circumference of the front part of the shaft portion 81, and the hollow portion 82 forms part of the second flow channel indicated by arrow B. However, the bolt member 8 is not limited to this, and may be a bolt member 8 as shown in Figures 15(A) to (D), for example.

[0072] Figure 15(A) is a perspective view of the bolt member 8 seen from the head 84 side, Figure 15(B) is a perspective view of the bolt member 8 seen from the rear end side of the shaft 81, Figure 15(C) is a front cross-sectional view of the bolt member 8 screwed into the inner cylinder portion 12 of the bathtub external mounting member 1, and Figure 15(D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in Figure 15(C). Note that in the bolt member 8 shown in Figure 15, the same parts with the same names as the bolt member 8 shown in Figure 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0073] The bolt member 8 shown in Figures 15(A) to (D) is similar to the bolt member 8 shown in Figure 12, having a large diameter head 84 at the front end of a long shaft portion 81, and a male threaded portion 85 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 81. In addition, an O-ring 86 is fitted around the outer circumference of the shaft portion 81 at the front end of the shaft portion 81.

[0074] Two grooves 87, 87 are formed along the axial direction (length direction) from the rear end of the bolt member 8 at two locations 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 81, due to a portion of the outer circumference of the shaft portion 81 being recessed towards the radial center. These grooves 87 are formed from the rear end of the shaft portion 81 to near the O-ring 86.

[0075] When the filter guide 2 and the external bathtub mounting member 1 are connected, the bolt member 8 is inserted through the through hole 36 of the filter guide 2 from the bathtub 200 side, and as shown in Figure 15(C), the male threaded portion 85 on the outer circumference of the shaft portion 81 is screwed into the female threaded portion 12a of the inner cylinder portion 12 of the external bathtub mounting member 1. In this connected state, as shown in Figure 15(D), a gap corresponding to the size of two grooves 87, 87 is formed between the inner cylinder portion 12 and the shaft portion 81 of the bolt member 8. Therefore, the internal space of the inner cylinder portion 12 and the internal space of the second cylinder portion 32 of the first guide 3 are in communication through this gap. In other words, as shown in Figure 15(C), the grooves 87, 87 form part of the second flow path indicated by arrow B, and hot water flows through this second flow path.

[0076] The example shown is one in which the front end of the shaft portion 81 of the grooves 87, 87 extends close to the O-ring 86. However, the position of the front end of the shaft portion 81 of the grooves 87, 87 is not limited; it is sufficient if the grooves 87, 87 allow communication between the internal space of the inner cylinder portion 12 and the internal space of the second cylinder portion 32 of the first guide 3. Also, the number of grooves 87 is not limited; there may be one or three or more, as long as the function of the male screw portion 85 is not impaired.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the case in which the return pipe is connected to the first external pipe connection port 14 of the external mounting member 1 of the bathtub is described and the supply pipe is connected to the second external pipe connection port 15, but it is also possible for the supply pipe to be connected to the first external pipe connection port 14 and the return pipe to be connected to the second external pipe connection port 15. In this case, the hot water in the bathtub 200 is drawn in from the second suction chamber 372 to the external mounting member side 1 of the bathtub and is returned to the bathtub 200 from the first discharge chamber 373. The check valves 51 and 54 in the first suction chamber 371 and the second discharge chamber 374 prevent the flow of hot water.

[0078] In other words, the bathtub hot water outlet adapter according to this embodiment is a non-polar type bathtub hot water outlet adapter that has two sets of suction chambers and discharge chambers, namely a first suction chamber 371 and a first discharge chamber 373, and a second suction chamber 372 and a second discharge chamber 374, and does not specify the passages for the supply and return of hot and cold water. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to bathtub hot water outlet adapters that have only one set of suction chambers and discharge chambers, in which the passages for the supply and return of hot and cold water are specified. [Industrial applicability]

[0079] The bathtub hot water outlet adapter of this invention can be used as a hot water supply device that is assembled to the bathtub wall when supplying hot water from an outdoor hot water heater into the bathtub. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1. External mounting component for bathtub 11 Outer cylinder 12 Inner cylinder 12a Female thread section 14. First outer pipe connection port 15. Second outer pipe connection port 16 Gasket 2. Filter Guide 3. Guide 1 31 First cylinder part 32 Second cylinder part 33 Third cylinder part 36 through holes 371 First Intake Chamber 372 Second Intake Chamber 373 1st discharge chamber 374 2nd discharge chamber 376-379 valve seats 51-54 Check valve 6. Retaining member 631~634 Protrusion 7 Lid member 8 Bolt members 81 Shaft 82 Hollow part 83 Throughpores 84 Head 85 Male threaded section 9. Mounting ring 10 Filter members 200 Bathtubs

Claims

1. The device comprises a filter guide, the end face of which is positioned on the inside of the bathtub and faces into the bathtub, and a filter member that covers the end face and is attached thereto, and an external bathtub mounting member that is attached to the outside of the bathtub, The aforementioned external mounting member for the bathtub is equipped with a first flow path and a second flow path, which have different hot and cold water flow paths. The filter guide has at least one suction chamber and at least one discharge chamber that open to the inner surface of the bathtub, and one of the first and second flow paths communicates with the suction chamber and the other communicates with the discharge chamber. The bathtub hot water outlet adapter is characterized in that the filter guide has a through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction of the bathtub, and the filter guide and the bathtub external mounting member are screwed together by a bolt member that penetrates the through hole.

2. The external mounting member of the tank comprises an outer cylindrical portion and an inner cylindrical portion formed within the outer cylindrical portion, the first flow path is formed between the outer cylindrical portion and the inner cylindrical portion, and the second flow path is formed within the inner cylindrical portion. The bolt member is screwed into the inner cylinder portion, and a part of the second flow path is formed in the bolt member. The bathtub hot water outlet adapter according to claim 1, wherein the suction chamber and discharge chamber are formed around the through hole.

3. The bathtub hot water outlet adapter according to claim 2, wherein a part of the second flow path is formed by a hollow portion formed inside the shaft portion of the bolt member.

4. The bathtub hot water outlet adapter according to claim 2, wherein at one or more locations in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion of the bolt member, a part of the outer circumference is recessed toward the radial center, thereby forming one or more grooves that extend from the end of the bolt member on the bathtub external mounting member side to a position midway along the length, and a part of the second flow path is formed by the grooves.

5. The bathtub hot water outlet adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein two suction chambers and two discharge chambers are formed, and one suction chamber and one discharge chamber form a pair, with the suction chamber and discharge chamber of one pair communicating with the first flow path, and the suction chamber and discharge chamber of the other pair communicating with the second flow path.

Images