Water dispenser

Abstract

To provide a water server capable of effectively preventing a burning accident of children.SOLUTION: A spouting operation part 4 comprises: a spouting dial 40; a hot water side valve spring 35 that energizes the spouting dial 40 in an opposite turning direction from the turning direction when the spouting dial 40 is turned; a dial pull-in spring 54 that elastically retains the spouting dial 40 towards a far side in a front-rear direction; and a dial lock mechanism 55 that inhibits turning of the spouting dial 40 when the spouting dial 40 is moved to the far side in the front-rear direction due to an energizing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, and permits turning of the spouting dial 40 when the spouting dial 40 is pulled out to a near side in the front-rear direction against the energizing force of the dial pull-in spring 54.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a water server.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, water servers have mainly been used in offices, hospitals, etc. In recent years, due to the increasing concern about water safety and health, water servers are becoming popular in ordinary households. Generally, a water server includes a housing, a cold water tank and a hot water tank disposed inside the housing, a cold water pouring path for pouring cold water from the cold water tank to the outside of the housing, a cold water pouring valve provided in the cold water pouring path, a hot water pouring path for pouring hot water from the hot water tank to the outside of the housing, and a hot water pouring valve provided in the hot water pouring path. By selectively opening the cold water pouring valve and the hot water pouring valve, delicious cold water or hot water can be used at any time, which has excellent convenience (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] By the way, in a type of water server that can use hot water, in order to prevent an accident where a child accidentally operates the water server to pour out hot water and gets burned, a child lock function is usually provided.

[0004] The child lock function generally makes the operation for pouring out hot water a combination of two or more operations, so that hot water cannot be easily poured out even if a child operates it.

[0005] For example, the water server of Patent Document 1 has a child lock release button provided on the front surface of the housing and a hot water pouring lever provided below the child lock release button so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction. By operating the hot water pouring lever to swing it to the back side in the front-rear direction while pressing the child lock release button, hot water can be poured out. On the other hand, if the operation of pressing the child lock release button is not performed, the hot water pouring lever will not swing even if the hot water pouring lever is operated, and hot water cannot be poured out. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-166862 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Even if a child lock release button is provided, as in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that an infant may see and imitate the user's operation of pressing the child lock release button while shaking the hot water dispensing lever, making it difficult to completely eliminate the risk of an infant being burned by hot water.

[0008] Therefore, the inventor of this invention considered how to effectively prevent young children from operating the hot water dispenser. As a result of this consideration, the inventor focused on the fact that young children have weaker finger strength than adults, and came up with the idea that the operation to open the hot water dispenser should be made difficult for young children with weak finger strength to imitate.

[0009] The problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a water dispenser that can effectively prevent burn accidents involving infants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, this invention provides a water dispenser with the following configuration. [Configuration 1] The casing and A hot water tank is located inside the aforementioned enclosure, A hot water outlet passage for discharging hot water from the hot water tank to the outside of the housing, A hot water dispensing valve that opens and closes the hot water dispensing passage, A water dispenser having a water dispensing operation unit operated by the user to open the hot water dispensing valve, The water dispenser is characterized by comprising: a water dispenser dial supported so as to be rotatable and movable in the front-rear direction around a dial rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction; a dial rotation return spring that biases the water dispenser dial in a rotation direction opposite to the direction of rotation when the water dispenser dial is rotated; a dial retraction spring that elastically holds the water dispenser dial in the rearward direction in the front-rear direction; and a dial lock mechanism that prevents the rotation of the water dispenser dial when the water dispenser dial has moved to the rearward direction in accordance with the biasing force of the dial retraction spring, and allows the rotation of the water dispenser dial when the water dispenser dial has been pulled out to the frontward direction against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring.

[0011] Adopting this configuration effectively prevents young children with weak finger strength from dispensing hot water, thereby effectively preventing burn accidents among them. In other words, with the above configuration, in order to dispense hot water, one must first pinch the water outlet dial with their fingertips and pull it towards them against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring, and then, while keeping the water outlet dial pulled towards them against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring, rotate it against the biasing force of the dial rotation return spring. On the other hand, for young children with weak finger strength, it is not easy to pinch the water outlet dial with their fingertips, pull it towards them against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring, and then rotate the water outlet dial against the biasing force of the dial rotation return spring while keeping it pulled towards them against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring. Furthermore, the operation of pulling out the water outlet dial towards the front is performed with the same hand used to rotate the water outlet dial, and is done in a continuous sequence with the rotation of the water outlet dial. Therefore, it is difficult for young children to see and imitate. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent young children from operating the hot water dispenser and effectively prevent burn accidents among them.

