Water mixing valve with linear flow variation

Abstract

The application discloses a water mixing valve with linear flow change, which comprises a valve body (5) with a water mixing pipe (6) connected to the middle part of the valve body (5) upward, a water inlet (8) at the right end of the valve body (5), a pipe cap (2) installed at the left side of the valve body (5), an elongated hole (14) made at the connecting part of the valve body (5) and the water mixing pipe (6) in the axial direction, a segment of spline groove (4) made at the left side of the metal circular pipe inside the valve body (5) close to the water mixing pipe (6), a valve head (10) with the outer cylindrical surface of the valve head (10) and the inner cylindrical surface of the circular pipe of the valve body (5) being connected in a matched mode, and a nut (13) fixedly connected to the bottom of the metal cylinder at the left side of the valve head and sealed, wherein when the handle (1) is rotated, the valve rod (17) and the screw rod (11) drive the nut (3) to move in the axial direction along the spline groove (4), the nut (3) drives the valve head (10) to move in the axial direction in the valve body (5), the elongated hole (14) is gradually opened by the valve head (10), and water flows from the water inlet (8) into the water mixing pipe (6) through the elongated hole (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a mixing valve, and more particularly to a mixing valve with linearly varying flow rate. Background Technology

[0002] There are many types of mixing valves. Most household shower mixing valves are manual mechanical types. In household showers, cold and hot water are supplied to the shower area via separate cold and hot water pipes. The mixing valve controls the ratio of cold and hot water flow, mixing them to deliver water at a suitable temperature for bathing. This type of mixing valve uses two independent water switches, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the cold water pipe and hot water pipe each have an independent water switch. During use, the water flow from one switch can be adjusted individually. For example, first, the cold water switch is adjusted to output a certain amount of cold water, fixing its opening. Then, the hot water switch is adjusted to deliver a certain amount of hot water. The cold and hot water meet at the mixing pipe and flow out from the shower. By repeatedly adjusting the openings of the cold and hot water switches, a suitable water temperature and flow rate for bathing are finally obtained at the mixing pipe. However, this type of water switch has a major drawback: it is difficult to adjust the water temperature and flow rate to a suitable level for bathing. The working characteristics of this type of water switch are as follows... Figure 2 As shown, the relationship between the water switch opening degree K (the angle of the rotary switch) and the flow rate F is non-linear. The rate of change of water flow is very small when the opening degree K is small (the switch is just turned on) or large (the switch is close to fully open), but the rate of change of water flow is large when the opening degree is suitable for people. Thus, as mentioned earlier, if the cold water switch is first adjusted to output a certain amount of cold water, and then the hot water switch is adjusted to send out a certain amount of hot water, the rate of change of water flow at the appropriate opening degree of the water switch is extremely large. Even a slight change in the opening degree K of the hot water switch will result in a large change in the water flow. Therefore, the temperature and flow rate of the mixed water fluctuate greatly. It is necessary to repeatedly adjust the water flow of the cold water switch and the hot water switch over a long period of time, which is time-consuming and laborious. During the adjustment process, the water flowing out will flow into the underground pipes, which will cause a lot of waste of resources. Sometimes, the hot water flowing out may be too hot and cause harm to the human body. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of shower mixing valves in the prior art and to provide a new type of shower mixing valve. This type of mixing valve has a gradual change rate of water flow at the commonly used opening position, making it easy for people to adjust the water temperature and flow rate to a suitable level for bathing.

[0004] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] The present invention provides a mixing valve with linearly variable flow rate, comprising a handle 1, a pipe cap 2, a tapered pin 3, a spline groove 4, a valve body 5, a mixing pipe 6, a thread 7, a water inlet 8, a slot 9, a valve head 10, a screw 11, a positioning sleeve 12, a nut 13, an elongated hole 14, an indicator disc 15, a shoulder 16, a valve stem 17, and a retaining ring 18.

[0006] The valve body 5 is a metal round tube with a mixing pipe 6 connected to the middle upwards. The right end of the valve body 5 is a water inlet 8, and the outer cylindrical surface of the water inlet 8 is threaded with a thread 7. A pipe cap 2 is installed on the left side of the valve body 5 to seal the left end of the valve body 5.

[0007] A spline groove 4 is formed on the left side of the metal round tube inside the valve body 5 near the mixing pipe 6. A positioning sleeve 12 is installed from the left end of the spline groove 4 to the left port of the valve body 5. The diameter of the inlet 8 on the right side of the metal round tube is reduced to form a groove 9.

