Non-freezing water tap

Abstract

To realize simplification, downsizing, and cost reduction of a water discharge port and to avoid troubles or failures such as dust clogging in an air passage by protecting an air suction port externally.SOLUTION: An antifreeze water tap post includes a spool valve mechanism 4 that can switch to a water supply mode Ms, a water cut-off mode Mc, or a water removal mode Mr by a spool part 4s that moves up and down through an operation mechanism 3 and disposes a thermo-valve 5 in a water passage R inside a water discharge port 2e, where, when at least an external temperature drops to a predetermined temperature or lower, the thermo-valve 5 is switched to an air suction side to allow air suction into the water passage R inside a water vertical pipe 2 closed by the water cut-off mode Mc, and the antifreeze water tap post shifts to the water removal mode Mr. When constituting the antifreeze water tap post, a residue preventing function Fr that discharges residual water Wo remaining in a water discharge passage Ro at least in the water cut-off mode Mc is provided, and an air suction port 5i of the thermo-valve 5 disposed inside the water discharge port 2e is caused to face the inside of the water discharge passage Ro.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 at the top of 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 with an automatic draining function 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] FIG. 9 shows a principle diagram illustrating the operation of the antifreeze faucet column described in the same document 1 during drainage. In the antifreeze faucet column 100 shown in the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a water riser pipe rising from the ground. Near the top end of this water riser pipe 101, a horizontally protruding outlet 102 is provided. A tip outlet 103 protruding diagonally forward is provided on the underside of the outer periphery near the tip of this outlet 102. A temperature-sensing valve 104 is disposed inside this outlet 102. In the water-stop mode, rotation of the handle 105 causes the operating rod 106 to descend, switching the spool valve mechanism (not shown) at the bottom end of the operating rod 106 and the upper opening / closing mechanism 108 (shown in FIG. 9) at the top of the operating rod 106 to their closed positions, thereby blocking the water passage (rise passage) Rmr. In this case, the temperature sensing valve unit 104 is switched to the closed side (shut-off side), so that the inside of the rising water passage Rmr is sealed by the shut-off by the upper opening / closing mechanism unit 108 and the switching of the temperature sensing valve unit 104 to the closed side, and the remaining water remains inside the rising water passage Rmr.

[0005] Furthermore, the water passage (discharge water passage) Ror inside the water outlet 102 is also sealed except for the tip water outlet 103, so the residual water Wor inside the discharge water passage Ror remains. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the residual water Wor at the tip water outlet 103 is prevented from being discharged due to surface tension, etc. If the outside air temperature drops below a set temperature in this state, the temperature-sensing valve 104 will switch to the intake side (open side) while the residual water Wor is still present. For this reason, the intake passage 110 through which air is drawn is formed separately as an independent path at the tip of the water outlet 102. In FIG. 9, 110i denotes the tip port (inlet) of the intake passage 110 that faces the atmosphere, and 110e denotes the rear port (outlet) 110e that communicates with the intake port 104i of the temperature-sensing valve 104. As a result, during intake, air flows along the dashed line arrow Air shown in Figure 9. That is, intake takes place through the inlet 110i → intake passage 110 → outlet 110e → intake port 104i → inside of the temperature sensing valve unit 104 → riser water passage Rmr, and by releasing the sealed state of the riser water passage Rmr, residual water Wrr remaining inside the riser water passage Rmr is discharged to the outside. [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, the antifreeze water faucet post 100 described in Patent Document 1 above has the following problems to be solved.

[0008] That is, due to the configuration of the antifreeze water faucet column 100, if there is residual water Wor in the water outlet 102, it is practically difficult to draw air directly from the temperature sensing valve 104, so it is necessary to secure a separate, independent air intake passage 110 that avoids the water passage. In this case, since the air intake passage 110 needs to be formed at the water outlet 102, which has a limited area for formation, it is necessary to secure a complicated route around the water outlet 102, which results in issues that tend to lead to an increase in size and cost around the water outlet 102.

[0009] In addition, since the inlet 110i facing the outside opens directly to the atmosphere from the water outlet portion 102, dust, debris, soil, sand, etc. in the atmosphere can easily enter the inside of the ventilation passage 110, making it easy for malfunctions and problems to occur due to debris clogging the ventilation passage 110, and there were also areas that needed further improvement.

