JPH04306331A - Water discharge port - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the size of a water discharge port and to improve facility by using a non-foam water discharge hole also as an air passage for foaming. CONSTITUTION:Through movement of a foaming mechanism located in a body 1, a flow passage to a sprinkling hole 7 for foaming of a sprinkling plate 4 located to a water discharge end is openable. When the flow passage to the sprinkling hole 7 is opened, air can be sucked through a centralized water discharge hole 8 for non-foaming. Thus, through reduction of the size and the weight of the water discharge port, facility is improved, the degree of freedom of the range and distribution of non-foam discharge water and foam discharge water is increased, and a water discharge port can cope with wide application.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a water spout attached to the tip of a faucet or shower head, etc., and in particular can be used to switch between normal water spout that does not contain air bubbles and foam water spout mixed with air bubbles. Regarding the water spout.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Faucets equipped with a foam spout have been used in the past in order to reduce the sound of water being supplied, the sound of water falling into a sink, etc., and to eliminate water splashing. The most commonly used one is, for example, the one described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 31621/1983.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the one described in this publication and other general foam spouts. In the figure, a foam cap 51 is fixed to the tip of a faucet spout 50, and a pressure reducing plate 52 has a number of small holes 52a formed therein.
is stored. An air port 53 for introducing outside air into the water supply is opened in the peripheral wall of the water discharge cap 51 downstream of the pressure reducing plate 52, and a plurality of rectifying nets 54 are arranged at the outlet to regulate the flow.

[0004] In such a foam spout, the spout 50
When the supplied water passes through the small hole 52a of the pressure reducing plate 52, the flow speed is increased. Therefore, the pressure inside the water discharge cap 51 on the downstream side of the pressure reducing plate 52 is reduced, and external air is sucked in from the air port 53, and this air mixes into the water supply, thereby turning the water into foam.

[0005]

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, the spout 5
Since the water supplied from 0 is only foamy water, it is impossible with the structure shown in FIG. 9 to supply water that does not contain bubbles. For this reason, for example, if the foaming mechanism shown in Fig. 9 is installed in the center of the water spouting head, and a large number of holes are opened around it to spray water in the shower, the flow path can be switched between foamy and non-foaming water. You can get both types of water. Furthermore, if the foam mechanism section is configured to separately provide channels for concentrated water discharge and switch the flow channels to these channels, it is possible to supply water by switching between foam and non-foam water discharge.

However, in either structure,
Since it is necessary to provide holes and channels for suctioning air from the outside in the foaming mechanism, the water channel for non-foaming water discharge must be arranged to avoid air channels. Due to these design constraints, when creating a structure that can be used to switch between foaming and non-foaming water, it is necessary to separately provide an air flow path for foaming and a non-foaming water flow path. Therefore, there is a tendency for the spout to become larger. For this reason, when used as a hand spray type for kitchen use, for example, there is a problem in terms of usability due to the large volume, and various problems are likely to occur in other uses as well.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the size and weight of the water spout and improve its usability by making the flow path for non-foaming water discharge also usable as an air flow path for foaming water discharge. The goal is to make it usable for a wide range of purposes.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides non-foam water spout holes and foam water sprinkling holes in a water sprinkling plate provided at the water spouting end of a main body, and provides the non-foam water spout holes in a flow path leading to the water sprinkling holes. is equipped with a foaming mechanism that suctions outside air and foams the supplied water as a flow path, and switches between non-foam water discharge and foam water discharge by opening and closing the flow path from the water supply source side to the water sprinkling hole by moving the foaming mechanism. It is characterized by being linked to actions.

[0009]

[Operation] The foaming mechanism installed inside the main body sucks air from the non-foaming water outlet when the flow path to the watering hole of the watering plate is open, and mixes air into the water flowing to the watering hole. to foam the water. Further, when the flow path to the water sprinkling hole is closed, only the non-foaming water spouting hole is opened to the outside, so that the supplied water is discharged from the non-foaming water spouting hole as normal water spouting without containing air bubbles. In this way, the air necessary for foaming can be sucked in using the non-foaming water spouting holes, and no air holes or the like are required in addition to the non-foaming water spouting holes and the water sprinkling holes. In addition, since the switching between non-foaming water and foaming water is linked to the movement of the foaming mechanism inside the main body,
There is no need to separately incorporate a switching valve or the like, and switching is possible with a simple operation.

