Water-stopping device

The water discharge and stop device protects the cam mechanism by allowing the cam member to move out of position before damage occurs, ensuring reliable operation and easy recovery from external forces, addressing the issue of malfunction due to grease or particle interference.

JP7818206B2Active Publication Date: 2026-02-20TAKAGI CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022058422
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-03-31
Publication Date
2026-02-20
Estimated Expiration
2042-03-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing water discharge and stop devices are prone to malfunction when grease hardens or foreign particles enter the sliding parts, causing the operating lever to fail to return to the extended position, leading to potential damage to the cam mechanism and loss of functionality.

Method used

The device incorporates a cam mechanism with a cam member and follower that moves out of its normal position on the operating lever side or main body side before damage occurs, protecting the engaging parts from excessive forces, and allowing for easy repositioning of the cam member to restore functionality.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively protects the cam mechanism from damage due to external forces, ensuring reliable operation and easy recovery from abnormal conditions, thereby maintaining the ability to switch between water discharge and stop states.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a water discharge / cutoff device capable of protecting a cam mechanism, even when force in a protrusion side acts, to an operation lever which is at a retreat position.SOLUTION: A water discharge / cutoff device 2 comprises: a main body part 4; an operation lever 6 which is switched between a retreat position and a protrusion position for closing and opening. an on off valve; a cam mechanism 30 for holding the operation lever 6 to the retreat position, by engagement of a cam 32 and a follower 34; and a cam member 8 having the cam 32. The cam member 8 is held at a regular position on the operation lever 6 side. The follower 34 is held at a regular position on the main body part 4 side. When the operation lever 6 at the retreat position is drawn to a protrusion side by external force, before the follower 34 is broken, the cam member 8 is detached from the regular position on the operation lever 6 side, or the follower 34 is detached from the regular position on the main body part 4 side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water discharge and stop device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various devices are known as water discharge / stop devices that can discharge and stop water, such as sprinkler nozzles and washing nozzles. In these devices, water discharge and stop can be switched by operating an operating lever.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-22848 discloses a watering nozzle in which an operating member moves a follower along a cam to lock the on-off valve so that it remains open. In this watering nozzle, a guide path is provided separate from the follower's approach path leading to the cam's circular path, for guiding the follower that has disengaged from the cam back to the circular path or the approach path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-22848 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned water discharge and stop device, the operating lever switches between the retracted position and the extended position each time the operating lever is squeezed. When the operating lever is in the retracted position, the follower engages the cam. When the operating lever is squeezed from this state, the operating lever switches to the extended position.

[0006] However, if the grease in the sliding parts hardens or if sand or other particles get into the gaps between the parts, the operating lever may not return to the extended position even with normal lever operation (pushing the lever). In this case, the user may pull the operating lever, which is in the retracted position, toward the extended position. Furthermore, if something gets caught on the operating lever or if the operating lever is subjected to an impact, a force may act on the operating lever in the retracted position, moving it toward the extended position. When a force acts on the operating lever in the retracted position, a force is applied to the engaging part of the follower, which may cause damage (deformation, destruction, etc.) to the engaging part. If this damage occurs, the cam mechanism will not operate, making it impossible to switch between water discharge and water stop.

[0007] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a water discharge and stop device in which the cam mechanism is protected even when a force acts on the operating lever in the retracted position in the protruding direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one aspect, the water discharge and stop device comprises a main body having a flow path and an on-off valve, an operating lever that is switched between a retracted position and an extended position and opens and closes the on-off valve, a cam mechanism that has a cam and a follower and holds the operating lever in the retracted position by engagement between the cam and the follower, and a cam member that has the cam. The cam member is held in a normal position on the operating lever side. The follower is held in a normal position on the main body side. When the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled out to the extended side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position on the operating lever side, or the follower moves out of the normal position on the main body side, before the follower is damaged. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In one aspect, the cam mechanism is protected even when a force toward the protruding side acts on the operating lever when it is in the retracted position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the water discharge and shut-off device according to the first embodiment, in which the operating lever is in the protruding position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a side view of the water discharge and stop device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view thereof. [Figure 3] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are side views of the water discharge and stop device of Figure 1 with the outer cover removed. In Figure 3(a), the operating lever is in the extended position, and in Figure 3(b), the operating lever is in the retracted position. [Figure 4] 4(a) is a side view of FIG. 3(a) with the operating lever removed, and FIG. 4(b) is a side view of FIG. 3(b) with the operating lever removed. [Figure 5] 5(a) is a perspective view of FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of FIG. 5(a) with the cam member and follower removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the follower, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view of the follower with a damaged (deformed) engagement portion. [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) is a perspective view of the cam member, Figure 7(b) is a side view of the cam member, Figure 7(c) is a bottom view of the cam member, Figure 7(d) is a rear view of the cam member, and Figure 7(e) is a rear view of a cam member of a comparative example. [Figure 8] Figure 8(a) is a perspective view of the operating lever seen from above, Figure 8(b) is a perspective view of the operating lever seen from below, Figure 8(c) is a side view of the operating lever, and Figure 8(d) is a bottom view of the operating lever. [Figure 9] 9 is a partially enlarged side view of FIG. 3(b). In FIG. 9, the cam member disposed inside the operating lever is indicated by a broken line. [Figure 10] Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged side view showing a state in which the operating lever has been pulled out to the protruding side by an external force from the state in Fig. 9. In Fig. 10, the cam member disposed inside the operating lever is also shown by a dashed line. [Figure 11]Figure 11(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line aa in Figure 9, and Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in Figure 10. Figures 11(a) and 11(b) show only the operating lever and the cam member. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11(a) when a cam member of a comparative example is used. [Figure 13] Fig. 13 is a partially enlarged side view of the water discharge and stop device of the second embodiment. Fig. 13 is a view of the state in which the outer cover has been removed. In Fig. 13, the operating lever is in the retracted position. In Fig. 13, the cam member arranged inside the operating lever is shown by a dashed line. [Figure 14] Fig. 14 is a partially enlarged side view showing a state in which the operating lever has been pulled out to the protruding side by an external force from the state in Fig. 13. In Fig. 14 as well, the cam member arranged inside the operating lever is shown by a broken line. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the circled area in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water discharge and stop device 2 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a side view of the water discharge and stop device 2, and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the water discharge and stop device 2. FIGS. 1, 2(a), and 2(b) show the water stop state, with the operating lever 6 in the extended position. FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are side views of the water discharge and stop device 2 with the outer cover 23 removed. FIG. 3(a) shows the water stop state, with the operating lever 6 in the extended position. FIG. 3(b) shows the water discharge state, with the operating lever 6 in the retracted position. FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are side views of the water discharge and stop device 2 with the outer cover 23 and operating lever 6 removed. FIG. 4(a) shows the water stop state, and FIG. 4(b) shows the water discharge state. FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view of the water discharge and stop device 2 of FIG. 4(a), and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of FIG. 5(a) from which the cam member 8 and follower 34 have been further removed.

