Illumination unit, water spraying device

Abstract

To provide a technology which can impart a water flow light guide function to a water discharge device without affecting the size and shape of a spout, and which can add the water flow light guide function to the existing water discharge device which does not include the water flow light guide function.SOLUTION: A water discharge device 1 applied to a bathtub includes: a spout 2 for discharging hot water / water from a water discharge port 25 of a flow passage 20; and a lighting unit 5 mounted between the spout 2 and a hose 10. The lighting unit 5 includes: a water pipe 4 arranged between the hose 10 and the flow passage 20; and a light irradiation part 3 for irradiating the hot water / water in the flow passage 20 with light. The light irradiation part 3 includes: an LED 31; and a light guide body 32 for guiding the light from the LED 31. The light guide body 32 extends to the flow passage 20 side from the inside of the water pipe 4, and a light emission surface 32b which is an end surface is arranged in the flow passage 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting unit applied to a water spraying device.

Background Art

[0002] The applicant of the present application has proposed an invention of a water spraying device 501 shown in FIG. 12 (see Patent Document 1). This water spraying device 501 is applied to a bathtub 510 and mainly functions to spray hot water toward the neck and shoulders of a bather with their back against the wall surface 509b of the bathtub body 509.

[0003] The water spraying device 501 includes a spout 502 that sprays hot water from a water discharge port 521 of a flow path 520, a bubble generator 504 that mixes bubbles into the hot water in the flow path 520, and a light irradiation unit 503 built into the spout 502. The light irradiation unit 503 includes a light source 531 and a light guide 532 that guides light from the light source 531. The light emitting surface of the light guide 532 is disposed in front of the water discharge port 521 in the flow path 520. Such a light irradiation unit 503 irradiates the hot water in the flow path 520 with light and irradiates light toward the water discharge port 521 in front of the water discharge port 521.

[0004] In the above water spraying device 501, when hot water is sprayed from the water discharge port 521 with the light source 531 and the bubble generator 504 turned on, the light guided through the sprayed hot water is reflected and diffused on the bubble surface, and the hot water itself appears to glow. Further, when hot water is sprayed from the water discharge port 521 with the light source 531 turned on and the bubble generator 504 turned off, the light reaches the water surface of the bathtub body 509 while repeatedly undergoing total reflection in the sprayed hot water, and the water surface appears to glow due to diffuse reflection at this water surface.

[0005] Thus, in addition to the main function of warming the neck and shoulders of the bather, the water spraying device 501 has a water flow light guiding function of guiding light into the sprayed hot water. By making the hot water itself sprayed from the water spraying port 521 glow, it is possible to show the fluctuation of the hot water, or by making the water surface at the arrival point of the hot water glow, it is possible to show the fluctuation of the water surface, and various lighting effects can be achieved.

[0006] In addition, a water spraying device that does not have the above water flow light guiding function and only has the function of spraying hot water toward the neck and shoulders of the bather is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] In a water spraying device having a water flow light guiding function, in order to guide more light outside the water spraying port, it is desirable to provide a light irradiation part inside the spout as in the above-described water spraying device 501. However, if this is done, the spout will become larger, or it is necessary to design the light irradiation part according to the shape of the spout. In addition, it is difficult to retrofit a light irradiation part to an existing water spraying device that does not have a water flow light guiding function, and a technology that enables this has been demanded.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The lighting unit of the present invention is a lighting unit attached between a spout that discharges water from a water discharge port, which is an outlet opening of a flow path, and a pipe that supplies water to the flow path, and includes a water channel pipe disposed between the pipe and the flow path, and a light irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the water in the flow path. The light irradiation unit has a light source and a light guide that guides the light from the light source. The light guide extends from the inside of the water channel pipe toward the flow path side, and a light emitting surface, which is an end surface thereof, is disposed in the flow path. In a rod shape It is characterized in that it extends and the light emitting surface, which is the end surface thereof, is disposed in the flow path.

