Shower head capable of providing shower feeling without water spray plate

Abstract

A shower head includes a body including a head unit and a tap water flow path. The head unit has one end connected with a hose through which water flows and an opening formed at the other end. A bottom plate is fixed inside the head unit and including a hole at a central part. A micro bubble generator is placed on the bottom plate and including a micro bubble generating path inside. A tornado plate is positioned between the bottom plate and the micro bubble generator and including an eccentric hole configured to achieve an increased flow speed by swirling the water. A pressing plate houses the micro bubble generator and is fixed inside the head unit together with the bottom plate. A tubular cap is fitted to the opening of the head unit and housing the micro bubble generator inside.

Claims

1. A shower head capable of providing a user with a shower feeling without a water spray plate, the shower head comprising: a body that includes a head unit having one end connected with a hose through which tap water flows and including an opening formed at the other end, includes inside a flow path through which tap water flows, and is held by a hand; a bottom plate fixed inside the head unit and including a hole at a central part; a micro bubble generator placed on the bottom plate and including a micro bubble generating path formed inside; a tornado plate positioned between the bottom plate and the micro bubble generator and including an eccentric hole configured to achieve an increased flow speed by swirling the tap water; a pressing plate housing the micro bubble generator and fixed inside the head unit together with the bottom plate; and a tubular cap fitted to the opening of the head unit and housing the micro bubble generator inside, wherein the bottom plate includes a disk-shaped bottom part, a tubular inner rim erected on an upper surface of the bottom part and including a flow path at a central part and a stepped portion inside, and an outer rim erected on an outer periphery of the bottom part, and an end part of the pressing plate is positioned between the inner rim and the outer rim, and the tornado plate is fitted inside the flow path and locked by the stepped portion.

2. The shower head capable of providing a user with a shower feeling without a water spray plate according to claim 1, wherein the cap has a length longer than the length of the micro bubble generator.

3. The shower head capable of providing a user with a shower feeling without a water spray plate according to claim 1, wherein: the micro bubble generator includes: a first cylindrical portion housed in a hole of the pressing plate, and including a first flow path having an inner diameter gradually decreasing toward a central part from an end part through which the tap water enters, and provided with, on an outer circumferential surface, a second ridge at the end part, a first ridge closer to the central part than the second ridge, and a groove as a recess between the second ridge and the first ridge, a second cylindrical portion including a second flow path connected with the first flow path, and a third cylindrical portion including a third flow path connected with the second flow path and having an inner diameter gradually increasing toward an end part through which the tap water exits, the end part serving as a spray nozzle through which the tap water is discharged as a shower, the first ridge is locked inside the pressing plate, the groove is provided with a packing, and a gap between the pressing plate and the micro bubble generator is sealed.

4. The shower head capable of providing a user with a shower feeling without a water spray plate according to claim 3, wherein the tornado plate is fixed in position by being pressed by a second ridge end part of the micro bubble generator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower head including no water spray plate according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5(A) is a front view of a body, FIG. 5(B) is a back view of the body, and FIG. 5(C) is a right side view of the body.

(6) FIG. 6(A) is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6(B) is a sectional view taken along B-B in FIG. 5.

(7) FIG. 7(A) is a front view of a bottom plate, FIG. 7(B) is a back view of the bottom plate, FIG. 7(C) is a front perspective view of the bottom plate, FIG. 7(D) is a back perspective view of the bottom plate, and FIG. 7(E) is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 7(A).

(8) FIG. 8(A) is a front view a tornado plate, FIG. 8(B) is a perspective view of the tornado plate, and FIG. 8(C) is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 8(A).

(9) FIG. 9(A) is a left side view, FIG. 9(B) is a front view, FIG. 9(C) is a back view, and FIG. 9(D) is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 9(A).

(10) FIG. 10(A) is a front perspective view, and FIG. 10(B) is a back perspective view.

(11) FIG. 11(A) is a front view, FIG. 11(B) is a back view, FIG. 11(C) is a left side view, and FIG. 11(D) is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 11(A).

(12) FIG. 12(A) is a front view, FIG. 12(B) is a back view, FIG. 12(C) is a left side view, FIG. 12(D) is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 12(A), FIG. 12(E) is a front perspective view, and FIG. 12(F) is a back perspective view.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(13) The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to embodiments described below.

(14) [Embodiment 1]

(15) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 12, a shower head 1 capable of providing a shower feeling without a water spray plate according to the present invention includes a body 2, the bottom plate 3, the tornado plate 4, the pressing plate 5, the micro bubble generator 6, and the cap 7. The bottom plate 3 and the tornado plate 4 may be integrally formed, and the pressing plate 5 and the micro bubble generator 6 may be integrally formed.