[0013] The water discharge and stop device 2 has a main body 4, an operating lever 6, and a cam member 8. The main body 4 has a flow path 10, an on-off valve 12, a biasing member 14, a center lever 16, a water type switching unit 18, a water discharge port 20, a connecting unit 22, and an outer cover 23.

[0014] The operating lever 6 can be switched between a retracted position and an extended position. The retracted position is a position relatively close to the main body 4. The extended position is a position relatively far from the main body 4. In Figure 3(a), the operating lever 6 is in the extended position. In Figure 3(b), the operating lever 6 is in the retracted position. When the operating lever 6 is in the extended position, the water discharge and stop device 2 is in a water stop state. When the operating lever 6 is in the retracted position, the water discharge and stop device 2 is in a water discharge state. Each time the operating lever 6 is pressed, it switches between the retracted position (water discharge state) and the extended position (water stop state).

[0015] However, this relationship may be reversed. That is, when the operating lever 6 is in the extended position, the water discharge and stop device 2 may be in the water discharge state. When the operating lever 6 is in the retracted position, the water discharge and stop device 2 may be in the water stop state.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2(b), the on-off valve 12 has a sliding valve element 12a, a seal 12b provided at the front end of the sliding valve element 12a, and a valve seat 12c against which the seal 12b abuts. The sliding valve element 12a forms a flow path 10 inside and slides forward and backward. The on-off valve 12 is closed when the sliding valve element 12a moves forward and the seal 12b abuts against the valve seat 12c. The on-off valve 12 is opened when the sliding valve element 12a moves backward and the seal 12b moves away from the valve seat 12c.

[0017] The biasing member 14 is a compression spring (compression coil spring). The biasing member 14 constantly biases the slide valve body 12a forward. The middle lever 16 has a lever portion 16a, a rotation support portion 16b, and a link engagement portion 16c. The middle lever 16 is rotatably supported by the rotation support portion 16b. The middle lever 16 rotates around a rotation shaft 24 (see Figures 4(a) and 4(b)). The link engagement portion 16c of the middle lever 16 engages with the slide valve body 12a. The middle lever 16 rotates in conjunction with the slide valve body 12a. When the slide valve body 12a moves forward, the middle lever 16 rotates toward the protruding side. When the slide valve body 12a moves backward, the middle lever 16 rotates toward the retracting side. The biasing member 14 constantly biases the middle lever 16 toward the protruding side via the slide valve body 12a. In this way, the middle lever 16 converts the movement of the operating lever 6 into the opening and closing movement of the on-off valve 12. In addition, the middle lever 16 always presses the operating lever 6 in the protruding direction.

[0018] The middle lever 16 (lever portion 16a) has a pressing portion 16d that presses (the underside of) the cam member 8. The cam member 8 has a pressed portion 33 that the middle lever 16 (pressing portion 16d) abuts against. The middle lever 16 constantly presses the operating lever 6 in the protruding direction via the cam member 8.

[0019] The water type switching unit 18 is rotated to switch the type of water discharged from the water outlet 20. The connection unit 22 is connected to the faucet via a hose or the like. Typically, the connection unit 22 is connected to a fitting provided at the end of the hose.

[0020] The water discharge and stop device 2 has a cam mechanism 30. The cam mechanism 30 has a cam 32 and a follower 34. The cam 32 is provided on a cam member 8. The cam member 8 is a member separate from the operating lever 6. In this embodiment, the cam 32 is a heart-shaped cam, and the follower 34 is a stopper pin.

[0021] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the follower (stopper pin) 34, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view of the follower 34 with the engagement portion deformed.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the stopper pin 34 has a cantilever extension 34a, an engaging portion 34b, and a connecting portion 34c. The cantilever extension 34a extends straight. The base (lower end) of the cantilever extension 34a is held by the main body. The engaging portion 34b is the upper end of the cantilever extension 34a. The engaging portion 34b is the end on the free end side of the cantilever extension 34a. The engaging portion 34b forms a tip portion bent at a right angle. The stopper pin 34 has a symmetrical shape. The cantilever extension 34a and the engaging portion 34b are formed on each side. The cantilever extensions 34a are connected to each other by the connecting portion 34c. The left and right engaging portions 34b engage with the cams 32 located on the left and right, respectively. The connecting portion 34c is not necessary.

