Water supply device

Abstract

To establish both of suppression of deformation of an operation arm and suppression of complication and enlargement of a shape of a water passing member.SOLUTION: A shower head comprises: a valve case 21 including a water passing passage inside; a slide member 60 for controlling a flow of hot water circulating in the water passing passage; and a fluctuation button 70 for operating the slide member 60. On the fluctuation button 70 is provided with an operation arm 75 that is coupled to the slide member 60 and moves the slide member 60 on the basis of an operation of displacing the fluctuation button 70. The shower head comprises a first case 14 as a case member for housing the valve case 21. The operation arm 75 is disposed between the slide member 60 and the first case 14. In the first case 14 is provided with a regulation part 81 that is disposed at a position where it holds the operation arm 75 between itself and the slide member 60 to regulate deformation of the operation arm 75 in a direction away from the slide member 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water passing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a water discharge switching mechanism for a water faucet that is configured to be able to switch between shower water discharge and straight water discharge. The water discharge switching mechanism of Patent Document 1 includes a water-passing member having an internal flow path, a switching valve body that switches the water discharge state of hot and cold water inside the water-passing member, a seesaw-shaped switching button that operates the position of the switching valve body, and a case member that houses the water-passing member. The switching button is supported so as to be able to swing on the outer surface of the water-passing member. The switching button has a pair of operating arms that engage from the outside with a pin provided on the outer surface of the switching valve body. In the water discharge switching mechanism of Patent Document 1, the switching valve body slides in the opening and closing directions based on the swinging of the switching button, thereby switching the water discharge state inside the water-passing member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-036637 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a load is applied to the switch button due to a switching operation, a force acts on the operating arm engaged with the switching valve body, deforming it in a direction away from the water-passing member. Deformation of the operating arm in the direction away from the water-passing member causes the engagement relationship between the operating arm and the pin of the water-passing member to become unstable. Therefore, if the operating arm deforms excessively in the direction away from the water-passing member, the switching valve body cannot be moved smoothly when the switch button is operated.

[0005] To solve these problems, in the water discharge switching mechanism of Patent Document 1, a recess for accommodating an operating arm is provided in a water-permeable member that accommodates a switching valve body, and the operating arm is positioned between the water-permeable member and the switching valve body. The inner surface of the recess is provided in a position close to the operating arm. In this case, the operating arm abuts against the inner surface of the recess of the water-permeable member, thereby suppressing deformation of the operating arm in a direction away from the water-permeable member. However, providing the above-mentioned recess in the water-permeable member leads to a complicated shape and an increase in size of the water-permeable member. Therefore, depending on the shape of the case member in which the water-permeable member is accommodated, a problem occurs in that it is difficult to provide the above-mentioned recess in the water-permeable member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A water-passing device that solves the above problem comprises a water-passing member having a water-passing passage therein, a valve body that controls the flow of hot and cold water through the water-passing passage, and an operating member for operating the valve body, wherein the operating member is provided with an operating arm that is connected to the valve body and moves the valve body based on an operation to displace the operating member, and the water-passing device comprises a case member that houses the water-passing member, and the operating arm is positioned between the valve body and the case member, and the case member is provided with a regulating section that is positioned in a position to sandwich the operating arm between the case member and the valve body and that regulates deformation of the operating arm in a direction away from the valve body.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the operating arm tries to deform in a direction away from the valve body, the operating arm abuts on the restricting portion, thereby restricting further deformation of the operating arm. Since the restricting portion is provided on the case member that houses the water-passing member, it is possible to prevent the water-passing member from becoming complicated in shape and large in size due to the provision of the restricting portion.

[0008] In the above water passage device, it is preferable that the case member has a peripheral wall surrounding the water passage member, and the restricting portion is a protruding portion protruding from the peripheral wall. The restricting portion may be deformed by being pushed by the operating arm. According to the above configuration, since the restricting portion is provided separately from the peripheral wall surrounding the water-passing member, it is possible to prevent the influence of the deformation of the restricting portion from extending to the peripheral wall, which may cause the peripheral wall to be deformed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the water-passing device from being damaged due to the deformation of the restricting portion.

[0009] In the above-mentioned water passage device, it is preferable that the case member is formed by combining a first case and a second case, the regulating portion is provided in the first case, and the second case is provided with an auxiliary regulating portion arranged in a position sandwiching the regulating portion between the operating arm and the second case, for regulating deformation of the regulating portion in a direction away from the valve body.

