JPH094752A - Handle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To deform a handle into a shape optimum to each of users by forming at least a portion, with which a user's hand makes contact, out of a heating restoration type shape memory resin. CONSTITUTION: A handle 2 to switch a flow passage to a discharge water pipe 1a and a hose 1c and regulate a flow rate is integrally formed in such a manner that two arms 2a and 2b on which fingers are set are protruded outward from the peripheral surface thereof and brought into a relation to be parallel to each other. The handle 2 is manufactured by using a shape memory polymer consisting of a polyurethane high molecule material. When temperature is increased to a value higher than a transition region temperature by heating, the handle is softened. In this case, a hand is inserted between the arms 2a and 2b and the arm is deformed in such a manner to fit the hand. When, after deformation, the handle is cooled to a temperature lower than the transition region temperature to provide the handle 2 the arms 2a and 2b of which are deformed. This constitution forms a product, having apparently one specification, to the handle 2 having most facility matched with each of users.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a handle which is operated by grasping, turning and pushing with a hand, and in particular, a handle which can be freely changed into a most convenient form for each user. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a faucet from a single faucet to various kinds of hot and cold water mixing taps, a handle for manual operation is provided. Examples of this handle include a handle for opening / closing the flow path and adjusting the flow rate, a handle for temperature adjustment in the case of a hot and cold water mixing valve, a handle for switching to a shower head, and the like. Then, there are those which can be picked and rotated by a hand, and those which can perform various operations with one lever as used in a single lever type hot and cold water mixing tap and the like.

These faucet handles are required to be easy to grasp by hand and have good operability. For example, in the case of a rotary operation type handle, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the peripheral surface of the handle as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-4976, or a gentle unevenness is provided on the peripheral surface so that a fingertip can be easily applied. Most of them are.

Further, even in the case of a lever type handle, it is a basic design that the length is made appropriate so that the tip of the handle can be easily put on. For example, as described in West German Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1941437, there is a lever which is elongated and has a slightly bulged tip so that it can be used even when a fingertip cannot be applied.

[0005]

The conventional handle as described above is obtained as a result of the optimum design with priority given to the design with the faucet body and the usability, and each has a specified size and shape. A single handle or faucet of similar specification is provided with a common handle uniformly.

However, there are various kinds of people who use the water faucet. For example, from children to adults or elderly people, the size of the hand is different, and the gripping force is also different from person to person. Further, even a handle that can be used by a normal person without any hindrance may cause difficulty in use for a physically handicapped person or a person who has various hand diseases. Also, it may be difficult to use depending on the position of the handle due to the difference between the left and right hands.

As described above, although the users are unspecifically diverse, the handle of the faucet has one specified shape, so that it is designed from the standpoint of obtaining a handle that is easy for all to use. Even though it is impossible. Therefore, it can be inferred that even if it is supplied as a product with a handle shape design that is easy to use, it is still used while feeling inconvenience. Further, not only the handle for the faucet but also the handle used for the handle of the door and various other widely used handles generally have the same tendency.

It can be said that the cause of such a problem is that the handle is optimally designed on the basis of general use conditions. That is, it is inconvenient for users who are out of the standard range because the basic design is to be easy to use for a large number of people with standard usability.

The problem to be solved in the present invention is to eliminate the inconvenience, which is inconvenient in a uniform design shape, by freely deforming the handle into a shape shape optimal for each user. .

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a handle connected to a transmission means such as a transmission shaft for transmitting an operating force to a functional portion, wherein at least a portion touched by a human hand is a heat restoration type shape memory. It is characterized by being made of resin. In this case, the handle may be detachable from the transmission means.

Further, it is also possible to attach / detach to / from the operation handle for operating the functional portion, and at least a portion touched by a human hand may be made of a heat-recoverable shape memory resin.

[0012] In these handles, two arms having an interval into which a human hand can be inserted are projected from the peripheral surface, and at least these arms are made of a heat-recoverable shape memory resin, or a human hand can be inserted. It is possible to provide a heat-recoverable shape-memory resin.

