FR2640021A1 - FLOW REGULATOR, PARTICULARLY FOR LIQUIDS, FOR WASHING MACHINES - Google Patents

Abstract

This flow regulator is of the type comprising a tubular element 3, defining a passage 4 for the fluid and in which is formed at least one transverse stop surface 5, and a regulating member 6 bearing against the stop surface 5 in the passage 4 and having, in top view, a surface smaller than the section of passage 4, the regulating member 6 being elastically deformable under the effect of the pressure of the fluid passing through passage 4, so that with respect to the stop surface 5, it defines a section of the fluid passage which decreases when the pressure increases. The regulator 6 consists of a profiled metal blade 7, obtained by cutting.

Description

Flow regulator, in particular for liquids intended for

wash

  The object of the present invention is to regulate

  flow meter, in particular for regulating the flow of feed water from a

  washing machine, having a defined tubular element

  a passage for the fluid and in which at least one transverse abutment surface is formed and

  a regulatory body supporting the over-

  stop face in the passageway and having, for the purpose of

  above, a surface smaller than the pas-

  wise, the regulator being elastically

  deformable by the pressure of the working fluid

  pouring the passage, so that, with respect to the abutment surface, it defines a section of the passage

  fluid that decreases as the pressure increases.

  Flow regulators of this type are known in which the regulating member is constituted by an element made of elastomeric material, obtained by injection molding. These regulatory bodies have

  many disadvantages: a hysteresis not neglected

  and their characteristics are considerably

  in time. In addition, their cost of

tion is quite high.

  The present invention aims to propose

  a simplified structure flow regulator, capable of

  to be realized at a lower cost (in particular

  with regard to the regulatory body) and presented

  both greater accuracy of operation, as well as greater stability over time of

his characteristics.

  This object is achieved, according to the invention, with a

  flow regulator of the type mentioned above, since the

  regulating mechanism consists of a profiled blade

made of metal, obtained by cutting.

  In a particular embodiment of the regulator according to the invention, the regulator

  has a blade roughly disk-shaped,

  sensing several angular sectors alternately curved in opposite directions, so as to present a peripherally corrugated profile. This blade can advantageously have several appendages forming an entire spring, bearing against the surface

  of abutment of the tubular element, and yielding elastic

  the pressure of the fluid, and allowing the blade to bear directly against the abutment surface, when the fluid pressure exceeds a

predefined value.

  In a variant, the regulating member may be constituted by a flat blade, approximately disk-shaped, and the abutment surface of the tubular element is, in this case, advantageously profiled so as to define, with the regulating member, a fluid passage section which decreases as the pressure increases. In all cases, the regulator may advantageously have at least one opening

for the passage of the fluid.

  Various other features and benefits

  of the invention appear from the detailed description

  which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings,

  provided by way of non-limiting examples in

  which: - Figure 1 is a partial view, partly in section, of a solenoid valve having a pipe for the entry of water, wherein is formed a flow control device according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a regulating member of a flow control device according to the invention, - Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a

  view from above and a side view of the regulator

  FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing the regulating device of FIG.

  flow rate in another operating state.

  In FIGS. 1 and 5, the reference i denotes, as a whole, a solenoid valve of a type known per se, used for the control of the supply water

  a washing machine, washing machine or dishwasher.

  This solenoid valve comprises a body 2 having, at one end, an inlet pipe 3 intended to be connected to a source of water, in particular to the distribution network. The tubing 3 has a roughly tubular shape and defines a passage 4 for the water inlet. The passage 4 has a narrowing of its

  section, at the right of an annular shoulder 5.

  The reference 6 designates a regulating member bearing on the shoulder 5. This member, which is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 to 4, consists, in the embodiment represented, of a profiled metal strip 7 obtained by cutting and plastic deformation, from a sheet of sheet metal. As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, the blade 7 has, at rest, several angular sectors 7a, 7b alternately curved in opposite directions, so that it presents a peripherally corrugated profile. In FIG. 2, the upwardly curved sectors have been designated 7a, while the reference 7b denotes the sectors curved towards

the bottom.

  In the embodiment shown, the blade 7 has, in addition, a central opening 8

allowing the passage of water.

  As shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 to 4, the blade 7 has essentially the shape

  of a disc whose contour is practically polygo-

  nal. This blade could also present a

  contour of another form, for example circular.

  In all cases, the regulator 6 has a top view (FIG.

  the section of the passage 4 of the tubing of the electro-

valve.