[0010] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the restricting portion tries to deform in a direction away from the valve body, the restricting portion abuts against the auxiliary restricting portion, thereby restricting further deformation of the restricting portion. This makes it possible to prevent the restricting portion from being pushed by the operating arm and deforming, thereby reducing the effect of the restricting portion in restricting deformation of the operating arm.

[0011] In the above water passing device, it is preferable that the auxiliary regulating portion is a protruding portion that protrudes from the peripheral wall. The auxiliary restricting portion may be deformed by being pushed by the restricting portion. According to the above configuration, since the auxiliary restricting portion is provided separately from the peripheral wall surrounding the water passing member, it is possible to prevent the influence of the deformation of the auxiliary restricting portion from extending to the peripheral wall, which may cause the peripheral wall to be deformed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the water passing device from being damaged due to the deformation of the auxiliary restricting portion.

[0012] In the above-mentioned water passage device, it is preferable that the operating member is a swing button, the operating arm has an engagement groove into which an engagement protrusion provided on the valve body is slidably inserted, and the valve body is moved back and forth linearly based on the operation of swinging the operating member.

[0013] In the above configuration, the direction of displacement of the rocking button and the direction of displacement of the valve disc are different, so a large load is likely to be applied to the operating arm, which is the connecting part between the rocking button and the valve disc. As a result, the operating arm is likely to deform in a direction to escape from the load. Therefore, with the above configuration, the effect of suppressing deformation of the operating arm can be more significantly achieved.

[0014] The water passing device is applied as a shower head, and the case member is a gripping portion of the shower head. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the water-passing member from becoming too complicated in shape and too large, while also suppressing deformation of the operating arm. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] Front view of the shower head. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, showing a waterproof state. [Figure 4] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, showing the water discharge state. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the water passing device of the present invention will be described in detail. A showerhead is generally used by connecting it to a water faucet in a kitchen, washroom, bathroom, etc. via a hose. By operating the operating member, the showerhead of this embodiment can be switched between a water discharge state in which hot and cold water supplied from the hose to the showerhead is discharged, and a water stop state in which the discharge of hot and cold water is stopped.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, showerhead 10 comprises a rod-shaped handle 11 at its base end, and a disk-shaped head 12 at its tip end. Handle 11 is the part that a user holds in their hand when using showerhead 10, and is the part that is connected to a hose (not shown). Head 12 ejects hot and cold water supplied to showerhead 10, and is located at the tip end of handle 11. Note that below, the base end and tip end of showerhead 10 and its constituent parts refer to the directions shown in Figure 1.

[0019] 1 and 2, showerhead 10 comprises a face portion 13 that forms the front portion of head portion 12, a first case 14 that forms the front portion of grip portion 11, and a second case 15 that forms the rear portion of head portion 12 and the rear portion of grip portion 11. Face portion 13 is configured to convert hot and cold water supplied to showerhead 10 into a shower-like water flow and discharge it.

[0020] The first case 14 and the second case 15 are combined in the front-to-rear direction to form a hollow case member that forms the outer shell of the showerhead 10. The portions that make up the grip part 11 of the first case 14 and the second case 15 each have a generally arc-shaped cross section, and when combined with each other, they form a peripheral wall 11a that has an annular cross section. The first case 14 is also provided with a window 14a for exposing the rocking button 70, which will be described later, to the outside.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the showerhead 10 is equipped with an inner pipe 20 and a valve case 21 as water-passing members having a hot and cold water passage therein. Note that first case 14 and second case 15 are not shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0022] The inner pipe 20 is a substantially cylindrical member with both ends open, and is disposed in the base end portion within the grip portion 11. The base end portion of the inner pipe 20 is a portion to which a hose is connected. A male thread 20a is formed in the tip end portion of the inner pipe 20.

[0023] The valve case 21 is a substantially cylindrical member with both ends open, and is disposed in the base end portion within the grip portion 11. A female thread 21a that screws into a male thread 20a of the inner pipe 20 is formed at the base end end of the valve case 21. A reduced diameter portion 22 that reduces in a stepped manner from the base end side (upstream side) to the tip end side (downstream side) is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the valve case 21. The surface on the base end side of the reduced diameter portion 22 is a main valve seat 22a that functions as a valve seat for a main valve 40 described later.

