FR2707363A1 - Single lever mixer tap to adjust the flow and the ratio of hot and cold water. - Google Patents

Abstract

It is known that single-lever mixer taps, in particular those used in showers, close and open the water supply in spurts. According to the invention, the rotational movement of the handle (33) of a single-lever mixing valve is transformed by a transformation device, such as for example a threaded spindle (24) or a pinion and a rack, or a pin eccentric, by means of a rocking lever (22), in a rectilinear movement of a regulator member (4) known per se. The single-lever mixing valve according to the invention allows precise adjustment of the water flow rate as well as the temperature of the cold water / hot water mixture. In addition, it can be easily maintained using commonly marketed water-carrying construction elements.

Description

With single lever mixer taps to regulate the flow and

  mixing ratio of hot and cold water

  The present invention relates to a mixing valve

  single lever lever for regulating the flow and the rate

  port for mixing hot and cold water, of the kind described

in EP-Al-0096005.

  Mixing valves of this type are used for

  sentiel is satisfactory in practice and provides a linear adjustment of the temperature, depending on the angle of rotation of the handle, for a constant flow. Similarly, a

  variation of the tilt angle gives, for a temperature-

  constant ture, a linear flow plot, and at the same time

  it is obtained, in particular in the matter of showers, a great cons

  strong with simple adjustment devices and a functional

sure.

  However, it turned out that at certain times of the day, especially in the morning, due to a possible

  rapid actuation of the rocking lever, causing sudden

  that triggering or stopping the flow of hot and cold water, shocks, or jolts, occur in the pipe networks. This "jerky closure" is undesirable because it is thus established, in particular in apartment buildings, but also in entire residential areas, variations in pressure jerks throughout the network which often overlap with regard to their amplitudes. On the one hand, it results in the piping systems and / or at the level of the fixing points of the latter, annoying acoustic emissions

  and, on the other hand, these sudden variations in pressure be-

  are exposed to the risk of bursting of pipes, subjected to high stresses, and of sealing members. In addition, property can be damaged due to the fact that the l

  same construction elements are subjected to mechanical shocks

Identical repeated nicks.

  Consequently, the object of the present invention is to create

  er a mixer tap with a single lever which does not risk producing disadvantageous effects on the pipeline network and also has the advantages of the state of the art (EP-Al0096005); it is indeed a question of ensuring, for optimal movement transmissions, variations in the temperature of the water mixture without variation in the flow rate, and variations in the flow rate without undesirable variations in the

temperature of the mixture.

  This object is achieved, for a mixing valve with a single lever intended to regulate the flow rate and the mixing ratio of hot and cold water and equipped with a fixed distributor plate which has two passages communicating respectively with the conduit d hot water supply and the cold water supply pipe, and on which a

  regulating member movable relative to the distribution plate

  scorer and presenting other passages, which regulating organ

  lateur can be moved by a rocking lever, capable of rocking around a shaft, and thanks to a recess provided in the rocking lever and in which engages a drive member which can be brought, by an actuated transformation device by means of a handle, to pivot in the axis of rotation of the regulating member, according to the invention by the fact that the transformation device intended to transform the angle of rotation of the handle into a

  rectilinear movement of the regulating organ, as for example-

  ple a threaded spindle or a pinion and a rack or an eccentric pin, limit the water flow, and that the angle of

  pivoting of the handle around the axis of rotation of the

  gane regulator rotates it on the passages of the hot water supply pipe and the water supply pipe

  cold and thus regulates the mixing ratio.

  The transformation of the rotational movement, through

  medium of a transformation device and a tilting lever, in a rectilinear movement makes it possible to obtain a uniform and precise mechanical movement of the regulating member with its two passages and, consequently, of the flow of hot water of and cold water. The transformation device is advantageously produced in the form of a threaded spindle or

  a pinion with rack or an eccentric pin.

  The optimal mating conditions that can be determined

  born easily in terms of construction and this within wide limits prevent, even in the case of a rapid manual rotation movement of the handle, sudden variations in flow; the adjustment is completely smooth. In addition, there is a saving effect since the water flow can be adjusted asymptotically up to

obtaining the desired value.

