Non-freezing water tap

Abstract

To immediately shift from water cut-off mode to water supply mode without causing a time lag, thereby securing improved usability and operational feeling (comfortable operability).SOLUTION: An antifreeze water tap post comprises: an on-off valve mechanism Vf that blocks a water passage R at a lowest descending position Xd of a spool part 4s and opens the water passage R with rising variation from the lowest descending position Xd of the spool part 4s; an inner discharge passage 6 formed inside the spool part 4s and including an inflow port 6i positioned on a lower side and an outflow port 6e positioned on an upper side; a check valve mechanism Vnf that is attached to the inner discharge passage 6 and that blocks the inner discharge passage 6 with a predetermined water pressure of tap water W flowing in from the inflow port 6i; and a spool valve mechanism Vm that allows an outer discharge passage 7 facing outside and the outflow port 6e to communicate with each other at the lowest descending position Xd of the spool part 4s and allows the inflow port 6i and the water passage R to communicate with each other in a predetermined variation section Li of the spool part 4s that moves upward from the lowest descending position Xd.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a freeze-resistant water faucet column having a water riser pipe that is installed outdoors, such as in the garden of a house in a cold region. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, water faucet posts with a water outlet on a water riser pipe have often been installed outdoors, such as in the gardens of homes, and in cold regions in particular, antifreeze water faucet posts are often installed to prevent freezing. However, antifreeze water faucet posts usually require the antifreeze valve to be closed to drain water during cold seasons, which makes maintenance a hassle. To address this issue, the present applicant has already proposed in Patent Document 1 an antifreeze water faucet post equipped with an automatic drainage mechanism that automatically drains water when the outside air temperature is below a set temperature.

[0003] The antifreeze faucet column with an automatic water drainage mechanism described in the same document 1 aims to provide an antifreeze faucet column that can perform water inlet and outlet operations more accurately and easily through a rational mechanism that can automatically drain water when the outside air temperature is below a set temperature.Specifically, it is equipped with a water valve mechanism with a water drainage mechanism, a riser water channel, a water outlet section, an operating section, an intake shutoff valve that opens and closes the connecting section between the riser water channel and the water outlet section, and an intake opening and closing mechanism for automatic water drainage that connects to the riser water channel.The intake opening and closing mechanism for automatic water drainage has an intake port that connects to the outside and an air passage that connects to the riser water channel via an intake connecting section provided below the connecting section, and is configured with an intake check valve that closes the air passage when water is let out and opens the air passage when water is drained, and an intake temperature sensing valve section that closes the air passage when the outside air temperature is higher than a set temperature and opens the air passage so that water can be automatically drained when the outside air temperature is below the set temperature.

[0004] Figures 10 and 11 show the principle of operation of the antifreeze water faucet column described in the same document 1. Figure 10 shows the water stop mode or water drain mode, and Figure 11 shows the water supply mode. In the antifreeze water faucet column 100 shown in Figures 10 and 11, in the water stop mode shown in Figure 10, the convex valve body 103 on the lower end surface of the spool portion 102 of the spool valve mechanism 101 is inserted into the interior (inner surface) of the hole-shaped valve seat 104 to block the water passage 105 and maintain a stopped state for the tap water W. At this time, the O-ring valve 106 located below the spool portion 102 is in the open position. In the water stop mode, if the outside air temperature exceeds the set temperature, the residual water Wr in the water riser pipe 107 remains. In other words, the water stop mode is maintained.

[0005] In the water stop mode, if the outside air temperature drops below a set temperature, a temperature-sensing valve (not shown) installed at the top of the water riser pipe 107 automatically opens, allowing air to be drawn into the water riser pipe 107, transitioning to the water drain mode. The remaining water Wr is then discharged to the outside through a drainage channel 109 equipped with a check valve 108, as indicated by the dotted arrow. This prevents the remaining water Wr inside the water riser pipe 107 from freezing. To switch to the water supply mode, as shown in FIG. 11 , the handle (not shown) is operated to raise the spool 102. This first blocks the drainage channel 109 via the O-ring valve 106 of the spool 102. Furthermore, by raising the spool 102, the valve body 103 is disengaged from the valve seat 104, and the water passage 105 enters the water supply state. In the drawing, Po indicates the position of the valve body 103 when fully open, Pc indicates the position of the valve body 103 when fully closed (lowest position), and solid arrows W... indicate the direction in which tap water is supplied. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-180287 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, conventional antifreeze faucet posts, including the antifreeze faucet post described in Patent Document 1, have had the following problems to be solved.

