Water-saving valve core with built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism

Abstract

The application discloses a water-saving valve core with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism and relates to the technical field of faucets.The valve core shell is provided with a floating valve seat which is slidably inserted into the bottom of the valve core shell, a conical valve port is formed in the top center of the floating valve seat, a rotating valve rod is threadedly connected to the top center of the valve core shell, a valve core piston is fixedly connected to the bottom of the rotating valve rod, an annular main flow gap is formed between the valve core piston and the conical valve port, a plurality of water passing holes are arranged on the top of the valve core shell, and a valve seat return spring is inserted between the top of the floating valve seat and the inner top of the valve core shell.The constant flow mechanism is completely built in the valve core shell, the structure is compact, dynamic flow regulation is realized through mechanical feedback in the valve core, water flow is stabilized without external control elements, and the problem that the water-saving effect of the traditional throttling mode is unstable when water pressure fluctuates is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of faucet technology, and more specifically to a water-saving valve core with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most mainstream faucet valve cores on the market use a ceramic disc structure, which relies on the relative rotation of two precision ceramic discs to control the opening and closing of the water circuit and the flow rate. These valve cores offer advantages such as rapid opening and closing, a light feel, and good wear resistance. To achieve water conservation, some products limit the maximum flow rate by adding an aerator to the valve core outlet or using a small-diameter design.

[0003] However, throttling orifices or aerators can only limit the maximum flow rate at a certain pressure point. When the actual water supply pressure is higher than the design pressure, the water flow rate will increase proportionally and significantly, resulting in unstable water-saving effects. In fact, during peak water usage periods when the water pressure is low, the water flow will be weak, leading to a poor user experience. To address this, we propose a water-saving valve core with a built-in pressure stabilization mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a water-saving valve core with a built-in pressure stabilization mechanism to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention specifically adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A water-saving valve core with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism includes a valve core housing, a floating valve seat slidably inserted into the bottom of the valve core housing, and a conical valve port opened at the top center of the floating valve seat. A rotating valve stem is threadedly connected to the top center of the valve core housing, and a valve core piston is fixedly connected to the bottom of the rotating valve stem. An annular main flow gap is formed between the valve core piston and the conical valve port. Multiple water passage holes are arrayed on the top of the valve core housing. A valve seat return spring is inserted between the top of the floating valve seat and the inner top of the valve core housing.

[0007] Furthermore, the bottom of the valve core housing is threaded with an adjusting threaded ring, and a valve seat adjusting spring is inserted into the inner cavity of the valve core housing corresponding to the bottom of the floating valve seat, with the bottom of the valve seat adjusting spring abutting against the top surface of the adjusting threaded ring.

[0008] Furthermore, the upper end of the inner wall of the valve core housing is fixed with multiple guide ribs, and the side wall of the floating valve seat is provided with multiple docking notches, and the multiple guide ribs and docking notches are engaged one-to-one.

[0009] A water-saving faucet with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism includes a faucet housing and the aforementioned water-saving valve core. The valve core housing is inserted and fixed to the bottom of the inner cavity of the faucet housing from the top, and the bottom of the valve core housing is connected to the bottom water inlet of the faucet housing. A fixed end cap is inserted and fixed to the top of the faucet housing, and a linkage sleeve is rotatably installed at the center of the fixed end cap. The bottom of the linkage sleeve is movably sleeved on the top flat shaft of the rotating valve stem. A faucet handle is fixedly connected to the top of the linkage sleeve, and a water outlet is provided on the top of the side wall of the faucet housing.

[0010] Furthermore, a water inlet filter screen is inserted and fixed at the bottom of the bottom water inlet of the valve core housing. The water inlet filter screen is a stainless steel metal filter screen.

[0011] Furthermore, a multi-layer rectifier plate assembly is fixedly connected to the middle of the bottom inlet of the valve core housing. Each of the multi-layer rectifier plate assembly has an array of micro-channels, and the micro-channels on the multi-layer rectifier plate assembly are axially aligned.

[0012] Furthermore, a pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe is installed on the side wall of the valve core housing, and the upper and lower parts of the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe are connected to the positions of the two ends of the valve core housing in the inner cavity of the faucet housing, respectively. A damping piston is slidably connected to the middle of the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, the inner wall of the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe is fixedly connected with fixed ring seats on both the upper and lower sides, and the fixed ring seats on both sides are fixedly connected with support springs on the side facing the damping piston.

