JP2022178187A - shower head - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a showerhead with excellent cleaning effects. [Solution] A showerhead 1 that guides water along a flow path P to a water outlet, and includes a microbubble generating means 4 that shears the gas contained in the water to break it into fine particles, and a pulsation imparting means 5A that is disposed upstream of the flow path P from the microbubble generating means 4 and imparts pulsation to the water. [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to showerheads.

As a microbubble generating means for miniaturizing gas contained in water or hot water (hereinafter simply referred to as "water"), for example, a shearing microbubble generating means for shearing gas contained in water is known. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2018-34133 A JP-A-2003-38379

In the shower head to which the microbubble generating means as described above is applied, there is still room for enhancing the cleaning effect by increasing the amount of microbubbles in water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a shower head with excellent cleaning effect.

In order to achieve the above object, the showerhead described in the present application is a showerhead that guides water along a flow path to a spout, comprising fine bubble generating means for shearing gas contained in the water to make it fine, and a pulsation imparting means for imparting pulsation to the water, arranged upstream of the fine bubble generating means in the flow path.

Due to this specific matter, the water pulsated by the pulsation imparting means vigorously collides with the microbubble generating means arranged downstream of the pulsation imparting means in the flow path. This promotes the shearing of the gas contained in the water, thereby promoting the miniaturization of the gas contained in the water and increasing the amount of microbubbles in the water.

Moreover, the showerhead may further include a pulsation adjustment switch for adjusting strength of pulsation applied to the water by the pulsation applying means.

This specific item enables the user to adjust the intensity of the pulsation of water at will, thereby improving the usability of the shower head.

Further, in the shower head, the pulsation imparting means includes a water flow plate having a water flow hole for flowing the water, and a water flow plate rotatable about a direction along the flow path as an axial direction. and a pulsating rotor that intermittently allows water flow through the water flow holes.

This specific matter enables the pulsation imparting means to be realized with a simple structure.

Further, the showerhead further includes a pulsation adjustment switch for adjusting the strength of the pulsation applied to the water by the pulsation applying means, wherein the pulsation applying means has a water passage hole for passing the water. a plate, and a pulsation rotor that is rotatable with the direction along the flow path as its axial direction, and that rotates to intermittently allow water to flow through the water passage hole, wherein the pulsation adjustment switch It may be provided so as to be able to interfere with the pulsating rotor, and the rotational speed of the pulsating rotor may be adjusted according to the strength of the interference.

This specific matter enables adjustment of the strength of the pulsation imparted to the water with a simple structure.

Further, in the shower head, the flow path is branched into a first flow path and a second flow path on the upstream side of the microbubble generating means, and the pulsation imparting means is arranged on the first flow path,
It may further include a channel changeover switch for switching between the first channel and the second channel.

With this specific item, the user can arbitrarily adjust the ratio of the water flowing through the first channel, in which pulsation is imparted to the water, relative to the second channel, thereby improving the usability of the shower head. can be done.

By the way, conventionally, there is known a shower head provided with an impeller or the like for imparting pulsation to water (see Patent Document 2). However, the shower head disclosed in this known example exerts a function of imparting pulsation to water to generate a pulsating flow, and using the pulsating flow itself to provide a massage effect to the user. On the other hand, the shower head of the present invention exerts a function of increasing the amount of fine bubbles in the water by imparting pulsation to the water, causing the water to vigorously collide with the fine bubble generating means. Therefore, the showerhead of the present invention is functionally different from conventional showerheads such as the above known example.

According to the present invention, by increasing the amount of microbubbles in water, a shower head with excellent cleaning effect is realized.

1 is a perspective view showing a showerhead in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the grip part in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the pulsation applying means in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a pulsation applying means in Embodiment 2; FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a grip portion in Embodiment 3; FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a gripping portion in Embodiment 4;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the same component among each embodiment described below, and the description which overlaps with these components is abbreviate|omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
First, the configuration of the shower head 1 will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a showerhead 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the grip portion 20 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, only one representative water discharge hole 3a among the plurality of water discharge holes 3a is denoted by a reference numeral. Similarly, in FIG. 2, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, only one representative convex portion 41 among the plurality of convex portions 41 is denoted by a reference numeral. Further, in the drawings, the dashed arrow indicates the direction of water flowing through the flow path P, and the same applies to the following embodiments.