[0008] 10 and 11, when switching from the water stop mode to the water supply mode, the drainage channel 109 must be closed before water supply begins. Therefore, the drainage channel 109 is first blocked by the O-ring valve 106. Then, the valve body 103 is moved away from the valve seat 104, and water supply to the water passage 105 begins. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11 (FIG. 10), the closed section of the valve body 103 in the water stop mode is set to a predetermined distance Li. In other words, if the lowest position of the valve body 103 in the water stop mode is Pc, the water supply is set to begin at a position Pcs, which is displaced upward by a predetermined distance Li from the lowest position Pc. By blocking the drainage channel 109 in the section leading to this position Pcs, tap water W flowing into the water passage 105 is prevented from entering the drainage channel 109.

[0009] As a result, when a user changes from a stopped state (water supply state) to a water supply (stopping water), there is a time lag, such as first turning the handle idly, and then after a certain amount of turning, water supply (water flow) begins.Therefore, there is room for further improvement from the perspective of ensuring good usability and operability (comfortable operability) for the user.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a freeze-resistant water faucet post that solves the problems that exist in the background art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the antifreeze water faucet column 1 of the present invention is provided with a water riser pipe 2 having a water outlet 2e at the top and a water passage R inside, an operating mechanism 3 attached to the water riser pipe 2, and a spool valve mechanism 4 that can be switched to at least a water supply mode Ms or a water drain mode Mr by a spool part 4s that is displaced up and down by the operating mechanism 3, and when configuring an antifreeze water faucet column, the antifreeze water faucet column is provided with an opening / closing valve mechanism Vf that blocks the water passage R when the spool part 4s is lowered to its lowest position Xd and opens the water passage R when the spool part 4s is raised from its lowest position Xd, an internal discharge channel 6 formed inside the spool part 4s and having an inlet 6i located at the bottom and an outlet 6e located at the top, and an opening / closing valve mechanism Vf that opens the water passage R when the spool part 4s is lowered to its lowest position Xd and The internal discharge passage 6 located on the 6i side is formed with a large diameter over a predetermined length, and is configured with an upstream discharge passage 11 formed in the vertical direction Fv with a valve seat hole portion 11h at its upper end, and a spherical ball valve portion 12 housed in this upstream discharge passage 11, thereby comprising a check valve mechanism portion Vnf that blocks the internal discharge passage 6 by a predetermined water pressure of tap water W flowing in from the inlet 6i during water supply mode, and a spool valve mechanism portion Vm that, at the lowest position Xd of the spool portion 4s, connects the outlet 6e to the external discharge passage 7 formed in the sleeve portion 4m that holds the spool portion 4s, and connects the inlet 6i to the water passage R during a predetermined displacement section Li of the spool portion 4s that is displaced upward from the lowest position Xd.

[0012] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the on-off valve mechanism Vf can be configured to include a valve element 5v fixed to the lower end of the spool 4s, and a valve seat 5s located below the valve element 5v and formed on the outer surface of the water passage R, so as to come into contact with or separate from the valve element 5v. In this case, the check valve mechanism Vnf can be provided with a spring 13 that can elastically displace the ball valve element 12 based on a predetermined water pressure. On the other hand, the external discharge path 7 can be provided with a second check valve mechanism Vns that allows the flow of residual water Wr at least from the outlet 6e and blocks the external discharge path 7 by its own weight and the negative pressure of the residual water Wr, and the outlet portion 2e can be configured with a second opening / closing valve mechanism Vs that blocks or opens the water passage R in conjunction with the opening / closing valve mechanism Vf, and a thermo valve 14 that, when blocked, allows the flow of intake air Ai into the water passage R below a set temperature (anti-freeze temperature) Tc for the outside air temperature, and blocks the flow of intake air Ai into the water passage R when the set temperature Tc is exceeded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The antifreeze faucet post 1 according to the present invention having such a configuration provides the following remarkable effects.

[0014] (1) The device is equipped with an on-off valve mechanism Vf that blocks the water passage R when the spool 4s is at its lowest position Xd and opens the water passage R when the spool 4s is displaced upward from the lowest position Xd, an internal discharge passage 6 formed inside the spool 4s and having an inlet 6i located at the bottom and an outlet 6e located at the top, a check valve mechanism Vnf attached to the internal discharge passage 6 and that blocks the internal discharge passage 6 at least when a predetermined water pressure is applied by tap water W flowing in from the inlet 6i, and a spool valve mechanism Vm that connects the external discharge passage 7 facing the outside to the outlet 6e when the spool 4s is at its lowest position Xd and connects the inlet 6i to the water passage R during a predetermined displacement section Li of the spool 4s displaced upward from the lowest position Xd. Therefore, when switching from a water stop state (water supply state) to a water supply (water stop), the device can be switched to immediately without any time lag. This ensures good usability and operability (comfortable operability) for the user.

