EP0390248B1 - Anti-siphoning device for cartridge-type taps having flat plates for flow control - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for preventing aspiration by siphon effect (siphoning) in hydraulic taps provided with a cartridge comprising flow control members in the form of flat plates of hard material.

When a tap is used to control the flow through a hand shower or other flow device connected by flexible tubing, there is the possibility that the flow device is immersed in a tank containing liquid. If, under these conditions, the water supply is interrupted and the supply pipes are evacuated, for example to carry out a repair, in the pipes a certain temporary depression is established. As a consequence of this depression, if the tap is open, a siphoning phenomenon tends to occur, so that part of the liquid from the tank is sucked, through the flow member and the tap, into the pipeline power supply. This involves the possibility of pollution of the supply line and, possibly, also of the distribution network. To avoid this phenomenon, in hand showers and other flow devices intended to be connected by flexible tubing, a non-return valve is usually introduced. However, these non-return valves can easily be hindered in their operation by foreign bodies or by fouling, and for this reason certain regulations impose that the installations of the kind considered must also include means of protection capable of preventing the establishment of any appreciable depression. downstream of the tap.

The provision, downstream of the tap, of a special ventilation valve which allows the entry of air each time a depression tends to be established, solves this problem, but it involves costs additional unwanted. It is desirable, on the contrary, that such a valve can be included in the valve itself. This problem has already been solved with regard to valves comprising a ball valve. In these taps (see document WO-A-87/03665) the ventilation valve can be installed inside the spherical shutter giving rise to a very limited increase in costs. On the contrary, the problem has not been solved so far with respect to hydraulic valves provided with a cartridge comprising flow control members in the form of flat plates of hard material, see for example document EP-A- 0.091.703, according to which no means of ventilating the interior of the tap is provided. The installation of an aeration valve in the interior of such a cartridge would give rise to problems difficult to solve, and moreover it would require the production of special cartridges, different from the normal ones in that they would be provided an air valve. This is not desirable, on the one hand because this would increase the number of types of cartridges to be produced, and on the other hand because the accidental replacement of a normal cartridge to a cartridge fitted with a valve. ventilation would easily lead to unintentionally violating prevention regulations. On the contrary it is desirable that the ventilation valve is a part of the tap itself, not of the replaceable cartridge, while on the other hand it is also desirable that the tap thus equipped can make use of a normal cartridge .

In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic valve comprising a cartridge comprising flow control members in the form of flat plates of hard material, which valve must itself include a valve. independent ventilation of the cartridge. An accessory object of the invention is to provide a tap having the above-mentioned characteristic which, moreover, must be capable of accepting a normal cartridge, as it is usually inserted in taps devoid of a ventilation valve. . Yet another object of the invention is to achieve the objects above indicated by a minimum increase in the cost price.

These objects are achieved, according to the invention, by means of the characteristics indicated in claim 1.

Thanks to these characteristics, during normal operation of the valve, in which the pressure in the interior region of the valve is never more reduced than atmospheric pressure, the one-way valve with elastic lip remains closed. In particular, during the flow of water, the pressure in the interior region of the tap becomes higher than atmospheric pressure, and the one-way valve with elastic lip is kept tightly closed by this pressure, thus avoiding any loss of water through said entry passages. But if, by checking the tendency to siphon, the pressure in the interior region of the tap drops, even in minimal measure, below atmospheric pressure, the non-return valve with elastic lip opens automatically, thus allowing the entry of air through said inlet passages and to the interior region of the valve, which is in communication with the flow outlet. In correspondence of this exit, therefore, it can never establish an appreciable depression, and this surely prevents any siphoning phenomenon.

The stated principle of the invention can be implemented constructively in different modes, either with regard to the arrangement of the inlet passages, or with regard to the arrangement of the one-way valve with elastic lip and of the organ which acts as a valve seat.

As regards the arrangement of the inlet passages arranged in correspondence with the cover of the valve body, a first possibility is to produce these passages by means of openings made for this purpose in the cover itself. A second possibility is to produce these passages in the form of channels formed partly in the opening of the cover intended for its coupling with the contained cartridge, and partly in the external region of the cartridge itself. A third possibility is to make these passages by means of channels formed only in the opening of the cover intended for its coupling with the cartridge. A fourth possibility is to make these passages only in the external region of the cartridge.