The shower head 1 is used, for example, in a bathroom of an ordinary home or hotel, a hot spring, a bath, or the like, and includes a shower head main body 2 in which a flow path P is formed, and a spout 3. (see Figures 1 and 2). The shower head 1 is configured to guide water supplied from a faucet (not shown), which is a main faucet, to a spout 3 along a flow path P of a shower head body 2 and to spout water from the spout 3. . Gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are generally dissolved in water (tap water) supplied from a faucet.

The shower head main body 2 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and has a grip portion 20 and a head portion 21 (see FIG. 1).

A flow path P inside the grip portion 20 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 20 .

A head portion 21 is connected to one end of the grip portion 20 . A connecting portion 22 connected to a faucet via a hose or the like is provided at the other end of the grip portion 20 (see FIG. 1). An outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 22 is formed in a screw shape.

A grip portion 20 is connected to one end of the head portion 21 . The other end of the head portion 21 is provided with a water discharge port 3 having a plurality of water discharge holes 3a. The spout 3 is made of metal such as stainless steel.

In addition to the above configuration, the shower head 1 includes a microbubble generating means 4 and a pulsating means 5A (see FIG. 2). The microbubble generating means 4 and the pulsating means 5A are arranged on the flow path P. As shown in FIG. In Embodiment 1, the microbubble generating means 4 and the pulsating means 5A are inserted into the grip portion 20 of the showerhead body 2 .

<Means for generating fine bubbles>
The fine bubble generating means 4 shears the gas contained in the water to make it fine. Here, "fine bubbles" refer to micro-level ones and do not refer to bubbles having a diameter within a specific range.

In Embodiment 1, the microbubble generating means 4 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, or silicone rubber, and includes a columnar support 40 along the flow path P and a support 40 . 40 and a plurality of protrusions 41 provided on the outer peripheral side surface (see FIG. 2). As the water flows from one end to the other end of the microbubble generating means 4 along the flow path P, the gas contained in the water is sequentially sheared by colliding with the projections 41 in sequence. .

<Pulsating means>
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the pulsation applying means 5A according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, illustration of the flow path P is omitted.

The pulsation imparting means 5A imparts pulsation to water. Here, "pulsation" refers to water flow in which the flow rate or flow velocity fluctuates over time. The pulsation imparting means 5A is arranged on the upstream side of the flow path P from the microbubble generating means 4 (see FIG. 2).

In the first embodiment, the pulsation imparting means 5A includes a water flow plate 50, a pulsation rotor 51A, and a water conduction plate which are connected in order from the downstream side of the flow path P by a support shaft (not shown) along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 20. 52 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The water-passing plate 50 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and has a disc shape (see FIG. 3). The outer peripheral edge of the water flow plate 50 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the grip portion 20 of the shower head body 2 (see FIG. 2). The water passage plate 50 is provided with water passage holes 50a, 50a symmetrical with respect to the central portion (see FIG. 3).

The pulsation rotor 51A is made of synthetic resin or the like, and is rotatable around a support shaft (not shown) along the longitudinal direction of the gripping portion 20, that is, with the direction along the flow path P as the axial direction. (see Figures 2 and 3). Specifically, the pulsating rotor 51A is rotated using the flow of water in the flow path P. As shown in FIG.

The pulsating rotor 51A has two blades 510, 510 that are circumferentially adjacent to each other (see FIG. 3). At one end in the circumferential direction of each of the blades 510 , 510 , a proximal portion 511 is formed along the shape of the water flow plate 50 and is adjacent to the water flow plate 50 . At the other circumferential ends of the blades 510 , 510 , each is formed to bend in a direction away from the water flow plate 50 , and is provided with a separation portion 512 that is spaced apart from the water flow plate 50 . Since the blades 510 and 510 are provided with such a proximity portion 511 and a separation portion 512, the blades 510 and 510 move toward the water flow plate 50 at the proximity portion 511 and the separation portion 512 as the pulsation rotor 51A rotates. The water passage holes 50a, 50a are opened and closed sequentially. In other words, the pulsating rotor 51A intermittently allows water to flow through the water flow holes 50a of the water flow plate 50 by its rotation.

The water guide plate 52 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and has a disk shape (see FIG. 3). The outer peripheral edge of the water guide plate 52 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the grip portion 20 of the shower head body 2 (see FIG. 2). Two water guide holes 52a, 52a for introducing water to the pulsation rotor 51A side are drilled in the water guide plate 52 symmetrically with respect to the central portion.

