Valve core adjustment structure, water-saving valve, and faucet

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of faucets, and in particular, to a valve core adjustment structure, a water-saving valve comprising the valve core adjustment structure, and a faucet comprising the water-saving valve. The adjustment structure is used for adjusting a valve core shaft of a valve core so as to open or close the valve core. The adjustment structure comprises a transmission assembly; the transmission assembly has an input end and an output end, the input end being used for receiving an adjustment action and transmitting adjustment power to the output end, the output end being connected to the valve core shaft; the output end drives the valve core shaft to rotate so as to open or close the valve core; the transmission ratio from the input end to the output end is a reduction transmission ratio. Thus, the adjustment structure can achieve a smaller valve core opening stroke by means of a relatively larger adjustment action, effectively solving the current defect of the water outflow rate of a faucet being difficult to adjust and control due to the small rotation stroke of the valve core shaft, and facilitating the adjustment and control of the water outflow rate according to the requirements of different use scenarios, thereby achieving the purpose of water saving.

Description

A valve core adjustment structure, a water-saving valve, and a faucet. Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of faucet technology, and in particular to an adjustment structure for a valve core, a water-saving valve including the adjustment structure for the valve core, and a faucet including the water-saving valve. Background Technology

[0002] Common faucets found in homes and public places include shower faucets, basin faucets, and kitchen faucets. These faucets are equipped with water-saving valves, which control the opening and closing of the faucet, as well as the water flow rate and temperature. A water-saving valve consists of a valve core and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism regulates the valve core, causing the water-saving valve to open or close, and also adjusts the water flow rate and temperature.

[0003] Figures 1 to 5 show the valve core structure of a commonly used faucet water-saving valve in the prior art. The valve core 01 includes a valve core housing 01i, a top sealing block 01g, a bottom sealing block 01h, a flow regulating block 01c, and a valve core shaft 01a. The valve core housing 01i has a cavity formed vertically, and a stepped surface 010i is formed on the cavity wall near the top of the valve core housing 01i, facing the bottom. The top sealing block 01g is located within the cavity of the valve core housing 01i and rotatably engages with the cavity wall at the top of the cavity. The bottom of the top sealing block 01g abuts against the stepped surface 010i, and a through hole is formed vertically through the interior of the top sealing block 01g. The bottom sealing block 01h is located within the cavity of the valve core housing 01i and seals against the cavity wall at the bottom of the cavity. The bottom sealing block 01h is fixedly connected to the valve core housing 01i. The bottom sealing block 01h has a vertically penetrating first water inlet hole 01d, a second water inlet hole 01e, and a water outlet hole 01f. The first water inlet hole 01d and the second water inlet hole 01e are used to connect cold water pipes and hot water pipes to input cold water and hot water, respectively. The water outlet hole 01f is used to output water flow. The flow regulating block 01c is sandwiched between the bottom sealing block 01h and the top sealing block 01g, and the top sealing block 01g is in contact with the stepped surface 010i. The bottom surface of the flow regulating block 01c and the bottom sealing block 01h are in sliding fit, and the top surface of the flow regulating block 01c and the top sealing block 01g are in sliding fit. The cavity of the valve core housing 01i between the bottom sealing block 01h and the top sealing block 01g provides movement space for the flow regulating block 01c. A support rod 01b is provided radially inside the through hole of the top sealing block 01g. The valve core shaft 01a passes through the through hole of the top sealing block 01g and is rotatably mounted on the support rod 01b. The bottom end of the valve core shaft 01a is connected to the top surface of the flow regulating block 01c. The top end of the valve core shaft 01a extends beyond the top end of the cavity of the valve core housing 01i. By acting on the top end of the valve core shaft 01a, the valve core shaft 01a can rotate around the support rod 01b or around the vertical axis, which can cause the bottom end of the valve core shaft 01a to drive the flow regulating block 01c to slide or rotate. A groove 010c is provided on the bottom surface of the flow regulating block 01c. By sliding the flow regulating block 01c, the groove 010c can be connected to one or more of the first water inlet hole 01d, the second water inlet hole 01e, and the water outlet hole 01f on the bottom sealing block 01h. This can change the state of the valve core 01, making the valve core 01 open or close, or adjusting the water flow rate or water temperature of the valve core 01's water outlet hole 01f.

[0004] As shown in Figure 3, the dashed line represents the opening of the groove 010c on the bottom surface of the flow regulating block 01c. When the groove 010c is connected to the outlet hole 01f, and the groove 010c is not connected to either the first inlet hole 01d or the second inlet hole 01e, both the first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e are isolated from the outlet hole 01f, and the valve core 01 is in the closed state. In the closed state of the valve core 01, the valve core shaft 01a is typically positioned vertically.