  Various advantageous embodiments of the object

  of the invention are described in the dependent claims

  data. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transmission ratio between the rotational movement of the handle and the rectilinear movement of the regulating member for adjusting the flow rate is between one and four

  rotational turns per stroke. This transmission ratio im-

  bearing between the threaded spindle and the regulating member is

  re very advantageous in this exemplary embodiment as regards

  relates to precise adjustment of the water flow.

  Advantageously, the threaded spindle has a trapezoidal thread and moves in a rectilinear fashion a transmission part provided with a trapezoidal thread. This embodiment is simple in terms of construction and

very safe operation.

  Advantageously, the threaded spindle is in relation

  working with a polygonal guide member whose sur-

  Sliding faces can move rectilinearly on other sliding surfaces of the upper part of the envelope. The connection between the threaded spindle and a guide member with several sliding surfaces prevents these from

  turn and ensure a movement without play of the regulating organ

  tor. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rocking lever has a spherical middle part which bears in leaktight manner on an O-ring. This embodiment offers a very advantageous sealing of

  the part of the envelope conveying the water with respect to the

  upper tie of the envelope and undergoes only a very weak

wear.

  The tilting lever advantageously has a barrel part inside which the drive member engages in a slot-shaped recess. This constitutes

  a simple way to connect the rocker lever

cable to the drive member.

  In another advantageous embodiment of the invention,

  vention it is arranged on the spherical middle part of the

  a tipping tenon which engages in the par-

  median tie of a pot-shaped trainer. This form of

  realization of the rocking lever with a tenon driving pin

  compensates for manufacturing tolerances without the

  adjustment accuracy of the regulator suffers.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, two or more retaining screws are provided which engage in a

  support pressure nut embedded in the valve casing

  blender linen. The use of two or more retaining screws ensures very easy disassembly of the mixing valve in case of cleaning or replacement

  of the regulating organ and of the distributor plate.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, a threaded sleeve is provided in the threaded spindle which, by means of an adjustment screw, limits the stroke of the spindle relative to the transmission member. This constitutes

  a very practical way to adjust the stroke of the spindle file-

  and therefore limit the flow.

  Another advantageous embodiment of the invention

  O10 it is that it is mounted on the handle a rib

  in the form of an indicator and / or on the upper part of the

  hoists a tilting lever. This embodiment of the rotary handle with the indicator-shaped rib makes it possible to adjust the water flow in a reproducible manner. For adjusting the temperature of the water mixture can be used

a well-known rocking lever.

  Below are described in detail three examples of

  particularly advantageous reading of the subject of the invention

  using the accompanying drawings o the same elements constitute

  guardians are designated by the same reference figures and on which:

  Figure 1 shows, in section, a metering valve

  single lever langeuse fitted with a threaded spindle, the openings for hot and cold water being open; Figure 2 shows details of the fittings of Figure 1 in the region of its threaded spindle; Figure 3 is a representation similar to Figure 2, but in the locked state; FIG. 4 represents, in longitudinal section in the

  lever tilting plane, a balanced embodiment

  pinion of a pinion and a rack; FIG. 5 represents, in longitudinal section, the embodiment of FIG. 4, this being however observed perpendicular to the tilting plane of the tilting lever; and

  FIG. 6 represents a third embodiment

  tion, by way of example, of the invention in which the ele

  main feature of the transformation system is a

eccentric city.

  In Figure 1 is designated by 1 a retaining plate known per se and having passages 1 'and corresponding seals 2 of rubber. Over the

  retaining plate is located, leaning tightly on it

  this, a fixed distributor plate 3 on which is in turn a mobile regulating member 4 also known in

  self and fitted with an O-ring 5.

  The assembly is introduced into an envelope 6 provided with a

  do peripheral O-ring 7 and set up in a par-

  fittings, not specially shown, with its inlet branches for hot and cold water Z1, Z2 and is connected to it. An outlet A is used for the flow of

mixed water.

