Electronic mixer cartridge and electronic operating handle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic mixer cartridge (1) for mixer taps, the cartridge being intended to be attached to an operating handle having interface means and an electronic control board (26). The mixer cartridge is provided with temperature detection means consisting of a temperature probe (8) which is configured to take direct water temperature readings and is attached to an electronic board (9) arranged in a housing provided in the base (3), the base (3) being linked to the ceramic discs and being located inside the bottom of the main housing, the base (3) having a hole through which the temperature probe (8) protrudes, such that the temperature probe is in direct contact with the flow of mixed water. In addition, sealing means are provided which are configured to prevent the flow of mixed water from coming into contact with the electronic board (9).

Description

[0001] Electronic single-lever cartridge and electronic operating handle

[0002] DESCRIPTIVE MEMORANDUM

[0003] Object of the invention

[0004] The invention proposes the development of an electronic single-lever cartridge provided with means for detecting water temperature, an electronic actuating handle for a single-lever tap provided with a user interface, as well as an actuating assembly formed by the electronic single-lever cartridge and the actuating handle.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Currently, a wide variety of cartridges for single-lever taps are known on the market, developed for the inlet of cold or hot water and an outlet for mixed water, or cold or hot according to the user's needs.

[0007] Also known in the state of the art are accessories that allow the temperature of the mixed water to be determined and to show some type of warning or information that the temperature of the mixed water corresponds to that of scalding, which may include a temperature indicator coupled operatively with a temperature measuring circuit.

[0008] An example of a mixed water temperature detection system in a single-lever faucet is described in US patent 4,682,626, which shows a single-lever mixer fitting having a temperature-indicating means electrically coupled to a valve assembly via a sensor plate. However, the sensor plate is an external addition to the replaceable cartridge; therefore, the cartridge itself does not contain the necessary means for temperature detection. Thus, to perform all the functions, the replaceable cartridge must be connected to the sensor plate, which is inconvenient due to the possibility of water leaks when the sensor plate is attached to the cartridge.Also known is document ES 2871805 which describes a single-lever cartridge where the temperature reading is carried out indirectly through a probe housed inside a base where it is not in contact with the water flow, the common parts of which form part of the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] However, it has been observed that taking an indirect reading, by heat transfer from the contact wall of a base with the water to the probe integrated into the base, results in a reading with low accuracy. This is because the reading detected is the temperature of the base piece, and the process is slow. To solve this problem, a correction parameter can be applied in the software linked to the temperature probe, but this requires a very precise measurement of the material's heat dissipation factor, thus compromising its reliability.

[0010] Furthermore, the applicant is not currently aware of an invention that has all the features described in this specification.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] The present invention has been developed in order to provide an electronic single-lever cartridge that is configured as a novelty within the field of application and solves the aforementioned drawbacks, also providing other additional advantages that will be evident from the description that follows.

[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic single-lever cartridge for single-lever taps, being of the type comprising:

[0014] A main casing with a generally cylindrical shape;

[0015] A base located internally at the bottom of the main housing that has a first through-hole intended for the passage of a flow of cold water, a second through-hole intended for the passage of a flow of hot water, and a third through-hole intended for the passage of a flow of mixed water;

[0016] A pair of ceramic discs located above the base, and a lower ceramic disc being fixedly coupled to the base;

[0017] A movable cover disposed above the ceramic discs, capable of being moved by the movement caused by an actuating block that protrudes from the top of the main housing and is configured to engage with an actuating handle; Temperature sensing means for detecting the temperature value in the third orifice; and

[0018] A connector that is attached to the electronic board via a flexible cable for power supply and data communication, the connector being intended to be attached to a handle-operated connector.

[0019] In particular, the invention is characterized by the fact that the temperature detection means consist of a probe configured for direct reading of the water temperature, coupled to an electronic board arranged in a housing in the base. The base has an opening through which the temperature probe protrudes, such that the temperature probe is in direct contact with the mixed water flow. Furthermore, sealing means are provided to prevent contact between the mixed water flow and the electronic board.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing means may consist of a resin coating that partially or totally encloses the electronic board and partially the section of the temperature probe that is in contact with the through hole in the base.

[0021] Preferably, the cartridge comprises a groove extending longitudinally on the outer face of the side wall of the dimensioned main housing, configured to accommodate the flexible cable.

