Valve device and faucet device

Abstract

To provide a valve device and a faucet device capable of improving wear resistance.SOLUTION: A valve device in a closed structure according to an embodiment includes a valve guide member, a lever, a lever guide member, and a spacer. The valve guide member is attached to a movable valve element for guiding the movement of the movable valve element relative to a fixed valve element. The lever is rotatably connected to the valve guide member. The lever guide member is arranged above the valve guide member and guides the rotation of the lever. The spacer is arranged between the valve guide member and the lever guide member and fixed to the upper face of the valve guide member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a valve device and a faucet device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a faucet device in which a valve device housed in a main body portion operates in response to an operation of a handle, and the flow rate and temperature of washing water can be adjusted by such an operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, as the above-described valve device, for example, there is known a valve device having a so-called close structure in which washing water supplied from a water supply source flows from an inflow passage of a fixed valve body into a movable valve body, and the washing water flowing into the movable valve body flows out through an outflow passage of the fixed valve body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art, there is room for improvement in terms of improving the wear resistance in the valve device. That is, in the valve device, the lever rotates in response to an operation of the handle, and the flow rate and temperature of the washing water are adjusted by moving the movable valve body relative to the fixed valve body by the rotation of the lever.

[0005] A valve guide member for guiding the movement of the movable valve body is attached to the above-described movable valve body. Since such a valve guide member is arranged so as to contact a lever guide member that guides the rotation of the lever in the valve device, it slides with respect to the lever guide member when moving the movable valve body.

[0006] Here, in the valve device with a close structure, the part where the valve guide member contacts and slides on the lever guide member is a part that is not submerged by the washing water. In other words, it is a part where dry sliding occurs. Therefore, when the valve guide member moves the movable valve body by the rotation of the lever, it may wear due to sliding against the lever guide member, and there is room for improvement.

[0007] One aspect of the embodiment aims to provide a valve device and a faucet device capable of improving wear resistance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One aspect of the embodiment is a valve device with a close structure, comprising a valve guide member attached to a movable valve body and guiding the movement of the movable valve body with respect to a fixed valve body, a lever rotatably connected to the valve guide member, a lever guide member disposed above the valve guide member and guiding the rotation of the lever, and a spacer disposed between the valve guide member and the lever guide member and fixed to the upper surface of the valve guide member.

[0009] Thereby, the wear resistance of the valve device can be improved. That is, since the spacer is disposed between the valve guide member and the lever guide member and fixed to the upper surface of the valve guide member, for example, in the valve guide member, when moving the movable valve body, the spacer slides with respect to the lever guide member.

[0010] In other words, since the spacer is fixed to the upper surface of the valve guide member, the valve guide member does not directly contact the lever guide member and does not slide with respect to the lever guide member when moving the movable valve body.

[0011] Also, the valve device has a close structure, and the positions where the valve guide member, the spacer, and the lever guide member are disposed are not submerged. That is, the spacer fixed to the valve guide member and the lever guide member perform dry sliding.

[0012] In such a valve device with a closed structure, by fixing the spacer to the valve guide member, it becomes possible to prevent the valve guide member from sliding relative to the lever guide member. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the valve guide member from wearing due to sliding relative to the lever guide member as in the prior art, and thus the wear resistance of the valve device can be improved.

[0013] Also, since wear due to sliding is suppressed in the valve guide member, the strength of the valve guide member can be ensured (maintained).

[0014] Further, for example, when aiming to miniaturize the valve device, a relatively high surface pressure may act between the lever guide member and the valve guide member, and strength is required of the valve guide member. On the other hand, when trying to improve the strength of the valve guide member, it is necessary to select a member made of a material with relatively low wear resistance. Even in such a case, by fixing the above-described spacer to the valve guide member and disposing it between the valve guide member and the lever guide member, wear of the valve guide member can be suppressed, and a material with higher strength but not high wear resistance can be used for the valve guide member. Thus, while improving the wear resistance of the valve device, the strength of the valve guide member can be ensured (improved).

