Faucet

Abstract

To improve the workability of accommodating wiring.SOLUTION: A faucet has: a water passage member 3 that has, inside it, a water passage for connecting a connection to a water supply pipe and a water outlet 31 and also has a valve portion for opening and closing the water passage based on a detection signal from a sensor; a battery box 51 containing batteries; wires 53 and 54 for supplying electric power from the battery box 51 to the valve portion; and a wire housing portion 41 housing the wires 53 and 54. The battery box 51 is assembled to the water passage member 3, and the wire housing portion 41 is provided at a position that does not lie between the water passage member 3 and the battery box 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor-type faucet. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Faucets are known that are equipped with a sensor for detecting an object and that automatically stop water from flowing from a water outlet based on a detection signal from the sensor. The automatic faucet described in Patent Document 1 is configured by assembling a water discharge unit, a valve unit, a power supply unit, a control circuit unit, etc., inside a cylindrical case. The water discharge unit is connected to a water supply system as a water supply source via a pipe extending from the automatic faucet to the outside, and is equipped with a water discharge member having a water passage provided therein. The valve unit is equipped with a solenoid valve that operates when power is supplied from the power supply unit. The solenoid valve opens and closes the water passage based on commands from the control circuit unit. The power supply unit and the control circuit unit are connected by a first wire, and the solenoid valve is connected to the control circuit unit by a second wire. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-011150 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The automatic faucet described in Patent Document 1 is generally assembled as follows. First, the valve unit and control circuit unit are attached from above the water-discharge member. Next, one end of the first wiring is attached to the power supply unit, and the other end is attached to the control circuit unit. Also, one end of the second wiring is attached to the control circuit unit, and the other end is attached to the solenoid valve. Then, while the first wiring and second wiring are housed below the power supply unit, the power supply unit is placed above the water-discharge member and control circuit unit, and the power supply unit is fixed to the water-discharge member. Finally, a cylindrical case is attached.

[0005] In this assembly method, since the wiring is housed under the power supply unit, it is difficult to check whether the wiring is housed in the correct position. In addition, the wiring and the power supply unit must be housed at the same time, which makes the work complicated. Therefore, the workability of housing the wiring is poor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the faucet of the present invention comprises a water-passing member having an internal water passage connecting a connection to a water supply pipe with a water outlet, and having a valve portion that opens and closes the water passage based on a detection signal from a sensor, a battery box that houses a battery, wiring that supplies power from the battery box to the valve portion, and a wiring accommodating portion that accommodates the wiring, the battery box being assembled to the water-passing member, and the wiring accommodating portion being provided in a position other than between the water-passing member and the battery box.

[0007] According to this configuration, after the battery box is assembled to the water-permeable member, the wires can be accommodated in the wire accommodating section while checking the state of the wires. Also, assembly of the battery box and accommodation of the wires can be performed separately, improving the ease of accommodating the wires.

[0008] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the water faucet further includes a support member having the wiring housing and a power supply housing that houses the battery box, the battery box is attached to the water passage member via the support member, and the wiring housing is provided at a position different from that of the power supply housing. With this configuration, the battery box and wiring can be attached to the support member in advance, and then the support member and the water passage member can be attached to the water passage member. This makes it easy to assemble the water faucet.

[0009] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the wire housing is provided on the upper part of the water passage member. With this configuration, for example, even if the water outlet is blocked and water in the water passage enters the inside of the faucet, the water is unlikely to reach the wire housing. The wire housed in the wire housing is unlikely to be affected by water.

[0010] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the wire housing is provided with a pressing portion that presses the housed wire. With this configuration, the wire is prevented from jumping out of the wire housing. When a cover or the like is attached to the faucet, the wire is prevented from being pinched by the cover or the like. Breaking of the wire is prevented.

[0011] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the wiring housing accommodates the wiring in a bent state, and the wiring housing is provided with a bent support portion that supports the bent portion of the wiring. With this configuration, the wiring can be accommodated in the wiring housing in a stable state that fits well. In addition, excessive bending of the wiring is suppressed, and breakage of the wiring is suppressed.