[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 rising water passage Rm inside, an operating mechanism 3 attached to the water riser pipe 2, and a spool valve mechanism 4 that can be switched to a water supply mode Ms, a water stop mode Mc, or a water drain mode Mr by a spool 4s that is displaced up and down by the operating mechanism 3, and a thermo valve 5 that is a valve using a member whose volume and shape change with temperature is disposed in the water passage R (discharge water passage Ro) inside the water outlet 2e, and when the outside air temperature drops at least to a set temperature or lower, the thermo valve 5 is switched to the intake side, and the water passage R is sealed in the water stop mode Mc. When constructing an antifreeze faucet column that allows air to be sucked into the water passage R (rise water passage Rm) inside the riser pipe 2 and transitions to the water drain mode Mr, the outlet section 2e is configured with a drainage structure that allows residual water Wo remaining inside at least the discharge water passage to flow out from the outlet tip 2es when the water flow is stopped, and part of the inner diameter of the water passage leading to the outlet tip 2es is formed with a tapered surface 11 that gradually becomes larger as it goes downstream in the axial direction, providing a residue prevention function Fr that discharges residual water Wo remaining in the discharge water passage Ro to the outside, and the intake port 5i for intake air inflow of the thermo valve 5 arranged inside the outlet section 2e is made to face the inside of the discharge water passage Ro.

[0012] In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable that the outer opening diameter Lo of the tip of the tapered surface 11 is 12.5 mm or more, and the slope angle Qo of the tapered surface 11 is set to 25° or more and 45° or less. Furthermore, the water outlet section 2e may be provided with a water outlet pipe section 12 that covers the discharge water passage Ro, and an upper opening / closing mechanism section Vs may be provided between the discharge water passage Ro and the upright water passage Rm that closes when switching from the water supply mode Ms to the water stop mode Mr, and opens when switching from the water stop mode Mc or the water drain mode Mr to the water supply mode Ms. On the other hand, there can be provided a lower opening / closing valve mechanism Vf that blocks the upstream end of the vertical water passage Rm at the lowest position Xd of the spool portion 4s and opens the upstream end of the vertical water passage Rm by the upward displacement of the spool portion 4s from the lowest position Xd, an internal discharge passage 6 formed inside the spool portion 4s and having an inlet 6i located at the lower side and an outlet 6e located at the upper side, an internal check valve mechanism Vnf attached to this internal discharge passage 6 and that blocks the internal discharge passage 6 by a predetermined water pressure of tap water W flowing in from at least the inlet 6i, and a spool valve mechanism 4 that connects the external discharge passage 7 facing the outside with the outlet 6e at the lowest position Xd of the spool portion 4s and connects the inlet 6i with the water passage R (supply water passage Rf) during a predetermined displacement section of the spool portion 4s that is displaced upward from the lowest position Xd. In addition, this lower opening / closing valve mechanism part Vf can be configured by providing a valve body part 13v fixed to the lower end part of the spool part 4s, and a valve seat part 13s located below this valve body part 13v and formed on the outer surface of the inlet water passage Rf, which abuts or disengages from the valve body part 13v, and this inner check valve mechanism part Vnf can be configured by forming the inner discharge passage 6 located on the inlet 6i side with a large diameter over a predetermined length, and providing an upstream discharge passage 15 formed in the vertical direction with a valve seat hole part 14 at its upper end, and a spherical ball valve part 16 accommodated in this upstream discharge passage 15. [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) In at least the stop-flow mode Mc and the drain-flow mode Mr, a residual water prevention function Fr is provided to discharge residual water Wo remaining in the discharge water passage Ro to the outside, and the intake port 5i for intake air of the thermovalve 5 arranged inside the outlet portion 2e faces the inside of the discharge water passage Ro. Therefore, the residual water Wo remaining in the discharge water passage Ro can be reliably discharged to the outside by the residual water prevention function Fr, and the discharge water passage Ro can always be emptied in the stop-flow mode Mc (drain-flow mode Mr). As a result, even if the thermovalve 5 is arranged inside the discharge water passage Ro, the intake port 5i of the thermovalve 5 can directly face the inside of the discharge water passage Ro. As a result, there is no need for a complicated ventilation passage formed around the water outlet portion 2e, which allows for the simplification and miniaturization of the water outlet portion 2e and further cost reduction. In addition, the water outlet portion 2e can externally protect the air intake port 5i, thereby avoiding problems and breakdowns such as clogging of the ventilation passage with debris.

