CH616731A5 - Thermostatic mixing tap - Google Patents

Abstract

It comprises a fixed body comprising a rotary knob (star wheel) (7) for adjusting the temperature and whose travel is determined by a stop limiting the rotation of the knob (star wheel) (7) in one direction to a fraction of the said travel. In order to be able to exceed the normal adjustment range, the knob (star wheel) (7) may overcome the stop by an axial slide (x) on the body thus allowing the rotation of the knob (star wheel) (7) to continue. This is possible by virtue of a stud (74) moving in a circular groove (43) bounded at its ends and whose bottom consists of two bearings of different heights separated by a shoulder (75) constituting the stop. Thus, when the knob (star wheel) (7) revolves, the stud (74) comes into abutment against the shoulder (75). At this moment the knob (star wheel) (7) is pulled, which makes it possible to overcome the shoulder (75), and thus the stop, and to continue the rotation of the knob (star wheel) (7). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a thermostatic mixing valve comprising a fixed body carrying a rotary temperature adjustment spider whose stroke is limited in both directions, a stop normally limiting rotation in one direction of the spider to a fraction of said stroke , and means for making the cross pass this stop and allow it to continue its rotation. These valves are used in particular in sanitary installations.

In general, the normal fraction of the cross stroke corresponds to temperatures below a predetermined minimum, which is fixed for example at 39 °, however, for certain particular uses, the user may wish to have water at a temperature greater than this maximum. This is what valves of the aforementioned type allow.

In these known taps of this type, the exceeding of the normal adjustment range is effected by depressing a pawl. These known devices are inconvenient to use and above all have the drawback of not effectively alerting the user when the temperature adjustment button is in a position corresponding to very hot water (greater than 39 ° in the 'example shown), because there is a risk of burns and, at least, some inconvenience when the tap is opened.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary thermostatic mixing valve which makes it possible to avoid the above drawbacks, that is to say which allows in particular to obtain either a temperature above this value, a in such a way that the user very easily notices when the spider is in a position outside the normal adjustment range.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a sanitary thermostatic mixing valve of the aforementioned type, characterized in that said means comprise an axially sliding mounting of the spider on the body, the passage of the stop and the continued rotation of the spider. 'effecting by passing the latter from a first to a second axial position relative to the body.

The difference in axial position of the spider is most visible when the spider is mounted at one end of the body and the first position and the second position of the spider are respectively a depressed position and a position spaced from the body.

Preferably, the valve comprises means for resiliently biasing the spider towards its first axial position. Thus, when it crosses the stop in the other direction, towards the normal adjustment range, the spider automatically returns to its first axial position, which increases safety for the user.

To make the change in axial position of the spider even more apparent, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, when the spider passes from its first to its second position, it discovers an element indicating this second position.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is an elevational view of a valve according to the invention;

fig. 2 is a top view of the tap in FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a view from the right of the tap in FIG. 1;

fig. 4 shows in elevation a variant of this tap;

fig. 5 is a top view of the tap of FIG. 4;

fig. 6 is a partial view in axial section of the mixing valve in a first position of the temperature adjustment spider;

fig. 7 is a partial view similar to that of FIG. 6, in which the valve spider is in another adjustment position;

fig. 8 is a simplified view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, the temperature adjustment spider and the parts which are integral therewith being completely removed;

fig. 9 is a developed view of the ramp shown in FIG. 8.

Following the example of fig. 1,2 and 3, the valve comprises a cylindrical body 1 with a horizontal axis X-X containing a thermostatic mixing device of a suitable known type and not shown. Over a part of its length, the body 1 is defined by a grooved rotary ring 2 used for adjusting the flow rate of the valve. At its left end (in the drawings) and at its upper part, the tap has an inversion push-button 3 making it possible to supply either a spillway 4 arranged above and intended for the drain for bath, that is that is to say when the bathtub B is filled, ie a hose 5 (fig. 2) mounted on a ball joint 6 and intended to supply a shower not shown. The ball 6 has the general shape of a half-sphere mounted at the end of the body 1 of the valve and of the same axis X-X as the latter. At its end opposite to the ball joint 6, the valve has a knob or spider 7 for thermostatic temperature adjustment. This spider 7 is of the bowling ball type and has three recesses 8 allowing its operation by three fingers of the user.

Leaving aside the depressions 8, the cross-member 7 has the shape of a half-sphere opposite to that 6 constituting the ball joint of

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departure of the flexible 5. Between the grooved ring 2 for adjusting the flow and the cross-member 7 for adjusting the temperature, the body has a smooth cylindrical surface 9 carrying, in the vicinity of its upper part, an eyelet 10 revealing digital indications showing the temperature that the user has chosen by acting on the spider 7.

