Thermostatic cartridge for regulating the mixing of warm and cold fluids

Abstract

Thermostatic cartridge (1) for controlling cold and warm fluids to be mixed, comprising: - a base (4) defining a base axis (XX) on which an outer peripheral side (6) of the base is centered, and comprising first (10) and second (20) base parts that follow one another along the base axis, each of the first and second base parts having a first axial side (10A, 20B) facing away from the other base part, wherein the first base part (10) defines a first inlet opening (13) for one of the cold and warm fluids and a second inlet opening (14) for the second fluid, wherein the first and second inlet openings open separately onto the first side (10A) of the first base part, and wherein the second base part (20) defines an outlet opening (23) for a mixture of the cold and warm fluids, which opens onto the first side (20B) of the second base part; - a thermostatic element (40) comprising a piston (42) connected to the base and a body (41) containing a thermally expandable substance and arranged in the outlet opening, wherein the piston and the body are movable relative to each other substantially parallel to the base axis (XX) under the influence of the expansion of the thermally expandable substance; and - a slide (30) for regulating the temperature of the mixture, which defines a slide axis (ZZ) parallel to the base axis (XX), which has first (30A) and second (30B) opposing axial sides, each facing the first side (10A, 20B) of the first and second base parts, and which is connected to the body of the thermostatic element in order to be displaced substantially along the slide axis (ZZ) inside the first base part in order to allow the respective flow cross-sections of a first pass (F3) for the first fluid and of a second pass (C3) for the second fluid to vary inversely, wherein the first passage (F3) is fed through the first inlet opening (13), extends around the slide axis (ZZ) and is centered on this slide axis, and is axially limited between the first side (30A) of the slide (30) and the first base part (10), and wherein the second passage (C3) is fed through the second inlet opening (14), extends around the slide axis (ZZ) and is centered on this slide axis, and is axially limited between the second side (30B) of the slide and the second base part (20), characterized in that the slide axis (ZZ) is offset in relation to the base axis (XX).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermostatic cartridge for controlling warm and cold fluids to be mixed, in particular warm water and cold water in a sanitary installation.

[0002] DE 11 2014 001 168 T5 discloses a thermostat cartridge with a base, a fixed part, a slide for temperature control and a thermostat element, wherein the base defines an inlet opening for cold and warm fluid as well as an outlet opening for the mixture, the fluids each pass through a distribution channel around the slide into axially limited passages between the slide and the base and the attached part respectively, and wherein the first distribution channel is closed axially to the outlet opening by the slide and the second distribution channel by the attached part.

[0003] WO 2010 / 072 966 A1 describes a single-lever thermostat cartridge with a thermostatic element activated by a cold / hot fluid mixture, coupled to a control slide and operated by a single lever, wherein, in addition to a first disc fixed relative to the cartridge body, a second disc is provided which is rotatable relative to the first disc and is slidably mounted and driven by the lever via a nut, as well as a third disc which is rotationally fixed to the second disc and is slidable and defines a channel for the cold fluid and a channel for the hot fluid to connect the supply and return.

[0004] Such a cartridge comprises a base in which the hot and cold fluids circulate until they mix and then exit. This base is designed to be mounted inside a faucet or, more generally, a plumbing fixture that is supplied by the hot and cold fluids and dispenses the mixture of these fluids. The base therefore has a restricted external geometry, both in terms of its shape and dimensions, as it must conform to the internal volume of the body of this plumbing fixture intended for its mounting. Typically, the base has a cylindrical outer geometry with a circular base, the diameter of which is, for example, between 35 and 40 mm.Assuming that the central axis of the base, defined by its external geometry, extends vertically, the invention relates to the usual configuration in which the fluids circulate in the base from top to bottom, with the hot and cold fluids entering through its upper side via separate inlet openings located away from the central axis, while the mixture exits through its lower side via an outlet opening that is generally centered on the central axis.Since in practice the inlet of the fluids feeding the cartridge is usually located below the base, the base often also defines ascent channels for these fluids, which extend away from the central axis and connect the lower side directly with the upper side of the base: downstream of these ascent channels, the fluids are returned to the aforementioned inlet openings, the flow of the returned fluids being controlled by ceramic discs, which are generally integrated into the cartridge and located above the upper side of the base.

[0005] Inside the base, the hot and cold fluids entering it are regulated by a movable slide valve, which is integral with the body of a thermostatic element whose piston is connected to the stationary base. This slide valve and thermostatic element are arranged concentrically within an internal free volume of the base, centered on the base's central axis. The slide valve is movable along this central axis within the base's free volume to inversely vary the flow cross-sections of the fluids entering the base through its upper surface, thereby mixing these fluids in appropriate variable proportions. Downstream of the slide valve, the mixture flows along a heat-sensitive portion of the thermostatic element before exiting the base through its lower surface.By changing the axial position of the piston relative to the base, generally by means of a suitable control mechanism, the thermostatic control temperature is set, i.e., the equilibrium temperature to which the temperature of the mixture is regulated. It is even possible to have only one lever to control both this temperature control mechanism and the means for regulating the flow of the hot and cold fluids sent to the slide valve, such as the ceramic discs mentioned earlier: in this case, the thermostatic cartridge is called a single-lever mixer. WO 96 / 26 475 A1 provides an example of this.

