JP7593861B2 - Valve mechanism and shower head - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a valve mechanism and a shower head.

US Pat. No. 5,399,433 describes a showerhead.
As shown in FIG. 9, the shower head 60 has a shower case 61. The shower case 61 also has an insertion tube 62 having a thread groove 62a, an inner pipe 63 having a thread groove 63a, and a valve member 64. The valve member 64 has a valve body 65 and a cylindrical case body 66 that houses the valve body 65. The case body 66 has thread grooves 66a and 66b at both ends in the axial direction. The case body 66 and the insertion tube 62 are connected in a state where the thread groove 62a of the insertion tube 62 is screwed into the thread groove 66a at one end of the case body 66. The case body 66 and the inner pipe 63 are connected in a state where the thread groove 63a of the inner pipe 63 is screwed into the thread groove 66b at the other end of the case body 66. The valve member 64 controls the flow of the fluid circulating inside the insertion tube 62 and the inner pipe 63. The insertion tube 62, the inner pipe 63, and the valve member 64 constitute a valve mechanism.

JP 2007-7026 A

In the shower head 60 of Patent Document 1 and the like, when assembling the valve mechanism, it is necessary to screw together two points: the insertion tube 62 and the case body 66, and the inner pipe 63 and the case body 66. Since it is necessary to screw together multiple points, there is an issue that the assembly work of the valve mechanism becomes complicated.

The valve mechanism for solving the above problem is a valve mechanism including a cylindrical valve case having a thread groove, an inner pipe having a thread groove and connected to the valve case with the thread groove screwed into the thread groove of the valve case, and a valve member disposed in the valve case and controlling the flow of fluid circulating inside the valve case and the inner pipe, the valve member having a valve body and a case body that houses the valve body, and the valve case and the inner pipe have a restricting portion that restricts movement of the case body along the axial direction of the valve case by sandwiching the case body between them.

With this configuration, when the valve case and the inner pipe are screwed together while the case body is sandwiched between them, the regulating parts of the valve case and the inner pipe can restrict movement of the case body along the axial direction of the valve case. Since only one screwing is required when assembling the valve mechanism, the assembly work of the valve mechanism can be performed efficiently.

In the above valve mechanism, it is preferable that the restricting portion of the valve case is configured as a protrusion protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the valve case. With this configuration, the inner periphery of the valve case can be easily used as a fluid flow path.

In the above valve mechanism, it is preferable that the valve case has the thread groove on its inner peripheral surface, the inner pipe has the thread groove on its outer peripheral surface, and the restricting portion of the inner pipe is configured as a protrusion protruding from the tip of the inner pipe along the axial direction of the inner pipe. With this configuration, a predetermined gap can be secured between the case body and the inner pipe. Therefore, this gap can be easily used as a fluid flow path.

The valve mechanism preferably has a gap between the inner circumferential surface of the valve case and the outer circumferential surface of the case body, which serves as a flow path for the fluid, and at least one of the valve case and the inner pipe has a radial restriction portion that restricts movement of the case body along the radial direction of the valve case. With this configuration, a flow path between the inner circumferential surface of the valve case and the outer circumferential surface of the case body can be stably secured.

It is preferable that the shower head is equipped with the above valve mechanism. With this configuration, the shower head can achieve the effects of the above valve mechanism.

The valve mechanism of the present invention allows for efficient assembly work.

FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the showerhead with the valve mechanism closed. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a showerhead with the valve mechanism open. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modified example of a shower head. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a prior art showerhead.

An embodiment of the valve mechanism will now be described.
Below, an embodiment of a valve mechanism for use in a showerhead is described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a shower head 1 is connected to a water faucet (not shown) in a kitchen, washroom, bathroom, etc. via a hose (not shown).

The shower head 1 has a cylindrical handle 3 that can be held by the user and a head 2 from which hot and cold water is discharged from the faucet. A hose is connected to the base end of the handle 3. The head 2 is located at the tip of the handle 3.

The shower head 1 has a rocking switch 6 as a switch button on the grip 3. By operating the rocking switch 6, the water discharge from the head 2 can be switched on and off.

