WO2011148399A1

WO2011148399A1 - Power supply device for a tap component and tap component thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2011148399A1
Application number: PCT/IT2010/000238
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gyozo Janos Baki
Original assignee: Crs S.P.A.
Priority date: 2010-05-28
Filing date: 2010-05-28
Publication date: 2011-12-01
Also published as: EP2577044A1; ES2562633T3; EP2577044B1

Abstract

Power supply device (4) for tap components (8) comprising a rotor turning around a rotation axis (X-X), and operatively connected to power generator means (24) and to a conveyor (66) able to receive the flow of fluid and to convey it towards the rotor (16). The rotor (16) comprises at least one pair of discs (40), overlapping along said rotation axis (X-X), so as to define a supply chamber (44) which extends from an outer rim (48) receiving fluid in input to an inner rim (52) which distributes said fluid towards at least one exit duct (56). The conveyor (66) comprises at least one first nozzle (68) which conveys the jet of fluid from the outer rim (48) of the supply chamber (44) of the rotor (16) in a substantially tangential direction (T-T), perpendicular to said rotation axis (X-X) and not incident with the latter.

Description

DESCRIPTION

POWER SUPPLY DEVICE FOR A TAP COMPONENT AND COMPONENT THEROF" [001] The present invention relates to a power supply device for a tap component such as, for example, a shower head, and tap component thereof comprising said power supply device.

[002] As is known over recent years the tendency to apply lighting devices to a tap components so as to

/

illuminate the flow of water dispensed has become increasingly widespread. Such tendency arises, for example, from the purely aesthetic need to illuminate as desired the flow of water dispensed, for example for colour therapy applications, wherein the coloration of the light emitted in the flow of water can be modified at will. In addition, it is also known of to change the colour of the light, for example, depending on the effective temperature of the flow dispensed.

[003] In all the aforesaid applications it is therefore necessary to electrically power the lighting means positioned downstream near the water dispenser mouth or plate or even upstream, for example on the base of a tap body. In such case the light may be brought towards the effective dispensing point for example by means of channels or devices conveying the beam of light emitted such as, for example, optic fibres.

[.004] In all the aforesaid applications the main technical problem consists of powering the lighting means. To such end various solutions of the prior art have been developed but with a plurality of technical drawbacks.

[005] For example, it is known of to connect the power supply to the taps after the interposition of suitable transformers to reduce the voltage. Such solution is expensive however and entails risks of electric shock to the user.

[006] Batteries lodged inside the tap bodies fitted with lighting means have also been produced. Such batteries however are of limited duration and have to be replaced regularly.

[007] Lastly, turbine solutions have been developed wherein the flow of water to be dispensed makes the turbine rotate and generate the electricity needed to power the lighting means, using the kinetic energy of the flow of water itself. Such solutions however do not function in an optimal manner. In fact, for small flows dispensed they are unable to sufficiently power the lighting means. In addition, such turbines are often subject to jamming essentially due to build up of lime scale causing seizing. Turbines are therefore often of a very limited duration. The relative servicing or replacement moreover is complicated and expensive so that once jammed, in most cases the turbines are replaced at high cost.

[008] Consequently, as of today, the solutions of the prior art do not provide for optimal and reliable functioning over time for small flows of water too, so much so that despite users' high demand, such solutions are increasingly discarded by tap manufacturers.

[009] The purpose of the present invention is to resolve the problems mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0010] Such drawbacks are resolved by a power supply device 'according to claim 1 and by a tap component according to claim 14.

[0011] Other embodiments of the device according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more comprehensible from the description below, made by way of a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 shows a perspective view, in an assembled configuration, of a power supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention ;

[0014] Figure 2 shows a perspective view in separate parts, of the device in figure 1;

[0015] Figure 3 shows a cross-section view of the device in figure 1, along the section plane III-III in figure

4;

[0016] Figure 4 shows a cross-section view of the device in figure 1, along the section plane IV-IV in figure 3;

[0017] Figure 5 shows a cross-section view of the device in figure 1, along the section plane V-V in figure 3;

[0018] Figures 6a-6b show schematic diagrams of the flow of fluid inside the device in figure 1;

[0019] Figures 7 and 8 show perspective views of an application of the device in figure 1 to a tap component such as a shower head;

[0020] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of a wiring circuit of the power supply device in figure 1.