[0013]

The heat-recoverable shape memory resin becomes flexible like a rubber at a temperature higher than the transition region temperature and becomes hard like a glass at a temperature lower than the transition region temperature. Therefore, in order to optimize the preset basic shape for each user, the handle should be heated above the transition region temperature to soften it, shaped into a predetermined shape, and then exposed to low temperature. If it is solidified with, it can be used as a handle with normal hardness.

If the handle is detachably attached to the transmission means between the handle and the function part, the handle is detached from the function part when the shape of the handle is changed, and the handle is soaked in hot water or cooled by pouring it in water. You can change the shape of the handle easily.

Further, in the case where the handle has a cylindrical shape or a polygonal shape, for example, when two arms which allow the human hand to be inserted are held at intervals or provided with an annular portion, these arms are provided. If the ring-shaped portion is made of a heat-recoverable shape-memory resin, the part on which the hand is applied can be easily transformed into a shape that is easy to use.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example in which the handle of the present invention is applied to a hot and cold water mixing tap.

In the figure, a water leg pipe 1a and a hot water leg pipe 1b connected to a water supply and hot water supply pipe on the building side are provided on the back of the faucet body 1, and a hose 1c directed to a shower is connected to the central portion. A water discharge pipe 1d is connected to the lower end of the.
At the right end of the main body 1, the hose 1c side and the water discharge pipe 1 are provided.
A handle 2 for switching the flow path to the d side, opening / closing the flow path, and adjusting the flow rate is connected, and a handle 3 for setting the temperature of the mixed water is provided at the left end. The handle 3 is connected to an automatic temperature control mechanism built in the faucet body 1, and the valve opening on the water side and the hot water side provided in this mechanism can be set.

The handles 2 and 3 are common parts, and the handle 2 for opening and closing the flow path and adjusting the flow rate will be described here.

The handle 2 is fixed to one end of a spindle connected to a valve mechanism built in the faucet body 1 as in the case of a normal faucet handle structure, and is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the drawing to discharge the water discharge pipe. It is possible to switch the flow paths to the side of 1d and the hose 1c and adjust the flow rate. And
The handle 2 has two arms 2 for hanging fingertips.
a and 2b are projected outward from the peripheral surface and are integrally formed in a substantially parallel relationship with each other.

The handle 2 is made of a shape memory polymer using a polyurethane polymer material. This shape-memory polymer is one of the heat-recoverable shape-memory resins, and has a property of returning to a memorized (basic shape) by heating like a widely known shape-memory alloy. That is, at a temperature lower than a certain transition region temperature, it becomes hard like glass, while at a temperature above the transition region temperature, it becomes rubber-like and has flexibility, and at this time, it can be freely deformed. .

The operating temperature of the hot and cold water mixing tap is 50 at maximum.
Since the temperature is about ℃, if the transition region temperature of the shape memory polymer used for the handle 2 is set to 55 ° C or higher, the handle 2 will not soften at the ambient temperature of use and should always have a uniform hardness. You can

An example of using such a heat-recoverable shape memory resin is, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-8220.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2, there is one applied to a handle of Western tableware.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a variation of the shape of the handle 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, (a) is a shape in which the two arms 2a and 2b are substantially parallel to each other and linearly project from the peripheral surface of the handle 2 in the tangential direction as shown in FIG. Is the basic shape of general standard specifications.

With respect to this basic shape, in the case of a person who cannot easily insert his / her hands into the arms 2a and 2b or a person who can easily use these arms 2a and 2b not only by the fingertips but also by the palm, As shown in (b) of the same figure, the arms 2a and 2b are respectively deformed into a bulged shape.

Such deformation of the arms 2a and 2b is carried out by, for example, preparing hot water of 55 ° C. or higher and pouring it over the entire handle 2, or removing only the handle 2 and immersing in the hot water. . By this heating, when the temperature exceeds the transition region temperature of the shape memory polymer, the handle 2 is softened, and at this time, the hands are actually inserted into the arms 2a and 2b and are deformed so as to fit the hands.
After this deformation, if the handle 2 is cooled by pouring or immersing it in water to lower the temperature below the transition region temperature, the same figure (b)
The handle 2 in which the arms 2a and 2b are deformed can be obtained.