Each component of the showerhead 1 will now be described.
As shown in Fig. 2, the showerhead 1 has a shower face 1a, a shower nozzle 1b, and an inner cup 1c. The showerhead 1 also has a first case 4 and a second case 5. The first case 4 has one shape of a cylinder cut into two equal parts along its axis. The first case 4 has a through hole 4a through which the rocking switch 6 is inserted. The second case 5 has a straight section 5a having the other shape of a cylinder cut into two equal parts along its axis, and a disk section 5b at one end of the straight section 5a in the length direction. The disk section 5b has a peripheral wall 5c extending in the thickness direction of the disk section 5b at the outer periphery of the disk section 5b.

The shower face 1a, shower nozzle 1b, inner cup 1c, and disc portion 5b of second case 5 are assembled together to form head portion 2. The first case 4 and straight portion 5a of second case 5 are assembled together to form grip portion 3.

The showerhead 1 has a cylindrical valve case 20 disposed within the gripping portion 3 and an inner pipe 10 .
As shown in FIG. 3, the valve case 20 has a screw groove 20a on the inner periphery of the other end.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inner pipe 10 has a thread groove 10a on the outer periphery of one end.
The valve case 20 and the inner pipe 10 are connected with each other in a state where the thread groove 20a of the valve case 20 and the thread groove 10a of the inner pipe 10 are screwed together.

As shown in FIG. 1, the other end of the inner pipe 10 is exposed from the grip portion 3, and a hose is connected to this exposed portion.
2, the showerhead 1 has a slide member 21 disposed in the valve case 20, and a valve member 30. The showerhead 1 also has a pressure relief valve member 40 disposed in the inner pipe 10. Details of the valve member 30 and the pressure relief valve member 40 will be described later.

The showerhead 1 has a rocking switch 6 that is attached to the valve case 20 using a pin 7 and operates the sliding member 21. The rocking switch 6 is exposed from the through hole 4a of the first case 4 when the components that make up the showerhead 1 are assembled. By operating the rocking switch 6, the sliding member 21 can be slid along the axial direction of the valve case 20. By sliding the sliding member 21, the open/closed state of the valve member 30 can be switched.

The showerhead 1 also has a joint 22 that is connected to the inner cup 1c and the valve case 20. One end of the joint 22 is connected to the inner cup 1c, and the other end is connected to one end of the valve case 20. When the components that make up the showerhead 1 are assembled, the joint 22 is positioned across the head portion 2 and the grip portion 3.

The showerhead 1 is formed by assembling the above components. There are no particular limitations on the procedure for assembling the components that make up the showerhead 1, and as appropriate, assembly may be performed using fixing jigs such as screws (not shown).

When all the components are assembled, hot and cold water flows through the hose from the other end of the inner pipe 10. It then flows from one end of the inner pipe 10 to the other end of the valve case 20, reaching the valve member 30 inside the valve case 20.

As described below, when the valve member 30 is open, hot and cold water flows through the valve case 20 and from one end of the valve case 20 to the joint 22. It then flows through the inner cup 1c via the joint 22 and is discharged from the shower nozzle 1b. When the valve member 30 is closed, the flow of hot and cold water is restricted within the valve case 20.

In this way, the valve member 30 controls the flow of hot and cold water through the valve case 20 and the inner pipe 10. The valve case 20, the inner pipe 10, and the valve member 30 form the valve mechanism.

The valve mechanism will now be described.
The valve case 20 constituting the valve mechanism will now be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve case 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

The valve case 20 has a peripheral wall 20b with a circular cross section. The peripheral wall 20b has a screw groove 20a on the inner circumference of the other end side in the axial direction. The peripheral wall 20b also has a reduced diameter portion in the center in the axial direction. Due to the reduced diameter portion, the inner circumference of the peripheral wall 20b has a convex wall 20c that protrudes radially inward from the entire circumference of the inner circumference. The convex wall 20c has a through hole 20d in the center. This through hole 20d has a size that allows the small diameter portion 31a of the main valve 31 to be described later to be inserted. The surface of the convex wall 20c that faces the other end side of the peripheral wall 20b in the axial direction, in other words, the surface facing the inner pipe 10, functions as a valve seat against which a rubber member 31c attached to the main valve 31 abuts.