[0021] With reference to the aforesaid figures, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a power supply device suitable for using in conjunction with tap components 8.

[0022] The power supply device 4 comprises an outer casing 12, preferably cylindrical, and a rotor 16 able to receive a flow of fluid dispensed, wherein the rotor 16 is fitted so as to rotate around a rotation axis X-X. For example the rotor 16 is guided and supported in rotation by a pair of bearings 20 positioned on a first and second axial end 21, 22 of the rotor 16. Said axial ends 21, 22 are opposite each other in an axial direction. Axial direction is taken to mean a direction parallel to the rotation axis X-X of the rotor 16.·

[0023] The rotor 16 is operatively connected to power generator means 24 able to generate electricity following the rotation of the rotor 16, as described further below.

[0024] The device 4 comprises a distributor 28 of fluid suitable to receive a flow of fluid, typically water and to convey it towards the rotor 16. For example the distributor 28 is positioned at the top 32 of the casing 12 of the device 4, so as to be upstream of the rotor 16 in relation to the axial direction and to form a closure of the top 32 of the casing 12 itself.

[0025] The distributor 28 has, for example, an entry channel 36, preferably coaxial to the rotation axis X-X, suitable to be fluidically connected to a water supply of the associable tap component 8. The distributor 28 receives the flow of fluid in input and distributes it to the rotor 16.

[0026] In particular, the rotor 16 comprises at least one pair of discs 40,- overlapping along said rotation axis X-X, so as to define a substantially toroidal supply chamber 44 which extends from an outer peripheral rim 48 to an inner rim 52 towards said rotation axis X-X and which receives fluid in input, distributing it towards at least one exit duct 56.

[0027] Preferably, the exit duct 56 is positioned in an axial direction so as to distribute the fluid to the associable tap component 8 positioned for example in series, in other words in cascade, with the power supply- device 4 (figure 7).

[0028] According to one embodiment the exit duct 56 empties into a closure plug 60 applied to the outer casing 12 so as to directly face the second axial end 22 of the rotor 16.

[0029] For example the closure plug 60 comprises a threaded hole 64 which the tap component 8 can be screwed onto directly.

[0030] A fluid conveyor 66 which comprises at least one first nozzle 68 conveying the jet of fluid towards the outer rim 48 of the supply chamber 44 of the rotor 16 in a substantially tangential direction T-T, perpendicular to said rotation axis X-X, and not incident with the latter, is joined to the distributor 28.

[0031] In particular, tangential direction is taken to mean a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and to a radius R of the rotor 16. Radial direction is taken to mean rather a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and incident to it; consequently the axial, radial and tangential directions are. all perpendicular to each other.

[0032] The fluid conveyor 66 is substantially an annular body positioned externally to the rotor 16, and coaxially to it. The fluid conveyor 66 receives the fluid from the distributor 28 and sends it tangentially to the supply chamber 44 on the outer rim 48. The nozzle 68 is substantially a through hole made in the thickness of the conveyor wall 66, said hole being directed tangentially to the conveyor 66 and to the associable rotor 16. Between an inner side wall 67 of the conveyor 66 and the rotor 16 there is a slight play so as to allow rotation of the rotor 16 inside the conveyor 66 without rubbing.

[0033] Each first nozzle 68 is therefore axially compressed between two discs 40 consecutive to each other: this way the fluid is introduced inside the supply chamber 44 and is^' forced to pass through said chamber 44 in a spiral movement, as described further below, before coming out through the exit duct 56 situated near the inner rim 52 of said supply chamber 44.

[0034] Preferably, the rotor 16 comprises a plurality of discs 40, for example a number ^Λη' , overlapping each other in an axial direction parallel to said rotation axis X-X, which define in pairs η-1' substantially toroidal supply chambers 44 in fluidic communication towards said at least one exit duct 56. The conveyor 66 comprises at least 'η-Ι' first nozzles 68 which supply the respective supply chambers 44 introducing flows of fluid tangential to the rotor 16 directly on the outer rim 48 of the rotor 16.

[0035] In other words, the conveyor 66 is a cylindrical body coaxial with the rotor 16 fitted with at least one group of first nozzles 68 positioned in a tangential direction and overlapping each other in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis X-X, each first nozzle 68 supplying a corresponding supply chamber 44 defined by a pair of discs 40.