[0023] As shown in the enlarged views of Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the cam 32 has a first guide surface 32a, a second guide surface 32b, a recessed surface 32c, and a third guide surface 32d. The first guide surface 32a is located in a position including directly above the stopper pin 34. "Directly above" refers to the direction in which the cantilevered extension 34a is oriented in its natural state. The first guide surface 32a forms a slope that slopes upward toward one side (the front side of the water discharge / stop device 2). The recessed surface 32c extends between the upper end of the first guide surface 32a and the upper end of the third guide surface 32d. The second guide surface 32b is located above the recessed surface 32c and spaced apart from it. The lower end of the second guide surface 32b is located to one side of the position directly above the stopper pin 34. The lower end of the second guide surface 32b is close to the lowest part of the recessed surface 32c. The lowest part of concave surface 32c is located to one side of directly above stopper pin 34. The other end of concave surface 32c (the rear side of water discharge and stop device 2) is located to one side of directly above stopper pin 34. Third guide surface 32d forms a slope that slopes downward to the other side.

[0024] When the operating lever 6 is in the extended position P1, the stopper pin 34 is located below the cam 32. When the operating lever 6 is pressed from the extended position P1, the engaging portion 34b of the stopper pin 34 abuts the first guide surface 32a and moves along the first guide surface 32a. The stopper pin 34 elastically deforms to tilt to one side, and the engaging portion 34b moves beyond the upper end of the first guide surface 32a. As the stopper pin 34 attempts to return straight, the engaging portion 34b abuts the second guide surface 32b and is guided by the second guide surface 32b to fall to the bottom of the recessed surface 32c. In this state, the operating lever 6 is held in the retracted position P2 (FIG. 4(b)). When the operating lever 6 is pressed again, the stopper pin 34 attempts to return straight, and the engaging portion 34b leaves the recessed surface 32c to the other side and is guided by the third guide surface 32d to return to its original position (FIG. 4(a)).

[0025] The cam mechanism 30 constitutes an alternate mechanism that performs alternate operations on the operating lever 6. When the operating lever 6 is pressed from the extended position P1, it moves to the retracted position P2 via the pressed position. The pressed position is closer to the main body 4 than the retracted position P2. Pressing the operating lever 6 can be easily achieved, for example, by holding the water discharge and stop device 2 with one hand and fisting the other. When the pressure is released, the retracted position P2 is maintained. When the operating lever 6 is pressed from the retracted position P2, it moves to the extended position P1 via the pressed position. When the pressure is released, the extended position P1 is maintained. Each time it is pressed, the operating lever 6 repeatedly moves between the extended position P1 and the retracted position P2. In this way, the operation of the operating lever 6 is an alternate operation. The cam mechanism that performs the alternate operation may be a heart-shaped cam type as in this embodiment, or other known mechanisms may be used.

[0026] Fig. 7(a) is a perspective view of cam member 8, Fig. 7(b) is a side view of cam member 8, Fig. 7(c) is a bottom view of cam member 8, and Fig. 7(d) is a rear view of cam member 8 as seen from behind. Fig. 7(e) is a rear view of cam member 8x of a comparative example. This cam member 8x will be described later.

[0027] The cam member 8 is a bilaterally symmetrical member and has a left side wall portion 8a, a right side wall portion 8b, and a connecting portion 8c.

[0028] The connecting portion 8c connects the upper edge of the left side wall portion 8a and the upper edge of the right side wall portion 8b. The connecting portion 8c has the aforementioned pressed portion 33. The pressed portion 33 is located on the underside of the connecting portion 8c. The pressed portion 33 has a convex curved surface, and stably contacts the middle lever 16 regardless of the rotational positions of the operating lever 6 and the middle lever 16.

[0029] The left side wall portion 8a and the right side wall portion 8b each have a cam 32. The left side wall portion 8a has the cam 32 on its outer surface. The right side wall portion 8b has the cam 32 on its outer surface. The cam member 8 has a slide engagement portion 36. The left side wall portion 8a and the right side wall portion 8b each have a slide engagement portion 36. Each slide engagement portion 36 has a first surface 36a and a second surface 36b. The first surface 36a is a surface facing forward. The first surface 36a is formed by an extending convex portion 38 that is provided in front of the cam 32 and extends in the vertical direction. The second surface 36b is a surface facing rearward. The second surface 36b is the rear end surface of the cam member 8. The first surface 36a and the second surface 36b are parallel to each other.

[0030] The cam member 8 has a leg portion 40 and an engagement end portion 42. The left side wall portion 8a and the right side wall portion 8b each have a leg portion 40 and an engagement end portion 42. The leg portion 40 forms the rear end surface of the cam member 8. The leg portion 40 extends in a cantilevered manner. The lower end of the leg portion 40 is a free end. The width of the leg portion 40 is not limited. The engagement end portion 42 is formed at the free end of the leg portion 40. The engagement end portion 42 has an engagement protrusion portion 42a. The engagement protrusion portion 42a has an engagement abutment surface 42b.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5(a), the cam member 8 is disposed above the middle lever 16. The middle lever 16 is disposed between the left side wall portion 8a and the right side wall portion 8b. The middle lever 16 abuts against the lower surface (pressed portion 33) of the connecting portion 8c. The cam member 8 is constantly pressed upward by the middle lever 16.

[0032] Figure 8(a) is a perspective view of the operating lever 6 seen from above, Figure 8(b) is a perspective view of the operating lever 6 seen from below, Figure 8(c) is a side view of the operating lever 6, and Figure 8(d) is a bottom view of the operating lever 6.