[0012] [Configuration 2] The water dispenser according to configuration 1, wherein the dial lock mechanism comprises a locking claw provided on the water dispensing dial so as to extend from the water dispensing dial toward the rear in the front-rear direction, and a locking hole formed in the housing wall positioned opposite the rear of the water dispensing dial in the front-rear direction, such that the locking claw is inserted when the water dispensing dial is moved toward the rear in the front-rear direction, and the locking claw is disengaged when the water dispensing dial is moved toward the front in the front-rear direction.

[0013] With this configuration, when the water outlet dial is moved to the rear in the front-rear direction according to the biasing force of the dial retraction spring, the locking claw of the water outlet dial is inserted into the locking hole in the housing wall, and the water outlet dial is prevented from rotating by the engagement of the locking claw and the locking hole, thus reliably preventing the water outlet dial from rotating. On the other hand, when the water outlet dial is pulled out to the front in the front-rear direction against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring, the locking claw of the water outlet dial disengages from the locking hole in the housing wall, releasing the engagement between the locking claw and the locking hole, and allowing the water outlet dial to rotate.

[0014] [Configuration 3] The locking claw is integrally formed with the unlocking button, which is radially movable and housed in a button housing hole that opens on the outer circumference of the water outlet dial. The water outlet dial incorporates a button biasing spring that biases the unlock button radially outward. The water dispenser according to configuration 2, wherein the locking claw has a key portion that protrudes radially outward from the water outlet dial so as to engage with the radially outer portion of the opening edge on the rear side of the locking hole in the front-rear direction.

[0015] With this configuration, the key portion formed on the locking claw engages with the rear opening edge of the lock hole in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, simply pinching the water outlet dial and pulling it towards the front in the front-to-back direction will not allow the water outlet dial to be pulled from the rear to the front. In order to pull the water outlet dial from the rear to the front, when pinching the water outlet dial with your fingertips, you must push the release button, which is housed in a button housing hole opening on the outer circumference of the water outlet dial, radially inward against the biasing force of the button biasing spring, thereby moving the locking claw radially inward. This makes it particularly effective in preventing young children with weak finger strength from operating the hot water dispenser.

[0016] [Structure 4] A claw-side inclined surface is formed at the radial outer end of the rear side in the front-rear direction of the key portion, which is inclined to displace radially inward as it moves from the front side to the rear side in the front-rear direction. The water server according to configuration 3, wherein a hole-side inclined surface is formed on the radially outer portion of the opening edge on the front side in the front-rear direction of the lock hole, such that it is inclined to be displaced radially inward as it moves from the front side to the back side in the front-rear direction.

[0017] With this configuration, when the user pinches the water outlet dial with their fingertips and pulls it towards them against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring, rotates the water outlet dial, and then releases their hand from the water outlet dial, the water outlet dial is pulled inward in the front-to-back direction by the biasing force of the dial retraction spring. At this time, the inclined surface on the claw side of the locking claw slides against the inclined surface on the hole side of the locking hole, causing the locking claw to move radially inward. Therefore, when the user releases their hand from the water outlet dial and the water outlet dial is pulled inward in the front-to-back direction by the biasing force of the dial retraction spring, the key portion of the locking claw is prevented from interfering with the opening edge of the locking hole, even if the user does not push the unlock button radially inward with their fingertips, and the locking claw can be automatically inserted into the locking hole.

[0018] [Composition 5] The water server according to Configuration 3 or 4, wherein a pair of the unlocking button and the locking claw are provided so as to be in a positional relationship opposite to each other by 180° with the rotation center of the water outlet dial interposed therebetween.