[0015] (2) When constructing the check valve mechanism Vnf, the inner discharge passage 6 located on the inlet 6i side is formed with a large diameter over a predetermined length, and is equipped with the upstream discharge passage 11 formed in the vertical direction Fv with the valve seat hole 11h at its upper end, and the spherical valve portion 12 housed in this upstream discharge passage 11. This allows the check valve to operate in response to a predetermined water pressure. This allows it to function reliably for both tap water W, which has high water pressure, and residual water Wr, which has low water pressure.

[0016] (3) In a preferred embodiment, when constructing the opening / closing valve mechanism part Vf, it is configured to include a valve body part 5v fixed to the lower end of the spool part 4s, and a valve seat part 5s located below this valve body part 5v and formed on the outer surface of the water passage R, which abuts against or disengages from the valve body part 5v. This allows the structural surfaces of the opening / closing valve mechanism part Vf, i.e., the contact surface of the valve body part 5v and the contacted surface of the valve seat part 5s, to abut against or disengage without sliding, thereby allowing the opening / closing valve mechanism part Vf to respond immediately to opening / closing operations without any time lag.

[0017] (4) In a preferred embodiment, if a spring 13 is provided in the check valve mechanism section Vnf that can elastically displace the ball valve section 12 based on a predetermined water pressure, the spring 13 can set the biasing force on the ball valve section 12, that is, the predetermined water pressure can be set when functioning as the check valve mechanism section Vnf, thereby further improving the stability and reliability of the antifreeze faucet column 1 when it is operating.

[0018] (5) In a preferred embodiment, if a second check valve mechanism Vns is attached to the external discharge path 7, which allows the flow of residual water Wr at least from the outlet 6e and blocks the external discharge path 7 by its own weight and the negative pressure of the residual water Wr, the check valve function in the external discharge path 7 can be ensured, and by combining it with the check valve mechanism Vnf, a stable and reliable water drainage mode Mr can be guaranteed.

[0019] (6) In a preferred embodiment, when the water outlet section 2e is configured with a second on-off valve mechanism section Vs that blocks or opens the water passage R in conjunction with the on-off valve mechanism section Vf, and a thermo valve 14 that, when blocked, allows the intake air Ai to flow into the water passage R when the temperature is below a set temperature Tc relative to the outside air temperature and blocks the intake air Ai from flowing into the water passage R when the temperature is above the set temperature Tc, it becomes possible to intake air from inside the water outlet section 2e, and an additional air passage to take in the intake air Ai is not required.This makes it possible to simplify and miniaturize the structure, and further stabilize operation by protecting the intake section and prevent unnecessary trouble.

[0020] (7) When configuring the water outlet 2e, a drainage structure can be provided that allows at least residual water Wr inside the water outlet 2e to be discharged from the water outlet tip 2es to the outside when the water supply is stopped, including when the water is drained. Furthermore, if a portion of the inner diameter of the water passage leading to the water outlet tip 2es is formed with a tapered surface 15 that gradually increases in diameter axially downstream, the residual water Wr remaining inside the water outlet 2e can be quickly and smoothly discharged. This prevents the internal freezing of the water outlet 2e and the formation of icicle-like freezing on the outside in cold regions, improving the quality and marketability of the product. Furthermore, this can be implemented relatively easily by simply changing the shape (processing) of the water outlet 2e, resulting in excellent ease of implementation and low cost. In particular, in the water stop mode Mc, the presence of residual water Wr inside the water outlet 2e can be eliminated, reliably ensuring the functionality of the thermo valve 14. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a spool valve mechanism and its surroundings in a water supply mode in an antifreeze water faucet column according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the overall structure of the antifreeze water faucet column in water supply mode; [Figure 3] Cross section of line AA in Figure 1, [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing a part of the outlet of the antifreeze faucet column; [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating the operation method of the antifreeze water faucet pillar; [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the antifreeze faucet column in water stop mode, [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the antifreeze water faucet column in the initial water supply mode; [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the antifreeze water faucet column in water supply mode when fully opened. [Figure 9] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the antifreeze faucet column in drain mode. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of a conventional antifreeze faucet column in a water stop mode or a water drain mode; [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the antifreeze faucet column in water supply mode; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0023] First, the configuration of the antifreeze water faucet post 1 according to this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.