The body of the tap 1, the ball joint 6 and the spider 7 are of the same horizontal axis XX and parallel to the upper edge B1 of the bathtub B. The ball joint 6 comprises a radial tube 15 of axis ZZ perpendicular to the axis XX, with which is connected to the hose outlet 5.

Figs. 1 and 2 relate to the twin-hole version of the tap, that is to say the case where the hot and cold water supply conduits are spaced from one another and require two separate pipes 11 and 12 for their entry into the body 1. The conduits 11 and 12 for supplying hot and cold water are hidden by a foot 13 having the form of a flat tube with a horizontal axis YY parallel to XX and connected at these ends to the vertical pipes 11 and 12. The foot 13 has a lateral extension 14 also consisting of a portion of horizontal flat tube and hiding the junction between the hot and cold water supply conduits and the body 1 of the tap. The latter, when the support 11-12-13-14 is fixed on the edge B1 of the bathtub, is cantilevered with respect to this edge.

The tap shown in fig. 4 and 5 is in all respects analogous to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, but represents the single hole version. In this version, the hot and cold water supply pipes are brought together and can therefore cross the edge of the bathtub by a single tube 11.

In this version, there is a junction extension 14 identical to the previous one, but the foot 13a carrying this extension and supported by the pipe 11 is of smaller dimensions. The size of the tap assembly is therefore reduced.

Fig. 3 can be considered as a right view of the tap shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 than that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The valve head, that is to say the part comprising the adjustment members 2 and 7, will now be described with reference to FIG. 6. For convenience of description, assume the vertical X-X axis, with cross 7 at the top.

The fixed part 1a of the body 1 is hermetically closed by a cap (or socket) 16 screwed permanently, with the interposition of an O-ring seal 17. This cap is extended upwards by a sleeve 18, internally hexagonal , and externally threaded.

In the part of the valve body is disposed a removable cartridge 19 which can slide along the axis X-X of the valve. The cartridge 19 includes, internally, a device for adjusting the proportions of hot water and cold water admitted into the body and in particular a thermosensitive capsule whose active element (or piston) is in mechanical connection along the axis of the tap. with an axial rod (or screw) 20 which freely crosses an axial extension 21 of the cartridge 19.

The extension 21 of the cartridge 19 comprises a first part 22 with a hexagon which passes through the bore of the sleeve 18, so that the cartridge 19 is immobilized in rotation, then a cylindrical part 23 of reduced diameter, finally a grooved part 24 ending in a groove 25. When the cartridge 19 slides along the axis of the valve, the seal between its upper part and the inside of the sleeve 16 is produced by an O-ring seal 26 housed in a groove of the cartridge 19.

On the sleeve 18 is screwed a thread 27 of an intermediate element 28. This intermediate element has a side wall in the form of a tower with four slots such as 29 and has a flange 30 perpendicular to the axis of the valve on which is secured in translation, thanks to two washers 31, 31 \ the part 23 of the extension 21 of the cartridge 19. The intermediate element 28 is rotated by the flow control member 2 by means of profiles 32 of the interior surface thereof, complementary to the slots 29. Between the intermediate element 28 and the flow control member 2 is interposed a ring 31 made of a rubber-like material and serving to compensate for the play that may occur between these two parts.

The flow control member 2 and the intermediate element 28 are held fixed relative to each other also in translation by means of a shoulder 34 of a part 35 in the periphery of which is provided the eyelet 10 , an anti-friction ring 36 separating the shoulder 34 from an inner flange 2a of the ring 2. The shoulder 34 is extended towards the inside of the valve head by a ring 37 having internally a thread 38 and at its base a cylindrical end piece 39 made integral with part 24 of the extension 21 of the cartridge 19, in translation by the ring 31 and by a ring 40, and in rotation by the provision of grooves complementary to those of this part 24.

The assembly constituted by the part 35 and the cartridge 19 is therefore fixed in rotation relative to the valve body, but can move in translation relative to the latter when the ring 2 is operated, thanks to the screwing of the element 25 on the sleeve 18.

The ring 37 has an extension 41 defining a radial shoulder 42, on the one hand, and a circular groove 43, on the other hand. The latter will be described in detail below.