[0019] When this configuration is adopted, the water outlet dial cannot be pulled out to the front side unless a pair of unlocking buttons are simultaneously pushed radially inward. Therefore, it is possible to particularly effectively prevent a hot water pouring operation by an infant with weak fingertip strength.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] The water server of this invention can effectively prevent a hot water pouring operation by an infant with weak fingertip strength, and can effectively prevent a scalding accident of the infant. That is, in the water server of this invention, to pour hot water, first, the water outlet dial is pinched with a fingertip and pulled out to the front side against the biasing force of the dial pulling spring, and then, while the water outlet dial is pulled to the front side against the biasing force of the dial pulling spring, it is necessary to perform a rotation operation against the biasing force of the dial rotation return spring. On the other hand, for an infant with weak fingertip strength, it is not easy to pull out the water outlet dial pinched with a fingertip to the front side against the biasing force of the dial pulling spring, and while the water outlet dial is pulled to the front side against the biasing force of the dial pulling spring, rotate it against the biasing force of the dial rotation return spring. Moreover, the operation of pulling out the water outlet dial to the front side is performed with the same hand as the hand that rotates the water outlet dial, and is performed in series with the rotation operation of the water outlet dial, so it is difficult for an infant to understand even if seen, and it is difficult for an infant to imitate. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent a hot water pouring operation by an infant and effectively prevent a scalding accident of the infant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view of the water server of the embodiment of this invention as seen from the left side [Figure 2] Front view of the water server of FIG. 1 as seen from the front side [Figure 3]Figure 2 shows a magnified view of the water outlet control unit. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Figure 3 [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view along line VV in Figure 3 [Figure 6] Figure 3 shows the water outlet control unit viewed from the right side. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 6 [Figure 8] Figure 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the water outlet dial, indicating that the unlock button has been pressed down. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX in Figure 8 [Figure 10] This cross-sectional view shows the state after pressing the unlock button in Figure 4 and pulling the water outlet dial towards the front in the front-to-back direction. [Figure 11] Figure 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the cold water dispensing valve in the state where the water outlet dial is turned counterclockwise to open it. [Figure 12] Figure 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the state when the water outlet dial is turned clockwise to open the hot water dispensing valve. [Figure 13] Figures 8 and 9 show exploded perspective views of the vicinity of one of the pair of unlock buttons on the water outlet dial. [Figure 14] Figures 8 and 9 show exploded perspective views of the vicinity of one of the pair of unlock buttons on the water outlet dial. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Figures 1 and 2 show a water dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. This water dispenser includes a housing 1, a cold water tank 2 and a hot water tank 3 located inside the housing 1, a water dispensing operation unit 4 provided on the front side of the housing 1, and a water outlet 5 that selectively dispenses cold water and hot water in response to the operation of the water dispensing operation unit 4.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the housing 1 has a pair of side plates 6 (see Figure 2) facing each other on the left and right, a top plate 7 fixed to the upper ends of the pair of side plates 6, a bottom plate 8 fixed to the lower ends of the pair of side plates 6, a front panel 9 connecting the front ends of the pair of side plates 6, a rear plate 10 connecting the rear ends of the pair of side plates 6, a tank fixing plate 11 horizontally fixed to the pair of side plates 6 so as to divide the inside of the housing 1 vertically, and a water outlet operation plate 12 vertically fixed along the front end of the tank fixing plate 11.

[0024] The tank fixing plate 11 has the cold water tank 2 and the hot water tank 3 fixedly attached to it. The water outlet control unit 4 is attached to the water outlet control unit mounting plate 12. The tank fixing plate 11 and the water outlet control unit mounting plate 12 may be formed as separate parts and connected and fixed to each other, or they may be formed as a single unit by bending a single plate member.

[0025] A front door 13 is installed between the front panel 9 and the bottom plate 8, which opens and closes the lower front of the enclosure 1. By opening and closing this front door 13, it is possible to replace the water bottle 14 housed in the lower part of the enclosure 1.

[0026] Inside the housing 1 is a pump 15 that draws drinking water from the water bottle 14 to the cold water tank 2 and the hot water tank 3. The water bottle 14 and the cold water tank 2 are connected via the pump 15 by a raw water pumping pipe (not shown).

[0027] The chilled water tank 2 is equipped with a cooling device 16 that cools the drinking water introduced from the water bottle 14. The chilled water contained in the chilled water tank 2 is kept at a predetermined low temperature (for example, 10°C or below) by the cooling device 16.

[0028] The hot water tank 3 is equipped with a heating device 17 that heats the drinking water introduced from the water bottle 14. The hot water contained in the hot water tank 3 is kept at a predetermined high temperature (for example, 80°C or higher) by the heating device 17.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, this water dispenser has a cold water dispensing passage 18 that dispenses cold water from a cold water tank 2 (see Figure 1) to the outside of the housing 1, a cold water dispensing valve 19 provided in the cold water dispensing passage 18, a hot water dispensing passage 20 that dispenses hot water from a hot water tank 3 (see Figure 1) to the outside of the housing 1, and a hot water dispensing valve 21 provided in the hot water dispensing passage 20. The cold water dispensing passage 18 and the hot water dispensing passage 20 merge at a junction 22, and extend downward from the junction 22 to open to a common water outlet 5 (see Figure 7). It is also possible to configure the cold water dispensing passage 18 and the hot water dispensing passage 20 to extend downward and open separately without merging.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the chilled water outlet passage 18 consists of a chilled water horizontal flow path 23 that extends horizontally just before the confluence 22 and connects to the confluence 22, a water outlet flow path 24 that extends downward from the confluence 22, and a chilled water tank connection flow path 25 that extends from the chilled water tank 2 (see Figure 1) and connects to the chilled water horizontal flow path 23. The connection portion of the chilled water tank connection flow path 25 to the chilled water horizontal flow path 23 is provided so that its flow direction is in the front-to-back direction (up-down direction in Figure 5). The chilled water horizontal flow path 23 is provided so that its flow direction is in the left-to-right direction. The water outlet flow path 24 is provided so that its flow direction is in the up-and-down direction.