[0012] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the wiring housing accommodates the wiring in a bent state, and the wiring housing is provided with a partition portion that maintains a distance before and after the bent portion of the wiring. With this configuration, entanglement of the wiring before and after the bent portion is suppressed. Therefore, the wiring can be accommodated in the wiring housing in a stable state that fits snugly. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the workability of accommodating wiring can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

[0015] A faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The faucet 1 of this embodiment is a sensor-type automatic faucet that operates on a battery and opens and closes a valve body when a sensor detects an object, thereby stopping or releasing water.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the faucet 1 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape and is installed so that its axis is perpendicular to the wall surface W of the bathroom or the like. In the following, the installation side of the faucet 1 is defined as the base end side, and the opposite side to the installation side is defined as the tip end side. In addition, the top and bottom of the faucet 1 are defined in the installed state. The axial direction of the faucet 1, or the axial direction of the cover body 6 described below, is referred to as the axial direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the faucet 1 is referred to as the radial direction.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the faucet 1 includes a cover member 2, a water passage member 3, a support member 4, and a valve drive unit 5. <About cover member 2> As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cover member 2 includes a substantially cylindrical cover body 6, a decorative cover 7 that covers the base end of the cover body 6, and a cap 8 that closes the tip edge of the cover body 6. A plurality of openings (including cutouts) are formed on the circumferential surface of the cover body 6. A sensor opening 6a and a water outlet opening 6b are formed on the underside of the cover body 6 from the tip side. A water outlet 31 attached to the water passage member 3 protrudes from the water outlet opening 6b. A stopcock cutout 6c through which the stopcock 12 is exposed is formed on the underside of the base end of the cover member 2. In addition, a stopcock opening 7a that communicates with the stopcock cutout 6c and through which the stopcock 12 is exposed is formed on the underside of the decorative cover 7. The water passage member 3, the support member 4, and the valve drive unit 5 are housed inside the cover member 2.

[0018] <About water-permeable material 3> As shown in Fig. 2, the water-passing member 3 includes a connection member 10, a valve unit 20, and a water-spouting member 30. The connection member 10, the valve unit 20, and the water-spouting member 30 are arranged in this order in the axial direction from the base end side of the faucet 1, and are assembled and fixed to one another. Inside the connection member 10, the valve unit 20, and the water-spouting member 30, a water-passing passage that communicates between a connection part to a water supply pipe (not shown) and a water spout 31 is formed so as to extend in the axial direction.

[0019] A connecting tube 11 is formed at the base end of the connecting member 10, which serves as a connection portion to a water supply pipe. The connecting member 10 is attached to a wall surface W by a male screw 11a screwed onto the outer peripheral surface of the connecting tube 11. A stop valve 12 is attached to the connecting member 10 at the middle part in the axial direction. The stop valve 12 is used to manually stop the discharge of water from the water outlet 31 during maintenance of the faucet 1, etc.

[0020] The valve unit 20 is an internal pilot type, and has a main valve section 21 equipped with a diaphragm valve as a main valve and a back pressure chamber, and a sub-valve section 22 equipped with a pilot valve as a sub-valve. A flat plate material 23 is attached to the upper surface of the main valve section 21. A wiring (not shown) is connected to the sub-valve section 22, and is connected to a wiring 54a drawn from a sensor unit 52 described later and a connector 54c. The sub-valve section 22 is supplied with power from a battery in a battery box 51 through the sensor unit 52. Inside the valve unit 20, a pilot waterway is formed that branches off from the waterway. When the sensor detects an object, the pilot valve is driven based on the detection signal from the sensor to open the pilot waterway. This reduces the pressure in the back pressure chamber, and the diaphragm valve opens the waterway. Water supplied from the water supply source passes through the waterway and is discharged from the water outlet 31 of the water discharge member 30.

[0021] <Valve drive unit 5> As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the valve drive unit 5 includes a battery box 51, a sensor unit 52, and wiring 53, 54. The battery box 51 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape and houses a battery therein. An engagement claw 51a is formed on the side of the battery box 51. The sensor unit 52 is formed in a substantially plate shape and houses a sensor therein and a control unit that controls water discharge based on a detection signal from the sensor. An engagement hole 52a with which the engagement claw 51a engages is formed on the side of the sensor unit 52. The battery box 51 and the sensor unit 52 are integrated by the engagement of the engagement claw 51a with the engagement hole 52a.

