THERMOSTATIC TAP WITH EXTERNAL CONDUIT CHAMBER

Abstract

A thermostatic tap, comprising a metallic body structure made up of one or more metal parts without internal metallic walls that at least separately conduct the water flows between its functional elements (20, 30), wherein this thermostatic tap (10) comprises a hot water inlet (101) and a cold water inlet (102), as well as water distribution means within its body formed by a plastic insert (100) configured in one or more parts, wherein this thermostatic tap (10) has a metallic body structure formed by a structure with a main part (11) into which at least the plastic insert (100) for internal water distribution is inserted, and also comprises at least the coupling means for the mixing and flow regulation cartridges (20) and the flow regulation cartridges (30), and wherein the main part (11) of the thermostatic tap (10) comprises at least one mixed water supply outlet (103) to the user, characterized by The fact that the thermostatic tap (10) is configured so that the hot water inlet (101) is conducted, from the inlet connection of its hydraulic line in the tap, through the outside of the main part (11) of the structure of its metal body, through a metal sleeve (12) on the outside of said main part (11) of the structure of its metal body, said metal sleeve (12) being configured as an external conduction chamber for said hot water inlet to the tap, in a manner different from the main part (11) of the structure of the metal body of the tap and stake with respect to the outside, carrying out this external conduction to the area of the main part (11) of the structure of the metal body of the thermostatic tap (10) where this hot water is received by the corresponding mixing cartridge (20).