[0031] Similarly, the hot water outlet passage 20 consists of a hot water horizontal flow path 26 that extends horizontally just before the confluence section 22 and connects to the confluence section 22, a water outlet flow path 24 that extends downward from the confluence section 22, and a hot water tank connection flow path 27 that extends from the hot water tank 3 (see Figure 1) and connects to the hot water horizontal flow path 26. The connection portion of the hot water tank connection flow path 27 to the hot water horizontal flow path 26 is provided so that its flow direction is in the front-to-back direction (up-and-down direction in Figure 5). The hot water horizontal flow path 26 is provided so that its flow direction is in the left-to-right direction. The hot water horizontal flow path 26 is located on the opposite side of the cold water horizontal flow path 23 in the left-to-right direction, with the confluence section 22 in between.

[0032] The chilled water dispensing valve 19 includes an annular chilled water side valve seat 28 surrounding a chilled water horizontal flow path 23, a chilled water side valve body 29 that is horizontally movable between a closed position (shown in Figure 7) where it sits on the chilled water side valve seat 28 and closes the chilled water horizontal flow path 23 and an open position (shown in Figure 11) where it moves away from the chilled water side valve seat 28 and opens the chilled water horizontal flow path 23, a chilled water side valve stem 30 that is connected to the chilled water side valve body 29 so as to move horizontally together with the chilled water side valve body 29, and a chilled water side valve spring 31 that biases the chilled water side valve stem 30 so as to move the chilled water side valve body 29 from the open position to the closed position.

[0033] Similarly, the hot water dispensing valve 21 includes an annular hot water side valve seat 32 surrounding a hot water horizontal flow path 26, a hot water side valve body 33 that is horizontally movable between a closed position (shown in Figure 7) where it sits on the hot water side valve seat 32 and closes the hot water horizontal flow path 26, and an open position (shown in Figure 12) where it moves away from the hot water side valve seat 32 and opens the hot water horizontal flow path 26, a hot water side valve stem 34 that is connected to the hot water side valve body 33 so as to move horizontally together with the hot water side valve body 33, and a hot water side valve spring 35 that biases the hot water side valve stem 34 so as to move the hot water side valve body 33 from the open position to the closed position.

[0034] The cold water valve body 29 and the hot water valve body 33 are positioned opposite each other on the left and right sides with the confluence section 22 in between. The cold water valve body 29 and the hot water valve body 33 are positioned such that the direction approaching the confluence section 22 is the closing direction, and the direction away from the confluence section 22 is the opening direction.

[0035] The water outlet operation unit 4 includes a manually operated water outlet dial 40 (see Figure 3), a cam member 41 connected to the water outlet dial 40 so as to rotate integrally with the water outlet dial 40, a cold water side lever lever 42 that converts and transmits the rotation of the cam member 41 in one direction (in this case, counterclockwise rotation) to the horizontal movement of the cold water side valve stem 30, and a hot water side lever lever 43 that converts and transmits the rotation of the cam member 41 in the other direction (in this case, clockwise rotation) to the horizontal movement of the hot water side valve stem 34.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the water outlet dial 40 is a cylindrical knob located on the front side of the housing 1. As shown in Figure 4, a dial pivot shaft 44 is fixedly provided on the water outlet dial 40 so as to rotate integrally with the water outlet dial 40, and the dial pivot shaft 44 is rotatably supported by a housing wall 45 located opposite the rear side of the water outlet dial 40 in the front-rear direction. The dial pivot shaft 44 is a shaft body that extends in the front-rear direction (up-down direction in the figure). The water outlet dial 40 is rotatably supported around the dial pivot shaft 44.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7, a cold water cam surface 46 and a hot water cam surface 47 are formed symmetrically on the outer circumference of the cam member 41. The cold water cam surface 46 is a surface whose distance from the rotation center of the water outlet dial 40 gradually increases from the lower end of the water outlet dial 40 toward one direction of rotation (clockwise in the figure), and is, for example, a cylindrical surface whose center is eccentrically located above the rotation center of the water outlet dial 40. The hot water cam surface 47 is a surface whose distance from the rotation center of the water outlet dial 40 gradually increases from the lower end of the water outlet dial 40 toward the other direction of rotation (counterclockwise in the figure), and is, for example, a cylindrical surface whose center is eccentrically located above the rotation center of the water outlet dial 40.

