U.S. patent application number 15/196925 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-04 for faucet structure and method for assembling same.
The applicant listed for this patent is HOKWANG INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Shen-Chen LIU.
Application Number | 20180002905 15/196925 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60805324 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180002905 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIU; Shen-Chen |
January 4, 2018 |
FAUCET STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING SAME
Abstract
A faucet structure and method for assembling same is disclosed.
The structure includes an outer tube, flow guiding part and cap.
The outer tube is provided with an assembling gap. The flow guiding
part is provided within the outer tube, and with half shells. The
first half shell is provided with supplying manifold passage(s)
corresponded to the assembling gap, and a first assembling ramp
facing the second half shell. The second half shell is provided
with a second assembling ramp facing the first half shell and
inclined oppositely to the first assembling ramp, and a first
threaded connection portion facing one end opening of outer tube.
The cap is in correspondence with the end opening, and provided
with a second threaded connection portion corresponded to the first
threaded connection portion. These threaded connection portions are
engaged by threaded connection, while those half shells are pressed
against a tube wall.
Inventors: |
LIU; Shen-Chen; (New Taipei
City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HOKWANG INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
60805324 |
Appl. No.: |
15/196925 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D 7/0629 20130101;
A47K 2005/1218 20130101; A47K 5/1217 20130101; A47K 10/48 20130101;
E03C 1/04 20130101; E03C 1/0404 20130101; E03C 1/057 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/05 20060101
E03C001/05; A47K 5/12 20060101 A47K005/12; A47K 10/48 20060101
A47K010/48; G05D 7/06 20060101 G05D007/06 |
Claims
1. A faucet structure, comprising: an outer tube, integrally formed
such that there is provided with a tube wall, a hollow passage
formed by said tube wall, two end openings located at two opposite
sides of said hollow passage, respectively, and an assembling gap
passing through said tube wall and communicated with said hollow
passage; a flow guiding part, provided within said hollow passage
and provided with a first half shell and a second half shell
assembled together, said first half shell being provided with at
least one supplying manifold passage provided to correspond to said
assembling gap and communicated with said hollow passage, and a
first assembling ramp facing said second half shell, said second
half shell being provided with a second assembling ramp facing said
first half shell and inclined oppositely to said first assembling
ramp, such that said second half shell is combined with said first
half shell in an assembling direction, and a first threaded
connection portion provided as facing one of said end openings of
said outer tube at which said assembling direction is directed; and
a cap, fitted to one of said end openings of said outer tube at
which said assembling direction is directed, and provided with a
sheltering portion corresponded to said end opening, and a second
threaded connection portion corresponded to said first threaded
connection portion, wherein said second threaded connection portion
is engaged with said first threaded connection portion through
threaded connection, as well as said first half shell and said
second half shell are pressed against said tube wall on the
completion of the engagement.
2. The faucet structure according to claim 1, wherein said first
half shell is provided with a mounting opening openingly provided
adjacent to said supplying manifold passage and fitted therein with
a sensing element, said mounting opening being also provided in
correspondence with said assembling gap.
3. The faucet structure according to claim 1, wherein said first
half shell is provided with two supplying manifold passages, said
supplying manifold passages being extended along the axis of said
outer tube and located on the same extension line, respectively
4. The faucet structure according to claim 3, wherein said first
half shell is provided with a mounting opening provided between
said two supplying manifold passages and mounted therein with a
sensing element.
5. The faucet structure according to claim 4, further comprising a
flexible lining tube fitted within said outer tube as well as
located between said tube wall and said flow guiding part.
6. The faucet structure according to claim 5, wherein said flexible
lining tube is provided with a fitting opening located at said
assembling gap and shaped the same as said assembling gap so as to
allow said supplying manifold passage to be placed therein.
7. The faucet structure according to claim 4, wherein said first
threaded connection portion is composed of an accommodating groove
provided on said second half shell and a nut placed inside said
accommodating groove, said accommodating groove being presented as
a hollowed-out portion facing one of said end openings at which
said assembling direction is directed, while said second threaded
connection portion is composed of a through-hole openingly provided
in said sheltering portion and corresponded to said hollowed-out
portion, and a bolt passingly provided through said through-hole
and capable of engaging with said nut.
8. The faucet structure according to claim 1, wherein said cap is
provided with an accommodating portion located in said sheltering
portion and depressed inwardly into said outer tube so as to allow
a light-emitting module to be placed therein, and provided with a
decorative panel covering said sheltering portion and being
pervious to light generated by said light-emitting module.