[0024] A case body 30 is fixed to a portion of the inside of the valve case 21 closer to the base end than the reduced diameter portion 22. The case body 30 is a bottomed cylindrical member that opens to the tip end, and includes a bottom wall 31 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 32 formed along the periphery of the bottom wall 31. The outer diameter of the peripheral wall 32 of the case body 30 is smaller than the inner diameter of the valve case 21 at the portion to which the case body 30 is fixed. A through hole 31a penetrating the bottom wall 31 is formed in the center of the bottom wall 31 of the case body 30. The case body 30 is fixed in the valve case 21 by being sandwiched between a step portion 21b provided in a part of the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 21 and the tip of the inner pipe 20.

[0025] A main valve 40 is housed in the portion of the valve case 21 from the reduced diameter portion 22 to the base end side. The main valve 40 is a cylindrical member overall, and includes a large diameter portion 41 located on the base end side and a small diameter portion 42 located on the tip end side. The large diameter portion 41 of the main valve 40 is inserted inside the peripheral wall 32 of the case body 30, and forms a pressure chamber P between it and the case body 30. An annular seal member S1 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 41 of the main valve 40, providing a seal between the large diameter portion 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 32 of the case body 30.

[0026] The small diameter portion 42 of the main valve 40 is inserted into the reduced diameter portion 22 of the valve case 21. A plurality of ribs 43 extending in the axial direction of the main valve 40 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 42 of the main valve 40. The ribs 43 are provided to suppress rattling when the small diameter portion 42 of the main valve 40 moves within the reduced diameter portion 22, and a plurality of ribs 43 are provided at positions that are approximately equally spaced along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 42. The outer diameter of the small diameter portion 42 is smaller than the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion 22 of the valve case 21. A small gap is provided between the ribs 43 of the main valve 40 and the inner peripheral surface of the reduced diameter portion 22 of the valve case 21.

[0027] A seal member S2 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 41 of the main valve 40. The seal member S2 is annular and surrounds the large diameter portion 41, and has a facing portion facing the main valve seat 22a provided in the valve case 21. A stepped reduced diameter portion 44 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the main valve 40 from the base end side to the tip end side. The reduced diameter portion 44 has an annular surface facing the bottom wall 31 of the case body 30. An annular seal member S3 is attached to the annular surface to seal between the main valve 40 and the sub-valve 50 described later in a water-stopped state. The surface of the seal member S3 facing the bottom wall 31 of the case body 30 is a sub-valve seat 44a that functions as a valve seat for the sub-valve 50 described later.

[0028] The sub-valve 50 is accommodated inside the pressure chamber P formed between the main valve 40 and the case body 30. The sub-valve 50 is a rod-shaped member extending in the axial direction of the main valve 40. The base end of the sub-valve 50 is inserted into the through hole 31a in the bottom wall 31 of the case body 30. A small gap is provided between the base end of the sub-valve 50 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 31a, allowing hot and cold water to enter. The tip of the sub-valve 50 is inserted into the small diameter portion 42 of the main valve 40. A small gap is provided between the tip of the sub-valve 50 and the inner circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 42 of the main valve 40, allowing hot and cold water to enter.

[0029] A flange 51 protruding radially outward is provided at the axial center of the sub-valve 50. The flange 51 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the reduced diameter portion 44 of the main valve 40, and has a surface facing the sub-valve seat 44a provided in the main valve 40.

[0030] A biasing member F1 formed of a spring or the like is disposed between the flange 51 of the sub-valve 50 and the bottom wall 31 of the case body 30. The biasing member F1 biases the flange 51 toward the sub-valve seat 44a. When the flange 51 of the sub-valve 50 is in contact with the sub-valve seat 44a (water-stopping state shown in FIG. 3), the tip of the sub-valve 50 protrudes further toward the tip side than the main valve 40.

[0031] A slide member 60 is housed in the valve case 21 in a portion on the tip side of the reduced diameter portion 22 so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the valve case 21. The slide member 60 is a substantially cylindrical member that extends in the axial direction of the valve case 21 and is open at both ends. The inside of a peripheral wall 61 of the slide member 60 is a water passage through which hot and cold water flows. The outer diameter of the peripheral wall 61 of the slide member 60 is smaller than the inner diameter of the portion on the tip side of the reduced diameter portion 22 inside the valve case 21. An annular seal member S4 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the slide member 60 to seal between the slide member 60 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve case 21. The tip end of the slide member 60 is connected to the face portion 13 in a watertight manner.