  In the embodiment shown, the

  The regulating device 6 has a plurality of appendages 9 which are entirely spring-loaded, folded approximately at S on the same side and resting on the shoulder 5 of the

tubing (Figure 1).

  The appendices 9 of the blade 7 are elastically

  deformable under the effect of the pressure of

the water acting on the blade.

  In operation, when the pressure of the water arriving at the pipe 3 is relatively low, the water exceeds the regulation member 6 by flowing through the opening 8 and the passages defined between the periphery of the blade 7 and the wall of the passage 4 of the tubing. When the pressure of the water increases, the blade 7 is pushed in the direction of the shoulder

  5. The appendages forming spring 9 of the blade

  weave by deforming elastically. When a predetermined value of the pressure is reached, the blade 7 places itself in contact against the surface of the shoulder 5, as shown in Figure 5. The approximation of the blade 7 and this shoulder causes a reduction of the section of passages through which water can flow, beyond

the regulating organ.

  When the predefined value of the pressure is exceeded, the blade 7 which tends to flatten, is more crushed against the shoulder, and the water passage section is further reduced. When the pressure increases, the flow rate of the water which exceeds the regulation member 6 can therefore be rendered

almost constant.

  The blade 7 is preferably made of hardened stainless steel, of the type commonly used for the manufacture of springs, or phosphor bronze or

in beryllium copper.

  As an alternative to the embodiment shown, a flow regulator according to the invention could comprise a regulator member constituted by a blade

  plane, still roughly disk-shaped, cooperating

  with a stop surface suitably

  to define between them a passage section for water, which decreases when the pressure increases. In this case too, the regulating member may be provided with integrally spring-loaded appendages for bearing on the stop surface of

the tubular element or tubing.

  In all cases, the flow regulator according to the invention has many advantages. Its structure is extremely simple and its regulator can be realized at a cost of manufacture

  very modest, since it only requires

  cutting and plastic deformation (folding). The flow regulator according to the invention is moreover very precise and its characteristics are

quite stable in time.

Claims (10)

  Flow regulator for fluids, in particular for regulating the flow rate of the feed water of a washing machine, comprising a tubular element (3), defining a passage (4) for   fluid and in which at least one   transverse abutment face (5), and a regulating member   lation (6) bearing against the abutment surface   (5) in passage (4) and presenting, with a view to   a surface smaller than the section of the passage (4), the regulating member (6) being elastically   deformable by the pressure of the working fluid   pouring the passage (4), so that with respect to the abutment surface (5), it defines a section of the fluid passage which decreases as the pressure increases, characterized in that the regulating member (6) is constituted by a profiled blade (7) made of metal, obtained by cutting.   2. Flow regulator according to the claim   1, characterized in that the regulating element (6) comprises a disk-like blade (7) having a plurality of angular sectors (7a, 7b) alternately curved in opposite directions,   to present a peripherally corrugated profile.   3. Flow regulator according to the claim   1, characterized in that the regulating member (6) is constituted by a flat blade, approximately disk-shaped, and in that said abutment surface of the tubular element (1) is profiled such that kind   with said blade, it defines a section of   fluid that decreases with increasing pressure   under the effect of the elastic deformation of the blade.   4. Flow regulator according to any one   of the above claims, characterized in that   the regulating member (6) has at least one   opening (8) for the passage of the fluid.   5. Flow regulator according to any one   of the above claims, characterized in that   the regulating member (6) comprises a disc-shaped blade (7) having a plurality of integrally spring-loaded appendages (9) bearing against the abutment surface (5) of the tubular element (3). ) yielding elastically under the effect of the pressure of the fluid and allowing the blade (7) to bear directly against said abutment surface, when the   pressure exceeds a preset value.   6. Flow regulator according to the claim   5, characterized in that the spring projections (9) extend from the periphery of the blade (7).   7. Flow controller according to the claims   2 and 5, characterized in that the spring projections (9) extend from the sectors (7b) of the blade (7) which are bent in the direction of the abutment surface (5).   8. Flow regulator according to the claim   7, characterized in that the spring-forming appendages (9) of the blade (7) have a roughly S profile.   9. Flow controller according to any one   of the above claims, characterized in that   that said blade is made of hardened stainless steel, or   Phosphor bronze or berylium copper.   10. Solenoid valve, in particular for controlling the supply of water to a washing machine, comprising a pipe (3) for the arrival of water, intended to be connected to a source of water under   pressure, characterized in that provision is made   positive flow regulator according to any one of   above claims in the tubing (3).