Description

THERMOSTATIC TAP WITH EXTERNAL CONDUIT CHAMBER The present invention relates to a thermostatic tap of the type having a main body of its metal structure with a clear interior, that is, of the type configured without internal divisions of the metal body itself for the conduction of at least the mixed water towards the flow regulation, the tap using an internal plastic insert to achieve said internal conductions and the corresponding couplings of its elements. Background of the invention Known and therefore part of the state of the art, are taps that have a metallic body with a clear interior, that is, without internal metallic divisions made by traditional methods of molding in molten sand molds, in order to minimize their production costs. These types of taps with a metal body without internal metal divisions of the body itself, conventionally include a plastic insert that performs its internal fixation to create these internal conduits, watertight between them, as well as the housings for the correct positioning and connection with the mixing cartridge and with the flow regulation cartridge, in the case of a thermostatic tap. The configuration of these inserts, especially in the case of thermostatic taps, can be really complicated, considering that these plastic inserts are made up of two or more independent pieces that must constitute these conduits, fit together in a watertight manner, as well as fit with the inlets and outlets of the tap body and with the mixing and flow regulation cartridges. In this type of thermostatic tap, the known plastic inserts must typically perform the following functions: The hot water is channeled to the mixing cartridge, running longitudinally through practically the entire body of the tap; The conduction of cold water to the mixing cartridge; The conduction of the mixed water in the mixing cartridge towards the flow regulation cartridge; The conduction of the mixed water with the regulated flow rate, towards an outlet of the tap body; The housing of the mixing cartridge in the connection position with the corresponding pipes; and The housing of the flow regulator cartridge in the connection position with the corresponding pipes. With these conduits created by the configuration of the inner plastic insert and, especially relevant although not limiting, in the case of thermostatic taps that are designed to include two separate water outlets from their body for two different supply points to the user, this fact of having to divert the outlet of the mixed and regulated water flow to two different outlets in the tap body itself, does not allow creating an insert with a sufficiently practical and reliable geometry, only making it possible to create inserts with complicated geometries and with passage sections smaller than necessary to maintain flows, pressures and noises within the required comfort parameters. Therefore, a thermostatic tap configuration is necessary that, starting from a tap configuration with a metal structure with an interior without divisions made by molding and with an internal configuration with divisions and conduits created by an internal plastic insert, allows simplifying the design of said plastic insert, has one or more differentiated supply outlets to the user, its configuration being efficient, safe and allowing compliance with comfort / homologation standards. Description of the invention The objective of the present invention is to provide a thermostatic tap with an external conduction chamber with respect to the main part of the structure, its metallic body, which manages to solve the aforementioned drawbacks, presenting other advantages that will be described below. For clarification, it should be understood that the main part of the metal body structure of the thermostatic tap is the part of the metal structure that includes at least the connection fittings to the hydraulic supply lines and at least the conduit between the water mixing cartridge and the flow regulation cartridge, preferably forming the main geometry of the metal structure of the thermostatic tap. In accordance with this objective, and with respect to a first aspect, the present invention is based on a thermostatic tap, wherein the thermostatic tap is formed by a metallic body structure consisting of one or more metallic pieces without internal metallic walls that at least separately conduct the water flows between its functional elements. These functional elements include, but are not limited to, the mixing and flow regulation cartridges and the body outlets for supplying regulated water to the user. This thermostatic tap comprises a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet, by means of their corresponding connections, as well as water distribution means inside its body formed by a plastic insert configured in one or more pieces, configured for the independent and watertight conduction of water at least between the mixing cartridges and the regulating cartridge, as well as its subsequent conduction to the one or more outlets of the main body piece. The thermostatic tap has a metal body structure consisting of a main piece into which at least the plastic insert for internal water distribution is inserted, and also includes at least the means for coupling the mixing and flow regulation cartridges, where the main piece of the tap includes at least one outlet for supplying mixed water to the user. Advantageously, the thermostatic tap is configured so that the hot water inlet is conducted, from the inlet connection of its hydraulic line in the tap, through the outside of the main part of the structure of its metal body, through a metal sleeve on the outside of said main part of the structure of its metal body, said metal sleeve being configured as an external conduit chamber for said hot water inlet to the tap, in a differentiated manner from the main part of the structure of the metal body of the tap and stake with respect to the outside, carrying out this external conduit to the area of ​​the main part of the structure of the metal body of the tap where this hot water is received by the corresponding mixing cartridge. With this configuration, in which the hot water is conducted through the external conduction chamber from its inlet connection section in the thermostatic tap, prior to the hot water entering the main part of the tap body structure, to an inlet in the main part of the tap body structure that communicates directly with the mixing cartridge at its hot water inlet point, it is avoided to have to create this conduction in the inner plastic insert.With this, the design of the configuration of said plastic insert only needs to include, in addition to the housings for the mixing and flow regulation cartridges, the conduction of the mixed water towards the flow regulation cartridge, as well as the conduction of the water towards one or more differentiated outlets of the main piece of the metal structure of the thermostatic tap, without critically complicating the design of the pieces that form said inner plastic insert, and this conduction of the hot water from the tap's inlet connection to the mixing cartridge can be omitted from the design of the insert. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is formed by an auxiliary metal piece that, from the outside of the main piece of the metal body structure, closes at least towards it and towards the hot water inlet point to said sleeve, creating, by welding between them, auxiliary metal piece, hot water inlet point and main piece of the metal body structure, an externally sealed conduit space that connects the hot water hydraulic line inlet with the point of the main piece of the metal body structure where the hot water enters the area of ​​said main piece where it enters the mixing cartridge. With these characteristics of the conduit sleeve, it is possible to utilize the configuration of a conventional main component of the thermostatic tap's metal structure. From this main component, an additional piece, preferably welded, is attached externally, allowing one of the hydraulic lines to be routed from its inlet to the mixing cartridge. This additional piece can be sealed around the main component, as well as around the hydraulic line inlet structure at the tap, creating a hot water transfer conduit. According to a complementary embodiment to the previous embodiments, the jacket comprises an external insulating piece that totally or partially separates the outer conduction jacket from the hot water being created, preventing direct contact with the user. This piece acts as a second thermal insulation jacket with respect to the hot water conduction jacket. This enhances the safety of the configuration by preventing voluntary or involuntary direct contact with the hot water transfer jacket, thus avoiding the risk of burns from direct contact with the surface of the auxiliary metal piece. This external insulating piece is preferably configured in the same way as the auxiliary metal piece, i.e., it consists of a metal piece that closes onto the main part of the metal body structure, covering the jacket. Also, in addition to any of the above embodiments, the outer hot water conduction jacket comprises a second metal piece that totally or partially separates the water conduction space created as the outer hot water conduction jacket from being in contact with the main piece of the metal body structure. This creates an insulating chamber away from the main component, preventing significant heat transfer to the pre-mixed water flowing through the plastic insert. This insulating chamber is preferably constructed similarly to the previously described sleeves. Naturally, when this separation between the external pipe and the faucet body is implemented along its entire length, the necessary exceptions are made for the water inlet points of the hydraulic line to the sleeve and the outlet points of the sleeve to the main component of the metal