[0022] To prevent the cable from being exposed externally to dirt or impacts, a removable protective cover is provided which is attached by a pressure joint in the groove.

[0023] Additionally, the electronic board has a communication module (e.g., wireless) intended for data transmission with an external system, so that information related to the flow of water circulating through the single-lever cartridge (such as the volume or supply pressure), the possible presence of leaks, the water quality according to a pre-established standard, etc., can be transmitted.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic actuating handle for a single-lever tap, configured to be operatively coupled to a single-lever cartridge as described above, comprising a body of any suitable material, provided with a housing where user interface means and an electronic control board configured to be in data communication with the electronic board of the single-lever cartridge are arranged, the actuating handle having connection means linkable with the connector present in the single-lever cartridge.

[0025] Preferably, the connection means consist of a pin connector that extends out from the electronic control board.

[0026] According to the invention, the interface means comprise a display screen that allows, for example, the display of the temperature value at which a water flow is.

[0027] Preferably, the actuating handle comprises position detection means consisting of an accelerometer, so that the microprocessor can detect whether the actuating handle is in the open or closed position for the purpose of activating or deactivating the interface means present in the actuating handle itself.

[0028] Advantageously, the operating handle includes a power supply connected to the electronic control board. It should be noted that in the event of a power outage, the supply of hot, cold, or mixed water will not be affected in any way.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the power supply consists of a removable battery.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the power supply consists of a rechargeable battery connected to a USB connector port.

[0031] Thanks to these features, the reliability of the temperature readings detected by the probe is improved. Therefore, in the event of a sudden temperature change due to the user quickly moving the handle, the probe reading is virtually instantaneous and accurate. This contrasts with what can happen when using an indirect temperature probe, where heat transfer with the base material has been observed to result in inaccurate readings and require more time to obtain the temperature data.

[0032] It should be noted that the single-lever cartridge has standard dimensions, so it is not necessary to modify the dimensions of the housing in the tap for the insertion of this single-lever cartridge, which greatly simplifies its assembly in new or existing taps compared to other cartridges or systems known in the prior art.

[0033] Another object of the invention provides an actuator assembly for a single-lever tap, comprising a single-lever cartridge as described above, and an actuating handle that is operatively coupled and in data communication with the single-lever cartridge.

[0034] The single-lever cartridge described thus represents an innovative structure with structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now for the purpose for which it is intended, reasons which together with its practical utility, give it sufficient grounds to obtain the exclusive privilege that is requested.

[0035] Other features and advantages of the electronic single-lever cartridge and operating handle of the present invention will become evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Figure 1.- It is a perspective view of an electronic single-lever cartridge according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2.- It is a partially sectioned perspective view of the electronic single-lever cartridge represented in figure 1;

[0039] Figure 3.- It is a perspective view of the assembly that constitutes the temperature detection means present in the single-lever cartridge according to the invention;

[0040] Figure 4.- This is a detailed perspective view of the temperature probe;

[0041] Figure 5.- This is a sectioned perspective view of a detail of the temperature probe; Figure 6.- This is a perspective view of the base of the single-lever cartridge that incorporates the temperature detection means;

[0042] Figure 7.- This is a perspective view from the bottom of the cartridge base shown in Figure 6;

[0043] Figure 8.- It is a perspective view of a tap operating handle coupled to the single-lever cartridge according to the invention;

[0044] Figure 9.- This is a perspective view of the single-lever cartridge coupled to the components present inside the operating handle;

[0045] Figure 10.- It is a partially sectioned perspective view of the single-lever cartridge coupled to the components present inside the operating handle;

[0046] Figure 11.- This is a perspective view of part of the components present inside the operating handle where the support element has been omitted for clarity purposes;

[0047] Figure 12.- This is a perspective view from the bottom of some of the components inside the operating handle, where the support element has been omitted for clarity; and

[0048] Figure 13.- This is a perspective view of the components present inside the operating handle.

[0049] Description of a preferred embodiment

[0050] In view of the aforementioned figures and in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, an electronic single-lever cartridge for a single-lever tap, generally designated by reference (1), comprises a main housing (2) with a generally cylindrical shape, which includes a disc-shaped base (3) at its lower part. As shown in more detail in Figures 6 and 7, the base (3) has a first through-hole (30) for the passage of a cold water flow, a second through-hole (31) for the passage of a hot water flow, and a third through-hole (32) for the passage of a mixed water flow. Vertically extending protrusions (34) are provided on the upper part of the base (3), configured to engage a groove (201) in the inner face of the side wall of the main housing (2), thus securing the base (3) to the main housing (2).