[0006] The maximum flow rates of the hot and cold fluids that can pass through the base of the cartridge are limited by the flow cross-sections of the various openings and channels of the base and by the flow cross-sections of the passages between the base and the slide, with the pressure drop across these passages being not insignificant. The flow cross-section of the passages between the base and the slide depends on the stroke of the slide between its two upper and lower end positions, in which the flow of one of the hot and cold fluids is completely closed in favor of the maximum flow of the other fluid. In practice, this stroke is in the millimeter range or even less in standard-sized cartridges, and it cannot be increased without compromising the quality of the mixture's temperature control.The flow cross-section of the passages between the base and the slide also depends on the radial dimension of these passages, which is directly related to the outer diameter of the slide. Finally, the flow cross-section of the passages between the base and the slide depends on the peripheral dimension of these passages, which is directly related to their extent around the slide: to avoid only peripheral sections of the slide receiving the hot and cold fluids to be regulated, the previously cited WO 96 / 26 475 A1 proposed hollowing out upper and lower peripheral grooves inside the base of the cartridge, allowing the fluid to be distributed around the slide, with the hot and cold fluid inlets opening into these grooves, respectively.In practice, however, this solution tends to significantly reduce the diameter of the base's internal free volume in favor of its thickness, which is necessary to hollow out the aforementioned grooves. This severely limits the slide's outer diameter and thus restricts the maximum fluid flow rates that can be regulated by it. Furthermore, this solution is costly to implement because manufacturing the base is complex: if the base is formed using plastic molds, the mold core necessarily has a large diameter to accommodate the retractable spindles required for forming the aforementioned grooves, as well as their alignment with the hot and cold fluid inlets.

[0007] Recently, WO 2014 / 135 614 A2 proposed distributing the hot and cold fluids around the slide valve not by two grooves delimited only by the base, but simultaneously by an upper distribution channel, partially delimited by a section intended for the slide valve, and a lower distribution channel, partially delimited by a section fixed in the outlet opening of the base, specifically the section against which the return spring belonging to the thermostatic element is supported. This reduces the forming stresses in the base, making it possible to avoid undercuts for forming / demolishing these distribution channels. Consequently, it is possible to design the base as a single piece that is demolded axially without the use of retractable spindles in the mold core.This solution allows larger flow rates to pass through the base to the valve, but the outer diameter of the valve remains limited, particularly due to the presence of the fluid inlet pipe that feeds the lower distribution channel.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to propose a cartridge of the type mentioned above, the base of which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which maximizes the flow cross-sections of the warm and cold fluids through it.

[0009] The object of the invention is therefore a thermostat cartridge for regulating warm and cold fluids to be mixed, as defined in claim 1.

[0010] One of the underlying ideas of the invention is to depart from the conventional concentric arrangement between the base and the thermostatic control arrangement formed by the slide valve and the thermostatic element. This conventional concentric arrangement is associated with the technical prejudice that the flow cross-sections of the fluids through the base can only be optimized by distributing the fluid circulation regularly or even symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the base. The invention addresses this prejudice by arranging the slide valve and the thermostatic element off-center with respect to the base, i.e., by offsetting two parallel axes relative to each other: a base axis, defined by the outer periphery of the base and thus dictated by the body of the sanitary fixture in which the cartridge is to be installed, and a slide valve axis.The invention relates to the axis along which the slider moves under the action of the thermostatic element, and on which the fluid passages between the slider and the base are centered. It is understood that the invention does not refer to the implicitly known presence of a mounting kit inherent in the cartridge, which leads to a less than precise alignment between the base axis and the slider axis, but rather that the invention provides for a deliberate and predetermined offset between the base axis and the slider axis, this offset being, for example, a few tenths of a millimeter for a base with an outer diameter of 35 to 40 mm. Thanks to the off-center arrangement of the slider and the thermostatic element inside the base, it is possible toto optimize the flow cross-sections of the inlet opening of the warm fluid and the inlet opening of the cold fluid while increasing the outer diameter of the slide: in the typical case where these inlet openings are located opposite each other relative to the base axis, the invention makes it possible to offset the slide axis towards a first inlet opening, i.e., the inlet opening that feeds the one of the two passages between the slide and the base that is the highest, taking into account that the base and slide axes are perpendicular and that the side of the base onto which the inlet openings open is directed upwards: by thus offsetting the slide axis towards the first inlet opening and leaving the flow cross-section of the second inlet opening unchanged, the outer diameter of the slide can be increased.Specifically, up to twice the offset between the valve axis and the base axis, whereby the reduction in the flow cross-section of the first inlet opening, given that in the prior art concentric design the flow cross-section of the first inlet opening is typically oversized relative to that of the second inlet opening, has no effect on the permissible maximum flow rate of the first fluid, since, unlike the second inlet opening, the first inlet opening does not need to extend downwards by laterally circumventing the valve up to the passage between the lower side of this valve and the base. More generally, it is understood that the invention makes it possible, if necessary by restoring the equilibrium of the flow cross-sections of the two inlet openings, to increase the outer diameter of the valve by arranging it off-center relative to the base axis.which, under otherwise constant conditions, increases the flow cross-section of the two passages between this slide and the base and thus increases the permissible maximum fluid flows through the cartridge according to the invention.