[0005] As shown in Figure 4, when valve core 01 needs to be opened, valve core shaft 01a is rotated around support rod 01b, causing flow regulating block 01c to slide towards the first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e. This allows groove 010c to connect with the first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e while maintaining communication with outlet hole 01f, thus connecting outlet hole 01f with the first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e, thereby opening valve core 01. At this time, cold water and hot water input from cold water pipes and hot water pipes respectively enter groove 010c through the first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e, and then exit from outlet hole 01f through groove 010c. As the sliding displacement of flow regulating block 01c towards the first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e increases, the opening degree of the first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e gradually increases, and the water flow rate also gradually increases. The flow rate of the valve core 01 outlet hole 01f can be adjusted by controlling the amplitude of the rotation of the valve core shaft 01a around the support rod 01b.

[0006] As shown in Figure 5, when it is necessary to adjust the water temperature, the valve core shaft 01a is rotated around the vertical axis. The support rod 01b and the top sealing block 01g rotate synchronously with the valve core shaft 01a. The valve core shaft 01a drives the flow regulating block 01c to slide between the first water inlet hole 01d and the second water inlet hole 01e. This allows the opening of one water inlet hole to gradually decrease and the opening of the other water inlet hole to gradually increase, thereby adjusting the ratio of hot and cold water in the input groove 010c and realizing the adjustment of the water temperature output from the outlet hole 01f of the valve core 01.

[0007] Figures 6 and 7 show the closed and open states of a faucet 02 using the valve core structure described above. The valve core 01 is installed inside the faucet 02. The first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e are connected to two independent water supply pipes 02b (a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe, respectively). The outlet hole 01f is connected to the inner cavity of the faucet 02. Water flowing from the outlet hole 01f enters the inner cavity of the faucet 02 and is finally output to the outside through the faucet opening. The faucet 02 has a handle 02a fixedly connected to the top of the valve core shaft 01a located outside the valve core housing 01i. The handle 02a acts as an adjustment mechanism, acting on the valve core shaft 01a to rotate around the support rod 01b, thereby opening or closing the valve core 01, adjusting the water flow rate of the outlet hole 01f, or rotating the valve core shaft 01a around the vertical axis to adjust the water temperature of the outlet hole 01f.

[0008] Due to the structural size limitations of the valve core 01, the flow regulating block 01c does not need to move a large distance to slide towards the first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e to open the valve core 01. Correspondingly, when the valve core shaft 01a rotates around the support rod 01b to push the flow regulating block 01c to open the valve core 01 from the closed state, the rotation angle of the valve core shaft 01a is generally around 30°. Since the handle 02a is fixedly connected to the valve core shaft 01a, when the handle 02a is rotated to drive the valve core shaft 01a to rotate, the rotation angle of the handle 02a is the same as the rotation angle of the valve core shaft 01a. Therefore, when the faucet 02 is opened from the closed state to the maximum open state by operating the handle 02a, the adjustment stroke of the handle 02a is also relatively small. The small adjustment stroke of the handle 02a makes it difficult to control the water flow during adjustment. Usually, people reach the maximum water flow as soon as they turn on the faucet 02, resulting in a lot of unnecessary water waste. To save water, some faucets intentionally reduce their maximum flow rate, and water-saving devices on the market also achieve water conservation by reducing the flow rate in various ways. This not only undermines the original design intent of the faucet but also results in a loss of maximum flow rate, significantly reducing its effectiveness and wasting time in emergency situations. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an adjustment structure for a valve core, which has a large opening stroke and facilitates the adjustment of the outlet flow rate of the valve core.

[0010] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0011] This invention provides a valve core adjustment structure for adjusting the valve core shaft to open or close the valve core. The adjustment structure includes a transmission assembly with an input end and an output end. The input end receives the adjustment action and transmits the adjustment power to the output end. The output end is connected to the valve core shaft and drives the valve core shaft to rotate to open or close the valve core. The transmission ratio from the input end to the output end is a reduction transmission ratio.

[0012] Preferably, the transmission assembly includes a drive shaft, a gear, and a driven member. The driven member has teeth and meshes with the gear through the teeth. The gear is mounted on the drive shaft, and the driven member is mounted on the valve spindle. The drive shaft serves as the input end, and the driven member serves as the output end.

[0013] Preferably, a knob or handle is mounted on the drive shaft, and the drive shaft is rotated by rotating the knob or moving the handle.

[0014] Preferably, the transmission assembly includes a worm and a driven member. The driven member has gear teeth, which mesh with the worm through the gear teeth. The driven member is mounted on the valve spindle. The worm serves as the input end, and the driven member serves as the output end.

[0015] Preferably, the valve core includes a valve core housing and a top sealing block. The interior of the valve core housing forms a cavity through the vertical axis. The top sealing block is disposed in the cavity and rotates with the cavity wall at the top of the cavity. The interior of the top sealing block forms a through hole through the vertical axis. A support rod is provided radially inside the through hole. The valve core shaft passes through the through hole and is rotatably disposed on the support rod. The adjustment structure also includes a support member. The support member is hollow inside to form a receiving cavity with at least one open end. One open end of the support member is connected to the top sealing block. The transmission component is placed in the receiving cavity of the support member and its input end is rotatably disposed through the support member.