[0024] The illustrated antifreeze faucet column 1 does not drain water when the detected outside air temperature (detected temperature) exceeds the set temperature (anti-freeze temperature) Tc, but has an automatic drainage function that automatically drains any remaining water Wr inside if the detected outside air temperature drops below the set temperature Tc.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the antifreeze water faucet column 1 is equipped with a water riser pipe 2 having a water outlet 2e that branches out horizontally at the top, an operating mechanism 3 attached to the water riser pipe 2, and a spool valve mechanism 4 having a spool 4s that is raised and lowered by the operating mechanism 3. As a result, by raising and lowering the spool 4s by operating the operating mechanism 3, it is possible to switch between water supply mode Ms and water stop mode Mc, and it is also possible to automatically switch between water stop mode Mc and water drain mode Mr in response to the outside air temperature.

[0026] The water outlet section 2e comprises a cylindrical water outlet pipe section 22 extending horizontally from the top of the water riser pipe 2, the tip opening of which is closed by a cap section 22c, and a tip water outlet 23 protruding diagonally downward is provided on the underside of the periphery near the tip of the water outlet pipe section 22. Therefore, the water outlet section 2e is provided with a drainage structure that allows residual water Wr inside to be discharged from the tip water outlet 23 to the outside via a water outlet adapter 27, which will be described later, when the water supply is stopped, including when the water is drained.

[0027] The thermovalve 14 shown in Figure 2 is disposed on the central axis inside the water outlet pipe section 22. As a result, a discharge water passage Ro (water passage R) with a ring-shaped cross section is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the thermovalve 14 and the inner peripheral surface of the water outlet pipe section 22. This thermovalve 14 has a built-in intake check valve, and the intake outlet side of the thermovalve 14 is connected to a lower water passage hole 24 of the riser water passage Rm of the water riser pipe 2, while the intake inlet side of the thermovalve 14 faces the inside of the water outlet pipe section 22 via an intake port 26. In addition, the discharge water passage Ro of the water outlet pipe section 22 is connected to the riser water passage Rm (water passage R) inside the water riser pipe 2 via an upper water passage hole 25.

[0028] Furthermore, a detachable outlet adapter 27 is attached to the tip outlet 23 of the water outlet pipe section 22. The outlet adapter 27 can be attached and detached to various faucet columns, including the antifreeze faucet column 1 shown in this embodiment, and can be used as a highly versatile outlet adapter 27. The tip outlet 23 and the outlet adapter 27 may be formed integrally.

[0029] Figure 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the outlet adaptor 27. The tip of the outlet adaptor 27 is the outlet tip 2es. In the outlet adaptor 27, part of the inner diameter of the water passage Re leading to this outlet tip 2es is formed by a tapered surface 15 that gradually increases in diameter as it moves downstream in the axial direction. It is desirable that the outer opening diameter Lo on the tip side of this tapered surface 15 be 12.5 mm or more, and that the gradient angle Qo be set to be between 25° and 45°.

[0030] In this way, if part of the inner diameter of the water passage Re leading to the water outlet tip 2es is formed with a tapered surface 15 that gradually increases in diameter as it goes axially downstream, it becomes possible to quickly and smoothly discharge the residual water Wr remaining inside the water outlet portion 2e, thereby preventing the internal freezing of the water outlet portion 2e and the formation of icicle-like freezing on the outside in cold regions, thereby improving the sense of quality and marketability. Furthermore, it can be implemented relatively easily by changing the shape (processing change) of the water outlet portion 2e, etc., and is therefore easy to implement and low-cost.

[0031] Furthermore, the tapered surface 15 of the outlet adapter 27 performs an important function in relation to the antifreeze water faucet column 1 according to this embodiment. Specifically, in the water stop mode Mc and the water drain mode Mr, described below, the residual water Wr inside the outlet 2e can be reliably discharged. In other words, in these modes Mc and Mr, the residual water Wr inside the outlet 2e can always be reliably discharged, thereby reliably ensuring the functionality of the thermo valve 14. If the residual water Wr cannot be reliably discharged, the air intake 26 essentially ceases to function, and it must be exposed to the atmosphere via a separate ventilation path or the like. However, as in this embodiment, the air intake 26 can be exposed to the inside of the outlet pipe 22, allowing for a simpler structure.