[0015] Further, the spacer is formed of polybutylene terephthalate, and the lever guide member is formed of polyacetal.

[0016] In this way, by forming the spacer of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), the wear resistance can be improved, and as a result, the wear resistance in the valve device including the spacer can be further improved. Also, by forming the lever guide member of polyacetal (POM), the strength required for holding and guiding the lever can be ensured.

[0017] Further, the spacer is characterized by including a notch formed in a shape corresponding to a valve guide side notch formed in the valve guide member.

[0018] Accordingly, in the spacer, for example, by aligning the notch with the valve guide side notch, it becomes possible to easily assemble the spacer to the valve guide member. Therefore, even when the spacer is provided, it is possible to suppress a decrease in assemblability.

[0019] Further, the spacer is characterized by including an engaging portion formed in the notch and engageable with the valve guide side notch.

[0020] In this way, since the spacer includes the engaging portion, the spacer can be securely fixed to the valve guide member, and it is possible to suppress the spacer and the valve guide member from coming off and separating after assembly.

[0021] Further, since the engaging portion is formed in the notch, for example, it can function as a stopper against rotation of the spacer in the circumferential direction after assembly. That is, by forming the engaging portion in the notch, it is possible to prevent the spacer from rotating in the circumferential direction with respect to the valve guide member after assembly.

[0022] A faucet device according to an aspect of the embodiment is characterized by including the above-described valve device and a main body portion in which the valve device is housed.

[0023] Accordingly, in the faucet device, it is possible to improve the wear resistance in the valve device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to an aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to improve the wear resistance in the valve device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the valve device and the faucet device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Also, the drawings are schematic, and it should be noted that the dimensional relationships and ratios of the respective elements may differ from reality. There may also be portions where the dimensional relationships and ratios differ between the drawings.

[0027] First, the overall configuration of a faucet device including a valve device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a faucet device 1 including a valve device 10 according to an embodiment.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the faucet device 1 includes a main body portion 2, a water discharge portion 3, an operation handle 4, and a valve device 10. The main body portion 2 is formed in a hollow shape and houses the valve device 10 and the like. For example, the main body portion 2 is cylindrical, has openings at the upper end and the lower end, and is formed to extend along the vertical direction. The main body portion 2 is installed on a counter A such as a washbasin or a kitchen sink.

[0029] The water discharging part 3 is provided so as to protrude laterally from the outer peripheral surface of the main body part 2 and discharges water (washing water). For example, the water discharging part 3 includes a water discharge pipe 3a and a water discharge port 3b, and discharges the water flowing out from the valve device 10 described later from the water discharge port 3b through the water discharge pipe 3a. The expression "water" may be used in the meaning including, for example, normal temperature water, hot water, hot and cold mixed water, cold water, etc. in addition to normal temperature water.

[0030] The operation handle 4 is rotatably provided at the upper end of the main body part 2. The valve device 10 operates according to the operation of the operation handle 4, and the flow rate and temperature of water are adjusted by such operation. That is, the valve device 10 is a device (valve mechanism) for adjusting the flow rate and temperature of the water discharged from the water discharging part 3, and is a so-called single lever cartridge. The configuration of the valve device 10 will be described in detail later.

[0031] The faucet device 1 configured as described above can adjust the mixing ratio of the water (for example, tap water) supplied from the water supply hose 5 and the hot water supplied from the hot water supply hose 6 by rotating the operation handle 4 horizontally around the central axis B in the vertical direction (see arrow C1) with the valve device 10. Further, the faucet device 1 can adjust the flow rate of the water discharged from the water discharging part 3 by rotating the operation handle 4 in the vertical direction (see arrow C2) with the valve device 10.

[0032] In this way, the faucet device 1 is a so-called single lever type faucet device (specifically, a hot and cold mixed water faucet device) that can adjust the flow rate and temperature of water by operating one operation handle 4 and discharge water from the water discharging part 3. The main body part 2, the water discharging part 3, and the operation handle 4 described above are external appearance members (outer shell members) of the faucet device 1.