As shown in FIG. 3, the valve case 20 has a protrusion that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 20b. Hereinafter, this protrusion is also referred to as the valve case side protrusion 23. Three valve case side protrusions 23 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 20b at positions that are approximately equally spaced along the circumferential direction. The three valve case side protrusions 23 have the same shape.

In addition, FIG. 3 shows a state in which two of the three valve case side projections 23 are visible.
The valve case side projection 23 protrudes radially inward integrally with the protruding wall 20c from the boundary portion between the surface of the protruding wall 20c and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 20b of the valve case 20. Furthermore, it extends toward the other end side of the peripheral wall 20b and is formed in a wall shape.

The valve case side projection 23 has a first parallel portion 23a that protrudes to a substantially constant height from the surface of the convex wall 20c toward the other end of the peripheral wall 20b.
The protruding height means a dimension extending radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 20b. The protruding height of the first parallel portion 23a is constant along the axial direction of the peripheral wall 20b. In other words, the top of the first parallel portion 23a extends parallel to the axial direction of the peripheral wall 20b.

The valve case side projection 23 has a step portion 23b at the end portion on the other end side of the first parallel portion 23a. This step portion 23b extends along the radial direction of the peripheral wall 20b. The valve case side projection 23 has a tapered portion 23c that extends further from the step portion 23b toward the other end side of the peripheral wall 20b. The height of the tapered portion 23c at the point where it contacts the step portion 23b is approximately half the protruding height of the first parallel portion 23a. The protruding height of the tapered portion 23c decreases at a constant rate toward the other end side of the peripheral wall 20b.

The valve case side projection 23 has a second parallel portion 23d that protrudes from the other end of the tapered portion 23c toward the other end of the peripheral wall 20b to a substantially constant height. The protruding height of the second parallel portion 23d is approximately one-third the protruding height of the first parallel portion 23a.

The inner pipe 10 constituting the valve mechanism will now be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner pipe 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape.
The inner pipe 10 has a peripheral wall 10b having a circular cross section. A screw groove 10a is formed on the outer periphery of one end of the peripheral wall 10b in the axial direction. A contact wall 10c is formed on the other end side of the screw groove 10a, protruding radially outward over the entire circumference. As described below, when the screw groove 10a of the inner pipe 10 is screwed into the screw groove 20a of the valve case 20, the other end of the peripheral wall 20b of the valve case 20 abuts against the abutment wall 10c of the inner pipe 10, restricting further screwing.

Moreover, an accommodation chamber 11 for accommodating a pressure relief valve member 40 (described later) is provided on the inside of one end side in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 10b.
The peripheral wall 10b also has a protrusion that protrudes in the axial direction at one end, which is the tip portion of the peripheral wall 10b. Hereinafter, this protrusion will also be referred to as the inner pipe side protrusion 13. Three inner pipe side protrusions 13 are provided at positions that are approximately equally spaced in the circumferential direction at the end of one end of the peripheral wall 10b. The three inner pipe side protrusions 13 have the same shape.

The inner pipe side projection 13 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. A tip surface of the inner pipe side projection 13 extends perpendicular to the axial direction of the peripheral wall 10b.
The valve members constituting the valve mechanism will now be described.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 , the valve member 30 has a main valve 31 and an auxiliary valve 32 as valve bodies, a spring 33 as a biasing member, and a case body 50 .
The main valve 31 is cylindrical. The main valve 31 has a small diameter portion 31a located at one end in the axial direction and a large diameter portion 31b located at the other end side in the axial direction from the small diameter portion 31a. The inner diameter of the small diameter portion 31a of the main valve 31 is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 31b.

An annular rubber member 31c is attached to the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31. This rubber member 31c is attached so that it partially penetrates the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31 and is located on both the outer and inner peripheral surfaces of the large diameter portion 31b. A packing 31d (see Figure 6) is attached to the outer periphery of the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31 on the other end side of the rubber member 31c.

The small diameter portion 31a of the main valve 31 has ribs 31e extending in the axial direction. Four of these ribs 31e are provided at positions that are approximately equally spaced apart in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 31a.
6, the sub-valve 32 is configured in a rod shape. A flange 32a extending radially outwardly around the entire circumference is provided in the axial center of the sub-valve 32. A tip shaft portion 32b is provided on one end side of the flange 32a in the axial direction, and a base shaft portion 32c is provided on the other end side of the flange 32a in the axial direction.