Further, (c) of the figure is an example in which the base portions of the arms 2a and 2b are deformed so as to be widened, and the operation for this deformation is the same as in the previous example. By opening the arms 2a and 2b in a V-shape in this way, it is easy to insert the hand into the arms 2a and 2b, and since the arms 2a and 2b are straight, it is easy to grasp and operate them. become.

Although the entire handle 2 can be integrally formed of a shape memory polymer, only the portion to be touched when it is operated by hand is made of the shape memory polymer and the other portions may be made of metal or the like. . That is,
In the example of FIG. 2, by changing the shapes of the arms 2a and 2b,
Since it is possible to obtain a convenient usability for the user,
It suffices that the arms 2a and 2b and the respective roots are made of a shape memory polymer.

The same applies to the handle 2 for adjusting the temperature, which is often arranged on the left side of the faucet body 1 and operated by the left hand. Therefore, the shape of the handle 2 should be adjusted so as to be suitable for this operation. You can change it.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing the details of the mounting structure of the faucet handle to the faucet body.

The illustrated example is a handle applicable to various types of faucets in addition to the hot and cold water mixing faucet shown in FIG. 1, and is connected to a valve mechanism incorporated in the faucet body 4 to rotate around its axis. A handle 5 is connected to the tip of the rotatable spindle 4a. The handle 5 is fixed by covering the bush 4c made of metal, which is fixed to the tip of the spindle 4a with a screw 4b, and is made of a shape memory polymer like the previous example.

Even in the case of such a handle 5, the usability can be improved by setting the illustrated shape as a standard specification and deforming the handle so that it can be easily gripped by a user.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of an example applied to a handle of a single lever type hot and cold water mixing tap.

The faucet body 6 of the hot and cold water mixing tap is provided with a water discharge pipe 6a, and a handle 7 for setting the amount of hot water and the flow rate of the mixed water discharged from the water discharge pipe 6a is provided at the upper end. . This handle 7 is also made of a shape memory polymer as in the previous example, and has an annular portion 7a formed in front of the portion covered with the faucet body 6.

The handle 7 has the same basic shape as that shown in FIG. 7A, and when it is more convenient to insert the hand into the annular portion 5a and use it, as shown in FIG. The annular portion 7a is deformed so as to widen in the width direction. Further, when it is easier to operate by hanging the fingertip, as shown in FIG. 7C, the protrusion of the annular portion 7a toward the front side is lengthened and deformed into a thin shape.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing the details of the connecting mechanism between the faucet body 6 and the handle 7 shown in FIG.

The faucet body 6 has a fixed valve plate 6b and a movable valve plate 6c, and a shifter 6d connected to the movable valve plate 6c.
Is incorporated in the faucet body 6 by the spherical receiving structure, and the shifter 6d is connected to the base end of the handle 7. Such a connecting structure between the handle 7 and the movable valve plate 6c is common in a single-lever type hot and cold water mixing valve in which two sliding valve plates are arranged in an overlapping manner. It is possible to swing in the direction and turn in the left and right directions.
Then, in response to such a movement of the handle 7, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, by appropriately deforming the shape of the annular portion 7a, the one that is most easy for the user to operate. Can be used as

FIG. 6 shows a single lever type hot and cold water mixing tap similar to that shown in FIG. 4, but with another handle attached.

The handle 8 provided at the upper end of the faucet body 4 is
It has a shape in which two arms 8a and 8b are projected forward from the portion covered with the faucet body 4. These arms 8
The a and 8b are positioned vertically so that a hand can be inserted between them, and the one shown in (a) of the figure has a basic shape for general specifications.

In the case where the two arms 8a and 8b are provided, it is possible to use either one of them with the fingertip or to insert the palm between the arms 8a and 8b to operate. Then, for example, in the case of a person with a large hand, the arms 8a and 8b may be deformed so as to widen the space according to the above procedure so that the hand can be easily inserted as shown in FIG. it can.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a handle which doubles as a cover of an existing water faucet or which is also a cover which is detachably attached to the spindle by detaching the existing handle.

