Valve device

Abstract

A valve device is described comprising a casing having an opening for the passage of a flow, a sliding obturator element housed within said casing and configured and movable to and from a closed position of said opening for interrupting the flow, and a motorized actuator for controlling the movement of said sliding obturator element to and from said closed position, wherein said actuator comprises a motor housed within said casing. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Valve device

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a valve device of the type comprising a sliding obturator body designed for the evacuation of liquids from grey or black water recovery tanks.

[0003] The invention finds a preferred, though not exclusive, application in the field of valve devices for the drainage of grey and black water from tanks designed for the motorhome or boating sector in general, as well as for special vehicles. Examples of such vehicles include recreational vehicles such as motorhomes and caravans, boats, emergency vehicles, and special vehicles of all kinds that require similar valve devices for the drainage of water, particularly grey and black water, from the tanks mounted on said vehicles.

[0004] In a typical known embodiment, these valve devices are equipped with a manually operated valve body that slides to and from a closed position within an opening in the valve body, which serves as the valve seat cooperating with the valve body. They are also known in the reference industry as "guillotine" valves.

[0005] They are mounted with the opening communicating with the tank's drain spout, so that the sealing body can selectively intercept or release the drain flow exiting the tank.

[0006] As a general rule, the movement of the valve shutter is controlled manually by means of an appendage or operating member applied to the shutter body, by means of which the shutter body is moved in translation between the open and closed positions.

[0007] Since the drainage tanks, in particular those for the drainage of grey water, are in principle placed in the lower parts of the vehicles, typically corresponding to or below the platforms thereof, access to these valve devices is generally not particularly practical and easy for the operator.

[0008] To address this problem and facilitate the actuation of the valve device, systems or kits for converting the control system from manual to motorized have been designed. In the embodiments known to date, these systems involve applying, outside the valve device, a motorized actuator comprising a motor or geared motor configured to generate the movement of displacement of the obturator body relative to the valve seat. These applications, while introducing motorized control of the obturator sliding, lead to an increase in the overall size of the valve device, not to mention that they make the transformation of the manual control of the device complex and costly.

[0009] A main objective of the invention is to provide a valve device structurally and functionally designed to overcome the limitations highlighted with reference to the known technique mentioned, in particular configured to achieve motorized control of the obturator in a valve device not only of small size but also prepared for practical and easy mounting of the valve device.

[0010] This objective and others which will become clear later are achieved by the invention by means of a valve device made in accordance with the following claims.

[0011] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a valve device comprising a casing having an opening for the passage of a flow, a sliding obturator element housed in said casing and movable from and to a closing position of said opening for interrupting the flow, a motorized actuator for controlling the movement of said sliding obturator element from and to said closing position, in which said actuator comprises a motor housed inside said casing.

[0012] Preferably, said motorized actuator includes a screw-nut motion transmission system, kinematically interposed between the motor and the shutter element, so that a rotational movement of the motor is converted into a translational movement of the shutter element.

[0013] Preferably, said transmission system is housed inside said enclosure.

[0014] Preferably, said transmission system comprises a screw coupled in rotation with the motor, which is engaged in screwing with an internal thread disposed in at least one ring integral with the shutter element and linked in a translational movement along the axial development direction of the screw.

[0015] Preferably, said motor is an electric motor.

[0016] Preferably, a speed reducer is provided between said motor and said screw.

[0017] Preferably, said motorized actuator comprises a geared motor powered by direct current.

[0018] Preferably, said shutter element comprises a plate-shaped body guided slidably from and to said closing position of the opening.

[0019] Preferably, said opening passes through said envelope and is delimited by a pair of coaxial and axially separated orifices, between which said obturator element is interposed in said closed position.

[0020] Preferably, said screw has an operating part accessible from outside said housing and configured to allow manual actuation of the screw.

[0021] In one embodiment, the valve device according to the invention includes sensor means for detecting the positioning of the obturator element.

[0022] Preferably, said sensor means comprise a pair of Hall sensors, configured to detect the position of the shutter element, respectively in the closed position with interruption of the flow and in an open position which allows the passage of the flow.

[0023] In one embodiment, the valve device includes a microprocessor-based electronic board equipped with an antenna for Wi-Fi connection to mobile devices and a CAN bus-type wired connection for communicating with vehicle electronic modules.

[0024] In one embodiment, the valve device includes an NTC resistance type antifreeze system, which can be automatically activated by a temperature sensor.

[0025] In one embodiment, the valve device includes an indicator element configured to emit an audible signal during the movement of the obturator element, in order to warn the user of the active operation of the device.

[0026] In one embodiment, the control of the shutter element command is configured to be carried out via a smartphone application.