(16) However, when these components are separately provided and assembled, the tornado plate 4 can be replaced with that having a preferable helical angle, and the flow path of the micro bubble generator can be changed, depending on tap water pressure. Other components can be common components, and thus a manufacturing cost can be reduced. Accordingly, a highly general-purposed micro bubble generating shower head can be provided.

(17) As illustrated mainly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the body 2 includes: the holding unit 2a suitable for holding by a hand; a first screw part 2d connected, by screwing, with a hose (not illustrated) through which tap water flows at one end of the holding unit 2a ; the head unit 2e disposed at the other end of the holding unit 2a , including an opening 2f facing substantially at right angle to the holding unit 2a , and including a second screw part 2k at an outer periphery; a flow path 2i communicated from an end part of the first screw part 2d to the opening 2f through inside of the holding unit 2a and the head unit 2e; and a plurality of protrusions 2g each protruding from a bottom part of the head unit 2e and including a screw hole 2h inside.

(18) A packing 2m is fitted to the first screw part 2d, sealing a connection part with the hose. The holding unit 2a is suitable for holding and is provided with concavo-convex portions 2b and 2c serving as slip-proof portions.

(19) As illustrated mainly in FIG. 7, the bottom plate 3 includes: a disk-shaped bottom part 3a including a through-hole 3c placed above each protrusion 2g of the head unit 2e and corresponding to the screw hole 2h of the protrusion 2g; a tubular inner rim 3g erected on an upper surface of the bottom part 3a , including a flow path 3b at a central part, and including inside a stepped portion 3i including a larger upper part and a smaller lower part; and an outer rim 3h erected at an outer periphery of the bottom part 3a.

(20) Protrusions 3d protrude on right and left sides of the through-hole 3c on the upper surface of the bottom part 3a , providing the strength of the bottom part 3a. In addition, a first ridge 3e circularly surrounding a bottom part of the inner rim 3g , and a second ridge 3f connected with the first ridge 3e and having a U shape surrounding the through-hole 3c are provided on a bottom surface of the bottom part 3a to prevent distortion of the bottom part 3a when the bottom plate 3 is removed from a mold after molding.

(21) The tornado plate 4 is housed in a portion having a larger diameter above the stepped portion 3i of the bottom plate 3 and locked by the stepped portion 3i. Then, as illustrated in, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressing plate 5 on which the micro bubble generator 6 is mounted is fitted to the bottom part 3a between the inner rim 3g and the outer rim 3h on the upper surface of the bottom part 3a , and is fixed to the protrusions 2g inside the head unit 2e by a fastener 2n.

(22) As illustrated mainly in FIG. 8, the tornado plate 4 includes a disk-shaped body 4a , and four holes 4b vertically penetrating through the body 4a and eccentrically extending at, for example, 15 [degrees] to generate swirling flow by applying rotation to tap water and achieve an increased flow speed. The body 4a may be formed of, for example, resin by molding. The tornado plate 4 is locked to the stepped portion 3i inside the inner rim 3g of the bottom plate 3 and fitted inside the bottom plate 3.

(23) As illustrated mainly in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pressing plate 5 includes a through-hole 5b corresponding to the through-hole 3c of the bottom plate 3 and the screw hole 2h of the protrusion 2g of the head unit 2e , a disk-shaped plate portion 5a including a hole 5d at a central part, a cylindrical portion 5c erected at a central part of an upper surface of the plate portion 5a and including the hole 5d and a first inner stepped portion 5i inside, an inner rim 5e erected and forming a second inner stepped portion 5k around the hole 5d on a bottom surface of the plate portion 5a , an outer rim 5f erected and forming a stepped portion 5g at an outer periphery of the bottom surface of the plate portion 5a, and a ridge 5h erected around the through-hole 5b and protruding to a height same as that of the outer rim 5f. The ridge 5h forms the through-hole 5b , maintaining strength there.

(24) As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first ridge 6g of the micro bubble generator 6 is locked to the first inner stepped portion 5i . As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner rim 3g of the bottom plate 3 is locked to the second inner stepped portion 5k . The inner rim 5e and the outer rim 5f are fitted to the bottom part 3a of the bottom plate 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the packing 5m is fitted to the stepped portion 5g, sealing a gap between the pressing plate 5 and the head unit 2e.