body, where the mixing cartridge receives the water. This embodiment can be configured with the external auxiliary metal piece, which forms the external conduction sleeve of the hot water, closed over the main piece of the metal body structure, welded directly onto the body of the main piece of the metal body structure itself. According to a possible additional embodiment to any of the preceding embodiments, at least the external auxiliary metal piece that forms the external hot water conduit sleeve is a metal plate with an arc-shaped cross-section. This configuration allows for easy adaptation to the faucet body, since the original shape of the external metal piece already has the geometry that allows it to close around the body or auxiliary piece to which it is welded. According to an optional embodiment of the invention, in addition to any of the preceding embodiments, the main part of the faucet body structure comprises a second outer sleeve for conducting pre-mixed water, with a configuration analogous to the hot water sleeve described above. This configuration allows for the creation of different sleeves associated with different conduits by means of chambers created by welding auxiliary parts. This type of thermostatic faucet offers a greater advantage over the configuration described in any of the previous designs when it includes two separate user supply outlets. This means that these two outlets are located at different points on the main body of the metal structure, unlike a single common outlet from the main body of the faucet to a spout with a diverter valve leading to two separate user supply points. The latter would require a more complex design for the plastic insert, but by eliminating the need to run hot water from its inlet to the mixing cartridge, space is freed up for the configuration of these two separate outlets. Thus, also in addition to any of the preceding claims, preferably the thermostatic tap comprises two separate water supply outlets to the user in the main part of the tap body structure, and wherein the internal plastic water distribution insert comprises at least: - housings configured for receiving and securing the mixing and flow regulation cartridges; - a conduit for the mixed water from the mixing cartridge to the flow regulating cartridge; - at least two separate conduits for the mixed water with the regulated flow, one towards each of the at least two separate outlets of the tap body; This type of plastic insert allows for an internal distribution of inlet, mixed and outlet water flows, adapted to having two separate outlets from the body, allowing for a less complex insert and larger conduction spaces. Brief description of the figures For a better understanding of what has been explained, some drawings are included which, schematically and only as a non-limiting example, represent a practical case of implementation. Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view of a thermostatic tap as of the invention, without the control knobs to show the mixing and flow control cartridges installed in the main part of the tap body. Figure 2 is a first schematic longitudinal section view through the water entry points to the tap, of the thermostatic tap of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view through the mixed water outlets to be supplied to the user of the tap in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a second schematic longitudinal section view through the water outlet points of the main body of the thermostatic tap in Figure 1. Description of a preferred embodiment According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the thermostatic tap (10) is formed from a metal body structure comprising a hollow main piece (11) without internal divisions. This main piece (11) is configured to house a plastic insert (100), as well as coupling means for a mixing regulator cartridge (20) and a flow regulator cartridge (30). The tap (10) comprises a hot water inlet (101), a cold water inlet (102), and at least one mixed water supply outlet (103) to the user, via connections attached to the main piece (11) of the metal body structure of the thermostatic tap (10). Advantageously, and as can be seen primarily in the section of Figure 2, the hot water inlet (101) is routed outside the main component (11) through a metal sleeve (12). This sleeve (12) is configured as an external conduit chamber and is formed by an auxiliary metal piece (13) joined, preferably by welding, to the outer surface of the main component (11) and to the hot water inlet connection to the thermostatic tap (10) to include the hot water inlet point (111), as well as welded to the area of ​​the hot water inlet point (112) to the mixing cartridge (20). This creates a sleeve (12) that is watertight with respect to the exterior of the thermostatic tap (10). This configuration allows hot water, from its inlet connection at the tap (111), to flow through the sealed space formed by the jacket (12) until it reaches an inlet point (112) in the main piece (11), located in the area where the hot water is received by the mixing cartridge (20). Thanks to this external conduit, the plastic insert (100) has a significantly simplified design. Its main function is to conduct the already mixed water through a conduit (21) from the mixing cartridge (20) to the flow regulating cartridge (30), and finally direct it to the outlet(s) (103) of the tap. According to a complementary embodiment, shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the outer hot water conduction jacket (12) may include an outer insulation piece (14). This piece partially or completely separates the jacket (12) from direct contact with the outside, acting as a second thermal insulation jacket (120). This creates an air chamber between the conduction jacket (12) and the insulation piece (14), preventing the risk of burns to the user from contact with a hot surface. Furthermore, this outer insulation piece (14) allows the welds formed by the outer metal piece (13) at its described joint to be concealed, should the weld be thicker and less aesthetically pleasing. In another alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the outer conduction sleeve (12) may comprise a second auxiliary metal piece that separates the hot water conduction space from direct contact with the main piece (11) of the metal body structure. This creates an internal insulation chamber that prevents significant heat transfer from the external hot water to the already mixed water being conducted inside the plastic insert (100). In the present embodiment, although not limited to other alternative geometries, the auxiliary metal piece (13) that forms the sleeve (12) is a metal plate with an arc-shaped cross-section. This configuration easily adapts to the geometry of the main piece (11), allowing it to be closed over it and joined by welding in a simple and efficient manner. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the invention is most advantageous when the thermostatic tap (10) comprises two separate water supply outlets (103) from the main tap body (11). Simplifying the plastic insert (100) by freeing it from the hot water conduit allows it to easily accommodate the two separate conduits (22, 23) for mixed water with the flow already regulated, directing this mixed and regulated water to each of the at least two separate outlets (103) of the main tap body (11). Finally, the same concept of external conduit can be applied to other fluids. According to another optional embodiment, not shown in the figures, the main part (11) of the tap body can include a second outer sleeve for conduit of premixed water, with a configuration analogous to the hot water conduit sleeve (12), allowing the creation of additional conduit chambers by welding auxiliary parts. This second outer sleeve for conduit of premixed water can be used to replace any of the conduits of the inner plastic insert (100), such as one of the conduits to one of the outlets, for example. Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is evident to a person skilled in the art that the thermostatic tap described is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be substituted by technically equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Thermostatic tap, formed by a metallic body structure consisting of one or more metal pieces without internal metallic walls that at least separately conduct the water flows between its functional elements (20, 30), wherein this thermostatic tap (10) comprises a hot water inlet (101) and a cold water inlet (102), as well as water distribution means inside its body formed by a plastic insert (100) configured in one or more pieces, wherein this thermostatic tap (10) has a metallic body structure formed by a structure with a main piece (11) into which at least the plastic insert (100) for internal water distribution is inserted, and also comprises at least the coupling means for the mixing regulating cartridges (20) as well as the flow regulating cartridges (30),and wherein the main part (11) of the thermostatic tap (10) comprises at least one mixed water supply outlet (103) to the user, characterized in that the thermostatic tap (10) is configured such that the hot water inlet (101) is conducted, from the inlet connection of its hydraulic line in the tap, through the outside of the main part (11) of the structure of its metal body, by means of a metal sleeve (12) on the outside of said main part (11) of the structure of its metal body, said metal sleeve (12) being configured as an external conduit chamber for said hot water inlet to the tap, in a manner distinct from the main part (11) of the structure of the metal body of the tap and stake with respect to the outside,carrying out this external conduit to the area of ​​the main part (11) of the metal body structure of the thermostatic tap (10) where this hot water is received by the corresponding mixing cartridge (20).