[0014] Furthermore, the sidewall of the voltage-stabilizing connecting pipe is etched with multiple parallel scale lines at equal intervals, and a fluorescent indicator line is provided in the middle of the damping piston.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0016] 1. This invention integrates the constant flow mechanism entirely within the valve core housing, resulting in a compact structure. Dynamic flow regulation is achieved through mechanical feedback within the valve core, stabilizing the outlet flow rate without the need for external control components. This solves the problem of unstable water-saving effects in traditional throttling methods when water pressure fluctuates.

[0017] 2. The multi-layer rectifier plate assembly of the present invention rectifyes and homogenizes the water flow through micro-channels. When the rectified water flow passes through the main flow gap, the flow field distribution is more uniform, reducing energy loss and noise caused by local eddies and improving the overall performance of the valve core.

[0018] 3. The pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe of this invention connects the water outlet area above the valve core housing in the inner cavity of the faucet housing with the water inlet area below the valve core housing, forming a pressure feedback path that crosses the valve core. This slows down the transmission speed and amplitude of pressure fluctuations, and prevents the floating valve seat inside the valve core from making excessive or frequent adjustments due to rapid pressure changes. This prevents instantaneous and violent fluctuations in water flow or water hammer, further improving the stability of flow and the comfort of water use under complex water pressure environments, and enhancing water-saving effects. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the water-saving valve core in this invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a top sectional view of the water-saving valve core in this invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the water-saving faucet in this invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a side sectional view of the water-saving faucet in this invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a front sectional view of the water-saving faucet in this invention.

[0024] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Valve core housing; 2. Floating valve seat; 3. Fixed end cap; 4. Rotary valve stem; 5. Water passage hole; 6. Conical valve port; 7. Valve core piston; 8. Valve seat return spring; 9. Valve seat adjusting spring; 10. Adjusting threaded ring; 11. Faucet housing; 12. Linkage rotating sleeve; 13. Faucet handle; 14. Inlet filter screen; 15. Rectifier plate assembly; 16. Pressure stabilizing connecting pipe; 17. Fixed ring seat; 18. Support spring; 19. Damping piston; 20. Guide rib; 21. Butt joint notch. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Please see Figure 1 - Figure 5 This invention provides a water-saving valve core with a built-in pressure stabilization mechanism, including a valve core housing 1, a floating valve seat 2 slidably inserted into the bottom of the valve core housing 1, and a conical valve port 6 opened at the top center of the floating valve seat 2. A rotating valve rod 4 is threadedly connected to the top center of the valve core housing 1, and a valve core piston 7 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the rotating valve rod 4. An annular main flow gap is formed between the valve core piston 7 and the conical valve port 6. A plurality of water passage holes 5 are arrayed on the top of the valve core housing 1. A valve seat return spring 8 is inserted between the top of the floating valve seat 2 and the inner top of the valve core housing 1.

[0027] During normal operation, water flows from the bottom of the valve core housing 1 into the inlet chamber below the floating valve seat 2. Water pressure acts on the bottom surface of the floating valve seat, generating an upward thrust. Simultaneously, as the water flows through the main flow gap, a local pressure loss occurs due to the sudden contraction of the flow channel, creating a pressure difference between the upper and lower sides of the floating valve seat. This pressure difference, along with the valve seat return spring 8, forms a dynamic balance, determining the axial position of the floating valve seat. When the inlet water pressure increases, the water pressure acting on the bottom surface of the floating valve seat 2 increases, pushing the floating valve seat 2 upward against the pressure of the valve seat return spring 8. As the floating valve seat 2 moves upward, the annular main flow gap between its conical valve port 6 and the valve core piston 7 decreases, increasing flow resistance and thus suppressing the increased flow rate due to the increased pressure. When the inlet water pressure decreases, the upward thrust on the floating valve seat 2 decreases, and under the pressure of the valve seat return spring 8, the floating valve seat 2 moves downward, increasing the main flow gap and decreasing flow resistance, thereby compensating for the reduced flow rate due to the decreased pressure. The constant flow mechanism is fully integrated into the valve core housing 1, resulting in a compact structure. Dynamic flow regulation is achieved through mechanical feedback inside the valve core, stabilizing the outlet water flow without the need for external control components. This solves the problem of unstable water-saving effect when water pressure fluctuates in traditional throttling methods.