9. A method for assembling faucet structure comprising the steps as
follows: step one: providing an outer tube, on which an assembling
gap is provided; step two: combining a first half shell into said
outer tube, entering said first half shell into said outer tube
through a hollow passage formed by said outer tube and placing at
least one supplying manifold passage of said first half shell in
correspondence with said assembling gap; step three: combining a
second half shell into said outer tube, entering said second half
shell into said outer tube in an assembling direction and then
moving it toward said first half shell, followed by sliding said
second half shell on a first assembling ramp of said first half
shell via a second assembling ramp; step four: mounting a cap to
one of said end openings, at which said assembling direction is
directed, of said outer tube, while a sheltering portion of said
cap closing said end opening, as well as placing a second threaded
connection portion of said cap in correspondence with a first
threaded connection portion of said second half shell and
threadedly connecting said first threaded connection portion with
said second threaded connection portion, such that said second half
shell is moved toward said cap for assembling, and said first
assembling ramp and said second assembling ramp are abutted
together during assembling process for pressing said first half
shell and said second half shell against each other to complete the
assembly.
10. The method for assembling faucet structure according to claim
9, wherein said step two further comprises a sub-step: combining a
flexible lining tube into said outer tube, said flexible lining
tube being entered through said hollow passage formed by said outer
tube, said flexible lining tube being positioned in correspondence
with said assembling gap.
11. The method for assembling faucet structure according to claim
10, wherein said step four further comprises a sub-step: mounting a
light-emitting module and a decorative panel, said light-emitting
module being placed into an accommodating portion, and said
decorative panel being then placed in correspondence with said
sheltering portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related to a faucet structure of
sanitary wares and method for assembling same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known that creative design and efficient use of space
are required by people increasingly day by day. The creative
impression provided by conventional sanitary wares could not meet
the requirement of the user any more. Taking a hand dryer as an
example, a certain volume is generally taken up by a commonly used
modem hand dryer, as disclosed in patents, such as U.S. Pat. No.
9,060,657, U.S. Pat. No. 9,284,963, U.S. Pat. No. 9,282,856 and
etc. Thus, it is necessary to look for connections corresponding to
hidden conduit wiring and a wall surface to be utilized effectively
for installing the hand dryer. In addition, the hand dryer may be
used only when the user approaches after hands are cleaned, because
all the modem hand dryers are installed a certain distance away
from sinks.
[0003] A hand dryer exposing air-discharging faucet structure only,
disclosed in patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,997,271, U.S. Pat.
No. 9,220,382 and etc., is then proposed by related industries. The
problem of necessity of a larger space for building up the
conventional hand dryer is solved by the embodiments disclosed in
these patents practically. However, the structure of a part of the
hand dryer, which is used for drying hands, is designed to be
reduced significantly within a limited space in the faucet, such
that how to combine parts, such as a flow guiding part and a
sensing element, into an integrally formed outer tube is considered
by related industries urgently. Accordingly, a structure and method
for assembling same is proposed by the applicant to solve the
above-mentioned problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is the main object of the present invention to solve the
problem of how to mount essential parts into an integrally formed
outer tube.
[0005] For achieving the above-mentioned object, the present
invention provides a faucet structure including an outer tube, a
flow guiding part and a cap. The outer tube is integrally formed
such that there is provided with a tube wall, a hollow passage
formed by the tube wall, two end openings located at two opposite
sides of the hollow passage, respectively, and an assembling gap
passing through the tube wall and communicated with the hollow
passage. The flow guiding part is provided within the hollow
passage and provided with a first half shell and a second half
shell assembled together. The first half shell is provided with at
least one supplying manifold passage provided to correspond to the
assembling gap and communicated with the hollow passage, and a
first assembling ramp facing the second half shell. The second half
shell is provided with a second assembling ramp facing the first
half shell and inclined oppositely to the first assembling ramp,
such that the second half shell is combined with the first half
shell in an assembling direction, and a first threaded connection
portion provided as facing one of the end openings of the outer
tube at which the assembling direction is directed. The cap is
fitted to one of the end openings of the outer tube at which the
assembling direction is directed, and provided with a sheltering
portion corresponded to the end opening, and a second threaded
connection portion corresponded to the first threaded connection
portion. In this case, the second threaded connection portion is
engaged with the first threaded connection portion through threaded
connection, as well as the first half shell and the second half
shell are pressed against the tube wall on the completion of the
engagement.
