Anti-frost crack device and water discharge device

Abstract

An anti-frost crack device (2), comprising: a main body (21) and a blocking assembly (22), wherein the main body (21) is provided with a cavity (210) of which one end is open, the open end of the cavity (210) is configured to be in communication with a water cavity (10) of a water discharge valve (1), the blocking assembly (22) is arranged in the cavity (210) and can be switched between a first state in which the open end is blocked and a second state in which the open end is opened.

Description

Anti-freeze cracking device and water outlet device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on September 14, 2023, with application number 202322500873.6 and invention name “A Freeze-proof Crack Device and Water Outlet Device”, the contents of which should be understood as incorporated into this application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This article relates to but is not limited to the technical field of antifreeze devices, and in particular to but is not limited to an antifreeze cracking device and a water outlet device. Background Art

[0003] In a freezing environment, the water inside the valve body of a shower or bathroom faucet turns to ice and increases in volume by about 10%. The shower or bathroom faucet valve body may crack, leak, or suffer other defects due to freezing, causing economic losses to users.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following is a summary of the subject matter described in detail herein and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0006] The present invention provides an anti-freeze cracking device comprising:

[0007] The main body is provided with a cavity with one end open, and the open end of the cavity is arranged to communicate with the water cavity of the water outlet valve;

[0008] The blocking component is arranged in the cavity and can switch between a first state of blocking the opening end and a second state of opening the opening end.

[0009] The embodiment of the present application further provides a water outlet device, comprising: a water outlet valve, and an anti-freeze cracking device as described in any of the above embodiments installed in conjunction with the water outlet valve;

[0010] In the first state, the cavity of the anti-freeze cracking device is isolated from the water cavity of the water outlet valve;

[0011] In the second state, the cavity of the anti-freeze crack device is communicated with the water cavity of the water outlet valve.

[0012] Summary of the Figures

[0013] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the technical solution of this article and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of this application, they are used to explain the technical solution of this article and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution of this article.

[0014] FIG1 is a perspective exploded view of a water outlet device provided in a first embodiment of the present application;

[0015] FIG2 is a front view of the water outlet device provided in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0016] FIG3 is a cross-sectional view of the antifreeze device in FIG2 in a first state;

[0017] FIG4 is a cross-sectional view of the antifreeze device in FIG2 in a second state;

[0018] FIG5 is a perspective view of an antifreeze device provided in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0019] FIG6 is an axial cross-sectional view of the antifreeze device provided in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0020] FIG7 is a perspective exploded view of the antifreeze device provided in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0021] FIG8 is a perspective exploded view of a water outlet device provided in a second embodiment of the present application;

[0022] FIG9 is a front view of a water outlet device provided in a second embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG10 is a cross-sectional view of the antifreeze device in FIG9 in a first state;

[0024] FIG11 is a cross-sectional view of the antifreeze device in FIG9 in a second state;

[0025] FIG12 is a perspective view of an antifreeze device provided in a second embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG13 is an axial cross-sectional view of an antifreeze device provided in a second embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG14 is a perspective exploded view of the antifreeze device provided in the second embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Reference numerals:

[0029] Water outlet device-100, 100a; anti-freeze cracking device-2, 2a; water outlet valve-1, 1a; water cavity-10, 10a; main body-21, 21a; sealing assembly-22, 22a; cavity-210, 210a; closed cavity-A; release cavity-B; sealing member-221, 221a; positioning groove-211; elastic element-222, 222a; sealing block-2210; extension part-2211; installation groove-2212; first sealing member-223, 223a; connecting part-23, 23a; internal thread-230, 110a; second sealing member-24, 24a; installation part-25, 25a; third sealing member-26a; molded art hole-11, 11a; external thread-110.

[0030] Details

[0031] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless there is a conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other in any manner.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1-7, embodiments of the present application provide a water outlet device 100 and a frost crack prevention device 2. The water outlet device 100 includes a water outlet valve 1 and an frost crack prevention device 2 mounted in conjunction with the water outlet valve 1. The frost crack prevention device 2 communicates with a water chamber 10 of the water outlet valve 1. The water chamber 10 can be a pre-valve water chamber or a post-valve water chamber, such as a water inlet chamber, a water mixing chamber, a hot water chamber, a water outlet chamber, or the like.