[0033] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the configuration of the valve device 10 housed inside the faucet device 1 according to the embodiment (more precisely, inside the main body portion 2) will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the valve device 10 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2. Note that in FIG. 3, for the purpose of understanding the internal structure of the valve device 10, the valve device 10 is shown in a state where the upper casing member 11 described later is removed.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the valve device 10 includes an upper casing member 11 (not shown in FIG. 3), a lower casing member 12, a fixed valve body 13, a movable valve body 14, a valve guide member 15, a spacer 16, a lever guide member 17, and a lever 18. Note that in FIG. 2, the fixed valve body 13, the movable valve body 14, the valve guide member 15, and the spacer 16 are hidden by the upper casing member 11 and are not visible.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the upper casing member 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has openings at the upper and lower ends. The lower casing member 12 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape (in other words, a disk shape). The lower casing member 12 is attached to the upper casing member 11 so as to watertightly seal the lower opening of the upper casing member 11.

[0036] Inside the upper casing member 11 and the lower casing member 12 attached as described above, a part (lower part) of the fixed valve body 13, the movable valve body 14, the valve guide member 15, the spacer 16, the lever guide member 17, and the lever 18 is housed. Note that in the faucet device 1 (see FIG. 1), the valve device 10 is housed in the main body portion 2 in a state where the lower casing member 12 is connected to a valve seat (not shown) located below.

[0037] In the lower casing member 12, a water inflow passage (not shown), a hot water inflow passage (not shown), and a hot water and cold water mixed water outflow passage 12a are formed. A water supply hose 5 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the water inflow passage of the lower casing member 12 via a water supply passage drilled in a valve seat. A hot water supply hose 6 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the hot water inflow passage of the lower casing member 12 via a hot water supply passage drilled in a valve seat. The hot water and cold water mixed water outflow passage 12a of the lower casing member 12 communicates with the water discharge portion 3.

[0038] The fixed valve body 13 is fixed to the lower casing member 12. In the fixed valve body 13, a water inflow passage (not shown), a hot water inflow passage (not shown), and a hot water and cold water mixed water outflow passage 13a are formed. The water inflow passage of the fixed valve body 13 communicates with the water inflow passage of the lower casing member 12, and the hot water inflow passage communicates with the hot water inflow passage of the lower casing member 12. The hot water and cold water mixed water outflow passage 13a of the fixed valve body 13 communicates with the hot water and cold water mixed water outflow passage 12a of the lower casing member 12.

[0039] The movable valve body 14 is disposed above the fixed valve body 13 so as to be slidable and rotatable. A flow passage 14a is formed in the movable valve body 14. As will be described later, the movable valve body 14 moves relative to the fixed valve body 13 by the rotation of a lever 18 according to the operation of the operation handle 4, closes (shuts off) the water inflow passage and the hot water inflow passage of the fixed valve body 13, or opens the water inflow passage and / or the hot water inflow passage of the fixed valve body 13 to communicate with the hot water and cold water mixed water outflow passage 13a of the fixed valve body 13 through the flow passage 14a.

[0040] In FIG. 4, the movable valve body 14 (more precisely, the flow passage 14a) in a state where the water inflow passage and the hot water inflow passage of the fixed valve body 13 are communicated with the hot water and cold water mixed water outflow passage 13a of the fixed valve body 13 through the flow passage 14a is shown by an imaginary line. In such a communicated state, as shown by an arrow D in FIG. 4, the valve device 10 allows the water supplied from the water supply hose 5 and the hot water supply hose 6 (see FIG. 1) to flow from the water inflow passage and the hot water inflow passage (not shown) of the fixed valve body 13 into the flow passage 14a of the movable valve body 14, and allows the water flowing into the flow passage 14a of the movable valve body 14 to flow out through the hot water and cold water mixed water outflow passage 13a of the fixed valve body 13 and the hot water and cold water mixed water outflow passage 12a of the lower casing member 12, and discharges the water from the water discharge portion 3 (see FIG. 1).