[0016] Preferably, the top of the top sealing block extends out of the valve core housing to form a protruding part, and the support member is detachably connected to the protruding part by a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0017] Preferably, the adjustment structure further includes a protective shell, the interior of which is hollow to form a protective cavity with one end open and the other end closed. One open end of the protective shell is connected to the valve core housing, the support is accommodated in the protective cavity, and the input end of the transmission component is rotatably inserted through the protective shell.

[0018] Preferably, the protective shell includes an upper cover and a lower cover. The lower cover is hollow inside and has openings at both ends. One end of the lower cover is connected to the valve core housing, and the other end of the lower cover is connected to the upper cover and closed by the upper cover. A clearance groove for the input end is provided on the end face of the upper cover that is in contact with the lower cover.

[0019] The present invention also provides a water-saving valve, including the valve core adjustment structure described above.

[0020] The present invention also provides a faucet, including the water-saving valve as described above.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has significant progress:

[0022] The valve core adjustment structure of this invention receives the adjustment action at the input end of the transmission component and transmits the adjustment power to the output end. After receiving the adjustment power, the output end of the transmission component drives the valve core shaft to rotate, thus opening or closing the valve core. The transmission ratio from the input end to the output end is a reduction transmission ratio. Therefore, the stroke of the adjustment action to open the valve core is greater than the rotational stroke of the valve core shaft. This allows for a smaller valve core opening stroke to be obtained with a larger adjustment action, effectively solving the problem of difficulty in controlling the water flow rate of current faucets due to the small rotational stroke of the valve core shaft. This facilitates adjustment and control of the water flow rate according to different usage scenarios, avoiding unnecessary water waste caused by difficulty in control during use, thereby achieving water conservation. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a valve core in the prior art.

[0024] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a valve core in the prior art.

[0025] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the valve core in the closed state of the prior art.

[0026] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the valve core in the open state of the prior art.

[0027] Figure 5 is a bottom view of the valve core of the prior art after the valve core shaft is rotated a certain angle around the valve core axis.

[0028] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a faucet in the closed state in the prior art.

[0029] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a faucet in the open state in the prior art.

[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a faucet using the valve core and its adjustment structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the explosion of the faucet shown in Figure 8.

[0032] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the valve core and the driven component in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 11 is a top view of the faucet shown in Figure 8.

[0034] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along direction AA in Figure 11 with the tap closed.

[0035] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along direction AA in Figure 11 with the tap open.

[0036] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view along the BB direction in Figure 11.

[0037] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a faucet using the valve core and its adjustment structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the faucet shown in Figure 15.

[0039] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a faucet using the valve core and its adjustment structure according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the explosion of the faucet shown in Figure 17.

[0041] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the faucet shown in Figure 17.

[0042] The reference numerals in the attached drawings are explained as follows: 01 Valve core 01a Valve core shaft 010a First snap-fit ​​01b Support rod 01c Flow regulating block 010c Groove 01d First water inlet hole 01e Second water inlet hole 01f Water outlet hole 01g Top sealing block 010g Second snap-fit ​​01h Bottom sealing block 01i Valve core housing 010i Stepped surface 02 Faucet 02a Handle 02b Water supply pipe 1 Adjustment structure 10a Knob 100a Marking part 10b Handle 12 Drive shaft 13 Gear 14 Bushing 15 Support 150 Second slot 151 Mounting hole 152 Snap-fit ​​hole 16 Protective shell 16a Top cover 160a Clearance groove 16b Bottom shell 17 Follower 170 First slot 18 Worm gear 180 Annular groove Detailed Implementation

[0043] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0044] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0045] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0046] Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0047] Example 1

[0048] Figures 8 to 14 show a first embodiment of the valve core adjustment structure provided by the present invention.

[0049] The valve core adjustment structure 1 of this embodiment is used to adjust the valve core shaft 01a of the valve core 01 to open or close the valve core 01. The structure of the valve core 01 is basically the same as that of the valve core structure in the prior art. The valve core 01 includes a valve core shell 01i, a top sealing block 01g, a bottom sealing block 01h, a flow regulating block 01c, and a valve core shaft 01a. The interior of the valve core shell 01i forms a cavity through the vertical axis. The top sealing block 01g is disposed in the cavity of the valve core shell 01i and rotates with the cavity wall at the top of the cavity. The interior of the top sealing block 01g forms a through hole through the vertical axis. The bottom sealing block 01h is disposed in the cavity of the valve core shell 01i and seals with the cavity wall at the bottom of the cavity. The bottom sealing block 01h is fixedly connected to the valve core shell 01i. The bottom sealing block 01h has a vertically penetrating first water inlet hole 01d, a second water inlet hole 01e, and a water outlet hole 01f. A flow regulating block 01c is sandwiched between a bottom sealing block 01h and a top sealing block 01g. A groove 010c is formed on the bottom surface of the flow regulating block 01c. A through hole is formed in the interior of the top sealing block 01g along the vertical axis. A support rod 01b is provided radially inside the through hole. A valve core shaft 01a passes through the through hole of the top sealing block 01g and is rotatably mounted on the support rod 01b. The bottom end of the valve core shaft 01a is connected to the top surface of the flow regulating block 01c, and the top end of the valve core shaft 01a extends beyond the top end of the cavity of the valve core housing 01i.