[0036] Preferably, the conveyor 66 comprises second nozzles 72, separate from said first nozzles 68, so as to convey the fluid into the supply chambers 44 through separate entrances from the entrances of the first nozzles 68.

[0037] Separate is taken to mean that for the same supply chamber 44, the second nozzles 72 are angularly distanced from the first nozzles 68, as regards rotation around the rotation axis X-X. This way the first and the second nozzles 68, 72 supply fluid tangentially into the same supply chamber 44 from different entrances positioned on the outer rim 48 of the rotor 16.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the second nozzles 72 are diametrically opposite the first nozzles in relation to the rotation axis X-X.

[0039] According to a further embodiment, the conveyor 66 comprises further nozzles, separate from the first and second nozzles 68,72, so as to form a plurality of tangential jets of fluid running into different points of the supply chambers 44 defined by the discs 40.

[0040] Preferably, said nozzles are positioned in angularly staggered positions with reference to the outer circumference of the rotor. This way the tangential components of the speed of the fluid all contribute to generating a useful rotation to the rotor 16 while the respective radial components of the speed, which do not contribute to the useful torque tend to cancel each other out.

[0041] The rotor 16 comprises, as seen, at least one exit duct 56 which extends parallel to the rotation axis X-X and which permits the expulsion of the fluid from the rotor 16 after the kinetic energy of the fluid has been at least partially utilised to generate a torque on the rotor itself.

[0042] Preferably, the rotor 16 comprises as many exit ducts 56 as no^«zzle groups. For example, in the case of a rotor 16 having first and second nozzles 68, 72, the rotor 16 has two exit ducts 56', 56'' (figure 6a).

[0043] Preferably, the exit duct 56 has a variable through section which increases as the flow of fluid gradually converging from the respective supply chambers 44, increases. In particular, the through section of the exit ducts 56 increases gradually from the first to the second axial end 21, 22 of the rotor 16.

[0044] The exit ducts 56 are fluidically connected to a dispenser mouth or plate of an associable tap component 8.

[0045] For example, the power supply device 4 is mechanically and fluidically joined to a shower head 76 provided with a water supply 78 and a dispenser plate 80 having holes for dispensing the water. The device 4 is connected to the supply 78 of the shower head in turn connected to a water supply. The attachment of the shower head is screwed to the threaded hole 64 of the closure plug 60. This way after making the rotor 16 rotate, the fluid comes, out through the dispenser plate 80 of the shower head 76.

[0046] According to further embodiments, the power supply device 4 is mechanically and fluidically connected to a tap component such as for example a tap, upstream of the dispenser mouth. [0047] Advantageously, the rotor 16 is operatively connected in rotation to the power generator means 24.

[0048] According to one possible embodiment said generator means 24 comprise a dynamo which by rotating produces electricity; the connection between the dynamo and the rotor may be direct by means of a shaft which joins the two components in rotation.

[0049] Preferably, there are no direct mechanical connections between the rotor 16 and the power generator means. According to one embodiment, the power generator means 24 comprise at least one magnet 84 joined solidly in rotation with the rotor 16.

[0050] For example, at the first axial end 21 of the rotor 16 a plate 92 is positioned having seats 96 which hold said magnets 84. The plate 92 rotates jointly with the rotor 16 so as to also make the magnets 84 rotate around the rotation axis X-X.

[0051] The power generator means 24 ^' comprise, in addition, at least one coil 100 directly facing the magnet 84 and fixed in relation to the rotor 16. For example, the coils 100 are housed in pockets 104 made on said distributor 28, the pockets 104 being closed on the side of the associable rotor 16 so as to hermetically separate the coils 100 from the rotor 16.

[0052] The coils 100 are thereby fixed in rotation and, on account of the rotation of the magnets 84, joined to the rotor 16, produce electricity.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the power generator means 24 comprise, in addition, an electric circuit 108 which receives the electricity produced by the coils 100 and distributes it to one or more loads, such as for example lighting means 112 or auxiliary electrical devices 116 of the associable tap component 8.

[0054] The lighting, means 112 may comprise for example bulbs, preferably LEDs, so as to generate a beam of light able to illuminate the jet of fluid dispensed and/or the area surrounding it. The auxiliary electrical devices 116 may be of any type and comprise, for example, servomechanisms but also multifunctional displays and so forth. The examples give above are purely explanatory and should not be considered limiting. For example figure 8 shows a shower head wherein LEDs are positioned at the peripheral rim of the dispenser plate 80 to illuminate the flow of water dispensed from the dispenser holes on the inner rim of the same dispenser plate.

