DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING A TIMER-OPERATED TAPE OR A TIMER CARTRIDGE FOR A TIMER-OPERATED TAPE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a time-delay cartridge for a time-delay tap device, particularly for use in high-traffic public places or communities, such as schools or hospitals.

[0002] Typically, a time-delay cartridge or time-delay tap comprises a shutter received in a seat; actuation means comprising a rod, the movement of which causes the shutter to come out of the seat to allow the passage of a supply fluid, in particular water, in particular cold or hot, from a water supply pipe to a water outlet pipe; and timing means intended to ensure that the shutter returns to its seat after a predetermined time interval.

[0003] Conventional timing methods consist of taking a small part of the flow of the supply fluid, in particular water, in tap opening mode to gradually fill a timing chamber, the filling of the timing chamber having the effect of returning the obturator to its seat in the tap closing position.

[0004] Although yielding satisfactory results, this time-delaying technique is dependent on the pressure and temperature of the supply fluid, particularly water, especially in the supply line from the mains, and therefore on the mains pressure, as well as the cleanliness and temperature of the water supplied by the mains. Furthermore, opening the tap, whether manually or electronically, requires significant force to expel the water from the time-delay chamber. This results in either user fatigue in the case of manual opening, for example, by pressing a push button, or high constraints and costs for an electronic device. A device forming a time-delay tap according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 38 35 497 A1.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a device forming a time-delay tap, the opening of which can be carried out on the one hand without it being necessary to overcome a great force and in particular also without this force, and therefore the duration of the delay, varying according to the pressure of the water in the supply network, the temperature or the cleanliness of the water.

[0006] According to the invention, a time-delay tap device or a time-delay cartridge for a time-delay tap device is as defined in claim 1, with improvements and preferred embodiments being defined in subclaims.

[0007] By incorporating an intermediate valve with a timer independent of the supply fluid (and specifically ensuring the supply fluid does not affect the intermediate valve's timer), while maintaining synchronization with the main valve, the valve's timer is advantageously no longer dependent on the supply fluid. This results in more stable valve operation, particularly with respect to variations in ambient temperature and the temperature of the fluid supplied by the network. Similarly, the duration of the timer is stabilized.

[0008] Preferably, the synchronization of the main and intermediate shutters is such that when the intermediate shutter is in its intermediate seat, the main shutter is also in its main seat, and when the intermediate shutter is not in its intermediate seat, the main shutter is also not in its main seat.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the timing means comprise a main timing chamber which acts on the movement of the control rod, the timing chamber being filled with a timing fluid, in particular different from the supply fluid, for example air.

[0010] As a result, to remove the main valve from its seat, the user only needs to apply a small amount of force to expel the timing fluid, such as air, from the valve. Air has a lower viscosity and is less temperature-dependent than the supply fluid. For example, if a push button controls the movement of the stem, the user opens the valve effortlessly. Furthermore, air is an easy fluid to dispose of, as it is already present in all the components.

[0011] According to an example of an embodiment, not part of the invention, the intermediate obturator is integral with the control rod and the arrangement is such that the movement of the rod, also called plunger, in one direction by the control means causes the main obturator to be withdrawn from the seat in a different direction, in particular opposite, to the direction of movement of the plunger.

[0012] According to the invention, the intermediate obturator consists of a flexible membrane, in particular made of elastomer material, the actuating rod pushing the membrane into the intermediate seat to move the main obturator also into the main seat and the rod moving away and out of its mechanical connection with the membrane to release it, to move it out of its intermediate seat and thereby move the main obturator out of its main seat.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an intermediate discharge chamber is provided which can be filled with the feed fluid between the two obturators, the synchronization arrangement being such that, when the two main and intermediate obturators are received in their respective seats, the intermediate discharge chamber is empty or substantially empty and, when the two intermediate and main obturators are removed from their respective seats, the intermediate discharge chamber is filled with feed fluid.

[0014] Thus, the supply fluid only ensures synchronization between the two shutters, but not the timing of the shutters, and in particular of the passage of the supply fluid.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main seat of the main obturator is arranged axially with respect to the tap, while the other inlet-outlet opening is arranged radially.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the axial opening is the water inlet opening, while the water outlet opening(s) is / are arranged radially.

[0017] Preferably, the movement of the control rod to control the passage of the shutter out of its seat is done by pushing towards the shutter.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the timing chamber is supplied by a timing fluid inlet channel, the cross-section of which can be controlled by an adjusting screw.

[0019] Following an improvement, means of evacuating the timing fluid from the timing chamber without return are provided, in particular a lip seal.

[0020] Preferably, the axes of the two main and intermediate shutters relative to their respective seats are parallel, in particular vertical.

[0021] Preferably, the two shutters move relative to their seat not only in the same direction but also in the same sense.