Regarding the arrangement of the one-way valve with elastic lip, it can be installed between the valve cover and the contained cartridge, or between the cover and the valve body. In the latter case the elastic body constituting the valve with elastic lip can also act as a seal which, in any case, should be interposed between the cover and the valve body.

With regard to the arrangement of the member which acts as a valve seat by cooperating with the unidirectional valve with elastic lip, this member may be constituted by an internal surface of the cover, or by an internal surface of the body of the tap, or even by a part of the cartridge having the shape of a bead.

• les figures 1 à 4 montrent, en coupe axiale et d'une façon très schématique, des modes de réalisation qui diffèrent entre eux dans la disposition des passages d'entrée, du clapet unidirectionnel avec lèvre élastique et du siège de clapet; dans toutes ces figures la cartouche insérée dans le robinet est montrée en vue de l'extérieur; et
• la figure 5 montre d'une façon plus détaillée un mode de réalisation dans lequel la cartouche est elle-aussi montrée en coupe.

These and other characteristics and the advantages of the subject of the invention will emerge more clearly from the following description of certain embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting examples, schematically shown in the appended drawing, in which:

• Figures 1 to 4 show, in axial section and in a very schematic manner, embodiments which differ from one another in the arrangement of the inlet passages, of the one-way valve with elastic lip and of the valve seat; in all these figures the cartridge inserted in the tap is shown from the outside; and
• Figure 5 shows in more detail an embodiment in which the cartridge is also shown in section.

Referring first to Figure 1, we can notice that the tap schematically includes a hollow body 1 and a cover 6, screwed onto the body 1 by means of a thread 3. A seal 2 is interposed between the body 1 and the cover 6. In the interior hollow of the body 1, a cartridge is introduced, of which there is a housing 11 crossed by flow openings 12, a bead portion 13 and an upper portion 14 from which an operating member 15 projects. The parts 14 and 15 of the cartridge pass through a central opening in the cover 6.

In this embodiment, the inlet passages consist of openings 7 formed through the cover 6. Between an annular region of the latter and the bead portion 13 of the internal cartridge is disposed an annular body 9 of elastic material , from which protrudes outward an elastic lip 10 which extends beyond the openings 7 and bears against the internal surface of the cover 6, which acts as a valve seat. The elastic lip 10 therefore divides the internal space of the valve body 1 into an interior region 4, which is in communication with the flow openings 12 of the cartridge (as well as with any flow passage not shown, constituting the outlet of the tap), and an outer region 5, which is in communication with the ambient air through the openings 7 of the cover 6.

As long as the pressure in the interior region 4 is not lower than the atmospheric pressure prevailing in the exterior region 5, the elastic lip 10 remains pressed against the surface internal of the cover 6. In particular, during the flow of water through the open tap, the pressure in the interior region 4 becomes higher than atmospheric pressure, due to the resistances opposed to the flow downstream of the tap, and this pressure pushes strongly the elastic lip 10 against the cover 6, thus preventing any outflow of water through the passages 7.

However, when a condition which would tend to give rise to siphoning is verified, the pressure in the interior region 4 becomes (in a minimum measure) more reduced than atmospheric pressure. The latter, by acting in the outer region 5 against the elastic lip 10, raises the latter from the inner surface of the cover 6. Then the ambient air can freely enter the inner region 4 of the valve body, compensating for the depression which tended to establish itself, so that it cannot assume appreciable values. Any siphoning phenomenon is thus prevented. The elastic body 9 with the lip 10 therefore acts as a one-way valve preventing siphoning.

In this embodiment, the elastic body 9 of the one-way valve with elastic lip acts as a spacer to hold the cartridge 11-15 in position in the body 1 of the valve, but it does not have the function of establishing the sealing between the valve body and the cover.

Figure 1 also shows, by way of modification, as in an alternative form, the elastic lip 10 ′ of the one-way valve could be shaped. In this case the lip 10 'bears in a sealed manner, not against the internal surface of the cover 6, but against the internal surface of the body 1 of the valve, which in this case acts as a valve seat.