[0055] According to one possible embodiment, the electric circuit 108 may comprise, for example, a rectifier 120 able to transform the alternate current produced by the coils 100 into continuous current. An adjustment device 124 for changing the current parameters, such as for example the voltage to supply to the associable loads, or lighting means 112 and/or auxiliary electrical devices 116 may be electrically connected to the rectifier 120.

[0056] The functioning of the power supply device and of the tap component according to the present invention will now be described.

[0057] In particular, the flow of fluid, typically water, in input to the distributor 28, through the entry channel 36, is brought to the conveyor 66 and comes out of nozzles 68, 72 in a direction tangential to the rotor 16, at the outer rim 48 of the latter.

[0058] The fluid enters the supply chamber 44 of the rotor 16 in a tangential direction and initially follows the inner side wall 67 of the conveyor 66.

[0059] The curvature of the inner wall gives the fluid a radial component which conveys the fluid towards the rotation axis X-X.

[0060] When the fluid entering for example through a first nozzle 68 encounters a subsequent flow of fluid entering through a second nozzle 72, said fluid is thrust further towards the centre of the rotor, that is towards the inner rim 52 or rotation axis X-X of the rotor 16. [0061] In other words, the speed of the fluid, initially purely tangential, acguires a radial component thanks to which the fluid moves complexly in a spiral increasingly approaching the rotation axis X-X of the rotor 16 until the flow is discharged through the exit ducts 56.

[0062] Merely by way of example, the speed components have been explained in figures 6a and 6b.

[0063] In particular V_abs has been used to indicate the absolute speed of the fluid which obviously depends on the radius R of the trajectory of said fluid. The absolute speed can be broken down into its radial V_rad and tangential V_tan components.

[0064] The friction exchanged between the fluid and the discs 40 determines the difference between the tangential speed of the fluid V_tan and the tangential speed of the rotor V_rot. In other words on account of the friction the tangential speed of the fluid V_tan is greater than the tangential speed of the rotor .V_rot. As a result, the tangential speed of the fluid decreases and the fluid, thanks to the radial component, acquires a spiral movement.^' As the tangential speed of the fluid decreases, that is as the fluid approaches the rotation axis X-X, the jet widens in that for the same flow if the speed decreases the section of the jet must increase. Consequently the initially extremely reduced section of the flow widens considerably until the flow is discharged through the exit ducts 56.

[0065] Tendentially, as shown in figure 6b, the flows sent by different nozzles tend to follow different spiral trajectories and to converge in separate exit ducts 56' e 56''. For greater clarity, the trajectories of said flows have been shown using a continuous and dotted line respectively.

[0066] The radial component V_rad of the fluid obviously provides no rotation torque to the rotor but instead pushes the rotor to deviate towards the rotation axis X- X. For this reason, so as to better balance the rotor 16, angularly equi-distanced nozzles 68 and 72 are used, for example at 180 degrees, so that the respective radial components of the jets of fluid can balance each other and cancel each other out.

[0067] The tangential component V_tan of the flow however supplies useful torque to the rotor 16.

[0068] The exit ducts 56 gradually receive and expel the flows of fluid of the various supply chambers overlapping each other in an axial direction. For this reason, to facilitate the expulsion of the flow, the through section of the exit duct 56, measured in relation to a section plane perpendicular to the

ø

rotation axis X-X and to the axial direction, progressively increases.

[0069] As may be appreciated form the description, the power supply device and the tap component of the present invention make it possible to overcome the drawbacks present in the devices of the prior art.

[0070] In particular, the device which the present invention relates to makes it possible to produce electricity highly efficiently to power lighting means or further devices for taps.

[0071] In particular, the high level of efficiency guaranteed by the present invention ensures an adequate electricity supply even for reduced flows of dispensed fluid, unlike the devices of the prior art.