[0041] As described above, the valve device 10 according to this embodiment is a valve device having a closed structure (closed type). Specifically, the valve device 10 has a structure in which a water flow path is formed by a lower casing member 12, a fixed valve body 13, a movable valve body 14, etc., and a member above the movable valve body 14 (for example, a valve guide member 15, a spacer 16, a lever guide member 17, etc.) is structured not to be submerged (non-submersible type).

[0042] Continuing the description of the valve device 10, the valve guide member 15 is attached to the upper part of the movable valve body 14. The lower end 18a of the lever 18 is connected to an opening 15c formed near the center of the valve guide member 15, and guides the movement of the movable valve body 14 relative to the fixed valve body 13 according to the operation of the lever 18. Details of the configuration of the valve guide member 15 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 and subsequent figures.

[0043] The spacer 16 is disposed between the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17 and is attached to the valve guide member 15. Details of the configuration of the spacer 16 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 and subsequent figures.

[0044] The lever guide member 17 is disposed above the spacer 16, in other words, above the valve guide member 15 to which the spacer 16 is attached. The lever guide member 17 guides the rotation (operation) of the lever 18 while holding the lever 18.

[0045] The lever 18 is a member for operating the movable valve body 14. For example, the lever 18 is a rod-shaped member, the lower end 18a is rotatably connected (fitted) to the valve guide member 15, and the upper end is connected to the operation handle 4 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, when the operation handle 4 is operated, the lever 18 rotates, and the movable valve body 14 is operated (moved) via the valve guide member 15 to which the spacer 16 is attached.

[0046] For example, in the water shut-off state, the movable valve body 14 is arranged to close (shut) the water inflow passage and the hot water inflow passage of the fixed valve body 13. When the operation handle 4 is operated upward, the lever 18 rotates, and the movable valve body 14 translates on the fixed valve body 13, opening the water inflow passage and the (or) hot water inflow passage of the fixed valve body 13. As a result, the water and hot water supplied from the water supply hose 5 (see FIG. 1) and the hot water supply hose 6 flow into the flow passage 14a of the movable valve body 14 through the water inflow passage and the hot water inflow passage of the lower casing member 12 and the water inflow passage and the hot water inflow passage of the fixed valve body 13 and are mixed. The hot water mixed water mixed in the flow passage 14a flows out from the hot water mixed water outflow passage 13a of the fixed valve body 13 (see arrow D). The hot water mixed water flowing out from the hot water mixed water outflow passage 13a of the fixed valve body 13 passes through the hot water mixed water outflow passage 12a of the lower casing member 12 and is discharged from the water discharge port 3b (see FIG. 1) through the water discharge pipe 3a of the water discharge part 3.

[0047] Also, when the operation handle 4 is operated in the vertical direction (see arrow C2 in FIG. 1), the lever 18 rotates, and the movable valve body 14 translates on the fixed valve body 13. As a result, the flow rates of the water and hot water flowing through the water inflow passage and the hot water inflow passage of the fixed valve body 13 change, and the flow rate of the hot water mixed water flowing out from the valve device 10 changes according to the moving amount of the movable valve body 14. Further, when the operation handle 4 is operated in the horizontal direction (see arrow C1 in FIG. 1) around the central axis B, the lever 18 rotates, and the movable valve body 14 rotates on the fixed valve body 13, changing the ratio of the flow rates of the water and hot water flowing through the water inflow passage and the hot water inflow passage of the fixed valve body 13, and changing the temperature of the hot water mixed water flowing out from the valve device 10.

[0048] In this way, the valve device 10 operates according to the operation of the operation handle 4 and can adjust the flow rate and temperature of the water (for example, hot water mixed water) discharged from the faucet device 1.

[0049] Next, the configurations of the valve guide member 15, the spacer 16, etc. will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the valve guide member 15 and the spacer 16. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the valve guide member 15 and the spacer 16. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the valve guide member 15 and the spacer 16 shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from below. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 5.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the valve guide member 15 is formed, for example, in a disk shape with a relatively thin thickness. The valve guide member 15 includes the above-described opening 15c, a valve guide side notch portion 15d, an engaged portion 15e, and a mounting portion 15f.