[0015] (2) In realizing the residual water prevention function Fr, the configuration of the spout portion 2e is configured with a drainage structure that allows residual water Wo that remains inside when the water flow is stopped to flow out from the spout tip 2es, and part of the inner diameter of the water passage leading to the spout tip 2es is formed with a tapered surface 11 that gradually increases in diameter as it goes axially downstream, so that residual water Wo remaining inside the spout portion 2e can be quickly, smoothly, and reliably discharged, and in addition, it is possible to prevent internal freezing of the spout portion 2e and icicle-like freezing on the outside in cold regions, improving the quality and marketability of the antifreeze faucet column 1. Furthermore, it can be implemented relatively easily by changing the shape of the spout portion 2e, etc., and is excellent in terms of ease of implementation and low cost.

[0016] (3) In a preferred embodiment, when forming the tapered surface 11, if the outer opening diameter Lo at the tip of the tapered surface 11 is set to 12.5 mm or more and the slope angle Qo of the tapered surface 11 is set to 25° or more and 45° or less, it can cover many types of antifreeze water faucet columns based on current water supply standards, etc., and can be implemented as an optimal form from the perspective of ensuring sufficient performance.

[0017] (4) In a preferred embodiment, a water outlet pipe section 12 covering the discharge water passage Ro is provided in the water discharge port section 2e, and an upper opening / closing mechanism section Vs is provided between the discharge water passage Ro and the riser water passage Rm, which closes when switching from water supply mode Ms to water stop mode Mr and opens when switching from water stop mode Mc or water drain mode Mr to water supply mode Ms.This ensures that the discharge water passage Ro and the riser water passage Rm can be opened and closed reliably, so that water can be smoothly supplied from the riser water passage Rm to the discharge water passage Ro in the water supply mode Ms, and air can be smoothly drawn into the riser water passage Rm in the water drain mode Mr.

[0018] (5) In a preferred embodiment, a lower opening / closing valve mechanism Vf that blocks the upstream end of the rising water passage Rm at the lowest position Xd of the spool portion 4s and opens the upstream end of the rising water passage Rm by the upward displacement of the spool portion 4s from the lowest position Xd; an internal discharge passage 6 formed inside the spool portion 4s and having an inlet 6i located at the lower side and an outlet 6e located at the upper side; and an internal check valve attached to this internal discharge passage 6 that blocks the internal discharge passage 6 by a predetermined water pressure caused by tap water W flowing in at least from the inlet 6i. By providing a valve mechanism unit Vnf and a spool valve mechanism unit 4 which connects the external discharge passage 7 facing the outside with the outlet 6e when the spool unit 4s is in the lowest position Xd, and which connects the inlet 6i with the water supply passage Rf during a predetermined displacement section of the spool unit 4s as it displaces upward from the lowest position Xd, it is possible to transition from a water stop state (water supply state) to water supply (water stop) instantly without any time lag, thereby ensuring good usability and operability (comfortable operability) for the user.

[0019] (6) In a preferred embodiment, when constructing the lower opening / closing valve mechanism part Vf, it is configured by providing a valve body part 13v fixed to the lower end part of the spool part 4s, and a valve seat part 13s located below this valve body part 13v and formed on the outer surface of the inlet water passage Rf, which abuts or disengages from the valve body part 13v. This allows the structural surfaces of the lower opening / closing valve mechanism part Vf, i.e., the contact surface of the valve body part 13v and the contacted surface of the valve seat part 13s, to abut or disengage without sliding, thereby allowing the mechanism part Vf to respond immediately to opening and closing operations without any time lag.