[0033] The operating lever 6 has an upper wall portion 6a, a left wall portion 6b, and a right wall portion 6c. The upper wall portion 6a connects the upper edge of the left wall portion 6b to the upper edge of the right wall portion 6c. A space that is open downward is formed between the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c. A cam member 8 and a middle lever 16 are disposed in this space (see Figures 5(a) and 5(b)). The cam member 8 is disposed between the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c.

[0034] The operating lever 6 has a shaft hole 6d at its rear portion. A rotation shaft z1 is inserted through the shaft hole 6d (see FIG. 5(a)). The rotation shaft z1 also passes through the shaft support portion 46 (see FIG. 5(a)) of the main body 4. The operating lever 6 is rotatably supported by the main body 4.

[0035] The operating lever 6 has a slide engagement portion 50. The slide engagement portion 50 is provided on each of the left wall portion 6b (inner surface) and the right wall portion 6c (inner surface). Each slide engagement portion 50 has a first opposing surface 50a and a second opposing surface 50b. The first opposing surface 50a is a surface facing rearward. The first opposing surface 50a is formed by a first extending protrusion 51 provided on each of the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c. The second opposing surface 50b is a surface facing forward. The second opposing surface 50b is formed by a second extending protrusion 53 provided on each of the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c. The second extending protrusion 53 is located rearward of the first extending protrusion 51. The first opposing surface 50a and the second opposing surface 50b are parallel to each other.

[0036] When the cam member 8 is disposed inside the operating lever 6, the first opposing surface 50a faces the first surface 36a, and the second opposing surface 50b faces the second surface 36b. In this manner, the slide engagement portion 50 of the operating lever 6 engages with the slide engagement portion 36 of the cam member 8. Movement of the cam member 8 relative to the operating lever 6 is restricted to a predetermined direction (the extension direction of the slide engagement portions 36, 50).

[0037] The operating lever 6 has an engagement holding portion 52. The engagement holding portion 52 is provided on each of the left wall portion 6b and the right wall portion 6c. The engagement holding portion 52 is a through hole.

[0038] The operating lever 6 has a protruding locking portion 54. When the operating lever 6 is in the protruding position P1, the protruding locking portion 54 engages with the main body 4. This engagement defines the protruding position P1, which is the limit of movement of the operating lever 6 in the protruding direction.

[0039] As explained above, the cam member 8 is disposed inside the operating lever 6, and the middle lever 16 is disposed inside (below) the cam member 8. The middle lever 16 constantly urges the operating lever 6 upward via the cam member 8. The cam mechanism 30 causes the operating lever 6 to switch between the extended position P1 (stopping water) and the retracted position P2 (spouting water) each time it is pressed.

[0040] Figure 9 is a partially enlarged side view of Figure 3(b). In Figure 9, the operating lever 6 is in the retracted position, and the water discharge and stop device 2 is in a water discharge state. Figure 10 is a partially enlarged side view showing a state in which the operating lever 6 has been pulled out to the protruding side by an external force F from the state of Figure 9. In Figures 9 and 10, the cam member 8 arranged inside the operating lever 6 is shown by a broken line. Figure 11(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line aa in Figure 9. Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in Figure 10. For ease of understanding, only the operating lever 6 and the cam member 8 are shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b).

[0041] In FIG. 9, the cam member 8 is held in its normal position on the operating lever 6 side. An external force F is applied to the operating lever 6, which is in the retracted position P2, causing the operating lever 6 to be pulled out toward the protruding side. The situation in which the external force F is applied in this manner, which is different from normal operation, can occur as described above. The external force F increases the force acting on the engaging portion 34b of the stopper pin 34. If this force becomes excessive, the engaging portion 34b will be damaged. This damage may be deformation (plastic deformation), for example. If the stopper pin 34 is made of metal, the engaging portion 34b will be deformed by the application of an excessive force. FIG. 6(b) shows the stopper pin 34 with the engaging portion 34b deformed. If this deformation occurs, the stopper pin 34 cannot engage with the cam 32, and the cam mechanism 30 will lose its function.

[0042] However, in the water discharge and stop device 2, the cam member 8 moves out of its normal position on the operating lever 6 side before the stopper pin 34 is damaged. Figure 10 shows the state in which the cam member 8 has moved out of its normal position. This prevents damage to the stopper pin 34 (engagement portion 34b).

[0043] As described above, the cam member 8 is pushed toward the protruding side by the middle lever 16 (see FIG. 5(a)). Therefore, even if the cam member 8 is disengaged from the operating lever 6, the position of the cam member 8 does not change, and the engagement between the cam 32 and the stopper pin 34 is maintained.

[0044] As shown in Figure 11(a), when cam member 8 is in the normal position on the operating lever 6 side, engagement end 42 of cam member 8 is engaged with engagement holder 52. When external force F is applied, engagement end 42 disengages from engagement holder 52 before engagement portion 34b is damaged (Figure 11(b)). As a result, cam member 8 disengages from operating lever 6 before engagement portion 34b is damaged.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the cam member 8 is in the normal position, a convex-concave engagement is formed between the engagement end 42 of the cam member 8 and the engagement retaining portion 52. In this embodiment, the engagement end 42 is convex and the engagement retaining portion 52 is concave. When an external force F is applied to the operating lever 6, the convex (engagement end 42) in the convex-concave engagement is pressed against the concave (engagement retaining portion 52). Simultaneously, a bending deformation occurs in the leg portion 40 so that the convex (engagement end 42) overcomes the concave (engagement retaining portion 52) (see FIG. 11(b)). When the amount of bending deformation of the leg portion 40 exceeds the engagement allowance K1, the convex-concave engagement is released. In this configuration, the convex-concave engagement is easily released. As a result, the cam member 8 is released from the operating lever 6 before the engagement portion 34b is damaged. Conversely to this embodiment, the engagement end 42 may be concave and the engagement retaining portion 52 may be convex. In this case, however, the convex portion of the engagement holding portion 53 may come into contact with the leg portion 40 after disengagement, and the further the cam member 8 moves downward, the greater the deflection of the leg portion 40. In this case, the load on the leg portion 40 increases, and the cam member 8 becomes more difficult to move. From this perspective, it is preferable that the engagement end portion 42 is convex and the engagement holding portion 52 is concave.