[0011] The water discharging device of the present invention is characterized by including the above lighting unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] By using the lighting unit of the present invention, a water flow light guiding function can be imparted to the water discharging device without affecting the size and shape of the spout. In addition, a water flow light guiding function can be added to an existing water discharging device that does not have a water flow light guiding function.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

[0014] A "water discharger" equipped with a "lighting unit" according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0015] The water discharge device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is applied to a bathtub. The bathtub is equipped with a bathtub body that stores hot and cold water, a water discharge device 1 that discharges hot and cold water into the bathtub body, a hose (corresponding to "piping") 10 that sucks the hot and cold water from the bathtub body and sends it to the water discharge device 1, and a pump.

[0016] The water-discharging device 1 has a flow path 20 (shown in Figure 3) through which hot and cold water flows, and is equipped with a spout 2 that discharges hot and cold water from a water outlet 25 which is the outlet opening of the flow path 20, a lighting unit 5 attached between the spout 2 and the hose 10, a fixing member 6 that fixes the lighting unit 5 to the spout 2, a bubble generator (not shown) that mixes air bubbles into the hot and cold water in the flow path 20, a control unit that controls these, and an operation unit (attached to the wall of the bathroom, etc.) that inputs instructions to the control unit.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flow path 20 has an ascending section 21 that extends vertically and extends above the top surface of the bathtub body, a large flow path section 22 that is continuous with the ascending section 21 and extends horizontally toward the inside of the bathtub body, a small flow path section 24 that is located downstream of the large flow path section 22 and extends horizontally in a straight line to the spout 25 and has a narrower flow path than the large flow path section 22, and an intermediate section 23 that is located between the large flow path section 22 and the small flow path section 24 and has a gradually narrower flow path as it goes from the large flow path section 22 to the small flow path section 24.

[0018] The water discharge port 25 is formed in a slit shape extending in the width direction of the bathtub main body. The water discharge port 25 is located above the upper surface of the bathtub main body. The ascending part 21 has a circular cross-section of the flow path, while the large flow path part 22, the intermediate part 23, and the small flow path part 24 have a rectangular cross-section of the flow path (a rectangle with the longitudinal direction of the water discharge port 25 as the long side).

[0019] In this example, the hot water in the bathtub main body is sent to the flow path 20 of the spout 2 through a pump (not shown), a hose 10, and a water pipe 4 described later. This hot water rises through the ascending part 21, spreads left and right (in the longitudinal direction of the water discharge port 25) in the large flow path part 22, passes through the intermediate part 23, and when passing through the small flow path part 24, the flow velocity increases and the momentum becomes stronger, and is discharged substantially horizontally from the water discharge port 25 toward the inside of the bathtub main body. That is, the spout 2 in this example is configured to discharge hot water toward the neck and shoulders of the bather when the bather presses their back against the wall surface of the bathtub main body. W in FIG. 3 represents the hot water discharged from the water discharge port 25.

[0020] The lighting unit 5 includes a water pipe 4 disposed between the hose 10 and the flow path 20, and a light irradiation unit 3 that irradiates light onto the hot water in the flow path 20.

[0021] The water pipe 4 is made of white resin. The water pipe 4 integrally has a water pipe flow path 40 that connects the hose 10 and the flow path 20, and a light guide mounting portion 41 provided inside the water pipe flow path 40.

[0022] The light irradiation unit 3 has a substrate 30, an LED (corresponding to a light source) 31 mounted on the substrate 30, a heat sink 33 and a fan 34, an LED case 35 that houses these, a light guide 32 that guides the light from the LED 31, and an O-ring 36.

[0023] The LED case 35 is disposed outside the water pipe flow path 40 and fixed to the water pipe 4. The light guide 32 is attached to the light guide mounting portion 41, so that its light incident surface 32a is disposed opposite to the LED 31. The O-ring 36 is attached to a groove 32c (shown in FIG. 5) on the outer periphery of the light guide 32 to waterproof between the light guide mounting portion 41 and the light guide 32.

[0024] The light guide 32 is an injection-molded product made of a light-transmissive material, such as transparent acrylic, and is formed in a rod shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. One end face in the longitudinal direction of the light guide 32 serves as the light incident surface 32a, and the other end face serves as the light exit surface 32b. The end portion on the light incident surface 32a side of the light guide 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the cylindrical light guide mounting portion 41 and attached to the light guide mounting portion 41. The intermediate portion of the light guide 32 is disposed within the rising portion 21, and the light exit surface 32b is disposed directly above the rising portion 21 within the large flow rate portion 22.