[0020] (7) In a preferred embodiment, when constructing the internal check valve mechanism part Vnf, the internal discharge passage 6 located on the inlet 6i side is formed with a large diameter over a predetermined length, and an upstream discharge passage 15 formed in the vertical direction with a valve seat hole part 14 at its upper end, and a spherical ball valve part 16 housed in this upstream discharge passage 15 are provided. This allows the check valve to operate in response to a predetermined water pressure, and therefore allows it to function reliably and smoothly for both tap water W with high water pressure and residual water Wr with low water pressure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the water outlet portion and its surroundings of an antifreeze water faucet column in a water stop mode; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the overall structure of the antifreeze faucet column in water stop mode; [Figure 3] Cross section of line AA in Figure 1, [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the tip 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 supply mode; [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the antifreeze faucet column in water stop mode, [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram of the operation of the antifreeze faucet column in drain mode, [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of a conventional antifreeze faucet column in drain 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. By operating the operating mechanism 3 to raise and lower the spool 4s, 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. G indicates the ground on which the water riser pipe 2 stands.

[0026] The water outlet section 2e is provided with a cylindrical water outlet pipe section 12 extending horizontally from the top of the water riser pipe 2, the tip opening of which is closed by a closed end section 12c, and a water discharge port 21 protruding diagonally downward is provided on the underside of the outer circumferential surface near the tip of the water outlet pipe section 12. Therefore, the water outlet section 2e is provided with a drainage structure that allows residual water Wo inside to flow out from the water outlet tip 2es provided at the tip of the residue prevention cap 27, which will be described later, when the water supply is stopped, including when the water is drained.

[0027] The thermovalve 5 shown in Fig. 1 (Fig. 2) is disposed on the central axis inside the water outlet pipe section 12. As a result, a water passage R (discharge water passage Ro) with a ring-shaped cross section is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the thermovalve 5 and the inner circumferential surface of the water outlet pipe section 12. The thermovalve 5 has an intake air outlet 5e located upstream that communicates with the lower water passage hole 24 of the water passage R (rise water passage Rm) in the water riser pipe 2, and an intake port 5i that serves as an intake air inlet is disposed facing the inside of the water outlet pipe section 12, i.e., the inside of the discharge water passage Ro. This thermovalve 5 has a built-in intake check valve, which switches to the shutoff side (closed side) when the outside air temperature exceeds a set temperature Tc, closing the intake outlet 5e and the intake port 5i, and when the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature Tc, switches to the intake side (open side), allowing air to be drawn between the intake outlet 5e and the intake port 5i. Meanwhile, the discharge water passage Ro of the water outlet pipe section 12 communicates with the riser water passage Rm of the water riser pipe 2 via the upper water passage 25.

[0028] Furthermore, a detachable residue prevention cap 27 is attached to the water outlet 21 in the water outlet pipe section 12. This residue prevention cap 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 residue prevention cap 27. The water outlet 21 and residue prevention cap 27 may be formed integrally.

[0029] Figure 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the residue prevention cap 27. The tip surface of this residue prevention cap 27 with an opening becomes the spout tip 2es. Part of the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 27i of the residue prevention cap 27, which reaches the spout tip 2es, is formed by a tapered surface 11 whose diameter gradually increases toward the downstream side in the axial direction. This tapered surface 11 is configured (shaped) to perform the residue prevention function Fr, which discharges residual water Wo (see Figure 7) remaining in the discharge water passage Ro to the outside, at least in the water stop mode Mc and the water drain mode Mr.

[0030] In this way, to achieve the residue prevention function Fr, the configuration of the spout portion 2e is configured with a drainage structure that allows at least the residual water Wo that remains inside when the water flow is stopped to flow out from the spout tip 2es, and part of the inner diameter of the water passage leading to the spout tip 2es is formed with a tapered surface 11 that gradually increases in diameter as it goes axially downstream, so that the residual water Wo remaining inside the spout portion 2e can be quickly, smoothly, and reliably discharged, and in addition, it is possible to prevent internal freezing of the spout portion 2e and icicle-like freezing on the outside in cold regions, thereby improving the quality and marketability of the antifreeze faucet column 1. Furthermore, it can be implemented relatively easily by changing the shape (processing changes) of the spout portion 2e, etc., and is therefore easy to implement and low cost.

[0031] In this case, when forming the tapered surface 11, it is desirable to set the outer opening diameter Lo of the tip of the tapered surface 11 to 12.5 mm or more, and the slope angle Qo of the tapered surface 11 to 25° or more and 45° or less. By selecting in this way, it is possible to cover many types of antifreeze faucet columns based on current water supply standards, etc., and therefore it can be implemented as an optimal form from the viewpoint of ensuring sufficient performance.