[0072] In addition, the present device is not subject to jamming. In the event that a build-up of lime scale should occur the device can be easily dismantled and cleaned. In fact, all that needs to be done is to remove the lower closure plug to remove both the conveyor and the rotor. Both can then be cleaned either by mechanical abrasion of the incrustations or by soaking in lime scale remover. The dismantling of such components is extremely easy because it does not entail opening and/or removal of any components of the electric power supply circuit which always remains hermetically sealed inside the device. [0073] Moreover, with the device according to the present invention there is no risk of electric shock to the user. In fact the device does not envisage any connection to electricity supply.

[0074] A person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the devices described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements while remaining within the sphere of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Power supply device (4) for tap components (8) comprising

- a rotor (16) able to receive a flow of fluid to dispense, the rotor (16) being fitted so as to turn around a rotation axis (X-X) ,

- the rotor (16) being operatively connected to power generator means (24) able to generate electricity after making the rotor (16) rotate,

- a conveyor (66) able to receive the flow of fluid and to convey it towards the rotor (16),

characterised by the fact that

-j the rotor (16) comprises at least one pair of discs (40) , overlapping along said rotation axis (X-X) , so as to define a substantially toroidal supply chamber (44) which extends from an outer peripheral rim (48), which receives fluid coming in at an inner rim (52), towards said rotation axis (X-X) which distributes said fluid towards at least one exit duct (56) ,

- the conveyor (66) being positioned outside the rotor (16) and comprising at least a first nozzle (68) which conveys the jet of fluid from the outer rim (48) of the supply chamber (44) of the rotor (16) in a substantially tangential direction (T-T) , perpendicular to said rotation axis (X-X) and not incident with the latter .

2. Device (4) according to claim 1, wherein the rotor (16) comprises a plurality of discs (40) overlapping each other in an axial direction parallel to said rotation axis (X-X) , which define a plurality of supply chambers (44) in fluidic communication towards said at least one exit duct (56), each supply chamber (44) facing at least one respective first nozzle (68)^' to receive fluid in input.

3. Device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveyor (66) is a cylindrical body coaxial with the rotor (16) fitted with at least one group of first nozzles (68) positioned in a tangential direction (T-T) and overlapping each other in an axial direction parallel to the rotation axis (X-X) , each first nozzle (68) supplying a corresponding supply chamber (44) defined by a pair of discs (40) .

4 . Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the conveyor (66) comprises second nozzles (72), separate from said first nozzles (68), so as to convey the fluid to said supply chambers (44) through separate entrances from the entrances of the first nozzles (68).

5. Device (4) according to claim 4, wherein said second nozzles (72) are positioned in diametrically opposite angular positions to the first nozzles (68) in relation to the rotation axis (X-X) .

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the conveyor (66) comprises further nozzles, separate from the first and second nozzles (68, 72), so as to form a plurality of tangential jets of fluid running into different points of the supply chambers (44) defined by the discs (40) .

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said nozzles are positioned so as to be angularly staggered in relation to the outer circumference of the rotor (16) .

8. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said at least one exit duct (56) extends parallel to the rotation axis (X-X) and has a variable through section which increases with the increase in flow of the fluid gradually converging from the respective supply chambers (44).

9. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein said exit duct (56) is fluidically connected to a dispenser mouth or dispenser plate (80) of an associable tap component (8).

10. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the rotor (16) is operatively connected in rotation to' an electricity generator.

11. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the power generator means (24) comprise at least one magnet (84) joined in rotation to the rotor (16) and at least one coil (100) directly facing- the magnet (84) and fixed in relation to the rotor (16), said coil (100) producing electricity following the relative rotation of the magnet ( 8 ) .

12. Device ,(4) according to claim 11, wherein at a first axial end (21) of the rotor (16) a plate (92) having seats (96) which house said magnets (84) is joined in rotation and the distributor (28) comprises pockets (104) which house said coils (100).

13. Device (4) according to any of the previous claims,

)

wherein the power generator means (24) comprise an electric circuit (108) which receives the electricity produced by the rotor (16) distributes it to lighting means (112) or auxiliary electric devices (116) of an associable tap component (8) .

14. Tap component (8) comprising a device (4) according to any of the previous claim, wherein said device (4) is fluidically connected to a water supply of the tap component (8) so as to produce electricity with the flow of incoming water and is fluidically connected to a dispenser mouth or outlet (80) of the tap component (8) so as to discharge the flow of fluid through said dispenser mouth or outlet (80) .

15. Tap component (8) according to claim 14, wherein said component is a shower head (76) .