[0051] The opening 15c is a hole that penetrates along the vertical direction near the center of the valve guide member 15. Further, the opening 15c is formed by a cylindrical portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface 15a of the valve guide member 15. A lever 18 (see FIG. 4 etc.) is rotatably connected to such an opening 15c.

[0052] The valve guide side notch portion 15d is formed in a part of the outer periphery of the valve guide member 15 and is a portion that is notched in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. Such a valve guide side notch portion 15d is a portion that functions as a fulcrum when the valve guide member 15 rotates (moves).

[0053] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the valve guide member 15 is assembled to the main body portion 2, the convex portion 11a of the upper casing member 11 is disposed in the valve guide side notch portion 15d. The convex portion 11a is formed, for example, to protrude radially inward from the inner wall (inner peripheral surface) 11b of the upper casing member 11 and is disposed within the valve guide side notch portion 15d. Thereby, the valve guide member 15 can rotate (move) on the fixed valve body 13 with the valve guide side notch portion 15d where the convex portion 11a is disposed as a fulcrum.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the engaged portion 15e is a portion where the engaging portion 16e of the spacer 16 described later engages. For example, the engaged portion 15e is formed on the outer peripheral side of the valve guide member 15. Specifically, the engaged portion 15e is a step formed at each of two end portions on the outer peripheral side of the valve guide side notch portion 15d. That is, a plurality (here, two) of engaged portions 15e are formed in the valve guide side notch portion 15d. Note that the position and number of the above-described engaged portions 15e are merely illustrative and not limited.

[0055] The attachment portion 15f is a portion for attaching the valve guide member 15 to the movable valve element 14 (see FIG. 4). For example, as shown in FIG. 7 and the like, a plurality (for example, three) of attachment portions 15f are formed along the outer periphery of the lower surface 15b of the valve guide member 15. Further, the attachment portion 15f is formed so as to protrude downward from the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface 15b. Then, the valve guide member 15 is attached to the movable valve element 14 by disposing the upper portion of the movable valve element 14 at a position surrounded by these three attachment portions 15f. Note that the position and number of the attachment portions 15f are merely illustrative and not limited.

[0056] As described above, the valve guide member 15 is a member that is attached to the movable valve element 14, to which the lever 18 is connected, and that transmits the torque due to the operation (rotation) of the lever 18 to the movable valve element 14. Therefore, the valve guide member 15 is formed of a material having a relatively high strength.

[0057] For example, the valve guide member 15 is formed of a resin material (in other words, it is made of resin). As the resin material of the valve guide member 15, for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or the like can be used, and as an example, PPS-GF40 (polyphenylene sulfide blended with 40% glass fiber) or the like can be used, but it is not limited thereto.

[0058] Thus, since the valve guide member 15 is formed of a material with relatively high strength (here, PPS), for example, the strength of the valve guide member 15 necessary for receiving the torque due to the operation of the lever 18 and transmitting it to the movable valve body 14 can be appropriately ensured.

[0059] Next, the spacer 16 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the spacer 16 is formed, for example, in a disk shape with a relatively thin thickness, specifically, a disk shape with a thickness thinner than that of the valve guide member 15.

[0060] Further, the spacer 16 is attached and fixed to the upper surface 15a of the valve guide member 15. Specifically, the spacer 16 is fixed to the valve guide member 15 in a state where the lower surface 16b faces the upper surface 15a of the valve guide member 15. Note that the fixing of the spacer 16 to the valve guide member 15 uses an engaging portion 16e (described later), an engaged portion 15e, etc., which will be described later.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, the valve guide member 15 to which the spacer 16 is fixed is disposed below the lever guide member 17 in a state where the valve guide member 15 and the like are assembled to the main body portion 2. Therefore, the spacer 16 is disposed between the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17.