[0046] As shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 11(a), the engagement abutment surface 42b abuts against the engagement holder 52 (edge ​​of the opening). A straight line D1 in the enlarged portion of FIG. 11(a) is a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cam member 8 when the cam member 8 disengages from the operating lever 6. The engagement abutment surface 42b is inclined with respect to direction D1. The inclination angle with respect to direction D1 is θ. The inclination angle θ of the engagement abutment surface 42b is greater than zero. The engagement abutment surface 42b is inclined so that as the cam member 8 moves in the direction of disengagement from the engagement holder 52 (downward of the operating lever 6), the engagement protrusion 42a moves in the direction of disengagement from the engagement holder 52 (toward the inside of the operating lever 6). This engagement abutment surface 42b reduces the force required to disengage the cam member 8 from its normal position.

[0047] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view when a cam member 8x of a comparative example is used instead of the cam member 8. Like Fig. 11(a), Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view when the cam member 8x is in the normal position on the operating lever 6. Like Fig. 11(a), Fig. 12 also shows only the cam member 8x and the operating lever 6.

[0048] Figure 7(e) is a rear view of cam member 8x as seen from behind. Cam member 8x has an engagement end 43. Engagement end 43 has an engagement protrusion 43a. Engagement protrusion 43a has an engagement abutment surface 43b. Other than the change in the shape of the engagement end, cam member 8x is the same as cam member 8. The difference between engagement end 42 and engagement end 43 is the angle of the engagement abutment surface.

[0049] As shown in the enlarged portion of Figure 12, the engagement abutment surface 43b is parallel to direction D1. In other words, the inclination angle θ of the engagement abutment surface 43b is 0°. The engagement abutment surface 43b is not inclined with respect to direction D1. The engagement between the engagement abutment surface 43b and the engagement holding portion 52 is difficult to disengage. Therefore, a large force is required to remove the cam member 8 from the normal position. If a cam member 8x is used instead of the cam member 8, the cam member 8x will not be disengaged from the operating lever 6 before the engagement portion 34b is damaged, and the engagement portion 34b of the stopper pin 34 will be deformed (see Figure 6(b)).

[0050] 10 and 11(b), cam member 8 disengages from operating lever 6, preventing damage to stopper pin 34. When operating lever 6 is pushed in from this state to retracted position P2, engagement end 42 again engages with engagement holder 52, and cam member 8 returns to its normal position. When cam member 8 returns to its normal position, cam mechanism 30 returns to a normal operating state, making it possible to switch between stopping and discharging water by alternate operation of operating lever 6.

[0051] In FIG. 9, the cam member 8 is in the normal position R1 on the operating lever 6 side. When the cam member 8 is disengaged from the operating lever 6 by an external force F, the cam member 8 moves to the irregular position N1 relative to the operating lever 6. As described above, this relative movement is achieved by the operating lever 6 moving relative to the stationary cam member 8. Furthermore, by pushing the operating lever 6, the cam member 8 returns from the irregular position N1 to the normal position R1. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, when the operating lever 6 is in the extended position and the cam member 8 is in the irregular position N1, applying an external force B that pushes the operating lever 6 returns the cam member 8 to the normal position R1 (FIG. 9). While holding the water discharge and stop device 2 with one hand, the user can return the cam member 8 to the normal position R1 simply by squeezing that hand. In this way, the relative movement between the operating lever 6 and the cam member 8 allows the cam member 8 to move between the normal position R1 and the irregular position N1.

[0052] The path of relative movement of the cam member 8 with respect to the operating lever 6 is constant. A slide engagement portion is formed between the operating lever 6 and the cam member 8, which defines the path of relative movement between the normal position R1 and the abnormal position N1. In this embodiment, this slide engagement portion is the slide engagement portion 50 of the operating lever 6 and the slide engagement portion 36 of the cam member 8. This slide engagement portion ensures that the cam member 8, once disengaged from the operating lever 6, returns to the normal position R1. Note that there is play (gap) between the slide engagement portion 50 and the slide engagement portion 36, and substantially no frictional force occurs between them. The cam member 8 is held in the operating lever 6 substantially only by the engagement between the engagement end portion 42 and the engagement holding portion 52. Therefore, when this engagement is released, the cam member 8 easily disengages from the operating lever 6.

[0053] Figures 13 and 14 are partially enlarged side views of the water discharge and stop device 60 of the second embodiment. Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the area within the circle in Figure 13. Similar to Figures 9 and 10, Figures 13 and 14 are partially enlarged views of the state in which the outer cover 23 has been removed. In Figure 13, the operating lever 6y is in the retracted position, and the water discharge and stop device 60 is in the water discharge state. Figure 14 shows the state in which the operating lever 6y has been pulled out from the state in Figure 13 to the protruding side by an external force F. In Figures 13 and 14, the cam member 8y arranged inside the operating lever 6y is shown by a dashed line.