As will be understood, the functioning of the valve thus modified does not change in any way, only the lifting of the elastic lip under the conditions of prevention of siphoning takes place with respect to the internal surface of the body 1 of the tap, instead of only with respect to the area inner cover 6.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the different parts of the tap, of the cartridge and of the one-way valve, which correspond to parts according to FIG. 1, are indicated by the same reference numbers increased by 20 units; they will not be described later. In this case the cartridge bears directly against the cover 26, and the annular body 29 of the unidirectional valve is clamped between the body 21 and the cover 26. In this way it acts as a seal between said parts, and consequently there is no The packing 2 according to FIG. 1 has not been provided for any more. Otherwise, the operation which is obtained is identical at all to that which has been described with respect to the embodiment according to FIG. 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the different parts of the tap, of the cartridge and of the one-way valve, which correspond to parts according to FIG. 1, are indicated by the same reference numbers increased by 40 units; they will not be described later. In this case also, as according to FIG. 2, the annular body 49 of the one-way valve is clamped between the body 41 and the cover 46 and it acts as a seal between these parts. In this case, the lip 50 of the one-way valve is directed towards the bead portion 53 of the cartridge, which, in this case, acts as a valve seat. The inlet passages could also be constituted by openings made through the cover 46, as in the previous cases, but here they can also be constituted by channels 56 formed in the external part 54 of the cartridge and by corresponding channels formed in an internal flange 48 of the cover 46, serving as a shoulder for the cartridge. Apart from that, the behavior which one obtains is still identical to that which has been described in connection with the embodiment according to FIG. 1.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, similar to that shown in Figure 3, the different parts of the valve, of the cartridge and one-way valve, which correspond to parts according to Figure 1, are indicated by the same reference numbers increased by 60 units; they will not be described later. In this case also the annular body 69 of the one-way valve is clamped between the body 61 and the cover 66 and it acts as a seal between these parts. The elastic lip 70 of the one-way valve is directed towards the bead portion 73 of the cartridge, which acts as a valve seat. In this case, the inlet passages consist of channels formed in an internal flange 68 of the cover 66, and they extend to the outside, so that it is not necessary to provide channels formed in the external part of the cartridge. Apart from that, the behavior which one obtains is still identical to that which has been described in connection with the embodiment according to FIG. 1.

In FIG. 4, it has also been shown, by way of modification, that channels constituting inlet passages 76 ′ could also be provided only in the external region of the cartridge. In this case it would not be necessary to provide channels in the flange 68 of the cover 66, forming a shoulder.

As can be understood from the observation of the various embodiments shown diagrammatically, it is possible to choose arrangements by which the tap provided with the device against siphoning is capable of receiving the cartridges which are normally produced for taps without a device. against siphoning, while retaining its characteristic function. On the other hand, it is also possible to produce cartridges having special provisions intended to make possible the operation of a device against siphoning, these cartridges can however also be used in taps without such a device, of course , in this case, not giving rise to the anti-siphoning function. It is therefore possible to unify the cartridges intended for anti-siphonage valves and those intended for normal valves. Finally, it is obvious that all the arrangements which, according to the claims of the invention, realize in a tap the function of protection against siphoning phenomena, can be made with negligible increases in the cost price, compared to taps of the same category n ' not having this protective function.

In the embodiment shown in more detail in Figure 5, the different parts of the valve, the cartridge and the one-way valve, which correspond to parts according to Figure 1, are indicated by the same reference numbers increased by 80 units; they will not be described later. The embodiment according to FIG. 5 corresponds to the diagram according to FIG. 1, but we see here that the internal surface of the cover 86, acting as a valve seat, can also be the cylindrical internal surface of the cover, instead of its surface internal plate as in FIG. 1. In FIG. 5, it can be noted that the lever operating member 95 is coupled to an articulation ball 96 fitted between the upper part 94 of the cartridge, acting as an upper semi-cushion. , and a lower semi-cushion 99 forming part of the housing 91. A seal 98 is inserted between these parts. The internal end 97 of the operating member engages a slide 100, guided in the cartridge by a guide ring 101, and coupled with a movable flow control plate 102 made of hard material. The latter can slide in sealing contact with a fixed flow control plate 103 of hard material, mounted in a bottom 104 of the housing 91 of the cartridge. The bottom 104 of the cartridge is coupled by means of projections 105 with seats at the bottom of the body 81 of the valve, to which the supply lines 106 arrive. The number 107 designates a possible arrangement of the flow conduit, which on the other hand can be also provided in any other position, according to the installation requirements. The operation of a tap and a cartridge like those which have been described is well known and does not require to be described in detail.