[0032] Meanwhile, the water riser pipe 2 has a double structure consisting of an inner pipe 2i and an outer pipe 2o, with the interior of the inner pipe 2i forming a rising water passage Rm (water passage R), and a rotatable operating rod 31 is disposed on the central axis of this rising water passage Rm. Furthermore, a handle 32 having an operating lever 32h integrally formed therewith is fixed to the upper end of this operating rod 31. In this case, the outer peripheral surface near the upper end of the operating rod 31 is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the fixed portion of the water riser pipe 2 via a threaded portion 31s. This forms an operating mechanism 3 that converts the rotational displacement of the handle 32 into the vertical displacement of the operating rod 31. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a second opening / closing valve mechanism Vs is provided in the water riser pipe 2 at a position facing the upper water passage hole 25. This second opening / closing valve mechanism part Vs is composed of a ring-shaped second valve body part 33v fixed at the upper position of the operating rod 31, and a second valve seat part 33s formed on the upper edge of the water riser pipe 2 facing the upper part of the riser water passage Rm below this second valve body part 33v.

[0033] In this way, when constructing the water outlet section 2e, a second opening / closing valve mechanism Vs is provided which blocks or opens the water passage R in conjunction with the opening / closing valve mechanism Vf described below, and a thermo valve 14 is provided which, when blocked, allows the flow of intake air Ai into the water passage R when the temperature is below a set temperature Tc for the outside air temperature, and blocks the flow of intake air Ai into the water passage R when the temperature exceeds the set temperature Tc.This makes it possible to draw air from inside the water outlet section 2e, and eliminates the need for an additional air passage to take in the intake air Ai.This simplifies and miniaturizes the structure, and also stabilizes operation by protecting the intake section, preventing unnecessary trouble.

[0034] With this structure, when the handle 32 is rotated to the right (closing operation), the operating rod 31 is displaced downward, and the second valve body 33v abuts against the second valve seat 33s, switching the second on-off valve mechanism Vs to the closed side and blocking the upper end of the riser water passage Rm. In contrast, when the handle 32 is rotated to the left (opening operation), the operating rod 31 is displaced upward, and the second valve body 33v disengages from the second valve seat 33s, switching the second on-off valve mechanism Vs to the open side, and opening the upper end of the riser water passage Rm as shown in Figure 2. In other words, the riser water passage Rm and the upper water passage hole 25 are connected to each other.

[0035] On the other hand, a cylindrical spool portion 4s is fixed to the lower end of the operating rod 31, and this spool portion 4s is inserted into the inside of a sleeve portion 4m formed integrally with the water riser pipe 2. As a result, the movable spool portion 4s and the fixed sleeve portion 4m form a spool valve mechanism portion Vm, and the lower end surface of the spool portion 4s is used to form an opening / closing valve mechanism portion Vf.

[0036] As shown in the enlarged view of Figure 1, the on-off valve mechanism Vf has the function of blocking the water passage R (inlet water passage Rf) by closing the valve disc 5v of the spool 4s against the valve seat 5s when the spool 4s is in its lowest position Xd, and opening the water passage R when the spool 4s is displaced upward from its lowest position Xd. That is, the on-off valve mechanism Vf is composed of a ring-shaped valve disc 5v fixed to the bottom end of the spool 4s and a valve seat 5s formed by a horizontal surface located outside the inlet hole 29 below the valve disc 5v. This configures the on-off valve mechanism Vf so that the lower surface of the valve disc 5v comes into contact with or separates from the upper surface of the horizontally formed valve seat 5s. Therefore, the structural surfaces of the on-off valve mechanism Vf, i.e., the contact surface of the valve disc 5v and the contacted surface of the valve seat 5s, can come into contact with or separate from each other without sliding, enabling an immediate response to an opening or closing operation without a time lag.

[0037] On the other hand, the inlet water passage Rf is formed inside the water riser pipe 2 so as to bypass the outside of the sleeve portion 4m, and the upstream side (lower side) of this inlet water passage Rf is connected to the inlet hole 29, while the downstream side (upper side) of the inlet water passage Rf is connected to the riser water passage Rm.

[0038] The spool valve mechanism Vm also has an internal discharge passage 6 formed inside the spool 4s. This internal discharge passage 6 has an inlet 6i opening to the lower side of the spool 4s and an outlet 6e opening to the upper side. When the spool 4s is at its lowest position Xd, the spool valve mechanism Vm connects the outlet 6e and an external discharge passage 7 (described later) facing the outside, and also connects the inlet 6i to the water passage R (inlet water passage Rf) during a predetermined displacement section Li of the spool 4s as it moves upward from the lowest position Xd.