[0008] The valve head 10 is a metal cylinder with the left end closed. The valve head 10 is placed inside the cylindrical tube of the valve body 5. The outer cylindrical surface of the valve head 10 is connected to the inner cylindrical surface of the cylindrical tube of the valve body 5. The bottom closed part of the metal cylinder on the left side of the valve head is fixedly connected with a nut 13.

[0009] The valve stem 17 is a cylindrical rod that passes through the middle of the cap 2. Its right end is integrated with the screw 11. When the valve stem 17 passes through the cap 2, the shoulder 16 is locked on the outside of the cap 2. The axial position of the valve stem 17 is fixed on the valve stem 17 by the shaft end retaining ring 18 on the inside of the cap 2. The left end of the valve stem 17 is integrated with the handle 1.

[0010] The nut 13 is a stepped cylinder with a threaded inner hole that screws into the screw 11. The bottom outer cylindrical surface has a raised spline that connects with the spline groove 4. When the handle 1 is turned, the valve stem 17 and the screw 11 are rotated. The screw 11 drives the nut 3 to move axially along the spline groove 4. The nut 3 drives the valve head 10 to move axially within the valve body 5.

[0011] The valve body 5 has an axially elongated hole 14 at the connection with the mixing pipe 6. When the valve head 10 moves to the right and abuts against the slot 9, the elongated hole 14 is closed by the valve head 10, which isolates the inlet 8 from the mixing pipe 6, preventing water from flowing into the mixing pipe 6. When the nut 13 moves to the left, the elongated hole 14 is gradually opened by the valve head 10, and water flows from the inlet 8 into the mixing pipe 6 through the elongated hole 14. When the left end of the nut 13 abuts against the positioning sleeve 12, the elongated hole 14 is fully opened by the valve head 10. During the opening of the elongated hole 8, the water flow rate into the mixing pipe 6 changes approximately linearly and gradually. Figure 4 As shown.

[0012] Furthermore, a tapered pin 12 is provided between the cap 2 and the valve body 5 for positioning and fixing the cap 2.

[0013] Furthermore, the threads that engage the screw 11 and the nut 13 are non-standard threads with a rectangular cross-section and a pitch of 6-8 mm.

[0014] The indicator 15 is fixed to the outside of the pipe cap. The indicator 15 is evenly marked with ten numbers from 0 to 9 along the circumference. The handle 1 has a pointer. When the pointer rotates clockwise for one revolution, the valve head 10 drives the nut 13 to move from right to left by one thread pitch, gradually opening the elongated hole 14 from a completely closed state to a completely open state.

[0015] The shower water switch has a symmetrical structure. The device is connected to another symmetrical part through the mixing pipe 6 to form a complete shower mixing valve. Cold water and hot water are mixed in the mixing pipe 6 and sprayed out from the shower device.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: it completely overcomes the shortcomings of the shower water switch in the prior art, and its working characteristics are as follows: Figure 8 As shown, at the commonly used opening position, the rate of change of water flow is gradual and approximately linear, making it easy for people to adjust the water temperature and flow to a suitable level for bathing. This saves time and effort, is convenient and quick, safe and reliable, and can conserve a significant amount of water resources. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of a mixing valve consisting of two independent shower water switches.

[0018] Figure 2 The output characteristic curve of the existing independent shower water switch.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a mixing valve structure with linearly varying flow rate according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a curve showing the output characteristics of an independent water switch for a mixing valve with linearly varying flow rate, according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a partial top view (half-open state) of a mixing valve with linearly varying flow rate according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a partial top view (fully open) of a mixing valve with linearly varying flow rate according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic view of the structure of a mixing valve indicator panel with linearly varying flow rate according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a mixing valve AA with linearly varying flow rate according to the present invention.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Handle, 2. Pipe cap, 3. Tapered pin, 4. Keyway, 5. Valve body, 6. Mixing pipe, 7. Thread, 8. Inlet, 9. Slot, 10. Valve head, 11. Screw, 12. Positioning sleeve, 13. Nut, 14. Long hole, 15. Indicator dial, 16. Shoulder, 17. Valve stem, 18. Retaining ring. Detailed Implementation

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the mixing valve with linearly varying flow rate according to the present invention is as follows: Figure 2 As shown.

[0027] Includes handle 1, pipe cap 2, tapered pin 3, spline groove 4, valve body 5, mixing pipe 6, thread 7, inlet 8, slot 9, valve head 10, screw 11, positioning sleeve 12, nut 13, elongated hole 14, indicator plate 15, shoulder 16, valve stem 17, and retaining ring 18. The valve body 5 is a metal round tube, with the mixing pipe 6 connected to the middle upwards. Cold water and hot water entering from the cold water pipe and hot water pipe enter the independent water switch, mix in the mixing pipe, and then spray out from the shower device.