[0006] In one embodiment, the first half shell is provided with a
mounting opening openingly provided adjacent to the supplying
manifold passage and fitted therein with a sensing element. The
mounting opening is also provided in correspondence with the
assembling gap.
[0007] In one embodiment, the first half shell is provided with two
supplying manifold passages. These supplying manifold passages are
extended along the axis of the outer tube and located on the same
extension line, respectively.
[0008] In one embodiment, the first half shell is provided with a
mounting opening provided between the two supplying manifold
passages and mounted therein with a sensing element.
[0009] In one embodiment, the air-discharging structure of hand
dryer is provided with a flexible lining tube fitted within the
outer tube as well as located between the tube wall and the flow
guiding part.
[0010] In one embodiment, the flexible lining tube is provided with
a fitting opening located at the assembling gap and shaped the same
as the assembling gap so as to allow the supplying manifold passage
to be placed therein. In one embodiment, the first threaded
connection portion is composed of an accommodating groove provided
on the second half shell and a nut placed inside the accommodating
groove, the accommodating groove being presented as a hollowed-out
portion facing one of the end openings at which the assembling
direction is directed, while the second threaded connection portion
is composed of a through-hole openingly provided in the sheltering
portion and corresponded to the hollowed-out portion, and a bolt
passingly provided through the through-hole and capable of engaging
with the nut.
[0011] In one embodiment, the cap is provided with an accommodating
portion located in the sheltering portion and depressed inwardly
into the outer tube so as to allow a light-emitting module to be
placed therein, and provided with a decorative panel covering the
sheltering portion and being pervious to light generated by the
light-emitting module.
[0012] In addition to the above-mentioned object, the present
invention also provides a method for assembling faucet structure
including the steps as follows:
[0013] step one: providing an outer tube, on which an assembling
gap is provided;
[0014] step two: combining a first half shell into the outer tube,
entering the first half shell into the outer tube through a hollow
passage formed by the outer tube and placing at least one supplying
manifold passage of the first half shell in correspondence with the
assembling gap;
[0015] step three: combining a second half shell into the outer
tube, entering the second half shell into the outer tube in an
assembling direction and then moving it toward the first half
shell, followed by sliding the second half shell on a first
assembling ramp of the first half shell via a second assembling
ramp;
[0016] step four: mounting a cap to one of the end openings, at
which the assembling direction is directed, of the outer tube,
while a sheltering portion of the cap closing the end opening, as
well as placing a second threaded connection portion of the cap in
correspondence with a first threaded connection portion of the
second half shell and threadedly connecting the first threaded
connection portion with the second threaded connection portion,
such that the second half shell is moved toward the cap for
assembling, and the first assembling ramp and the second assembling
ramp are abutted together during assembling process for pressing
the first half shell and the second half shell against each other
to complete the assembly.
[0017] In one embodiment, the step two further includes a sub-step:
combining a flexible lining tube into the outer tube, in which the
flexible lining tube is entered through the hollow passage formed
by the outer tube, and the flexible lining tube is positioned in
correspondence with the assembling gap.
[0018] In one embodiment, the step four includes a sub-step:
mounting a light-emitting module and a decorative panel, in which
the light-emitting module is placed into an accommodating portion,
and the decorative panel is then placed in correspondence with the
sheltering portion.
[0019] In comparison with prior art, features of the present
invention are obtained via the above-mentioned technical scheme.