0010

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the spout according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a bottom view thereof.

[0011] This example is designed to be used as a kitchen spray, and has a water spout connected to a water supply source, a main body 1, a sleeve 3 built into the main body 1 and movable in the axial direction by a switching handle 2, and a main body 1. It consists of a water sprinkling plate 4 fixed to the discharge end of the pipe.

The sleeve 3 is movable in the axial direction by being engaged with an annular seat 1a in the main body 1 through a spline 1b (or a keyway may be used), and is connected to a connecting cylinder 2a connected to the switching handle 2 with a screw 2b. ing. therefore,
When the switching handle 2 is rotated, the sleeve 3 moves in the axial direction (vertical direction in the figure) without rotation. Furthermore, a swirling flow chamber 5 for swirling water that has flowed into the main body 1 is provided on the lower end side of the sleeve 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A--A in FIG. A discharge hole 5b is opened approximately in the center of the hole. The inflow hole 5a is opened so as to have an axis tangential to the inner circumferential wall of the swirl flow chamber 5, and the water from the annular communication flow path 1c between the inner wall of the main body 1 and the sleeve 3 flows as shown in the figure. The flow flows into the swirling flow chamber 5 as shown by the arrow inside, and is then forced to swirl so that the flow goes clockwise. Moreover, if the opening area of the discharge hole 5b is made smaller than the total opening area of the four inlet holes 5a, the swirling flow chamber 5
Water will accumulate in the tank, and the internal pressure will rise somewhat. Therefore, the flow energy of the water itself increases in the swirling flow chamber 5, and centrifugal force due to the swirling flow acts. Therefore, the water discharged from the discharge hole 5b behaves to spread outward under the influence of centrifugal force, and is discharged as a conical water film as shown by the broken line in FIG.

Furthermore, a valve seat ring 6 is integrally formed at the lower end of the sleeve 3 for switching between foam and rectified water discharge. The valve seat ring 6 forms the bottom wall of the swirling flow chamber 5, and a discharge hole 5b is opened in the center to connect a flow path to the water sprinkling plate 4 side. Further, the outer periphery of the valve seat ring 6 can slide on a sliding seat 1d formed on the main body 1 via a packing 6a, and the communication flow path 1c side and the flow path on the water sprinkling plate 4 side are blocked by this packing 6a. has been done.

The water sprinkling plate 4 is fixed to the lower end of the main body 1, and as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of water sprinkling holes 7 for foam water spouting are arranged in a ring shape, and a concentrated water spouting hole for normal water spouting is provided in the center. 8 is provided as a non-foam water discharge hole. A foam current plate 7a (not shown in FIG. 1) having a cross-shaped cross section is installed in each water sprinkling hole 7 to straighten and discharge foam water. Further, inside the concentrated water spouting hole 8, a rectifying network 8a is provided to regulate the flow of concentrated water. Further, on the upper surface of the water sprinkling plate 4, a flow passage tube 9 is raised coaxially with the concentrated water spout hole 8, and around it is an annular valve body 1 that approaches and separates from the valve seat ring 6.
0 is installed. The space formed between the lower surface of the valve seat ring 6 and the upper surface of the water sprinkling plate 4 functions as a foaming chamber 11 that foams water from the discharge hole 5b.

The flow passage tube 9 can penetrate into the valve seat ring 6 having a vertical section concave downward, and can form a flow passage to the concentrated water discharge hole 8 coaxially with the discharge hole 5b. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 3 is raised and the valve seat ring 6 is away from the valve body 10, so the conical film-shaped water from the discharge hole 5b does not flow into the concentrated water spout hole 8. It is blown into the foaming chamber 11. Therefore, the pressure at the upper end of the channel cylinder 9 is reduced due to the increased speed of the water, and air is sucked into the foaming chamber 11 from the concentrated water spouting hole 8 and mixed into the water, thereby foaming the water. .