[0022] 3, wiring 53 is formed by connecting wiring 53a drawn from battery box 51 and wiring 53b drawn from sensor unit 52 by connector 53c. Wiring 53 supplies power from the battery to sensor unit 52. Wiring 54 is formed by connecting wiring 54a drawn from sensor unit 52 and wiring (not shown) drawn from sub-valve section 22 by connector 54c. Wiring 54 supplies power from the battery to sub-valve section 22 via sensor unit 52, and the operation of sub-valve section 22 is controlled based on a detection signal from the sensor.

[0023] <About support member 4> As shown in Fig. 2, the support member 4 is attached from above the water-passing member 3, and houses the valve drive unit 5 in its upper portion. A wire housing 41 that houses wires 53, 54 is formed at the base end of the support member 4, and a power supply housing 42 that houses a battery box 51 and a sensor unit 52 is formed at the tip end. In other words, the wire housing 41 and the power supply housing 42 are provided at different positions on the support member 4 so as to be adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The wire housing 41 is located above the valve unit 20, and the power supply housing 42 is located above the water-spouting member 30.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the support member 4 has a pair of side walls 40a, 40b formed by cutting out an upward semi-cylindrical peripheral wall in the axial direction. The wire housing 41 is formed in a shape that extends along the pair of side walls 40a, 40b. An upward semi-cylindrical peripheral wall 40c is formed at the base end of the wire housing 41. A plate material 23 attached to the main valve part 21 of the valve unit 20 is located below the wire housing 41, and the plate material 23 functions as the bottom surface of the wire housing 41.

[0025] A connecting portion 43 that connects the pair of side walls 40a, 40b is formed on the base end side of the wiring accommodating portion 41, and a connecting portion 44 that connects the pair of side walls 40a, 40b is formed on the tip end side. The wiring accommodating portion 41 is divided into a wiring accommodating portion 41a on the side wall 40a side and a wiring accommodating portion 41b on the side wall 40b side by a partition wall 40d that extends in the axial direction so as to connect the peripheral wall 40c and the connecting portion 44. Since the wiring accommodating portions 41a and 41b have the same configuration, the wiring accommodating portion 41a on the side wall 40a side will be described below.

[0026] A partition section 45 is formed in a radially intermediate portion of the wiring accommodating portion 41a, extending in the axial direction so as to connect the connecting portions 43, 44. The partition section 45 divides the wiring accommodating portion 41a into two in the radial direction. The base end edge of the partition section 45 is spaced from the peripheral wall 40c. A bent support section 46 is formed in the base end portion of the partition section 45, extending downward and connected to the connecting portion 43.

[0027] The wiring accommodating section 41 is formed with a plurality of pressing sections 47, 48, 49 for pressing the accommodated wirings 53, 54. The pressing section 47 is the base end of the partitioning section 45, and protrudes toward the base end in the axial direction from the position where the bent support section 46 is formed. A claw section 47a that bends downward is formed on the edge of the pressing section 47. The pressing section 48 protrudes radially from the tip end of the partitioning section 45. A claw section 48a that bends downward is formed on the edge of the pressing section 48. The pressing section 49 protrudes radially from the tip end edge of the partitioning section 45. A claw section 49a that bends downward is formed on the edge of the pressing section 49.

[0028] 4, the power supply housing 42 is formed in a shape that extends from the lower end edges of the side walls 40a, 40b of the wiring housing 41 toward the tip side in the axial direction. An opening 42a is formed in the lower part of the power supply housing 42, and a flat mounting part 42b is formed on the periphery of the opening 42a. In addition, a pair of side walls 42c is formed in the axial middle part of the power supply housing 42 so as to face each other in the radial direction.

[0029] <Assembling the Faucet 1> Next, the assembly work of the faucet 1 will be described together with its function. As shown in Fig. 2, first, the support member 4 is assembled to the top of the water-passing member 3. The support member 4 is assembled so that the peripheral wall 40c covers the connection member 10, the wiring accommodating section 41 is located on the top of the valve unit 20, and the power supply accommodating section 42 is located on the top of the water discharge member 30. In this state, the plate material 23 of the main valve section 21 of the valve unit 20 forms the bottom surface of the wiring accommodating section 41. The sub-valve section 22 is in a state where it protrudes from the wiring accommodating section 41 towards the axial tip side.