[0033] When the water outlet valve 1 is closed, a certain amount of water is stored in the water chamber 10 of the water outlet valve 1. In cold winter or low ambient temperatures, the water in the water chamber 10 may freeze, causing its volume to increase. Installing the anti-freeze crack device 2 in the water outlet valve 1 frees up space connected to the water chamber 10 during the freezing process, storing the expanded volume of the water chamber 10 and thus preventing the water outlet valve 1 from freezing due to volume expansion.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5-7, the anti-freeze cracking device 2 of the embodiment of the present application includes a main body 21 and a blocking assembly 22. The main body 21 is provided with a cavity 210 with one end open. The open end of the cavity 210 is configured to communicate with the water cavity 10 of the water outlet valve 1. The blocking assembly 22 is disposed in the cavity 210 and can switch between a first state in which the open end is blocked and a second state in which the open end is open.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the blocking assembly 22 can move within the cavity 210. In the second state, the cavity 210 can be divided into a sealed cavity A and a release cavity B. The release cavity B can be connected to the water cavity 10 of the water outlet valve 1. As shown in Figure 3, in the first state, the blocking assembly 22 blocks the open end of the cavity 210, and the cavity 210 as a whole becomes a sealed cavity, preventing water from entering. As shown in Figure 4, in the second state, the blocking assembly 22 opens the open end and releases the cavity 210, mainly dividing it into the sealed cavity A and the release cavity B.

[0036] In the anti-freeze cracking device 2 of the embodiment of the present application, under normal use (first state), the blocking component 22 blocks the opening of the cavity 210 to prevent the water in the water chamber 10 from entering the cavity 210. In low temperature conditions (second state), the water in the water chamber 10 freezes, causing the freezing to expand. The blocking component 22 partially releases the cavity 210 to store the expanded volume, preventing the water outlet valve 1 from freezing.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6-7, the sealing assembly 22 includes a sealing member 221 capable of sealing the opening, and an elastic element 222 that cooperates with the sealing member 221. The elastic element 222 is configured to provide a force for the sealing member 221 to move toward a position that seals the opening. The elastic element 222 is positioned within the cavity 10, with one end of the elastic element 222 positioned on the main body 21 and the other end on the sealing member 221. In the second state, the elastic element 222 is located within the sealed cavity 10, preventing contact with water, which could cause rust or degradation of its function.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, the sealing member 221 comprises a sealing block 2210 and an extension 2211 extending from the sealing block 22 into the sealed chamber A. A positioning groove 211 is provided on the inner wall of the end of the main body 21 opposite the opening 2101. One end of the elastic element 222 is sleeved onto the extension 2211 and abuts against the sealing block 2210, while the other end extends into the positioning groove 211 and abuts against the wall of the positioning groove 211. In this embodiment of the present application, the elastic element 222 is a spring, while the sealing block 221 is a piston.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, under normal use (the first state), the blocking block 221 is in a balanced position due to the combined action of the elastic element 222 and the normal water pressure. As shown in Figure 4, under low temperatures (the second state), the water in the water chamber 10 of the water outlet valve 1 freezes. The blocking member 221 is driven by the expansion force of the ice, moving away from the opening. The elastic element 222 is compressed, and the cavity 210 of the anti-freeze crack device 2 releases the release chamber B. As the volume of the ice expands, the greater the driving force, the larger the space in the release chamber B, and the larger the space available to accommodate the ice. After thawing, the blocking member 221 returns to its initial position due to the combined action of the spring element 222 and the water pressure.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, the sidewall of the blocking block 221 seals against the sidewall of the cavity 210. The blocking assembly 22 also includes a first sealing member 223 for sealing the sidewall of the blocking block 221 against the sidewall of the cavity 210.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, the sidewall of the blocking block 221 is provided with a mounting groove 2212, into which the first sealing member 223 is mounted. In the first state, the first sealing member 223 prevents water from the water chamber 10 from entering the cavity 210 and occupying the space within the cavity 210. In the second state, the first sealing member 223 prevents water from the water chamber 10 from entering the sealed cavity A, thereby ensuring that no residual water remains in the cavity 210 after thawing. In this embodiment, the first sealing member 223 is a sealing ring.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the main body 21 is provided with a connecting part 23 that can be installed in conjunction with the water outlet valve 1. The connecting part is a connecting joint protruding from the open end, and an internal thread 230 is provided in the connecting joint. The internal thread 230 is located on the side of the open end away from the blocking component 22.