FIG. 4 shows the lower end of the valve seat ring 6 and the concentrated water discharge hole 8.
This is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portion, and in the illustrated example, the rectifying net 8a incorporated in the concentrated water spouting hole 8 is made of three fine mesh meshes stacked one on top of the other. This rectifying network 8a has the function of rectifying the water during normal water discharging that does not contain bubbles to form a single undisturbed streamline, and at the same time serves as an air flow path during foamy water discharging as described later. In some cases, it can also help reduce air suction noise. Further, the peripheral surface of the lower end of the valve seat ring 6 is formed with a flange portion 6b that is fitted into the sliding seat 1d of the main body 1 and slides in the axial direction. The water supply pressure in the communication channel 1c communicating with the water supply source acts on the upper surface of this flange portion 6b,
When trying to move the valve seat ring 6 upward, it is necessary to move the valve seat ring 6 so as to overcome this water supply pressure. For this reason, it is preferable to make the radial length B of the collar portion 6b that receives water pressure as small as possible, as shown in the figure, to reduce the force exerted by the water pressure to push down the valve seat ring 6.

In the above configuration, in the state shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve 3 is located at the uppermost position, the valve seat ring 6 is separated from the valve body 10 on the side of the water spray plate 4, and the flow pipe cylinder 9 is also located on the valve seat ring 6. It is located at the bottom. Therefore, when the supplied water is forcibly swirled in the swirling flow chamber 5 and then discharged from the discharge hole 5b as described above, it becomes a conical water film and is supplied to the water spray plate 4 side at a high flow rate. At this time, the flow of the water film becomes faster, so the pressure in the space around the upper end of the channel pipe 9 decreases, and air is thereby sucked from the concentrated water discharge hole 8. therefore,
Air is mixed into the water from the discharge hole 5b to form foam, which is then discharged from the water sprinkling hole 7 while being rectified by the foam rectifying plate 7a.

It should be noted that when air is sucked from the concentrated water spouting hole 8, the rectifying net 8a provided therein functions to reduce the suction noise as described above. This is because the air sucked into the inside is also rectified by the rectifying net 8a, and wind noise etc. can be reduced without disturbing the air flow when heading towards the foaming chamber 11. And in this way, the air suction noise can be lowered,
Even if the inner diameter of the concentrated water spouting hole 8 is increased, there is no effect on actual usability, and water with thick streamlines can be obtained during normal water spouting.

To switch from foam water spout to normal water spout that does not contain bubbles using the concentrated water spout hole 8, the switching handle 2 is turned to lower the sleeve 3 from the state shown in FIG. 1 inside the main body 1. As a result, as shown in FIG.
enters the valve seat ring 6 and connects its internal flow path to the discharge hole 5b.
At the same time, the valve body 10 abuts against the lower surface of the valve seat ring 6. Therefore, the flow path from the discharge hole 5b to the water sprinkling hole 7 is closed, and only the flow path to the concentrated water spout hole 8 is connected, from which one streamline of water is discharged as normal water discharge.

When switching from non-foaming normal water spouting to foaming water spouting, the switching handle 2 is similarly turned to move the valve seat ring 6 upward from the state shown in FIG. 5. At this time, the water pressure in the communication channel 1c acts on the upper surface of the flange 6b of the valve seat ring 6, but as described above, the influence of water pressure can be eliminated by making the pressure receiving area of the flange 6b as small as possible. Can be done. Therefore, the torque required to turn the switching handle 2 when switching to foam water discharging is also small, making it suitable for use as general household equipment.

