Faucet equipment

Abstract

To provide a water faucet device capable of preventing backlash inside an exterior member of a water discharge part body in the water discharge part that can be pulled out to which a water supply hose is connected from a coaxial direction with a water discharge port, and improving an assembling performance.SOLUTION: A water faucet device according to an embodiment includes a water faucet body, a water supply hose, and a water discharge part that is configured to be connected to the water supply hose and can be pulled out from the water faucet body. The water discharge part includes a water discharge part body including a water discharge port that discharges hot water and a connection part to which the water supply hose is connected from a coaxial direction with the water discharge port, an exterior member into which the water discharge part body is inserted, and an elastic body disposed between the water discharge part body and the exterior member. The water discharge part body includes plural ribs disposed along a peripheral direction thereof at predetermined intervals, and the elastic body is disposed outside in a radial direction of the plural ribs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a water faucet device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Some conventional faucet devices include a pull-out type water discharge part in which a water supply hose is connected coaxially with a water discharge port and is detachable from the faucet body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-48561 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of the above-mentioned water discharge section, it is possible to consider placing an elastic body on the outer periphery of the water discharge section main body that is inserted into the exterior member to prevent rattling, but simply placing an elastic body on the outer periphery of the water discharge section main body increases the frictional force when inserting the water discharge section main body, which can reduce the ease of assembly of the faucet device.

[0005] One aspect of the embodiment aims to provide a faucet device that can reduce rattling within the exterior components of the water outlet body and improve assembly ease in a pull-out water outlet where the water supply hose is connected coaxially with the water outlet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A faucet device according to one aspect of the embodiment comprises a faucet body, a water supply hose, and a water outlet connected to the water supply hose and capable of being pulled out from the faucet body, wherein the water outlet comprises a water outlet body having a water outlet for discharging hot and cold water and a connection part to which the water supply hose is connected coaxially with the water outlet, an exterior member into which the water outlet body is inserted, and an elastic body arranged between the water outlet body and the exterior member, wherein the water outlet body has a plurality of ribs arranged at predetermined intervals around its circumference, and the elastic body is arranged radially outward of the plurality of ribs.

[0007] With this configuration, the insertion force required to insert the water spouter body into the exterior member during assembly can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the entire elastic body is held in close contact with the water spouter body. This makes it possible to reduce rattling of the water spouter body within the exterior member and improve assembly ease in a pull-out water spouter in which the water supply hose is connected coaxially with the spout.

[0008] In the above-mentioned water faucet device, the plurality of ribs are at least four in number and are provided in the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

[0009] According to this configuration, by providing multiple ribs in the vertical and horizontal directions, the elastic body and the exterior component come into contact in a balanced manner, thereby more effectively suppressing rattle.

[0010] In addition, in the above-mentioned water faucet device, the plurality of ribs are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the water discharger main body.

[0011] With this configuration, the multiple ribs are arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the water spouter main body, which makes it possible to evenly distribute the frictional force generated when the elastic body and the appearance member come into contact, and more effectively reduce the insertion force required when inserting the water spouter main body into the appearance member.In addition, because the repulsive force of the elastic body can be made uniform, it is possible to prevent the water spouter main body from shifting when inserted into the appearance member.

[0012] In addition, in the above-mentioned faucet device, the water discharge unit main body is characterized in that it has a standing wall that is arranged in a direction opposite to the insertion direction into the exterior member and protrudes radially outward beyond the multiple ribs.

[0013] With this configuration, when an elastic body is held by multiple ribs, the contact area between the elastic body and the ribs is small, so friction during assembly can cause the position of the elastic body held by the ribs to shift.However, with this configuration, the surface of the elastic body abuts against the vertical wall, which can prevent the position of the elastic body held by the ribs from shifting.

[0014] In addition, in the above-mentioned water faucet device, the standing wall is characterized in that it protrudes from the entire water discharger body.

[0015] According to this configuration, the entire elastic body comes into contact with the standing wall, so that displacement of the elastic body during assembly can be more effectively prevented.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned faucet device, the water discharge unit main body has an abutment portion that abuts against the exterior member when inserted into the exterior member, and the multiple ribs are arranged on the insertion direction side of the water discharge unit main body relative to the abutment portion.

[0017] With this configuration, multiple ribs can be arranged in areas of the water discharger body where rattles are likely to occur, making it possible to more effectively suppress rattles.