[0027] In one embodiment, the valve device includes a video camera and / or an LED light integrated into the device.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better highlighted by the following detailed description of its preferred embodiment, illustrated, by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0029] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an example of a valve device made according to the invention,

[0030] [Fig.2] is an additional view of the valve device of [Fig.1], with parts shown in transparency,

[0031] [Fig.3] is a plan view of the valve device of the preceding figures,

[0032] [Fig. 4] is a lateral elevation view of the valve device in the figures previous

[0033] [Fig.5] is an exploded perspective view of the valve device of the preceding figures.

[0034] With reference to the figures cited, 1 is generally designated as an example of a valve device made in accordance with the present invention.

[0035] The valve device 1 is preferably designed to be applied to a (not shown) liquid drain tank, in particular to a grey water drain tank mounted, for example, on recreational vehicles such as motorhomes or caravans, but it is equally suitable for use on other types of vehicles or in other fields, for example in the nautical field or in fields not purely related to vehicles.

[0036] The valve device 1 comprises a box-shaped casing 2, preferably parallelepiped-shaped, as illustrated in the figures, inside which is housed a sliding obturator element, marked with the number 3.

[0037] Said shutter element 3 is operationally associated with an opening 4 made to pass through the envelope 2 and is configured to be able to be moved from and to a closing position of the opening 4.

[0038] In more detail, the through opening 4 is delimited by a pair of coaxial and axially separated orifices 5, 6, between which the obturator element 3 is interposed.

[0039] Preferably the orifices 5, 6 and the opening 4 have a circular cross-section.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the circular section of the opening 4 is predisposed with a diameter of two inches (one inch equals 2.54 cm).

[0041] The shutter element 3 comprises a plate-shaped body 3a, which is slidably guided between the orifices 5, 6 to selectively close the opening 4.

[0042] Under references 7 and 8 there are annular seals mounted respectively at the level of the orifices 5 and 6, capable of making surface contact, in the closed position, with the respective opposite faces of the plate-shaped body 3a of the obturator in order to guarantee the tight closure of the opening 4 by interrupting the flow which passes from one orifice to the other.

[0043] In one application example, one of the orifices 5, 6 can be connected to a drain hole of a tank, so that by means of the valve device the liquid contained in the tank can be selectively emptied outside via the valve device according to the invention.

[0044] Said valve device 1 also includes a motorized actuator, designated by 10, which is configured to control the movement of the obturator element 3, from and to the closed position.

[0045] The actuator 10 comprises a motor 11, preferably an electric motor, which, according to a main feature of the invention, is housed inside the casing 2.

[0046] Said actuator 10 also includes a screw-nut type motion transmission system 12, kinematically interposed between the motor 11 and the shutter element 3, so that a rotational motion of the motor is converted by the transmission system into a translational motion of the shutter element. It should be noted that the transmission system 12, as well as the motor 11, is also entirely housed within the casing 2.

[0047] In more detail, the transmission system 12 includes a screw 13, for example made from an externally threaded rod, which is rotationally coupled with the motor shaft 1 of the motor 11. The thread of the screw 13 is engaged by screwing with the internal thread 14 tapped in the axial hole of at least one appendage 15 shaped as a ring.

[0048] In the preferred example described here, a pair of ring-shaped appendages 15 are provided, not only coaxial and axially spaced from each other, but also both having internally threaded areas 14 into which the screw 13 is engaged by screwing. This configuration guides the shutter element and prevents rotation / jamming in the sliding plane. The rings 15 are fixed to the plate-shaped body 3a of the shutter element or are formed as a single piece with it.

[0049] The screw 13 is further supported in rotation in the housing 2 by a bearing 16, arranged at the end of the screw axially opposite to the end connected to the motor shaft.

[0050] The ring 15 and the body 3a of the shutter are linked in a translational movement within the casing 2, following the axial direction of the screw. Thanks to this configuration, the rotational actuation of the motor 11, in one or the opposite direction of rotation, causes an axial translational movement of the plate-shaped body 3a of the shutter element, bringing it closer to and, respectively, moving it away from the opening 4.

[0051] Preferably, the motor 11 is made as a micromotor and is associated with a speed reduction group.

[0052] A preferred option provides that the motorized actuator is implemented with a DC geared motor (12 volts - 24 volts). In a preferred embodiment, the geared motor is selected with a speed of 100 rpm and a torque of 30 Ncm, and the movement of the shutter element is controlled electronically with translation speeds of less than 10 mm / s. Furthermore, the open / closed positioning of the shutter element 3 is controlled by a pair of respective Hall sensors (not shown) integrated into an electronic board 22 and functionally cooperating with a magnet 17.

[0053] The motor (or geared motor) 11 is housed in the casing 2 supported on a support 18 arranged in a cover 19, said cover being applied removably on the casing 2 and closing at least part of the internal cavity of the casing.

[0054] The arrangement of the cover 19 allows easy access to the motor 11 and the transmission system 12 housed inside the casing 2.

[0055] The assembly of the valve device 1 involves, in order, mounting the motor 11 in its housing inside the casing 2, inserting the screw 13 until it is assembled on the motor shaft 11a, mounting the electronic board 22 and its various connections and finally mounting the cover 19.