The spring 33 serving as a biasing member has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 32 a of the sub-valve 32 .
The case body 50 is configured in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and has a bottom wall 51 and a peripheral wall 52 extending from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 51 in the thickness direction of the bottom wall 51. A through hole 51a is formed in the center of the bottom wall 51. The inner diameter of this through hole 51a is configured to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the base end shaft portion 32c of the sub-valve 32.

The peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 has a parallel portion 52a that extends parallel along the axial direction, and a tapered portion 52b on one end side of the parallel portion 52a. The tapered portion 52b is configured such that the outer diameter of the peripheral wall 52 decreases at a constant rate on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 52 toward the tip portion, which is the end portion on the one end side.

The assembly structure of the components constituting the valve member 30 will now be described.
6, the tip shaft portion 32b of the sub-valve 32 is inserted into the main valve 31 from the other end side of the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31. Then, the flange portion 32a of the sub-valve 32 is brought into contact with the rubber member 31c located on the inner periphery of the main valve 31. In this state, the tip of the tip shaft portion 32b of the sub-valve 32 protrudes from the small diameter portion 31a of the main valve 31.

Furthermore, the spring 33 is inserted from the other end side of the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31. One end side of the spring 33 in the axial direction is brought into contact with the flange portion 32a of the sub-valve 32.
Furthermore, the case body 50 is attached from the other end side of the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31. Specifically, with the packing 31d attached to the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31 abutting against the inside of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50, the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31 is housed within the peripheral wall 52. At this time, the base end shaft portion 32c of the sub-valve 32 is inserted into the through hole 51a of the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50.

By accommodating the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31 within the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50, the other end of the spring 33 abuts against the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50. As a result, one end of the spring 33 biases the flange portion 32a of the sub-valve 32. The flange portion 32a of the sub-valve 32 abuts against the rubber member 31c of the main valve 31 while biasing the rubber member 31c. In this state, a pressure chamber R is formed spanning the inside of the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31 and the inside of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50.

The components constituting the valve member 30 are assembled as described above. With the components constituting the valve member 30 assembled, the large diameter portion 31b of the main valve 31 is housed in the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50, but the small diameter portion 31a of the main valve 31 is not housed and is exposed from the peripheral wall 52. In other words, only a portion of the main valve 31 is housed in the case body 50.

The procedure for assembling the valve mechanism will now be described.
5 and 6, when assembling the valve mechanism, the valve member 30 is inserted from one end side into the inner periphery of the other end side of the valve case 20. Then, the small diameter portion 31a of the main valve 31 of the valve member 30 is inserted into the through hole 20d of the convex wall 20c of the valve case 20. The rubber member 31c of the valve member 30 is abutted against the convex wall 20c which functions as a valve seat.

The peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 is abutted against the three valve case side projections 23 provided on the inner circumference of the valve case 20. Specifically, the tip of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 is abutted against the step portion 23b of the valve case side projection 23. Furthermore, the tapered portion 52b of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 is abutted against the tapered portion 23c of the valve case side projection 23. Furthermore, the parallel portion 52a of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 is abutted against the second parallel portion 23d of the valve case side projection 23. The parallel portion 52a of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 abuts against the second parallel portion 23d of the valve case side projection 23, thereby ensuring a predetermined gap T between the inner surface of the peripheral wall 20b of the valve case 20 and the outer surface of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50. This gap T becomes a flow path for the fluid flowing through the valve mechanism.

Next, the screw groove 10a on the outer periphery of one end of the inner pipe 10 is screwed into the screw groove 20a on the inner periphery of the other end of the valve case 20, connecting the valve case 20 and the inner pipe 10. The end of the other end of the peripheral wall 20b of the valve case 20 abuts against the abutment wall 10c of the inner pipe 10, restricting further screwing.

In this state, the tip faces of the three inner pipe side projections 13 abut against the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50 of the valve member 30. When the inner pipe side projections 13 abut against the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50, a predetermined gap U is formed between the peripheral wall 10b of the inner pipe 10 and the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50. This gap U becomes a flow path for the fluid.

