EP3390734A1

EP3390734A1 - Flow control devices

Info

Publication number: EP3390734A1
Application number: EP16808782.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Oliver Jones; Austin Bumpsteed
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-17
Filing date: 2016-12-02
Publication date: 2018-10-24
Also published as: WO2017103568A1; GB2545472A; GB201522324D0

Abstract

A faucet comprises at least one flow control device (200) which is operable to control water flow rate through the faucet. The flow control device (200) is arranged, in use, to adjust a flow rate of fluid, and comprises an iris mechanism (202, 204).

Description

FLOW CONTROL DEVICES

The invention relates to flow control devices and to faucets employing the flow control devices. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention concerns flow control devices for a mixer valve, which achieve precise flow rate control with little input force. The invention may have particular application for shower systems but it need not be limited to this use.

For convenience, the invention is discussed primarily in relation to mixer valves for showering, bathing and/or washing. The skilled person will appreciate that various applications of the flow control devices are possible, such as in kitchen or bathroom taps, showers, or other flow adjustors . The term "faucet" as used herein includes shower heads and the likes in addition to taps. It is known to control flow in a mixer valve by relative movement of ceramic discs plates open and close an orifice. This method has the disadvantage that the mixing performance of the mixer valve can be hindered. Additionally, ceramic disks require a high input force to operate as large areas are needed for low pressure flow rates. There is therefore a need for a flow control device which provides precise flow rate control without requiring a large input force.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a flow control device arranged, in use, to adjust a flow rate of fluid, and comprising an iris mechanism.

The flow control device may comprise a first ring which houses a number of blades, and may additionally comprise a second ring, arranged, in use, to move the blades.

The combination of the first ring and the second ring and the blades, wherein rotation of one ring relative to the other actuates the blades so as to alter the size of an orifice, is an example of an iris mechanism.

Optionally, one ring is fixed in place and the other ring is rotatable. Either the first or the second ring may be fixed in place. The skilled person will understand that, in some embodiments, both rings may be rotatable. Optionally, the rings are concentric and the outer of the two rings is rotatable. In embodiments wherein the outer ring is the first ring, the first ring surrounds the second ring. In embodiments wherein the outer ring is the second ring, the second ring surrounds the first ring.

Advantageously, a user can rotate the outer ring directly , thereby actuating the iris mechanism and, in use, controlling flow rate. In such embodiments, a switch, button , flow control knob or lever is not required.

In additional or alternative embodiments, a switch, button, knob or lever may be provided to, in use, allow a user to actuate the iris mechanism.

Advantageously, the flow rate may be adjusted to any value between a minimum and maximum flow rate determined by the flow control device. In some embodiments, however, a switch, button, knob or lever may provide only a limited set of flow rate options.

In some embodiments, the flow control device is used in a shower mixer valve.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a faucet comprising at least one flow control device according the preceding aspect which is operable to control water flow rate through the faucet. The faucet may comprise a mixer valve or a tap. The mixer valve may further comprise an inlet for a cold feed supplying cold water, an inlet for a hot feed supplying hot water and an outlet through which water leaves, wherein the flow control device is used to adjust the flow rate of water flowing through the outlet. According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of adjusting the flow rate of water through a faucet comprising providing a flow control device comprising an iris mechanism having blades defining an orifice for fluid flow and adjusting the blades to vary the size of the orifice. Optionally, the iris mechanism can be continuously adjusted to obtain any flow rate value between a minimum and maximum flow rate determined by the flow control device. Alternatively, the iris mechanism has a plurality of discrete set or fixed positions between which it can be rotated to adjust the flow rate value.

The flow control device may be as described in relation to any of the preceding aspects.

The skilled person will appreciate that features discussed in relation to any one aspect of the invention may be provided with any other aspect of the invention.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used for like features :

Figure 1 shows a schematic of a cross-section of a flow control device of an embodiment of the invention in a first position where the size of an orifice is a maximum;

Figure 2 shows a schematic of the cross-section of the flow control device of Figure 1 in a second position where the size of the orifice is a minimum; Figure 3 shows a schematic of the cross-section of the flow control device of

Figures 1 and 2 in a third position where the size of the orifice is between the maximum and minimum sizes of Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 4 shows a shower mixer valve;

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a flow control device 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. The flow control device 200 comprises an iris mechanism which is actuated by a control member (not shown) . In the embodiment being described rotational movement of the control member actuates the iris mechanism, thereby controlling the flow rate. The skilled person would understand that in other embodiments, the iris mechanism may be actuated by sliding movement of the control member.

The flow control device 200 comprises a rotatable ring 202, a fixed ring 204 and a plurality of blades 206 forming the iris mechanism. In the embodiment being described, the rotatable ring 202 is the outer of the two rings. The skilled person would understand that in other embodiments, the fixed ring 204 may be the outer of the two rings. In the embodiment being described, the flow control device 200 is substantially circular in cross-section. The skilled person would understand that, in other embodiments, the outer ring 202 may have an outer perimeter 220 which is not circular. The outer perimeter 220 may be square, hexagonal, or have multiple b umps or protrusions.