[0038] The chilled water side lever lever 42 is a vertically extending member whose longitudinal lower end is a fulcrum 48 and whose longitudinal upper end is a swinging end 49 that slides against the chilled water cam surface 46 and swings from side to side. A chilled water side connecting pin 50 is provided near the fulcrum 48 of the chilled water side lever lever 42 (a position closer to the fulcrum 48 between the swinging end 49 and the fulcrum 48), and the chilled water side valve stem 30 is connected to the chilled water side lever lever 42 via this chilled water side connecting pin 50.

[0039] The hot water side lever lever 43 is a vertically extending member whose longitudinal lower end is a fulcrum 51 and whose longitudinal upper end is a swinging end 52 that slides against the hot water cam surface 47 and swings from side to side. A hot water side connecting pin 53 is provided near the fulcrum 51 of the hot water side lever lever 43 (a position closer to the fulcrum 51 between the swinging end 52 and the fulcrum 51), and the hot water side valve stem 34 is connected to the hot water side lever lever 43 via this hot water side connecting pin 53.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 and 10, the water outlet dial 40 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the housing wall 45, and a cam member 41 is connected to the water outlet dial 40 via a dial pivot shaft 44 so as to move in the front-rear direction together with the water outlet dial 40. The water outlet dial 40 is biased toward the rear in the front-rear direction by a dial pull-in spring 54. In the figures, the cam member 41 is biased toward the rear in the front-rear direction by the dial pull-in spring 54, and the water outlet dial 40 is biased via the cam member 41, but it is also possible to incorporate the dial pull-in spring 54 so as to directly bias the water outlet dial 40.

[0041] Here, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, when the cam member 41 moves to the rearward side in the front-rear direction according to the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, as shown in Figure 4, the front-rear positions of the cold water cam surface 46 and the hot water cam surface 47 are offset from the front-rear positions of the cold water lever lever 42 and the hot water lever lever 43. In this offset state, even if the cam member 41 rotates, the cold water cam surface 46 and the hot water cam surface 47 on the outer circumference of the cam member 41 do not slide against the swinging end 49 of the cold water lever lever 42 and the swinging end 52 of the hot water lever lever 43, and neither the cold water dispensing valve 19 nor the hot water dispensing valve 21 opens.

[0042] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10, when the cam member 41 moves towards the front in the front-rear direction against the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, the front-rear positions of the cold water cam surface 46 and the hot water cam surface 47 coincide with the front-rear positions of the cold water lever 42 and the hot water lever 43, resulting in a non-offset state. In this non-offset state, when the cam member 41 rotates, the cold water cam surface 46 and the hot water cam surface 47 on the outer circumference of the cam member 41 slide against the swinging end 49 of the cold water lever 42 and the swinging end 52 of the hot water lever 43, enabling the opening operation of the cold water dispensing valve 19 and the hot water dispensing valve 21.

[0043] Furthermore, the water outlet dial 40 and the housing wall 45 are equipped with a dial lock mechanism 55, as shown in Figure 4, which prevents rotation of the water outlet dial 40 when it is moved to the rear side (upper side in the figure) in the front-rear direction according to the biasing force of the dial retraction spring 54, and as shown in Figure 10, which allows rotation of the water outlet dial 40 when it is pulled out to the front side (downward side in the figure) in the front-rear direction against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring 54.

[0044] As shown in Figure 8, the dial lock mechanism 55 consists of a locking claw 56 provided on the water outlet dial 40 so as to extend inward (upward in the figure) from the water outlet dial 40, and a locking hole 57 into which the locking claw 56 is inserted. The locking hole 57 is a hole formed by penetrating the housing wall 45 in the front-to-back direction (up-to-down direction in the figure).

[0045] As shown in Figures 8, 9, 13, and 14, the locking claw 56 is integrally formed with the release button 59, which is housed in a button housing hole 58 that opens on the outer circumference of the water outlet dial 40 and is movably located radially to the water outlet dial 40. The release button 59 and the locking claw 56 are provided in pairs, positioned 180° opposite to each other with the pivot center of the water outlet dial 40 in between. The release button 59 is biased radially outward from the water outlet dial 40 by a button biasing spring 60 incorporated into the water outlet dial 40.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the locking claw 56 has a key portion 61 that protrudes radially outward from the water outlet dial 40 so as to engage with the radially outer portion of the rear opening edge of the lock hole 57 (the rear surface of the housing wall 45 in the front-rear direction) when the unlocking button 59 is moved radially outward in accordance with the biasing force of the button biasing spring 60. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, when the unlocking button 59 is pushed radially inward against the biasing force of the button biasing spring 60, the engagement of the key portion 61 with the rear surface of the housing wall 45 (the edge of the lock hole 57) is released.