The spring 33 housed in the case body 50 biases the flange 32a of the sub-valve 32 into contact with the rubber member 31c of the main valve 31. Furthermore, the rubber member 31c of the valve member 30 biases the rubber member 31c into contact with the convex wall 20c of the valve case 20 due to the biasing force of the spring 33 abutting the flange 32a of the sub-valve 32. The rubber member 31c of the valve member 30 abuts against the convex wall 20c of the valve case 20, and the flange 32a of the sub-valve 32 abuts against the rubber member 31c, thereby closing the valve mechanism.

The valve mechanism can be assembled by the above-mentioned procedure. The procedure for assembling the valve mechanism is not limited to the above-mentioned procedure, and the order of the procedures may be changed as appropriate.
When the valve mechanism is assembled, the valve case 20 and the inner pipe 10 sandwich the case body 50. Specifically, the tip of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 abuts against the step portion 23b of the valve case side projection 23, restricting movement of the case body 50 toward one end along the axial direction of the valve case 20. In addition, the tapered portion 52b of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 abuts against the tapered portion 23c of the valve case side projection 23, and the parallel portion 52a of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 abuts against the second parallel portion 23d of the valve case side projection 23. As a result, movement of the case body 50 along the radial direction of the valve case 20 is restricted.

Furthermore, the inner pipe side projection 13 abuts against the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50 , thereby restricting the movement of the case body 50 along the axial direction of the valve case 20 .
As described above, by assembling the valve mechanism, it is possible to restrict movement of the case body 50 along the axial and radial directions of the valve case 20. Therefore, the valve case side projection 23 and the inner pipe side projection 13 function as an axial direction restricting portion that restricts movement of the case body 50 along the axial direction. Furthermore, the valve case side projection 23 also functions as a radial direction restricting portion that restricts movement of the case body 50 along the radial direction. The axial direction restricting portion and the radial direction restricting portion are collectively referred to as restricting portions.

The operation mechanism of the valve mechanism will now be described.
As shown in Fig. 6, when the valve mechanism is in a closed state, the upstream side of the contact point between the rubber member 31c of the valve member 30 and the convex wall 20c of the valve case 20, i.e., the right side of the convex wall 20c in Fig. 6, is filled with hot water (not shown). The pressure chamber R of the valve member 30 is also filled with hot water.

When the rocking switch 6 is operated to slide the slide member 21 to the right side in FIG. 6, which is the other axial end side of the valve case 20, the plate-shaped protrusion 21a of the slide member 21 abuts against the tip shaft portion 32b of the sub-valve 32. When the plate-shaped protrusion 21a of the slide member 21 further moves the sub-valve 32 to the right side in FIG. 6, the abutment between the flange portion 32a of the sub-valve 32 and the rubber member 31c is released. As a result, hot and cold water in the pressure chamber R flows through the through hole 20d in the convex wall 20c of the valve case 20 to one end side of the valve case 20.

When the plate-shaped protruding piece 21 a of the slide member 21 is further moved to the right in FIG. 6, the plate-shaped protruding piece 21 a of the slide member 21 comes into contact with the small diameter portion 31 a of the main valve 31 .
As shown in Figure 7, when the plate-shaped protruding piece 21a of the slide member 21 further moves the main valve 31 to the right in Figure 7, the contact between the rubber member 31c and the convex wall 20c is released, and the valve mechanism becomes open.

As a result, hot and cold water located upstream of the contact point between the rubber member 31c and the convex wall 20c flows to one end of the valve case 20. By allowing the hot and cold water in the pressure chamber R to flow to one end of the valve case 20 first, the fluid pressure applied to the rubber member 31c toward the convex wall 20c is reduced, making it easier to move the rubber member 31c.

To change the valve mechanism from an open state to a closed state, the above operations are carried out in reverse order. When the valve mechanism is in a closed state, hot water is filled into the pressure chamber R through the through hole 51a in the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50.

The pressure relief valve member will now be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the pressure relief valve member 40 has a valve body 41, a packing 42, a packing holder 43, and a spring 44 serving as a biasing member.

The valve body 41 is cylindrical. An O-ring 45 is attached to the outer periphery of the central portion of the valve body 41 in the axial direction. The valve body 41 has a screw groove 41a on the outer periphery on the other end side of the point where the O-ring 45 is attached.