[0039] A check valve mechanism Vnf is attached to the internal discharge passage 6. This check valve mechanism Vnf has the function of shutting off the internal discharge passage 6 at least when a predetermined water pressure is applied by tap water W flowing in from the inlet 6i. In this case, the check valve mechanism Vnf is configured by forming the internal discharge passage 6 located on the inlet 6i side with a large diameter over a predetermined length, and including an upstream discharge passage 11 formed in the vertical direction Fv with a valve seat hole 11h at its upper end, and a spherical ball valve 12 housed in this upstream discharge passage 11. With the check valve mechanism Vnf configured in this way, the check valve can be operated in response to a predetermined water pressure, ensuring reliable function for both high-pressure tap water W and low-pressure residual water Wr. Furthermore, the check valve mechanism Vnf is equipped with a spring 13 that can elastically displace the ball valve 12 based on the predetermined water pressure. By providing such a spring 13, the spring 13 can set the spring force on the ball valve portion 12, that is, set a predetermined water pressure when functioning as the check valve mechanism portion Vnf, thereby further improving the stability and reliability of the antifreeze faucet column 1 when it is operating.

[0040] Meanwhile, the sleeve 4m is provided with a drainage section 36 having an external discharge passage 7 integrated with the sleeve 4m. In this case, the external discharge passage 7 is provided with a second check valve mechanism Vns that allows the residual water Wr to flow at least from the outlet 6e and blocks the external discharge passage 7 due to its own weight and the negative pressure of the residual water Wr. This second check valve mechanism Vns extends the external discharge passage 7 located on the spool 4s side with a large diameter over a predetermined length, and includes a downstream discharge passage 37 extending in the vertical direction Fv and having a valve seat hole 37h at its lower end, and a spherical second ball valve 39 housed in the downstream discharge passage 37. The provision of such a second check valve mechanism Vns ensures the check valve function of the external discharge passage 7, and in combination with the check valve mechanism Vnf, ensures a stable and reliable water drainage mode Mr.

[0041] Reference numeral 41 denotes an O-shaped seal ring provided at the top of the spool portion 4s, above the outlet port 6e, 42 denotes an O-shaped seal ring provided at the bottom of the spool portion 4s, above the inlet port 6i, 43 denotes a protective cover, and 44 denotes a water pipe connection port provided upstream of the supply hole 29. A water pipe 81, shown by a phantom line, is connected to this water pipe connection port 44.

[0042] Next, the function (operation) of the antifreeze water faucet post 1 according to this embodiment will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 with reference to FIGS. 6-9.

[0043] Assume now that the antifreeze faucet column 1 is in water stop mode Mc (step S1). In water stop mode Mc, the handle 32 is rotated to the right (closed), and the operating rod 31 is displaced downward, so that at the lowest position Xd, as shown in Figure 6, the valve body 5v abuts against the valve seat 5s, and the second valve body 33v shown in Figure 2 abuts against the second valve seat 33s. As a result, the on-off valve mechanism Vf closes the water passage R (inlet water passage Rf), and the second on-off valve mechanism Vs closes the upper end of the upright water passage Rm.

[0044] On the other hand, the transition from the water stop mode Mc to the water supply mode Ms is performed as follows (step S2). First, the user rotates the handle 32 leftward (opening operation) (step S3). At this time, due to the valve structure of the on-off valve mechanism Vf, the spool 4s is displaced upward simultaneously with the start of the rotation of the handle 32 (step S4). As a result, the valve body 5v immediately separates from the valve seat 5s. That is, the on-off valve mechanism Vf shifts to the open side almost simultaneously with the opening operation of the handle 32. That is, the water supply can be started immediately in response to the opening operation without any time lag, as shown in FIG. 7 (step S5). When water supply starts, tap water W from the water pipe 81 flows into the water passage R (inlet water passage Rf) through the inlet hole 29, and initially also enters the internal discharge passage 6 from the inlet 6i (step S6).

[0045] When tap water W enters the internal discharge passage 6, water pressure causes the ball valve portion 12 to be displaced upward, and the ball valve portion 12 comes into contact with the valve seat hole portion 11h (step S7). As a result, the internal discharge passage 6 is blocked. Therefore, the problem of water being drained when water supply starts does not occur (step S8). Furthermore, when the handle 32 is turned, the spool portion 4s is also displaced upward, and the inlet 6i is blocked by the inner wall 4mw of the sleeve portion 4m, as shown in FIG. 8. As a result, all of the tap water W is supplied to the water passage R (inlet water passage Rf), and the water supply mode Ms is maintained. When the inlet 6i is blocked by the inner wall 4mw, the ball valve portion 12 returns (falls) to the lower position shown in FIG. 6 (steps S9 and S10).