[0018] In addition, in the above-mentioned water faucet device, the plurality of ribs are arranged at the front end of the water discharger main body.

[0019] With this configuration, rattles are likely to occur at the front end of the water discharger body, so by suppressing rattles in this area, rattles can be suppressed more effectively.

[0020] In addition, in the above-mentioned faucet device, the exterior member has a plated layer on its outer surface, and the water outlet main body and the exterior member are a gap fit and abut via the elastic body.

[0021] With this configuration, it is possible to suppress distortion and cracking caused by tolerance variations (dimensional variations) in the plating layer applied to the exterior component, thermal expansion, expansion due to water supply, etc., which are concerns when using intermediate fitting or tight fitting, while also suppressing rattling.

[0022] In the above-mentioned water faucet device, the outer appearance member has an inner surface with an irregular shape.

[0023] With this configuration, even if the inner peripheral shape of the exterior component is an irregular shape other than a cylindrical shape, rattle can be suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to one aspect of the embodiment, in a pull-out water outlet in which a water supply hose is connected coaxially with the water outlet, rattle within the exterior components of the water outlet main body can be reduced and assembly ease can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a water faucet device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing the water discharge portion. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the water discharge portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the water discharger main body. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic front cross-sectional view showing the water discharger main body and the elastic body. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between distortion of the plating layer and dimensional variation and thermal expansion in the exterior member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following preferred embodiments.

[0027] <Overall configuration of the faucet device> First, the overall configuration of a water faucet device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a water faucet device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0028] Note that each figure, including Figure 1, shows a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system including a Z-axis whose positive direction is vertically upward (upward). For ease of explanation, the positive direction of the X-axis is defined as the left, the negative direction of the X-axis as the right, the positive direction of the Y-axis as the forward direction, and the negative direction of the Y-axis as the backward direction. Therefore, in the following, the X-axis direction will be referred to as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction as the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction.

[0029] The faucet device 1 is installed, for example, on a bathroom vanity. In addition to the faucet device 1 and a washbasin, the bathroom vanity also includes, for example, a support base, a cabinet, and a lighting device. The washbasin includes a bowl portion (not shown) and a high-back surface (not shown). The bowl portion receives hot and cold water (hereinafter referred to as "water," and this "water" includes heated hot water) discharged from the faucet device 1.

[0030] The high-back surface is a surface that extends from the rear end of the bowl portion above the bowl portion. The faucet device 1 is provided on the high-back surface. The faucet device 1 protrudes forward from the high-back surface. The faucet device 1 may also be provided above the high-back surface. In this case, too, the faucet device 1 protrudes forward from the high-back surface. In either case, the faucet device 1 protrudes forward from the high-back surface, i.e., toward the bowl portion.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the faucet device 1 comprises a housing 11, a water discharge unit 12, and an operating unit 13. The housing 11 is formed in a shape that is long in the left-right direction (for example, a rectangular shape). The rear side of the housing 11 is attached, for example, to the high-back surface or above the high-back surface, and is provided so as to protrude forward from the high-back surface.

[0032] Housing 11 houses the base end (rear side) of water discharger 12 and operating unit 13, which will be described later. Housing 11 also houses, for example, a portion of water supply hose (also called pull-out hose) 20 (see FIG. 2), which is also a secondary water supply pipe with water discharger 12 attached to the tip end. A flexible hose or the like is used as water supply hose 20.

[0033] Water discharge unit 12 discharges water toward a bowl located below faucet device 1. Water discharge unit 12 is a so-called spout. Water discharge unit 12 has a water outlet 12a from which water is discharged. As described above, water discharge unit 12 is connected to the tip of water supply hose 20 stored in housing 11, and is configured so that it can be pulled out toward the front (forward) by a user facing faucet device 1.

[0034] The water discharger 12 is connected to a water supply source (not shown) via a single cartridge (not shown) described below, etc. The water discharged from the water discharger 12 is, for example, clean water (tap water).

[0035] Operation unit 13 includes operation lever 13a. Operation unit 13 adjusts the flow rate and temperature of water discharged from water discharger 12 in response to operation of operation lever 13a by the user. Operation lever 13a is pivotally supported at its upper end on a main body (not shown) of operation unit 13 so as to be swingable, for example, in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0036] Operating lever 13a adjusts the flow rate of water from water discharger 12, for example, by swinging it back and forth, and adjusts the temperature of the water from water discharger 12, for example, by swinging it left and right. The manner in which the flow rate and temperature are adjusted in operating unit 13 is not limited to operating lever 13a and may be any manner. The temperature of the water discharged from water discharger 12 may be adjusted by an adjustment unit separate from operating unit 13, and operating unit 13 only needs to be able to adjust at least the flow rate of water discharged from water discharger 12.