[0028] In this embodiment, preferably, an adjusting threaded ring 10 is threadedly connected to the bottom of the valve core housing 1, and a valve seat adjusting spring 9 is inserted into the inner cavity of the valve core housing 1 corresponding to the bottom of the floating valve seat 2. The bottom of the valve seat adjusting spring 9 abuts against the top surface of the adjusting threaded ring 10. By rotating the adjusting threaded ring 10, its axial position at the bottom of the valve core housing 1 can be changed, thereby compressing or relaxing the valve seat adjusting spring 9. The change in the elastic force of the valve seat adjusting spring 9 directly affects the preload acting on the bottom of the floating valve seat 2, thereby adjusting the initial equilibrium position of the main flow gap between the floating valve seat 2 and the valve core piston 7. When the adjusting threaded ring 10 is rotated clockwise, it moves upward, compressing the valve seat adjusting spring 9. The upward thrust of the spring on the floating valve seat 2 increases, resulting in a decrease in the main flow gap under the same inlet water pressure, and a decrease in the settable stable flow value. Conversely, when the adjusting threaded ring 10 is rotated counterclockwise, the spring relaxes, the thrust decreases, the main flow gap increases, and the stable flow value increases. This design allows users to precisely adjust the target stable flow rate of the valve core according to actual water demand, enhancing the product's applicability and flexibility.

[0029] In this embodiment, preferably, multiple guide ribs 20 are fixedly arranged on the upper end of the inner wall of the valve core housing 1, and multiple mating notches 21 are arranged on the side wall of the floating valve seat 2. The multiple guide ribs 20 and mating notches 21 are engaged one-to-one. The cooperation between the guide ribs 20 and the mating notches 21 limits the floating valve seat 2 in the circumferential direction, effectively preventing it from rotating circumferentially within the valve core housing 1. This ensures that the relative position of the conical valve port 6 and the valve core piston 7 remains precisely aligned, avoiding uneven main flow clearance due to rotational misalignment, which would affect flow stability. At the same time, the sliding cooperation between the guide ribs 20 and the mating notches 21 provides stable guidance for the axial movement of the floating valve seat 2, reducing jamming and deflection during movement, ensuring the sensitivity and reliability of pressure feedback regulation, and further improving the overall working accuracy of the valve core.

[0030] A water-saving faucet with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism includes a faucet housing 11 and the aforementioned water-saving valve core. The valve core housing 1 is inserted and fixed to the bottom of the inner cavity of the faucet housing 11 from the top, and the bottom of the valve core housing 1 is connected to the bottom water inlet of the faucet housing 11. A fixed end cap 3 is inserted and fixed to the top of the faucet housing 11, and a linkage sleeve 12 is rotatably installed at the center of the fixed end cap 3. The bottom of the linkage sleeve 12 is movably sleeved on the top flat shaft of the rotating valve stem 4. A faucet handle 13 is fixedly connected to the top of the linkage sleeve 12, and a water outlet is provided on the top of the side wall of the faucet housing 11.

[0031] When the user turns the faucet handle 13, the linkage sleeve 12 rotates accordingly. Since its bottom is movably connected to the top flat shaft of the rotating valve stem 4, this flat shaft connection converts the rotational motion into synchronous rotation of the rotating valve stem 4. The rotation of the rotating valve stem 4 is converted into axial movement through a threaded connection, adjusting the position of the valve core piston 7, thereby adjusting the main flow clearance at the conical valve port 6 and controlling the water flow rate. The inner cavity of the faucet housing 11 provides a stable installation space and protection for the water-saving valve core. Its bottom inlet is connected to the bottom of the valve core housing 1, ensuring that water can smoothly enter the valve core for pressure stabilization and flow regulation. The fixed end cap 3 not only provides axial limiting and rotational support for the linkage sleeve 12, but also, together with the faucet housing 11, forms the upper closed structure of the faucet, ensuring overall assembly stability. After adjustment by the valve core, the water finally flows out through the spout at the top of the side wall of the faucet housing 11, meeting the user's water needs. By organically combining the core pressure stabilization function of the water-saving valve core with the operation and control part of the faucet, the entire water-saving faucet not only has precise flow regulation capabilities, but also can automatically maintain a stable water output when the inlet water pressure fluctuates, thus achieving the goal of saving water and ensuring a good user experience.

