SINGLE-LEVEL CONTROLLED MIXING VALVE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a single-control timed mixer tap.

[0002] A timed mixer tap typically includes a push button to control the flow of water between at least one water supply inlet, usually two inlets for hot and cold water, and at least one outlet for mixed water. Between the inlet(s) and the outlet is a mixing valve assembly with a rotating part that rotates relative to a fixed part, such as a valve stem. This rotation allows the respective inlet diameters of the hot and cold water to be adjusted. The assembly also includes a timer cartridge, such as a diaphragm-type timer cartridge.

[0003] These timed mixer taps, known because of their dual functionality, are bulky and of complicated structure, and the present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by proposing a tap of this kind which is more compact and of simpler structure.

[0004] According to the invention, the single-control timed mixer tap is as defined in claim 1. By providing this double movement and this double transmission in translation and rotation of the push button vis-à-vis respectively the actuating rod of the timer cartridge and the mixer block arranged one after the other, a particularly functional timed mixer tap is obtained, and in particular a single control, the control of the temperature and flow being carried out via the single push button.

[0005] In addition, the transmission of the translation to the mixer block is avoided, this transmission being absorbed by the timer cartridge, which gives a more compact system and the possibility, if desired, of adding means to adjust temperature stops at the top of the product and / or allow access to the timer setting.

[0006] Preferably, to obtain a particularly compact tap, the time-delay cartridge is placed between the push button and the mixer block.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the timing cartridge is received at least in part, and in particular substantially completely, inside the transmission member.

[0008] In particular, the transmission element is a hollow cylinder, notably through which the actuating rod of the timing cartridge passes.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixer block, the timer cartridge, the push button and the transmission member, in particular in the form of a hollow cylinder, are aligned, in particular along the axis of the actuating rod.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixer block is a sub-assembly called thermostatic.

[0011] According to the invention, the fact that the mixer block and the time-delay cartridge are mounted independently of each other means that if one or the other of the two elements is removed, in particular the time-delay cartridge, the other element, in particular the mixer block, continues to function.

[0012] Thus, for example in EP 2 998 622, the mixer block 56, 57 and the time-delay cartridge 40 are not mounted independently of each other, since if the actuating rod 12 of the time-delay cartridge is removed, nothing actuates the mixer block 56, 57 anymore.

[0013] Similarly, in DE 299 15 433, the mixer block 18 and the time-delay cartridge 14 are not mounted independently of each other. If the cartridge 14 is removed, there is no longer a connection between the push button 89 and the mixer block, and the latter can no longer function.

[0014] By way of example, a preferred embodiment of the invention is now described by referring to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a timed mixer tap according to the invention, comprising a thermostatic mixing unit; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a timed mixer tap according to the invention, comprising a ceramic disc mixing unit; Figures 3A to 3D represent the timed cartridge element used in the embodiments of the embodiments of the figures 1 And 2 ; and Figure 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in the figure 2 .

[0015] To figures 1 And 2 Two embodiments of a timed mixer tap according to the invention are shown. figure 1 The mixer block consists of a so-called thermostatic element, while at the figure 2 the mixer block consists of an element called a ceramic plate, or friction block.

[0016] With the exception of this difference concerning the type of mixer block, the two embodiments are similar and the parts and components common to both embodiments bear the same numerical references.

[0017] The timed mixer taps shown in the figures have an upper part forming a push button 1. This push button 1, of substantially circular cylindrical shape, cooperates with a transmission element 2 having an upper part 3 in the form of a rod attached to the push button by means of a locking screw 4 and a lower part 5 in the form of a hollow cylinder defining an internal space intended to allow the cylinder to cover a timer cartridge 6.

[0018] The timing cartridge 6 is shown in particular in its operation at figures 3A à 3D It should be noted, however, that any other type of time-delay cartridge could be used.

[0019] The time-delay cartridge 6 is located between the push button and the thermostatic mixer block 11 at the figure 1 , respectively the 11' ceramic disc mixer block at the figure 2 .

[0020] The time-delay cartridge 6 and the mixer block 11, or 11' respectively, are mounted independently of each other, and can be separated; for example, the mixer block can be removed without the tap ceasing to function, although without the mixing function. The two elements (cartridge 6 and block 11 or 11') are not nested within each other and operate independently.