The rod 20 is in fact a screw locked in a tapping 44 of a part 45 whose lower part 46, of larger diameter, carries a thread 47 defining with the tapping 38 a screw-nut system. The screw 20 is secured to the part 45 by a second locking screw 48 when the valve is mounted and ready to operate. This second screw 48 is itself permanently locked, after calibration, by a point of adhesive (not shown) placed on its head and penetrating into the internal thread 44.

The upper part 49 of the part 45 has the shape of a hexagon and can slide inside a corresponding bore 50 of a tube 51. The lower part of this tube 51 has a collar 52 secured in translation , but not in rotation to the part 37, with interposition of seals 53 and anti-friction 54, by means of a circlip 55 which applies it to the shoulder 42. The side wall of the upper part of the tube 51 has externally grooves 56 and, at its end, a groove receiving a circlip 57.

In the upper part of the part 35 is housed a ring 58 carrying on its outer lateral surface the temperature indications which, during the operation of thermostatic display and adjustment carried out by maneuvering the spider 7, appear in the eyecup fixed 10, as we will see later. The ring 58 is immobilized in translation above the groove by a circlip 59, with the interposition of a seal 60, and has, at its lower end, an inner flange 61 in which a notch 62 is formed.

The rotation of the ring 58 is caused by an assembly constituted by the spider 7, a cup 63 and a cup 64 (see also fig. 7).

The bowl 64 has an outer wall 65 mounted leaktight against the inside of the ring 58 thanks to the interposition of a seal 66; its height is greater than that of this ring, so that the bowl 64 is normally flush (fig. 6) with the upper end of the part 35. The terminal part of the bowl 64 carries a colored annular band 67. An inner collar 64a of the bowl 64 carries a sleeve 68 whose splines 69 cooperate with those 56 of the tube 51. A helical spring 70 is supported, on the one hand, under a washer 71 held by the circlips 57, and, on the other hand, on the collar 64a. The cup 63 is made integral with the spider 7 by permanent screwing by means of three screws 72, and the cup 64 by direct screwing in a female thread 73 thereof. The cup 63 is preferably metallic, so that its final connection

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with bowl 64 be better. Thus, the assembly 7-63-64 behaves like a single piece.

Figs. 8 and 9 show the groove 43 provided in the part 35. This groove has two parts of different heights and extends over almost a full turn. The groove has a depth h on half of its periphery and on the other half a depth H corresponding to three times h. In this groove moves a lug 74 axially directed, screwed and glued to the base of the external wall of the bowl 64. This lug crosses the notch 62 and protrudes under the collar 61 over a height greater than h and less than H when the spider is in the depressed position of fig. 6.

The stroke of the spider 7 is therefore limited, in this position, by the abutment of the lug 74 either against the vertical shoulder 75 separating the two parts of the groove 43 (upper limit), or against the end 76 of the deepest part of this groove (lower limit). This normal adjustment range (position 74 "of the lug in figs. 8 and 9 and fig. 6) corresponds to two predetermined limit temperatures, obtained by calibrating the screw 19, for example: obtaining hot water at a temperature less than 39 °.

To display a temperature higher than this value in the eyecup 10, it is necessary to lift the spider 7, by compressing the spring 70 to bring the lug 74 in abutment on the bottom of the shallower part of the groove 43 (position 74b from the lug to Figs. 8 and 9 and Fig. 7). When the spider 7 is in this separated position, the lug 74 can move to the other end wall 77 of the groove 43 (absolute upper limit). In the other direction, when the lug moves towards the shoulder 75, it automatically falls back into the zone 75-76, crossing this shoulder, thanks to the presence of the spring 70 and this, whatever the actual position of axis XX.

The total stroke of the lug 74 corresponds approximately, between the walls 76 and 77, at an angle of 330 °. The two ranges 75-76 and 75-77 have roughly the same angular extent, equal to half of the total angular extent, ie 165 °.

When the spider 7 is in the separated position (fig. 7), the colored strip 67 of the bowl 64 is above the part 35. The user can thus be easily aware and is effectively notified that the temperature display corresponds to obtaining a very hot temperature (above 39 °). This characteristic constitutes safety in use. The simple fact that the spider is in the spread position is already very visible, but the strip 67 greatly increases this visual effect.

As can be clearly seen in Figs. 6 and 7, when the spider passes from one axial position to the other, the sliding is guided externally against the internal surface of the ring 58 and internally by cooperation of the splines 69 and 56.

The operation of the valve thus described is as follows:

1. Flow adjustment

This flow adjustment is effected by acting on the splined flow control member 2; this action can be carried out whatever the display position of the spider 7 and as well when the latter is in the depressed position as in the spaced position.

