WO2007066801A1 - Water flow ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

A water flow ejector (1) comprising a nozzle body (3) having a port (31) for ejecting water flow, and an electric selector valve (5) for supplying water from a pump selectively to the nozzle body (3), wherein the electric selector valve (5) comprises a pair of outlets (57a), and a rotary valve element (54) rotated by a motor (51) to vary the ratio of flow rate of water from the pair of outlets (57a). The nozzle body (3) comprises a pair of channels (32a) juxtaposed substantially in parallel and connected with the pair of outlets (57a), and an inclining surface (32b) for merging water from the pair of channels (32a) from different directions toward the interior of the ejection port (31) and varying the direction of water ejected from the ejection port (31) depending on variation in ratio of water flow rate by the rotary valve element (54). Since water flow can be hit against the body of a bather by varying the ejecting direction of water flow with a simple structure, the bather can receive effective massage without moving the body in a bathtub by allowing water flow to intensively hit different parts to effect pressing and rubbing.

Description

Specification

water jet device

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water jet device that allows you to massage your body with a water jet while taking a bath.

Background technology

[0002] Conventionally, people have been massaged by spraying water (bath water or bubbly bath water) into a bathtub and letting it collide with a person. (Refer to the publication number).

[0003] In such a conventional example, a plurality of spout ports are provided at multiple locations in the bathtub to spray water streams toward the bather taking a bath. When a stream of water is ejected from the outlet, the water stream is ejected so that it hits a wide area from the waist to the back, so that it simultaneously hits multiple parts of the body from the waist to the back. However, since the water stream hits multiple bubbos at different locations at the same time, it is not possible to concentrate and effectively massage a specific part of the body (for example, the part where the bbo is located). , Massage effect is weak.

[0004] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the present inventors installed an electric switching valve 151 (three-way valve) in the middle of piping 128, which serves as a circulation flow path between pump P and spout 131. Water from pump P is distributed to multiple spouts 131 via electric switching valve 151, and the water flow (indicated by arrows) spouted from each spout 131 is changed by electric switching valve 151, thereby distributing water to different parts. We have developed a water jet device that can massage different parts of the body in turn by applying a concentrated stream of water to the body and rubbing the body.

[0005] However, in this water jet device, the structure is complicated, the number of piping increases, the piping cost increases, and especially when installing the spout 131 at multiple locations in the bathtub, the distribution direction of the electric switching valve 151 is This increases the labor and cost of piping work, and requires more piping space.If there is primary piping outside the bathtub to a tank, etc., the piping space is restricted and the freedom of construction is reduced. is damaged. [0006] Furthermore, when ejecting a water stream from one spout 131, it is conceivable to narrow down the water stream so that the water stream ejected in a certain direction hits a very narrow part of the body. Although it is possible to intensively massage only a small part of the body, it is possible to concentrate on a small part of the body by directing the water stream to a concentrated massage. If you want to apply a stream of water to a specific area and massage that area^^, you have to move your body in the bathtub so that the stream of water hits another area, which is cumbersome and takes away from the relaxing feeling of bathing.

Disclosure of invention

[0007] The present invention solves the above problems, has a simple structure, does not require much effort in piping work, and moreover allows a bather to bathe in a bathtub without moving his/her body in the bathtub. To provide a water jet device capable of effectively massaging different parts of a bather in turn while sequentially and intensively applying a water stream to different parts of the bather.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a nozzle body having a spout that spouts a water stream toward a bather in a bathtub, and an electric switch that switches and supplies water from a pump to the nozzle body. In the water jet device, the electric switching valve includes a water hole through which water from the pump is supplied, and a pair of outlet ports arranged adjacent to each other that can communicate with and shut off the water hole. , a rotary valve body that is rotated by a motor to change the flow rate ratio of water from the pair of outlet ports, and the nozzle body has the spout on the front end side and is substantially parallel to each other on the rear end side. a pair of flow path sections arranged in parallel to each other and connected to the pair of outlet ports, and a pair of flow path sections that flow the water from the pair of flow path sections into the inside of the spout port from different directions with a positive force; and an inclined surface that changes the direction in which water is ejected from the ejection port in response to a change in the water flow rate ratio caused by the valve body.