[0011] According to one embodiment, described in detail below, the off-center arrangement of the slide and the thermostatic element advantageously utilizes the possibility of forming the upper and lower parts of the base in two separate parts, which are axially superimposed and permanently connected to one another at a joint formed by axially pressing their respective axial sides against each other and which is provided with a seal. The second fluid can then be distributed around the slide through a distribution channel formed at the transition between the upper and lower base parts: thus, this distribution channel advantageously has a much larger flow cross-section than if the base were formed from a single part.In particular, this distribution channel can be radially very extensive without having to worry about stresses during the forming and demolding of the upper base part, provided that after these two base parts are fastened together, this distribution channel is axially closed by the lower base part. Furthermore, the second inlet opening can also be positioned significantly radially offset from the base axis, allowing for an even more eccentric arrangement of the slide relative to the base axis, especially in the direction opposite to the second inlet opening, and thus enabling an even greater possible increase in the slide's outer diameter.

[0012] Advantageous additional features of the cartridge according to the invention are specified in the independent claims.

[0013] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, which is purely exemplary and refers to the drawings. These show: - Fig. 1 a skewed perspective view of a thermostat cartridge according to the invention; - Fig. 2 a similar view to Fig. 1, which shows a base of the cartridge from a different viewing angle; - Fig. 3 a partial longitudinal section of the cartridge Fig. 1 in the assembled state; - Fig. 4 to 6 each sectional views along line IV-IV from Fig. 3, the VV line from Fig. 3 and line VI-VI from Fig. 4; and - Fig. 7 a similar view to Fig. 3, which only shows the base of the cartridge.

[0014] In Fig. Figures 1 to 7 show a thermostatic cartridge 1 arranged along a main axis XX. This cartridge is adapted to equip a tap for mixing hot and cold water, which is not shown as such in the figures, or more generally, to equip a sanitary installation.

[0015] For the sake of simplicity, the remainder of the description is oriented relative to the XX axis, taking into account that the terms "upper", "above" and the like correspond to an axial direction that leads to the upper part of Fig. 3, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are applied, while the terms “lower”, “below” and the like correspond to an opposite axial direction.

[0016] The thermostat cartridge 1 comprises an upper housing 2 and a lower base 4, which are firmly assembled together when the cartridge is assembled.

[0017] The base 4 has an overall cylindrical outer shape, with an outer peripheral side 6 that is cylindrical and centered on the axis XX. The axis XX is thus defined by the outer periphery of the base and can therefore be called the base axis. In the present example, the cylindrical outer surface 6 of the base 4 has a circular base.

[0018] As it is in Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figures 1 to 3, 6 and 7, the base 4 under consideration here mainly comprises two separate parts arranged one above the other along axis XX, namely an upper part 10 and a lower part 20. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the cylindrical outer surface 6 is distributed across the upper part 10 and the lower part 20 of the base, although it should be noted that, as a variant not shown, only the upper part 10 can define the outer periphery of the base. In any case, each of the base parts 10 and 20 has an upper outer surface 10A, 20A and, axially opposite this, a lower outer surface 10B, 20B. In the assembled state of the cartridge 1, and thus in the assembled state of the base 4, the base parts 10 and 20 are axially rigidly superimposed on each other, with the lower side 10B of the upper part 10 covering the upper side 20A of the lower part 20 and being in direct contact with it. Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 7, the lower side 10B of the upper part 10 and the upper side 20A of the lower part 20 are axially aligned, such that a portion of this side 10B and a portion of this side 20A are in axial contact with each other, thus forming a connecting surface I between the base parts 10 and 20. This connecting surface I extends transversely to the axis XX. In the embodiment shown in the figures, this connecting surface I extends substantially perpendicular to the axis XX, with the respective parts in contact being flat against the lower side 10B of the base part 10 and the upper side 20A of the base part 20, and extending perpendicularly to the axis XX.

[0019] As explained in more detail below, given that warm and cold water circulate through the base, the contact surface I between the lower side 20B of the lower part 20 and the upper side 10A of the upper part 10 is sealed in such a way that the bonded zones between the lower side 10B of the base part 10 and the upper side 20A of the base part 20 are sealed, thus preventing fluid passage through these contact zones. In other words, the respective parts that form the contact surface I of these sides 10B and 20A are in sealed contact with each other, so that no fluid can circulate via the contact surface of these parts between the base parts 10 and 20. One way to create the seal of this contact surface I is to insert a sealing washer that is clamped axially between the base parts 10 and 20.Another solution that limits the space requirement in the direction of axis XX is to form this seal by a material-bonded connection between the base parts 10 and 20. In practice, such a material-bonded connection between the base parts 10 and 20 is formed by adhesive or, preferably, by welding the base parts 10 and 20 together: thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the base parts 10 and 20 are each formed from a single piece of plastic and are welded together at their sealing interface, in particular by laser welding, wherein the plastic of one of these base parts 10 and 20 is permeable to the wavelength of the laser welding used, while the plastic of the other is impermeable to it.Of course, various techniques other than laser welding can be considered to weld the plastic parts, which each form the base parts 10 and 20, directly together at their connection surface I.

