shower head

Abstract

To easily take resistance and abrasion caused by sliding with a sliding member arranged between relatively rotating members, into consideration for the relatively rotating members.SOLUTION: In a shower head 1 including a head case 10 and a discharging unit which is rotatable relative to the head case 10, engaging parts engaging the head case 10 and the discharging unit to be relatively rotatable are respectively provided on the head case 10 and the discharge unit. A sliding ring 40 is arranged between the engaging part of the head case 10 and the engaging part of the discharge unit. The sliding ring 40 is fixed not to be rotatable relative to one of the head case 10 and the discharging unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a showerhead, and more particularly to a showerhead with a rotating portion. [Background technology]

[0002] A shower head is known that allows the selection of different discharge patterns by switching the hot and cold water flow path by rotating the rotating part (Patent Document 1, paragraphs 0053, 0054, Figure 4, etc.). The shower head in Patent Document 1 has a sliding member (sliding surface forming member) disposed between a non-rotating part (switching member main body) that does not rotate relative to the head case and a rotating part that rotates relative to the head case, reducing sliding friction between the two. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-184941 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, this sliding member is not fixed to either the rotating part or the non-rotating part, and the sliding member may or may not rotate in accordance with the rotation of the rotating part. For this reason, the sliding between the rotating part and the non-rotating part and the sliding member is not constant, and it can be difficult to consider the resistance and wear caused by the sliding between the rotating part and the non-rotating part and the sliding member.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to make it easier to consider the resistance and wear that occurs when a relatively rotating member slides against a sliding member disposed between the rotating member and a sliding member in a shower head equipped with a rotating part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, in a shower head having a head case and a rotating part that is rotatable relative to the head case, engagement parts are provided on the head case and the rotating part that engage the head case and the rotating part so that they can rotate relative to each other, a sliding member is disposed between the engagement part of the head case and the engagement part of the rotating part, and the sliding member is fixed so as not to be rotatable relative to either the head case or the rotating part.

[0007] The shower head is a shower head that allows the selection of different hot and cold water discharge modes, the rotating part includes an operating part that allows the selection of the discharge mode by rotating, and the sliding member is fixed to the head case so that it cannot rotate.

[0008] The engaging portion of the head case includes an engaging piece, the engaging portion of the operation portion includes an engaging groove into which the engaging piece is inserted, and the sliding member is fitted inside the engaging groove. The sliding member is formed with a locking piece extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the operating unit, and the head case is formed with a locking protrusion for locking the locking piece. The sliding member is annular with ends, and the locking pieces are formed on both ends. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, in a showerhead having a rotating part, it is easy to take into consideration the resistance and wear that occurs when a relatively rotating member slides against a sliding member disposed therebetween. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a) is a front view of the discharge unit, FIG. 4(b) is a side view of the same, and FIG. 4(c) is a rear view of the same. [Figure 5]FIG. 5(a) is a front view of the operation unit, and FIG. 5(b) is a side view of the same. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a front view of the sliding ring, FIG. 6(b) is a bottom view of the same, and FIG. 6(c) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the same. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the sliding ring is attached to the front case. [Figure 8] Figure 8(a) is a partial cross-sectional view of the showerhead, and Figures 8(b) and 8(c) are enlarged views of the showerhead. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. Overview of Shower Head 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a showerhead 1. The showerhead 1 shown in the figure can dispense hot and cold water from the front tip, and the dispenser can be selected from three types: direct flow water (straight water), spray water (shower water), and mist water (mist water). A hose and faucet (not shown) are connected to the base of the showerhead 1, and hot and cold water, the temperature and flow rate of which is adjusted by the faucet, is sent to the showerhead 1 through the hose.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the showerhead 1. The showerhead 1 has a head case 10 that forms its outer shell, and an inner cup 20. The showerhead 1 also has a discharge unit 30 that serves as a rotating part that can rotate relative to the head case 10 and inner cup 20 and can switch between discharging hot and cold water from the inner cup 20 in different discharge modes. The showerhead 1 also has a sliding ring 40 that serves as a sliding member attached to the discharge unit 30. Note that the terms tip, base, front (front face), and rear (rear face) of the showerhead 1 and its constituent components refer to the directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 1.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, head case 10 has main case 11 and front case 12 that fits thereto, both of which are molded from ABS resin with metal-plated surfaces. Main case 11 is formed by integrally molding a cylindrical head portion 11A that has side walls 13 and a bottom wall 14 as engaging portions and is open at the front, and a semi-cylindrical back handle portion 11B that is connected to the base end of head portion 11A and is also open at the front. The side walls 13 and back handle portion 11B on the base end side of head portion 11A have lower front edges (lengths in the front-to-rear direction), and front case 12 is attached to this.