[0032] In this embodiment, preferably, a water inlet filter 14 is inserted and fixed at the bottom of the water inlet of the valve core housing 1. The water inlet filter 14 is a stainless steel metal filter. The water inlet filter 14 can perform preliminary filtration on the water flowing into the valve core, effectively intercepting solid impurities such as mud, rust, and scale in the water, preventing these impurities from entering the precision components inside the valve core, and avoiding impurities causing valve core jamming, wear, or blockage, thereby ensuring the long-term stable operation of the valve core and extending its service life. Stainless steel metal material has good corrosion resistance and mechanical strength, is not easy to rust, can adapt to different water quality environments, and is easy to clean. It can be disassembled and rinsed to remove attached impurities, ensuring a long-lasting and reliable filtration effect.

[0033] In this embodiment, preferably, a multi-layer rectifier plate assembly 15 is fixedly connected to the middle of the bottom inlet of the valve core housing 1. Each multi-layer rectifier plate assembly 15 has an array of micro-channels, and these micro-channels are axially aligned. The multi-layer rectifier plate assembly 15 rectifies and homogenizes the water flow through these micro-channels. When water enters from the inlet, it first passes through the inlet filter screen 14 and then flows through the multi-layer rectifier plate assembly 15. The micro-channels on each rectifier plate assembly 15 divide the water flow into multiple fine streams. As the water flows through these channels, its turbulent flow state is smoothed out, and the flow velocity distribution tends to be uniform. Because the micro-channels on the multi-layer rectifier plate assembly 15 are axially aligned, the water flow can enter the area below the floating valve seat 2 inside the valve core in a relatively stable and orderly laminar flow state. This rectification effectively eliminates eddies and pressure fluctuations caused by factors such as pipe bends and valve disturbances, preventing unstable water flow from interfering with the pressure detection at the bottom of the floating valve seat 2. This ensures a more accurate and stable water pressure signal acting on the floating valve seat 2, thereby improving the response accuracy and flow control stability of the valve core pressure feedback regulation system. Simultaneously, the rectified water flow has a more uniform flow field distribution when passing through the main flow gap, reducing energy loss and noise caused by local eddies and improving the overall performance of the valve core.

[0034] In this embodiment, preferably, a pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16 is installed on the side wall of the valve core housing 1, and the upper and lower parts of the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16 are respectively connected to the positions at both ends of the valve core housing 1 in the inner cavity of the faucet housing 11. A damping piston 19 is slidably connected to the middle of the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16. The pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16 connects the water outlet area above the valve core housing 1 in the inner cavity of the faucet housing 11 with the water inlet area below the valve core housing 1, forming a pressure feedback path bridging the valve core. When the inlet water pressure fluctuates rapidly, for example, due to the sudden opening or closing of other water points causing a sudden rise or fall in water pressure, the inlet water pressure below the valve core housing 1 will change rapidly and be transmitted to the lower cavity of the damping piston 19 through the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16; at the same time, the change in the outlet water pressure above the valve core housing 1 is relatively lagging and acts on the upper cavity of the damping piston 19. At this time, a pressure difference will be generated on both sides of the damping piston 19, pushing it to slide within the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16. The sliding process of the damping piston 19 will dampen the transmission of pressure waves, reduce the transmission speed and amplitude of pressure fluctuations, and prevent the floating valve seat 2 inside the valve core from making excessive or frequent adjustment actions due to rapid pressure changes. This prevents the water flow from experiencing instantaneous and violent fluctuations or water hammer, further improving the stability of the flow and the comfort of water use under complex water pressure environments, and improving water-saving effects.

[0035] In this embodiment, preferably, the inner wall of the pressure stabilizing connecting pipe 16 is fixedly connected with the upper and lower sides of the inner wall with corresponding fixed ring seats 17, and the fixed ring seats 17 on both sides are fixedly connected with the support springs 18 facing the damping piston 19.

[0036] The two support springs 18 apply upward and downward preloads to the damping piston 19, respectively, maintaining it in an initial equilibrium position within the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16. When the inlet water pressure changes slowly, the pressure difference across the damping piston 19 is small. Under the elastic force of the support springs 18, the damping piston 19 remains essentially stationary, without interfering with normal pressure feedback and valve core adjustment. However, when the inlet water pressure fluctuates rapidly and significantly, the pressure difference across the damping piston 19 is sufficient to overcome the elastic force of the support springs 18, pushing the damping piston 19 towards the side with lower pressure. At this time, the support springs 18 are compressed or stretched, absorbing some of the pressure fluctuation energy and further enhancing the damping effect on the pressure wave. The fixed ring seat 17 provides a stable mounting base and limit function for the support springs 18, preventing lateral displacement or twisting of the springs during compression or stretching, ensuring that the sliding of the damping piston 19 always proceeds axially, and guaranteeing the overall stability and reliability of the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16.