[0020] As it is in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 6, the upper base part 10 defines a cold water circulation channel 11 and a hot water circulation channel 12 along its entire axial dimension, each of these channels connecting the upper 10B and lower 10A sides of the base part 10 and opening onto these upper and lower surfaces. Likewise, as shown in Figure 6, the upper base part 10 defines a cold water circulation channel 11 and a hot water circulation channel 12. Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be clearly seen, the lower base part 20 has a cold water circulation channel 21 and a hot water circulation channel 22 extending along its entire axial dimension, each of these channels connecting the upper 20A and lower 20B sides of the base part 20 and opening freely onto these upper and lower surfaces. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, in the assembled state of base 4, the cold water circulation channels 11 and 21 are directly connected to each other via the connecting surface I and merge into each other at the axial level of this connecting surface I. The same applies to the hot water circulation channels 12 and 22. In other words, in the assembled state of base 4, a cold water circulation channel between the lower side 20B of base part 20 and the upper side 10A of base part 10 is formed by channels 11 and 21, being successively delimited by base parts 20 and 10 and axially crossing the connecting surface I. Similarly, a hot water circulation channel between sides 20B and 10A is formed by channels 12 and 22, being successively delimited by base parts 20 and 10 and axially crossing the connecting surface I.

[0021] As it is in Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 7, the upper base part 10 also delineates an internal free volume V10, which is traversed by axis XX and centered on an axis ZZ that is separated from this axis XX. The axes XX and ZZ are parallel to each other and offset relative to each other, with their offset, i.e., the distance that separates them in a plane perpendicular to it, being given in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is designated by d. On both sides of this internal volume V10 and separately, the base part 10 further delineates a cold water inlet opening 13 and a hot water inlet opening 14, which at their upper end each open onto the upper side 10A of the base part 10, while these inlet openings 13 and 14 open at their lower end into the internal volume V10, the lower end of the inlet opening 14 being axially lower than that of the inlet opening 13, as shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shown.

[0022] The circulation channels 11 and 12 and the inlet openings 13 and 14 are positioned inside the base part 10 such that they do not communicate directly with each other. To limit the constraints on their arrangement and to facilitate the flow through the base part 10, the circulation channels 11 and 12 are preferably positioned opposite each other relative to axis XX. This also applies to the inlet openings 13 and 14, whereby it should also be noted that, for reasons that will become apparent later, axis ZZ is then advantageously offset relative to axis XX towards the inlet opening 13, as shown in Fig. 3 to 7 are clearly visible.

[0023] The lower base part 20 in turn defines a mixture outlet opening 23, which is essentially centered on the axis ZZ and which connects the upper 20A and lower 20B sides of the base part 20 and opens onto these upper and lower sides. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 6, the circulation channels 21 and 22 and the output opening 23 inside the base part 20 are positioned in such a way that they do not communicate directly with each other.

[0024] The internal volume V10 of the base part 10 opens downwards onto the lower side 10B of the base part 10, so that in the assembled state of the base 4 this internal volume V10 is directly connected to the outlet opening 23 of the base part 20 via the connecting surface I, with this volume V10 and this outlet opening 23 centered on the axis ZZ and opening directly into each other.

[0025] In use, on the one hand the circulation channels 11 and 21 and on the other hand the circulation channels 12 and 22 are provided to allow movement from the lower side 20B of the lower base part 20, as indicated by arrows F1 and C1 in Fig. 6, each is supplied with cold water and warm water. And after leaving the base 4 through the upper side 10A of its upper base part 10 and circulating inside the casing 2, as will be described in more detail below, this cold water and this warm water are returned from inside the casing 2 to the upper side 10A of the base part 10 to supply the inlet openings 13 and 14 respectively, as indicated by arrows F2 and C2 in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6. This cold water and this warm water, which each circulate downwards into the inlet openings 13 and 14 respectively, then feed the internal volume V10 of the base part 10, where they mix in the form of mixed water, which, as indicated by the arrows M in Fig. 3 and Fig. As indicated in section 6, the mixture of cold and warm water flows from the internal volume V10 to the outlet opening 23 via the connecting surface I. It then leaves the base 4 and is directed towards the lower part of the outlet opening 23.

[0026] In particular, to maximize the flow rates of cold and warm water circulating in the inlet openings 13 and 14 respectively, these inlet openings 13 and 14 advantageously extend approximately 180° around the axis ZZ, being diametrically opposed to each other, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is clearly visible.