The valve body 41 has a recess 41b whose inner diameter increases from the other end toward the one end. A flange 42b of a packing 42, which will be described later, is housed in the recess 41b.
The packing 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The packing 42 has a cylindrical shaft portion 42a. The packing 42 has a flange portion 42b at one end of the shaft portion 42a. The flange portion 42b is formed in a disk shape around the entire circumference of the shaft portion 42a.

The packing holder 43 is configured as a cylinder with a bottom. The packing holder 43 has a peripheral wall 43a and a bottom wall 43b. The inner diameter of the peripheral wall 43a is configured to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 42a of the packing 42. A flange portion 43c is provided around the entire circumference at one end of the peripheral wall 43a. The outer diameter of the flange portion 43c is configured to be approximately equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 42b of the packing 42. The flange portion 43c has four projections 43d that protrude radially outward at positions that are approximately equally spaced in the circumferential direction.

The outer diameter of the spring 44 acting as the biasing member is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the peripheral wall 43a of the packing holder 43 and is configured to be approximately equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 43c of the packing holder 43.

The assembly configuration of the pressure relief valve member 40 will be described.
As shown in Fig. 6, the spring 44 is inserted from one end of the inner pipe 10 into the accommodation chamber 11 that accommodates the pressure relief valve member 40. Furthermore, the packing holder 43 is inserted from the other end into the accommodation chamber 11. In this state, the other end of the spring 44 abuts against the bottom of the accommodation chamber 11, and one end of the spring 44 abuts against the flange portion 43c of the packing holder 43. Furthermore, four protrusions 43d provided on the flange portion 43c of the packing holder 43 abut against the inner surface of the accommodation chamber 11. As a result, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the accommodation chamber 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion 43c of the packing holder 43 by the height of the protrusions 43d.

The packing 42 is then inserted into the storage chamber 11 from the other end. The shaft portion 42a of the packing 42 is placed inside the peripheral wall 43a of the packing holder 43, and the flange portion 42b of the packing 42 is brought into contact with the flange portion 43c of the packing holder 43.

The valve body 41 is then inserted into the chamber 11 from the other end. At this time, the screw groove 41a of the valve body 41 is screwed into the screw groove 11a provided on the inner circumference of the chamber 11 to connect the two. The O-ring 45 on the outer circumference of the valve body 41 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the chamber 11 on the one end side of the screw groove 11a, creating a watertight state between the two. With the valve body 41 connected to the chamber 11, the flange 42b of the packing 42 is housed in the recess 41b of the valve body 41. The biasing force of the spring 44 causes the flange 42b of the packing 42 to abut against the recess 41b of the valve body 41. This creates a watertight state between the valve body 41 and the packing 42.

The operating mechanism of the pressure relief valve member 40 will now be described.
6 , which is the bottom side of the accommodation chamber 11, is urged by the pressure of the fluid upstream of the rubber member 31c abutting against the convex wall 20c of the valve case 20, in other words, the pressure of the fluid on the primary side in the entire flow path of the valve case 20 and the inner pipe 10. Normally, a urging force from a spring 44 is applied to the packing 42 via a packing holder 43, so that the flange 42b of the packing 42 is maintained in contact with the recess 41b of the valve body 41.

When the primary pressure becomes higher than a predetermined pressure, the pressure toward the bottom side of the storage chamber 11 becomes greater than the biasing force from the spring 44. Then, the packing 42 moves toward the bottom side of the storage chamber 11, and the contact between the recess 41b of the valve body 41 and the flange 42b of the packing 42 is released. As a result, the fluid flows through the gap between the recess 41b of the valve body 41 and the flange 42b of the packing 42. The fluid flows through the gap between the flange 43c of the packing holder 43 and the inner surface of the storage chamber 11. Then, the fluid flows out of the inner pipe 10 from a through hole (not shown) provided at the bottom of the storage chamber 11. This makes it possible to prevent the pressure in the valve mechanism from becoming too high.

In the flow path of the showerhead 1, the pressure may be released by circulating the fluid downstream of the rubber member 31c abutting the convex wall 20c of the valve case 20, in other words, to the secondary side of the valve mechanism. However, in this case, it is difficult to distinguish from the usual dripping of water from the shower nozzle 1b. In this embodiment, the fluid is released to the outside of the inner pipe 10, i.e., outside the flow path of the grip part 3, making it easier for the user to visually check. This makes it easier for the user to recognize that the pressure on the primary side is higher than the specified pressure.