The features are as follows. The problem of how to combine related
parts into an integrally formed outer tube is solved by the faucet
structure and method for assembling same disclosed in the present
invention practically. Moreover, the flow guiding part is combined
into the outer tube through abutment between the first half shell
and the second half shell, so as to further avoid occurrence of the
problem of incapability of mounting the flow guiding part
practically. In addition, there is no need to build up assembled
structure within the outer tube in the embodiment disclosed in the
present invention. Thus, the structure and the manufacturing of
each part may be simplified practically.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a faucet structure of the present
invention embodied in a desk mount type.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a faucet structure of the present
invention embodied in a wall mount type.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a structural exploded diagram (1) of a faucet
structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a structural exploded diagram (2) of the faucet
structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a structural cross-section diagram of the faucet
structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is flow chart of assembling the faucet structure
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7A is a sequential diagram (1) illustrating the
assembly of the faucet structure according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 7B is a sequential diagram (2) illustrating the
assembly of the faucet structure according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7C is a sequential diagram (3) illustrating the
assembly of the faucet structure according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 7D is a sequential diagram (4) illustrating the
assembly of the faucet structure according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of assembling a faucet structure
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Now, the detailed description and technical contents of the
present invention will be described in accompany with drawings as
follows.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the present invention provides a
faucet structure 1. The faucet structure 1 is allowed to connect
with a supplying device 2 as desired for implementation. The
supplying device 2 may be a water-supplying device, a cleaning
fluid-supplying device or a blowing device. When the approach of
human hands is detected by a sensing element 3 arranged within the
faucet structure 1, the supplying device 2 connected with the
sensing element 3 is then requested to operate, so as to supply a
cleaning fluid. After received by the faucet structure 1, the
cleaning fluid is then supplied to the human hands for cleaning
Moreover, the cleaning fluid may be varied depending upon variety
of the supplying device 2. For instance, the cleaning fluid may be
clean water, cleaning soap, hand-drying air and etc. Additionally,
the faucet structure 1 of the present invention may be embodied in
desk mount type described in FIG. 1 or wall mount type as disclosed
in FIG. 2.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the faucet structure 1 of the
present invention includes an outer tube 11, a flow guiding part 12
and a cap 13. In this case, the outer tube 11 is integrally formed
of a metal material or a plasticized material. The outer tube 11
may be connected with a manifold 17 as desired for implementation.
The manifold 17 may be further formed by integrally connecting with
the outer tube 11. The outer tube 11 is provided with a tube wall
111, a hollow passage 112 formed by the tube wall 111, two end
openings 113 located at two opposite sides of the hollow passage
112, respectively, and an assembling gap 114 passing through the
tube wall 111 and communicated with the hollow passage 112. The
flow guiding part 12 is provided within the hollow passage 112 and
provided with a first half shell 14 and a second half shell 15
assembled together. Each of the first half shell 14 and the second
half shell 15 is a semi-annular shell, respectively. After the
first half shell 14 and the second half shell 15 are assembled, the
cleaning fluid is still allowed to pass therethrough. Specifically,
the first half shell 14 is provided with at least one supplying
manifold passage 141 provided to correspond to the assembling gap
114 and communicated with the hollow passage 112, and a first
assembling ramp 142 facing the second half shell 15. Furthermore,
the second half shell 15 is provided with a second assembling ramp
151 facing the first half shell 14 and inclined oppositely to the
first assembling ramp 142, and a first threaded connection portion
152 provided as facing one of the end openings 113 of the outer
tube 11. Moreover, the second half shell 15 of the present
invention is provided with an assembling direction 5 (referring
FIG. 7B) due to opposite orientations of the first assembling ramp
142 and the second assembling ramp 151, while the first threaded
connection portion 152 is provided as facing one of the end
openings 113 at which the assembling direction 5 is directed.
[0034] Moreover, the cap 13 is fitted to one of the end openings
113 of the outer tube 11 at which the assembling direction 5 is
directed. The cap 13 is provided with a sheltering portion 131
corresponded to the end opening 113, and a second threaded
connection portion 132 (as illustrated in FIG. 7A) corresponded to
the first threaded connection portion 152. Specifically, the first
threaded connection portion 152 and the second threaded connection
portion 132 are allowed to engage with each other through threaded
connection. In one embodiment, the first threaded connection
portion 152 is composed of an accommodating groove 153 provided on
the second half shell 15 and a nut 154 placed inside the
accommodating groove 153. The accommodating groove 153 is further
presented as a hollowed-out portion 155 facing one of the end
openings 113 at which the assembling direction 5 is directed.
Additionally, the second threaded connection portion 132 is
composed of a through-hole 133 openingly provided in the sheltering
portion 131 and corresponded to the hollowed-out portion 155, and a
bolt 134 passingly provided through the through-hole 133 and
capable of engaging with the nut 154. In addition, the faucet
structure 1 of the present invention is provided, at another end
opening 113 without the cap 13 mounted thereto, with a closure cap
18.