[0037] The operating unit 13 also includes the single cartridge described above for mixing hot and cold water. A primary water supply pipe 61 that supplies water from a water source to the single cartridge is connected to the main body of the operating unit 13 that houses the single cartridge. The primary water supply pipe 61 extends upward behind the high-back surface and is connected to the main body of the operating unit 13 from below.

[0038] <Configuration of the water outlet> Next, the configuration of the water discharger 12 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the water discharger 12. Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the water discharger 12. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the water discharger main body 30.

[0039] The faucet device 1 (see FIG. 1) includes, as part of the faucet body, a water discharger 12. As described above, the water discharger 12 is configured to be able to be pulled out from the faucet body.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, water discharger 12 comprises water discharger main body 30, exterior member 40, and elastic body 50. Water discharge port 12a is provided on the front end of water discharger main body 30 in the axial direction AX, as indicated by the arrow. In addition, to the rear end of water discharger main body 30 in the axial direction AX, a water supply hose 20 is connected, which serves as a secondary water supply pipe through which water is supplied from a primary water supply pipe (not shown) to a single cartridge, which is a hot and cold water mixing unit, and through which water flows out of the single cartridge. In other words, water supply hose 20 is connected to water discharger main body 30 in the same axial direction (axial direction AX) as water discharge port 12a.

[0041] The exterior member 40 is a cylindrical member that forms the exterior (outer shape) of the water discharger 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the exterior member 40 has a shape in which, for example, the upper part is flat and the lower half is arc-shaped. The interior shape of the exterior member 40 also follows the exterior shape, with the upper part being flat and the lower half being arc-shaped. In this way, the interior shape of the exterior member 40 is an irregular shape that does not spread evenly from the center, such as a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0042] The outer peripheral surface of the appearance member 40 is plated with metal, that is, the appearance member 40 has a plated layer 40a on its outer peripheral surface.

[0043] The water spouter main body 30 is housed inside such exterior member 40 by being inserted axially. Furthermore, the water spouter main body 30 and exterior member 40 are fitted in a so-called clearance fit, with a gap formed between them because the outer diameter of the water spouter main body 30 is smaller than the inner diameter of the exterior member 40. The water spouter main body 30 and the inner surface of the exterior member 40 abut against each other via an elastic body 50, which will be described later, that is provided on the water spouter main body 30.

[0044] The elastic body 50 is attached to the water discharger main body 30. The elastic body 50 is arranged between the water discharger main body 30 and the exterior member 40. The elastic body 50 is, for example, an O-ring or a packing (for example, a foam packing). It is preferable that the elastic body 50 is an O-ring. It is also preferable that the elastic body 50 is made of a flexible resin material. The elastic body 50 is held in place by a plurality of ribs 31 provided on the water discharger main body 30. The plurality of ribs 31 will be described later using Figure 5.

[0045] The water outlet 12a is formed in a water outlet member 60. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the water outlet member 60 is attached to the tip of the water spouter main body 30 in the axial direction AX. The water outlet member 60 is fixed to the water spouter main body 30 by a screw connection.

[0046] Here, the pull-out direction (also called the pull-out direction) D of water discharger 12 is the same direction as the water discharge direction from water discharge port 12a (specifically, the direction facing downward (forward) as seen from the user facing water discharger 12). For this reason, it is not possible to place a member to prevent rattle, such as a packing, further ahead in the pull-out direction D than water discharger main body 30, and rattles may easily occur in a water discharger where the pull-out direction D and the water discharge direction are the same direction.

[0047] Furthermore, if the water discharger body 30 is press-fitted into the appearance member 40 by interference fitting or intermediate fitting in order to prevent rattling, assembly becomes complicated and the ease of assembly decreases. Furthermore, if the water discharger body 30 is inserted into the appearance member 40 by press fitting, distortion and cracks will occur in the plating layer 40a of the appearance member 40.

[0048] In this embodiment, an elastic body 50 is interposed between the water discharger main body 30 and the exterior member 40, which reduces rattling in the water discharger 12 assembled by inserting the water discharger main body 30 into the exterior member 40, without reducing assembly ease, and also reduces distortion and cracking in the plating layer 40a of the exterior member 40.