[0014] The front case 12 has a semi-cylindrical front handle portion 12A with an open back and an arc-shaped frame portion 12B integrally molded at the tip of the front handle portion 12A, forming a roughly Y-shape in a front view. The front surface of the frame portion 12B has a surface perpendicular to the side wall 13 of the head portion 11A, and has an engaging piece 15 as an engaging portion whose tip edge is concentric with the side wall 13 of the head portion 11A and has an arc-shaped engaging portion with a smaller diameter than the side wall 13. The engaging piece 15 is flush with the front edge of the side wall 13 and is located radially inward (in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the discharge unit 30) from an extension line of the side wall 13 (the path of the arc of the side wall 13 in a plan view extended to the base end). As shown in Figures 3 and 7, two locking protrusions 16 are formed on the back surface of the front case 12. Each locking projection 16 is formed at a position located a certain distance from the tip edge of the engaging piece 15 toward the base end, and the locking projection 16 is L-shaped with its front end extending to the tip. The sliding ring 40 is locked to this locking projection 16.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, an inner cup 20 is fixed to the bottom wall 14 of the head portion 11A with screws. The inner cup 20 has a connection portion 21 at its base end, which is connected to a pipe arranged in the handle of the head case 10 to supply hot and cold water into the inner cup 20. A pair of fan-shaped outlets 22 are formed on the front surface of the inner cup 20, and hot and cold water supplied into the inner cup 20 through the connection portion 21 is discharged from these outlets 22. A roughly disk-shaped flange 23 is formed radially outward from the outlets 22 of the inner cup 20. The discharge unit 30 is rotatably engaged with the inner cup 20 while its forward movement is restricted.

[0016] Regarding the discharge unit 30 The discharge unit 30 shown in Figures 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c) has an operating unit 50 that forms a rotating part at its outermost periphery. Inside the operating unit 50, the discharge unit 30 also has a switching unit 60 with three flow paths, a shower nozzle 70 that sprays water, a shower face 80 with mist holes, and a rectifier 90 that straightens and discharges DC water. The back of the discharge unit 30 is provided with a contact surface 61 formed on the switching unit 60, which has six fan-shaped openings formed around the periphery. The openings are paired, with two openings facing each other across the center of the contact surface 61, and each pair is designated a first opening 62, a second opening 63, and a third opening 64. Three flow paths are formed inside the switching section 60: a sprinkler flow path, a spray water flow path, and a direct current water flow path (not shown); the sprinkler flow path is connected to the first opening 62, the spray water flow path is connected to the second opening 63, and the direct current water flow path is connected to the third opening 64.

[0017] As shown in Figure 8(a), the contact surface 61 contacts the front surface of the inner cup 20 and faces the discharge port 22, and faces one of a first opening 62, a second opening 63, and a third opening 64 formed in the contact surface 61. Figure 8(a) shows a state in which the discharge port 22 faces the first opening 62. When the discharge unit 30 is rotated, the contact surface 61 also rotates, and the opening facing the discharge port 22 of the inner cup 20 switches to the second opening 63 or the third opening 64.