[0028] The right end of the valve body 5 is the water inlet 8. The outer cylindrical surface of the water inlet 8 is threaded with 7 for connecting the water inlet pipe. The left side of the valve body 5 is fitted with a pipe cap 2 to seal the left end of the valve body 5. The inside of the metal round tube of the valve body 5 is fitted with a spline groove 4 on the left side near the mixing pipe 6. The left end of the spline groove 4 to the left port of the valve body 5 is fitted with a positioning sleeve 12. The diameter of the water inlet 8 on the right side of the metal round tube is reduced to form a groove 9.

[0029] The valve head 10 is a metal cylinder with its left end closed. The valve head 10 is placed inside the circular tube of the valve body 5. The outer cylindrical surface of the valve head 10 is connected to the inner cylindrical surface of the circular tube of the valve body 5. The bottom closed part of the metal cylinder on the left side of the valve head is fixedly connected to the nut 13. The valve stem 17 passes through the middle of the cap 2. Its right end is integrated with the screw 11. When the valve stem 17 passes through the cap 2, the shoulder 16 is stuck on the outside of the cap 2. The axial position of the valve stem 17 is fixed on the valve stem 17 by the shaft end retaining ring 18 on the inside of the cap 2. That is, the valve stem 17 can rotate inside the metal circular tube of the valve body 5 but cannot move axially. The left end of the valve stem 17 is integrated with the handle 1.

[0030] The nut 13 is a stepped cylinder with a threaded inner hole that screws into the screw 11. The bottom outer cylindrical surface has a raised spline that connects with the spline groove 4. When the handle 1 is turned, the valve stem 17 and the screw 11 are rotated. The screw 11 drives the nut 3 to move axially along the spline groove 4. The nut 3 drives the valve head 10 to move axially within the valve body 5.

[0031] An axially elongated hole 14 is formed at the connection between the valve body 5 and the mixing pipe 6. When the valve head 10 moves to the right and abuts against the slot 9, the elongated hole 14 is closed by the valve head 10, isolating the inlet 8 from the mixing pipe 6, preventing water from flowing into the mixing pipe 6. When the nut 13 moves to the left, the elongated hole 14 is gradually opened by the valve head 10, and water flows from the inlet 8 into the mixing pipe 6 through the elongated hole 14. When the left end of the nut 13 abuts against the positioning sleeve 12, the elongated hole 14 is fully opened by the valve head 10. During the opening of the elongated hole 8, the water flow rate into the mixing pipe 6 changes approximately linearly and gradually. Figure 4 As shown. If the elongated hole 14 leading to the mixing pipe 6 inside the valve body 5 is changed to a circular hole, the rate of change of water flow into the mixing pipe 6 will be greatest when the right edge of the cylindrical surface of the valve head 10 opens the circular hole halfway. That is, at this time, a slight change in the opening of the circular hole will cause a large change in the water flow. This is why the water flow of the shower water switch handle 1 will change drastically when it is turned slightly at the appropriate opening position. Therefore, the temperature and flow of the water after the hot and cold water are mixed will fluctuate greatly. It is necessary to repeatedly adjust the water flow of the cold water switch and the hot water switch for a long time, which is time-consuming and laborious. During the adjustment process, the water flowing out will flow into the underground pipe, which will cause a lot of water waste. Sometimes, the hot water flowing out may be too hot and cause harm to the human body.

[0032] To ensure sealing and positioning, a tapered pin 3 is provided between the cap 2 and the valve body 5 for positioning and fixing the cap 2.

[0033] An indicator plate 15 is fixed to the outside of the cap. The indicator plate 15 is evenly marked with ten numbers from 0 to 9 along its circumference. The handle 1 has a pointer; when the pointer rotates clockwise one full turn, the valve head 10 drives the nut 13 to move from right to left by one thread pitch, gradually opening the elongated hole 14 from a fully closed state to a fully open state. In this technical solution, the thread connecting the screw 11 and the nut 13 is a non-standard thread with a rectangular cross-section and a pitch of 6-8 mm. High thread machining accuracy is required, and the thread is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction to reduce frictional resistance when the handle 1 rotates.

[0034] The mixing valve of the present invention has a symmetrical structure. The aforementioned independent water switch is connected to another symmetrical part through the mixing pipe 6 to form a complete shower mixing valve. Cold water and hot water are mixed in the mixing pipe 6 and sprayed out from the shower device.

[0035] The present invention provides a mixing valve with linearly variable flow rate, and its operation method during bathing is the same as that of existing shower water switch operation method.