[0049] <Configuration of the water outlet body> Next, the configuration of water discharger main body 30 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing water discharger main body 30 and elastic body 50. Note that Figure 5 shows a cross section at the tip end of water discharger main body 30 in axial direction AX. The cross section in Figure 5 is a cross section taken along line VV in Figure 2. Figure 6 is a graph showing the relationship between distortion of plating layer 40a in appearance member 40 and dimensional variation and thermal expansion.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the water spouter main body 30 has a plurality of ribs 31 on the leading side in the axial direction AX. The multiple ribs 31 are provided so as to protrude radially outward from the water spouter main body 30. The multiple ribs 31 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the water spouter main body 30. In other words, the multiple ribs 31 are provided so as to extend radially from the center when viewing the water spouter main body 30 from the leading side in the axial direction AX. The multiple ribs 31 are also provided so as to separate the water passages through which water flows in the water spouter main body.

[0051] It is also preferable that there are at least four ribs 31. If there are four ribs 31, they are preferably provided facing both the up-down direction and the left-right direction in Fig. 5. It is also preferable that the ribs 31 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the water discharger main body 30. For this reason, if there are four ribs 31, they are preferably arranged at 90-degree intervals.

[0052] 2, the water spouter main body 30 has contact portions 33a, 33b that contact the appearance member 40 when inserted into the appearance member 40. The multiple ribs 31 are arranged further in the insertion direction of the water spouter main body 30 than the contact portion 33a (33b), i.e., further forward in the axial direction AX (see FIG. 5) of the water spouter main body 30. Note that the contact portion 33a is the portion that mainly contacts when the water spouter 12 is pushed in to insert it, and the contact portion 33b is the portion that mainly contacts when the water spouter 12 is pulled out. Because rattles in the water spouter main body 30 are more likely to occur forward of the contact portion 33a (33b) (more forward in the axial direction AX), it is preferable that the multiple ribs 31 be arranged further forward in the axial direction AX of the water spouter main body 30 than the contact portion 33a (33b).

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, it is more preferable that the multiple ribs 31 are arranged at the front end of the water discharger main body 30 in FIG. 5, that is, at the end of the water discharger main body 30 on the leading side in the axial direction AX.

[0054] The elastic body 50 is arranged outside these multiple ribs 31, that is, on the radially outer side of the multiple ribs 31 (of the water spouter main body 30). Note that the elastic body 50 is held by multiple (for example, four) ribs 31, and gaps are formed between the ribs 31 due to tension therebetween. Such gaps do not, for example, prevent water that has entered the interior of the appearance member 40 from escaping toward the water outlet 12a. In other words, the presence of gaps can prevent water from remaining inside the appearance member 40 for a long time.

[0055] Furthermore, the water discharger main body 30 is provided with a standing wall 32 at the tip end in the axial direction AX. The standing wall 32 is provided so as to protrude further outward in the radial direction of the water discharger main body 30 than the multiple ribs 31. Returning to FIG. 2, the standing wall 32 is provided so as to rise in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the water discharger main body 30 into the appearance member 40. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the standing wall 32 protrudes outward from the entire radial direction of the water discharger main body 30.

[0056] In this way, because elastic body 50 is held by multiple ribs 31, as shown in Figure 6, when water discharger body 30 is inserted as in this embodiment shown by graph line L2, the slope of distortion of plating layer 40a of appearance member 40 due to dimensional variations and thermal expansion of water discharger body 30 is gentler than when water discharger body 30 is press-fitted as shown by graph line L1, and distortion of plating layer 40a is significantly reduced. Note that line L0 in Figure 6 indicates the tolerance of plating layer 40a. If this line L0 is exceeded, there is a high possibility that distortion or cracks will occur in plating layer 40a.

[0057] As explained above, with the faucet device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to reduce the insertion force required to insert the water spouter body 30 into the exterior member 40 during assembly, compared to, for example, a configuration in which the entire elastic body 50 is held in close contact with the water spouter body 30. This makes it possible to reduce rattling of the water spouter body 30 within the exterior member 40 and improve ease of assembly in a pull-out water spouter 12 in which the water supply hose 20 is connected coaxially to the water outlet 12a.