[0021] The tap has two water inlets 7 and 8, respectively for cold water and hot water. After the cold and hot water from inlets 7 and 8 have passed through the mixing block 11, respectively 11', the mixed water is delivered from outlet 10 of the mixing block to outlet 9. When the main shutter 4' of the time-delay cartridge is in its seat, water is prevented from exiting outlet 10 to outlet 9. When the user presses the upper surface 15 of the push button 1, the latter causes the rod 3, which is itself fixed to the plunger 6' actuating the time-delay cartridge, to move in translation. Once the user has released the pressure on the button 1, this opens the seat in which the main shutter 4' is located, allowing the mixed water to be delivered from the mixed water outlet 9.

[0022] Button 1 is also mounted to rotate about an axis parallel to its direction of translation and is connected to cylinder 5 so as to drive it in rotation. The latter, in turn, is connected to the moving part of the mixer block, so that, in the case of the embodiment of the figure 2 , to adjust the relative sections of the hot and cold water inlets 7 and 8 respectively, and thus adjust the temperature of the mixed water exiting at outlet 9, and in the case of the embodiment of the figure 1 to adjust the element of the mixing block 11' which controls the temperature. This results in a single-control, thermostatic, timed mixing tap.

[0023] The lower edge of the cylinder 5 is notched so as to include alternate slots 16 and promontories 17, the promontories 17 ensuring the rotational locking of the cylinder with the moving part of the mixer block, while allowing the mixed water exiting through the outlet 10 of the mixer block to pass towards the outlet 9 of the tap.

[0024] On the other hand, a ring 18 ensures a limitation of the rotation of the button 1 and therefore of the cylinder 5, to maintain this rotation within a range corresponding to a mixed water temperature range which is acceptable for normal use, without danger to the user.

[0025] To figure 3A à 3D The different stages of the operation of the timing cartridge are shown.

[0026] The timing cartridge 6 shown comprises a main body 60 that is substantially circular and cylindrical. The main body 60 has at its lower end an opening 2' for water inlet or supply, and radial outlet openings 3' are also located at the lower part of the body. A main obturator 4' in the form of a membrane with a brake wire 5' is received in a seat formed in the opening 2'.

[0027] In the upper part of the main body 60 is received a first upper block 61 substantially cylindrical circular or tubular in which is disposed an upper tubular element 62, open at the bottom and able to slide in the vertical direction inside the first block 61, and a lower tubular element 63 able to slide in the upper tubular element 62 along its inner wall so as to define between the two elements a time chamber 64 whose volume varies according to the relative sliding of the two elements 62 and 63. A lip seal valve 65 disposed between the two elements and being integral with the lower element 63 ensures the sealing of the chamber 64 when it is full and allows it to be emptied when the air is pushed downwards.

[0028] A pusher element 67 extends from the upper wall of the upper element 62 through the upper wall of the block 60 and protrudes out of the main body.

[0029] An upper spring 66 bears between the upper wall of element 62 and the bottom wall of the lower element 63. When chamber 64 has its maximum volume ( figure 3A ), the spring is in the uncompressed or resting state.

[0030] A lower spring 68 bears between the bottom wall of the lower element 63 and the bottom wall of the block 61. When the chamber 64 has its maximum volume ( figure 3A ), the spring is in a compressed state.

[0031] A 6' plunger extends from the bottom wall of the lower tubular element 63 and passes through the bottom wall of block 61. A membrane 27', notably made of impermeable elastomeric material, is positioned opposite the through-hole for the 6' plunger in the bottom wall of block 61, being pressed against the underside of block 61. It could, but is not required to be, be fixed, for example by welding, gluing, or the like, along its peripheral edge to the underside of block 61. When the 6' plunger is pushed out of block 61, it presses against the membrane 27' and pulls the central part away from the bottom wall of block 61.

[0032] There is also arranged in the main body 60 of the cartridge a lower block 70 of substantially cylindrical shape which defines the inlets and outlets of the feed fluid as well as the main seat of the obturator 4'.

[0033] Between the two upper and lower blocks, an internal space 50 is formed, into which an annular element 51 is received, comprising a central vertical channel 54 passing through it. The internal space 50 is divided, by the interposition of the annular element 51, into two subspaces, upper and lower respectively, which communicate with each other for fluids via the central channel 54. The upper outlet of the vertical channel 54 is located opposite the central part of the membrane 27' and the plunger 6'.

[0034] The operation of the cartridge figures 3A à 3D is the following.