[0036] You can first adjust the cold water switch to output a certain amount of cold water (or adjust the hot water switch to output a certain amount of hot water), and then adjust the opening of the hot water switch to send out a certain amount of hot water. Since the rate of change of the flow rate of the water switch is linear and stable at a suitable opening, the opening value K of the hot water switch can be varied within a large range, making it easy to adjust to a suitable water output. This ensures that the temperature and flow rate of the mixed water meet the human body's requirements for bathing, saving time and effort, reducing the waste of water resources caused by water flowing out during the adjustment process, and greatly reducing the risk of accidents caused by accidentally flowing out hot water at too high a temperature.

[0037] Since both the cold and hot water switches are equipped with flow indicators 15, after using the mixing valve several times, people can directly place the pointer on the cold or hot water handle 1 at a certain position on the indicator 15 according to their usual needs for the temperature and flow of bath water, and then make slight adjustments to obtain the appropriate water temperature and flow rate, which is convenient and quick.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mixing valve with linearly variable flow rate, comprising a handle (1), a pipe cap (2), a spline groove (4), a valve body (5), a mixing pipe (6), a thread (7), an inlet (8), a slot (9), a valve head (10), a screw (11), a positioning sleeve (12), a nut (13), an elongated hole (14), a shoulder (16), a valve stem (17), and a retaining ring (18); The valve body (5) is a metal round tube with a mixing pipe (6) connected to the middle upward. The right end of the valve body (5) is the water inlet (8). The outer cylindrical surface of the water inlet (8) is threaded (7). A pipe cap (2) is installed on the left side of the valve body (5) to seal the left end of the valve body (5). A spline groove (4) is made on the left side of the metal round tube inside the valve body (5) near the mixing pipe (6). A positioning sleeve (12) is installed from the left end of the spline groove (4) to the left port of the valve body (5). The diameter of the inlet (8) on the right side of the metal round tube is reduced to form a groove (9). The valve head (10) is a metal cylinder with the left end closed. The valve head (10) is placed inside the round tube of the valve body (5). The outer cylindrical surface of the valve head (10) and the inner cylindrical surface of the round tube of the valve body (5) are connected in a mating manner. The bottom closed part of the metal cylinder on the left side of the valve head is fixedly connected with a nut (13). The valve stem (17) is a cylindrical rod. The valve stem (17) passes through the middle of the cap (2). Its right end is integrated with the screw (11). When the valve stem (17) passes through the cap (2), the shoulder (16) is stuck on the outside of the cap (2). The valve stem (17) is fixed in the axial position by the shaft end retaining ring (18) on the inside of the cap (2). The left end of the valve stem (17) is integrated with the handle (1). The nut (13) is a stepped cylinder with a threaded inner hole that screws into the screw (11). The bottom outer cylindrical surface has a raised spline that connects with the spline groove (4). When the handle (1) is turned, the valve stem (17) and the screw (11) are rotated. The screw (11) drives the nut (13) to move axially along the spline groove (4). The nut (13) drives the valve head (10) to move axially within the valve body (5). The valve body (5) is connected to the mixing pipe (6) with an axially elongated hole (14). When the valve head (10) moves to the right and abuts against the slot (9), the elongated hole (14) is closed by the valve head (10), and the valve head (10) isolates the inlet (8) from the mixing pipe (6), preventing water from flowing into the mixing pipe (6). When the nut (13) moves to the left, the elongated hole (14) is gradually opened by the valve head (10), and water flows from the inlet (8) through the elongated hole (14) into the mixing pipe (6). When the left end of the nut (13) abuts against the positioning sleeve (12), the elongated hole (14) is fully opened by the valve head (10). The mixing valve has a symmetrical structure. The device is connected to another symmetrical part through the mixing pipe (6) to form a complete shower mixing valve. Cold water and hot water are mixed in the mixing pipe (6) and sprayed out from the shower device.

2. The mixing valve with linearly varying flow rate according to claim 1, characterized in that, A tapered pin (3) is provided between the cap (2) and the valve body (5) to position and fix the cap (2).

3. A mixing valve with linearly varying flow rate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screw (11) and nut (13) are screwed together by a non-standard thread with a rectangular cross section and a pitch of 6-8 mm.

4. A mixing valve with linearly varying flow rate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cap (2) is fixed with an indicator (15) on the outside. The indicator (15) is evenly marked with ten numbers from 0 to 9 along the circumference. The handle (1) has a pointer. When the pointer rotates clockwise for one revolution, the valve head (10) drives the nut (13) to move from right to left by one pitch, gradually turning the elongated hole (14) from a completely closed state to a completely open state.

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