[0009]According to the present invention, with a simple structure, it is possible to change the direction of the water jet and direct the water flow to the body of the bather. An effective massage can be performed by applying a concentrated stream of water to different areas and pressing and rubbing them. This can enhance the relaxing feeling of bathing.

[0010] The nozzle body is connected to the inside of the jet nozzle, and sucks air by the action of the ejector. However, it is preferable that the air outlet includes an air intake that blows out air together with the water. With this simple structure, it is possible to eject water containing bubbles and direct the water stream toward the bather, thereby further enhancing the relaxing feeling of bathing.

[0011] It is desirable that the flow path section is directly connected to the outlet. As a result, the nozzle body and the electric switching valve can be connected together without connecting them with piping, which reduces piping work and piping costs, and also reduces the flow rate drop due to piping pressure loss. It can be prevented. Additionally, there is no need to secure piping space between the electric switching valve and the nozzle body outside the bathtub, increasing the degree of freedom in construction.

[0012] The present invention provides the above-mentioned improved water jet device, which includes a holding means for holding the nozzle body in an opening provided in a side wall of a bathtub, and the holding means is attached to an outer periphery of the nozzle body. a cylindrical insertion tube that has an internal thread on the inner peripheral surface of the end on the nozzle body side and is held in the opening and supports the nozzle body; an annular ring cover having an external thread corresponding to the nozzle body and screwing the nozzle body to the insertion tube; and by tightening the external thread of the ring cover to the internal thread of the insertion tube, It is desirable to hold the outer peripheral rib of the nozzle body between the insertion tube and the ring cover. Thereby, the nozzle body can be easily held in the opening of the side wall of the bathtub, so maintenance work for the nozzle body can be easily performed.

[0013] It is preferable that the nozzle body includes a protrusion that partially contacts the ring cover on a surface of the outer circumferential rib on the ringer cover side. This reduces the friction between the ring cover and the outer rib, so when the nozzle body is clamped by tightening the ring cover screws, the nozzle body does not rotate in unison, and no stress is applied to the nozzle body. . This can extend the life of the nozzle body.

Brief description of the drawing

[0014] [FIG. 1] An installation diagram of a water jet device according to a first embodiment in a bathtub.

[Figure 2] Partial cross-sectional view of the water jet device.

[Figure 3] A perspective view of the water jet device.

[Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the water jet device.

[Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the water jet device installed. [Figure 6] Partial sectional view of the water jet device installed.

[Figure 7] Diagram of the operation of the rotary valve body.

[Figure 8] A cross-sectional view showing water and air flow paths in the water jet device.

[FIG. 9] A cross-sectional view of a nozzle body according to a second embodiment.

[Fig. 10] (a) is a sectional view in the front direction of a nozzle body according to the third embodiment, and (b) is a sectional view in the lateral direction of the same nozzle body.

[Figure 11] A perspective view of the nozzle body.

[Figure 12] A perspective view of a modification of the nozzle body.

[Figure 13] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the same nozzle body without a baffle plate, and (b) is a cross-sectional view with a baffle plate.

[Figure 14] A configuration diagram of a conventional water jet device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] (First embodiment)

A water jet device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows how a water jet device 1 according to the present embodiment is installed in a bathtub 2. The water jet device 1 is disposed in a bathtub 2, and one end of the bathtub 2 serves as a foot placement section 21 where the toes of the bather M are located, and the other end is where the head of the bather M is located. Head placement part 22. The foot placement portion 21 side is defined as the rear, the head placement portion 22 side is defined as the front, and the direction connecting the foot placement portion 21 and the head placement portion 22 is defined as the front-back direction. Furthermore, in a plan view, a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, which is the direction connecting the toe placement section 21 and the head placement section 22, is defined as the left-right direction.

[0016] Bather M positions the toe side on the foot placement part 21 side which is one end side of the bathtub 2, and the head side is placed on the head placement part 22 side which is the other end side. When bathing in the bathtub 2 in a typical bathing position, as shown in Figure 1, the bather M places his buttocks between the bottom of the bathtub 2 and the front end of the bathtub 2 (head placement). 22 side), and place your back against the side wall 24a on the head placement section 22 side (front side) or face it with a slight gap, and gently lower your legs. A bathing posture in which the toes are bent and positioned near the bottom or bottom of the side wall 24b on the 21 side (rear side) of the foot placement area 23 or near the end of the foot placement area 21 on the 23 side. It is. In this case, when bather M naturally places both arms along both sides of the body, the arms are placed along the thighs of both lower legs from both sides of the torso of the body.