[0046] In addition, the second on-off valve mechanism Vs also moves toward the open side in conjunction with the on-off valve mechanism Vf. As a result, the second valve body 33v moves away from the second valve seat 33s, and the tap water W in the rising water passage Rm flows into the discharge water passage Ro through the upper water passage hole 25 and is discharged to the outside from the outlet tip 2es through the outlet adapter 27, as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, since the outside air temperature is normally higher than the temperature at which freezing begins, i.e., above the predetermined set temperature Tc used to determine freezing, the thermostatic valve 14 is in the OFF state, i.e., the intake air outlet 14o is closed and the intake port 26 is also closed. Therefore, the thermostatic valve 14 is switched to the closed side, and the tap water W does not enter the thermostatic valve 14.

[0047] On the other hand, the process of transitioning from water supply mode Ms to water stop mode Mc is as follows (step SS11). First, the handle 32 is rotated rightward (close operation) (step S12). This causes the operating rod 31 and, subsequently, the valve body 5v to move downward (step S13). When the valve body 5v moves downward to the lowest position Xd, it abuts against the valve seat 5s, and the on-off valve mechanism Vf closes the water supply passage Rf. In this case, the structure of the on-off valve mechanism Vf allows it to respond immediately to the closing operation without any time lag. That is, the water supply can be stopped immediately when the valve body 5v abuts against the valve seat 5s. Furthermore, the downward displacement of the spool 4s opens the inlet 6i of the internal discharge passage 6, allowing the residual water Wr in the water supply passage Rf to flow into the internal discharge passage 6 (steps S14 and S15). As a result, the ball valve portion 12 is displaced upward and comes into contact with the valve seat hole portion 11h, thereby blocking the internal discharge path 6 (step S16).

[0048] When the system switches to this water stop mode Mc, tap water W remains in the discharge water passage Ro of the water outlet pipe section 22 shown in Figure 2, but is reliably discharged to the outside from the water outlet tip 2es due to the function of the tapered surface 15 provided at the water outlet tip 2es. Furthermore, tap water W remains in the riser water passage Rm and the inlet water passage Rf as residual water Wr, but since the second on-off valve mechanism section Vs switches to the closed side, and the outside air temperature (detected temperature) is normally above the set temperature Tc and the thermo valve 14 is in the OFF state, the riser water passage Rm and the inlet water passage Rf are sealed. As a result, the residual water Wr remains, and the water stop mode Mc is maintained in this state (steps S17 and S1).

[0049] On the other hand, assume that in the water stop mode Mc, the outside air temperature drops below the set temperature Tc (step S17). In this case, the thermostatic valve 14 automatically switches to the ON state and opens. That is, ventilation is permitted between the intake port 26 and the intake air outlet 14o (step S18). As a result, intake air Ai is taken in through the intake port 26 and flows out through the intake air outlet 14o, and the internal pressure (negative pressure) in the riser water passage Rm and the inlet water passage Rf is released (step S19).

[0050] Then, the internal pressure is released, causing the system to transition to the water draining mode Mr (step S20). In the water draining mode Mr, the remaining water Wr flows along the dotted arrows (Wr...) shown in Figure 9. Specifically, the remaining water Wr... in the rising water passage Rm is discharged to the outside via the inlet 6i → internal discharge passage 6 → external discharge passage 7. At this time, the second ball valve portion 39 moves away from the valve seat hole portion 37h, and the protective cover 43 is displaced upward, allowing water to pass through. Then, once the water draining is completed, the system remains in the water stop mode Mc, which is in the water draining completed state (steps S21, S1).

[0051] As such, the antifreeze faucet column 1 of this embodiment is basically configured to include an opening / closing valve mechanism Vf that blocks the water passage R when the spool portion 4s is at the lowest position Xd and opens the water passage R when the spool portion 4s is displaced upward from the lowest position Xd; an internal discharge passage 6 formed inside the spool portion 4s and having an inlet 6i located at the bottom and an outlet 6e located at the top; a check valve mechanism Vnf attached to this internal discharge passage 6 and that blocks the internal discharge passage 6 at least by a predetermined water pressure of tap water W flowing in from the inlet 6i; and a spool valve mechanism Vm that connects the external discharge passage 7 facing the outside with the outlet 6e when the spool portion 4s is at the lowest position Xd, and connects the inlet 6i with the water passage R during a predetermined displacement section Li of the spool portion 4s displaced upward from the lowest position Xd.Therefore, when switching from a water stop state (water supply state) to water supply (water stop), the transition can be made immediately without any time lag. This ensures good usability and operability (comfortable operability) for the user.