[0037] In this embodiment, preferably, the sidewall of the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16 is etched with multiple parallel scale lines at equal intervals, and a fluorescent indicator line is provided in the middle of the damping piston 19; the combination of the scale lines and the fluorescent indicator line forms an intuitive pressure fluctuation visualization monitoring device. Under normal and stable working conditions, the fluorescent indicator line of the damping piston 19 should be near the middle position of the scale line. When the inlet water pressure fluctuates, the damping piston 19 will slide within the pressure-stabilizing connecting pipe 16, and its fluorescent indicator line will indicate the corresponding position change on the scale line as the piston moves. Users can intuitively understand the amplitude and frequency of the current water pressure fluctuation by observing the positional shift of the fluorescent indicator line. This not only facilitates the evaluation of the valve core's pressure-stabilizing effect during installation and commissioning but also provides convenience for daily maintenance and troubleshooting. The fluorescent indicator line remains clearly visible even in low-light environments, ensuring the convenience and accuracy of monitoring, helping to promptly detect potential water pressure anomalies, and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the water-saving faucet.

[0038] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A water-saving valve core with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism, comprising a valve core housing (1), characterized in that: A floating valve seat (2) is slidably inserted into the bottom of the valve core housing (1), and a conical valve port (6) is opened at the top center of the floating valve seat (2). A rotating valve rod (4) is threadedly connected to the top center of the valve core housing (1), and a valve core piston (7) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the rotating valve rod (4). An annular main flow gap is formed between the valve core piston (7) and the conical valve port (6), and multiple water passage holes (5) are arrayed on the top of the valve core housing (1). A valve seat return spring (8) is inserted between the top of the floating valve seat (2) and the top of the valve core housing (1).

2. The water-saving valve core with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the valve core housing (1) is threaded with an adjusting threaded ring (10), and a valve seat adjusting spring (9) is inserted into the inner cavity of the valve core housing (1) corresponding to the bottom of the floating valve seat (2). The bottom of the valve seat adjusting spring (9) abuts against the top surface of the adjusting threaded ring (10).

3. The water-saving valve core with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the inner wall of the valve core housing (1) is fixed with multiple guide ribs (20), and the side wall of the floating valve seat (2) is provided with multiple docking notches (21). The multiple guide ribs (20) and docking notches (21) are connected one by one.

4. A water-saving faucet with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism, comprising a faucet housing (11) and a water-saving valve core as described in any one of claims (1)-(3), characterized in that: The valve core housing (1) is inserted and fixed to the bottom of the inner cavity of the faucet housing (11) from the top, and the bottom of the valve core housing (1) is connected to the bottom water inlet of the faucet housing (11). The top of the faucet housing (11) is inserted and fixed with a fixed end cap (3), and a linkage sleeve (12) is rotatably installed at the center of the fixed end cap (3). The bottom of the linkage sleeve (12) is movably sleeved on the top flat shaft of the rotating valve rod (4). The top of the linkage sleeve (12) is fixedly connected with a faucet handle (13), and a water outlet is provided on the top of the side wall of the faucet housing (11).

5. A water-saving faucet with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom of the valve core housing (1) is fitted with a water inlet filter (14), which is a stainless steel metal filter.

6. A water-saving faucet with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The valve core housing (1) has a multi-layer rectifier plate group (15) fixedly connected to the middle of the bottom water inlet. Each multi-layer rectifier plate group (15) has an array of micro-channels, and the micro-channels on the multi-layer rectifier plate group (15) are axially aligned.

7. A water-saving faucet with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The valve core housing (1) is equipped with a pressure stabilizing connecting pipe (16) on its side wall. The pressure stabilizing connecting pipe (16) is connected to the positions of the valve core housing (1) at both ends in the inner cavity of the faucet housing (11). A damping piston (19) is slidably connected to the middle of the pressure stabilizing connecting pipe (16).

8. A water-saving faucet with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner wall of the pressure stabilizing connecting pipe (16) is fixedly connected with fixed ring seats (17) on both the upper and lower sides, and the fixed ring seats (17) on both sides are fixedly connected with support springs (18) on the side facing the damping piston (19).

9. A water-saving faucet with a built-in pressure stabilizing mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The sidewall of the voltage-stabilizing connecting pipe (16) is engraved with multiple parallel scale lines at equal intervals, and the damping piston (19) is provided with a fluorescent indicator line in the middle.

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