A valve core assembly, a shower controller, and a shower system

Abstract

A valve core assembly and shower controller include a shaft with a cavity and a flow hole connecting the water inlet passage and the cavity. A buffer assembly is provided within the cavity, comprising a seal and an elastic element. The seal is movably and sealingly connected to the cavity wall. The water inlet passage is opened and closed by moving the shaft. Simultaneously, in the event of water hammer, water flows through the flow hole into the cavity, applying pressure to the seal. The elastic element absorbs the force exerted on the seal by the water hammer effect. This valve core assembly combines a water hammer prevention assembly and a switching valve assembly, avoiding the need for simultaneous installation of both on the water system. It prevents water hammer while simultaneously enabling water flow opening and closing, thus reducing the required installation space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of switching valve technology, and in particular to a valve core assembly, a shower controller, and a shower system. Background Technology

[0002] Water hammer is a phenomenon in which the flow velocity of fluid in a pipe changes abruptly due to sudden opening or closing of valves, sudden stopping of water pumps, or other reasons, resulting in a sharp rise or fall in pressure. This can lead to pipe rupture, damage or deformation of connectors, damage to water pumps and valves, affect the stability of water supply, increase energy consumption, and even cause safety accidents.

[0003] Currently, water hammer protection components are typically added to water circuits to absorb the force of water hammer. However, these components do not have the function of opening and closing the water circuit. Therefore, both a valve assembly and a water hammer protection component need to be installed on the water circuit to separately control water hammer and open / close the water circuit. If maintenance or replacement of parts is required, the water circuit must be closed through the valve assembly, which is cumbersome. Furthermore, installing both valve assemblies and water hammer protection components on the water circuit increases the space requirements for installation. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model provides a valve core assembly, a shower controller, and a shower system that combines a water hammer prevention assembly and a switch valve assembly, enabling it to have both water hammer prevention and water circuit opening and closing functions, thereby reducing the space required for installation.

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

[0006] A valve core assembly is installed on a valve body. The valve body has a water inlet passage and includes a shaft. The water inlet passage is opened and closed by driving the shaft. The shaft has a cavity and a flow hole connecting the water inlet passage and the cavity. A buffer assembly is provided in the cavity. The buffer assembly includes a seal and an elastic element. The seal is movably and sealingly connected to the cavity. The first end of the elastic element acts on the seal, and the second end acts on the end of the cavity away from the flow hole. The elastic element is used to absorb the force generated by the water hammer effect.

[0007] Furthermore, the outer wall of the seal is provided with a lip, which is pressed against the inner wall of the cavity under water pressure, so that the seal can be movably sealed and adapted to the inner wall of the cavity.

[0008] Furthermore, one end of the shaft is connected to a pressure head assembly, which is provided with a flow passage. The shaft drives the pressure head assembly to seal or detach from the valve body, thereby closing or opening the water inlet circuit.

[0009] Furthermore, the pressure head assembly includes a pressure head body and a rubber pad sleeved on the outside of the pressure head body, and the pressure head body is provided with a flow hole.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a fixed pipe, which is used to connect to the valve body. The outer wall of the shaft is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the fixed pipe, so that the shaft can be driven to close and open the water inlet passage by rotating the shaft. The outer wall of the shaft is also movably sealed to the inner wall of the fixed pipe.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic element is disposed within the cavity along the direction of movement of the pressure head assembly, and the pressure head assembly is disposed at intervals from the sealing element along the direction of the elastic force of the elastic element.

[0012] Furthermore, a limiting post is provided at the end of the cavity away from the flow hole, and the second end of the elastic element is sleeved on the limiting post.

[0013] Furthermore, the shaft body is provided with a locking groove for engaging a tool to rotate the shaft body.

[0014] A shower controller includes a valve body with a hot water passage and a cold water passage. The hot water passage and the cold water passage are respectively provided with valve core assemblies as described above to open and close the hot water passage and the cold water passage.

[0015] Furthermore, the valve body is equipped with a temperature control valve assembly. The inlet of the temperature control valve assembly is connected to the hot water channel and the cold water channel respectively. The outlet of the temperature control valve assembly is connected to at least the first mixing water channel and the second mixing water channel. The first mixing water channel and the second mixing water channel are respectively equipped with control valves for opening and closing the corresponding mixing water channels.