[0047] The rear (upper in the figure) radial outer end of the key portion 61 is provided with a claw-side inclined surface 62 that is inclined to displace radially inward as it moves from the front to the rear in the front-rear direction. Additionally, the front (lower in the figure) opening edge of the lock hole 57 is provided with a hole-side inclined surface 63 that is inclined to displace radially inward as it moves from the front to the rear in the front-rear direction.

[0048] As shown in Figures 4 and 8, when the water outlet dial 40 is moved to the rear in the front-rear direction according to the biasing force of the dial retraction spring 54, the locking claw 56 is inserted into the locking hole 57 formed in the housing wall 45, and the engagement of the locking claw 56 with the locking hole 57 restricts the rotation of the water outlet dial 40. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10, when the water outlet dial 40 is moved to the front in the front-rear direction against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring 54, the locking claw 56 has a length in the front-rear direction that allows the water outlet dial 40 to rotate by disengaging from the locking hole 57.

[0049] This section describes an example of how to dispense cold water using this water dispenser. First, pinch the water dispensing dial 40 shown in Figure 3 with your fingertips. At this time, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, push the release button 59 located on the outer circumference of the water dispensing dial 40 radially inward against the biasing force of the button biasing spring 60, thereby moving the locking claw 56 radially inward. Next, as shown in Figure 10, while keeping the release button 59 pushed radially inward, pull the water dispensing dial 40 towards you in the front-rear direction against the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, removing the locking claw 56 from the locking hole 57, and aligning the front-rear position of the cold water cam surface 46 with the front-rear position of the cold water side lever lever 42. Next, with the water outlet dial 40 pulled out towards the user against the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, the water outlet dial 40 is manually rotated in one direction (counterclockwise) as shown in Figure 11. This causes the cam member 41 to rotate integrally with the water outlet dial 40, and the cold water cam surface 46 on the outer circumference of the cam member 41 pushes the swing end 49 of the cold water lever lever 42. At this time, due to the principle of leverage, the cold water valve stem 30, which is connected to the cold water lever lever 42 via the cold water connecting pin 50, is moved in the opening direction against the biasing force of the cold water valve spring 31, causing the cold water valve body 29 to separate from the cold water valve seat 28, and the cold water dispensing valve 19 to open. When the cold water dispensing valve 19 opens, the cold water in the cold water tank 2 (see Figure 1) is dispensed from the water outlet 5 through the cold water dispensing passage 18. Subsequently, when the user releases the water outlet dial 40, the biasing force of the cold water side valve spring 31 causes the cold water side valve body 29 to seat on the cold water side valve seat 28, closing the cold water dispensing valve 19 and stopping the dispensing of cold water. At this time, the water outlet dial 40 rotates in the reverse direction (clockwise) due to the force transmitted sequentially from the cold water side valve spring 31 through the cold water side valve stem 30, the cold water side connecting pin 50, the cold water side lever lever 42, and the cam member 41. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the water outlet dial 40 and the cam member 41 move inward in the front-rear direction due to the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54.Here, as the water outlet dial 40 is pulled inward in the front-rear direction by the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, the claw-side inclined surface 62 of the lock claw 56 shown in Figure 8 slides against the hole-side inclined surface 63 of the lock hole 57, causing the lock claw 56 to move radially inward against the biasing force of the button biasing spring 60, and the key portion 61 passes through the lock hole 57. Subsequently, the lock claw 56 moves radially outward by the biasing force of the button biasing spring 60, and the key portion 61 engages with the radially outer portion of the opening edge on the rear side (upper side in the figure) of the lock hole 57.