[0032] A plate-shaped push-in portion 62 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 61 inside the peripheral wall 61 of the slide member 60. The push-in portion 62 is a portion that pushes the main valve 40 and the sub-valve 50 in a direction away from the main valve seat 22a and the sub-valve seat 44a. The push-in portion 62 protrudes toward the base end side beyond the peripheral wall 61 and is formed to a size that allows it to abut against the end faces on the tip side of both the main valve 40 and the sub-valve 50.

[0033] A cylindrical engaging protrusion 63 protruding radially outward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the axial center of the slide member 60. The engaging protrusions 63 are provided at two locations 180 degrees apart on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 61 of the slide member 60, and these two engaging protrusions 63 protrude in opposite directions. The valve case 21 is also provided with mounting holes 23 for exposing the engaging protrusions 63 of the slide member 60 radially outward. The mounting holes 23 are provided at two locations corresponding to the engaging protrusions 63.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2, a mounting portion for mounting a rocking button 70 as an operating member for operating the slide member 60 is provided at the tip end portion of the valve case 21. Specifically, a pair of pivot supports 24 protruding from the outer circumferential surface are provided at the tip end portion of the valve case 21 as the mounting portion. Each of the pivot supports 24 is provided with a through hole 24a. The through holes 24a provided in the pair of pivot supports 24 are provided so as to be positioned on the same straight line perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve case 21. A rotating shaft 25 is inserted into each of the through holes 24a.

[0035] An engagement tubular portion 26 protruding from the outer circumferential surface is provided as the attachment portion on the tip side of the axial support portion 24 in the valve case 21. The engagement tubular portion 26 is provided with a through hole 26a extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 25. Two steel balls 28 are housed in the through hole 26a of the engagement tubular portion 26, and a biasing member F2 constituted by a spring or the like is disposed between the two steel balls 28. The biasing member F2 biases the two steel balls 28 so that the steel balls 28 protrude from the openings at both ends of the engagement tubular portion 26.

[0036] 2 and 5, the rocking button 70 is a box-shaped member that opens on one side and includes an outer wall 71 and a peripheral wall 72 that is formed along the periphery of the outer wall 71. The peripheral wall 72 is provided with shaft holes 73 through which the rotating shaft 25 is inserted at two opposing locations. The inner surface of the outer wall 71 is provided with a shaft support portion 74 having a shaft hole (not shown) through which the rotating shaft 25 is inserted. The rocking button 70 is attached to the valve case 21 by the shaft support portion 24 of the valve case 21 and the rotating shaft 25 that is inserted through the shaft hole 73 of the peripheral wall 72 of the rocking button 70 and the shaft hole (not shown) of the shaft support portion 74. The rocking button 70 attached to the valve case 21 is swingable about the rotating shaft 25.

[0037] The rocking button 70 has a pair of operating arms 75 protruding from the edge of the peripheral wall 72. The operating arms 75 are cantilever-shaped arms whose distal ends are free ends that are not connected to other parts. An engagement groove 75a is provided on the inner surface of the operating arm 75, extending in the protruding direction of the operating arm 75. The engaging protrusion 63 of the slide member 60 is slidably inserted into the engaging groove 75a of the operating arm 75, thereby connecting the operating arm 75 and the slide member 60. The engaging protrusion 63 slides in the engaging groove 75a in response to an operation to rock the rocking button 70. As a result, the slide member 60 slides in the axial direction of the valve case 21, that is, moves back and forth linearly. In other words, the operating arm 75 having the engaging groove 75a and the engaging protrusion 63 of the slide member 60 form a cam mechanism that converts the rotational motion (rocking) of the rocking button 70 about the rotation shaft 25 into the linear reciprocating motion of the slide member 60.

[0038] The rocking button 70 has a pair of retaining arms 76 that protrude from the edge of the peripheral wall 72. The inner surface of the retaining arms 76 is provided with a pair of recesses 77 that are aligned in the protruding direction of the retaining arms 76. The recesses 77 are portions into which the steel balls 28 that protrude from the engagement tube portion 26 of the valve case 21 engage due to a convex-concave relationship. The steel balls 28 engage with the recesses 77, thereby maintaining the position of the rocking button 70 in the water discharge position or the water stop position.