[0016] A shower system includes a shower controller as described above, and at least a handheld shower head and an overhead shower head, one of which is connected to a first mixing water path and the other is connected to a second mixing water path.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0018] 1. This utility model proposes a valve core assembly, including a shaft, a cavity, and a flow hole connecting the water inlet passage and the cavity. A buffer assembly is provided within the cavity, comprising a seal and an elastic element. The seal is movably and sealingly connected to the cavity wall. The water inlet passage is opened and closed by moving the shaft. Simultaneously, when water hammer occurs, water flows through the flow hole into the cavity, applying water pressure to the seal. The elastic element absorbs the force exerted by the water hammer effect on the seal. This valve core assembly combines a water hammer prevention assembly and a switching valve assembly, avoiding the need for both on the water system. It prevents water hammer while also opening and closing the water passage. During maintenance or component replacement, the water passage can be quickly and conveniently closed using this valve core assembly, while also reducing installation space requirements.

[0019] 2. The valve core assembly proposed in this utility model has a lip on the outer wall of the seal. The lip is pressed against the inner wall of the cavity under water pressure, so that the seal can be adapted to the inner wall of the cavity. Compared with the traditional O-ring seal, the lip seal has a smaller sliding force, which reduces sliding resistance and noise.

[0020] 3. The present invention proposes a valve core assembly in which an elastic element is disposed in the cavity along the direction of movement of the pressure head assembly, and the pressure head assembly is disposed at intervals with the sealing element along the direction of the elastic force of the elastic element. By adjusting the size of the interval between the pressure head assembly and the sealing element, the length of the elastic element can be designed to buffer different water pressures.

[0021] 4. The valve core assembly proposed in this utility model has a limiting post at the end of the cavity away from the flow hole to limit the movement stroke of the seal, so as to avoid excessive movement of the seal under water pressure, thereby causing excessive compression of the elastic element and shortening the life of the elastic element.

[0022] 5. The valve core assembly proposed in this utility model has a snap-fit ​​groove on the shaft, which makes it easy for the user to snap-fit ​​tools to rotate the shaft, thereby closing and opening the water inlet circuit.

[0023] 6. The present invention proposes a shower controller, including a valve body, wherein the valve body is provided with a hot water channel and a cold water channel, and the hot water channel and the cold water channel are respectively provided with valve core assemblies as described above. The valve core assemblies absorb the force generated by the water hammer effect, thereby preventing the thermostatic valve group, the check valve and the control valve from being impacted by water hammer and reducing the system pressure. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a valve core assembly according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a valve core assembly according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a valve core assembly according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a shower controller according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5This is an exploded view of a shower controller according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the water circuit of a shower controller according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation position of the valve core assembly in a shower controller according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the valve core assembly of a shower controller according to the present invention, showing how to close the water circuit.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a shower controller according to the present invention, showing the effect of no water hammer.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the water hammer effect of a shower controller according to the present invention;

[0035] In the diagram, 10 is the valve core assembly; 101 is the shaft; 1011 is the cavity; 10111 is the mounting cavity; 10112 is the water inlet cavity; 1012 is the snap-fit ​​groove; 1013 is the limiting post; 20 is the buffer assembly; 201 is the seal; 2011 is the lip; 202 is the elastic element; 30 is the pressure head assembly; 301 is the pressure head body; 3011 is the flow hole; 302 is the rubber gasket; 3021 is the arc surface; 40 is the fixing pipe; 401 is the flange; 50 is the valve body; 501 is the end face; 601 is the hot water passage; 602 is the cold water passage; 70 is the temperature control valve assembly; 801 is the first mixing water passage; 802 is the second mixing water passage; 803 is the third mixing water passage; 90 is the control valve; and 100 is the check valve. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The following is combined with Figures 1-10 This utility model will be described in detail.