[0022] As an example, we now describe methods of implementation by referring to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows, in longitudinal sectional view, a time delay cartridge according to a first embodiment not forming part of the invention; Figures 2A to 2F show the cartridge of the figure 1 in different positions to illustrate its operation; and Figures 3A to 3D represent the timing cartridge of the embodiment of the invention in different positions to illustrate its operation.

[0023] To the figure 1 The time-delay cartridge shown comprises a main body 1, substantially cylindrical in shape, having at its lower end an opening 2 for water inlet or supply, and radial outlet openings 3 also located at the lower part of the valve. A main obturator 4, in the form of a diaphragm with a locking wire 5, is received in the main seat formed in the opening 2.

[0024] A plunger 6, attached to a push button 40, is arranged to extend inside the body 1. The plunger 6 is attached to a plate 9 through which it passes. The plate 9 can slide along the inner wall of the body 1, sealed at its interface with the wall by means of a sealing O-ring 10. The plate 9, together with a block 11, defines a timing chamber 12, into which air is supplied.

[0025] In block 11, an air passage channel 13 is formed, closed by a non-return valve 14. A channel 15 connects the outlet of the valve 14 to the outside. In addition, a channel 16, called the timing channel or path, is formed in block 11. The cross-section of this channel can be modified by means of a timing adjustment screw 17. Channel 16 opens on one side into chamber 12 and is connected on the other side to the air intake channel 15.

[0026] A return spring 18 ensures the push button 40 returns to its upward position once the user has released pressure on the push button.

[0027] In the lower part of the valve, above the area where the main diaphragm-shaped obturator 4 is located, there is an inner lower block 21, fixed to the wall of the valve body 1. This block is sealed to the wall of the body 1 by means of O-ring seals 22 and 23. Several channels are formed within this block 21. The block 21 has an annular channel 24 opening at its lower end into a chamber 25, which houses the diaphragm 4, and at its upper end into a chamber 26, which houses an intermediate obturator 27 attached to the lower end of the plunger 6. The plunger 6 passes partially through the block 21 in a vertical channel 28 opening above the chamber 26. Two horizontal channels 29 and 30 extend within the block 21 between the vertical channel 28 and the outside of the valve.

[0028] The membrane forming the main shutter separates chamber 25 into two compartments, namely an upper compartment 35 and a lower compartment 36.

[0029] The operation of the cartridge or the tap containing the cartridge is carried out in the following manner.

[0030] From the position shown in the figure 2A In this configuration, with the tap closed and the diaphragm 4 resting in its seat in the axial opening 2 to prevent water from flowing from the network through opening 2 to the radial outlet openings 3, the user presses the push button 40. This causes the plate 9 to be pressed against the block 11 via the plunger and the air from the time-delay chamber 12 to the outside via the channel 13, the check valve 14, and the outlet channel 15. Simultaneously, the plunger 6 attached to the plate 9 descends and presses the intermediate obturator 27 against the bottom of the intermediate chamber 26. The result is that the intermediate obturator 27 comes out of its intermediate seat and allows water from compartment 36 of chamber 25 to pass through the annular channel 24, the vertical channel 28 and the horizontal channels 29 and 30 for discharge to the outside.Thus, the supply fluid, in this case water, which remained suspended in the upper compartment 35 of chamber 25 (i.e., on the side opposite opening 2) and which was maintaining pressure on the diaphragm 4 in its seat, is discharged to the outside. As a result, the diaphragm 4 is no longer subjected to pressure on its upper side and, under the influence of the system fluid, moves upwards from its seat into opening 2. This opens opening 2 and allows the supply fluid to pass between the axial opening 2 and the radial openings 3, thereby moving the valve into an open position in which the two obturators 4 and 27 are dislodged from their respective seats.

[0031] When the user stops pressing button 40, the return spring 18 tends to bring the plunger 6 back up. Furthermore, air passes through orifice 15 into channel 16 to chamber 12 via adjusting screw 17, which regulates the return airflow into chamber 12. When chamber 12 is again completely filled with air, this also causes the rod 8 to move upwards, so that the intermediate obturator 27 is again positioned in its seat away from the bottom of chamber 26. Water then fills channels 24 and the upper compartment 35 of chamber 25 above the diaphragm 4 via the brake wire 5 until it pushes the diaphragm against the seat 2. The system is then returned to its starting position, namely a closed valve position, in which both obturators 4 and 27 are in their seats.

[0032] Thus, as can be seen, the user can easily press the push button 40 to open the tap, requiring only a small force to expel the air from compartment 12. At the same time, however, the diaphragm 4 is held in the closed position by a force much greater than the small force required to open it, the water in compartment 35 exerting a pressure on the diaphragm 4 much greater than the pressure exerted by the air on the plate 9. In this way, compared to the prior art, the functions of the timing and supply fluids have been separated, each fluid having its own function: one, air, which is expelled into the atmosphere to open the tap, and the other, water, which presses against the diaphragm to prevent leaks when the tap is closed.In addition, the filling time of the time chamber hardly varies according to the outside temperature to which the tap is subjected, the viscosity of the air, a determining factor in the filling time of the chamber through the section of channel 16, varies very little according to the temperature.