[0039] The water discharge position of the rocking button 70 is a position for a water discharge state in which hot and cold water is discharged, and the water stop position is a position for a water stop state in which the discharge of hot and cold water is stopped. The position of the rocking button 70 shown in Fig. 3 is the water stop position, and the position of the rocking button 70 shown in Fig. 4 is the water discharge position. The rocking button 70 is displaced between the water discharge position and the water stop position by rocking around the rotation shaft 25 based on the user's operation. The rocking button 70 rocks within a rocking range that is set as the range between the water discharge position and the water stop position.

[0040] 6 and 7, the first case 14 constituting the front portion of the gripping portion 11 includes a first peripheral wall 80 constituting the peripheral wall 11a of the gripping portion 11, and a pair of plate-shaped restricting portions 81 protruding from the inner surface of the first peripheral wall 80 toward the valve case 21. The pair of restricting portions 81 are provided at two locations sandwiching the window portion 14a therebetween in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the valve case 21.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, each of the restricting portions 81 is provided in the grip portion 11 radially outward of the mounting hole 23 of the valve case 21 so as to cover the mounting hole 23. Therefore, each of the restricting portions 81 is disposed at a position where the operating arm 75 of the swing button 70 is sandwiched between the restricting portion 81 and the slide member 60. Each of the restricting portions 81 is in close proximity to or in contact with the operating arm 75. More specifically, each of the restricting portions 81 is in close proximity to or in contact with a portion of the range in which the engaging protrusion 63 of the operating arm 75 slides. The distance between the restricting portion 81 and the operating arm 75 is, for example, equal to or less than the thickness of the operating arm 75. Each of the restricting portions 81 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined length in the axial direction of the valve case 21 so as to be in close proximity to or in contact with the operating arm 75 regardless of the position of the swing button 70 within the swing range.

[0042] 2 and 7, the second case 15 constituting the rear portion of the grip portion 11 includes a second peripheral wall 82 constituting the peripheral wall 11a of the grip portion 11, and a pair of wall-like auxiliary restricting portions 83 protruding from the inner surface of the second peripheral wall 82 toward the valve case 21. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the pair of auxiliary restricting portions 83 is disposed in the grip portion 11 at a position where the restricting portion 81 of the first case 14 is sandwiched between the operation arm 75 and the pair of auxiliary restricting portions 83, and is adjacent to or in contact with the restricting portion 81. The distance between the auxiliary restricting portion 83 and the restricting portion 81 is, for example, equal to or less than the thickness of the restricting portion 81.

[0043] Next, we will explain the water-stopped and water-spouting states of the showerhead 10. The following explanation will be given on the assumption that hot and cold water is being supplied to the inner pipe 20 of the showerhead 10 from a water faucet and a hose.

[0044] 3 shows the inside of the showerhead 10 in a water-stop state in which the discharge of hot and cold water supplied to the inner pipe 20 has stopped. When in the water-stop state, the rocking button 70 is held in a water-stop position in which the tip of the operating arm 75 is tilted toward the tip of the valve case 21. At this time, the sliding member 60 is pulled up toward the tip of the valve case 21 by the operating arm 75 and held in a position away from the main valve 40 and sub-valve 50.

[0045] In the water-stopped state, the urging force of the urging member F1 causes the flange 51 of the sub-valve 50 to come into contact with the sub-valve seat 44a provided on the main valve 40. The flange 51 of the sub-valve 50 comes into contact with the sub-valve seat 44a formed by the seal member S3, thereby stopping water flow between the inner circumferential surface of the reduced diameter portion 44 of the main valve 40 and the sub-valve 50. At this time, hot and cold water only enters the pressure chamber P through the through hole 26a of the valve case 21, and is not discharged downstream. Therefore, the pressure chamber P is in a high-pressure state with an increased internal pressure.

[0046] Then, based on the internal pressure of the pressure chamber P, which is in a high pressure state, the seal member S2 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 41 of the main valve 40 comes into contact with the main valve seat 22a provided in the reduced diameter portion 22 of the valve case 21. This stops water flow between the reduced diameter portion 22 of the valve case 21 and the main valve 40. As a result, hot and cold water is not supplied to the face portion 13, and the discharge of hot and cold water from the face portion 13 is stopped.