[0050] Similarly, when dispensing hot water, first pinch the water outlet dial 40 shown in Figure 3 with your fingertips. At this time, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, push the release button 59 located on the outer circumference of the water outlet dial 40 radially inward against the biasing force of the button biasing spring 60, thereby moving the locking claw 56 radially inward. Next, as shown in Figure 10, while keeping the release button 59 pushed radially inward, pull the water outlet dial 40 towards the front in the front-rear direction against the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, removing the locking claw 56 from the locking hole 57, and aligning the front-rear position of the hot water cam surface 47 with the front-rear position of the hot water side lever lever 43. Next, with the water outlet dial 40 pulled out towards the user against the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, the water outlet dial 40 is manually rotated in the other direction (clockwise) as shown in Figure 12. This causes the cam member 41 to rotate together with the water outlet dial 40, and the hot water cam surface 47 on the outer circumference of the cam member 41 pushes the swing end 52 of the hot water side lever lever 43. At this time, due to the principle of leverage, the hot water side valve stem 34, which is connected to the hot water side lever lever 43 via the hot water side connecting pin 53, is moved in the opening direction against the biasing force of the hot water side valve spring 35, causing the hot water side valve body 33 to separate from the hot water side valve seat 32, and the hot water dispensing valve 21 to open. When the hot water dispensing valve 21 opens, the hot water in the hot water tank 3 (see Figure 1) is dispensed from the water outlet 5 through the hot water dispensing passage 20. Subsequently, when the user releases the water outlet dial 40, the biasing force of the hot water side valve spring 35 causes the hot water side valve body 33 to seat on the hot water side valve seat 32, closing the hot water dispensing valve 21 and stopping the dispensing of hot water. At this time, the water outlet dial 40 rotates in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) due to the force transmitted sequentially from the hot water side valve spring 35 through the hot water side valve stem 34, the hot water side connecting pin 53, the hot water side lever 43, and the cam member 41. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the water outlet dial 40 and the cam member 41 move inward in the front-rear direction due to the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54. At this time, similar to when dispensing cold water, the claw-side inclined surface 62 of the lock claw 56 shown in Figure 8 slides against the hole-side inclined surface 63 of the lock hole 57, causing the lock claw 56 to move radially inward against the biasing force of the button biasing spring 60, and the key part 61 passes through the lock hole 57.Subsequently, the locking claw 56 moves radially outward due to the biasing force of the button biasing spring 60, and the key portion 61 engages with the radially outer portion of the opening edge on the inner side (upper side in the figure) of the lock hole 57 in the front-rear direction.

[0051] Here, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, when the water outlet dial 40 is rotated in one direction (counterclockwise) from the initial position where neither cold nor hot water is dispensed, it is biased by the cold water side valve spring 31 in the opposite direction of rotation (clockwise), and when it is rotated in the other direction (clockwise) from the initial position, it is also biased by the hot water side valve spring 35 in the opposite direction of rotation (counterclockwise). The hot water side valve spring 35 functions as a dial rotation return spring that biases the water outlet dial 40 in the opposite direction of rotation when the water outlet dial 40 is rotated in the direction that opens the hot water dispensing valve 21.

[0052] This water dispenser effectively prevents toddlers with weak finger strength from dispensing hot water, thereby effectively preventing burn accidents among toddlers. Specifically, in order to dispense hot water from this water dispenser, as shown in Figures 4 and 10, first, the water outlet dial 40 must be grasped with the fingertips and pulled towards the user against the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54. Then, while the water outlet dial 40 is still pulled towards the user against the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, it must be rotated against the biasing force of the hot water valve spring 35. On the other hand, for toddlers with weak finger strength, it is not easy to grasp the water outlet dial 40 with their fingertips, pull it towards the user against the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54, and then rotate the water outlet dial 40 against the biasing force of the hot water valve spring 35 while keeping it pulled towards the user against the biasing force of the dial pull-in spring 54. Furthermore, the operation of pulling out the water outlet dial 40 towards the front is performed with the same hand used to rotate the water outlet dial 40, and is done in a continuous sequence with the rotation of the water outlet dial 40. Therefore, it is difficult for young children to see and imitate. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent young children from operating the hot water dispenser and effectively prevent burn accidents among them.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, when the water dispenser's water dispensing dial 40 is moved to the rear in the front-rear direction according to the biasing force of the dial retraction spring 54, the locking claw 56 of the water dispenser 40 is inserted into the locking hole 57 of the housing wall 45, and the water dispenser 40 is prevented from rotating by the engagement of the locking claw 56 and the locking hole 57, thus reliably preventing the water dispenser 40 from rotating. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10, when the water dispenser 40 is pulled out to the front in the front-rear direction against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring 54, the locking claw 56 of the water dispenser 40 disengages from the locking hole 57 of the housing wall 45, releasing the engagement between the locking claw 56 and the locking hole 57, and allowing the water dispenser 40 to rotate.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in this water dispenser, the key portion 61 formed on the locking claw 56 engages with the rear opening edge of the lock hole 57 in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, simply pinching the water dispensing dial 40 and pulling it towards the front in the front-to-back direction will not allow the water dispensing dial 40 to be pulled from the rear to the front. In order to pull the water dispensing dial 40 from the rear to the front, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, when pinching the water dispensing dial 40 with your fingertips, you must push the release button 59, which is housed in a button housing hole 58 opening on the outer circumference of the water dispensing dial 40, radially inward against the biasing force of the button biasing spring 60, thereby moving the locking claw 56 radially inward. This makes it particularly effective in preventing young children with weak finger strength from dispensing hot water.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the user pinches the water dispensing dial 40 with their fingertips and pulls it forward against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring 54, rotates the water dispensing dial 40, and then releases their hand from the water dispensing dial 40, the water dispensing dial 40 is retracted inward in the front-rear direction by the biasing force of the dial retraction spring 54 shown in Figure 10. At this time, the inclined surface 62 on the claw side of the locking claw 56 shown in Figure 8 slides against the inclined surface 63 on the hole side of the locking hole 57, causing the locking claw 56 to move radially inward. Therefore, when the user releases their hand from the water dispensing dial 40 and the water dispensing dial 40 is retracted inward in the front-rear direction by the biasing force of the dial retraction spring 54 shown in Figure 10, the key portion 61 of the locking claw 56 is prevented from interfering with the opening edge of the locking hole 57, even if the user does not push the unlock button 59 radially inward with their fingertips, and the locking claw 56 can be automatically inserted into the locking hole 57.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the water dispenser's water dispensing dial 40 cannot be pulled out unless a pair of release buttons 59 are simultaneously pushed radially inward. Therefore, it is particularly effective in preventing young children with weak finger strength from dispensing hot water.