[0033] For example, air, at normal pressure of 1 atm, has a dynamic viscosity of 0.0168 mPa.s at -10°C, 0.01786 mPa.s at 0°C and 0.0198 mPa.s at 50°C, while water has a dynamic viscosity of 1.308 mPa.s at 10°C and 0.54 mPa.s at 50°C.

[0034] An embodiment with a push button has been described above. A rotary lever or any other mechanical control method could be used instead.

[0035] Furthermore, a timed valve has been described above in which the flow of the supply fluid occurs as soon as the obturator is removed from its seat, regardless of whether the user continues to operate the control means, for example, continues to press the push button. While remaining within the scope of the invention, additional means, conventional in this field, can be provided to prevent the flow of the supply fluid as long as the user continues to operate the control means, for example, continues to press the push button. The flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet openings can only occur once the user ceases to operate the control means.

[0036] In general, fluid viscosities, especially dynamic ones, are determined at ambient temperature, particularly at 20°C, for comparison purposes. Their measurement is carried out using a conventional viscometer.

[0037] Following an improvement, means can be provided to control the forced opening of the non-return valve, which results in the instantaneous filling of the pneumatic chamber and consequently the cancellation of the time delay and the immediate or near-immediate closure of the tap.

[0038] To figures 3A à 3D A timing cartridge is shown according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] The time-delay cartridge 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 end 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'.

[0040] 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-shaped 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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'.

[0046] 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'.

[0047] The operation of the cartridge figures 3A à 3D is the following.

[0048] 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 the 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 flow 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'.

[0051] 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 ).

[0052] 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.

Claims

1. Device forming a timer-operated tap or timer cartridge for a device forming a timer-operated tap, comprising at least one inlet opening (2') for supply fluid, in particular hydraulic fluid, for example water, and at least one outlet opening (3') for supply fluid; a main closure member (4') being capable of being received in a main seat formed in one of the at least one outlet or inlet openings to close the tap and of being removed from the main seat in order to open the tap and allow the passage of the supply fluid between the inlet and outlet openings; control means comprising a push element (67) to control the movement of the main closure member by means of a control rod (6'); and timer means intended for moving the main closure member into its seat at the end of a preset time interval following its removal, an element (27') forming an intermediate closure member and an associated intermediate seat also being provided, the arrangement being such that the movement between the positions in the intermediate seat and outside the intermediate seat of the intermediate closure member is controlled by the timer means, a synchronisation being carried out between the movements of the main and intermediate closure members respectively by means of the supply fluid, and the arrangement being such that, as long as the user keeps the pressure on the push element (67), the tap remains closed, the opening thereof for the passing of the supply fluid being possible only after releasing the pressure on the element (67), characterised in that the intermediate closure member comprises a flexible membrane (27'), especially made from an elastomer material, the actuating rod pushing the membrane (27') into the intermediate seat so that the main closure member (4') is also pushed into the main seat and the rod moves away from and leaves its mechanical connection with the membrane ((27') to release it, causing it to leave its intermediate seat and by the same token causing the main closure member (4') to leave its main seat.

2. Device forming a timer-operated tap or timer cartridge for a device forming a timer-operated tap according to claim 1, characterised in that synchronisation of the main and intermediate closure members (4', 27') is such that when the intermediate closure member is in its intermediate seat, the main closure member is also in its main seat, and when the intermediate closure member is not in its intermediate seat, the main closure member is not in its main seat either.

3. Device forming a timer-operated tap or timer cartridge for a device forming a timer-operated tap according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the timer means comprise a main timer chamber that affects the displacement of the control rod, the timer chamber being filled with a timer fluid, especially a different fluid to the supply fluid, for example, air.

4. Device forming a timer-operated tap or timer cartridge for a device forming a timer-operated tap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that an intermediate discharge chamber is provided, said chamber being able to fill with supply fluid between the two closure members, the synchronisation arrangement being such that, when the two main and intermediate closure members are received in their respective seat, the intermediate discharge chamber is empty or substantially empty and, when the two intermediate and main closure members have left their respective seat, the intermediate discharge chamber is filled with supply fluid.

5. Device forming a timer-operated tap or timer cartridge for a device forming a timer-operated tap according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the main seat of the main closure member is arranged axially in relation to the tap, while the other inlet-outlet opening is arranged radially.

6. Device forming a timer-operated tap or timer cartridge for a device forming a timer-operated tap according to claim 5, characterised in that the axial opening is the water inlet opening, while the water outlet opening or openings is / are arranged radially.

7. Device forming a timer-operated tap or timer cartridge for a device forming a timer-operated tap according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that displacement of the control rod to control the passage of the closure member out of its seat takes place by pushing towards the closure member.

8. Device forming a timer-operated tap or timer cartridge for a device forming a timer-operated tap according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that non-return evacuation means are provided for the timer fluid in the timer chamber, specifically a lip seal (65).