[0035] Moreover, referring to FIGS. 3 to 7D collectively, the
faucet structure 1 of the present invention is assembled in
accordance with an assembling method described below, the
assembling method including the steps as follows:
[0036] step one 41: providing the outer tube 11, on which the
assembling gap 114 is provided; step two 42: combining the first
half shell 14 into the outer tube 11, entering the first half shell
14 into the outer tube 11 through the hollow passage 112 formed by
the outer tube 11 and placing the at least one supplying manifold
passage 141 of the first half shell 14 in correspondence with the
assembling gap 114; step three 43: combining the second half shell
15 into the outer tube 11, entering the second half shell 15 into
the outer tube 11 in the assembling direction 5 and then moving it
toward the first half shell 14, followed by sliding the second half
shell 15 on the first assembling ramp 142 of the first half shell
14 via the second assembling ramp 151; step four 44: mounting the
cap 13 to one of the end openings 113, at which the assembling
direction 5 is directed, of the outer tube 11, while the sheltering
portion 131 of the cap 13 closing the end opening 113, as well as
placing the second threaded connection portion 132 of the cap 13 in
correspondence with the first threaded connection portion 152 of
the second half shell 15 and threadedly connecting the first
threaded connection portion 152 with the second threaded connection
portion 132, such that the second half shell 15 is moved toward the
cap 13 for assembling, and the first assembling ramp 142 and the
second assembling ramp 151 are abutted together during assembling
process for pressing the first half shell 14 and the second half
shell 15 against each other to complete the assembly.
[0037] Specifically, at the beginning of the assembly of the faucet
structure 1 of the present invention, the outer tube 11
manufactured by machining and also formed with the assembling gap
114 is provided, followed by the step two 42. During the step two
42, entering the first half shell 14 into the hollow passage 112
from the two end openings 113 of the outer tube 11, and slipping it
along the hollow passage 112, until the at least one supplying
manifold passage 141 of the first half shell 14 is entrapped into
the assembling gap 114 and the displacement of the first half shell
14 is restricted, so as to complete the step two 42. Subsequently,
the step three 43 is performed to put the second half shell 15 into
the outer tube 11. The second half shell 15 is required to enter
into the hollow passage 112 through one of the end openings 113
which the first assembling ramp 142 faces, and the inclination of
the second assembling ramp 151 is adjusted as required to be
opposite to the inclination of the first assembling ramp 142 before
entering the second half shell 15. Afterwards, the second half
shell 15 is allowed to slide in the hollow passage 112, so as to
enable the second half shell 15 to slide on the first assembling
ramp 142 of the first half shell 14 via the second assembling ramp
151 thereof During this step, a moderate slippage with respect to
the first half shell 14 is required for the second half shell 15,
until the first threaded connection portion 152 and the second
threaded connection portion 132 are threadedly connected when the
cap 13 is combined, followed by entering the step four 44. The cap
13 is mounted to the end opening 113 which the first threaded
connection portion 152 faces. At first, the sheltering portion 131
is provided in correspondence with the end opening 113, while the
cap 13 is positioned such that the first threaded connection
portion 152 is allowed to correspond to the second threaded
connection portion 132, and the first threaded connection portion
152 is enabled to threadedly connect with the second threaded
connection portion 132. Furthermore, during the threadedly
connecting process, the second half shell 15 is displaced toward
the cap 13 gradually under the effect of threaded connection. In
the meantime, the second half shell 15 and the first half shell 14
are abutted against the tube wall 111, under the effect of the
first assembling ramp 142 and the second assembling ramp 151,
respectively. On the completion of threaded connection,
furthermore, the first half shell 14 and the second half shell 15
are pressed against the tube wall 111 so as to complete the
mounting of the flow guiding part 12.
[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembling
gap 114 of the present invention is extendingly provided along the
axis of the outer tube 11, as illustrated in FIG. 4. As such, each
supplying manifold passage 141 of the flow guiding part 12 is also
allowed to be extendingly provided along the axis of the outer tube
11 in the present invention. Thereby, it is only necessary for the
user to incline hands moderately to carry the cleaning fluid
provided by each supplying manifold passage 141, and the
possibility of splashing the cleaning fluid on human clothing is
reduced. For instance, when the hand-drying air is received by the
faucet structure 1 from the blowing device, the hand-drying air is
guided by each supplying manifold passage 141 and then spurted
toward the human hands along the axis of the outer tube 11. Only
moderate inclination of the human hands with respect to this axial
direction is required to enable the water remained on the human
hands to evaporate or drop under the effect of hand-drying air.