[0037] A valve core assembly 10 is installed on a valve body 50. The valve body 50 has a water inlet passage and includes a shaft 101. The water inlet passage is opened and closed by driving the shaft 101. The shaft 101 has a cavity 1011 and a flow hole 3011 connecting the water inlet passage and the cavity 1011. A buffer assembly 20 is provided inside the cavity 1011. The buffer assembly 20 includes a seal 201 and an elastic element 202. The seal 201 is movably and sealingly connected to the cavity 1011. The first end of the elastic element 202 acts on the seal 201, and its second end acts on the end of the cavity 1011 away from the flow hole 3011. When water hammer occurs, the water pressure acts on the seal 201. The elastic element 202 absorbs the force of the water hammer effect on the seal 201, thereby reducing the force on components such as pipes, connectors, and water pumps, thus reducing the possibility of damage to these components, maintaining stable water supply, and reducing energy consumption.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the seal 201 divides the cavity 1011 into an installation cavity 10111 and a water inlet cavity 10112. The outer wall of the seal 201 has a lip 2011, which is pressed against the inner wall of the cavity 1011 under water pressure, allowing the seal 201 to movably seal and fit against the inner wall of the cavity 1011. An elastic element 202 is located within the installation cavity 10111, with its first end acting on the seal 201 and its second end acting on the end of the cavity 1011 furthest from the flow hole 3011. The elastic element 202 absorbs the force generated by the water hammer effect. Compared to the O-ring seal used in traditional technology, the lip 2011 seal has a smaller sliding force, reducing sliding resistance and noise.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, one end of the shaft 101 is connected to a pressure head assembly 30. The pressure head assembly 30 is provided with a flow hole 3011. The shaft 101 drives the pressure head assembly 30 to seal or disengage from the valve body 50 to close or open the water inlet passage. Specifically, the pressure head assembly 30 includes a pressure head body 301 and a rubber gasket 302 sleeved on the outside of the pressure head body 301. The pressure head body 301 is provided with a flow hole 3011. The pressure head body 301 is connected to the shaft 101 by means of threads or snap-fit. The rubber gasket 302 seals against one side of the valve body 50 and has an outwardly convex arc surface 3021, which reduces the contact area with the valve body 50, so that under the same force, the rubber gasket 302 and the valve body 50 have a better sealing effect.

[0040] Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the valve core assembly 10 also includes a fixing tube 40, which is connected to the valve body 50. The outer wall of the shaft 101 is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the fixing tube 40, so that the shaft 101 can be rotated to close and open the water inlet passage. The outer wall of the shaft 101 is also movably sealed to the inner wall of the fixing tube 40 to prevent water from flowing out from the gap between the shaft 101 and the fixing tube 40, thus affecting the user experience. Furthermore, the fixing tube 40 is provided with a flange 401 extending radially outward on its outer side. The flange 401 is used to abut against the end face 501 of the valve body 50, limiting the length of the fixing tube 40 inserted into the valve body 50 and facilitating positioning and installation.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the elastic element 202 is disposed in the cavity 1011 along the direction of movement of the pressure head assembly 30. The pressure head assembly 30 is disposed at intervals with the sealing element 201 along the direction of the elastic force of the elastic element 202. The length of the elastic element 202, which can buffer different water pressures, can be adapted by adjusting the size of the gap between the pressure head assembly 30 and the sealing element 201.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, a limiting post 1013 is provided at the end of the cavity 1011 away from the flow hole 3011. The second end of the elastic element 202 is sleeved on the limiting post 1013. The limiting post 1013 restricts the movement stroke of the sealing element 201, preventing the sealing element 201 from moving excessively under water pressure, thereby causing excessive compression of the elastic element 202 and shortening its lifespan. At the same time, the limiting post 1013 guides and limits the elastic element 202, preventing it from bending during compression.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown, the shaft 101 is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove 1012, which allows the user to snap a tool into the snap-fit ​​groove 1012 to rotate the shaft 101, thereby closing and opening the water inlet. The tool can be a flat tool.

[0044] This embodiment also proposes a shower controller, including a valve body 50. The valve body 50 has a hot water channel 601 and a cold water channel 602. The hot water channel 601 and the cold water channel 602 are respectively provided with valve core assemblies 10 as described above, to open and close the hot water channel 601 and the cold water channel 602. Figure 7As shown. The valve body 50 is also provided with a temperature control valve assembly 70. Hot water channel 601 and cold water channel 602 are respectively connected to the hot water chamber and cold water chamber of the temperature control valve assembly 70. The hot water channel 601 and cold water channel 602 are each provided with a one-way valve 100, and the one-way valve 100 is located between the temperature control valve assembly 70 and the corresponding valve core assembly 10. The outlet end of the temperature control valve assembly 70 is respectively connected to the first mixing water channel 801 and the second mixing water channel 802, and the first mixing water channel 801 and the second mixing water channel 802 are respectively provided with control valves 90 for opening and closing the corresponding mixing water channels. Furthermore, the outlet end of the temperature control valve assembly 70 is also connected to the third mixing water channel 803, and the third mixing water channel 803 is provided with a control valve 90 for opening and closing the third mixing water channel 803. In use, the valve core assembly 10 is used to absorb the force generated by the water hammer effect, so as to prevent the temperature control valve group 70, the check valve 100 and the control valve 90 from being impacted by water hammer and reduce the system pressure.