[0032] The tapered surface 11 of the residue prevention cap 27 performs an important function in relation to the antifreeze water faucet column 1 according to this embodiment. That is, in the water stop mode Mc and the water drain mode Mr described below, it ensures that residual water Wo remaining inside the water outlet 2e is discharged reliably. If the residual water Wo cannot be discharged reliably, the air intake 5i will essentially cease to function, and it will be necessary to expose the water to the atmosphere via a separately formed ventilation path or the like. However, by providing the residue prevention cap 27 (residue prevention function Fr), the residual water Wo inside the water outlet 2e can always be discharged reliably in each of the Mc and Mr modes, thereby ensuring the functionality of the thermo valve 5.

[0033] 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 water passage R (rise water passage Rm). A rotatable operating rod 31 is disposed on the central axis of this rise water passage Rm, and a handle 32 having an operating lever 32h integrally formed therewith is fixed to the upper end of the 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. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, an upper opening / closing valve mechanism Vs is provided in the water riser pipe 2 at a position facing the upper water passage hole 25. This upper opening / closing valve mechanism part Vs is composed of a ring-shaped upper valve body part 33v fixed at the upper position of the operating rod 31, and an upper valve seat part 33s formed on the inner surface of the water riser pipe 2 below this upper valve body part 33v.

[0034] In this way, when constructing the water outlet section 2e, a water outlet pipe section 12 is provided that covers the discharge water passage Ro, and an upper opening / closing mechanism section Vs is provided between the discharge water passage Ro and the riser water passage Rm, which closes when switching from water supply mode Ms to water stop mode Mr, and opens when switching from water stop mode Mc or water drain mode Mr to water supply mode Ms.This ensures that the discharge water passage Ro and the riser water passage Rm can be opened and closed reliably, so that water can be smoothly supplied from the riser water passage Rm to the discharge water passage Ro in water supply mode Ms, and air can be smoothly drawn into the riser water passage Rm in water drain mode Mr.

[0035] With this structure, when the handle 32 is rotated to the right (closing operation), the operating rod 31 is displaced downward, and the upper valve body 33v abuts against the upper valve seat 33s, switching the upper 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 upper valve body 33v disengages from the upper valve seat 33s, switching the upper 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.

[0036] 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 a lower opening / closing valve mechanism portion Vf.

[0037] 2, the lower on-off valve mechanism Vf has a function in which, when the spool 4s is in its lowest position Xd, the valve element 13v of the spool 4s closes the valve seat 13s to shut off the water passage R (the upstream end of the supply water passage Rf), and the spool 4s is displaced upward from its lowest position Xd to open the water passage R. That is, the lower on-off valve mechanism Vf is composed of a ring-shaped valve element 13v fixed to the lower end of the spool 4s, and a valve seat 13s formed by a horizontal surface located outside the supply hole 29 located below the valve element 13v. This constitutes the lower on-off valve mechanism Vf, in which the lower surface of the valve element 13v abuts against or separates from the upper surface of the horizontally formed valve seat 13s. In this way, when constructing the lower opening / closing valve mechanism part Vf, it is configured by providing a valve body part 13v fixed to the lower end part of the spool part 4s, and a valve seat part 13s located below this valve body part 13v and formed on the outer surface of the inlet water passage Rf, which abuts or disengages from the valve body part 13v.This allows the structural surfaces of the lower opening / closing valve mechanism part Vf, i.e., the contact surface of the valve body part 13v and the contacted surface of the valve seat part 13s, to abut or disengage without sliding, so that it can respond immediately to opening and closing operations without any time lag.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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 of the spool 4s as it moves upward from the lowest position Xd.

[0040] An internal check valve mechanism Vnf is attached to the internal discharge passage 6. This internal check valve mechanism Vnf has the function of blocking the internal discharge passage 6 at least with a predetermined water pressure caused by tap water W flowing in from the inlet 6i. In this case, the internal 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 by including an upstream discharge passage 15 formed in the vertical direction Fv and having a valve seat hole 14 at its upper end, and a spherical ball valve 16 housed in this upstream discharge passage 15. By providing the internal check valve mechanism Vnf configured in this manner, the internal discharge passage 6 located on the inlet 6i side can be formed with a large diameter over a predetermined length, and an upstream discharge passage 15 formed in the vertical direction with a valve seat hole portion 14 at its upper end, and a spherical ball valve portion 16 housed in this upstream discharge passage 15 can be provided, so that the check valve can operate in response to a predetermined water pressure, thereby enabling it to function reliably and smoothly for both tap water W, which has high water pressure, and residual water Wr, which has low water pressure.