[0052] A pair of ceramic discs (4) and (5) are positioned above the base, with the lower ceramic disc (4) being fixed to the base (3) and the upper ceramic disc (5) being movable. No further detail will be given regarding the ceramic discs, as they are well known in the art and commercially available ceramic discs are used.

[0053] Above the ceramic discs (4) and (5) a movable cover (6) is provided, capable of being moved by the movement caused by an actuating block (7) that protrudes above the main housing (2) and is configured to be coupled to an actuating handle.

[0054] The actuating block comprises a cam (70) having a lower end (71) configured to engage a cavity (60) in the movable cover (6). Thus, when the cam (70) is actuated, the movable cover (6) is displaced to supply water.

[0055] As can be seen in more detail in Figure 2, the cam (70) is pivotally coupled to a sleeve element (24) by means of a pin (25) that passes through the cam (70) through a hole, the pin (25) being fixed in holes arranged in the sleeve element (24).

[0056] The single-lever cartridge (1) also includes temperature detection means to detect by direct contact the temperature value in the third hole (32) where the mixed water is conducted.

[0057] Returning to the temperature detection means mentioned above, these consist of a temperature probe (8), of the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor type, configured for direct reading of the water temperature. This probe is coupled to an electronic board (9) housed in a slot (35) cut into the side wall of the base (3), which processes the signal received by the temperature probe. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the electronic board (9) has a flat configuration with a curved inner section (90) sized to fit the curved contour of the inner part of the base (3).

[0058] The base (3) has an opening (36) located in the wall of the third through-hole (32) through which the temperature probe (8) protrudes, such that the temperature probe (8) protrudes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge (1), so that the temperature probe (8) is in direct contact with the flow of mixed water as it comes out through the third through-hole (32).

[0059] At the top of the actuator block (7) there is a recess where a connector (10) is fixedly housed which is connected to the electronic board (9) through a flexible cable (11) for power supply and data communication, the connector (10) being intended to be coupled to a connector located on an actuating handle, as will be explained later.

[0060] To prevent contact of the mixed flow with the electronic board (9), sealing means are provided consisting of a resin coating (12) that partially or totally envelops the electronic board (9) and partially the section of the temperature probe that is in contact with the through hole in the base, leaving the tip of the probe free of the coating as can be seen in figure 5. This coating (12) is applied once the electronic board (9) is inserted into the base, so that the existing clearance between the temperature probe (8) and the through hole (36) is totally sealed by the coating (12), thus ensuring the watertightness of the electronic board (9), preventing it from being damaged by contact with water.

[0061] The outer face of the main housing's side wall (2) comprises a longitudinally extending groove (13) dimensioned to accommodate the flexible cable (11). A removable protective cover (14) is attached to this groove (13) via a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0062] Figures 8 to 12 partially depict a single-lever tap comprising a tap body (not shown) that internally houses a single-lever cartridge (1) as described above, and an operating handle (15) mechanically linked to the single-lever cartridge (1), which is provided with a housing where user interface means are arranged comprising a user-readable display screen (18) (e.g., LCD type) so that the temperature value can be seen.

[0063] Furthermore, inside the operating handle (15) there is a microprocessor (16) that is associated with the display screen (18) and is configured to communicate with the electronic board (9) present in the single-lever cartridge (1). The operating handle (15) has connection means that can be linked to the connector (10) present in the single-lever cartridge (1). This microprocessor (16) has integrated software capable of detecting the operating time of the handle, as well as the ON and OFF positions.

[0064] The software is also capable of generating a warning to the user about an excessive water temperature, an energy efficiency warning (depending on the variables of operating time and detected temperature), as well as preventive warnings that can be indicated on the display screen (18).

[0065] As can be seen in Figures 11 and 12, the connection means consist of a pin connector (17) extending out of the electronic control board (26) present in the drive handle (15).

[0066] The operating handle (15) also comprises detection means configured to detect its position by means of an accelerometer (19) mounted on the electronic control board (26).