[0017] The side wall 24a on the head placement part 22 side (front side) is designed so that when the bather M takes a general bathing posture as described above, the buttocks of the bather M are connected to the front end of the bottom part 23 of the bathtub 2. When placed near the side wall (the end on the head placement section 22 side), it is sloped more gently than the other side walls so that you can rest your back along it.

[0018] When taking a bath in the general bathing position as described above, the part of the bottom part 23 near the front end becomes the buttock rest part 25, and the rear end of the bottom part 23 and the buttock rest part 25 The part between them is a lower limb placement part 26 where the lower limbs of bather M are located.

[0019] The bottom part 23 and side walls 24 (front side wall 24a, rear side wall 24b, left and right side walls) of the bathtub 2 direct a stream of water such as bath water or aerated bath water toward the body of the bather M. A nozzle body 3 having a spout 31 for spouting water is provided.

[0020] A side wall 24 of the bathtub 2 is provided with a suction port 27 for sucking bath water in the bathtub 2, and the suction port 27 and the nozzle body 3 are connected to each other through a circulation waterway 28. A pump 41 is provided in the middle of the circulation water channel 28, and by driving the pump 41, the water jet device 1 sucks bath water in the bathtub 2 and sends it to the nozzle body 3 via the electric switching valve 5. Water is supplied and spouted into the bathtub 2 from the spout 31 of the nozzle body 3. The electric switching valve 5 is driven by a motor 51, and the driving of the motor 51 and the pump 41 is controlled by a control unit 42.

[0021] The water jet device 1 changes the jet direction of the water jet ejected from the spout 31 using the electric switching valve 5, and applies the water jet to the body of the bather M, thereby performing a massage.

[0022] The electric switching valve 5 is attached to the side wall 24a or 24b of the bathtub 2. The electric switching valves 5 attached to the side walls 24a and 24b have the same structure.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a partial cross-sectional appearance of the water jet device 1, Figure 3 shows the external appearance of the water jet device 1, Figure 4 shows a cross section of the water jet device 1, and Figure 5 shows the water jet device 1. Figure 6 shows a partial cross-sectional appearance of the water jet device 1 when it is installed in a bathtub. In these figures, the water jet device 1 includes the above-mentioned nozzle body 3 and electric switching valve 5, an air intake pipe 6 that takes in air, and an insertion pipe 7 held in an opening 24c provided in the side wall of the bathtub. , a ring cover 8 for fixing the nozzle body 3 to the insertion tube 7. [0024] The insertion tube 7 has a cylindrical shape, has a flange portion 71 at one end, and is installed in an opening 24c made in the side wall 24 of the bathtub 2 from the inside A to the outside B of the bathtub 2. , the other end protrudes to the outside B of the side wall 24, and the flange portion 71 abuts the inner wall surface 24d of the side wall 24. An air intake pipe 6 is attached to the other end of the insertion tube 7 protruding to the outside B of the bathtub 2 with the side wall 24 in between, and the electric switching valve 5 is further attached via the air intake pipe 6. The nozzle body 3 is inserted into the insertion tube 7 from inside A of the side wall 24, and the ring cover 8 is fixed to the insertion tube 7 with the nozzle body 3 interposed therebetween.

[0025] The electric switching valve 5 includes a valve body 52, a rotary valve body 54 rotatably fitted into a water passage hole 53 of the valve body 52, and a motor 51 for rotating the rotary valve body 54. It has

[0026] The water passage hole 53 of the electric switching valve 5 is connected to the inflow hole 551 (see Fig. 3) that receives water from the pump 41, and the other end of the water passage hole 53 is provided on the side of the rotary valve body 54. It communicates with valve port 56. A plurality of outflow ports 57al, 57a2, and 57b are provided at a plurality of locations on the rotation trajectory of the valve port 56 on the wall surface of the water hole 53, spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Among them, a pair of outflow ports 57al and 57a2 are formed in a cylindrical shape and are arranged adjacent to each other in parallel. ), the pair of directly connected passage portions 32a of the nozzle body 3 can be directly connected to the nozzle body 3. The remaining one outlet 57b is cylindrical and protrudes from the opposite side 180° from the pair of directly connected outlets 57a, and is connected to the outlet 57b through the feed pipe 28 shown in FIG. Then another nozzle body 3 is connected.