[0054] The operating lever 6y of the water discharge and stop device 60 has an engagement holding portion 55. The shape of the engagement holding portion 55 differs from the engagement holding portion 52 of the first embodiment. Except for this point, the operating lever 6y is the same as the operating lever 6 of the first embodiment.

[0055] The cam member 8y of the water discharge and stop device 60 has an engagement end 44. This engagement end 44 has a different shape from the engagement end 42 of the first embodiment. The engagement end 44 has an engagement protrusion 44a. The engagement protrusion 44a has a smaller width than the engagement protrusion 42a of the first embodiment. The engagement protrusion 44a has an engagement abutment surface 44b. The engagement abutment surface 44b has an inclination angle θ of 0°, similar to the engagement abutment surface 43b (Figure 12). Except for these points, the cam member 8y is the same as the cam member 8.

[0056] The water discharge and stop device 60 is the same as the water discharge and stop device 2, except that the operating lever 6 is replaced with an operating lever 6y and the cam member 8 is replaced with a cam member 8y.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 15, the engagement holding portion 55 is an L-shaped hole. The engagement holding portion 55 has an engagement edge 55a and an expanded hole portion 55b that expands rearward and downward from the engagement edge 55a. When the cam member 8y is in the normal position R1, the engagement abutment surface 44b engages with the engagement edge 55a. When an external force F (FIG. 13) is applied, the cam member 8y attempts to move downward relative to the operating lever 6y. More precisely, this relative movement is along a circle. The operating lever 6y rotates around the rotation center line z2 (see FIG. 13). Therefore, the movement direction of the engagement edge 55a relative to the engagement abutment surface 44b is along a circle C1 centered on the rotation center line z2. At the abutment position between the engagement edge 55a and the engagement abutment surface 44b, the direction of the circle C1 is not perpendicular to the abutment boundary surface between the engagement edge 55a and the engagement abutment surface 44b. As a result, a force acts in a direction that causes the engagement abutment surface 44b to slide laterally relative to the engagement edge 55a (see the arrow in Figure 15). This sliding direction is the direction in which the engagement end 44 moves toward the expanded hole portion 55b. This sliding causes the engagement abutment surface 44b to disengage from the engagement edge 55a, and the engagement end 44 is guided into the expanded hole portion 55b. As a result, the engagement between the engagement holder 55 and the engagement end 44 is released.

[0058] As explained above, in the water discharge and stop device 2 of the first embodiment, when the operating lever 6 in the retracted position P2 is pulled out toward the protruding side by the external force F, the cam member 8 moves out of the normal position R1 on the operating lever 6 side before the follower 34 is damaged. As a result, damage to the follower 34 is prevented. The follower 34 may move out of the normal position on the main body 4 side instead of the cam member 8 moving out. In other words, when the operating lever 6 in the retracted position P2 is pulled out toward the protruding side by the external force F, the follower 34 may move out of the normal position on the main body 4 side before the follower 34 is damaged. In this case too, damage to the follower 34 is prevented. Note that this "damage" is a concept that includes deformation and destruction. Furthermore, "deformation" is typically plastic deformation.

[0059] This structure, which protects the follower 34 from damage, can be explained by the moment of an external force applied to the operating lever 6. Referring to FIG. 3(a), consider a case in which an external force F is applied to the point of application Pw on the operating lever 6, with the operating lever 6 in the retracted position P2. The distance between the rotation center line z2 of the operating lever 6 and the point of application Pw is r. Force F1 is the vertical component of the external force F. This vertical component refers to the component perpendicular to the line L1 connecting the rotation center line z2 and the point of application Pw. Note that line L1 is perpendicular to the rotation center line z2. The value of F1 multiplied by r is the moment of the external force F about the rotation center line z2. By defining this moment (F1 × r), the value of the external force related to the dislocation of the cam member 8 and the damage to the follower 34 can be unambiguously evaluated. The unit of this moment may be N·m.

[0060] The moment of the external force F about the rotation center line z2 required to displace the cam member 8 from the normal position R1 is defined as M1. On the other hand, the moment of the external force F about the rotation center line z2 required to break the follower 34 and separate the follower 34 from the cam 32 is defined as M2.

[0061] Moment M1 is set smaller than moment M2. As a result, when the operating lever 6, which is in the retracted position P2, is pulled toward the protruding side by an external force F, the cam member 8 moves out of the normal position R1 on the operating lever 6 side before the follower 34 breaks. In order to measure moment M2, it is necessary to modify the operating lever 6 so that the cam member 8 does not move out of the normal position R1 until the follower 34 breaks. One example of this modification is to glue the cam member 8 to the operating lever 6 with an adhesive. However, it is possible to determine that moment M1 is smaller than moment M2 without measuring moments M1 and M2. In other words, if the cam member 8 moves out of the normal position R1 on the operating lever 6 side before the follower 34 breaks, it can be determined that moment M1 is smaller than moment M2.

[0062] Preferably, moment M1 is set to 0.7 (N·m) or less, further 0.5 (N·m) or less, or even 0.3 (N·m) or less. In this case, a small external force F causes the cam member 8 to disengage from the operating lever 6, making it easy to achieve a configuration in which the cam member 8 disengages before the follower 34 is damaged. If moment M1 is too small, the operating lever 6, which is in the retracted position, may easily disengage from the cam member 8 due to its own weight, vibration, or the like, and move in the protruding direction. From this perspective, moment M1 may be set to 0.1 (N·m) or more, further 0.15 (N·m) or more, or even 0.2 (N·m) or more.