[0018] FIG. 5(a) shows a front view of the operating unit 50, and FIG. 5(b) shows a side view of the same. The operating unit 50 is made of ABS resin. The operating unit 50 has an annular surface portion 51 and an outer fitting tubular portion 52 that extends cylindrically rearward from the surface portion 51. An engagement rib 53 extending radially inward is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer fitting tubular portion 52. This engagement rib 53 engages with the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 23 of the inner cup 20 from behind, allowing the operating unit 50 to rotate while its forward movement relative to the inner cup 20 is restricted. In addition, a knob 54 that protrudes forward is formed at the base end of the surface portion 51. Note that the base end and tip end of the operating unit 50 refer to the tip end (top in the figure) and base end (bottom in the figure) when the operating unit 50 is at the rotation center (position in FIG. 1).

[0019] An engagement groove 55, which serves as an engagement portion and opens radially outward, is formed around the entire periphery on the back surface of the surface portion 51 and on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the outer fitting cylindrical portion 52. The engagement groove 55 has a U-shaped cross section, consisting of a front wall 56 located at the front, a rear wall 57 located at the rear and parallel to the front wall 56, and an inner wall 58 continuous with the front and rear walls 56 and 57. The front wall 56 is formed on the back surface of the surface portion 51, and has a radial width greater than that of the rear wall 57 and extends radially outward more than the rear wall 57. The outer diameter of the surface portion 51 is the same as the diameter of the side wall 13 of the head case 10. As shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 8(c), a sliding ring 40 is attached to the engagement groove 55 of the operating portion 50.

[0020] About the sliding ring 40 As shown in FIG. 6(a), the sliding ring 40 has an end-opening ring shape with an end 41 separated by a slit at its base end in a front view, forming a generally Ω-shaped configuration. Furthermore, locking pieces 42 are formed on both ends 41 of the sliding ring 40, extending radially outward, and a radially long locking hole 43 is formed in the center of each locking piece 42. As shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c), the sliding ring 40 has a U-shaped cross section that opens radially outward. It is integrally molded with a front piece 44 located at the front (upper part of FIG. 6(c)), a rear piece 45 located at the rear and parallel to the front piece 44, and a bottom piece 46 connecting the front piece 44 and the rear piece 45. The front piece 44 is longer radially outward than the rear piece 45 and extends radially outward beyond the rear piece 45. The sliding ring 40 is fitted into an engagement groove 55 of the operating portion 50, covering the entire inner circumferential surface of the engagement groove 55 (see FIG. 8). The sliding ring 40 is made of POM resin and is fitted into the engagement groove 55 of the operating part 50 by utilizing the expansion of the diameter caused by the elastic deformation of the resin. A semicircular cross-sectional projection 47 is formed around the entire periphery on the back surface of the rear piece 45 of the sliding ring 40. The locking piece 42 is formed integrally with the rear piece 45 of the sliding ring 40 by extending it radially outward.

[0021] Fig. 7 shows a configuration in which the sliding ring 40 is locked to the front case 12. Although not shown in Fig. 7, the sliding ring 40 is attached to the locking groove 55 of the operation unit 50, and the locking pieces 15 of the front case 12 are inserted between the front piece 44 and the rear piece 45 of the sliding ring 40 (see Fig. 8). Locking protrusions 16 formed on the front case 12 are inserted from the front side into locking holes 43 formed in each locking piece 42 of the sliding ring 40, and the edges of the locking holes 43 are hooked onto the hooks of the locking protrusions 16. Therefore, the sliding ring 40 is locked to the front case 12, i.e., the head case 10, so that it cannot rotate relative to the front case 12.