[0043] The anti-freeze crack device 2 also includes a second sealing member 24, which is sleeved on the connection portion and is limited to the connection portion. The anti-freeze crack device 2 also includes a mounting portion 25 located at an end opposite to the open end, which is used to cooperate with an installation tool to achieve installation and fastening of the anti-freeze crack device 2.

[0044] As shown in FIG1 , when the water outlet valve 1 is designed and manufactured, a molding process hole 11 communicating with the water cavity 10 is inevitably left. After manufacturing is completed, a plug is used to seal the molding process 11. The anti-freeze cracking device 2 of the embodiment of the present application is configured to be installed in conjunction with the molding process hole 11. The molding process hole 11 is provided with an external thread 110 that is installed in conjunction with the internal thread 230 provided in the connecting joint 23 of the anti-freeze cracking device 2. Therefore, the anti-freeze cracking device 2 of the present application can be installed without changing the structure of the water outlet valve 1 itself, which can greatly reduce costs.

[0045] The anti-freeze cracking device 2 of the embodiment of the present application has a simple structure, low cost, and automatic operation process. There is no need to disassemble the product shell of the water outlet valve 1. It is flexible in combination and can be mass-produced, generating good economic benefits.

[0046] As shown in Figures 8-14, another embodiment of the present application provides a water outlet device 100a and an anti-freeze cracking device 2a. The water outlet device 100a includes a water outlet valve 1a and an anti-freeze cracking device 2a installed in conjunction with the water outlet valve 1a. The anti-freeze cracking device 2a is connected to the water cavity 10a of the water outlet valve 1a.

[0047] The main difference between the water outlet device 100a of this embodiment and the water outlet device 100 of the first embodiment is that the structure and number of the molding process holes 11a are different from those of the molding process holes 11. For other details, refer to the water outlet device 100 of the first embodiment and are not described here. The inner wall surface of the molding process holes 11a of the water outlet device 100a of this embodiment is provided with internal threads 110a, and there are two molding process holes 11a.

[0048] As shown in Figures 12-14, the anti-freeze crack device 2a of the embodiment of the present application includes a main body 21a and a sealing assembly 22a. The main body 21a is provided with a cavity 210a with one end open. The open end of the cavity 210a is configured to communicate with the water cavity 10a of the water outlet valve 1a. The sealing assembly 22a is disposed in the cavity 210a and is capable of switching between a first state in which the open end is blocked and a second state in which the open end is open. The sealing assembly 22a is disposed in the cavity 210a and is movable within the cavity 210a. In the second state, the cavity 210a is divided into a sealed cavity A and a release cavity B. The release cavity B is configured to communicate with the water cavity 10 of the water outlet valve 1.

[0049] The main difference between the anti-freeze cracking device 2a in this embodiment and the anti-freeze cracking device 2 in the first embodiment is that the structures of the connecting part 23a in which the anti-freeze cracking device 2a is installed in cooperation with the water outlet valve 1a and the connecting part 23 in which the anti-freeze cracking device 2 is installed in cooperation with the water outlet valve 1 are different. The rest can be referred to the anti-freeze cracking device 2 in the first embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0050] The main body 21a of the anti-freeze crack device 2a in this embodiment is equipped with a connection portion 23a that can be mounted on the water outlet valve 1a. The connection portion 23a includes external threads 230a provided on the outer wall of the main body 21a. The external threads 230a mate with the internal threads 110a provided on the inner wall of the molding hole 11a, allowing the anti-freeze crack device 2a to be at least partially accommodated within the molding hole 11a. The anti-freeze crack device 2a includes multiple devices mounted corresponding to the molding holes 11a.

[0051] The anti-freeze burst device 2a in this embodiment further includes a first seal 223a and a second seal 24a. The structure and installation of the first seal 223a and the second seal 24a can be referred to the second seal 24 of the anti-freeze burst device 2 in the first embodiment and are not described in detail here. The anti-freeze burst device 2a in this embodiment further includes a third seal 26a. The third seal 26a is installed on the outer ring of the main body 21a between the end surface of the molding process hole 11a and the mating end surface of the connecting portion 23a.