In this manner, in the case of foamy water spouting, the concentrated water spouting hole 8 for normal water spouting can also be used as an air suction path, eliminating the need to provide a separate air flow path for foamy water spouting. Therefore, not only can the main body 1 of the water spout be made smaller, but also the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the water sprinkling holes 7 for foaming and the concentrated water spouting holes 8 for normal water spouting can be increased. Therefore, if the range and distribution of foam and non-foam normal discharge water are appropriate, it can be used as a water spout for various purposes.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a water spout showing another embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a bottom view thereof, which can be switched between foam water spout and non-foam rectified concentrated water spout by rotating the main body 1. The structure is such that it is possible to do so. Note that the same members as those explained in FIGS. 1 to 5 are indicated by common reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Inside the main body 1 are a connector 20 communicating with a water supply source, a connecting sleeve 21 connecting the main body 1 and the connector 20, and a screw ring 22 integrated with the connector 20 and connected to the connecting sleeve 21 with a screw 21a. is provided. A swirling flow chamber 5 is formed at the lower end of the connector 20, and a communication channel 1c that communicates with the internal channel 20a of the connector 20 is connected to the outer periphery of the connector 20 and the threaded ring 2.
It is formed between the inner periphery of 2.

The rest of the structure is almost the same as that of the previous embodiment, and the state shown in FIG. 6 is the case where the valve body 10 is separated from the valve seat ring 6 and foam water is being discharged. At this time, as explained in FIG. 1, the water film from the discharge hole 5b is turned into foam by the suction air from the concentrated water spouting hole 8, and foamy water is discharged from the water sprinkling hole 7.

Furthermore, when the main body 1 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 6, the connector 20 connected to a water supply pipe (not shown) and the like and the threaded ring 22 integrated therewith are in a fixed position as shown in FIG.
The main body 1 rises upward as shown in FIG. As a result, the valve body 10 is seated on the lower surface of the valve seat ring 6, the flow path toward the water sprinkling hole 7 side is blocked, and water is supplied from the discharge hole 5b of the swirling flow chamber 5 to the concentrated water spout hole 8 to eliminate air bubbles. Concentrated spouting of normal water that does not contain water is performed.

[0027] In the embodiment, the non-foaming water was spouted from one water spouting hole 8, but any other water spouting hole may be used as long as it can realize a form of water spouting that does not contain air bubbles.

[0028]

[Effects of the Invention] In the present invention, when switching between foam water spout and non-foam normal water spout that does not contain air bubbles, the flow path for non-foam water spout can also be used as an air suction flow path when foam water is spouted. I have to. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate air suction channel for foaming water, and even if the water spout has two functions: foaming water and non-foaming water, the volume of the water spout can be reduced and the size can be reduced. And weight reduction can also be achieved. In addition, since the water spout only needs to have water sprinkling holes for foaming water and concentrated water spouting holes for non-foaming water spouting, the degree of freedom in the arrangement and distribution of the sprinkling holes and non-foaming water spouting holes is greater than when air holes are included. . Therefore, the range and distribution of foamy water and non-foamy water can be freely set according to the application, further improving usability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a water spout according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the water spout shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing swirling of the flow within the swirling flow chamber.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the lower end of the valve seat ring and the concentrated water spouting hole portion.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water spout when switching to normal water spouting from the concentrated water spout by operating the switching handle.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a water spout showing another embodiment.

7 is a bottom view of the spout shown in FIG. 6. FIG.

8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when the water spout in FIG. 6 is switched to normal water spouting from the concentrated water spouting hole.

FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a conventional foaming structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main body 2 Switching handle 3 Sleeve 4 Sprinkle plate 5 Swirl flow chamber 6 Valve seat ring 7 Water sprinkling hole 8 Concentrated water spout hole (non-foam water spout hole) 9 Flow pipe 10 Valve body 11 Foaming chamber 20 Connector 21 Connection sleeve 22 Thread ring

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water sprinkling plate provided at the water spouting end of the main body is provided with a non-foam water spout hole and a foam water sprinkling hole, and outside air is sucked into the flow path leading to the water sprinkling hole using the non-foam water spout hole as a flow path. Further, it is characterized in that it is equipped with a foaming mechanism that foams the supplied water, and the switching between non-foaming water discharge and foaming water discharge is linked to the opening and closing operation of the flow path from the water supply source side to the foam hole by the movement of the foaming mechanism. A water spout.