[0047] 4 shows the inside of the shower head 10 in a discharge state in which it discharges hot and cold water supplied to the inner pipe 20. In the discharge state, the rocking button 70 is held in a water discharge position in which the tip of the operating arm 75 is tilted toward the base end of the valve case 21. At this time, the sliding member 60 is pulled down toward the base end of the valve case 21 by the operating arm 75, and the pushing portion 62 provided on the sliding member 60 comes into contact with the main valve 40 and the sub-valve 50. The sliding member 60 is then held in a position in which it pushes the main valve 40 and the sub-valve 50 toward the base end against the internal pressure of the pressure chamber P and the biasing force of the biasing member F1.

[0048] When in the water discharge state, the main valve 40 is pushed toward the base end by the pushing portion 62 of the slide member 60, and is spaced apart from the main valve seat 22a provided in the reduced diameter portion 22 of the valve case 21. The sub-valve 50 is pushed toward the base end by the pushing portion 62 of the slide member 60, and the flange portion 51 is spaced apart from the sub-valve seat 44a provided on the main valve 40.

[0049] When in the discharge state, the hot and cold water supplied to the inner pipe 20 flows into the water passage in the valve case 21. The hot and cold water that flows into the valve case 21 mainly flows from the outside of the main valve 40 and the case body 30 to the reduced diameter section 22, passing between the reduced diameter section 22 and the small diameter section 42 of the main valve 40 and flowing downstream of the reduced diameter section 22. In addition, a part of the hot and cold water that flows into the valve case 21 flows into the pressure chamber P, passing between the inner circumferential surface of the main valve 40 and the sub-valve 50 and flowing downstream of the reduced diameter section 22. The hot and cold water that flows downstream of the reduced diameter section 22 of the valve case 21 passes through the inside of the slide member 60 and is supplied to the face section 13. As a result, the hot and cold water is discharged from the face section 13.

[0050] The sub-valve 50 is provided to reduce the operating force required to transition from a water-stop state to a water-discharge state. In the water-stop state shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the sub-valve 50 protrudes further toward the tip side than the main valve 40. Therefore, when transitioning from a water-stop state to a water-discharge state based on the operation of the rocking button 70, the sub-valve 50 is pushed in first and separated from the sub-valve seat 44a. As a result, a portion of the hot and cold water in the pressure chamber P flows downstream, and the pressure in the pressure chamber P decreases. Then, the main valve 40 is pushed in and separated from the main valve seat 22a. Since the main valve 40 is pushed in after the pressure in the pressure chamber P is reduced, the operating force required to push the main valve 40 against the pressure in the pressure chamber P can be reduced.

[0051] In this embodiment, the inside of the inner pipe 20 and the inside of the valve case 21 and the inside of the slide member 60 form a water passage. In this embodiment, the main valve 40, the sub-valve 50, and the slide member 60 form a valve body that controls the flow of hot and cold water passing through the water passage.

[0052] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. 7, in this embodiment, a restricting portion 81 is provided on the first case 14 and is disposed on the radially outer side of the operating arm 75. This restricting portion 81 is in close proximity to or in contact with the operating arm 75. Therefore, when the operating arm 75 tries to deform in a direction away from the slide member 60, the operating arm 75 abuts against the restricting portion 81, thereby restricting further deformation of the operating arm 75. The direction in which the operating arm 75 moves away from the slide member 60 is, in other words, the direction in which the pair of operating arms 75 open and the operating arm 75 disengages from the engaging protrusion 63 of the slide member 60.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an auxiliary restricting portion 83 is provided on the second case 15 and is arranged radially outward of the restricting portion 81. This auxiliary restricting portion 83 is in close proximity to or in contact with the restricting portion 81. Therefore, when the restricting portion 81 is pushed by the operating arm 75 and attempts to deform in a direction away from the slide member 60, the restricting portion 81 comes into contact with the auxiliary restricting portion 83, thereby restricting further deformation of the restricting portion 81.

[0054] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The showerhead 10 comprises a valve case 21 having a water passage therein, a main valve 40, an auxiliary valve 50, and a sliding member 60 that control the flow of hot and cold water through the water passage, and a rocking button 70 as an operating member for operating the sliding member 60. The rocking button 70 is provided with an operating arm 75 that is connected to the sliding member 60 and moves the sliding member 60 based on an operation to displace the rocking button 70. The showerhead 10 comprises a first case 14 as a case member that houses the valve case 21. The operating arm 75 is disposed between the sliding member 60 and the first case 14. The first case 14 is provided with a restricting portion 81 that is disposed in a position where the operating arm 75 is sandwiched between the sliding member 60 and the first case 14 and restricts deformation of the operating arm 75 in a direction away from the sliding member 60.