[0041] It is desirable to provide the inner check valve mechanism Vnf with a spring that can elastically displace the ball valve 16 based on a predetermined water pressure. By providing such a spring, it is possible to set the biasing force on the ball valve 16, i.e., to set a predetermined water pressure when functioning as the inner check valve mechanism Vnf, thereby further improving the stability and reliability of the antifreeze faucet column 1 during operation.

[0042] 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 an external 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 external 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 valve 38 housed in the downstream discharge passage 37. The provision of such an external check valve mechanism Vns ensures the check valve function of the external discharge passage 7, and in combination with the internal check valve mechanism Vnf, ensures a stable and reliable water drainage mode Mr.

[0043] Thus, the antifreeze water faucet column 1 according to this embodiment includes a lower opening / closing valve mechanism Vf that blocks the upstream end of the rising water passage Rm when the spool portion 4s is at the lowest position Xd and opens the upstream end of the rising water passage Rm when the spool portion 4s is displaced upward from the lowest position Xd, an internal discharge passage 6 that is formed inside the spool portion 4s and has an inlet 6i located at the bottom and an outlet 6e located at the top, and a valve mechanism Vf that is attached to the internal discharge passage 6 and blocks the internal discharge passage 6 at least when a predetermined water pressure is applied by the tap water W that flows in from the inlet 6i. By providing an internal check valve mechanism Vnf that connects the external discharge passage 7 facing the outside to the outlet 6e when the spool section 4s is at its lowest position Xd, and a spool valve mechanism 4 that connects the inlet 6i to the water supply passage Rf during a predetermined displacement range of the spool section 4s as it displaces upward from the lowest position Xd, it is possible to transition from a water stop state (water supply state) to water supply (water stop) instantly without any unnecessary time lag or discomfort, which has the advantage of ensuring good usability and operability (comfortable operability) for the user.

[0044] 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. 6-8.

[0045] 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, the valve body 13v abuts against the valve seat 13s, and the upper valve body 33v abuts against the upper valve seat 33s, as shown in Figure 2. As a result, the lower opening / closing valve mechanism Vf closes the water passage R (inlet water passage Rf), and the upper opening / closing valve mechanism Vs closes the upper end of the upright water passage Rm.

[0046] On the other hand, the transition from water stop mode Mc to 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 lower 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 13v immediately separates from the valve seat 13s. That is, the lower on-off valve mechanism Vf transitions to the open side almost simultaneously with the opening operation of the handle 32. That is, the lower on-off valve mechanism Vf responds immediately to the opening operation without any time lag, and water supply can be started (step S5).

[0047] When water supply starts, tap water W from a water pipe (not shown) connected to the connection port 41 flows into the inlet water passage Rf through the inlet hole 29 and, initially, also enters the internal discharge passage 6 through the inlet 6i (step S6). As the tap water W enters the internal discharge passage 6, water pressure causes the ball valve 16 to move upward, causing the ball valve 16 to abut against the valve seat hole 14 (step S7). As a result, the internal discharge passage 6 is blocked. Therefore, there is no risk of water being drained when water supply starts (step S8). Furthermore, by rotating the handle 32, the spool 4s also moves upward, blocking the inlet 6i with the inner wall of the sleeve 4m. 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, the ball valve portion 16 returns (drops) to the lower position (steps S9 and S10).

[0048] As shown in Figure 6, the upper valve mechanism Vs also moves toward the open side in conjunction with the lower valve mechanism Vf. As a result, the upper valve body 33v separates from the upper valve seat 33s, and tap water W in the rising water passage Rm flows into the discharge water passage Ro through the upper water hole 25 and is discharged to the outside from the outlet tip 2es through the residue prevention cap 27. 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 5 is in the OFF state, i.e., the intake outlet 5e and the intake port 5i are closed. Therefore, the thermostatic valve 5 is switched to the closed side, and tap water W does not enter the thermostatic valve 5.