[0063] By reducing the ratio (M1 / M2), a configuration can be reliably achieved in which the cam member 8 disengages before the follower 34 is damaged. From this viewpoint, the ratio (M1 / M2) is preferably equal to or less than 0.6, more preferably equal to or less than 0.4, and still more preferably equal to or less than 0.2. In consideration of a preferable lower limit value of the moment M1, the ratio (M1 / M2) is preferably equal to or greater than 0.04, more preferably equal to or greater than 0.09, and still more preferably equal to or greater than 0.31.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the middle lever 16 presses the operating lever 6 toward the protruding side via the cam member 8. The cam member 8 is constantly pressed toward the protruding side by the middle lever 16. As clearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the position of the cam member 8 remains unchanged before and after it is detached from the operating lever 6. Because the cam member 8 is supported by the middle lever 16, the engagement between the follower 34 and the cam 32 is maintained even when the cam member 8 is detached from the operating lever 6. In this manner, the cam member 8 can maintain the engagement between the follower 34 and the cam 32 without relying on the holding force of the operating lever 6. Therefore, even if the holding force of the cam member 8 by the operating lever 6 is extremely small, the cam member 8 can maintain the retracted position P2 and can maintain the normal position R1 by following the movement of the operating lever 6 between the extended position P1 and the retracted position P2. This allows the holding force of the cam member 8 by the operating lever 6 to be reduced. In other words, the moment M1 can be reduced. Therefore, the cam member 8 can be easily detached from the operating lever 6, and a configuration in which the cam member 8 is detached before the follower 34 is damaged can be easily achieved.

[0065] The present disclosure may also be applied to conventional watering nozzles, such as those described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 (JP 2009-22848 A). In such watering nozzles, the contact point where the central lever presses the operating lever is far from the cam portion, making it impossible to support the cam portion with the central lever. Therefore, if the cam portion is a separate component (cam member) from the operating lever, a high holding force is required between the operating lever and the cam member to hold the operating lever in the retracted position against the bias in the protruding direction. This increases the force (moment M1) required to disengage the cam member, which tends to increase the ratio (M1 / M2). Of course, by making appropriate adjustments, such as increasing the rigidity of the engagement portion of the follower, it is possible to achieve a configuration in which the cam member disengages from the operating lever before the follower breaks, even in conventional watering nozzles.

[0066] Examples of configurations in which the cam member easily detaches from the operating lever are shown in the first and second embodiments described above. In these embodiments, the cam member has a leg portion extending in a cantilevered manner and an engagement end portion formed at the free end of the leg portion. The operating lever also has an engagement holding portion that engages with the engagement end portion to hold the cam member in the normal position. When the cam member is in the normal position R1, a convex-concave engagement is formed between the engagement end portion and the engagement holding portion. When an external force F is applied to the operating lever, the convex portion of the convex-concave engagement is pressed against the concave portion, and bending deformation occurs in the leg portion so that the convex portion overcomes the concave portion. This easily releases the convex-concave engagement, making it easy for the cam member to detach from the operating lever.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the ease with which the cam member 8 can be disengaged can also be adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle θ (FIG. 11(a)). The ease with which the cam member 8 can be disengaged can also be adjusted by changing the length and rigidity of the leg portions. The ease with which the cam member 8 can be disengaged can also be adjusted by adjusting the engagement allowance K1. In the embodiment of FIG. 11(a), the inclination angle θ is set to 45°, and the engagement allowance K1 is set to 0.7 to 0.8 mm. The inclination angle θ can be set to an angle such that the amount of flexural deformation of the leg portions is equal to or greater than the engagement allowance K1 when the moment M1 is within the above-mentioned preferred range (for example, 0.7 (N·m)).

[0068] The structure by which the operating lever 6 holds the cam member 8 is not limited. Examples include holding by concave-convex engagement, holding by static friction, and holding by magnetic force. While the first and second embodiments described above provide examples of holding by concave-convex engagement, various forms and arrangements of the concave-convex engagement can be set. Holding by static friction can be achieved, for example, by adjusting the dimensions of the cam member 8 and the operating lever 6, so that static friction occurs between the cam member 8 and the operating lever 6 in the normal position R1. Holding by magnetic force can be achieved, for example, by placing a magnet on one of the operating lever 6 or the cam member 8, and a magnet or magnetic material on the other. In any of these configurations, it is easy to adjust the holding force to a small value.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the cam member 8 is directly held by the operating lever 6. The cam member 8 may also be indirectly held by the operating lever 6 via another member. The cam member 8 of the first embodiment is also referred to as a stopper guide, but the form of the cam member is not limited thereto. For example, in the cam member 8 (FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d)), each of the left and right portions including the cam 32 (portions outside the two dotted chain lines in FIG. 7(c)) can be configured as cam members and can slide relative to the other portion (the central portion between the two dotted chain lines). In this case, the central portion can be fixed to the operating lever 6 and can be part of the operating lever 6. By providing a concave-convex engagement on the sliding surface between the central portion and the cam member, a configuration can be achieved in which the cam member disengages from the central portion with a predetermined force.

[0070] The follower (stopper pin, etc.) may be made of metal or resin. From the viewpoint of separating the cam member from the operating lever without deformation of the tip, it is preferable that the follower be thin but have excellent rigidity and strength. In the case of metal, one of the preferable materials is stainless steel, for example, SUS304. The follower may be made of spring steel. Spring steel is steel used for springs. The follower may also be made of piano wire. In the above embodiment, SUS304 was used.