Pulsation is applied to water as follows by the pulsation applying means 5A as described above. First, when water flows into the pulsation imparting means 5A along the flow path P, the water is guided from the water guide holes 52a, 52a of the water guide plate 52 to the pulsation rotor 51A side. The pulsating rotor 51A rotates due to the flow of water that has been introduced. Subsequently, as the pulsating rotor 51A rotates, water intermittently flows through the water passage holes 50a of the water passage plate 50. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the water whose flow is temporarily blocked by the adjacent portion 511 of the blades 510, 510 of the pulsating rotor 51A is allowed to flow through the separated portion 512 of the blades 510, 510 as the pulsating rotor 51A rotates. Water flows vigorously from the water passage holes 50a of the water plate 50. - 特許庁Such intermittent flow of water imparts pulsation to the water.

Next, an example of increasing the amount of microbubbles in water using the showerhead 1 as described above will be described.

When water flows into the grip portion 20 of the shower head main body 2 along the flow path P, pulsation is applied to the water by the pulsation applying means 5A as described above. The water pulsated by the pulsating means 5A collides vigorously with the microbubble generating means 4 arranged downstream of the flow path P from the pulsating means 5A. The forceful collision of the water with the microbubble generating means 4 promotes shearing of the gas contained in the water. Furthermore, when the water collides with the projections 41 of the microbubble generating means 4, it collides with more projections 41 than when the water is not pulsated. Shear is encouraged. In this way, by facilitating the shearing of the gas contained in the water, it is possible to promote the miniaturization of the gas contained in the water and increase the amount of microbubbles in the water.

Although the showerhead 1 in Embodiment 1 has been described, the shape of the grip portion 20 of the showerhead main body 2 is not limited to the above, and may be curved, for example. In this case, the shape of the support 40 of the microbubble generating means 4 may be bent in accordance with the shape of the grip portion 20 .

Both the microbubble generating means 4 and the pulsation applying means 5A may be arranged in the head portion 21 of the shower head main body 2, or the microbubble generating means 4 may be arranged in the head portion 21 and the pulsation applying means 5A may be arranged in the head portion 21. The means 5A may be arranged in the grip part 20. FIG.

In addition, the structure of the microbubble generating means 4 is not limited to the above, and for example, an impeller or the like may be used to shear gas contained in water to make it finer.

The number of blades of the pulsating rotor 51A of the pulsating means 5A is not limited to the above, and may be three or more.

Further, an aspirator or the like for taking gas from the outside into the water may be provided on the upstream side of the flow path P from the microbubble generating means 4 .

(Embodiment 2)
Only the points of the second embodiment that differ from the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the pulsation applying means 5B according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, illustration of the flow path P is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the pulsation imparting means 5B includes a water flow plate 50, a pulsating rotor 51B, and a water guiding rotor which are connected in order from the downstream side of the flow path P by a support shaft (not shown) along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 20. 53 (see FIG. 4).

Since the water flow plate 50 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment except that one water flow hole 50a is formed, the description thereof is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the pulsating rotor 51B is formed in a disc shape, and includes a water hole opening/closing portion 513 for sequentially opening and closing the water hole 50a of the water passage plate 50, A cylindrical rotor body 514 erected on the upstream side of the flow path P, and a plurality of water receiving ribs projecting from the inner peripheral surface of the rotor body 514 toward the center to receive the flow of water inside the rotor body 514. 515 (see FIG. 4). The pulsating rotor 51B is rotated using the flow of water received by the water receiving ribs 515. As shown in FIG.

The water passage hole opening/closing portion 513 is provided with a blocking portion 516 for closing the water passage hole 50a of the water passage plate 50 and an opening portion 517 for opening the water passage hole 50a of the water passage plate 50. ing. Specifically, the opening portion 517 is a through hole, and the area of the water passage hole opening/closing portion 513 other than the opening portion 517 is a closed portion 516 . Since the water passage hole opening/closing portion 513 is provided, as the pulsation rotor 51B rotates, the water passage hole opening/closing portion 513 opens the water passage hole 50a of the water passage plate 50 with the opening portion 517 and the closing portion 516. It opens and closes sequentially. In other words, the pulsation rotor 51B intermittently allows water to flow through the water passage holes 50a of the water passage plate 50 by its rotation.

The water guide rotor 53 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and is non-rotatably fixed to a support shaft (not shown) along the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 20 . A plurality of substantially spiral water guiding ribs 530 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the water guiding rotor 53 (see FIG. 4). When water flows between the water guiding ribs 530, the water swirls along the shape of the water guiding ribs 530 and is guided toward the pulsating rotor 51B.