[0052] Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the detailed configuration, shape, material, quantity, numerical values, etc. can be changed, added, or deleted as desired within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0053] For example, while the operating mechanism 3 is shown as being operated by a handle 32 integrally equipped with an operating lever 32h, various types of handles 32 can be used, and this does not exclude automatic or semi-automatic types remotely operated by an electric motor or the like. Furthermore, while the surface where the valve body 5v and the valve seat 5s constituting the on-off valve mechanism Vf abut is shown as a flat horizontal surface, it may also be an inclined (tapered) surface that ensures the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, the spring 13 used in the check valve mechanism Vnf is not an essential component. Similarly, while the second check valve mechanism Vns is shown as being configured using a valve seat hole 37h and a second ball valve 39, other configurations that provide similar functions may also be used. Meanwhile, while the air intake 26 provided in the thermo valve 14 is shown as being provided in the thermo valve 14 itself, this does not exclude a configuration in which air outside the antifreeze faucet column 1 is drawn in through a separate air intake passage. Furthermore, although an example has been given of an automatic drain type antifreeze faucet pillar 1 in which water is automatically drained by the thermo valve 14, the antifreeze faucet pillar 1 may also be a manual drain type in which water is drained manually. [Industrial Applicability]

[0054] The antifreeze water faucet post of the present invention can be used for various antifreeze water faucet posts having a water riser pipe that are installed outdoors, such as in the garden of a house in a cold region. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1: Antifreeze water faucet column, 2: Water riser pipe, 2e: Outlet, 2es: Outlet tip, 3: Operating mechanism, 4: Spool valve mechanism, 4s: Spool, 5v: Valve body, 5s: Valve seat, 6: Internal discharge channel, 6i: Inlet, 6e: Outlet, 7: External discharge channel, 11: Upstream discharge channel, 11h: Valve seat hole, 12: Ball valve, 13: Spring, 14: Thermo valve, 15: Tapered surface, Ms: Water supply mode, Mc: Water stop mode, Mr: Water drain mode, Xd: Lowest position, R: Water passage, Vf: Opening / closing valve mechanism, Vs: Second opening / closing valve mechanism, Vm: Spool valve mechanism, Vnf: Check valve mechanism, Vns: Second check valve mechanism, W: Tap water, Li: Stroke displacement range, Fv: Vertical direction, Wr: Residual water, Ai: Intake air

Claims

1. In an antifreeze water faucet column having a water riser pipe with a water outlet at the top and a water passage inside, and an operating mechanism attached to the water riser pipe, and a spool valve mechanism that can be switched to at least a water supply mode or a water drain mode by a spool portion that is displaced up and down by the operating mechanism, the column has an opening / closing valve mechanism that blocks the water passage when the spool portion is lowered to its lowest position and opens the water passage when the spool portion is raised from its lowest position, an internal discharge passage formed inside the spool portion and having an inlet located at the bottom and an outlet located at the top, and a valve mechanism that opens the internal discharge passage located on the inlet side by a predetermined A water faucet column comprising: an upstream discharge passage formed in a vertical direction with a large diameter along its length and having a valve seat hole at its upper end; and a spherical ball valve portion housed in this upstream discharge passage, thereby comprising: a check valve mechanism portion that blocks the internal discharge passage when a predetermined water pressure is generated by tap water flowing in from the inlet during water supply mode; and a spool valve mechanism portion that, when the spool portion is in its lowest position, connects the outlet to an external discharge passage formed in a sleeve portion that holds the spool portion and faces the outside, and connects the inlet to the water passage during a predetermined displacement range of the spool portion as it displaces upward from the lowest position.

2. The antifreeze faucet column described in claim 1, characterized in that the opening and closing valve mechanism portion is configured to include a valve body portion fixed to the lower end of the spool portion, and a valve seat portion located below the valve body portion and formed on the outer surface of the water passage, so that it abuts or disengages from the valve body portion.

3. 2. The antifreeze water faucet column according to claim 1, wherein the check valve mechanism includes a spring that can elastically displace the ball valve based on a predetermined water pressure.

4. The antifreeze water faucet column described in claim 1, characterized in that the external discharge path is provided with a second check valve mechanism that accommodates a spherical second ball valve portion, allows the flow of residual water from at least the outlet, and blocks the external discharge path due to downward displacement of the second ball valve portion due to its own weight and negative pressure of the residual water.

5. The antifreeze faucet column described in claim 1 is characterized in that the water outlet portion is integrally formed with the on-off valve mechanism portion, and is equipped with a second on-off valve mechanism portion that blocks or opens the water passage in conjunction with this on-off valve mechanism portion, and a thermovalve that uses a component whose volume and shape change with temperature, so that when the water passage is blocked, the flow of intake air into the water passage is allowed below a predetermined set temperature relative to the outside air temperature, and the flow of intake air into the water passage is blocked when the set temperature is exceeded.

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