[0027] As in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 6 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the internal volume V10 of the base part 10 is staggered along the direction of the axis ZZ, extending radially further in its lower part than in its upper part. More precisely, the internal volume V10 is bounded in its upper part by an essentially cylindrical surface 15 centered on the axis ZZ, which has a circular base and extends axially downward from the outer periphery of the lower side of a wall 16 belonging to the upper part of the base part 10, with this wall 16 closing the internal volume V10 axially upward. This cylindrical surface 15 extends 360° around the axis ZZ, interrupted around this axis by the lower opening of the cold water inlet 13, as shown in the right part of Figure 7. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 6 shows that in the example considered in the figures, the upper part of the surface 15 opposite the mouth of the inlet opening 13 has a section 15.1 with a smaller radius than the rest of the surface 15, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 is clearly visible.

[0028] In its lower part, the internal volume V10 is delimited by a cylindrical surface 17 centered on the axis ZZ, which has a circular base and a diameter that is necessarily larger than that of the cylindrical surface 15. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the cylindrical surfaces 15 and 17 are connected to each other by a wall 18 with a projection, the peripheral part of which is advantageously hollowed out upwards in connection with the cylindrical surface 17. The cylindrical surface 17 extends downwards in the direction of the axis ZZ to the lower side 10B of the base part 10, onto which this cylindrical surface 17 opens.Around the axis ZZ, the cylindrical surface 17 extends over 360°, advantageously without being interrupted by the hot water inlet opening 14 at its mouth into the internal volume V10: this inlet opening 14 opens mainly or, as here, even exclusively axially into the lower part of the internal volume V10, with the cylindrical surface 17 extending axially upwards to delimit the wall of the inlet opening 14, which is radially furthest from the axis ZZ, as shown in . Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 is clearly visible.

[0029] Before describing the other components of the cartridge 1, it should be noted that the staggered shape of the internal volume V10 of the base part 10 makes it easy to produce this base part 10 by plastic molding, especially by injection molding. When manufacturing this base part 10 by molding, a mold core can advantageously be provided to occupy the internal volume V10, such that, without using a retractable mold spindle, demolding the base part 10 consists of a relative downward translation of the core, and this demolding is particularly effortless without the presence of undercuts.

[0030] Incidentally, as it is in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 7, the diameter of the cylindrical surface 17 is necessarily larger than the diameter of the outlet opening 23, in particular the opening of the same on the upper side 20A of the base part 20. Thus, it is understood that in the assembled state of the base 4, the lower end of the cylindrical surface 17 is connected to the outlet opening 23 by a solid part of the upper side 20A of the base part 20.

[0031] Cartridge 1 also includes a slider 30, which, as described in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 6, the slide 30 has an overall tubular shape with a circular base and is centered on an axis that, in the assembled state of the cartridge, is aligned with axis ZZ, which can thus be referred to as the slide axis. This slide 30 has an upper outer side 30A and a lower outer side 30B, as well as a lateral outer side 30C that connects the upper side 30A and the lower side 30B. This lateral side 30C is essentially cylindrical, centered on axis ZZ, and has a circular base, its diameter being essentially equal to that of the cylindrical surface 15 of the base part 10. A peripheral groove is hollowed out inside this lateral side 30C, in which a sealing cord 31 is received.

[0032] The slide 30 is movably mounted on the base 4, more precisely inside the internal volume V10 of the base part 10, along the axis ZZ between two end positions, namely: - an upper end position in which the upper side 30A of the slide 30 rests against a seat 19 which is integral with the base part 10, being centered around the axis ZZ, and whose exterior is supplied with cold water exiting from the inlet opening 13, it being noted that in the embodiment considered here, this seat 19 is delimited by the lower surface of the upper wall 16 of the base part 10; and - a lower end position in which the lower side 30B of the slide 30 rests against a seat 24 which is integral with the base part 20, being centered on the axis ZZ, and whose exterior is fed by the warm water exiting from the inlet opening 14, it being noted that in the embodiment considered here, this seat 24 is delimited by the upper side 20A of the base part 20 by being provided axially projecting upwards from the remainder of this upper side 20A.

[0033] The entire axial dimension of the valve 30, which separates its opposing sides 30A and 30B, is smaller than the axial distance separating the seats 19 and 24. When the valve 30 is in its lower end position, it closes off a hot water inlet inside the seat 24 by means of a concentric axial contact, centered on axis ZZ, of an outer peripheral strip of the lower side 30B of the valve against the seat 24, while opening a cold water passage F3 as wide as possible, which is centered on axis ZZ and axially delimited between the upper side 30A of the valve 30 and the seat 19.Conversely, when the valve is in its upper end position, it closes a cold water inlet inside the seat 19 by means of a concentric axial contact, centered on axis ZZ, of an outer peripheral strip of the upper side 30A of the valve on the seat 19, while a hot water passage C3, centered on axis ZZ and axially delimited between the lower side 30B of the valve 30 and the seat 24, is opened as wide as possible. Naturally, depending on the position of the valve 30 along axis XX between its upper and lower end positions, the respective flow cross-sections of the cold water passage F3 and the hot water passage C3 vary inversely, meaning that the cold and hot water volumes admitted to the interior of the seats 19 and 24 are regulated by the valve 30 in inverse proportions according to its axial position. Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 The slider 30 assumes a middle axial position, which lies between its upper and lower end positions.