Advantageously, in embodiments wherein the outer ring is the rotat able ring 202, the control member may be integral with the rotatable ring 202 or separate and operatively connected to the rotatable ring 202. For example, the control member may comprise the outer perimeter 220 of the rotatable ring 202 configured to allow rotation of the rotatable ring 202, for example by a user gripping the outer perimeter 220 of the rotatable ring 202. Alternatively, the control member may comprise a separate member (not shown), such as a rocker switch, button, knob or lever, coupled to the outer perimeter 220 of the rotatable ring 202 and configured to allow rotation of the rotatable ring 202, for example by a user operating the rocker switch, button, knob or lever.

The blades 206 are connected to the fixed ring 204 and are actuated by movement of the rotatable ring 202. The skilled person would understand that, in some embodiments, the blades 206 may be connected to the rotatable ring 202 and that relative movement of the two rings 202, 204 actuates movement of the blades. In the embodiment being described, twelve blades 206 are provided. The mechanism may have between two and 36 blades, and preferably has between 6 and 18 blades.

The skilled person would understand that the number and shape of the blades 206 can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, blades 206 of different sizes and shapes may be used within a single flow control device 200. Alternatively, all blades 206 may have the same shape and size.

The blades 206 control the size of an orifice 210 in the flow control device 200 through which fluid can flow. The size of the orifice 210, and hence the flow area therethrough, is controlled by rotation of the rotatable ring 202. Rotation of the rotatable ring 202 may be thought of as actuation of the iris mechanism. The size of the orifice 210 controls the flow rate of fluid through the flow control device - at a given fluid pressure, the size corresponds to a particular flow rate.

In Figure 1 , the flow control device 200 is shown in a first position where the size of the orifice 210 is a maximum. The first position may be indicated by alignment of index marks 202a, 204a on the rings 202, 204. In Figure 1 , the blades 206 are partially visible behind a lip 208. In use, flow rate of fluid through the flow control device 200 is a maximum in this configuration. In this embodiment, the maximum size of the orifice 210 is defined by the blades 206. In other embodiments, the maximum size of the orifice may be defined by the lip 208.

In Figure 2, the flow control device 200 is shown in a second position where the size of orifice 210 is a minimum. In Figure 2, the blades 206 are extended inwards from the lip 208. In use, flow rate of fluid through the flow control device 200 is a minimum in this configuration. In other embodiments, the iris mechanism may be configured so that the orifice 210 is closed in the second position to shu t-off flow through the flow control device 200.

When the flow control device 200 of the embodiment being described is in the first position shown in Figure 1 , rotation of the rotatable ring 202 is only possible in one direction. In this embodiment, the rotatable ring 202 is rotatable in a clockwise direction from the first position as indicated by the arrow A. In other embodiments the rotatable ring 202 may be rotatable in a counterclockwise direction from the first position.

When the rotatable ring 202 is rotated in the clockwise direction from the first position shown in Figure 1 to the second position shown in Figure 2, the blades 206 move inwards and the size of the orifice 210 reduces from the maximum in the first position shown in Figure 1 to the minimum in the second position shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the angular spacing of the first and second positions is approximately 180 degrees. This is not limiting and, in other embodiments, the angular spacing of the first and second positions may be more than or less than 180 degrees. In use, the flow rate of fluid through the flow control device 200 reduces as the size of the orifice 210 reduces from the maximum in Figure 1 to the minimum in Figure 2.

When the flow control device 200 of the embodiment being described is in the position shown in Figure 2, rotation of the rotatable ring 202 is only possible in the reverse direction for returning the flow control device to the position shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the rotatable ring 202 is rotatable in a counterclockwise direction from the second position as indicated by the arrow B . In other embodiments the rotatable ring 202 may be rotatable in a clockwise direction from the second position.

When the rotatable ring 202 is rotated in the reverse direction from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 1 , the blades 206 move outwards and the size of the orifice 210 increases from the minimum in Figure 2 to the maximum in Figure 1. In use, the flow rate of fluid through the flow control device 200 increases as the size of the orifice 210 increases from the minimum in Figure 2 to the maximum in Figure 1.

The skilled person will understand that actuation of the flow control device 200 can be controlled to set the flow rate at the maximum or minimum flow rates or any intermediate flow rate between the maximum or minimum flow rates by rotation of the rotatable ring 202 to adjust the position of the blades 206 to vary the size of the orifice 210 and thus the flow rate through the flow control device 200. In Figure 3, the flow control device 200 is shown in a third position intermediate the first and second positions where the size of orifice 210 is between the maximum and minimum sizes of Figures 1 and 2.

When the flow control device 200 of the embodiment being described is in the position shown in Figure 3, rotation of the rotatable ring 202 is possible in either one of two opposed directions. Rotation in the direction of arrow B increases the size of the orifice and thus increases the flow rate through the flow control device 200. Rotation in the direction of arrow A reduces the size of the orifice and thus reduces the flow rate through the flow control device 200.

The skilled person will understand that the orifice 210 may vary in shape as well as in size as the blades 206 which form the perimeter of the orifice 210 move. In the embodiment being described, the orifice 210 is lobed in its first position (Figure 1), becomes more hexagonal as the size of orifice is reduced (Figure 3), and then becomes more circular at size of the orifice is further reduced (Figure 2).