[0025] Also, in the light guide 32 of this example, the end portion on the light exit surface 32b side is bent toward the water discharge port 25 at two locations so as to guide the incident light in the direction of the water discharge port 25. Further, in the light guide 32 of this example, the light exit surface 32b is configured with multiple faces so as to diverge the emitted light at a wide angle in the longitudinal direction of the water discharge port 25.

[0026] Such a light irradiation unit 3 irradiates the hot water in the large flow path portion 22 with light and also irradiates light toward the water discharge port 25. This light is guided through the hot water and guided out of the water discharge port 25. Note that the dashed-dotted line L in FIGS. 3 and 4 shows an example of the path of the light emitted from the LED 31.

[0027] Note that it is not essential to configure the water channel tube 4 with a white resin, but by doing so, the light leaking from the light guide 32 is reflected by the white water channel tube 4, and a reduction in the light amount can be suppressed.

[0028] Similar to the water spraying device 501 (see Fig. 12) of the conventional example, when the water spraying device 1 sprays hot water from the water outlet 25 with the LED 31 and the bubble generator turned on, the light guided through the sprayed hot water is reflected and diffused on the surface of the bubbles, making the hot water itself appear to glow. Also, when the water spraying device 1 sprays hot water from the water outlet 25 with the LED 31 turned on and the bubble generator turned off, the light reaches the water surface of the bathtub body while repeatedly undergoing total internal reflection in the sprayed hot water, and due to diffuse reflection at this water surface, the water surface appears to glow. When this hot water contacts an object such as a human body instead of the water surface, the contacted object is brightly illuminated.

[0029] Moreover, since the water spraying device 1 uses the lighting unit 5 described above, a water flow light guiding function can be imparted to the water spraying device 1 without affecting the size and shape of the spout 2. That is, the spout 2 of the water spraying device 1 can be made smaller and simpler than the spout 502 of the water spraying device 501 of the conventional example, and has a high degree of design freedom. Also, the above-described lighting unit 5 can be retrofitted to an existing water spraying device that does not have a water flow light guiding function composed of the spout 2 and the hose 10, and by doing so, the water flow light guiding function can be easily added.

[0030] The "water spraying device" equipped with the "lighting unit" according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. In Figs. 6 and 7, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0031] The water spraying device 101 shown in Fig. 6 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the light irradiation unit 103 of the lighting unit 105.

[0032] The light irradiation unit 103 has a light guide 132 shown in Fig. 7 instead of the light guide 32 of the first embodiment, and further has a reflector 37.

[0033] The light guide 132 has a flat light emitting surface 132b formed on the other end surface. This light emitting surface 132b is disposed directly above the rising portion 21 in the large flow rate portion 22.

[0034] The reflector 37 is for reflecting the light emitted from the light-emitting surface 132b toward the water discharge port 25 and diverging it at a wide angle in the longitudinal direction of the water discharge port 25. The reflecting surface 37a of the reflector 37 is formed in a convex curved surface shape and is subjected to metal vapor deposition processing. In this example, the reflector 37 is integrally formed with the light guide 132, but the reflector 37 may be formed separately from the light guide 132.

[0035] Such a light irradiation unit 103 irradiates the hot water in the large flow path portion 22 with light and irradiates light toward the water discharge port 25, similarly to the first embodiment. This light is guided through the hot water and is guided outside the water discharge port 25.

[0036] A "water discharge device" equipped with a "lighting unit" according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-described embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] The water discharge device 201 shown in FIG. 8 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the light irradiation unit 203 of the lighting unit 205.

[0038] The light irradiation unit 203 has a light guide 232 shown in FIG. 9 instead of the light guide 32 of the first embodiment, and further has the reflector 37 described in the second embodiment.

[0039] The light guide 232 has a light guide body 38 and a hollow cylindrical portion 39 that houses the light guide body 38, and in this example, these are integrally formed. Also in this example, the reflector 37 is integrally formed with the light guide 232.