[0049] On the other hand, the process of transitioning from water supply mode Ms to water stop mode Mc is as follows (step S11). First, the handle 32 is rotated rightward (close operation) (step S12). This causes the operating rod 31 and, further, the valve body 13v to move downward (step S13). When the valve body 13v moves downward to the lowest position Xd, it abuts against the valve seat 13s, and the lower opening / closing valve mechanism Vf closes the water supply passage Rf. In this case, the structure of the lower opening / closing valve mechanism Vf allows it to respond immediately to the closing operation without any time lag. That is, the water supply passage Rf can be immediately stopped as soon as the valve body 13v abuts against the valve seat 13s. 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 16 is displaced upward and comes into contact with the valve seat hole portion 14, thereby blocking the internal discharge path 6 (step S16).

[0050] On the other hand, when the water stop mode Mc is selected, as shown in Figure 7, tap water W remains as residual water Wo in the discharge water passage Ro in the water outlet pipe section 12, but this residual water Wo is reliably discharged to the outside from the water outlet tip 2es by the function of the residual prevention function Fr, i.e., the tapered surface 11 provided on the residual prevention cap 27.

[0051] Furthermore, the tap water W in the rising water passage Rm and the inlet water passage Rf remains as residual water Wr, but the upper on-off valve mechanism Vs switches to the closed side, and the outside air temperature (detected temperature) is normally above the set temperature Tc, and the thermo valve 5 is in the OFF state, so the rising water passage Rm and the inlet water passage Rf become sealed. As a result, the residual water Wr remains, and the water stop mode Mc is maintained in this state (steps S17 and S1).

[0052] Next, 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 5 automatically switches to the ON state and switches to the intake side. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, ventilation is permitted between the intake port 5i and the intake outlet 5e (step S18). As a result, intake Ai is performed along the dashed arrow. Specifically, ventilation Ai is permitted along the route from the outlet tip 2es → discharge water passage Ro → intake port 5i → thermostatic valve 5 → intake outlet 5e → lower water hole 24 → riser water passage Rm. As a result, the internal pressure (negative pressure) in the riser water passage Rm and the supply water passage Rf is released (step S19).

[0053] Then, the internal pressure is released, causing the system to transition to water draining mode Mr (step S20). In water draining mode Mr, the remaining water Wr is discharged along the dotted arrows shown in Figure 8. Specifically, the remaining water Wr in the rising water passage Rm is discharged to the outside through the inlet 6i → internal discharge passage 6 → external discharge passage 7. At this time, the ball valve portion 38 moves away from the valve seat hole portion 37h, and the protective cover 42 is displaced upward, allowing water to pass through. Then, once water draining is complete, the system remains in water stop mode Mc, which is in the water draining-completed state (steps S21, S1).

[0054] As described above, the antifreeze faucet column 1 according to this embodiment is basically configured with a residual water prevention function Fr that discharges residual water Wo remaining in the discharge water passage Ro to the outside at least in the water stop mode Mc and the water drain mode Mr. Furthermore, the intake port 5i for intake air of the thermo valve 5 disposed inside the water outlet 2e faces the inside of the discharge water passage Ro. This ensures that residual water Wo remaining in the discharge water passage Ro can be reliably discharged to the outside by the residual water prevention function Fr, and the discharge water passage Ro can always be emptied in the water stop mode Mc (water drain mode Mr). As a result, even when the thermo valve 5 is disposed inside the discharge water passage Ro, the intake port 5i of the thermo valve 5 can directly face the discharge water passage Ro. As a result, there is no need for a complicated ventilation passage formed around the water outlet portion 2e, which allows for the simplification and miniaturization of the water outlet portion 2e and further cost reduction. In addition, the water outlet portion 2e can externally protect the air intake port 5i, thereby avoiding problems and breakdowns such as clogging of the ventilation passage with debris.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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 disc 13v and the valve seat 13s constituting the lower opening / closing valve mechanism Vf abut is shown as a flat horizontal surface, it may also be formed as an inclined surface such as a tapered surface. Furthermore, while the inner check valve mechanism Vnf preferably uses the valve seat hole 14 and the ball valve 16, this does not exclude other configurations that provide a similar function. Similarly, while the outer check valve mechanism Vns is shown as being configured using the valve seat hole 37h and the ball valve 38, other configurations that provide a similar function may also be used. Meanwhile, while the intake port 5i of the thermo valve 5 is shown as being located on the circumferential surface of the thermo valve 5 itself, any other position on the thermo valve 5 itself may be selected. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] 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]