[0062] Thereby, in the present embodiment, the wear resistance of the valve device 10 can be improved. More specifically, the spacer 16 is disposed in the valve device 10 such that the upper surface 16a contacts the lower surface 17a of the lever guide member 17. Therefore, for example, in the valve guide member 15, when moving the movable valve body 14, the spacer 16 (accurately, the upper surface 16a of the spacer 16) slides with respect to the lever guide member 17 (accurately, the lower surface 17a of the lever guide member 17).

[0063] In other words, since the spacer 16 is fixed to the upper surface 15a of the valve guide member 15 according to the present embodiment, it does not come into direct contact with the lever guide member 17 and does not slide against the lever guide member 17 when moving the movable valve body 14.

[0064] Here, as described above, the valve device 10 has a closed structure, and the positions where the valve guide member 15, the spacer 16, and the lever guide member 17 are arranged are not submerged. That is, the spacer 16 fixed to the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17 perform dry sliding.

[0065] In the present embodiment, in such a valve device 10 having a closed structure, by fixing the spacer 16 to the valve guide member 15, it becomes possible to prevent the valve guide member 15 from sliding (dry sliding) against the lever guide member 17. Thereby, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the valve guide member 15 from being worn by sliding against the lever guide member 17 as in the prior art, and thus the wear resistance of the valve device 10 can be improved.

[0066] Further, since the valve guide member 15 according to the present embodiment is suppressed from being worn by sliding, the strength of the valve guide member 15 can be ensured (maintained).

[0067] Further, for example, when aiming to miniaturize the valve device 10, a relatively high surface pressure may act between the lever guide member 17 and the valve guide member 15, and the valve guide member 15 is required to have strength. On the other hand, when trying to improve the strength of the valve guide member 15, it is necessary to select a member made of a material with relatively low wear resistance. Even in such a case, in the present embodiment, the above-described spacer 16 is fixed to the valve guide member 15 and disposed between the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17, thereby suppressing the wear of the valve guide member 15. Although the wear resistance is not high, a stronger material can be used for the valve guide member 15. Thus, while improving the wear resistance of the valve device 10, the strength of the valve guide member 15 can be ensured (improved).

[0068] Continue the description of the spacer 16. The spacer 16 is a member that slides with respect to the lever guide member 17 as described above. Therefore, the spacer 16 is formed of a material with relatively high wear resistance, etc.

[0069] For example, the spacer 16 is formed of a resin material (in other words, it is made of resin). The resin material used for the spacer 16 is, for example, a different material (material quality) from the resin material used for the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17 described later. Specifically, as the resin material of the spacer 16, for example, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) etc. can be used, but it is not limited thereto.

[0070] In this way, by forming the spacer 16 of PBT, the wear resistance can be improved, and as a result, the wear resistance in the valve device 10 including the spacer 16 can be further improved.

[0071] Here, the material of the lever guide member 17 that contacts the spacer 16 will be described. The lever guide member 17 is a member that contacts the spacer 16 as described above. Also, the lever guide member 17 is a member that guides the rotation of the lever 18 while holding the lever 18. Therefore, the lever guide member 17 is formed of a material having the strength necessary for holding and guiding the lever 18, etc.

[0072] For example, the lever guide member 17 is formed of a resin material (in other words, it is made of resin). The resin material used for the lever guide member 17 is, for example, a different material (material quality) from the resin material used for the spacer 16. Specifically, as the resin material of the lever guide member 17, for example, POM (polyacetal) etc. can be used, but it is not limited thereto.

[0073] In this way, by forming the lever guide member 17 of POM, the strength necessary for holding and guiding the lever 18 can be ensured.

[0074] As described above, the materials of the spacer 16 and the lever guide member 17 are different from each other. Therefore, problems such as linking that occur when sliding the same material can be avoided. In particular, PBT has good compatibility with POM and can exhibit excellent slidability.

[0075] Subsequently, the shape of the spacer 16 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the spacer 16 includes an opening 16c, a notch portion 16d, and an engaging portion 16e.