The operation of this embodiment will be described.
5, the tip of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 abuts against the step portion 23b of the valve case side projection 23, thereby restricting movement of the case body 50 toward one end along the axial direction of the valve case 20. Furthermore, the inner pipe side projection 13 abuts against the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50, thereby restricting movement of the case body 50 toward the other end along the axial direction of the valve case 20. As a result, movement of the case body 50 along the axial direction of the valve case 20 is restricted.

Furthermore, the tapered portion 52b of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 abuts against the tapered portion 23c of the valve case side projection 23, and the parallel portion 52a of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 abuts against the second parallel portion 23d of the valve case side projection 23. This restricts movement of the case body 50 along the radial direction of the valve case 20. By restricting the movement of the case body 50, movement of the case body 50 is restricted in both the axial and radial directions of the valve case 20.

The effects of this embodiment will be described.
(1) With the valve member 30 disposed inside the valve case 20, the screw groove 10a on the outer periphery of one end of the inner pipe 10 is screwed into the screw groove 20a on the inner periphery of the other end of the valve case 20 to connect the valve case 20 and the inner pipe 10. This allows the valve case 20 and the inner pipe 10 to sandwich the case body 50. Specifically, the valve case side protrusion 23 and the inner pipe side protrusion 13 can sandwich the case body 50 from both the axial side and the radial side. Therefore, the movement of the case body 50 can be restricted in both the axial direction and the radial direction of the valve case 20. Since the movement of the case body 50 can be restricted by simply screwing it in one place, the assembly work of the valve mechanism can be performed efficiently.

(2) The valve case side projection 23 is composed of a projection that projects radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 20b of the valve case 20. Therefore, the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 20b of the valve case 20 can be easily used as a flow path for the fluid.

(3) The inner pipe side protrusion 13 is composed of a protrusion that protrudes from one end of the peripheral wall 10b of the inner pipe 10 along the axial direction of the peripheral wall 10b. Therefore, the gap between the case body 50 and the inner pipe 10 can be easily used as a flow path for fluid.

This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.
In the present embodiment, the valve case 20, the inner pipe 10, and the main valve 31 of the valve member 30 are configured to be cylindrical, but are not limited to this. They may be cylindrical in shape, such as a rectangular shape in cross section perpendicular to the axis, a polygonal shape having three or more corners, or an elliptical shape.

- In this embodiment, the valve member 30 constituting the valve mechanism has a main valve 31 and a sub-valve 32, but is not limited to this aspect. The valve mechanism may be configured without having a sub-valve 32.

8, for example, the valve member 30 may not have a sub-valve, and the spring 33 arranged inside the case body 50 may directly bias the main valve 31. The peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 is restricted from moving in the radial direction by contacting the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 20b of the valve case 20. The valve case 20 has a thick portion 23e in which the thickness of the peripheral wall 20b of the valve case 20 is large over the entire circumference, and the tip of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 abuts against this thick portion 23e, restricting movement toward one end in the axial direction. A through hole 51b is provided in a part of the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50, and this through hole 51b and the inside of the peripheral wall 52 of the case body 50 are used as a flow path for hot and cold water. In this embodiment, the thick portion 23e of the valve case 20 functions as an axial restriction portion. That is, the axial restriction portion is not limited to a protrusion that protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 20b of the valve case 20, but may be formed by the thick portion 23e of the peripheral wall 20b.

- In this embodiment, the valve case side projection 23 restricts the movement of the case body 50 in both the axial and radial directions, and has the functions of both an axial direction restriction part and a radial direction restriction part, but is not limited to this aspect. The valve case side projection may be composed of only an axial direction restriction part, or a radial direction restriction part may be provided separately from the axial direction restriction part.

The inner pipe side protrusion 13 is not limited to a protrusion that protrudes from one end of the peripheral wall 10b of the inner pipe 10 along the axial direction of the peripheral wall 10b. For example, the one end of the peripheral wall 10b of the inner pipe 10 may be configured to abut against the bottom wall 51 of the case body 50. That is, the one end of the peripheral wall 10b of the inner pipe 10 may function as an axial direction restricting portion. In this embodiment, for example, a notch extending in the axial direction is provided at the one end of the peripheral wall 10b of the inner pipe 10 to ensure a flow path for the fluid.