[0022] Internal structure of shower head 1 FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the showerhead 1. An inner cup 20 is fixed inside the head case 10. The operating part 50 of the discharge unit 30 engages with the inner cup 20, and the switching part 60 of the discharge unit 30 is screwed to the inner cup 20. The shower nozzle 70 is located behind the shower face 80, which is screwed into the operating part 50. A rectifier 90 is attached to the center. Therefore, the entire discharge unit 30 is rotatably engaged with the inner cup 20. In FIG. 8, a first opening 62 formed on the contact surface 61 of the discharge unit 30 faces the outlet 22 of the inner cup 20. Hot and cold water passing through a faucet and hose (not shown) enters the inner cup 20 through the connection part 21, then passes through the outlet 22 and enters the discharge unit 30 through the opposite first opening 62. The hot and cold water passes through the spray flow path in the discharge unit 30 and is sprayed from the shower nozzle 70 as a spray. Furthermore, gripping the knob 54 and rotating the operating part 50 clockwise or counterclockwise also rotates the contact surface 61 of the discharge unit 30. Then, the opening positioned opposite the discharge port 22 of the inner cup 20 changes to the second opening 63 or the third opening 64, and the hot and cold water flow path can be switched to the spray water flow path or the direct current water flow path.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 8 , the engagement piece 15 of the front case 12 is inserted into and engaged with the engagement groove 55 of the operation unit 50, and the front edge of the side wall 13 of the main case 11 is seated on and engaged with the front wall 56 of the engagement groove 55. A sliding ring 40 is mounted in the engagement groove 55. The sliding ring 40 is positioned between the front edge of the side wall 13 of the main case 11 and the engagement groove 55 of the operation unit 50, and between the engagement piece 15 of the front case 12 and the engagement groove 55 of the operation unit 50. Therefore, the head case 10 consisting of the main case 11 and the front case 12 and the discharge unit 30 including the operation unit 50 are not in direct contact at the engagement portion. Furthermore, when the operation unit 50 is rotated, the sliding ring 40 does not rotate because it is engaged with the front case 12, and instead rotates while sliding between the engagement groove 55 of the operation unit 50 and the sliding ring 40. Therefore, when the operating part 50 and the sliding ring 40 rotate relative to each other, the sliding surfaces are the walls of the engagement groove 55 of the operating part 50, which is not plated but made of resin, and the pieces of the sliding ring 40 that face these walls.

[0024] According to the showerhead 1 of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The sliding ring 40, which is disposed between the engagement portion of the head case 10 and the discharge unit 30 that rotates relative to it, is fixed so as not to be rotatable relative to the head case 10, but is rotatable relative to the discharge unit 30, specifically the operation portion 50. This makes it easier to consider the resistance and wear caused by the sliding of the sliding ring 40 on the head case 10 and the discharge unit 30, and makes it easier to select the material, shape, plating, and coating materials.

[0025] (2) The sliding ring 40 is non-rotatably locked to the head case 10, and rotating the operating unit 50 does not cause the sliding ring 40 to rotate. Therefore, even if the sliding ring 40 is positioned in a position visible to the user, the end 41 of the sliding ring 40 does not move irregularly within the position visible to the user as the sliding ring 40 rotates, and the design of the showerhead 1 is not impaired. Furthermore, because the sliding ring 40 and the head case 10 do not rotate relative to each other, even if the head case 10 is treated, such as by plating, the treated surface does not become a sliding surface with the sliding ring 40 and is therefore less likely to wear.

[0026] (3) The head case 10 is formed with an engagement piece 15, and the operating unit 50 is formed with an engagement groove 55 that is inserted into and engages with the engagement piece 15, and the sliding ring 40 is fitted into the engagement groove 55. Therefore, even if the sliding ring 40 rotates relative to the operating unit 50, it is difficult for it to come off from the operating unit 50.

[0027] (4) Locking pieces 42 extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the operating unit 50 are formed on the end 41 of the sliding ring 40, and locking protrusions 16 for locking the locking pieces 42 are formed on the head case 10. This makes it easy to lock the sliding ring 40 to the head case 10. In addition, because the hooks of the locking protrusions 16 hook into the locking holes 43 of the locking pieces 42, the sliding ring 40 is unlikely to come loose when the shower head 1 is in use.