[0034] By offsetting axis ZZ relative to axis XX towards the inlet opening 13, the outer diameter of the slide 30 can be maximized, particularly at the outer peripheral strips of its upper side 30A and lower side 30B, which, together with seats 19 and 24, define passages F3 and C3. Thus, particularly without changing the position and dimensions of the inlet opening 14 compared to a prior art cartridge in which axes XX and ZZ are aligned, the outer diameter of the slide 30 can be increased to twice the value d of the offset between axes XX and ZZ. It should be noted that this value d is advantageously provided to achieve at least one hundredth of the diameter of the outer peripheral side 6 of the base 4 or more.As explained at the beginning of this document, and taking into account the foregoing, it is understood that by increasing the outer diameter of the slide, the radial dimension of the passages F3 and C3, and thus the flow cross-section of these passages, is increased. As a non-restrictive example, for a test of cartridge 1, whose outer peripheral side 6 has a diameter of 35 mm, the offset d was set to a value of 0.5 mm: the outer diameter of the slide 30 could be increased by 1 mm relative to its value in a prior art cartridge in which axes XX and ZZ are aligned, thereby increasing the maximum permissible flow through cartridge 1 by approximately 10%.

[0035] Furthermore, it should be noted that the off-center arrangement and the increased diameter of the slide valve may reduce the flow cross-section of the inlet opening 13. However, this does not affect the performance of the cartridge 1 with regard to the permissible maximum flow rate, given that opening 13 is less restricted in its radial dimension than opening 14. Opening 14 must bypass the slide valve 30 to reach the lower passage C3, while opening 13 directly encounters passage F3. In practice, this "restoration of equilibrium" between the respective flow cross-sections of inlet openings 13 and 14, resulting from the increased diameter and off-center arrangement of the slide valve 30, can be carried out until the respective minimum flow cross-sections of openings 13 and 14 are essentially equal.

[0036] Advantageously, the seats 19 and 24, and thus the outer peripheral strips of the upper side 30A and the lower side 30B of the slide 30, which are each linked to these seats, have essentially the same diameters, which limits the pressure differences between the upper side 30A and the lower side 30B of the slide.

[0037] To ensure the guidance of the mobile assembly of the slide valve 30 within the internal volume V10 of the base part 10, the lateral side 30C of the slide valve is essentially adapted to the interior of the cylindrical surface 15, with radial insertion of the sealing cord 31 to prevent any mixing between the cold and warm water upstream of the slide valve. Furthermore, to allow the cold water entering the interior of the seat 19 to meet and mix with the warm water entering the interior of the seat 24, thus forming the aforementioned mixture of cold and warm water that flows downstream of the slide valve 30 to the outlet opening 23, the slide valve 30 internally defines one or more flow passages 32 connecting the upper side 30A and the lower side 30B. This flow passage or these flow passages 32, which are located in Fig. 5 and Fig. The elements shown in section 6 are not limiting to the present invention and are therefore not described further here.

[0038] Above the zone of the movable and sealed bearing of the slide valve 30 on the cylindrical surface 15 of the base part 10, the warm water originating from the inlet opening 14 feeds the seat 24 via a channel C4 to distribute the warm water around the slide valve 30. This hot water distribution channel C4 is formed between the base parts 10 and 20 essentially on the axial plane of the connecting surface I: in the embodiment considered in the figures, the distribution channel C4 is delimited downwards by the upper side 20A of the base part 20, more precisely by the solid part of this side 20A that extends radially to the axis ZZ from the lower end of the cylindrical surface 17 to the seat 24, while the distribution channel C4 is delimited upwards by a recess in the lower side 10B of the base part 10, more precisely by the cylindrical surface 17 and by the wall with projection 18.Thus, the warm water circulating in the inlet opening 14 flows into the distribution channel C4 and is distributed around the entire valve 30, since the cylindrical surface 17 extends 360° around the axis ZZ to distribute the supply of the warm water passage C3 across the entire outer periphery of the valve. Provided that the diameter of the cylindrical surface 17 can be dimensioned to a large value without being limited by manufacturing difficulties of the base 4 (which would be a single piece), it follows that the cross-sectional area of ​​the warm water in the distribution channel C4 can be made particularly large, thereby promoting a high flow rate of warm water through the base 4.

[0039] Furthering the foregoing considerations, given that the hot water inlet opening 14 opens mainly or even exclusively axially into the distribution channel C4, being delimited by the large-diameter cylindrical surface 17, it is understood that this inlet opening 14 advantageously also has a large cross-sectional area for the hot water, being located particularly far from the axis ZZ. In practice, as in the embodiment considered in the figures, the inlet opening 14 can advantageously have its main part 14.1, which connects its upper opening to the distribution channel C4, radially further from the axis ZZ than its upper opening, the radial position of which may be restricted by the presence of sealing elements on the upper side 10A of the base part 10 and / or by the conditions for connecting this upper side 10A to the internal features of the housing 2. In this case, the base part 10 advantageously has an internal surface 14.2 for deflecting the flow of hot water between the upper opening of the inlet opening 14 and the main part 14.1 of this inlet opening 14.