[0067] The microprocessor (16) and the display screen (18) are mounted on a support element (20) consisting of a substantially cylindrical, internally hollow body with a tubular extension (202) towards the cartridge where the cam (70) is partially inserted. As can be seen in Figure 10, sealing means are provided, consisting of a gasket (21) intended to be located between the inner face of the actuating handle body (15) and the outer face of the support element (20).

[0068] In the embodiment shown, the support element is fixed to the body of the operating handle (15) by means of a connecting element (22) provided externally with a threaded portion (220). The operating handle (15) includes a power supply associated with the electronic board consisting of a rechargeable battery connected to a USB connector port (23) (see Figure 13), although alternatively the power supply may consist of a removable battery.

[0069] The single-lever cartridge (1) of the present invention, intended to be incorporated into a tap as described, can be part of an intelligent management system, such as a home automation system, in which the elements that are part of it exchange information to manage different data of interest, such as, for example, the regulation of the output of mixed water in a tap.

[0070] The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements used in the manufacture of the single-use applicator assembly of the invention may be conveniently replaced by others that do not depart from the scope defined by the claims included below.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Electronic single-lever cartridge (1) for single-lever taps, comprising: A main housing (2) with a generally cylindrical shape; A base (3) located internally at the bottom of the main housing having a first through hole provided for the passage of a flow of cold water, a second through hole provided for the passage of a flow of hot water and a third through hole provided for the passage of a flow of mixed water; A pair of ceramic discs located above the base, and a lower ceramic disc being fixedly coupled to the base (3); A movable cover (6) arranged above the ceramic discs, capable of being moved by the movement caused by an actuating block that protrudes above the main housing (2) and is configured to be coupled to an actuating handle; Temperature detection means to detect the temperature value in the third hole; A connector that is coupled to the electronic board via a flexible cable for power supply and data communication, the connector being intended to be coupled to a connector of an operating handle, characterized in that the temperature detection means consist of a temperature probe (8) configured for direct reading of the water temperature, being coupled to an electronic board (9) arranged in a housing made in the base (3), the base (3) having an opening through which the temperature probe (8) protrudes, such that the temperature probe is in direct contact with the mixed water flow, and in which sealing means are provided configured to prevent contact of the mixed flow with the electronic board (9).

2. Single-lever cartridge (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing means consist of a resin coating that partially or totally encloses the electronic board (9) and partially the section of the temperature probe (8) that is in contact with the through hole of the base (3).

3. Single-lever cartridge (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a groove that extends longitudinally on the outer face of the side wall of the main housing, dimensioned and configured to accommodate the flexible cable.

4. Single-lever cartridge (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it includes a releaseable protective cover that is attached by a pressure joint in the groove.

5. Single-lever cartridge (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic board (9) has a wireless communication module provided for data transmission with an external system.

6. Single-lever cartridge (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature probe (8) is of the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor type.

7. Electronic operating handle (15) for a single-lever tap, configured to be operatively coupled to a single-lever cartridge according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising a body, characterized in that the body is provided with a housing where user interface means and an electronic control board (26) are arranged, configured to be in data communication with the electronic board (9) of the single-lever cartridge (1), the operating handle having connection means linkable with the connector present in the single-lever cartridge (1).

8. Actuating handle (15) according to claim 7, characterized in that the connection means consist of a pin connector extending outwards from the electronic control board (26).

9. Actuating handle (15) according to claim 7, characterized in that the interface means comprise a display screen (18) configured to show the information received by the microprocessor (16).

10. Actuating handle (15) according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuating handle (15) comprises position detection means consisting of an accelerometer mounted on the electronic control board (26).

11. Actuating handle (15) according to any of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the interior of the actuating handle (15) includes an electronic control board (26) on which the microprocessor (16) and interface means are mounted, and sealing means arranged between the inner face of the actuating handle body (15) and the outer face of the support element.

12. Actuating handle (15) according to any of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that it includes an electrical power supply associated with the microprocessor (16).

13. Actuating handle (15) according to claim 12, characterized in that the electrical power supply consists of a removable battery.

14. Actuating handle (15) according to claim 12, characterized in that the electrical power supply consists of a rechargeable battery connected to a USB connector port (23).

15. Actuator assembly for a single-lever tap, characterized in that it comprises a single-lever cartridge (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, and an actuating handle (15) according to any of claims 7 to 14, which is operatively coupled and in data communication with the single-lever cartridge (1).

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