Pulsation is applied to the water by the pulsation applying means 5B as described above. First, when water flows along the flow path P, the water is swirled by the water guiding rotor 53 and is guided to the pulsation rotor 51B side. The swirling water flows into the pulsation rotor 51B and collides with the water receiving ribs 515 of the pulsation rotor 51B. The pulsating rotor 51B rotates due to the impact that the water receiving ribs 515 receive from the water that has flowed into the pulsating rotor 51B. Subsequently, as the pulsating rotor 51B rotates, water intermittently flows through the water passage holes 50a of the water passage plate 50. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the flow of water whose flow is temporarily blocked by the blocking portion 516 of the water passage hole opening/closing portion 513 of the pulsation rotor 51B is released as the water passage hole opening/closing portion 513 is opened as the pulsation rotor 51B rotates. The portion 517 allows the water to pass through the water passage hole 50a of the water passage plate 50 vigorously. Such intermittent flow of water imparts pulsation to the water.

The structure of the pulsating rotor 51B is not limited to the above, and for example, the water guiding rotor 53 may be rotatably provided.

(Embodiment 3)
Only the points of the third embodiment that differ from the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the grip portion 20 according to Embodiment 3. As shown in FIG.

In Embodiment 3, the shower head 1 further includes a pulsation adjustment switch 6 that adjusts the strength of the pulsation imparted to water by the pulsation imparting means 5 (A, B) (see FIG. 5). The pulsation adjustment switch 6 is attached to a switch mounting hole 20a drilled in the grip portion 20 of the shower head main body 2 near the pulsation rotor 51 (A, B). The pulsation adjustment switch 6 can transition between a protruded position in which it protrudes most outward from the grip portion 20 and a pushed-in position in which it is pushed in most.

The pulsation adjustment switch 6 includes an operation portion 60 that protrudes outward from the grip portion 20 of the shower head body 2 and is used by the user to perform a pressing operation. A sliding portion 61 that slides on the 51 is provided. The sliding portion 61 is provided so as to be able to interfere with the pulsating rotor 51 . In the third embodiment, the sliding portion 61 is arranged so as to slightly interfere with the pulsation rotor 51 when the pulsation adjustment switch 6 is in the projecting position.

When the operation portion 60 of the pulsation adjustment switch 6 is pressed, the interference of the sliding portion 61 with the pulsation rotor 51 increases and the rotation of the pulsation rotor 51 increases compared to when the pulsation adjustment switch 6 is in the projecting position. Suppressed. In other words, the pulsation adjustment switch 6 adjusts the rotational speed of the pulsation rotor 51 according to the interference strength of the sliding portion 61 with respect to the pulsation rotor 51 .

Further, the pulsation adjustment switch 6 adjusts the rotational speed of the pulsating rotor 51 to adjust the strength of the pulsation imparted to the water, which depends on the rotational speed of the pulsating rotor 51 .

The pulsation adjusting switch 6 may self-return to the protruding position in a no-load state, or may transition between the protruding position and the pushed-in position by an alternate operation. Further, the pulsation adjustment switch 6 may be provided with an operation portion 60 that can be slidably operated, and the sliding portion 61 may slide on the pulsation rotor 51 by the sliding operation of the operation portion 60 . Furthermore, the pulsation adjustment switch 6 uses a plurality of switch parts, imitating the mechanism represented by a conventional multicolor ballpoint pen, and when one switch part is pushed, the other switch parts return to the projecting positions. There may be.

Incidentally, when the sliding portion 61 of the pulsation adjustment switch 6 does not interfere with the pulsation rotor 51, the rotation of the pulsation rotor 51 is not restricted by the pulsation adjustment switch 6, so the rotation of the pulsation rotor 51 utilizes the flow of water. The maximum limit is reached, and eventually the pulsation of water applied by the pulsation applying means 5 is maximized using the flow of water. Here, for example, when the pulsation adjustment switch 6 is at the projecting position, the sliding portion 61 is arranged so as not to interfere with the pulsation rotor 51, and when the pulsation adjusting switch 6 is at a position other than the projecting position, the sliding portion 61 By arranging so as to interfere with the pulsating rotor 51, it is possible for the user to adjust the pulsation of water and obtain the maximum pulsation of water using the flow of water. An additional function of improving the usability of the shower can be realized.

(Embodiment 4)
Only the differences of the fourth embodiment from the first embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the grip portion 20 according to Embodiment 4. As shown in FIG.