[0040] According to an advantageous optional arrangement implemented in the embodiment shown in the figures, a channel F4 can be provided for distributing the cold water around the slide valve 30 above the zone of the movable and sealed bearing of the slide valve 30 on the cylindrical surface 15 of the base part 10. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 6, this distribution channel F4 is delimited together by the upper part of the cylindrical surface 15 and the upper part of the lateral surface 30C of the slide 30, this upper part of the lateral surface 30C being advantageously hollowed out, as explained in FR 2 983 985, to which the reader may refer for further details. Advantageously, this distribution channel F4 extends 360° around the axis ZZ, being slightly constricted by section 15.1 of the surface 15 opposite the opening of the aperture 13 in this channel F4, as shown in Fig.5 shown.

[0041] To drive the displacement of the slide 30 and thus control its axial position, the thermostatic cartridge 1 also includes a thermostatic element 40, the body 41 of which, centered on the axis ZZ, is rigidly connected to the slide 30 in the assembled state of the cartridge. This body contains a thermally expandable substance which expands under the influence of the heat of the mixture of warm and cold water flowing downstream of the slide 30 along this body 41, causing the relative displacement of a piston 42 of the thermostatic element 40 translationally along the axis ZZ, this piston 42 again being essentially centered on the axis ZZ in the assembled state of the cartridge.

[0042] The end part of the piston 42, which is opposite the body 41, in other words the upper end part of the piston 42, is in turn connected to the base 4 by a mechanical arrangement 50 which is housed inside the casing 2 and which is able, in a manner known per se, to control the axial height of the piston 42 in relation to the base 4 independently of the relative position of the body 41: this means that this mechanical arrangement 50 is designed to control the temperature of the mixture of cold water and warm water that exits from the base 4 by regulating the thermostatic equilibrium temperature around which the temperature of the mixture is regulated.Since the embodiment of the mechanical arrangement 50 is not limiting for the present invention, this mechanical arrangement 50 is not shown in more detail in the figures and is not described further here. However, it should be noted that in the embodiment considered in the figures, this mechanical arrangement 50 is advantageously adapted to also control the flow of the mixture of cold and warm water exiting the base 4 by regulating, typically by means of ceramic discs, the connection of the cold water circulation channel 11 with the cold water inlet opening 13 and the connection of the warm water circulation channel 12 with the warm water inlet opening 14. Preferably, and as is the case in the embodiment considered in the figures, the mechanical arrangement 50 comprises a single handle 51, which allows the user to control the flow and temperature of the mixture.In this respect, the reader can, for example, refer to the prior art publications WO 2010 / 072 966 A1 and WO 2015 / 052 098 A1.

[0043] The cartridge 1 further comprises a compression spring 60. This spring 60 acts on the slide 30 in the opposite direction to the extension of the piston 42 in relation to the body 41 of the thermostatic element 40, being inserted between this slide and the base 4, more precisely between this slide and a part 70 which is fixedly attached to the base part 20, via the lower opening of the outlet opening 23.

[0044] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described so far and illustrated in the figures, and various variants and options can be considered. For example: - instead of projecting beyond the upper side 20A of the base part 20, the seat 19 can be provided essentially flush with the remainder of this upper side 20A; in this case, the lower part of the slide 30 is extended by a suitable wall, which, for example, is truncated cone-shaped and diverges downwards, and whose lower end can interact with the seat to open / close the hot water passage C3; - Instead of extending 360° around axis XX, the hot water distribution channel C4 can have a smaller circumference at the expense of distributing the hot water around valve 30; this also applies to the cold water channel F4; and / or - Instead of forming the base 4 in two parts 10 and 20 as previously described, the base 4 can be formed as a variant not shown, as in WO 2014 / 135 614 A2, i.e., by comprising a main body and an attached part that is rigidly connected to this main body and, if applicable, on which the return spring associated with the thermostatic element of the cartridge is supported; in this case, the fluid circulation, which is ensured in each case by the previously considered parts 10 and 20 of the base 4, is ensured from a functional point of view by an upper part of said main body and by the arrangement formed by the remainder of this main body and said attached part.