[0050] By adjusting the structure 1, the valve core shaft 01a is rotated around the support rod 01b or around the vertical axis. This allows the bottom end of the valve core shaft 01a to drive the flow regulating block 01c to slide or rotate between the bottom sealing block 01h and the top sealing block 01g. This connects the groove 010c with one or more of the first water inlet hole 01d, the second water inlet hole 01e, and the water outlet hole 01f on the bottom sealing block 01h. This changes the state of the valve core 01, allowing it to open or close, or adjust the water flow rate or water temperature at the valve core 01's water outlet hole 01f.

[0051] In this embodiment, the adjustment structure 1 includes a transmission assembly with an input end and an output end. The input end receives the adjustment action and transmits the adjustment power to the output end. The output end is connected to the valve spindle 01a, and the output end drives the valve spindle 01a to rotate to open or close the valve 01. The transmission ratio from the input end to the output end is a reduction ratio. The input end, as the starting point of the transmission assembly, receives external adjustment actions. The adjustment action can be manual or set to automatic operation via a sensor, such as the rotation of a motor. The maximum stroke of the input end needs to match the maximum stroke of the output end driving the valve spindle 01a to ensure that the valve 01 can be fully opened or closed. The output end, as the end point of the transmission assembly, is preferably directly connected to the valve spindle 01a to ensure that the power transmitted to the output end can more effectively drive the valve spindle 01a to rotate. The output end can be connected to the valve spindle 01a through any of the following methods: snap-fit ​​locking, threaded connection, pin connection, etc., or the output end can be integrally formed with the valve spindle 01a. The output end and valve spindle 01a have sufficient connection strength to withstand the axial and radial loads and stresses generated by the transmission components. The reduction transmission ratio between the input end and the output end can be achieved through any of the following methods: gear, worm gear, belt drive, etc., and the size of the reduction ratio is determined according to the actual application requirements.

[0052] Therefore, by adjusting the stroke of the valve core 01 by adjusting the structure 1, which is greater than the rotation stroke of the valve core shaft 01a, a smaller valve core 01 opening stroke can be obtained through a larger adjustment. This effectively solves the problem that the water flow rate of the current faucet 02 is difficult to control due to the small rotation stroke of the valve core shaft 01a. It makes it convenient to adjust and control the water flow rate according to the needs of different usage scenarios, avoiding unnecessary water waste caused by difficulty in control during use, thereby achieving the purpose of water conservation.

[0053] Preferably, the transmission component of the adjustment structure 1 is provided with a marking part 100a for displaying the input end movement amplitude. By observing the marking part 100a, the movement amplitude of the input end can be intuitively determined. Different input end movement amplitudes correspond to the rotation angle of the valve core shaft 01a in different states, thereby enabling the understanding of the current position of the valve core shaft 01a and the opening state of the valve core 01.

[0054] Referring to Figures 9, 10, and 14, in this embodiment, preferably, the transmission assembly includes a drive shaft 12, a gear 13, and a driven member 17. The driven member 17 has teeth that mesh with the gear 13. The gear 13 is mounted on the drive shaft 12, and the driven member 17 is mounted on the valve core shaft 01a. The drive shaft 12 serves as the input end, and the driven member 17 serves as the output end. After receiving an adjustment action, the drive shaft 12 rotates, causing the gear 13 to rotate synchronously. The gear 13, in turn, drives the driven member 17 to rotate through the meshing of its teeth. Since the driven member 17 is mounted on the valve core shaft 01a, it causes the valve core shaft 01a to rotate accordingly around the support rod 01b. Therefore, rotating the drive shaft 12 clockwise or counterclockwise around its central axis can open or close the valve core 01. Furthermore, by changing the ratio of the number of teeth between gear 13 and driven member 17, the gear 13 can reduce the speed of transmission to driven member 17, thereby enabling the rotation angle of drive shaft 12 to be greater than the rotation angle of valve core shaft 01a. That is, when drive shaft 12 is rotated at a larger angle, the corresponding rotation angle of valve core shaft 01 is smaller, which means that a smaller valve core 01 opening stroke can be obtained through a larger adjustment action.

[0055] The drive shaft 12 is a round rod of a certain length, and its diameter and length are determined according to the actual load capacity and ease of operation required. In addition, the cross-section of the drive shaft 12 can also be designed as a polygon or other shapes, so that the drive shaft 12 bears a certain resistance when rotating to achieve the effect of gear adjustment.

[0056] Gear 13 can be fixed to drive shaft 12 by any of the following methods: key connection, fastening screw, interference fit, and welding. Alternatively, gear 13 can be integrally formed with drive shaft 12 to ensure that the two remain relatively fixed so that gear 13 can rotate synchronously when drive shaft 12 rotates. At the same time, the central axis of gear 13 is aligned with the central axis of drive shaft 12 to ensure that the gear rotates smoothly and without vibration.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the top end of the valve spindle 01a extends beyond the top end of the cavity of the valve core housing 01i. Two opposite sidewalls of the top end of the valve spindle 01a are provided with first snap fasteners 010a. The driven member 17 has a hollow interior forming an open cavity at one end, and two opposite sidewalls of the cavity are provided with first slots 170. During installation, the open end of the driven member 17 is snapped onto the top end of the valve spindle 01a, and the first snap fasteners 010a engage with the first slots 170, thus achieving a quick and reliable fixed connection between the driven member 17 and the valve spindle 01a. In other embodiments, the driven member 17 can also be mounted on the valve spindle 01a by means of fastening screws or interference fits for easy installation and disassembly.