[0057] In the above embodiment, a water server of the type in which a replaceable water bottle 14 is installed at the bottom of the housing 1 was described as an example. However, this invention can also be similarly applied to a water server of the type in which a replaceable water bottle 14 is installed at the top of the housing 1 (for example, on the top surface of the top plate 7). Furthermore, this invention may also be applied to a water purification type water server that has a raw water tank for storing household tap water instead of a replaceable water bottle 14, filters the water in the raw water tank with a water purification cartridge placed inside the housing 1, and stores the filtered purified water in a cold water tank 2 and a hot water tank 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1 cabinet 3. Hot water tank 4 Water output operation section 20 Hot water outlet 21 Hot water dispensing valve 35. Hot water side valve spring (dial rotation return spring) 40 Water Dial 44 Dial pivot shaft 45 Housing Wall 54 Dial retraction spring 55 Dial lock mechanism 56 Locking claws 57 lock holes 58 buttonholes 59 Unlock button 60 Button-type spring 61 Key section 62 Claw side inclined surface 63 Hole side slope

Claims

1. The enclosure (1) and A hot water tank (3) is located inside the aforementioned housing (1), A hot water outlet passage (20) for discharging hot water from the hot water tank (3) to the outside of the housing (1), A hot water outlet valve (21) opens and closes the hot water outlet passage (20), A water dispenser having a water dispensing operation unit (4) operated by the user to open the hot water dispensing valve (21), The water dispenser is characterized by having the following: the water dispensing operation unit (4) is supported so as to be rotatable and movable in the front-rear direction around a dial rotation shaft (44) extending in the front-rear direction; a dial rotation return spring (35) that biases the water dispensing dial (40) in a rotation direction opposite to the direction of rotation when the water dispensing dial (40) is rotated; a dial retraction spring (54) that elastically holds the water dispensing dial (40) toward the rear in the front-rear direction; and a dial lock mechanism (55) that prevents the rotation of the water dispensing dial (40) when the water dispensing dial (40) has moved toward the rear in the front-rear direction according to the biasing force of the dial retraction spring (54), and allows the rotation of the water dispensing dial (40) when the water dispensing dial (40) has been pulled toward the front in the front-rear direction against the biasing force of the dial retraction spring (54).

2. The water dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dial lock mechanism (55) comprises a locking claw (56) provided on the water dispensing dial (40) so as to extend from the water dispensing dial (40) toward the rear in the front-rear direction, and a locking hole (57) formed in the housing wall (45) positioned opposite the rear in the front-rear direction of the water dispensing dial (40) such that the locking claw (56) is inserted when the water dispensing dial (40) is moved toward the rear in the front-rear direction, and the locking claw (56) is withdrawn when the water dispensing dial (40) is moved toward the front in the front-rear direction.

3. The locking claw (56) is integrally formed with a release button (59) that is radially movable housed in a button housing hole (58) opening on the outer circumference of the water outlet dial (40). The water outlet dial (40) incorporates a button biasing spring (60) that biases the lock release button (59) radially outward. The water dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the locking claw (56) has a key portion (61) that protrudes radially outward from the water outlet dial (40) so as to engage with the radially outer portion of the opening edge on the rearward side of the locking hole (57).

4. A claw-side inclined surface (62) is formed at the radial outer end of the rear side of the key portion (61) in the front-rear direction, such that it is inclined radially inward as it moves from the front side to the rear side in the front-rear direction. The water server according to claim 3, wherein a hole-side inclined surface (63) is formed on the radially outer portion of the opening edge on the front side in the front-rear direction of the lock hole (57), and is inclined to be displaced radially inward as it moves from the front side to the back side in the front-rear direction.

5. The water dispenser according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the unlock button (59) and the locking claw (56) are each provided in a pair such that they are in a positional relationship of 180° opposite to each other with the rotation center of the water dispensing dial (40) in between.

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