[0052] The embodiment of the present application fully utilizes the existing molding holes 11, 11a of the water outlet valve 1 to connect with the anti-freeze cracking device 2, 2a, eliminating the need for additional processing of the water outlet valve 1, 1a. Furthermore, depending on the thread requirements of the molding holes 11, 11a, both internal and external thread connections are possible, providing high flexibility and allowing for easy and convenient installation using just a wrench.

[0053] The anti-freeze cracking device 2, 2a of the embodiment of the present application has a simple structure, low cost, and automatic operation process. There is no need to disassemble the product shell of the water outlet valve 1. It is flexible in combination and can be mass-produced, generating good economic benefits.

[0054] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "one side", "the other side", "one end", "the other end", "side", "relative", "four corners", "periphery", "'mouth'-shaped structure", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the structure referred to has a specific orientation, is constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0055] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the terms "connection", "direct connection", "indirect connection", "fixed connection", "installation", and "assembly" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integral connection. The terms "installation", "connection", and "fixed connection" can refer to direct connection, indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood in a specific context.

[0056] Although the embodiments disclosed in this application are as described above, the contents described are merely embodiments adopted to facilitate understanding of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any person skilled in the art to which this application belongs may make any modifications and changes in the form and details of the implementation without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed in this application, but the scope of patent protection of this application shall still be defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. A freezing crack prevention device, comprising: The main body is provided with a cavity with one end open, and the open end of the cavity is arranged to communicate with the water cavity of the water outlet valve; The blocking component is arranged in the cavity and can be switched between a first state of blocking the opening end and a second state of opening the opening end.

2. The anti-freezing cracking device according to claim 1, wherein: The blocking assembly can move in the cavity and divide the cavity into a closed cavity and a release cavity in the second state. The release cavity is configured to communicate with the water cavity of the water outlet valve.

3. The anti-freezing cracking device according to claim 2, wherein: The blocking assembly comprises a blocking piece capable of blocking the opening, and an elastic element matched with the blocking piece, wherein the elastic element is configured to provide power for the blocking piece to move to a position for blocking the opening end.

4. The anti-freezing cracking device according to claim 3, wherein: The elastic element is located in the cavity and abuts against the blocking member and the main body, and when in the second state, the elastic element is located in the closed cavity.

5. The anti-freezing cracking device according to claim 4, wherein: The blocking member comprises a blocking block and an extension portion extending from one end of the blocking block located in the closed cavity in a direction away from the opening, and a positioning groove is provided on the inner wall surface of one end of the main body opposite to the opening end; One end of the elastic element is sleeved on the extension portion and abuts against the blocking block, and the other end extends into the positioning groove and abuts against the groove wall of the positioning groove.

6. The anti-freezing cracking device according to claim 5, wherein: The side wall surface of the blocking block cooperates with the side wall surface of the cavity to seal; The blocking assembly also includes a first seal provided at the sealing position where the side wall surface of the blocking block cooperates with the side wall surface of the cavity. The side wall of the blocking block is provided with an installation groove extending along the circumference of the blocking block, and the first seal is installed in the installation groove.

7. The anti-freezing cracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The main body is provided with a connecting portion that can be installed in cooperation with the water outlet valve; The connecting portion comprises a connecting joint protruding from the opening end, wherein the connecting joint is provided with an internal thread, and the internal thread is located at a side of the opening end away from the blocking component; or The connecting portion includes an external thread arranged on an outer side wall of the main body.

8. The anti-freezing cracking device according to claim 7, wherein: It also includes a second sealing member, which is sleeved on the connecting portion and limited at the connecting portion.

9. A water outlet device, comprising: A water outlet valve, and an anti-freezing cracking device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 installed in cooperation with the water outlet valve; In the first state, the cavity of the anti-freezing crack device is isolated from the water cavity of the water outlet valve; In the second state, the cavity of the anti-freezing crack device is connected to the water cavity of the water outlet valve.

10. The water outlet device according to claim 9, wherein: The water outlet valve comprises a forming process hole communicated with the water cavity, and the anti-freezing crack device is installed in cooperation with the forming process hole.

11. The water outlet device according to claim 10, wherein: The outer wall surface of the forming process hole is provided with an external thread which is matched and connected with the internal thread of the anti-freezing cracking device; or The inner wall surface of the molding process hole is provided with an internal thread which is matched and connected with the external thread of the main body of the anti-freezing and cracking device, and the anti-freezing and cracking device is at least partially accommodated in the molding process hole.

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