The skilled person will understand that the shape of the orifice 210 may not vary, or may vary in a different manner, in other embodiments. Straight blades result in a polygonal shape as the orifice opens. Curved blades improve the roundness of the iris mechanism orifice. Further, in some embodiments, the orifice 210 may be completely closed at full restriction, such that no fluid may flow through it .

The skilled person will understand that, due to the nature of the iris mechanism described, the size of the orifice can have unlimited adjustments between the maximum and minimum flow rates. Advantageously, a user can therefore smoothly adjust the flow rate to a desired value and is not limited to a set number of flow rates.

The skilled person would understand that, in some embodiments, a user could move the rotatable ring 202 directly to effect flow rate changes. In such embodiments wherein the rotatable ring 202 is the outer ring, the presence of one or more formations on the outer perimeter 220 of the rotating ring 202 could be advantageous to improve grip and/or to provide a visual indication of the angular position of the rotatable ring 202 and thus the size of the orifice and the flow rate . In alternative or additional embodiments, a control member such as a handle, lever or knob may be used to control the position of the rotatable ring 202. The handle, lever or knob may be linearly adjustable across the full range of orifice sizes/flow rates. Alternatively, a set number of discrete handle, lever or positions may be provided, each corresponding to a particular flow rate. For example, three set positions may be provided corresponding to maximum flow, medium flow and minimum flow. Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown a mixer valve 100 for a shower system (not shown). The mixer valve 100 comprises inlets 103, 105 for hot and cold water and an outlet 107 for temperature controlled water. The outlet 107 may be connected to a shower head by any suitable means such as a hose 109 or pipe. The mixer valve 100 further comprises a rotatable temperature control knob 104 for user selection of outlet water temperature and a rotatable flow control knob 106 for user selection of outlet water flow rate. The temperature control knob 104 is operatively connected to a valve mechanism within a body 102 of the mixer valve for controlling mixing of the hot and cold water according to user selection of the outlet water temperature. The valve mechanism may be thermostatic or non -thermostatic. The flow control knob 106 is operatively connected to a flow control mechanism within the body 102 of the mixer valve for controlling water flow through the mixer valve 100 according to user selection of the outlet water flow rate.

In the embodiment being described, the flow control mechanism may compris e the flow control device 200 of Figures 1 to 3 located at the outlet 107 for controlling flow rate. The flow control device 200 may also be configured to turn the water flow on and off as well as adjust the flow rate as described previously.

In other embodiments, the flow control mechanism may comprise a separate flow control device 200 in each inlet 103, 105 for controlling flow rate. The flow control devices 200 may be synchronised so that the selected outlet water temperature is not affected when the flow rate is adjusted. The flow control devices 200 may also be configured to turn the water flow on and off as well as adjust the flow rate as described previously.

In other embodiments (not shown) there may be a single control member for controlling temperature and flow rate of the outlet water.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above - described and the skilled person will appreciate that modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A faucet comprising a flow control device arranged, in use, to adjust a flow rate of fluid, and comprising an iris mechanism.

2. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the iris mechanism comprises a first ring which houses a number of blades.

3. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the first ring is fixed in place and cannot be rotated.

4. The faucet of claim 2 or claim 3 , wherein the iris mechanism comprises a second ring, arranged, in use, to move the blades.

5. The faucet of claim 4, wherein the first ring and the second ring are concentric.

6. The faucet of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the second ring surrounds the first ring.

7. The faucet of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein rotation of the second ring actuates the iris mechanism.

8. The faucet of claim 7 wherein the blades define an orifice for flow of fluid through the device and the size of the orifice is adjustable to vary flow rate in response to rotation of the second ring.

9. The faucet of any preceding claim wherein a control member is provided to, in use, allow a user to actuate the iris mechanism.

10. The faucet of any preceding claim wherein the iris mechanism can be adjusted between a minimum flow rate and a maximum flow rate and any intermediate flow rate.

1 1. The faucet of claim 10 wherein the minimum flow rate corresponds to a zero flow rate in which flow through the control device is prevented.

12. The faucet of any preceding claim comprising a mixer valve.

13. The faucet of claim 12 wherein the mixer valve has an inlet for cold water, an inlet for hot water and an outlet through which water leaves , wherein the at least one flow control device is arranged to flow rate of outlet water.

14. The faucet of claim 13 wherein a flow control device is located in each inlet.

15. The faucet of claim 13 wherein a flow control device is located in the outlet.

16. A method of adjusting the flow rate of water through a faucet comprising providing a flow control device comprising an iris mechanism having blades defining an orifice for fluid flow and adjusting the blades to vary the size of the orifice .

17. The method of adjusting the flow rate of water of claim 16 wherein the iris mechanism can be continuously adjusted to obtain any flow rate between a minimum flow rate and a maximum flow rate.

18. The method of adjusting the flow rate of water of claim 16 wherein the iris mechanism can be adjusted between a plurality of discrete set or fixed positions to adjust the flow rate.