[0030] Next, the valve drive unit 5 is attached to the upper part of the support member 4. With the wiring 53, 54 pulled out laterally, the valve drive unit 5 accommodates the battery box 51 and the sensor unit 52 in the power source accommodating section 42. The side surface of the battery box 51 is supported by the side wall 42c of the power source accommodating section 42, and the bottom surface of the sensor unit 52 is supported by the mounting section 42b of the power source accommodating section 42.

[0031] 3 to 5, after the battery box 51 and the sensor unit 52 are accommodated in the power source accommodating section 42, the wiring 53, 54 are accommodated in the wiring accommodating section 41. The wiring accommodating section 41 is provided at a different position on the support member 4 so as to be adjacent to the power source accommodating section 42 in the axial direction, and is provided at a position other than between the water-passing member 3 and the battery box 51 when the battery box 51 and the sensor unit 52 are accommodated therein. Therefore, the entire wiring accommodating section 41 is exposed.

[0032] First, the wiring 53 is accommodated in the wiring accommodation section 41b. As shown in FIG. 3, the wiring 53 is in a state in which the wirings 53a and 53b connected by the connector 53c are gently bent at their middle portions. Also, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the wiring accommodation section 41b is partitioned into two in the radial direction by the partition section 45. The wiring 53 is accommodated from one side partitioned by the partition section 45 to the other side so that the bent portion is hooked on the bent support section 46 formed at the base end of the partition section 45. Since the bent support section 46 is formed in the wiring accommodation section 41b, the bent portion of the wiring 53 is stably supported, and the distance before and after the bent portion is maintained.

[0033] Moreover, the wiring 53 is accommodated so as to be located below the pressing portions 47, 48, and 49. Being held down by the pressing portions 47, 48, and 49 prevents the wiring 53 from protruding out of the wiring accommodating portion 41b. Moreover, the claw portions 47a, 48a, and 49a are formed on the edges of the pressing portions 47, 48, and 49, which further prevents the wiring 53 from protruding. The wiring 54 is also accommodated in the wiring accommodating portion 41a in the same manner as the wiring 53.

[0034] 2, the cover body 6 is attached to the water-permeable member 3, support member 4, and valve drive unit 5 from the tip side and secured with screws S1. Next, the decorative cover 7 and cap 8 are attached. The faucet 1 is assembled by attaching the water outlet 31 to the water-permeable member 3 through the water outlet opening 6b of the cover body 6.

[0035] <Effects of the faucet 1 of this embodiment> (1) In the faucet 1 of this embodiment, the wire housing 41 that houses the wires 53, 54 is provided in a position other than between the water-permeable member 3 and the battery box 51. Even when the battery box 51 and the sensor unit 52 are assembled, the entire wire housing 41 remains exposed. Therefore, the work of housing the wires 53, 54 can be performed while checking the state of the wires 53, 54. Also, the assembly of the battery box 51 and the sensor unit 52 and the housing of the wires 53, 54 can be performed separately. This improves the ease of housing the wires 53, 54.

[0036] (2) The wiring housing 41 and the power supply housing 42 are provided in the support member 4. Therefore, after the battery box 51, the sensor unit 52, and the wiring 53 and 54 are housed in the support member 4, the support member 4 can be attached to the water-passing member 3. This makes it easy to assemble the faucet 1.

[0037] (3) The wire housing 41 is provided on the upper part of the water-passing member 3, specifically, on the upper part of the main valve part 21 of the valve unit 20. Therefore, even if water in the water passage gets inside the faucet 1, the water is unlikely to reach the wire housing 41. The wires 53, 54 are unlikely to be affected by water.

[0038] (4) The wire housing 41 is provided with the retaining portions 47, 48, and 49, which prevents the wires 53 and 54 from protruding from the wire housing 41. When the cover body 6 is attached, the wires 53 and 54 are prevented from being pinched, which prevents the wires from being broken.