2. Thermostatic tap, according to claim 1, wherein the metal sleeve (12) is formed by an auxiliary metal part (13) which, from the outside of the main part (11) of the metal body structure, closes at least towards it (11) and towards the hot water inlet point (111) to said sleeve (12), creating, by welding between them, an auxiliary metal part (13), a hot water inlet point (111) and the main part (11) of the metal body structure,A watertight external conduit space connecting the inlet (101) of the hot water hydraulic line to the point (112) of the main part (11) of its metal body structure where the hot water enters the area of ​​said main part (11) where it enters the mixing cartridge (20).

3. A thermostatic tap, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the external hot water conduit sleeve (12) comprises an external insulating piece (14) that totally or partially separates said external conduit sleeve (12) from direct contact, thus forming a second thermal insulation sleeve (120).

4. A thermostatic tap, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the external hot water conduit sleeve (12) comprises a second auxiliary metal piece that totally or partially separates,The water conduction space created as an external hot water conduction sleeve (12) is in contact with the main part (11) of the metal body structure.

5. Thermostatic tap, according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the external auxiliary metal part (13) forming the external hot water conduction sleeve (12) is a metal plate with an arc-shaped cross-section that closes over the main part (11) of the metal body structure, being welded directly onto the body of the main part (11) of the metal body structure.

6. Thermostatic tap, according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main part (11) of the tap body structure comprises a second external mixed water conduction sleeve, with a configuration analogous to the hot water conduction sleeve (12).

7. Thermostatic tap,according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the thermostatic tap (10) comprises two separate water supply outlets (103) in the main part (11) of the tap body structure, and wherein the internal water distribution plastic insert (100) comprises at least: - housings configured for receiving and securing the mixing cartridges (20) and the flow regulator cartridge (30); - a conduit (21) for the mixed water from the mixing cartridge (20) to the flow regulator cartridge (30); - at least two separate conduits (22, 23) for the mixed water and the regulated flow, one to each of the at least two separate outlets (103) of the tap body.