Valve element with temperature control for faucet and faucet
By designing a temperature control valve core suitable for axial structure, the existing constant temperature shower faucet valve core is solved, and economical and efficient water mixing regulation is achieved, which is suitable for modern water supply systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202420566193.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-23
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-03-22
AI Technical Summary
The existing constant temperature shower faucet spool is costly and is not necessary when water supply conditions are stable, and a more economical and alternative temperature control spool is required.
A temperature control valve core with an axial configuration is designed, which enters the water inlet of the valve core through the side wall and is mechanically adjusted by the user, suitable for replacing the traditional thermostatic valve core.
It realizes the high-progressive water mixing adjustment function without increasing the faucet cost, reduces the cost of replacing the valve core, and adapts to the stable conditions of modern water supply systems.
Smart Images
Figure CN222823764U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to a valve core with temperature control, i.e., a mixing valve for hot water and cold water in a faucet. The faucet, such as a shower faucet, has an inlet structure of a hydraulic pipeline in an independent area of a faucet body. For example, the faucet is connected to a water inlet area of the valve core through at least two types of hydraulic pipelines of the faucet body. Background Art
[0002] Traditionally, shower faucets have an arrangement of the inlets for the hydraulic lines delivering the water to be mixed, which are located in different parts of the faucet body and are rather separate when compared to, for example, conventional sink faucets, which have two water inlets next to each other at the base of the faucet and the internal valve core.
[0003] In this type of faucet, which has inlet configurations for hydraulic lines in separate areas of the faucet's body, a conventional arrangement may employ a separate valve cartridge with a corresponding handle for each inlet line. In this familiar configuration, each handle and its valve cartridge are located at a respective end of the faucet body, in a generally horizontal configuration.
[0004] It is also known to use a single mixing cartridge in which each hydraulic inlet line must run to a corresponding inlet in the cartridge. Such internal conduits in the faucet body are known in shower faucets with a single-lever cartridge regulating both mixing ratio and flow or in thermostatic shower faucets with a thermostatic mixing cartridge.
[0005] In this configuration of thermostatic faucets, the valve cartridge has a completely different configuration than the conventional single-lever valve cartridge. In the case of a thermostatic valve cartridge, an axial configuration is used in which the inlet of each hydraulic line runs to a different section of the valve cartridge, which has independent and watertight inlets through the side wall of the valve cartridge, so that the internal thermostatic system can perform mixing in a conventional manner.
[0006] In systems where the pressure and supply flow in each hydraulic line vary, these thermostatic valve cartridges provide a great comfort because once the user has selected the mixing ratio for a certain shower temperature, the thermostatic valve cartridge automatically adjusts the flow and mixing ratio of the incoming water slightly according to possible changes in the conditions of each hydraulic line. This is usually achieved by using a temperature-sensitive thermostatic mixer, which is usually based on the expansion and contraction of a metal element with the mixing temperature.
[0007] This mechanism makes thermostatic valve cartridges more expensive than single-lever or other mechanical valve cartridges, making replacement thermostatic valve cartridges more expensive. In addition, with today's boilers and water supply systems, water supply conditions are becoming more and more stable, so in many new installations these thermostatic systems are not necessary to obtain constant mixed water conditions throughout the shower.
[0008] In view of the foregoing, it is necessary to provide a valve core type device that allows these thermostatic faucet valve cores to be replaced with an axial configuration and a body specifically constructed for the axially configured water inlet configuration, which device allows correct adaptation and operation in assemblies previously equipped with traditional thermostatic valve cores. Utility Model Content
[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a temperature controlled valve cartridge with an axial configuration for a tap, the valve cartridge having a water inlet into the valve cartridge through a side wall and water mixing mechanically regulated by a user, the configuration of the valve cartridge being suitable for the same tap as the configuration for a conventional thermostatic valve cartridge. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tap comprising the valve cartridge with an axial configuration.
[0010] It should be noted that when it is mentioned in the present invention that the valve core has temperature control, it should be understood as a water mixing valve core, which has a system for adjusting the temperature of water supplied to the user by mechanically adjusting the mixed hot water and cold water in the water mixing valve core.
[0011] It should be noted that when it is pointed out in the utility model that the valve core with temperature control has an axial structure, it should be understood as a valve core that, in addition to the temperature control characteristics mentioned above, also has the characteristics of an axial structure, and the axial structure refers to a valve core with two water inlet areas, which are constructed in the space of an annular cross-section transverse to the adjustable rotation axis by means of a drainage housing of a hydraulic pipeline, whereby inlets from these housings to the valve core are arranged at the side walls of the valve core, and wherein these water supply housings of the valve core are watertight relative to each other and are generally continuous longitudinally along the adjustable rotation axis.
[0012] According to the purpose of the utility model and according to the first aspect of the utility model, the utility model is based on a valve core with temperature control for a faucet, which valve core has an axial structure, in which at least two independent and watertight water inlets of the temperature-controlled axial valve core are located on the side wall of the valve core, and the at least two independent and watertight water inlets are configured to coincide with the two water inlet paths of the faucet body through the hydraulic water supply pipeline.
[0013] Advantageously, the temperature-controlled valve core having an axial configuration is configured so as to include:
[0014] A shaft for transmitting the movement of a faucet control handle, which adjusts the ratio of water mixing;
[0015] A body of a valve core, the body of the valve core comprising two concentric parts, one of the two concentric parts being at least partially inserted into the other of the two concentric parts, wherein:
[0016] The first part is located outside the faucet body and the first part is fixed relative to the faucet body, the first part has an internal cavity, the first part is configured so as to allow watertight passage of the shaft and watertight internal connection of the second part, wherein the first part has at least a first inlet opening and a second inlet opening, the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening are used for each of the two water inlet paths through the faucet body, and at least one of the first inlet opening and the second inlet opening is used for each of the water conduit paths through the faucet body;
[0017] The inner second part is located inside the shaft, the inner second part is fixed to the drive shaft for the tap adjustment movement control, the inner second part has a relative rotational movement with respect to the outer first part, the inner second part is at least partially inserted into the outer first part, wherein the second part has an inner cavity as a mixing chamber to connect at least two water inlet openings, one of the at least two water inlet openings is used for each type of water inlet from the first part, one of the at least two water inlet openings is located in the same lateral projection as the water inlet opening from the first part, the at least two openings are watertight with respect to the rest of the cavity formed between the first part with the temperature-controlled axial valve core and the second part, and the second part has an outlet for mixed water.
[0018] In the present invention, the valve core is advantageously positioned inside the faucet body so that each of the water inlet openings of the first portion coincides with each of the separate and watertight housings formed by the faucet body and the first portion of the temperature control axial valve core, each of the water inlet openings of the first portion for each of the two water travel paths from each hydraulic water supply line through the faucet body. In this way, the temperature control axial valve core is configured so that the temperature control axial valve core replaces the thermostatic valve core in the same faucet body, since it has a coupling geometry that is compatible with the faucet body and with the connection openings of the housing for receiving water delivered through the faucet body.
[0019] Advantageously, the openings of the second part are positioned so that they coincide with the openings of the first part of the valve core when the openings of the second part move together with the second part, the coincidence ratio of the openings being determined by the rotation of the shaft.
[0020] Finally, the present invention also has an advantageous feature that at least the opening of the second part is elongated in the rotation direction, and at least the opening of the second part forms an opening arc that gradually overlaps with the opening of the first part when the second part rotates.
[0021] With this configuration, it is possible to have a temperature control valve cartridge with an axial configuration configured to allow replacing a thermostatic valve cartridge in an advantageous manner, a temperature control valve cartridge with an axial configuration configured to allow correct coupling to the internal configuration of the faucet body, and a temperature control valve cartridge with an axial configuration configured to allow a transverse arrangement of the water inlet with the valve cartridge by means of two axial modules, the two axial modules being watertight relative to each other, i.e. the two housings formed between the existing faucet body and the first part of the exterior of the new temperature control axial valve cartridge being watertight relative to each other. This allows the user to use either system in an easily interchangeable manner.
[0022] This same construction allows the temperature controlled axial plug to have a progressive mixing adjustment due to the elongated configuration of the opening, which is therefore finer than the circular opening adjustment of other valve types.
[0023] The entire body of the valve cartridge with axial temperature control is watertight relative to the body of the faucet, with the logical exception of the hydraulic line routing inlet and the mixed water inlet of the valve cartridge, which establish a watertight connection with the area of the valve cartridge that is connected to the hydraulic line routing inlet and the mixed water inlet of the valve cartridge for this purpose. This watertightness of the assembly is achieved with the aid of gaskets that, in addition to the watertightness indicated on the valve cartridge inlet and the mixed water outlet, are arranged at least in the area of the inlet of the transmission shaft for the regulating movement and in the gap between the two inner and outer parts.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first part and the second part are cylindrical and concentric, and the first part and the second part are configured so as to allow relative radial movement between the first part and the second part without losing the water tightness of the inlet opening of the mixing chamber relative to the valve core. Optionally, the radius of each longitudinal section of each part can be changed according to the need to create an inlet chamber or other configurations between these parts, but the water tightness between the indicated parts is always maintained.
[0025] Also preferably, the watertightness of the openings of the second part for the water inlet of the mixing chamber is achieved by means of gaskets that follow the contour of these openings. With this advantageous watertight construction of the opening area of the second part, no water is transferred to other areas and no water enters through the openings into locations where water should not enter.
[0026] Also optionally, although preferably, the opening of the first portion is elongated in the direction of rotation, thereby forming an opening arc. This increases the progressiveness and fine regulation of the water flow rate of each hydraulic line entering the mixing chamber.
[0027] In an optional and preferred embodiment of the invention, both the first and second parts have two openings for each of the inlets corresponding to each hydraulic inlet line. These openings are offset at different radial areas and different longitudinal points of each area.
[0028] Also optionally but preferably, the opening of the first part and the opening of the second part are constructed so that: when one of the openings of the second part coincides with the opening of the first part, the same water inlet corresponding to at least one rotation point between the two parts is watertight relative to the other water inlet, so that the other open water opening of the second part does not coincide with the opening of the first part, so that no water enters from the opening of the first part, so that when the second part rotates relative to the first part, the overlapping area and therefore the area of water entering the mixing chamber gradually decreases and increases accordingly according to the angle of rotation.
[0029] Due to this configuration, there is a difference between the overlap of the openings of the hot water inlet and the cold water inlet, so that at a point where the openings of the first part and the second part preferably completely overlap (e.g. corresponding to the cold water inlet), the openings of the first part associated with the hot water inlet and the openings of the second part do not overlap. In this way, when the second part of the interior begins to rotate, the overlap section of the openings associated with the cold water decreases, while the overlap section of the openings associated with the hot water inlet increases, until the desired adjustment is provided by the user.
[0030] According to the purpose of the present invention and according to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention also relates to a faucet, the faucet comprising a water inlet from a hydraulic line, the water inlet of the hydraulic line running through the faucet body to the water inlet of an axial temperature-controlled mixing valve cartridge. This communication with the inlet of the valve cartridge is achieved by creating a drainage housing in a corresponding watertight space between the faucet body and the axial valve cartridge.
[0031] Advantageously, the tap comprises a temperature controlled axial mixing valve cartridge such as that noted in the first aspect of the invention.
[0032] By this construction, a faucet such as a thermostatic shower faucet allows the replacement of a valve cartridge that was originally thermostatic but is preferably of this type due to its greater durability and lower cost, thereby achieving a high progressiveness of the adjustment of a valve cartridge of this type and maintaining the same connection as the thermostatic valve cartridge, thus avoiding the need to replace the faucet or to purchase an additional thermostatic valve cartridge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] For a better understanding of the description made herein, a set of drawings is provided in which, schematically and purely by way of non-limiting example, practical aspects of an embodiment are shown.
[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a faucet having a thermostatic valve cartridge of the related art.
[0035] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the temperature-controlled axial valve core shown in the present invention.
[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view of a temperature controlled axial spool shown in .
[0037] Figures 4a to 4c yes Figure 2 A cross-section of the complete temperature controlled axial valve core shown in ( Figure 4a ); and the separated first part ( Figure 4b ) and Part II ( Figure 4c ). DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] In the currently preferred embodiment of the present invention and as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4a , Figure 4b , Figure 4c As shown, a temperature control axial valve core (10) is provided, which can be installed in a faucet body (100) configured to install a thermostatic valve core (10'), such as corresponding to the related art Figure 1 Visible in.
[0039] like Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, and as known in the state of the art, this type of faucet body (100) has a longitudinal configuration along the axis of rotation of the adjustment control, the thermostatic shower faucet having a water mixing ratio adjustment control associated with the thermostatic valve cartridge (10') at one end of the faucet body, and a control corresponding to the flow adjustment device (50) at the other end of the faucet body. In this known type of faucet, water travels from the two hot water inlets (101) and the cold water inlet (102) of the faucet body (100) to an independent and watertight housing between the hot water inlet (101) and the cold water inlet (102), which is connected to the side inlet of the valve cartridge (10'). Other types of alternative faucets can be used with the temperature control axial valve cartridge (10) of the present invention, as long as the other types of alternative faucets travel at least two types of water inlets to be mixed to the side wall of the temperature control axial valve cartridge, and mix in an independent and watertight housing formed between these internal channels formed by the faucet body and the inlet of the temperature control axial valve cartridge.
[0040] The temperature control axial valve core (10) of the preferred embodiment comprises: a body (12) consisting of two concentric cylindrical parts (13, 14); an outer first part (13) and an inner second part (14), the inner second part (14) being almost completely inserted into the inner cavity (20) of the first part (13). The first part allows the watertight passage of the shaft (11) and the watertight internal connection of the second part (14).
[0041] The first part (13) is fixed relative to the faucet body and the first part (13) is watertight relative to the faucet body, wherein each of the transverse openings (30, 40) on the side wall (21) is located in each of the independent and watertight housings of the water inlet (101, 102) of each hydraulic line formed between the faucet body (100) and the first part (13). These openings (30, 40) are configured so that two of the openings (30) are located radially offset in the housing for the hot water path, while the other two openings (40) are located radially offset in the housing for the cold water path, and these housings are independent and watertight relative to each other so that no undesired transfer between the two types of water occurs.
[0042] The second part (14) is arranged inside the first part (13), and the second part (14) has a relative rotational movement relative to the first part (13) and around the concentric axis of the two cylindrical parts (13, 14). The second part (14) is fixed to the drive shaft (11) of the adjustment movement of the hot and cold water mixing ratio adjustment knob, thereby maintaining the water tightness of the temperature control axial valve core assembly (10).
[0043] The second part (14) has openings (31, 41) for water inlet from the openings (30, 40) of the first part (13) to the mixing chamber (15) inside the second part (14), so that the mixed water can be discharged through the outlet (16) for the mixed water. In order to achieve the proportion of the mixed water according to the adjustment set by the user on the knob rotating the shaft (11) to transmit the movement to the second part (14), the two openings (31) of the second part are located in the same cross-sectional projection as the hot water opening (30) of the first part (13). Similarly, the other two openings (41) of the second part are located in the same radial cross-sectional projection as the cold water opening (40) of the first part (13).
[0044] The opening (31, 41) of the second part is surrounded by a sealing gasket (17) which contacts the inner surface of the first part (13), so that if the opening (31, 41) section of the second part does not coincide with the opening (30, 40) of the first part (13) during its rotational movement, water will not enter the mixing chamber (15) of the temperature control axial valve core (10).
[0045] In the present embodiment, all these openings (30, 40, 31, 41) in the first part (13) and the second part (14) are made into an elongated configuration (in this case, a rectangular configuration) in the direction of rotation, and all these openings (30, 40, 31, 41) in the first part (13) and the second part (14) have a peripheral opening in the form of an arc, which allows the gradualness of the overlap of the opening overlap sections between the openings of the parts (13, 14), and therefore the peripheral opening allows the different entry of each type of water to be mixed (cold water and hot water).
[0046] The radial arrangement of the openings (31, 41) of the second part (14) relative to the openings (30, 40) of the first part is such that: when one of the openings (31) of the second part (14) coincides with the opening (30) of the first part (13), at least one rotation point between the two parts (13, 14) corresponds to the same hot water inlet (101), and the other opening (41) of the second part (14) does not coincide with the opening (40) of the first part (13), so that no water enters from the opening (40) of the first part (14), so that when the second part (14) rotates relative to the first part (13), the overlapping area and therefore the area of water entering the mixing chamber (15) gradually decreases and increases according to the angle of rotation.
[0047] Thus, when the tap has an adjustment in which the user requests that all water be of the hot type or of the cold type, only the openings (30, 31 or 40, 41) associated with the requested water type (hot or cold) coincide with their openings in a position with the largest matching section, while the other openings (30, 31 or 40, 41) associated with other types of water not requested by the user remain sealed and no water passes through these openings. Thus, in the adjustment and rotation of the shaft (11), the second portion (14) is rotated, causing the coincidence of the above-mentioned openings (30, 31 or 40, 41) to change, increasing and decreasing according to the rotation, so as to produce the water mixing ratio desired by the user in a progressive manner, due to the elongated geometry of the openings (30, 31, 40, 41).
[0048] In alternative embodiments, using the same operating principle, the openings for each type of water may be 1 or more than 2. Similarly, the geometry of the openings may be varied, maintaining at least the elongated shape of the openings (31, 41) of the second portion (14).
[0049] The temperature control axial valve core (10) of these embodiments allows it to be connected to a traditional thermostatic faucet (100), allowing the temperature control axial valve core (10) of these embodiments to replace the thermostatic valve core and allow the faucet to be operated in a manual and progressive adjustment mode of mixed ratios, without requiring the user to replace the thermostatic valve core with another valve core having the same characteristics if the user does not wish to do so.
[0050] Although reference has been made to specific embodiments of the present invention, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the above-described valve core with axial temperature control and the faucet including the valve core with axial temperature control are susceptible to various changes and modifications, and that all the mentioned details may be replaced by other technically equivalent details without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.
Claims
1. A valve core with temperature control for a faucet, the valve core having an axial configuration in which at least two independent water inlets are watertight relative to the valve core (10) with temperature control and the at least two independent water inlets are located on a side wall (21) of the valve core, the at least two independent water inlets being configured to coincide with two water inlets of a faucet body (100) through a hydraulic water supply line, characterized in that The temperature-controlled valve core (10) with axial configuration comprises: A shaft (11), the shaft (11) is used to transmit the adjustment movement of the faucet control handle, and the faucet control handle adjusts the ratio of water mixing; The body (12) of the valve core comprises two concentric parts, one of the two concentric parts is at least partially inserted into the other of the two concentric parts, wherein: A first part (13) is located outside the faucet body (100) and the first part (13) is fixed relative to the faucet body (100), the first part (13) has an internal cavity (20), the first part (13) is configured to allow watertight passage of the shaft (11) and watertight internal connection of the second part (14), wherein the first part (13) has at least a first inlet opening (30) and a second inlet opening (40), the first inlet opening (30) and the second inlet opening (40) are used to pass each of the two water inlets of the faucet body (100), and at least one of the first inlet opening (30) and the second inlet opening (40) is used to pass each of the water pipe paths of the faucet body (100); A second part (14) is located inside and is fixed to the shaft (11) for transmission of the adjustment movement of the faucet control handle, The second part (14) performs a rotational movement relative to the first external part (13), the second part (14) being at least partially inserted into the first external part (13), wherein the second part (14) has an internal cavity as a mixing chamber (15), the internal cavity communicating with at least two water inlet openings, one of the at least two water inlet openings for each type of water inlet from the first part (13), one of the at least two water inlet openings being located in the same transverse projection as the water inlet opening from the first part (13), and the at least two openings being watertight relative to the rest of the cavity (20) formed between the first part (13) and the second part (14) of the temperature-controlled valve core (10) having an axial configuration, the second part (14) having an outlet (16) for the mixed water; wherein the valve cartridge (10) with temperature control is configured to be positioned inside the faucet body (100) so that each of the water inlet openings of the first portion (13) coincides with each of the independent and watertight housings formed between the faucet body (100) and the first portion (13) of the valve cartridge (10) with temperature control, each of the water inlet openings of the first portion (13) being used to pass from each of the hydraulic water supply lines through each of the two water inlets of the faucet body (100), wherein the valve cartridge (10) with temperature control is configured to have a geometry that is compatible with the coupling of the valve cartridge (10) in the faucet body (100) and the connection openings of the valve cartridge (10) with the housing for receiving water traveling through the faucet body (100); wherein the opening of the second part (14) is positioned such that when the opening of the second part (14) moves together with the second part (14), the opening of the second part (14) coincides with the opening of the first part (13) of the valve core (10), and the coincidence ratio of the openings is determined by the rotation of the shaft (11); and Wherein, at least the opening of the second part (14) is elongated in the rotation direction, and at least the opening of the second part (14) forms an opening arc that gradually overlaps with the opening of the first part (13) when the second part (14) rotates.
2. The valve core with temperature control for a faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first part (13) and the second part (14) are cylindrical and concentric, and the first part (13) and the second part (14) are configured to allow relative radial movement between the first part (13) and the second part (14) without losing water tightness relative to the inlet opening of the mixing chamber with the temperature-controlled valve core.
3. The valve core with temperature control for a faucet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The opening of the second part (14) for the water inlet of the mixing chamber (15) is sealed by means of a gasket (17) which follows the contour of the opening.
4. The valve core with temperature control for a faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening of the first portion (13) is elongated in the rotational direction, thereby forming an opening arc.
5. The valve core with temperature control for a faucet according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4, characterized in that: The first portion (13) and the second portion (14) each have two openings for each of the inlets corresponding to each hydraulic inlet line.
6. The valve core with temperature control for a faucet according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4, characterized in that: The opening of the first part and the opening of the second part (14) are configured such that: when one opening (31) of the openings of the second part (14) coincides with the first inlet opening (30) of the first part (13), at least one rotation point between the two parts corresponds to the watertightness of the water inlet (101) relative to the other water inlet (102), and the other opening (41) of the second part (14) does not coincide with the second inlet opening (40) of the first part (13), so that no water enters from the second inlet opening (40) of the first part (13), so that when the second part (14) rotates relative to the first part (13), the overlapping area and thus the area of water entering the mixing chamber (15) gradually decreases and increases according to the angle of rotation.
7. A faucet comprising a water inlet from a hydraulic line, the water inlet of the hydraulic line traveling through the faucet body (100) to a water inlet of a valve core (10) having temperature control, wherein: The inlet connection with the temperature-controlled valve core is achieved by creating a drainage housing in a corresponding watertight space between the faucet body (100) and the axial valve core (10) with temperature control, characterized in that the faucet includes a temperature-controlled valve core (10) for the faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and the valve core has an axial structure.