[0058] 1: Antifreeze water faucet column, 2: Water riser pipe, 2e: Outlet section, 2es: Outlet tip, 3: Operating mechanism section, 4: Spool valve mechanism section, 4s: Spool section, 5: Thermo valve, 5i: Inlet port, 6: Internal discharge channel, 6i: Inlet, 6e: Outlet, 7: External discharge channel, 11: Tapered surface, 12: Outlet pipe section, 13v: Valve body section, 13s: Valve seat section, 14: Valve seat hole section, 15: Upstream side Discharge channel, 16: ball valve section, Ms: water supply mode, Mc: water stop mode, Mr: water drain mode, R: water channel, Ro: discharge water channel, Rm: vertical water channel, Rf: supply water channel, W: tap water, Wo: residual water, Fr: residual prevention function, Lo: outer opening diameter, Qo: gradient angle, Vs: upper opening / closing mechanism section, Vf: lower opening / closing valve mechanism section, Vnf: inner check valve mechanism section, Xd: lowest position

Claims

1. The water riser has a water outlet at the top and a rising water passage inside, and is equipped with an operating mechanism attached to the water riser and a spool valve mechanism that can be switched to a water supply mode, a water stop mode, or a water drain mode by a spool that is displaced up and down by the operating mechanism. A thermo valve, which is a valve using a member whose volume and shape change with temperature, is disposed in the discharge water passage inside the water outlet, and when at least the outside air temperature drops to a set temperature or lower, the thermo valve is switched to the intake side, and the rising water passage inside the water riser sealed in the water stop mode is stopped. In an antifreeze water faucet column that allows air to be drawn into the channel and transitions to the water draining mode, the water outlet section is configured with a drainage structure that allows residual water remaining inside at least the discharge water channel to flow out from the tip of the water outlet when the water flow is stopped, and part of the inner diameter of the water channel leading to the tip of the water outlet is formed with a tapered surface that gradually becomes larger as it goes downstream in the axial direction, providing a residue prevention function that discharges residual water remaining in the discharge water channel to the outside, and the air intake port for intake air inflow of the thermo valve arranged inside the water outlet section is made to face the inside of the discharge water channel.

2. The antifreeze faucet post according to claim 1, characterized in that the tapered surface has an outer opening diameter at the tip of the tapered surface of 12.5 mm or more, and the slope angle of the tapered surface is set to be 25° or more and 45° or less.

3. The antifreeze faucet column described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the water outlet portion has a water outlet pipe portion covering the discharge water passage, and an upper opening and closing mechanism portion between the discharge water passage and the riser water passage which blocks communication between the discharge water passage and the riser water passage when switching from the water supply mode to the water stop mode, and opens communication between the discharge water passage and the riser water passage when switching from the water stop mode or the water drain mode to the water supply mode.

4. 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 as to abut against or separate from the valve body portion, a lower opening / closing valve mechanism portion which closes the upstream end of the riser water passage with the valve body portion when the spool portion is in the lowest position, and opens the upstream end of the riser water passage with the valve body portion when the spool portion is displaced upward from the 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 the internal discharge passage located on the inlet side is formed with a large diameter over a predetermined length; The antifreeze water faucet column described in claim 1 is characterized in that it is configured with an upstream discharge passage formed in the vertical direction and having a valve seat hole portion at its upper end, and a spherical ball valve portion housed in this upstream discharge passage, thereby comprising an inner check valve mechanism portion that blocks the inner discharge passage by a predetermined water pressure from tap water flowing in from the inlet, and a spool valve mechanism portion that, when the spool portion is at its lowest position when it is lowered, connects the outlet to an external discharge passage facing the outside formed in the sleeve portion that holds the spool portion, and connects the inlet to the vertical water passage during a predetermined displacement range of the spool portion as it displaces upward from the lowest position.

5. An antifreeze faucet column as described in claim 4, characterized in that the lower 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 this valve body portion and formed on the outer surface of the water passage, so that it abuts or disengages from the valve body portion.

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