[0071] Resin can be used as a material for the cam member (stopper guide, etc.). When the operating lever is displaced from its normal position, deformation occurs, so a material with excellent durability is preferable. From this perspective, POM (polyacetal) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer synthetic resin) are preferable. Considering the ease with which the operating lever is displaced from its normal position, a material with a certain degree of slipperiness is preferable. From this perspective, POM is more preferable. From the perspective of sliding with the middle lever, POM, which has a moderate degree of slipperiness, is also preferable. In the above embodiment, POM was used.

[0072] The operating lever may be made of resin. Examples of this resin include ABS, POM, and PP (polypropylene). When the engagement holding portion of the operating lever engages with the engagement end of the cam member as in the above embodiment, a material that is not easily crushed by the engagement end is preferred. From this perspective, ABS and POM are preferred. In the above embodiment, ABS was used.

[0073] The following notes are part of the inventions presented in this disclosure. [Appendix 1] a main body having a flow path and an on-off valve; an operating lever that can be switched between a retracted position and a protruding position to open and close the on-off valve; a cam mechanism having a cam and a follower, the cam engaging with the follower holding the operating lever at the retracted position; a cam member having the cam; It is equipped with The cam member is held at a normal position on the operating lever side, The follower is held in a normal position on the main body side, A water discharge and stop device in which, when the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled toward the protruding side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position on the operating lever side, or the follower moves out of the normal position on the main body side, before the follower is damaged. [Appendix 2] A water discharge and stop device as described in Appendix 1, in which when the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled out toward the protruding side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position before the follower is damaged. [Appendix 3] the operating lever has a rotation centerline, A water discharge and stop device as described in Appendix 2, wherein the moment of the external force about the rotation center line required to remove the cam member from the normal position is smaller than the moment of the external force about the rotation center line required to break the follower and disengage the follower from the cam. [Appendix 4] A water discharge and stopping device as described in Appendix 2 or 3, wherein the cam member is held in the normal position by a concave-convex engagement. [Appendix 5] the cam member has a cantilevered leg and an engagement end formed at a free end of the leg; the operating lever has an engagement holding portion that holds the cam member in the normal position by engaging with the engagement end portion, When the cam member is in the normal position, the engagement end and the engagement holding portion form the concave-convex engagement, A water discharge and stop device as described in Appendix 4, in which when the external force is applied to the operating lever, the convex part in the concave-convex engagement is pressed against the concave part, and a bending deformation occurs in the leg part so that the convex part overcomes the concave part. [Appendix 6] A water discharge and stop device as described in any one of Appendices 2 to 5, in which the cam member returns to its normal position by pushing the operating lever to the retracted position when the cam member is out of its normal position. [Appendix 7] the main body portion includes a biasing member that biases the on-off valve in a direction to close the on-off valve, and a middle lever that converts the movement of the operating lever into an opening / closing movement of the on-off valve and presses the operating lever toward the protruding side, A water discharge and stop device as described in any one of appendix 2 to 6, wherein the middle lever presses the cam member in the normal position toward the protruding side.

[0074] This application also describes other inventions not included in the inventions described in the claims (including independent claims). Each form, element, configuration, etc. described in the claims and embodiments of this application is recognized as an invention based on the effects that each has.

[0075] Each of the forms, components, configurations, etc. shown in each of the above embodiments can be individually applied to all of the inventions described in this application, including the inventions claimed in this application, even if not all of the forms, components, or configurations of these embodiments are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 2, 60...Water stop device 4. Main body 6, 6y···Operating lever 8, 8y... Cam member 12. On-off valve 14.... Urging member 16···Middle lever 30 Cam mechanism 32 Cam 34 Follower (stopper pin) 40...legs 42, 44...Engagement end 52, 55...Engagement holding part z2: Rotation center line of the control lever

Claims

1. a main body having a flow path and an on-off valve; an operating lever that can be switched between a retracted position and a protruding position to open and close the on-off valve; a cam mechanism having a cam and a follower, the cam engaging with the follower holding the operating lever at the retracted position; a cam member having the cam; It is equipped with The cam member is held at a normal position on the operating lever side, The follower is held in a normal position on the main body side, A water discharge and stop device in which, when the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled toward the protruding side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position on the operating lever side, or the follower moves out of the normal position on the main body side, before the follower is damaged.

2. 2. The water discharge and stop device according to claim 1, wherein when the operating lever in the retracted position is pulled out toward the protruding side by an external force, the cam member moves out of the normal position before the follower is damaged.

3. the operating lever has a rotation centerline, A water discharge and stop device as described in claim 2, wherein the moment of the external force about the rotation center line required to move the cam member out of the normal position is smaller than the moment of the external force about the rotation center line required to break the follower and disengage the follower from the cam.

4. 4. The water discharge and stop device according to claim 2, wherein the cam member is held in the normal position by a recessed and protruding engagement.

5. the cam member has a cantilevered leg and an engagement end formed at a free end of the leg; the operating lever has an engagement holding portion that holds the cam member in the normal position by engaging with the engagement end portion, When the cam member is in the normal position, the engagement end and the engagement holding portion form the concave-convex engagement, 5. The water discharge and stop device according to claim 4, wherein when the external force is applied to the operating lever, the convex portion of the concave-convex engagement is pressed against the concave portion, and the leg portion is flexed and deformed so that the convex portion overcomes the concave portion.

6. The water discharge and stop device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the cam member returns to the normal position by pushing the operating lever to the retracted position when the cam member is out of the normal position.

7. the main body portion includes a biasing member that biases the on-off valve in a direction to close the on-off valve, and a middle lever that converts the movement of the operating lever into an opening / closing movement of the on-off valve and presses the operating lever toward the protruding side, 7. The water discharge and stop device according to claim 2, wherein the middle lever presses the cam member in the normal position toward the protruding side.

Citation Information

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