[0058] The teeth on the follower 17 are located on the end face of the follower 17 away from the top of the valve core shaft 01a. The toothed end of the follower 17 can be considered as an arc-shaped gear, which is part of a complete gear circumference whose central axis coincides with the central axis of the support rod 01b. This allows the follower 17 to drive the valve core shaft 01a to rotate around the support rod 01b, achieving motion conversion within a limited space. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the valve core 01 is opened to its maximum state when the drive shaft 12 rotates at least one revolution, the number of teeth on the follower 17 is equal to or greater than the number of teeth on the gear 13.

[0059] In this embodiment, preferably, a knob 10a is mounted on the drive shaft 12, and rotating the knob 10a drives the drive shaft 12 to rotate. When the valve core shaft 01a drives the flow regulating block 01c to rotate, it experiences continuous resistance, so that when the valve core shaft 01a rotates to a certain position, it can remain at that position even without the application of a continuous external force, and will not shift its position due to vibration or other external factors. Therefore, when the driven member 17 and the valve core shaft 01a are driven to rotate by the drive shaft 12 and the gear 13, the drive shaft 12 also experiences significant resistance. The knob 10a is a cylinder with a diameter larger than that of the drive shaft 12, and is fixedly mounted coaxially with the drive shaft 12 during installation. The knob 10a can also be designed in other shapes to facilitate the operator applying force to the knob 10a to drive the drive shaft 12 to rotate. The knob 10a provides a longer lever arm (the distance from the outer wall of the knob 10a to the axis of the drive shaft 12), allowing the operator to rotate the drive shaft 12 with less force, reducing the force required for operation; it also provides a larger contact area, making the operator more comfortable to rotate and reducing hand fatigue. Preferably, the marking portion 100a consists of multiple marking grooves of varying lengths along the circumference of the knob 10a. The longer the marking groove, the larger the rotation angle of the knob 10a, corresponding to a larger rotation angle of the valve core shaft 01a and a larger opening degree of the valve core 01. Furthermore, knobs 10a are provided at both ends of the drive shaft 12, allowing the operator to rotate the drive shaft 12 from either end, improving operational flexibility.

[0060] In this embodiment, preferably, the adjusting structure 1 further includes a support member 15. The support member 15 is hollow, forming a receiving cavity with at least one open end. One open end of the support member 15 is connected to the top sealing block 01g. The transmission assembly is placed in the receiving cavity of the support member 15, and its input end is rotatably inserted through the support member 15. In this embodiment, the drive shaft 12 of the transmission assembly is rotatably inserted through the support member 15, and the gear 13 and the driven member 17 are both placed in the receiving cavity of the support member 15. After the support member 15 is connected to the top sealing block 01g, the portion of the valve core shaft 01a extending beyond the top of the cavity of the valve core housing 01i is housed within the receiving cavity of the support member 15. Furthermore, the driven member 17 drives the valve core shaft 01a to rotate, so that during the process of the valve core 01 moving from closed to its maximum opening, the support member 15 does not interfere with the rotation of the valve core shaft 01a and the driven member 17. In this embodiment, the support member 15 has a cylindrical shape. The diameter and height of the cylinder can be designed according to the specific structure and dimensions of the valve core 01 and the transmission assembly to ensure that the support member 15 does not interfere with the installation of the valve core 01 and provides sufficient space to accommodate the transmission assembly. Preferably, the receiving cavity inside the support member 15 extends radially through the support member 15 in a direction tangential to the rotation direction of the valve core shaft 01a around the support rod 01b, making the receiving cavity a U-shaped cavity. This allows the driven member 17 and the rotation of the valve core shaft 01a around the support rod 01b to be avoided, ensuring that the support member 15 does not interfere with the rotation of the valve core shaft 01a and the driven member 17.

[0061] In this first embodiment, the drive shaft 12, serving as the input end of the transmission assembly, passes radially through the support member 15 along the valve core 01. The support member 15 is connected to the top sealing block 01g. A support rod 01b is radially arranged inside the through hole of the top sealing block 01g. The support rod 01b is arranged parallel to the drive shaft 12. The valve core shaft 01a is rotatably mounted on the support rod 01b. The bottom end of the valve core shaft 01a is connected to the top surface of the flow regulating block 01c. Thus, the drive shaft 12, support member 15, top sealing block 01g, support rod 01b, and flow regulating block 01c are interconnected to form a unified whole that works collaboratively. When the drive shaft 12 rotates around the vertical axis of the valve core 01, the flow regulating block 01c rotates synchronously, thereby regulating the water temperature of the valve core 01.