[0076] The opening 16c is a hole drilled near the center of the spacer 16. The opening 16c is formed at a position corresponding to the opening 15c of the valve guide member 15. Therefore, the spacer 16 is inserted into the cylindrical portion forming the opening 15c of the valve guide member 15 with the opening 16c and is attached to the valve guide member 15.

[0077] The cutout portion 16d is formed to have a shape corresponding to the valve guide side cutout portion 15d of the valve guide member 15. For example, the cutout portion 16d is formed in a part of the outer periphery of the spacer 16 and is a portion cut out in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. Then, the spacer 16 is attached to the valve guide member 15 such that the cutout portion 16d coincides with the valve guide side cutout portion 15d.

[0078] As described above, since the spacer 16 is provided with the cutout portion 16d having a shape corresponding to the valve guide side cutout portion 15d, for example, by aligning the cutout portion 16d with the valve guide side cutout portion 15d, it becomes possible to easily assemble the spacer 16 to the valve guide member 15. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the spacer 16 is provided, it is possible to suppress a decrease in assemblability.

[0079] The engaging portion 16e is formed in the cutout portion 16d and is a portion that engages with the engaged portion 15e described above. For example, the engaging portion 16e is formed on the outer peripheral side of the spacer 16. Specifically, the engaging portion 16e is formed at two end portions on the outer peripheral side of the cutout portion 16d, respectively.

[0080] Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the engaging portion 16e includes claw portions 16e1. Specifically, the claw portions 16e1 are formed on the two engaging portions 16e, respectively. The two claw portions 16e1 are formed so as to extend in a direction away from each other along the circumferential direction from the lower end of the cutout portion 16d. Then, the spacer 16 is fixed to the valve guide member 15 by the claw portions 16e1 of the engaging portion 16e engaging with the step portion that is the engaged portion 15e.

[0081] As described above, by providing the spacer 16 with the engaging portion 16e, the spacer 16 can be securely fixed to the valve guide member 15, and it is possible to suppress the spacer 16 and the valve guide member 15 from coming off and separating after assembly.

[0082] In addition, since the engaging portion 16e is formed in the notch portion 16d, for example, it can function as a stopper against the circumferential rotation of the spacer 16 after assembly. That is, in the present embodiment, by forming the engaging portion 16e in the notch portion 16d, it is possible to prevent the spacer 16 from rotating in the circumferential direction with respect to the valve guide member 15 after assembly.

[0083] As described above, the valve device 10 of the close structure according to the embodiment includes a valve guide member 15, a lever 18, a lever guide member 17, and a spacer 16. The valve guide member 15 is attached to the movable valve body 14 and guides the movement of the movable valve body 14 with respect to the fixed valve body 13. The lever 18 is rotatably connected to the valve guide member 15. The lever guide member 17 is disposed above the valve guide member 15 and guides the rotation of the lever 18. The spacer 16 is disposed between the valve guide member 15 and the lever guide member 17 and is fixed to the upper surface 15a of the valve guide member 15. Thereby, the wear resistance in the valve device 10 can be improved.

[0084] Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1 Faucet device 10 Valve device 13 Fixed valve body 14 Movable valve body 15 Valve guide member 16 Spacer 17 Lever guide member 18 Lever

Claims

1. A valve device with a closed structure, a valve guide member attached to the movable valve body and guiding the movement of the movable valve body relative to the fixed valve body, a lever rotatably connected to the valve guide member, a lever guide member disposed above the valve guide member and guiding the rotation of the lever, and a spacer disposed between the valve guide member and the lever guide member and fixed to the upper surface of the valve guide member characterized in that the spacer is formed with a notch having a shape corresponding to a valve guide side notch formed in the valve guide member A valve device characterized by comprising the same.

2. The spacer is formed of polybutylene terephthalate, and the lever guide member is formed of polyacetal A valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The spacer is formed in the notch and has an engaging portion engageable with the valve guide side notch A valve device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises the same.

4. A faucet device characterized by comprising the valve device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a main body portion in which the valve device is housed characterized by comprising the same.

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