When the flow control member 2 is rotated, its internal profiles 32, prisoners of the slots 29 of the intermediate element 28, drive this element 28 in rotation. The sleeve 16 being fixed relative to the body of the valve, both in rotation and in translation, and the cartridge 20 being movable only in translation, the rotation of the element 28 causes, thanks to the internal thread 27 and the washers 31, 31a, the upward or downward sliding of the cartridge 19, of the element 28, and therefore of the whole of the tap head. At the level of the tap body which contains the cartridge 19, the sliding of this cartridge results either in the opening or in the closing of the outlet port of the mixed water, as described in French patent N ° 73.29442 . The mixed water is directed either to the bath spillway or to the ball joint 6, the hose 5 and the spray, depending on the position of the diverter 3.

2. Temperature display and adjustment a) Normal range 75-76 in fig. 8 and 9 and fig. 6; water temperature below 39 °, cross 7 pressed.

The temperature display takes place when the spider 7 is rotated by inserting three fingers into the recesses 8. When this spider rotates, it rotates the bowl 64. The latter, thanks to the splines 69 cooperating with those 56 of the tube 51, rotates the whole of this tube and, consequently, the part 45. The rotation of the latter causes a translation of the rod (or screw) 20 in one direction or the other, translation which is transmitted to inside the cartridge 19 and causes a variation in the proportions of hot and cold water admitted, with corresponding reaction of the heat-sensitive element that the cartridge 19 comprises, as described in the French patent No. 73.29442 cited above. The temperature actually displayed by the spider 7, which can be read from the outside through the eyepiece 10, corresponds exactly to the temperature of the water delivered if the calibration operation carried out on the screws 20 and 48 was successfully completed.

b) Upper range 75-77 of fig. 8 and 9 and fig. 7; water temperature above 39 °, cross 7 away from the body fixes it.

In the previous case, the rotation of the bowl 64 is limited by the movement of the lug 74 between the stops 75 and 76 of FIGS. 8 and 9. In the separated position, the lug 74 is in the part of the groove 43 corresponding to the range 75-77. In this range, the display of a temperature is carried out in the same way as above.

When the lug 74 moves towards the wall 77, the temperature of the water increases. The maximum temperature corresponds to the maximum that the domestic hot water source can deliver. When the lug moves towards the shoulder 75 and exceeds it, it automatically falls back into the normal temperature range (below 39 °), that is to say the range 75-76, thanks to the return of the spring 70 .

This arrangement is very advantageous:

- a single member (crosspiece 7) must be manipulated to display and adjust the temperature and to switch from hot water (below 39 °) to very hot water (above 39 °), with automatic return to the first position, which is very simple for the user;

- the sudden axial movement of the crosspiece to pass from one range to another is very visible and alerts the user;

- the colored ring 67 serves as an additional indicator for the user before he acts on the flow control member 2.

Of course, in all of the above, the value 39 ° has only been mentioned as an indication; it could be 42 ° or 45 °, or any other desired value; the same applies to the angular extent of the two areas of the groove 43.

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4 sheets of drawings

Claims (9)

616731 1. Thermostatic mixing valve, comprising a fixed body carrying a rotary temperature adjustment spider whose stroke is limited in both directions, a stop normally limiting the rotation in one direction of the spider to a fraction of said stroke, and means to cross the stopper this stop and allow it to continue its rotation, characterized in that said means comprise an axially sliding mounting of the crosspiece (7) on the body (la), the passage of the stopper (75) and the pursuit of the rotation of the spider being effected by passing the latter from a first to a second axial position relative to the body. 2. Tap according to claim 1, wherein the spider is mounted at one end of the body, characterized in that the first position and the second position of the spider (7) are respectively a depressed position and a position spaced from the body ( the). 2 3. Tap according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means (70) for elastic biasing of the spider (7) towards its first axial position. 4. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spider (7) carries at its periphery a lug (74) located opposite the stop (75) in the first position of the spider. 5. Tap according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that, in the second position of the spider (7), the lug (74) rests on a circular bearing extending from a shoulder-ment (75) constituting said stop. 6. Tap according to claim 5, characterized in that the lug (74) moves in a circular groove (43) limited at its ends and whose bottom consists of two successive bearings of different axial heights (h, H) , separated by said shoulder-ment (75). 7. Tap according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the lug (74) is directed axially. 8. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, when the spider (6) passes from its first to its second position, it discovers an indicator element (67) of this second position. 9. Tap according to claim 8, characterized in that the indicator element (67) is a colored strip.