[0062] Referring to Figures 9, 10, and 14, preferably, in the valve core 01 structure of this embodiment, the top end of the top sealing block 01g extends out of the valve core housing 01i to form a protruding portion, facilitating connection to the support member 15. The support member 15 and the protruding portion at the top end of the top sealing block 01g are detachably connected via a snap-fit ​​structure. The form of the snap-fit ​​structure is not limited. Preferably, second slots 150 are symmetrically provided on the two inner sidewalls opposite to one end of the U-shaped cavity opening of the support member 15. The protruding portion of the top sealing block 01g is inserted into the U-shaped cavity, and two second buckles 010g are provided on the outer wall of the protruding portion corresponding to the two second slots 150. The two second buckles 010g are snapped into the two second slots 150 one-to-one, so that the support member 15 and the top sealing block 01g are relatively fixed.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drive shaft 12, serving as the input end of the transmission assembly, is rotatably inserted into the support member 15 along the direction perpendicular to the two inner sidewalls of the U-shaped cavity of the support member 15. The support member 15 has mounting holes 151 for the drive shaft 12 to pass through. Preferably, both ends of the drive shaft 12 protrude from the support member 15, resulting in two mounting holes 151 on the support member 15, which rotatably engage with the two ends of the drive shaft 12. To facilitate the installation of the gear 13, at least one of the mounting holes 151 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the gear 13, allowing the gear 13 to pass through the mounting hole 151 and enter the U-shaped cavity along with the drive shaft 12. The mounting hole 151 and the drive shaft 12 are rotatably connected via a bushing 14. Specifically, the bushing 14 is fixedly connected to the mounting hole 151; preferably, the bushing 14 and the mounting hole 151 are connected via a threaded connection. The drive shaft 12 is rotatably mounted on the bushing 14, allowing the gear 13 and the drive shaft 12 to be positioned on the support 15 and rotate stably. This facilitates the installation of the transmission components and subsequent maintenance and disassembly.

[0064] Furthermore, gear teeth can be directly formed on the outer wall of the drive shaft 12, and the drive shaft 12 can directly mesh with the driven member 17 through its own gear teeth. By directly meshing the drive shaft 12 and the driven member 17, the number of components required for the adjustment structure 1 is reduced, friction and energy loss during transmission are reduced, and maintenance costs and complexity are also reduced.

[0065] In this embodiment, preferably, the adjustment structure 1 further includes a protective shell 16. The interior of the protective shell 16 is hollow, forming a protective cavity with one end open and the other end closed. One open end of the protective shell 16 is connected to the valve core housing 01i. The support member 15 is accommodated within the protective cavity. Furthermore, the drive shaft 12, which serves as the input end of the transmission component, is rotatably inserted through the protective shell 16. To facilitate the operator's rotation of the drive shaft 12, the knob 10a is located outside the protective shell 16. Therefore, both ends of the drive shaft 12 extend beyond the protective shell 16 to install the knob 10a. By providing the protective shell 16, a closed space is provided for the transmission component, isolating it from the external environment and preventing the intrusion of dust and other contaminants. The protective shell 16 effectively prevents moisture from entering, protecting the transmission component from corrosion by a humid environment, thereby avoiding rust and functional degradation caused by humidity. When subjected to physical impact or vibration, the protective shell 16 can absorb and mitigate these external forces, reducing potential damage to the internal transmission component.

[0066] Referring to Figures 8, 9, 12 and 13, preferably, the protective shell 16 includes an upper cover 16a and a bottom shell 16b. The bottom shell 16b is hollow inside and has openings at both ends. One end of the bottom shell 16b is connected to the valve core housing 01i, and the other end of the bottom shell 16b is connected to the upper cover 16a and closed by the upper cover 16a. A clearance groove 160a is provided on the end face of the upper cover 16a and the bottom shell 16b that are in contact with each other. The clearance groove 160a is used to avoid the input end (drive shaft 12) of the transmission component, so that the drive shaft 12 can be rotatably inserted into the protective shell 16 by assembling the upper cover 16a and the bottom shell 16b.

[0067] In this first embodiment, the receiving cavity inside the support member 15 is open at one end and closed at the other end. The upper cover 16a is fixedly connected to the closed end of the support member 15 by screws. When the drive shaft 12 is rotated about the vertical axis of the valve core 01, the position of the bottom shell 16b remains unchanged, and the upper cover 16a and the support member 15 rotate together with the drive shaft 12.

[0068] In use, the valve core adjustment structure 1 is assembled with the valve core 01, which is installed in the faucet. During assembly, the actuator 17 is first installed onto the valve core shaft 01a of the valve core 01, and the valve core 01 is then installed inside the faucet 02. The first inlet hole 01d and the second inlet hole 01e are respectively connected to two independent water supply pipes 02b (cold water pipe and hot water pipe, respectively), and the outlet hole 01f is connected to the inner cavity of the faucet 02. Then, the base shell 16b is fixedly connected to the outer shell of the faucet 02, and the base shell 16b presses against the top of the valve core outer shell 01i, thus positioning the valve core 01 inside the faucet 02. Preferably, the base shell 16b and the outer shell of the faucet 02 are threaded together. Next, the support member 15, which houses the gear 13 and drive shaft 12, is inserted into the bottom shell 16b, with the protruding part of the top sealing block 01g inserted into the U-shaped cavity of the support member 15. The support member 15 is engaged with the valve core 01 through the second slot 150 and the second buckle 010g of the top sealing block 01g, thus maintaining relative fixation. The drive shaft 12 is located above the bottom shell 16b. Finally, the top cover 16a is joined to the bottom shell 16b, with both ends of the drive shaft 12 extending out of the top cover 16a through the clearance groove 160a. The knob 10a is fixedly installed to both ends of the drive shaft 12, and the top cover 16a is fixedly connected to the closed end of the support member 15 with screws.