The inner pipe side protrusion 13 is not limited to an axial direction restricting portion. The inner pipe side protrusion 13 may have the functions of both an axial direction restricting portion and a radial direction restricting portion. Also, a radial direction restricting portion may be provided separately from the axial direction restricting portion.

- Both the valve case side projection 23 and the inner pipe side projection 13 may be composed of only an axial direction restricting portion. For example, the small diameter portion 31a of the main valve 31 inserted into the through hole 20d of the convex wall 20c of the valve case 20 may suppress the movement of the case body 50 in the radial direction.

- In this embodiment, a thread groove 20a is formed on the inner circumference of the other end of the valve case 20, and a thread groove 10a is formed on the outer circumference of the one end of the inner pipe 10, but this is not limited to the above. A thread groove may be formed on the outer circumference of the other end of the valve case 20, and a thread groove may be formed on the inner circumference of the one end of the inner pipe 10.

In the present embodiment, the valve member 30 is housed in the valve case 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The valve member 30 may be housed in the inner pipe 10.
Although the valve mechanism of the present embodiment is used in the showerhead 1, the present invention is not limited to this. The valve mechanism may be used in applications for controlling fluids other than the showerhead 1.

10...inner pipe, 10a...thread groove, 13...inner pipe side projection, 20...valve case, 20a...thread groove, 23...valve case side projection, 30...valve member, 31...main valve (valve body), 32...auxiliary valve (valve body), 50...case body.

Claims (5)

A cylindrical valve case having a screw groove;
an inner pipe having a thread groove and connected to the valve case in a state where the thread groove is screwed into the thread groove of the valve case;
a valve member disposed in the valve case to control a flow of a fluid passing through the valve case and the inner pipe,
The valve member has a valve body and a case body that houses the valve body,
the valve case and the inner pipe have a restricting portion that restricts movement of the case body along the axial direction of the valve case by sandwiching the case body between them,
A valve mechanism characterized in that the regulating portion of the valve case is constituted by a protrusion protruding radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the valve case . A cylindrical valve case having a screw groove;
an inner pipe having a thread groove and connected to the valve case in a state where the thread groove is screwed into the thread groove of the valve case;
a valve member disposed in the valve case to control a flow of a fluid passing through the valve case and the inner pipe,
The valve member has a valve body and a case body that houses the valve body,
the valve case and the inner pipe have a restricting portion that restricts movement of the case body along the axial direction of the valve case by sandwiching the case body between them,
the valve case has the thread groove on an inner circumferential surface of the valve case,
the inner pipe has the thread groove on an outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe,
The valve mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the restricting portion of the inner pipe is configured by a protrusion protruding from a tip end of the inner pipe along an axial direction of the inner pipe . A cylindrical valve case having a screw groove;
an inner pipe having a thread groove and connected to the valve case in a state where the thread groove is screwed into the thread groove of the valve case;
a valve member disposed in the valve case to control a flow of a fluid passing through the valve case and the inner pipe,
The valve member has a valve body and a case body that houses the valve body,
the valve case and the inner pipe have a restricting portion that restricts movement of the case body along the axial direction of the valve case by sandwiching the case body between them,
a gap is provided between an inner circumferential surface of the valve case and an outer circumferential surface of the case body to serve as a flow path for the fluid;
A valve mechanism , wherein at least one of the valve case and the inner pipe has a radial direction restricting portion that restricts movement of the case body along a radial direction of the valve case . A cylindrical valve case having a screw groove;
an inner pipe having a thread groove and connected to the valve case in a state where the thread groove is screwed into the thread groove of the valve case;
a valve member disposed in the valve case to control a flow of a fluid passing through the valve case and the inner pipe,
The valve member has a valve body and a case body that houses the valve body,
the valve case and the inner pipe have a restricting portion that restricts movement of the case body along the axial direction of the valve case by sandwiching the case body between them,
The valve mechanism is characterized in that the valve case is provided with a valve seat against which the valve body abuts . A showerhead equipped with the valve mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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