[0035] In the position shown in the figure 3A The main obturator or diaphragm 4' is in its seat and prevents the passage of feed fluid from the inlet opening to the lateral outlet openings. The timing chamber 64 is filled with timing fluid (air in this case) so that the plunger 6' is held downwards and presses the diaphragm 27' against the edge of the upper opening of the channel 54, thus preventing the feed fluid present in the lower subspace from passing into the upper subspace of space 50 despite the fluid pressure at the inlet 2'. The lower subspace is completely filled with feed fluid via the brake wire 5', the fluid pressure pressing the diaphragm 4' into its seat. The pusher element 67 is not pressed downwards and protrudes out of the main body 60 and the block 61. The force of the spring 66 contained in the main timing chamber 64 is greater than the force exerted by the compressed spring 68.

[0036] To the figure 3B The user pressed the push button 67. The air contained in the timing chamber 64 was forced downwards at the lower peripheral end of the lip of the lip seal 65, then directed upwards along the lateral walls between the walls of the upper block 61 and that of the tubular element 62, exiting through the upper opening of the block 61. The initially air-filled timing chamber 64 emptied, and the upper spring 66 was compressed by the user's push. The plunger 6' continued to press on the diaphragm 27'. Thus, as long as the user maintained pressure on the push button 67, the valve remained closed; the opening for the flow of the supply fluid could only occur after the pressure on the element 67 was released.

[0037] To the figure 3C The user released the pressure on the pusher element 67. The lower compressed spring 68, no longer having to withstand the force of the spring 66 (which remains compressed due to the vacuum in the timing chamber) in chamber 64, causes the two upper and lower tubular elements 62 and 63 to rise, and consequently the plunger 6' to rise, thus disengaging it from its contact with the diaphragm 27'. This results in the central part of the diaphragm 27' rising and the channel 54 opening upwards. The supply fluid, which was previously blocked at the outlet of the channel 54, can now pass into the upper subspace and be discharged through lateral outlets in this subspace.This results in a decrease in the pressure exerted by the water in the lower subspace on the main diaphragm 4', which, under the effect of the water entering through the inlet 2', rises and allows the supply fluid (water) to pass to the lateral outlets 3'. At the same time, the upper spring 66 is compressed and the chamber 64 remains empty. However, air begins to enter again from the top through suitable valved orifices 16' formed in the pusher element 67, the cross-section of which can be adjusted by an adjusting rod 17'.

[0038] As air or timing fluid refills chamber 64, the lower tubular element 63, under the effect of air pressure and the compressed upper spring 66, descends, carrying with it the plunger 6' ( figure 3D ) until the latter presses the membrane 27' against the edge of the outlet of channel 54, which has the effect of increasing the pressure in the upper part of the main membrane and thus pressing the main membrane 4' back into its seat to block the passage of water between the inlet 2' and the outlets 3' ( figure 3A ).

[0039] To figures 3C et 3D , we can see that the feed fluid (water) comes out upwards, after being joined by the water coming out of the upper subspace.

[0040] According to the embodiments of the invention described, even if the time-delay cartridge is removed, the mixer block continues to be controlled by the push button from the outside.

Claims

1. Single-lever, timed mixer tap comprising a pushbutton (1) that makes it possible to control the passage of water between at least one water supply inlet, in particular two inlets for hot water and cold water respectively, and at least one outlet for the mixed water, a mixing block (11; 11') having a portion that is rotatably movable in relation to a stationary portion in order to vary the temperature of the mixed water, and a timer cartridge (6), the mixing block and the timer cartridge are mounted independently from one another and the pushbutton is mounted such that it is translatably and rotatably movable, and at least one member (2, 5) for transmitting the movement of the pushbutton is provided, this being designed to transmit, on one hand, a translational movement to an actuator rod (6') of the timer cartridge, and, on the other hand, a rotational movement to the movable portion of the mixing block, characterised in that the pushbutton (1), of circular cylindrical shape, cooperates with a transmission element (2) having a stem shaped upper part (3), solidarized to the pushbutton via a blocking screw (4), and a hollow cylinder shaped lower part (5) defining an internal space for allowing said cylinder to cover the timing cartridge (6).

2. Tap according to claim 1, characterised in that the rotational movement is transmitted from the exterior of the timer cartridge (6).

3. Tap according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the mixing block is a so-called thermostatic sub-assembly.

4. Tap according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the timer cartridge is arranged between the pushbutton and the mixing block.

5. Tap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the timer cartridge is received at least in part, and particularly substantially completely, inside the transmission member.

6. Tap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission member is a hollow cylinder (5), especially traversed by the actuator rod (6') of the timer cartridge.

7. Tap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mixing block, timer cartridge, pushbutton and transmission member, especially in the form of a hollow cylinder, are aligned, especially along the axis of the actuator rod.