[0040] The light guide body 38 is formed in a rod shape, one end surface in its longitudinal direction is the light incident surface 38a, and the other end surface is the light emitting surface 38b.

[0041] The hollow cylindrical portion 39 hermetically houses the entire light guide body 38, forming an air layer around the light guide body 38. Note that the hollow cylindrical portion 39 may be formed separately from the light guide body 38. In that case, the portions of the hollow cylindrical portion 39 through which light passes (the portions facing the light incident surface 38a and the light emitting surface 38b) must be made of a light transmissive material. The other portions may be made of a white resin or the like.

[0042] Such a light irradiation unit 203 irradiates the hot water in the large flow path portion 22 with light and irradiates light toward the water discharge port 25, similar to the first and second embodiments. This light is guided through the hot water and guided outside the water discharge port 25. Further, in the light irradiation unit 203 of this example, since an air layer is formed around the light guide body 38 by the hollow cylindrical portion 39, the light reflectance can be increased as compared with the case where the light guide body 38 is directly in contact with water.

[0043] A "water discharge device" provided with a "lighting unit" according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the above-described embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] The water discharge device 301 shown in FIG. 10 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the light irradiation unit 303 of the lighting unit 305.

[0045] The light irradiation unit 303 has a light guide body 332 shown in FIG. 11 instead of the light guide body 32 of the first embodiment. The light guide body 332 has a light guide body main body 338 and a hollow cylindrical portion 339 that houses the light guide body main body 338, and in this example, these are integrally formed.

[0046] The light guide body main body 338 is formed in a rod shape, one end surface in the longitudinal direction is the light incident surface 338a, and the other end surface is the light emitting surface 338b. The light emitting surface 338b is disposed directly above the rising portion 21 in the large flow rate portion 22.

[0047] In this example, the reflector 37 is not used, and the light exit surface 338b of the light guide body 338 is formed flat. The end of the light guide body 338 on the light exit surface 338b side is bent at two points toward the water outlet 25 so as to guide the incident light in the direction of the water outlet 25.

[0048] As in the third embodiment, the hollow cylinder 339 hermetically houses the entire light guide body 338 , and forms an air layer around the light guide body 338 .

[0049] As in the first to third embodiments, this type of light emitting unit 303 irradiates light onto the hot and cold water in the large flow path portion 22 and also irradiates light towards the water outlet 25. This light is guided through the hot and cold water and then guided to the outside of the water outlet 25. Furthermore, the simply configured light emitting unit 303 of this example is suitable for combination with a small spout 2.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the light guide and the water pipe are molded separately, but they may be molded integrally. In the case of integral molding, the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the light guide may be made of a transparent resin, and the water pipe may be made of a white resin, and these may be molded integrally by two-color molding.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the water discharge device is applied to a bathtub, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to apply it to a water faucet in a washroom, kitchen, etc.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the water discharge device is provided with a bubble generator. However, the bubble generator is not an essential component of the present invention, and the water discharge device does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0053] The above-described embodiment is merely a representative example of the present invention. In other words, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1,101,201,301 Water spraying device 2 Spout 3,103,203,303 Light irradiation unit 4 Water pipe 5,105,205,305 Lighting unit 10 Hose (pipe) 20 Flow path 25 Water outlet 31 LED (light source) 32,132,232,332 Light guide

Claims

1. A lighting unit attached between a spout that discharges water from a water discharge port, which is an outlet opening of a flow path, and a pipe that supplies water to the flow path, a water pipe disposed between the pipe and the flow path, and a light irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the water in the flow path, wherein the light irradiation unit has a light source and a light guide that guides light from the light source, the light guide extends in a rod shape from inside the water pipe toward the flow path side, and a light emission surface, which is an end surface thereof, is disposed in the flow path characterizing the lighting unit.

2. The lighting unit according to claim 1, further comprising a hollow cylindrical portion that forms an air layer around the light guide by housing the light guide.

3. The lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light emission surface toward the water discharge port side.

4. The lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light emission surface is configured with multiple surfaces so as to diverge the emitted light at a wide angle.

5. The lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light guide and the water pipe are integrally formed.

6. The lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light guide is made of a transparent resin and the water pipe is made of a white resin.

7. A water discharge device including the lighting unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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