[0045] The shower controller proposed in this embodiment, when the water circuit is closed, such as Figure 8 As shown. At this time, the rubber gasket 302 abuts against the valve body 50, and the seal 201 is not subjected to the elastic force of the elastic element 202 and the water pressure. The seal 201 relies on the friction between itself and the shaft 101 to maintain its position as shown. Figure 8 The position is shown. The elastic element 202 has a relatively large spring coefficient, allowing for the use of a shorter elastic element 202. Although its compression stroke is shorter, its larger spring coefficient results in a larger compressive force. Therefore, when the water passage is closed, the elastic element 202 only occupies the upper half of the mounting cavity 10111. In other embodiments, an elastic element 202 with a smaller spring coefficient can also be used. Under the same water pressure, the compression amount of the elastic element 202 with a smaller spring coefficient is greater than that of the elastic element 202 with a larger spring coefficient. Therefore, if an elastic element 202 with a smaller spring coefficient is used, its compression stroke needs to be longer. In this state, the seal 201 is located in the lower part of the mounting cavity 10111 under the action of the elastic element 202, and the elastic element 202 occupies the entire mounting cavity 10111.

[0046] When the water circuit is opened, the rubber gasket 302 detaches from the valve body 50. Before the water hammer effect occurs, as... Figure 2 and Figure 9 As shown, water flows slowly through the flow hole 3011 into the buffer chamber. The water pressure is less than the elastic force of the elastic element 202, and the elastic element 202 is not compressed. When water hammer occurs, as... Figure 10As shown, the water pressure increases instantaneously, and the water pressure impacts the seal 201, causing the seal 201 to move upward. The pressure inside the mounting cavity 10111 is greater than the water pressure, and some of the air inside the mounting cavity 10111 is discharged into the water path. At the same time, the lip 2011 opens under the action of water pressure, thereby sealing and connecting to the cavity 1011, preventing water from flowing into the mounting cavity 10111 from the buffer cavity, and achieving one-way sealing of the seal 201.

[0047] This embodiment also proposes a shower system, including a shower controller as described above, and further including a handheld shower head and an overhead shower head, one of which is connected to a first mixing water path 801, and the other is connected to a second mixing water path 802. The shower system also includes a lower water outlet, which is connected to a third mixing water path 803.

[0048] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of this utility model should be covered within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A valve core assembly, installed on a valve body, the valve body having a water inlet passage, characterized in that, The device includes a shaft, which is driven to open and close the water inlet passage. The shaft has a cavity and a flow hole connecting the water inlet passage and the cavity. A buffer assembly is provided in the cavity. The buffer assembly includes a seal and an elastic element. The seal is movably and sealingly connected to the cavity. The first end of the elastic element acts on the seal, and its second end acts on the end of the cavity away from the flow hole. The elastic element is used to absorb the force generated by the water hammer effect.

2. The valve core assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the seal is provided with a lip, which is pressed against the inner wall of the cavity under water pressure, so that the seal can be movably sealed and adapted to the inner wall of the cavity.

3. A valve core assembly as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, One end of the shaft is connected to a pressure head assembly, which is provided with the flow hole. The shaft drives the pressure head assembly to seal or disengage from the valve body, thereby closing or opening the water inlet path.

4. A valve core assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The pressure head assembly includes a pressure head body and a rubber pad sleeved on the outside of the pressure head body, and the pressure head body is provided with the flow hole.

5. A valve core assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a fixed pipe for connecting to the valve body. The outer wall of the shaft is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the fixed pipe so that the shaft can be rotated to drive the shaft to close and open the water inlet passage. The outer wall of the shaft is also movably sealed to the inner wall of the fixed pipe.

6. A valve core assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The elastic element is disposed in the cavity along the direction of movement of the pressure head assembly, and the pressure head assembly is spaced apart from the sealing element along the direction of the elastic force of the elastic element.

7. A valve core assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, A limiting post is provided at one end of the cavity away from the flow hole, and the second end of the elastic element is sleeved on the limiting post.

8. A valve core assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The shaft is provided with a locking groove for engaging a tool to rotate the shaft.

9. A shower controller, comprising a valve body, the valve body having a hot water passage and a cold water passage, characterized in that, The hot water channel and the cold water channel are respectively provided with valve core assemblies as described in any one of claims 1-8 to open and close the hot water channel and the cold water channel.

10. A shower controller as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The valve body is equipped with a temperature control valve assembly. The inlet of the temperature control valve assembly is connected to the hot water channel and the cold water channel respectively. The outlet of the temperature control valve assembly is connected to at least a first mixing water channel and a second mixing water channel. The first mixing water channel and the second mixing water channel are respectively equipped with control valves for opening and closing the corresponding mixing water channels.

11. A shower system comprising the shower controller as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, It also includes at least a handheld shower head and an overhead shower head, one of which is connected to the first mixing water path and the other is connected to the second mixing water path.

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