[0069] Example 2

[0070] Figures 15 and 16 show a second embodiment of the valve core adjustment structure provided by the present invention. Embodiment two is essentially the same as embodiment one, and the similarities will not be repeated. The difference lies in that, in this embodiment two, a handle 10b is installed on the drive shaft 12 of the valve core adjustment structure 1, replacing the knob 10a. The drive shaft 12 is rotated by moving the handle 10b. The handle 10b has an arc-shaped segment fixedly connected to both ends of the drive shaft 12. Along the arc-shaped segment in a radial direction perpendicular to the drive shaft 12, the handle 10b extends from the arc-shaped segment in a direction away from the drive shaft 12 to form a long handle. The operator can rotate the drive shaft 12 by grasping the end of the long handle and moving the handle 10b. Compared to Embodiment 1, where knobs 10a are fixedly connected to both ends of the drive shaft 12, and the end of the long handle of the grip 10b is used as the force application point, the distance from the force application point to the axis of the drive shaft 12 is increased. This further increases the lever arm of the drive shaft 12, reducing the force required for the operator to rotate the drive shaft 12 and making operation easier. Furthermore, the long handle of the grip 10b provides a more suitable surface for hand grip and operation, improving the overall control experience and enhancing ease of operation and controllability.

[0071] Furthermore, when the drive shaft 12 is rotated by the handle 10b, for ease of operation, the valve core 01 rotates from the closed state to the fully open state, corresponding to the state of the handle 10b rotating around the drive shaft 12 from one side of the valve core 01 to the other. Correspondingly, the gear 13 rotates approximately 180°. In Embodiment 1, the gear 13 needs to rotate at least one revolution for the valve core 01 to open to its maximum state. When the structural dimensions of the driven member 17 are consistent, the outer diameter of the gear 13 in Embodiment 2 is approximately twice the outer diameter of the gear 13 in Embodiment 1.

[0072] Example 3

[0073] Figures 17 to 19 show a third embodiment of the valve core adjustment structure provided by the present invention. Embodiment three is basically the same as embodiment one, and the similarities will not be repeated. The difference lies in that, in this embodiment three, the transmission assembly includes a worm gear 18 and a driven member 17. The driven member 17 has teeth, and the driven member 17 meshes with the worm gear 18 through the teeth. The driven member 17 is mounted on the valve core shaft 01a. The worm gear 18 replaces the drive shaft 12 as the input end, and the driven member 17 serves as the output end. The worm gear 18 directly meshes with the driven member 17, eliminating the need for a gear 13, thus simplifying the structure and saving structural space. The worm gear 18 is horizontally positioned and perpendicular to the support rod 01b. When the support member 15 is installed on the valve core 01, the worm gear 18 passes through the two through-holes on both sides of the U-shaped cavity of the support member 15 between the opposite side walls of the U-shaped cavity. Preferably, the worm 18 has annular grooves 180 on both sides of its helical teeth, and the bottom wall of the through-holes on both sides of the U-shaped cavity of the support member 15 has snap-fit ​​holes 152. The worm 18 is rotatably embedded in the snap-fit ​​holes 152 through the annular grooves 180. Thus, the support member 15 limits the worm 18 in the axial direction, and the worm 18 can stably maintain its engagement with the driven member 17, thereby driving the valve core shaft 01 to rotate to open or close the valve core 01. In addition, when the worm 18 rotates about the vertical axis of the valve core 01, the support member 15 also rotates due to the snap-fit ​​engagement between the worm 18 and the snap-fit ​​holes 152 of the support member 15. Therefore, the top sealing block 01g, the valve core shaft 01a, and the flow regulating block 01c also rotate about the vertical axis of the valve core 01 accordingly, realizing water temperature regulation.

[0074] Furthermore, for ease of adjustment, knobs 10a can be installed at one or both ends of the worm 18 extending from the protective shell 16. Rotating the knobs 10a drives the worm 18 to rotate. Alternatively, a transmission rod of a certain length can be provided at the end of the worm 18. The transmission rod is fixedly connected to the worm 18, and the central axis of the transmission rod is perpendicular to the central axis of the worm 18. Thus, by acting on the end of the transmission rod, the worm 18 is driven to rotate synchronously, further increasing the distance from the point of force application to the central axis of the worm 18, making it easier to open the valve core 01.