[0028] (5) The sliding ring 40 has an end portion 41 and is made of POM resin. Therefore, the sliding ring 40 can be elastically deformed to expand its diameter, making it easy to attach the sliding ring 40 to the operating portion 50.

[0029] (6) The locking pieces 42 are formed on both ends 41 of the sliding ring 40. Therefore, even when the operating unit 50 is rotated, both ends 41 of the sliding ring 40 remain locked to the head case 10 and are less likely to be deformed.

[0030] (7) The sliding ring 40 has a U-shaped cross section and is fitted into the engagement groove 55 of the operating unit 50 to cover the engagement groove 55. Even when the engagement piece 15 of the head case 10 is engaged with the engagement groove 55 of the operating unit 50, there is no direct contact between the two because the sliding ring 40 is interposed between them.

[0031] (8) The front wall 56 of the engagement groove 55 extends radially outward further than the rear wall 57. The engagement pieces 15 of the head case 10 can be inserted into and engaged with the engagement groove 55, and other portions can be engaged by seating the front edges of the side walls 13 of the head case 10 on the front walls 56 of the engagement groove 55. In addition, the sliding ring 40 is attached so as to cover the engagement groove 55. Therefore, the rotating discharge unit 30 can be engaged with the head case 10 over the entire circumference via the sliding ring 40.

[0032] (9) The sliding ring 40 is integrally molded. This improves accuracy and simplifies installation compared to when the sliding ring 40 is made up of multiple components. The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0033] Although the sliding ring 40 has a configuration in which the end portion 41 is formed by sandwiching a slit at the base end, it may be endless. In this case, the locking piece 42 may be provided at at least one location. Although the sliding ring 40 is non-rotatably locked to the head case 10, it may also be non-rotatably locked to the operation unit 50. This is effective when plating or the like is applied to the operation unit 50. In this case, in order to suppress wear of the plated or painted surface, it is desirable to configure the treated surface so that it does not become a sliding surface.

[0034] While the showerhead 1 has three different discharge modes, two or more modes are acceptable. Also included in the different discharge modes are the discharge of hot and cold water and the stop of discharge, as well as the relationship between raw water and functional water. Functional water refers to, for example, purified water or water containing microbubbles.

[0035] Next, the technical ideas that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects. (a) The sliding ring 40 is integrally molded, which improves the precision of the sliding ring 40 and makes it easier to install. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1...shower head, 10...head case, 11...main body case, 12...front case, 13...side wall (engagement portion), 15...engagement piece (engagement portion), 16...locking protrusion, 20...inner cup, 30...discharge unit (rotating portion), 40...sliding ring (sliding member), 42...locking piece, 50...operating portion (rotating portion), 51...surface portion, 55...engagement groove (engagement portion).

Claims

1. A shower head having a head case and a rotating part that is rotatable relative to the head case, an engaging portion that engages the head case and the rotating portion so that the head case and the rotating portion are rotatable relative to each other is provided on the head case and the rotating portion; a sliding member is disposed between the engaging portion of the head case and the engaging portion of the rotating portion; The showerhead is characterized in that the sliding member is fixed to either the head case or the rotating part so as not to be rotatable relative to the head case or the rotating part.

2. The shower head is a shower head that can select different hot and cold water discharge patterns, the rotating unit includes an operation unit that can select the discharge form by rotating the operation unit, 2. The showerhead according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member is fixed to the head case so as not to be rotatable.

3. the engaging portion of the head case includes an engaging piece, and the engaging portion of the operation portion includes an engaging groove into which the engaging piece is inserted, 3. The shower head according to claim 2, wherein the sliding member is fitted into the engagement groove.

4. 4. The shower head according to claim 2, wherein the sliding member is formed with a locking piece extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the operating part, and the head case is formed with a locking protrusion that locks the locking piece.

5. 5. The shower head according to claim 4, wherein the sliding member is annular with ends, and the locking pieces are formed at both ends.

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