[0027] The valve body 52 of the electric switching valve 5 is attached to a brim-shaped mounting frame 58 having a pair of directly connected outlet ports 57a formed inside. A plurality of screw fixing portions 52b provided on the annular flange portion 52a on the outer periphery of the valve body 52 and a plurality of screw bosses 58a provided in the circumferential direction of the mounting frame 58 are fastened with screws, and the valve body 52 and the mounting Frame 58 is integrated.

[0028] The mounting frame 58 of the electric switching valve 5 is attached to the air intake pipe 6. The screw bosses 58b (see Figure 3), which are provided multiple times in the circumferential direction of the mounting frame 58, and the screw bosses (not shown), which are provided multiple times in the circumferential direction at one end of the air intake pipe 6, are fastened together using screws 91. The mounting frame 58 is integrated with the air intake pipe 6.

[0029] The flange portion 71 of the insertion tube 7 contacts the inner wall surface 24d of the bathtub 2 via the thin packing portion 72a. are in contact with each other. The other end of the insertion tube 7 protrudes to the outside B of the bathtub 2, and by tightening the internal thread 62 provided at one end of the air intake tube 6 to the external thread 73 provided at the other end, The insertion tube 7 and the air intake tube 6 are connected. A flange portion 63 that comes into contact with the outer wall surface 24e of the bathtub 2 is provided on the side of the insertion tube 7 of the air intake tube 6, and the flange portion 71 of the insertion tube 7 and the flange portion 63 of the air intake tube 6 are connected to the bathtub. The outer periphery of the opening 24c of the bathtub 2 is sandwiched between the bathtubs 2 and the side wall 24 of the bathtub 2. Between both flange parts 71 and 63, a watertight packing 72 is interposed, which acts as a thin-walled packing part 72a and a thick-walled packing part 72b, to prevent the water in the bathtub 2 from leaking to the outside B. There is.

[0030] Next, details of the nozzle body 3 of this embodiment will be explained. The nozzle body 3 has a spout 31 on one end side, and a pair of cylindrical directly connected flow path portions 32a that can be directly connected to the pair of directly connected outlet ports 57a of the electric switching valve 5 by fitting on the other end side. (32al, 32a2), and a waterproof ring 33 is provided on the outlet 57a side of the direct connection channel portion 32a. A merging channel section 34 is provided on the tip side of the pair of directly connected channel sections 32a, which allows water from different directions of the pair of directly coupled channel sections 32a to flow toward the inside of the spout 31 and merge together. In the nozzle body 3, the direction in which the combined water is ejected from the spout port 31 is determined by the rotation of the rotary valve body 54 of the electric switching valve 5, depending on the change in the flow rate ratio at the pair of directly connected outflow ports 57a. It is equipped with sloped surfaces 32bl and 32b2 that slope to change to E. As a result, the water jet device 1 can jet water from the merging flow path section 34 from the jet port 31 while changing the jet direction to the arrows C to E using the rotary valve body 54.