[0075] Therefore, when the worm gear 18 drives the driven member 17 and the valve spindle 01a to rotate, the transmission ratio between the worm gear 18 and the driven member 17 depends on the ratio of the number of helical teeth on the worm gear 18 to the number of gear teeth on the driven member 17. Since the worm gear 18 typically has only a few helical teeth, a larger reduction ratio can be obtained by setting the worm gear 18 to drive the driven member 17. For every revolution of the worm gear 18, the driven member 17 and the valve spindle 01a rotate a small angle around the support rod 01b, thereby further improving the adjustment accuracy of the adjustment structure 1.

[0076] Example 4

[0077] Based on the valve core adjustment structure of the present invention, Embodiment 4 provides an embodiment of the water-saving valve of the present invention. The water-saving valve of Embodiment 4 includes the valve core adjustment structure of the present invention. The valve core adjustment structure can be any one of the valve core adjustment structures 1 described in Embodiments 1 to 3 above. The water-saving valve of Embodiment 4 also includes a valve core 01. The adjustment structure 1 is assembled with the valve core 01. By acting on the top end of the valve core shaft 01a through the adjustment structure 1, the valve core shaft 01a rotates around the support rod 01b or around the vertical axis, thereby changing the state of the valve core 01, opening or closing the valve core 01, or adjusting the water flow rate or water temperature of the outlet hole 01f of the valve core 01.

[0078] Example 5

[0079] Based on the water-saving valve of the present invention, Embodiment 5 provides an embodiment of the faucet of the present invention. The faucet of Embodiment 5 includes the water-saving valve of the present invention, and the water-saving valve can be any kind of water-saving valve as described in Embodiment 4 above.

[0080] The application of the faucet in this embodiment is not limited to any particular field. It can be used in any scenario where a water-saving valve needs to be installed, such as a kitchen faucet or a shower faucet.

[0081] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A valve core adjustment structure for adjusting the valve core shaft (01a) of a valve core (01) to open or close the valve core (01), characterized in that, The adjustment structure (1) includes a transmission component, which has an input end and an output end. The input end is used to receive the adjustment action and transmit the adjustment power to the output end. The output end is connected to the valve core shaft (01a). The output end drives the valve core shaft (01a) to rotate to open or close the valve core (01). The transmission ratio from the input end to the output end is a reduction transmission ratio.

2. The valve core adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission assembly includes a drive shaft (12), a gear (13), and a driven member (17). The driven member (17) has teeth, and the driven member (17) meshes with the gear (13) through the teeth. The gear (13) is mounted on the drive shaft (12), and the driven member (17) is mounted on the valve spindle (01a). The drive shaft (12) serves as the input end, and the driven member (17) serves as the output end.

3. The valve core adjustment structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, A knob (10a) or a grip (10b) is mounted on the drive shaft (12). Rotating the knob (10a) or moving the grip (10b) will drive the drive shaft (12) to rotate.

4. The valve core adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission assembly includes a worm (18) and a driven member (17). The driven member (17) has teeth and meshes with the worm (18) through the teeth. The driven member (17) is mounted on the valve spindle (01a). The worm (18) serves as the input end, and the driven member (17) serves as the output end.

5. The valve core adjustment structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve core (01) includes a valve core housing (01i) and a top sealing block (01g). The interior of the valve core housing (01i) is through-hole formed along the vertical axis. The top sealing block (01g) is disposed in the cavity and rotates with the cavity wall at the top of the cavity. The interior of the top sealing block (01g) is through-hole formed along the vertical axis. A support rod (01b) is radially disposed in the through-hole. The valve core shaft (01a) passes through the through-hole and is rotatably disposed on the support rod (01b) around the support rod (01b). The adjustment structure (1) also includes a support member (15). The support member (15) is hollow inside to form a receiving cavity with at least one open end. One open end of the support member (15) is connected to the top sealing block (01g). The transmission assembly is placed in the receiving cavity of the support member (15) and the input end is rotatably disposed through the support member (15).

6. The valve core adjustment structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The top of the top sealing block (01g) extends out of the valve core housing (01i) to form a protruding portion, and the support (15) is detachably connected to the protruding portion by a snap-fit ​​structure.

7. The valve core adjustment structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The adjustment structure (1) further includes a protective shell (16), the interior of which is hollow to form a protective cavity with one end open and the other end closed. One open end of the protective shell (16) is connected to the valve core housing (01i). The support member (15) is accommodated in the protective cavity. The input end of the transmission assembly is rotatably inserted through the protective shell (16).

8. The valve core adjustment structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The protective shell (16) includes an upper cover (16a) and a bottom shell (16b). The bottom shell (16b) is hollow inside and has openings at both ends. One end of the bottom shell (16b) is connected to the valve core shell (01i), and the other end of the bottom shell (16b) is connected to the upper cover (16a) and closed by the upper cover (16a). An avoidance groove (160a) is provided on the end face of the upper cover (16a) that is in contact with the bottom shell (16b) to avoid the input end.

9. A water-saving valve, characterized in that, The regulating structure includes the valve core as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A faucet, characterized in that, Includes the water-saving valve as described in claim 9.

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