[0055] According to the above configuration, the deformation of the operating arm 75 in the direction away from the slide member 60 is restricted by the restricting portion 81. Because the restricting portion 81 is provided on the first case 14 that houses the valve case 21, it is possible to suppress the shape of the valve case 21 from becoming complicated and increasing in size due to the provision of the restricting portion 81. Therefore, according to the above configuration, even if it is difficult to form the restricting portion 81 on the valve case 21, the deformation of the operating arm 75 can be effectively suppressed.

[0056] (2) The first case 14 has a first peripheral wall 80 that surrounds the valve case 21, and the restricting portion 81 is a protruding portion that protrudes from the first peripheral wall 80. The restricting portion 81 may be deformed by being pressed by the operating arm 75. With the above configuration, the restricting portion 81 is provided separately from the first peripheral wall 80 that surrounds the valve case 21, so that the influence of the deformation of the restricting portion 81 on the first peripheral wall 80, which would cause the first peripheral wall 80 to be deformed, is prevented. Therefore, the appearance of the showerhead 10 is prevented from being damaged by the deformation of the restricting portion 81.

[0057] (3) The case member that houses the valve case 21 is formed by combining the first case 14 and the second case 15. The second case 15 is provided with an auxiliary restricting portion 83 that is disposed at a position sandwiching the restricting portion 81 between itself and the operating arm 75 and restricts deformation of the restricting portion 81 in a direction away from the slide member 60.

[0058] According to the above configuration, the deformation of the restricting portion 81 in the direction away from the slide member 60 is restricted by the auxiliary restricting portion 83. This prevents the restricting portion 81 from being pushed by the operating arm 75 and deforming, thereby preventing a reduction in the effect of the restricting portion 81 in suppressing the deformation of the operating arm 75. In addition, the first peripheral wall 80 on which the restricting portion 81 is provided is also deformed as the restricting portion 81 is pushed by the operating arm 75, which prevents the appearance of the showerhead 10 from being damaged.

[0059] (4) The second case 15 has a second peripheral wall 82 that surrounds the valve case 21, and the auxiliary restricting portion 83 is a protruding portion that protrudes from the second peripheral wall 82. The auxiliary regulating part 83 may be deformed by being pressed by the regulating part 81. With the above configuration, the auxiliary regulating part 83 is provided separately from the second circumferential wall 82 that surrounds the valve case 21, so that the influence of the deformation of the auxiliary regulating part 83 on the second circumferential wall 82, which would cause the second circumferential wall 82 to deform, is prevented. Therefore, the appearance of the showerhead 10 is prevented from being damaged due to deformation of the auxiliary regulating part 83.

[0060] (5) The operating member is a rocking button 70, and the operating arm 75 has an engagement groove 75a into which the engagement protrusion 63 provided on the slide member 60 is slidably inserted, and causes the slide member 60 to move back and forth in a linear manner based on the operation of rocking the rocking button 70.

[0061] In the above configuration, the displacement direction of the rocking button 70 and the displacement direction of the slide member 60 are different. Therefore, a large load is applied to the operating arm 75, which is the connecting portion between the rocking button 70 and the slide member 60. As a result, the pair of operating arms 75 are easily deformed in a direction to escape from the load, i.e., in a direction in which the pair of operating arms 75 open. Therefore, in the above configuration, the effect of suppressing deformation of the operating arms 75 is more pronounced.

[0062] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs. The restricting portion 81 may be provided on the second case 15, and the auxiliary restricting portion 83 may be provided on the first case 14.

[0063] The protruding direction of the restricting portion 81 protruding from the first peripheral wall 80 and the protruding direction of the auxiliary restricting portion 83 protruding from the second peripheral wall 82 are not limited to the above embodiment. It is preferable that the restricting portion 81 and the auxiliary restricting portion 83 protrude in a direction different from the direction in which the operating arm 75 deforms. In this case, the influence of the deformation of the restricting portion 81 and the auxiliary restricting portion 83 is less likely to extend to the first peripheral wall 80 and the second peripheral wall 82.

[0064] The shape of the auxiliary regulating portion 83 may be changed. For example, the auxiliary regulating portion 83 may be a protrusion-like portion protruding from the second peripheral wall 82 of the second case 15, or a portion of the second peripheral wall 82 of the second case 15 may be made thicker, and a portion of the inner surface of the second peripheral wall 82 may be used as the auxiliary regulating portion 83. The number of auxiliary regulating portions 83 may also be changed. For example, two or more auxiliary regulating portions 83 may be provided on one side. The auxiliary regulating portion 83 may also be omitted.