(25) As illustrated mainly in FIG. 11, the micro bubble generator 6 includes: a first cylindrical portion 6a housed inside the hole 5d of the pressing plate 5, including a first flow path 6b having an inner diameter gradually decreasing toward a central part from an end part through which tap water enters, and provided with, on an outer circumferential surface, a second ridge 6h at the end part, the first ridge 6g closer to the central part than the second ridge 6h , and a groove 6i as a recess between the second ridge 6h and the first ridge 6g; a second cylindrical portion 6c including a second flow path 6d connected with the first flow path 6b ; and a third cylindrical portion 6e including a third flow path 6f connected with the second flow path 6d and having an inner diameter gradually increasing toward an end part through which the tap water exits, the end part serving as the spray nozzle 6m through which the tap water is discharged as a shower.

(26) As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first ridge 6g is locked to the first inner stepped portion 5i of the pressing plate 5, and the packing 6k is fitted to the groove 6i , sealing a gap between the pressing plate 5 and the micro bubble generator 6.

(27) The tornado plate 4 is locked to the second ridge 6h, and the pressing plate 5 is fixed to the screw hole 2h of the protrusion 2g of the head unit 2e by the fastener 2n, thereby fixing the positions of the micro bubble generator 6 and the tornado plate 4.

(28) The tap water discharged from the spray nozzle 6m is formed into a shower or spray form along the shapes of the tornado plate 4 and the micro bubble generator 6 without a water spray plate, allowing a user to obtain a shower feeling similarly to that obtained from typical shower water.

(29) As illustrated mainly in FIG. 12, the cap 7 includes: a tubular body 7a including an internal hollow space 7e, and openings 7c and 7d at both ends, and having a smaller diameter toward a shower discharging side; a screw part 7b provided inside at one end on a side opposite to the discharging side; and a screw part 7f provided outside on the discharging side.

(30) As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the screw part 7b is connected, by screwing, with the second screw part 2k of the head unit 2e of the body 2, and houses the micro bubble generator 6 in the internal hollow space 7e . The cap 7 has a length longer than that of the micro bubble generator 6. This configuration prevents the micro bubble generator 6 from causing injury by hitting the head of the user, or being damaged by hitting, for example, a floor.

(31) With the above-described configuration, the shower head 1 capable of providing a shower feeling without a water spray plate is easy to hold, configured to generate micro bubbles from tap water without taking in external air and injecting the air into the tap water, pressurizing the tap water at high pressure, nor performing any other special processing for micro bubble generation, and is also easy to assemble.

(32) The shower head according to the present application has such a structure that can provide a shower feeling without a water spray plate but allows attachment of a water spray plate in a case of high water supply pressure or in need of a weaker shower feeling.

(33) Instead of a water spray plate, for example, a mesh net may be detachably fixed to a leading end part of the cap 7 by screwing to achieve a reduced shower pressure. For example, when a mesh net having a wire diameter of 20 and a pitch of 40 is attached, shower is discharged in droplets, not in lines, and a desirable micro bubble shower pressure can be obtained. Such a mesh net is usually not recognized as a water spray plate of a shower head.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(34) 1 shower head capable of providing shower feeling without a water spray plate

(35) 2 body

(36) 2a holding unit

(37) 2b recess

(38) 2c convex portion

(39) 2d first screw part

(40) 2e head unit

(41) 2f opening

(42) 2g protrusion

(43) 2h screw hole

(44) 2i flow path

(45) 2k second screw part

(46) 2m packing

(47) 2n fastener

(48) 3 bottom plate

(49) 3a bottom part

(50) 3b flow path

(51) 3c through-hole

(52) 3d protrusion

(53) 3e first ridge

(54) 3f second ridge

(55) 3g inner rim

(56) 3h outer rim

(57) 3i stepped portion

(58) 4 tornado plate

(59) 4a body

(60) 4b hole

(61) 5 pressing plate

(62) 5a plate portion

(63) 5b through-hole

(64) 5c cylindrical portion

(65) 5d hole

(66) 5e inner rim

(67) 5f outer rim

(68) 5g stepped portion

(69) 5h ridge

(70) 5i first inner stepped portion

(71) 5k second inner stepped portion

(72) 5m packing

(73) 6 micro bubble generator

(74) 6a first cylindrical portion

(75) 6b first flow path

(76) 6c second cylindrical portion

(77) 6d second flow path

(78) 6e third cylindrical portion

(79) 6f third flow path

(80) 6g first ridge

(81) 6h second ridge

(82) 6i groove

(83) 6k packing

(84) 6m spray nozzle

(85) 7 cap

(86) 7a body

(87) 7b screw part

(88) 7c opening

(89) 7d opening

(90) 7e hollow space

(91) 7f screw part