[0031] The nozzle body 3 is held in the opening 24c of the side wall 24 by a holding means consisting of a brim-like outer circumferential rib 35 provided on the outer circumference, an insertion tube 7, and a ring cover 8. A pair of directly connected flow path portions 32a of the nozzle body 3 are inserted into the insertion pipe 7 from the inside A of the bathtub 2, and a pair of directly connected outflow ports of the electric switching valve 5 are installed in advance on the outside B of the bathtub 2. By being fitted into 57a, the nozzle body 3 and the electric switching valve 5 are directly connected to each other. From the inside A of the bathtub 2, a ring cover 8 is fitted into the insertion tube 7 with the nozzle body 3 in between. The ring cover 8 is formed with an external thread 81 and a pressing surface 82 that can slide into small protrusions 35a provided at multiple locations on the ring cover 8 side surface of the outer peripheral rib 35 of the nozzle body 3. . An internal thread 74 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of one end of the insertion tube 7, and an outer peripheral rib 35 of the nozzle body 3 is formed on the back side of the internal thread 74. A stepped portion 75 corresponding to the surface is formed. By rotating the ring cover 8 and screwing the nozzle body 3 onto the insertion tube 7, the pressing surface 82 of the ring cover 8 presses the plurality of small protrusions 35a provided on the outer peripheral rib 35 of the nozzle body 3, Ring cover 8 and insertion tube 7 are fastened together. While reducing the contact area between the outer peripheral rib 35 and the pressing surface 82 of the ring cover 8, the outer peripheral rib 35 can be held between the pressing surface 82 and the stepped portion 75 of the insertion tube 7, and the nozzle body 3 is connected to the ring cover. 8 and the insertion tube 7 to the side wall 24 of the bathtub 2. Since the friction between the ring cover 8 and the outer peripheral rib 35 is small, when the nozzle body 3 is clamped by tightening the screws of the ring cover 8, the nozzle body 3 does not rotate together, and no stress is applied to the nozzle body 3. . This allows the life of the nozzle body 3 to be extended. When inspecting or replacing the nozzle body 3, the nozzle body 3 can be easily removed by simply removing the ring cover 8 from the insertion tube 7, and maintenance work can be easily performed.

[0032] In this way, the electric switching valve 5 can be attached to the side wall 24 of the bathtub 2, and the electric switching valve 5 and the nozzle body 3 can be connected together, so that the nozzle body and the electric switching valve can This eliminates the need to install the pipes in separate locations and connect them with piping, reducing piping costs and eliminating the problem of reduced flow rates due to piping pressure loss. Furthermore, even when the nozzle body 3 is installed in multiple locations in the bathtub 2, and the number of distribution directions of the electric switching valve 5 increases, the number of piping does not increase, and the effort and cost of piping work can be reduced. can be achieved. Furthermore, since the electric switching valve 5 can be attached to the side wall 24 of the bathtub 2, there is no need to secure piping space between the electric switching valve 5 and the nozzle body 3 on the outside B of the bathtub 2. For example, even if there is primary piping to a channel, etc., there is no problem in installing the electric switching valve 5, and the degree of freedom in construction can be increased.

[0033] Next, the operation of the water jet device 1 according to this embodiment will be explained. The pump 41 sucks water from the intake port 27, and sends the water through the circulation waterway 28 from the inlet hole 551 to the water hole 53 of the electric switching valve 5. The flow rate ratio of the supplied water is changed by the rotary valve body 54, and the water is sent to a pair of outlet ports 57a, passes through a direct connection channel section 32a, and is joined by an inclined surface 32b at a confluence channel section 34. , ejects from spout 31.

[0034]The movement of the rotary valve body 54 will be explained by adding FIG. 7 to the above figure. FIG. 7 shows the direction of water flow depending on the position of the rotary valve body 54. The water jet device 1 rotates a rotary valve body 54 by a motor 51. As a result, the water entering the water hole 53 flows to the pair of directly connected outlets 57a (57al, 57a2) as shown in Fig. 7(a), and the water flows as shown in Fig. 7(b). After flowing through both the outlet 57al and the outlet 57b while changing the flow rate ratio (Figure 7 (b) shows stages where the flow rate ratio is equal), it flows to the outlets 57b and 57a2 as shown in Figure 7 (c). Change to a flowing state. In this way, the water is sequentially distributed in three directions while the flow rate ratio flowing to the outflow ports 57al, 57a2, and 57b is changed.