The interior region 84 of the valve body is in communication with the flow conduit 107 and it receives the water, which has been mixed in the cartridge, through the openings 93 of the housing 91 of the cartridge. This interior region extends, through the gap between the housing 91 of the cartridge and the body 81 of the valve, to the one-way valve 89-90 which, under normal conditions, separates the interior region 84 from the exterior region 85 The latter is in communication, through the openings 87 of the cover 86, with the ambient air. When there is a slight depression in the internal flow region 84, the lip 90 of the one-way valve rises from the internal cylindrical wall of the cover 84. Then the ambient air, which through the passages 87 always arrives at the outer region 85 of the valve body, is also admitted into the inner region 84 and therefore up to the flow conduit 107. As a result, even if a vacuum is established in the supply line during the opening of the valve gives rise to suction through the valve, which is sucked in is air entered through the passages 87, the outer region 85, the passage defined by the raised lip 90 of the one-way valve and the interior region 84 of the body of the valve, while no suction action can be transmitted to the flow duct 107 to give rise to a siphoning.

It should be understood that all of the parts and arrangements described may be replaced by their technical equivalents, within the scope of the claims.

Claims (11)

1. A hydraulic faucet valve comprising a faucet body (1; 21; 41; 61; 81), a removable cover (6; 26; 46; 66; 86) and a cartridge (11; 31; 51; 71; 91) prvided with flux control members shaped as plane plates (102; 103) of hard material, characterized in that some passages (7; 27; 48,56; 68; 76'; 87) for inlet of ambient air are provided for between the space inside the faucet cover and the atmosphere, and that a one-way valve (9; 29; 49; 69; 89) with elastic lip (10; 30; 50; 70; 90) is housed within said cover, between an outer region (5; 25; 45; 65; 85) of the faucet, communicating through said inlet passages with the atmosphere, and an inner region (4; 24; 44; 64; 84) of the faucet, communicating with the delivery outlet (107) of the faucet, said one-way valve with elastic lip being inserted in the direction which allows the passage from said outer region of the faucet towards said inner region, and hinders the passage from said inner region towards said outer region.
2. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that said inlet passages are formed by openings (7; 27; 87) made to this purpose in the faucet cover (6; 26; 86).
3. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that said inlet passages are formed by channels (48,56) made in part (48) in the opening of the cover (46) intended for coupling with the contained cartridge (51), and in part (56) in the outer region (54) of the cartridge.
4. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that said inlet passages are formed by channels (68) made only in the opening of the cover (66) intended for coupling with the cartridge (71).
5. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that said inlet passages are formed by channels (76') made only in the outer region (73-74) of the cartridge (71).
6. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that said one-way valve (9; 89) with elastic lip (10; 90) is arranged between the faucet cover (6; 86) and the cartridge (11; 91).
7. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that said one-way valve (29; 49; 69) with elastic lip (30; 50; 70) is arranged between the faucet cover (26; 46; 66) and the faucet body (21; 41; 61).
8. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 7, characterized in that the elastic body (29; 49; 69) forming the one-way valve with elastic lip (30; 50; 70) also has the function of a seal packing inserted between the faucet cover (26; 46; 66) and the faucet body (21; 41; 61).
9. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that an inner surface of the faucet cover (6; 26; 86) acts as a valve seat by co-operating with said one-way valve (9; 29; 89) with elastic lip (10; 30; 90).
10. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that an inner surface of the faucet body (1) acts as a valve seat by co-operating with said one-way valve (9) with elastic lip (10').
11. A faucet valve as set forth in Claim 1, characterized in that a portion of the cartridge (51; 71), which has the shape of a collar (53; 73), acts as a valve seat by co-operating with said one-way valve (49; 69) with elastic lip (50; 70).

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