Claims

[1] Thermostatic cartridge (1) for controlling cold and warm fluids to be mixed, comprising: - a base (4) defining a base axis (XX) on which an outer peripheral side (6) of the base is centered, and comprising first (10) and second (20) base parts that follow one another along the base axis, each of the first and second base parts having a first axial side (10A, 20B) facing away from the other base part, wherein the first base part (10) defines a first inlet opening (13) for one of the cold and warm fluids and a second inlet opening (14) for the second fluid, wherein the first and second inlet openings open separately onto the first side (10A) of the first base part, and wherein the second base part (20) defines an outlet opening (23) for a mixture of the cold and warm fluids, which opens onto the first side (20B) of the second base part; - a thermostatic element (40) comprising a piston (42) connected to the base and a body (41) containing a thermally expandable substance and arranged in the outlet opening, wherein the piston and the body are movable relative to each other substantially parallel to the base axis (XX) under the influence of the expansion of the thermally expandable substance; and - a slide (30) for regulating the temperature of the mixture, which defines a slide axis (ZZ) parallel to the base axis (XX), which has first (30A) and second (30B) opposing axial sides, each facing the first side (10A, 20B) of the first and second base parts, and which is connected to the body of the thermostatic element in order to be displaced substantially along the slide axis (ZZ) inside the first base part in order to allow the respective flow cross-sections of a first pass (F3) for the first fluid and of a second pass (C3) for the second fluid to vary inversely, wherein the first passage (F3) is fed through the first inlet opening (13), extends around the slide axis (ZZ) and is centered on this slide axis, and is axially limited between the first side (30A) of the slide (30) and the first base part (10), and wherein the second passage (C3) is fed through the second inlet opening (14), extends around the slide axis (ZZ) and is centered on this slide axis, and is axially limited between the second side (30B) of the slide and the second base part (20), characterized by , that the slide axis (ZZ) is offset relative to the base axis (XX). [2] Cartridge according to claim 1, characterized by , that the offset (d) between the slide axis (ZZ) and the base axis (XX) is at least one hundredth of the diameter of the outer peripheral side (6) of the base (4). [3] Cartridge according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the first inlet opening (13) and the second inlet opening (14) are opposite each other in relation to the base axis (XX), and that the slide axis (Z) is offset in relation to the base axis (XX) in the direction of the first inlet opening (13). [4] Cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first inlet opening (13) and the second inlet opening (14) extend around the slide axis (ZZ) and centered on this slide axis over approximately 180° and diametrically opposite each other. [5] Cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first inlet opening (13) and the second inlet opening (14) each have minimum flow cross-sections that are essentially the same. [6] Cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the first (10) and second (20) base parts are separated from each other and axially superimposed in a fixed manner, so that second axial sides (10B, 20A) of each of the first base part and the second base part, which are opposite their first side (10A, 20B), are axially placed next to each other and thus comprise respective parts which are in axial contact with each other and form a connecting surface (I) between the first and second base parts, which is sealed and on which a channel (C4) for distributing the second fluid around the slide (30) is formed between the first and second base parts. [7] Cartridge according to claim 6, characterized by , that the first base part (10) has inside a first essentially cylindrical surface (15) centered on the slide axis (ZZ), onto which the first inlet opening (13) opens radially, and which defines a channel (F4) for distributing the first fluid around the slide (30), and that the first base part (10) has an internal second substantially cylindrical surface (17) centered on the slide axis (ZZ), the diameter of which is necessarily larger than that of the first substantially cylindrical surface (15), and which extends axially from the second side (10B) of the first base part (10) towards the first side (10A) of this first base part, successively delimiting the channel for distributing the second fluid (C4) and the second inlet opening (14). [8] Cartridge according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by , that the second inlet opening (14) comprises a connecting part (14.1) between its opening onto the first side (10A) of the first base part (10) and the channel for distributing the second fluid (C4), wherein this connecting part (14.1) of the second inlet opening (14) is radially further away from the slide axis (ZZ) than the opening. [9] Cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that the first (10) and second (20) base parts are each formed in one piece from plastic, and that the plastics which form the respective parts of the second side (10B) of the first base part (10) and the second side (20A) of the second base part (20), which form the connecting surface (I), are welded together to seal this connecting surface. [10] Cartridge according to claim 9, characterized by , that the plastics which form the respective parts of the second side (10B) of the first base part (10) and the second side (20A) of the second base part (20), which form the connecting surface (I), are welded together by laser welding. [11] Cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by, that the respective parts of the second side (10B) of the first base part (10) and the second side (20A) of the second base part (20), which form the connecting surface (I), are provided with gaskets and / or shaft seals to seal this connecting surface. [12] Cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized by , that a channel for circulating the first fluid from the first side (20B) of the second base part (20) to the first side (10A) of the first base part (10) is formed jointly by a first channel (11) for circulating the first fluid, which is delimited by the first base part (10) and connects the first (10A) and second (10B) sides of the first base part, and by a second channel (21) for circulating the first fluid, which is delimited by the second base part (20) and connects the first (20B) and second (10A) sides of the second base part, wherein these first and second channels (11, 21) for circulating the first fluid are directly connected to each other by intersecting at the connecting surface (I), and that a channel for circulating the second fluid from the first side of the second base part to the first side of the first base part is formed jointly by a first channel (12) for circulating the second fluid, which is delimited by the first base part (10) and connects the first and second sides of the first base part, and by a second channel (21) for circulating the second fluid, which is delimited by the second base part (20) and connects the first and second sides of the second base part, wherein these first and second channels (12, 22) for circulating the second fluid are directly connected to each other by intersecting at the connecting surface (I). [13] Cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized by , that the connecting surface (I) lies transversely to the axis (XX). [14] Cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 13, characterized by, that the connecting surface (I) is essentially planar and extends essentially perpendicular to the axis (XX).

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