[0065] The shape of the restricting portion 81 may be changed. For example, the restricting portion 81 may be shaped so that the length in the axial direction of the valve case 21 is short, and the restricting portion 81 may be shaped so that it approaches or abuts against the operating arm 75 only when the rocking button 70 is in a specific position. In this case, it is preferable that the restricting portion 81 is shaped so that it approaches or abuts against the operating arm 75 at least in the water discharge position, that is, in the position of the rocking button 70 when the valve body is in a position that resists the biasing force acting on the valve body. The restricting portion 81 may also be a protrusion-shaped restricting portion that protrudes from the first peripheral wall 80 of the first case 14. In a configuration in which the auxiliary restricting portion 83 is omitted, a part of the first peripheral wall 80 of the first case 14 may be made thicker, and a part of the inner surface of the first peripheral wall 80 may be used as the restricting portion 81.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the case member is formed by combining two separate cases, the first case 14 and the second case 15, but the number of separate cases constituting the case member and the method of division are not limited to the above embodiment. Also, the case member may be formed from a single member.

[0067] The configuration of the valve body and water passage member that control the flow of hot and cold water through the water passage is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, the main valve 40 and the slide member 60 may be integrally formed, or the sub-valve 50 may not be provided.

[0068] The operating member is not limited to the swing button 70 that swings around the rotation shaft 25, but may be any member that includes an operating arm 75 that is connected to the valve body. For example, the operating member may be a slide button that slides in the axial direction of the valve case 21.

[0069] The valve body and the operating member are not limited to a configuration for switching between hot and cold water discharge and stop, but may be applied to any configuration for controlling the flow of hot and cold water through a water passage. For example, the valve body and the operating member may be for switching between shower water discharge and straight water discharge.

[0070] The configuration of the above embodiment is not limited to the showerhead 10, but can be applied to any water passage device that has a valve body and an operating member that controls the flow of hot and cold water through a water passage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10... shower head, 14... first case, 15... second case, 21... valve case, 60... slide member, 70... rocking button, 75... operating arm, 81... regulating portion, 83... auxiliary regulating portion.

Claims

1. The device includes a cylindrical water passage member having a water passage therein, a valve body for controlling the flow of hot and cold water through the water passage, and an operating member for operating the valve body. The operating member is provided with an operating arm that is connected to the valve body and moves the valve body based on an operation of displacing the operating member, A case member that houses the water-passing member, The valve body is provided with a slide member that reciprocates in the water passage member in the axial direction of the water passage member, and is configured to switch between a water discharge state in which hot and cold water is discharged and a water stop state in which the discharge of hot and cold water is stopped based on the displacement of the slide member, The water passage member includes an attachment hole for exposing the slide member radially outward, the operating arm is disposed between the slide member and the case member and engages with a portion of the slide member that is exposed through the mounting hole, The case member is provided with a restricting portion that restricts deformation of the operating arm, A water-passing device characterized in that the regulating portion is positioned radially outward of the mounting hole in the water-passing member so as to sandwich the operating arm between the regulating portion and the slide member, and is close to or in contact with the operating arm.

2. The case member includes a peripheral wall surrounding the water-passing member, The water passage device according to claim 1 , wherein the restricting portion is a protruding portion protruding from the peripheral wall.

3. the case member is configured by combining a first case and a second case, The restriction portion is provided on the first case, The second case is provided with an auxiliary restricting portion that restricts deformation of the restricting portion, The water passage device described in claim 2, wherein the auxiliary regulating portion is positioned radially outward of the mounting hole in the water passage member so as to sandwich the regulating portion between the operating arm and the auxiliary regulating portion, and is adjacent to or in contact with the regulating portion.

4. The second case includes a peripheral wall surrounding the water-passing member, The water passage device according to claim 3 , wherein the auxiliary restriction portion is a protruding portion protruding from the peripheral wall.

5. The operating member is a rocking button, A water passage device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating arm has an engagement groove into which an engagement protrusion provided on the slide member is slidably inserted, and the slide member is moved back and forth linearly based on an operation of swinging the operating member.

6. 6. The water passing device according to claim 1, which is used as a shower head, and the case member is a gripping portion of the shower head.

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