[0035] By rotating the rotary valve body 54 and changing the flow rate ratio from the pair of directly connected outflow ports 57a, the water jet device 1 uses the slopes 32bl and 32b2 of the converging flow path section 34 to generate jets. Exit 31 It is possible to change the direction of force jetting from arrows C to E and hit the body of bather M. When water flows into the directly connected outflow holes 57&1 and 57a2 in Fig. 7 (&), the direction of the water flow from the spout 31 is in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 2, and the rotary valve body 54 rotates. When water flows only through one direct outlet 57al as shown in Figure 7(b), the direction of water jetting from the spout 31 is in the direction of arrow E, and the rotary valve body 54 rotates as shown in Figure 7(b). When water flows to the other outlet 57b and the direct outlet 57a2 as shown in 7(c), the direction of water flow from the outlet 31 is in the direction of arrow C. In this way, the water jet device 1 can jet water while changing the jetting direction from arrows C to E. Therefore, the nozzle body 3 is a swing nozzle (variable jetting direction type) in which the jetting direction changes from arrows C to E. nozzle). As a result, bather M who enters bathtub 2 to take a bath can apply water intensively to different parts of bather M in turn without moving his or her body in bathtub 2. You can receive an effective massage in order and enhance the relaxing feeling of bathing.

[0036] In this embodiment, the nozzle body 3 for the sole of the foot is directly connected to the pair of directly connected outflow ports 57al and 57a2 of the electric switching valve 5 arranged on the toe side, and the remaining outflow port 57b is connected to the feed pipe 28 It is connected to the nozzle body 3 for the calf via piping, and when the rotary valve body 54 rotates and water flows to the outlet 57b as shown in Fig. 7(b) and (c), the nozzle body 3 for the calf is connected to the piping. A stream of water will now be ejected from the nozzle body 3, and the bather will be able to get a massage effect from the soles of their feet to their calves (see Figure 1). Similarly, in the electric switching valve 5 on the waist side, the outlet 57b is connected to the nozzle body 3 for the thighs via the feed pipe 28, so the rotary valve body 54 rotates, and as shown in FIG. When the water flows to the outlet 57b as shown in (b) and (c), the water jets out from the nozzle body 3 for the thighs, and the bather is massaged sequentially from the thighs to the waist and back. You will be able to obtain the effect of

[0037] Furthermore, the water jet device 1 has an air intake port 61 on the center side of the air intake pipe 6. Air is taken in from the air intake port 61 by the action of the ejector on the water flow ejected from the jet port 31 of the nozzle body 3, and the air is sucked into the jet port 31 and mixed therein. Aerated bath water can be spouted from 31. Figure 8 shows the water and air flow paths in the water jet device 1. Arrow F indicates a water flow path, and arrow G indicates an air flow path, and air is sucked into the jet port 31 from the air intake port 61 via the air flow path portions 61a and 61b. The air intake port 61 may take in either air from the bathroom or high-oxygen air from an oxygen enrichment device. With its simple structure, it can spray out water with bubbles and direct the water stream toward the bather, making bathing even more relaxing.

[0038] (Second embodiment)

A water jet device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows a cross section of the nozzle body 3 according to this embodiment. The water jet device 1 according to the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the pair of directly connected channel portions 32al and 32a2 of the nozzle body 3. The inner surfaces of the other side of the pair of directly connected flow passages 32al and 32a2 have a flow passage inclined surface 37 extending downstream from the flow passage entrance 36 so that the inner surfaces are separated from each other and forcefully approach each other.

[0039] This makes it possible to increase the length of the inner wall of the direct connection channel portions 32al and 32a2 without changing the outer shape and dimensions of the nozzle. Since a sufficient length can be secured to change the flow direction of the jet, the water jet device 1 can be made smaller, and it does not require a large installation space in the bathtub, and the direct connection flow passages 32al and 32a2 are omitted. Even though they are parallel, the direction of the water jet can be changed.

[0040] (Third embodiment)

A water jet device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 10(a) shows a cross section in the front direction of the nozzle body 3 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 10(b) shows a cross section in the lateral direction of the nozzle body 3, and FIG. 11 shows the appearance of the nozzle body 3. The water jet device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a branch partition 381 that branches the water jet from the jet port 31 to the nozzle body 3. have. The branch partition 381 is a rod-shaped member installed in the swing direction at the center of the jet nozzle 31, and this allows the jets to merge at the convergence flow path section 34 and jet out from the jet nozzle 31, and the branch partition 381 causes the jets to swing. It branches into two directions, one perpendicular to the other, and becomes two jets. The branching partition 381 has, for example, a triangular prism shape with an inclined surface 382 with the apex facing toward the merging channel section 34, and this inclined surface 382 branches the jet into two directions. There are two jets. If the angle formed by the two inclined surfaces 382 is 90°, the jet stream can be tilted left and right by 45°, and the angles of the two jetting directions can be easily adjusted by the angle formed by the inclined surfaces 382.