Specifically, splashing water all around due to the hand-drying air
is avoided. Further, the first half shell 14 of the present
invention is provided with the mounting opening 143 openingly
provided adjacent to the supplying manifold passage 141 and fitted
therein with the sensing element 3. Furthermore, the mounting
opening 143 is also provided in correspondence with the assembling
gap 114, and located within the assembling gap 114 after the
combination of the first half shell 14 is completed. Referring to
FIG. 4 again, moreover, the first half shell 14 in one embodiment
is provided with two supplying manifold passages 141. These
supplying manifold passages 141 are extended along the axis of the
outer tube 11 and located on the same extension line, respectively.
In this embodiment, further, the mounting opening 143 may be
provided between the two supplying manifold passages 141, such that
the sensing element 3 is just located between the two supplying
manifold passages 141 after the assembly is completed. In this way,
when the human hands are detected by the sensing element 3 so as to
supply the cleaning fluid via the two supplying manifold passages
141, the cleaning fluid may be applied to the human hands more
completely.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 7A to 8 together, in one embodiment, the
faucet structure 1 further includes a flexible lining tube 16
fitted within the outer tube 11 as well as located between the tube
wall 111 and the flow guiding part 12. The flexible lining tube 16
may be made of plastic materials having moderate flexibility. The
clearance presented between the assembled tube wall 111 and the
flow guiding part 12 may be eliminated to form air tightness by
providing the flexible lining tube 16, in such a way the exudation
of the cleaning fluid through this clearance may be avoided.
Further, the flexible lining tube 16 is further provided with a
fitting opening 161 located at the assembling gap 114 and shaped
the same as the assembling gap 114 so as to allow the supplying
manifold passage 141 to be placed therein. In this embodiment,
moreover, the step two 42 of the assembling method of the present
invention further includes a sub-step 421: combining the flexible
lining tube 16 into the outer tube 11, in which the flexible lining
tube 16 is entered through the hollow passage 112 formed by the
outer tube 11, and the flexible lining tube 16 is positioned in
correspondence with the assembling gap 114. Specifically, the
flexible lining tube 16 is combined prior to the combination of the
first half shell 14, such that the flexible lining tube 16 is
sandwiched by the combined first half shell 14 and the outer tube
11 to achieve air tightness. In addition, during the second half
shell 15 is combined, the second half shell 15 is further provided
in a hollow region formed by the flexible lining tube 16, and then
combined with the first half shell 14 within the flexible lining
tube 16. On the completion of combining the first half shell 14
with the second half shell 15, the flexible lining tube 16 is also
compressed, so as to reduce the clearance between components
generated during the assembling process.
[0040] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 7A to 8 again, the cap
13 is provided with an accommodating portion 135 located in the
sheltering portion 131 and depressed inwardly into the outer tube
11 so as to allow a light-emitting module 4 to be placed therein,
and provided with a decorative panel 136 covering the sheltering
portion 131 and being pervious to light generated by the
light-emitting module 4. In this case, the accommodating portion
135 is sized and shaped in accordance with the structure of the
light-emitting module 4 correspondingly. The light-emitting module
4 may be used as an indicator for the state of supply of the
cleaning fluid to prompt the user through change in color or
glittering brightness. Furthermore, the shape of the decorative
panel 136 is adapted to the end opening 113. Besides, the
decorative panel 136 is designed to possess a translucent region
and a non-translucent region, such that light generated by the
electrically-powered light-emitting module 4 may be emitted through
the translucent region. In this embodiment, moreover, the step four
44 of the assembling method of the present invention further
includes a sub-step 441: mounting the light-emitting module 4 and
the decorative panel 136, in which the light-emitting module 4 is
placed into the accommodating portion 135, and the decorative panel
136 is then placed in correspondence with the sheltering portion
131. Specifically, the light-emitting module 4 and the decorative
panel 136 are assembled after threaded connection of the cap 13
with the second half shell 15 is completed. Initially, the
light-emitting module 4 is mounted, in which the power required for
the operation of the light-emitting module 4 is obtained from a
control unit or a power unit via an electrical wire passing through
the hollow passage 112, followed by combining the decorative panel
136. The decorative panel 136 may be combined onto the end opening
113 insertedly and allowed for closing the end opening 113 entirely
after the assembly is completed.
[0041] The present invention has been detailed described above.
However, the above description is only one preferred embodiment of
the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the
scope of the present invention. All equivalent variations and
modifications made in accordance with the patent claims should fall
within the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *