Dispenser block for electronic valve and fluid supply assembly comprising such dispenser block

Abstract

Dispenser blocks and fluid supply assemblies for electronic valves that control fluid supply outlets are described. A dispenser block is mounted in a housing or housing, including one or more fluid inlets and two or more outlets, where each outlet has an associated valve that is electronically regulated by connection with a treatment device. The dispenser block includes two or more sub-blocks, where each sub-block includes: a body having a single seat for receiving a single electronic regulating valve; a single outlet line regulated by the valve towards a fluid supply outlet point; a first portion and a second portion connecting the body with at least one adjacent sub-block and connecting the body with another adjacent sub-block or the fluid inlet or the blind plug. The housing or housing includes openings for passage of one or more fluid inlets and for passage of two or more outlets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a distributor block for controlling a fluid supply outlet according to user preferences or a preset configuration of the device. A set of valves is configured below the housing to assemble a fluid supply device, wherein at least one fluid inlet and two or more fluid outlets of the distributor block are controlled by electronic valves.

[0002] The present invention also aims to provide a shower-type fluid supply assembly, which includes a mixing and control system and a fluid distributor block using an electronic valve. Background Technology

[0003] In the prior art, it is well known that housings have fluid distribution blocks located between various outlets, which are managed by means of electronic valves.

[0004] Traditionally, these blocks are installed in housings whose size is determined and configured to include two, three, four, or predefined outlets for the device, as defined in their design. These blocks include fluid inlet pipes for valves configured to connect to fluid inlets on the block itself, and the blocks include mounting seats for each valve and outlets to the associated supply lines.

[0005] These blocks are defined as single pieces, which allow for the installation of as many valves and outlets as possible specified for the block. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture each model and keep references in stock, with each model having a specific number of outlets and valve seats for the design. This diversity of models means that the complexity of manufacturing stock and references is greater than that of references and unique sizes.

[0006] Making the number of reference seats and outlets larger than necessary, although this would allow installation by closing unused seats and outlets, would mean additional costs for both used and unused dispenser blocks, thus requiring fewer outlets than the block capacity.

[0007] This necessitates a distribution block that reduces the product references used and allows for equal adaptation to various installation requirements and the expected export quantities. Utility Model Content

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a fluid distributor block, wherein the fluid is preferably water in the form of a mixture of cold and hot water, the fluid distributor block having an electronic valve for controlling the supply fluid outlet of the block, and the purpose of this invention is to provide a fluid supply assembly including the distributor block, the fluid supply assembly attempting to configure a new and advantageous product, thereby presenting the advantages of the prior art and overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art, as will be described below.

[0009] According to the purpose of this utility model, and according to a first embodiment, this utility model provides a distributor block for controlling a fluid supply outlet of an electronic valve, the distributor block being installed in a housing or enclosure, the distributor block including one or more fluid inlets and two or more outlets of the electronic valve distributor block, wherein each outlet has a valve that is electronically regulated by connection to a processing device associated with the valve.

[0010] Advantageously, this invention is based on the fact that an electronic valve distributor block comprises two or more sub-blocks, each sub-block comprising: a body having a single seat for receiving a single electronic regulating valve; a single outlet line regulated by the valve toward a fluid supply outlet point; a first portion and a second portion connecting the body to at least one first adjacent sub-block and to another subsequent adjacent sub-block or to a fluid inlet or blind plug. The connection portion that conducts fluid from the fluid inlet of an adjacent sub-block or assembly to the body of the sub-block must be understood as a connection portion and conduit portion that conducts fluid from said body to the next sub-block or toward a blind plug or closure terminating the group of sub-blocks.

[0011] Furthermore, the housing or casing includes openings for one or more fluid inlets to pass through, and for two or more outlets to pass through.

[0012] In this way, by utilizing this advantageous configuration, dispenser blocks based on modular sub-components are obtained, which allow for tailoring and flexible configuration of the final assembly of the dispenser blocks without having to resort to specific references to the number of fluid outlets and / or the specific manner in which the fluid inlets are dispensed by the blocks, whether at one end, at the other end, or at both ends simultaneously.

[0013] In this way, each sub-block has the same connectivity as the global block, but its configuration is reduced to only needing to be an available outlet, and each sub-block has a configuration that allows fluid to enter from both sides of its structure.

[0014] By way of explanation, an electronic valve must be understood as any type of electric valve, whether it is a proportional valve, a normally closed valve, a latching "on / off" valve, or any other valve that can be controlled by an electronic system that sends electrical signals to the valve for operation / regulation.

[0015] Similarly, by way of explanation, this should be understood as the connection between the electronic valve and the processor device, and the wired or wireless communication between the processing device and the electronic regulating valve itself. The processing device conveys the necessary openings to the valve, taking into account values ​​preset by a programmed water supply mode or instructions given by the system user, and considering values ​​of fluid parameters (primarily temperature and flow rate) that can be measured within the block itself and / or before / after the block. By way of example, this configuration can be performed through user interaction on an electronic keypad that electronically controls the valve, or this configuration can be performed through the electronic processing device, which includes operating algorithms, activation algorithms, and / or regulation algorithms for electronically controlling the indicated electronic valve.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fluid inlet of a distributor block formed by a set of connected sub-blocks is not obviously realized by a first part or a second connecting part of the body of at least one of the sub-blocks located at one end of the distributor block, and the distributor block is provided with a fluid inlet at either end or both ends of the distributor block.

[0017] This allows for greater versatility in the configuration of the final distributor block with the fewest possible number of main parts / references, thus allowing entry from either end of a set of sub-blocks forming the distributor block, or from both ends simultaneously, without being obvious.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connection between the first or second part of the body of a sub-block and the first or second part of the body of an adjacent sub-block is achieved using connecting fittings and washers located between these connecting portions of each sub-block.

[0019] Optionally, but preferably, each of the sub-blocks includes means for fixing to adjacent sub-blocks, and these means are configured to receive a fixing element and the fixing element secures the joint between the two adjacent sub-blocks.

[0020] More specifically, and according to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the fixing device includes an open channel located in the structure of each sub-block, the open channel being alignable with an adjacent sub-block, and the open channel being configured to introduce a fixing element and the fixing element securing the joint between two adjacent sub-blocks.

[0021] Other systems for securing two adjacent sub-blocks are possible, considering that they can be elements of each sub-block, such as connecting elements with complementary shapes, clips, or auxiliary retaining elements between sub-blocks, such as prior anchors between openings in each sub-block.

[0022] Preferably, each of the electronic control valves is connected to a processor device located on or outside the distributor block. This allows the regulation of the electronic valves to be performed automatically according to pre-established operating and control parameters and / or by means of instructions determined by the user from a conventional control panel.

[0023] According to another optional and supplementary embodiment of the foregoing embodiments, the distributor block includes at least one of a measurement system for measuring the physical properties of the fluid passing through the distributor block:

[0024] - Temperature probe,

[0025] - Flow meter.

[0026] This can be achieved optionally through one or more predefined housings in each of the sub-blocks, which allow the sensor to be coupled and in contact with the fluid, thereby allowing the fluid to be measured under the conditions required by the corresponding sensor technology.

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as in any of the foregoing embodiments, the housing or enclosure without openings for mounting schemes includes a cover or closure element. In this way, a housing with multiple openings can be used to install different modular configurations of the dispenser blocks, and because it has the lowest cost relative to the components, there is no problem of the housing or enclosure being too large, thus allowing for multiple configurations to be used with a single reference.

[0028] As in any of the above embodiments, at least one electronic control valve in the electronic control valve is any of the following types:

[0029] - Proportional valve;

[0030] - Latch-on / off valve; and / or

[0031] - Normally closed valve.

[0032] According to the purpose of this utility model, and according to a second embodiment, this utility model provides a fluid supply assembly including a premixing device connected to a distributor block of mixed fluid for supplying to a user from two or more outlets in the distributor block.

[0033] The fluid supply assembly is advantageously configured such that it includes a dispenser block configured according to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention. Furthermore, the supply assembly includes a user interaction device configured to control and / or regulate at least the active fluid outlet of the dispenser block.

[0034] Preferably, the user interaction device is an electronic interface that electronically controls the electronic valves of the distributor block. In addition to controlling the outlet of the fluid distributor block, this interaction device can also control the mixing parameters of the mixing medium.

[0035] Preferably, but not limited to, the mixing unit is configured in the shower unit. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To better understand this specification, a set of drawings has been provided, which illustrate the actual implementation in a schematic manner and by way of non-limiting example only.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the distributor block covered by the housing.

[0038] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the distributor block and its housing.

[0039] Figure 3 These are perspective views of two independent configurations of distributor blocks, one with two outlets and the other with three outlets.

[0040] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of a sub-block similar to the sub-block in the preferred embodiment.

[0041] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a shower-type fluid supply assembly that includes the aforementioned fluid distributor block. Detailed Implementation

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, such as Figures 1 to 4 As can be seen, the dispenser block 10 is installed inside the housing 100 with a cover, which protects and securely houses the dispenser block.

[0043] The distributor block 10 is of the type that includes a fluid (in this example, water) inlet 101, and the distributor block 10 is configured to distribute water through two or more different fluid outlets 102 (four fluid outlets in this embodiment). The distribution of each of these fluid outlets 102 is regulated and selected by acting on one of the associated electronic regulating valves 11 with each of the fluid outlets 102 of the distributor block 10.

[0044] Advantageously, this distributor block 10 comprises four sub-blocks 12, one for each fluid outlet 102, and the assembly is designed for these outlets. Each sub-block 12 includes a fluid distribution body 13 having a single seat 14 for receiving a single valve 11 associated with a fluid outlet 102. This connection between the valve 11 and the seat 14 of each sub-block 12 is performed like a bayonet assembly, but any other efficient and safe conventional installation system can also be used.

[0045] Each body 13 of each sub-block 12 includes a first connecting portion 15 and a second connecting portion 16. Each sub-block 12 is configured to conduct fluid to the body where the valve 11 is located (conducted to the first connecting portion 15) and to conduct fluid to the next sub-block 12 connected to the second connecting portion 16 adjacent to that sub-block 12.

[0046] At one end of the assembly consisting of four sub-blocks 12, there is a fluid inlet 101 through the first connecting portion 15, and at the opposite end, the second connecting portion 16 of the last sub-block 12 is closed by means of a blind plug 17 or a similar sealing element.

[0047] Alternatively, fluid inlet 101 can be accessed in the opposite manner, through the left sub-block instead of the right sub-block, or even through both ends if necessary.

[0048] In this manner, each sub-block 12 will be connected to at least one other adjacent sub-block. In this embodiment, taking the first sub-block as an example, the fluid inlet 101 is formed by the first sub-block, thus the first sub-block will have a first connecting portion 15 connected to the fluid inlet 101 and a second connecting portion 16 connected to the second sub-block. Sequentially, the second and third sub-blocks will have a first portion connected to the corresponding portion of the preceding block (depending on the water flow direction, having a corresponding portion connected to the preceding block upstream) and a second portion connected to the corresponding portion of the next sub-block. Finally, the first portion of the fourth sub-block is connected to the corresponding portion of the preceding block, and the second portion is connected to a blind plug 17, etc., which defines the end of the block and its seal.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment, fluid can enter in opposite directions by utilizing the configuration of each of the sub-blocks 12 that allows the first connecting portion 15 and the second connecting portion 16 to be used interchangeably. Furthermore, if desired, a fluid inlet can be installed to the distributor block assembly 10 for each of the two end sub-blocks 12.

[0050] The group of sub-blocks 12 is assembled by connecting the sub-blocks using corresponding connecting fittings and washers 19. In addition to this connection of pipes, the first connecting portion 15, and the second connecting portion 16, each sub-block 12 includes means for securing to adjacent sub-blocks 12, and these means are configured to receive a fixing element 20 that secures the joint between the two adjacent sub-blocks 12. In this preferred embodiment, these fixing means are formed by an open channel 19 in the structure of each sub-block 12, which is alignable with adjacent sub-blocks 12 and configured to introduce the fixing element 20 that secures the joint between the two adjacent sub-blocks 12. In an alternative embodiment, these fixing means can be different means compatible with the joint between the sub-blocks, allowing for the securing of the mounting position of the components constituting the dispenser block 10.

[0051] Preferably, although optional in alternative embodiments, each of the sub-blocks has a housing for mounting a temperature sensor and / or a flow sensor, although other sensing devices related to the behavior and characteristics of the fluid may alternatively be incorporated into the housing envisioned in sub-block 12.

[0052] The housing 100 includes: an opening 103 for each of the fluid inlets 101, which may be arranged such that one opening is arranged on each side of the housing itself, and may be arranged for possible wired communication connection with an electronic valve to regulate it and understand its status; and an opening 103 for a maximum number of fluid outlets 102, which corresponds to a maximum number of sub-blocks arranged in the assembly forming the distributor block 10.

[0053] like Figure 3 As can be seen, in configurations where the dispenser block 10 has fewer outlets than the housing 100, the unused openings 103 preferably have caps or closures in this embodiment to prevent material from entering through them or causing unnecessary tampering.

[0054] Regarding the adjustment of each valve in valve 11, these valves will be individually connected via wired connector 104 to a common external connection 105 of the housing or enclosure 100 to facilitate connection of these valves to a processing device that sends adjustment commands to these valves, and to the collection of data on their status and parameters associated with fluid flow through the distributor block's passages, thereby connecting to installed sensing devices in a similar manner. Alternatively, this connection can be implemented via a wireless module for each valve in the valve assembly or a common module for the entire distributor block, and even the processing device can be located inside the housing without having to receive more than predetermined and / or user-selected setting parameters.

[0055] The housing or enclosure 100 includes means for securing and / or supporting the dispenser block 10 to the housing or enclosure 100. The integration of the dispenser block 10 with the housing or enclosure 100 is configured to allow replacement of the electronic valve 11 without removing the dispenser block 10 from the housing or enclosure 100. This is achieved by a configuration of the securing means and / or supports that maintain rear space with the housing or enclosure 100.

[0056] like Figure 5 As can be seen, the dispenser block 10 is configured to be integrated into the fluid supply assembly 200, which in this embodiment corresponds to the shower, but other user fluid supply assemblies with multiple possible fluid supply outlets 205 for user selection may also be used.

[0057] The fluid supply assembly 200 includes at least:

[0058] - A premixing device 202 located upstream, which provides thermal conditioning at least for the inlet of the distributor block 10; and

[0059] - A device 201 for user interaction, wherein the user specifies an outlet 205 that he / she wants to activate to supply fluid, shower water.

[0060] In this embodiment, the interactive device 201 is an electronic interface, such as a touchscreen with information display and adjustment control, or alternatively, any conventional control system that can integrate status display and / or options. After user preferences and / or user actions are input, the interactive device 201 electrically actuates the electronic valve 11 of each sub-block 12 of the dispenser block 10 to at least open or close the electronic valve 11 corresponding to the fluid outlet 102 of the dispenser block 10, which corresponds to the supply outlet 205 selected by the user.

[0061] As an alternative and in addition to the foregoing embodiments, the user can define parameters for adjusting the mixing performed in the mixing device 202 from the interactive device 201, which preferably corresponds to an electronic housing for mixing cold and hot water. Alternatively, a mechanical mixing device or a device different from an automatic electronically controlled device is possible without altering the essence of the invention.

[0062] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been referenced, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described dispenser blocks and the supply components to which they are integrated are susceptible to various changes and modifications, and that all the details mentioned may be replaced by other technically equivalent details without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispenser block of an electronic valve for controlling fluid supply outlets, the dispenser block being mounted in a housing or casing (100), the dispenser block comprising one or more fluid inlets (101) and two or more fluid outlets (102) of the dispenser block (10), wherein, Each fluid outlet (102) has an associated valve (11) regulated electronically by connection with a processing device, characterized in that the distributor block (10) comprises two or more sub-blocks (12), wherein each sub-block (12) comprises: a body (13) with a single seat (14) for receiving a single electronically regulated valve (11); a single fluid outlet (102) regulated by the valve (11) and directed towards a fluid supply outlet point; a first connection portion (15) and a second connection portion (16) connecting the body (13) with at least one adjacent sub-block (12), and the first connection portion (15) and second connection portion (16) connecting the body (13) with another adjacent sub-block (12) or the fluid inlet (101) or a blind plug (17); and wherein the housing or casing (100) comprises an opening (103) for the passage of the one or more fluid inlets (101) and the opening (103) for the passage of the two or more fluid outlets (102).

2. The dispenser block of an electronic valve for controlling a fluid supply outlet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid inlet (101) is implemented in an unobtrusive manner by the first connection portion (15) or the second connection portion (16) of the body (13) of at least one of the sub-blocks (12) located at one of the ends of the distributor block, the distributor block (10) being configured with the fluid inlet (101) at either or both of the ends of the distributor block.

3. A dispenser block of an electronic valve for controlling a fluid supply outlet according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The connection between the first connection portion (15) or the second connection portion (16) of the body (13) of a sub-block (12) and the first connection portion (15) or the second connection portion (16) of the body (13) of an adjacent sub-block (12) is implemented using a connection fitting and a gasket located between these connection portions of each sub-block (12).

4. A dispenser block of an electronic valve for controlling a fluid supply outlet according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Each of the sub-blocks (12) comprises a fixing device with an adjacent sub-block (12) and the fixing device is configured to receive a fixing element (20) and the fixing element (20) fixes the joint between two adjacent sub-blocks (12).

5. The dispenser block of an electronic valve for controlling a fluid supply outlet according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fixing device comprises an open channel (19) in the structure of each sub-block (12) that can be aligned with an adjacent sub-block (12) and is configured to introduce a fixing element (20) and the fixing element (20) fixes the joint between two adjacent sub-blocks (12).

6. A dispenser block of an electronic valve for controlling a fluid supply outlet according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Each of the electronically regulated valves (11) has a connection with a processor device located in the distributor block (10) itself or outside the distributor block (10).

7. A dispenser block of an electronic valve for controlling a fluid supply outlet according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The distributor block (10) comprises at least one of the following measurement systems that measure physical properties of the fluid passing through the distributor block (10): - a temperature probe, - a flow meter.

8. A dispenser block of an electronic valve for controlling a fluid supply outlet according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The housing or casing (100) without openings (103) for mounting solutions comprises a cover or closing element.

9. A dispenser block of an electronic valve for controlling a fluid supply outlet according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one of the electronic valves (11) is of any of the following types: - a proportional valve; - a latching on / off valve; and / or - a normally closed valve.

10. A fluid supply assembly comprising a premixing device connected to a dispenser block for supplying mixed fluid from two or more outlets in the dispenser block to a user, characterised in that, The fluid supply assembly (200) comprises a dispenser block (10) configured according to any of claims 1 to 9; wherein the fluid supply assembly (200) further comprises a device (201) for interaction with a user, wherein the interaction device (201) is configured for controlling and / or regulating at least an active fluid outlet of the dispenser block (10) towards a fluid supply outlet (205) of the user.

11. The fluid supply assembly of claim 10, wherein, The user interaction device (201) is an electronic interface electronically controlling the electronic valves of the dispenser block (10).

12. The fluid supply assembly of claim 11, wherein, The user interaction device (201) comprises an electronic interface electronically controlling the electronic valves of the dispenser block (10) and further controlling mixing parameters of a mixing device (202).

13. The fluid supply assembly of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The fluid supply assembly (200) is a shower assembly.

Images