[0056] Under reference numeral 20, there is a terminal portion of the screw 13, which projects outside the casing 2 for external access and is configured as an operating portion (for example, with a polygonal profile, preferably hexagonal) for manual actuation of the screw 13, using a wrench or operating tool. The portion 20 of the screw 13 protrudes through a base 21 for closing the casing 2. This base is configured to close the casing at its opening 21a, which is located on the longitudinal side opposite the opening 4.

[0057] In one embodiment, the electronic card 22 (pre-arranged to be housed in the envelope 2) is of the microprocessor type and is provided with an antenna (not shown) for Wi-Fi connection to mobile devices and a wired CAN bus type connection for communicating with vehicle electronic modules.

[0058] In one embodiment, the valve device 1 is equipped with an antifreeze system of the type comprising one or more NTC resistors, under reference 23, which can be automatically activated by a temperature sensor (not shown).

[0059] In one embodiment, the valve device 1 includes a warning element (not shown), for example a buzzer, configured to emit a sound signal during the movement of the obturator element 3, in order to warn the user of the active operation of the device.

[0060] In one embodiment, the control of the shutter element 3 is configured to be carried out via a smartphone application.

[0061] In one embodiment, the valve device 1 includes a video camera 25 and / or an LED light integrated into the device.

[0062] The invention thus achieves the predetermined objectives by obtaining the stated advantages compared to known solutions.

[0063] A key advantage is that, thanks to the fact that the motorized actuator, including the motor or geared motor and the transmission system, is integrated into the valve device by its housing inside the valve device casing, extremely small overall dimensions are obtained for the valve device, a feature that makes it easy to apply the device even in Inconvenient or hard-to-reach locations on drain tanks, especially for recreational and special vehicles.

[0064] Another advantageous aspect lies in the application of the valve device according to the invention both in a horizontal position under the tanks and in a lateral position with the device placed vertically.

[0065] Another advantage lies in the fact that the valve device of the invention can also, thanks to a series of flanges / adapters, replace several versions and models of traditional guillotine valves available on the market.

[0066] Another advantage is that with the valve device of the invention it is possible to drain grey or black water from the tank without getting out of the vehicle.

[0067] Precise placement in the discharge area is facilitated with the aid of the video camera described above.

[0068] Another advantage is that, thanks to the activation of the LED light arranged on the valve device, it is possible to see, either with the video camera or directly, the drainage area in the absence of natural light.

[0069] Thanks to the valve device of the invention, it is also advantageously possible to stay in cold places without having problems with grey water drainage.

Claims

Demands

1. Valve device (1) comprising a casing (2) having an opening (4) for the passage of a flow, a sliding obturator element (3) housed in said casing (2) and configured and movable from and to a closed position of said opening (4) for interrupting the flow, a motorized actuator (10) for controlling the movement of said sliding obturator element (3) from and to said closed position, in which said actuator (10) includes a motor (11) housed inside said casing (2).

2. Valve device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said motorized actuator (10) comprises a screw-nut motion transmission system (12), kinematically interposed between the motor (11) and the obturator element (3), so that a rotational motion of the motor (11) is converted into a translational motion of the obturator element (3).

3. Valve device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said transmission system (12) is housed inside said casing (2).

4. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said transmission system (12) comprises a screw (13) rotationally coupled with the motor (11), which is engaged in screwing with an internal thread (14) disposed in at least one ring (15) integral with the obturator element (3) and bound in a translational movement along the axial development direction of the screw (13).

5. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said motor (11) is an electric motor.

6. Valve device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a speed reducer is provided between said motor (11) and said screw (13).

7. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said motorized actuator (10) comprises a DC-powered geared motor.

8. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said obturator element (3) comprises a body (3a) in the form of a plate guided in a sliding manner from and to said closing position of the opening (4).

9. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said opening (4) passes through said envelope (2) and is delimited by a pair of coaxial and axially separated orifices (5, 6), between which said obturator element (3) is interposed in said closed position.

10. Valve device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said screw (13) has an operating portion (20) accessible from outside said casing (2) and configured to permit manual actuation of the screw (13).

11. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising sensor means for detecting the positioning of the obturator element (3).

12. Valve device (1) according to claim 11, wherein said sensor means comprise a pair of Hall sensors, configured to detect the position of the obturator element (3), respectively in the closed position with interruption of flow and in the open position which permits passage of flow.

13. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a microprocessor-based electronic board (22) equipped with an antenna for Wi-Fi connection to mobile devices and a CAN bus-type wired connection for communicating with vehicle electronic modules.

14. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an NTC resistance type antifreeze system (23), which can be automatically activated by a temperature sensor.

15. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a warning element configured to emit an audible signal during the movement of the obturator element (3), in order to warn the user of the active operation of the device.

16. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control of the control of the obturator element (3) is configured to be carried out via a smartphone application.

17. Valve device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a video camera (25) and / or an LED light integrated into the device.