[0041] By attaching the nozzle body 3 to the bathtub wall so that the swing direction of the water jet device 1 is the vertical direction and the branching direction is the left and right direction, the water jet is applied simultaneously to both the left and right soles of the feet. You can perform a massage by swinging the jet stream up and down while holding the foot in place, for example, so that the jet stream hits a 50mm area from the arch of the foot to the bottom of the ankle.

[0042] With this, one water jet jet device 1 can jet water in two directions at the same time, thereby reducing the number of parts and reducing costs, as well as saving space for installation.

[0043] Furthermore, a baffle plate may be provided at the edge of the jet outlet 31 to prevent the jet from adhering due to the Coanda effect. Figure 12 shows the appearance of the nozzle body 3 in this case, Figure 13 (a) shows the direction of the jet G without the baffle plate 383, and Figure 13 (b) shows the jet flow with the baffle plate 383 installed. Indicates the direction of G. If the baffle plate 383 is not provided, the jet G ejected from the jet nozzle 31 will tend to adhere to the wall surface of the side wall 24 due to the Coanda effect, and the directional force to be ejected may also be biased toward the wall surface. However, by providing a baffle plate 383, it is possible to prevent the jet flow G from adhering to the wall surface (see Figure 13 (b)), and prevent the jet direction from being biased. be able to.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the various embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without changing the spirit of the invention. For example, the ring cover 8, the insertion tube 7, and the air intake tube 6 are connected by screws, and the air intake tube 6, the annular flange portion 52a of the valve body 52, and the mounting frame 58 are connected by screws. The force is not limited to this, and for example, a method of connecting by a fitting method or a method of fixing using an adhesive may be used. In addition, direct connection flow Instead of directly connecting the passageway 32a and the direct connection outlet 57a, the nozzle body 3 and the electric switching valve 5 may be placed in different locations and connected by piping.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-356998. The entire contents of that application are incorporated by reference into this application.

Claims

The scope of the claims [1] 1. In a water jet device equipped with a nozzle body having a spout that spouts a water stream toward a bather in a bathtub, and an electric switching valve that switches and supplies water from a pump to the nozzle body. , The electric switching valve has a water hole through which water of the pump power is supplied, a pair of outlet ports arranged adjacent to each other that can communicate with and shut off the water holes, and a pair of outlet ports that are rotated by a motor to connect the pair of outlets. a rotary valve body that changes the flow rate ratio of water at the outflow location; The nozzle body has the jet port on the front end side, a pair of flow path portions arranged substantially parallel to each other on the rear end side, and connected to the pair of outlet ports, and a flow path portion from the pair of flow path portions. an inclined surface that causes water to merge into the spout from different directions toward the inside of the spout, and that changes the spouting direction of the water from the spout location in accordance with a change in the water flow rate ratio caused by the rotary valve body; A water jet device characterized by !/. [2] 2. The nozzle body is provided with an air intake that is connected to the inside of the jet nozzle, sucks air by the action of the ejector, and jets out the air together with the water by the jet nozzle force. The water jet device according to claim 1, characterized in that: [3] 3. The water jet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow path section is directly connected to the outlet. [4] 4. A holding means for holding the nozzle body in an opening provided in a side wall of the bathtub; This holding means is a flange-shaped outer peripheral rib provided on the outer peripheral portion of the nozzle body; a cylindrical insertion tube having an internal thread on an inner circumferential surface at an end on the nozzle body side, being held in the opening and supporting the nozzle body; an annular ring cover having an external thread corresponding to the internal thread and screwing the nozzle body to the insertion tube; Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer peripheral rib of the nozzle body is held between the insertion tube and the ring cover by tightening the outer thread of the ring cover to the inner thread of the insertion tube. The water jet device according to any one of Item 3. 5. The water jet device according to claim 4, wherein the nozzle body includes a protrusion that partially contacts the ring cover on a surface of the outer circumferential rib on the ringer cover side.