[0039] (5) The wiring housing 41 is provided with the bending support portion 46 that supports the bending portions of the wirings 53, 54. Therefore, the bending portions of the wirings 53, 54 are stably supported. In addition, the distance before and after the bending portions is maintained, and the wirings 53, 54 are prevented from being excessively bent. Disconnection is suppressed.

[0040] (6) The plate material 23 attached to the main valve portion 21 is located below the wire housing portion 41, and the plate material 23 functions as the bottom surface of the wire housing portion 41. Therefore, the wires 53, 54 are prevented from falling off from the upper part of the plate material 23, and are stably held in the wire housing portion 41.

[0041] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs. The wire housing portion 41 does not have to be provided in the support member 4. Even if the support member 4 is not provided, it is sufficient that a portion for housing the wires 53, 54 is provided in a position other than between the water-passing member 3 and the battery box 51.

[0042] The wire housing section 41 does not have to be provided above the main valve section 21. There are no particular limitations on its location as long as it is a portion where the wires 53, 54 can be touched after the battery box 51 and the sensor unit 52 are installed. For example, it may be provided above the battery box 51.

[0043] The shape of the faucet 1 is not particularly limited. It does not have to be substantially cylindrical. Furthermore, the shapes of the water passage member 3, the support member 4, and the valve drive unit 5 are not particularly limited. The wire housing 41 does not have to include the two wire housings 41a and 41b. The wires 53 and 54 may be housed in one wire housing 41.

[0044] The wiring housing portions 41 a, 41 b do not have to be separated by the separating portion 45 . The bending support portion 46 does not have to be provided. The holding portions 47, 48, and 49 do not necessarily have to be provided.

[0045] The pressing portions 47, 48, 49 do not necessarily have to have the claw portions 47a, 48a, 49a. The shape of the partitioning portion 45 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, a plate-shaped partitioning portion 45a extending downward from the partitioning portion 45 may be formed. By forming the partitioning portion 45a, the distance between the front and rear of the bent portion of the wires 53, 54 is maintained. Also, entanglement of the wires 53 and the wires 54 is suppressed before and after the bent portion. The wires 53, 54 can be accommodated in the wire accommodating portion 41 in a stable manner.

[0046] The partition portion 45a may be formed integrally with the bending support portion 46 so as to extend in the axial direction. In this case, the bending support portion 46 is the base end edge of the partition portion 45a. The partition portion 45a may be formed over the entire partition portion 45 in the axial direction.

[0047] The bottom surface of the wire housing portion 41 may be formed integrally with the support member 4 . When assembling the faucet 1, the valve drive unit 5 may be attached to the support member 4, the wiring 53, 54 may be housed in the wiring housing 41, and then the support member 4 together with the valve drive unit 5 may be placed on top of the water-passing member 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1...faucet, 3...water-passing member, 4...support member, 22...auxiliary valve portion (valve portion), 31...water outlet, 41...wiring accommodating portion, 42...power supply accommodating portion, 45a...partition portion, 46...bent support portion, 47, 48, 49...holding portion, 51...battery box, 53, 54...wiring.

Claims

1. a water passage member having a water passage therein that connects a connection portion to a water supply pipe and a water outlet, and having a valve portion that opens and closes the water passage based on a detection signal from a sensor; A battery box for accommodating a battery; Wiring that supplies power from the battery box to the valve portion; a support member including a power supply housing portion that houses the battery box and a wiring housing portion that houses the wiring; Equipped with the battery box is attached to the water-passing member via the support member, The faucet is characterized in that the wiring accommodating portion is provided in a position other than between the water-passing member and the battery box and in a position different from the power source accommodating portion.

2. The faucet according to claim 1, wherein the wiring storage section is provided with a pressing section for pressing the stored wiring.

3. The wiring accommodating portion accommodates the wiring in a bent state, 3. The faucet according to claim 1, wherein the wiring housing is provided with a bent support portion for supporting a bent portion of the wiring.

4. The wiring accommodating portion accommodates the wiring in a bent state, The faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wiring housing is provided with a partition portion that maintains the distance before and after the bent portion of the wiring.

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