[0058] Furthermore, by providing a plurality of ribs 31 in the vertical and horizontal directions, the elastic body 50 and the appearance member 40 come into contact in a balanced manner, thereby more effectively suppressing rattle.

[0059] Furthermore, by arranging multiple ribs 31 at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the water spouter main body 30, it is possible to evenly distribute the frictional force generated when the elastic body 50 and the appearance member 40 come into contact, and it is possible to more effectively reduce the insertion force when inserting the water spouter main body 30 into the appearance member 40. Furthermore, because the repulsive force of the elastic body can be made uniform, it is possible to prevent the water spouter main body 30 from shifting to one side when inserted into the appearance member 40.

[0060] Furthermore, when the elastic body 50 is held by multiple ribs 31, the contact area between the elastic body 50 and the ribs 31 is small, so friction during assembly may cause the position of the elastic body 50 held by the ribs 31 to shift. However, according to the faucet device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the surface of the elastic body 50 abuts against the vertical wall 32, thereby preventing the position of the elastic body 50 held by the ribs 31 from shifting in the axial direction AX of the water outlet main body 30.

[0061] Furthermore, since the entire elastic body 50 comes into contact with the standing wall 32, it is possible to more effectively prevent the elastic body 50 from shifting position during assembly.

[0062] Furthermore, multiple ribs 31 can be arranged in areas of water discharger main body 30 where rattles are likely to occur, making it possible to more effectively suppress rattles. Furthermore, because rattles are likely to occur at the front end of water discharger main body 30, suppressing rattles in this area makes it possible to more effectively suppress rattles.

[0063] Furthermore, by fitting the water discharge unit main body 30 and the exterior member 40 together with a gap, it is possible to reduce rattling while also reducing distortion and cracking caused by tolerance variations (dimensional variations) in the plating layer 40a applied to the exterior member 40, thermal expansion, and expansion of water supply, which are concerns that arise when using an intermediate fit or a tight fit.

[0064] Furthermore, even if the inner surface of the exterior member 40 has an irregular shape other than a cylindrical shape, rattle can be suppressed.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, a sensor may be further provided to create an automatic water faucet device that automatically stops water discharge based on the sensor detecting a detection object such as a user's hand near the water outlet 12a.

[0066] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Faucet equipment 12 Water outlet 12a Outlet 20 Water supply hose 30 Water outlet body 31 Ribs 32 Standing Wall 33a Contact part 40 Exterior components 40a plating layer 50 Elastic Body

Claims

1. A faucet device comprising a faucet body, a water supply hose, and a water outlet portion connected to the water supply hose and capable of being pulled out from the faucet body, The water discharge section is a water discharge unit body having a water discharge port for discharging hot and cold water and a connection portion to which the water supply hose is connected coaxially with the water discharge port; an exterior member into which the water discharger body is inserted; an elastic body disposed between the water discharger main body and the exterior member; Equipped with The water discharger body has a plurality of ribs arranged at predetermined intervals along its circumferential direction, the elastic body is disposed radially outward of the plurality of ribs, The water discharger main body has a standing wall that is provided in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the exterior member and that protrudes radially outward beyond the plurality of ribs. A water faucet device characterized by:

2. A faucet device comprising a faucet body, a water supply hose, and a water outlet portion connected to the water supply hose and capable of being pulled out from the faucet body, The water discharge section is a water discharge unit body having a water discharge port for discharging hot and cold water and a connection portion to which the water supply hose is connected coaxially with the water discharge port; an exterior member into which the water discharger body is inserted; an elastic body disposed between the water discharger main body and the exterior member; Equipped with The water discharger body has a plurality of ribs arranged at predetermined intervals along its circumferential direction, the elastic body is disposed radially outward of the plurality of ribs, The plurality of ribs are disposed at the front end of the water discharger body. A water faucet device characterized by:

3. The plurality of ribs are at least four in number and are provided in the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

3. The water faucet device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The plurality of ribs are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the water discharger body. The water faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The standing wall protrudes from the entire water discharger body. The water faucet device according to claim 1 .

6. The water discharger main body has an abutment portion that abuts against the exterior member when inserted into the exterior member, The plurality of ribs are disposed forward of the abutment portion in the insertion direction of the water discharger body. The water faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the appearance member has a plating layer on its outer circumferential surface, The water discharger main body and the exterior member are clearance-fitted and abut against each other via the elastic body. The water faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The outer surface member has an irregular inner shape. The water faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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