The illustrated example is applicable to, for example, an existing faucet having a handle having the shape shown in FIG. 3, and the handle 10 is a base having a shape such that a bowl is turned upside down on the upper end of the faucet body. 10a and one arm 10b protruding from this base 10a.

The arm 10b has a linear shape as shown in (a) of FIG. Then, it can be used by being modified as shown in (b) to (d) of the same figure so as to be optimal for each user.

(B) of the same figure shows that the arm 10b has wave-like irregularities so that the palm and fingers can be easily put on it, (b) of the same figure.
Shows an example in which the tip of the arm 10b is slightly bent to hang a fingertip, and (c) of the figure shows an example in which the arm 10b is bent in an arc shape so that the hand can be easily put.

FIG. 8 also shows an example of a handle which also serves as a cover, which is applicable as the handle for the hot and cold water mixing tap shown in FIG.

Also in this example, the handle 11 is the base 11a.
And one arm 11b, and the arm 11b is linear as shown in (a) of FIG. If necessary, the arm 11b may be slightly bent at its tip as shown in (b) of the figure, or may be deformed and used in a corrugated shape as shown in (c) of the figure. it can.

[0047]

According to the present invention, the shape of the handle is not limited to one, and the handle can be used by changing to a shape which is most convenient for the user. For this reason, products that have a single specification apparently can be diversified into personal specifications of appropriate shapes that differ for each user, and provide the most convenient handle for each user. You can For example, in the case of a handle of a water handling device, it may slip easily with soap or the like, but an appropriate shape allows the handle to be handled reliably, and the operation of a water faucet or the like will not be mistaken.

When the handle is detachable,
This handle alone can be easily changed in shape by removing it from a functional part such as the faucet body or the like and heating and cooling, and there is no problem even in the condition of use in which the shape is changed frequently. If the member also serves as a cover, it can be attached to an existing product as it is and used, and the versatility can be improved.

Further, in the case where two arms are projected from the handle or an annular portion is provided so that the hand can be inserted, compared with the case where the outer peripheral shape of the handle such as a cylindrical shape is deformed, the arm and the annular portion are deformed. The degree of freedom of deformation is increased, and a handle with a shape that is even easier to use can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example in which a handle of the present invention is provided in a hot and cold water mixing valve.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic shape of a handle in the example of FIG. 1 and a modification thereof.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part of a structure for connecting a handle to a faucet body.

FIG. 4 is an example of a handle for a single-lever type hot and cold water mixer having an annular portion, where (a) of the figure is a perspective view of the hot and cold water mixer, and (b) of the figure shows a wide annular portion. In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the example is shown in FIG.

5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing a connection structure between a handle and a valve mechanism in the example of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an example of a handle having two upper and lower arms, in which FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a hot and cold water mixing valve, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a modification in which the arms are widened. Is.

FIG. 7 is an example of a handle that doubles as a cover, in which (a) of the figure is a side view of the basic shape, and (b) to (c) on the right side are examples showing deformation of the arm.

FIG. 8 is another example of a handle that also serves as a cover, in which (a) of the figure is a perspective view of the basic shape, and (b) and (c) of the figure.
Is an example showing the deformation of the arm.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Faucet Main Body 2 Handle 2a Arm 2b Arm 3 Handle 4 Faucet Main Body 5 Handle 6 Faucet Main Body 7 Handle 7a Annular Section 8 Faucet Main Body 9 Handle 9a Arm 9b Arm 10 Handle

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A handle which is connected to a transmission means such as a transmission shaft for transmitting an operating force to a functional portion, wherein at least a portion touched by a human hand is made of a heat restoration type shape memory resin. 2. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the handle is detachable from the transmission means. 3. A handle which is attachable to and detachable from an operating handle for operating a functional part, and in which at least a portion touched by a human hand is made of a heat restoration type shape memory resin. 4. A space having a space in which a human hand can be inserted.
The arms of a book are projected from the peripheral surface, and at least these arms are made of a heat-recoverable shape memory resin.
The handle described in 3 to 3. 5. An annular portion into which a human hand can be inserted,
The handle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least the annular portion is made of a heat restoration type shape memory resin.