In Embodiment 4, an inner wall 200 that divides the internal space of the grip portion 20 is provided inside the grip portion 20 of the shower head body 2 (see FIG. 6). The inner wall 200 branches the flow path P into a first flow path P1 and a second flow path P2 on the upstream side of the microbubble generating means 4 .

In Embodiment 4, the pulsation imparting means 5 (A, B) are arranged on the first flow path P1 (see FIG. 6). The pulsating rotors 51 (A, B) are provided rotatably with the direction along the first flow path P1 as the axial direction.

In Embodiment 4, the shower head 1 further includes a channel switching switch 7 for switching between the first channel P1 and the second channel P2 (see FIG. 6).

The channel changeover switch 7 has a channel changeover plate 70 and a channel changeover switch body 71 (see FIG. 6).

A water passage hole 70 a is formed in the flow path switching plate 70 . A ratchet groove (not shown) that engages with the flow path switching switch main body 71 is formed on the outer peripheral side surface of the flow path switching plate 70 . By rotating the flow channel switching plate 70 by this ratchet mechanism, the water flow hole 70a communicates with the first flow channel P1 or the second flow channel P2, and the flow channel with which the water flow hole 70a communicates becomes the first flow channel. It switches between P1 and the second flow path P2.

The channel switching switch main body 71 is attached to a switch mounting hole 20 b formed in the grip portion 20 of the shower head main body 2 . The channel changeover switch 7 is, for example, a switch that transitions between a protruded position and a pushed position by an alternate operation.

The channel switching switch main body 71 includes an operation portion 710 that protrudes outward from the grip portion 20 of the shower head main body 2 and is used by the user to perform a pressing operation. and an operating portion 711 having a claw portion at its tip that engages with the ratchet groove on the outer peripheral side surface of the flow path switching plate 70 .

When the operating portion 710 of the flow path switching switch body 71 is pressed and the operating portion 711 operates on the flow path switching plate 70, the flow path switching plate 70 is rotated, and the flow path communicating with the water flow hole 70a becomes the first flow path. It switches between P1 and the second flow path P2. In other words, the channel switching switch 7 switches between the first channel P<b>1 and the second channel P<b>2 by rotating the channel switching plate 70 .

In addition, the channel switching plate 70 of the channel switching switch 7 is not limited to the above. can be anything. In this case, it is assumed that an opening/closing member for opening and closing the shutter of the flow path switching plate 70 is provided in the flow path switching switch main body 71 . Further, the channel changeover switch 7 may be configured to be able to gradually adjust the ratio of the amount of water flowing into the first channel P1 and the amount of water flowing into the second channel P2, for example.

The above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not grounds for restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not to be construed solely by the above-described embodiments and examples, but is defined based on the claims. In addition, all changes within the meaning and range of equivalents to the claims are included.

1 shower head 2 shower head main body 20 grip portion 21 head portion 3 spout 4 microbubble generating means 5 (A, B) pulsation imparting means 50 water flow plate 51 (A, B) pulsation rotor 6 pulsation adjustment switch 7 channel switching Switch P Flow path

Claims (5)

A shower head that guides water along a flow path to a spout,
a fine bubble generating means for shearing and miniaturizing the gas contained in the water;
and a pulsation imparting means for imparting pulsation to the water, arranged upstream of the fine bubble generating means in the flow path. A showerhead according to claim 1,
The showerhead further comprises a pulsation adjustment switch for adjusting the strength of the pulsation applied to the water by the pulsation applying means. A shower head according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The pulsating means is
a water passage plate having a water passage hole for passing the water;
and a pulsating rotor that is rotatable with the direction along the flow path as its axial direction, and that rotates to intermittently allow water to flow through the water flow hole. A showerhead according to claim 1,
further comprising a pulsation adjustment switch for adjusting the strength of the pulsation applied to the water by the pulsation applying means;
The pulsating means is
a water passage plate having a water passage hole for passing the water;
a pulsating rotor that is rotatable with the direction along the flow path as its axial direction, and that rotates to intermittently allow water to flow through the water flow hole;
The shower head, wherein the pulsation adjustment switch is provided so as to be able to interfere with the pulsation rotor, and adjusts the rotational speed of the pulsation rotor according to the strength of the interference. A shower head according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The flow path is branched into a first flow path and a second flow path on the upstream side of the microbubble generating means,
The pulsation applying means is arranged on the first flow path,
A shower head, further comprising a flow channel selector switch for switching between the first flow channel and the second flow channel.

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