  On the upper part, produced in the form of a flange, of the casing 6 is a so-called support pressure nut 8 on which is supported a first colored ring (marking) 9 and in this support pressure nut 8 s 'engage retaining screws 10. In addition, a sliding disc 18 is interposed between the pressure bearing nut 8 and an upper part

23 of the envelope.

  In the regulating member 4 there is a silencer 11

  in the form of a sieve, namely a flow / stabilizing grid

  sation, which is fixed in a coach 12 in the form of

  pot in the end portion 12a in the form of a neck from which

  bet the drive pin 22a of a rocking lever 22 which in its spherical middle part 22b, sealed by a

  O-ring 15, is mounted on a shaft 16 so as to

  see tilt in a guide sleeve 20.

  Between the guide sleeve 20 and the flange-shaped support of the latter it is located in the casing 6 of the

  front side a sliding ring 13; a seal ring

  O-ring 14 is embedded peripherally in the sleeve 20.

  Similarly to the opposite side there is provided a second

  ring color 17 (red = hot water position) which,

  it is immobilized by another retaining screw 10.

  In addition, there is between the guide sleeve 20 and the upper part 23 of the envelope a stop ring 19 provided with teeth and intended for the exact positioning of the

socket 20.

  The barrel part 22c of the rocking lever 22 which projects outside the guide sleeve 20 has a recess 22d with a drive member 21 which, mounted in the latter, is fixed orthogonally for its part

  in the nose 24a of a pin 24 provided with a thread 24c.

  The 24c thread, which is a trapezoidal thread, forms

  a single piece with a guide element 24b which, present

  both six sliding surfaces 24 ', is guided and centered,

  in the oblong region of the upper part 23 of the envelope

  loppe, on corresponding sliding surfaces 23 '.

  Inside the spindle 24, a threaded bush 25 is also put in place and retained by a stop bush.

27, see Figures 2 and 3.

  By means of another guide sleeve 28 screwed in place at the end of the upper part 23 of the casing, a transmission part 30 provided with a trapezoidal thread

  '' is mounted so that it can be rotated and guided axially -

  ment by a retaining ring 29 with a sliding disc 26.

  A handle 33 provided with a rib 34 in the form of an indicator

  tor is placed, in a known manner in form and dyna-

  mique, on the transmission part 30.

  The object of the invention allows fine adjustment and free of jerks of the fluid flow; no bonding or adhesion of the ceramic regulating member 4 is likely to occur,

  thanks to the spindle drive mechanism.

  Commercial mixing accessories can be used

  read; these can be easily replaced by sim-

  full loosening of the retaining screws 10; the rocking lever 22 with its recess 22d can easily be connected again,

  operationally correct, at pin 24.

  When the handle 33 is turned the transmission part

  rotates with the handle and the spindle 24 is moved axially

  via the 24c thread in the upper part

  23 of the envelope. Pin 24 is prevented from

  rotate by the polygonal guide element 24b.

  This axial movement is transformed by means of the drive member 21, which engages in the recess 22d of the rocking lever 22, in a rotational movement. The drive pin 22a mounted on the spherical middle part 22b then moves the driver 12 with its distributor member 4 on the passages 1 'so that the flow of water (cold and

  hot) is set in a known manner.

  The mixing ratio between cold water and hot water is obtained by pivoting the upper part 23 of the casing with the shaft 16 mounted three-dimensionally fixed therein. In this case also the drive pin 22a

  moves the coach 12 with the corresponding regulating member;

  dant 4 but this time on a circular track over the

o10 passages 1 '.

  The maximum flow rate of the mixing valve can be

  easily fixed in advance as follows.

  A central stroke limitation by means of the adjusting screw 32, which has a 32 'thread, and a disc

  slip 31 (Figures 2 and 3) limits the stroke H of the bro-

  che 24 and, consequently, the possible route of the regulatory organ

tor 4 on passages 1 '.

  By acting on the adjusting screw 32 provided with an internal hexagon, the threaded bush 25 is lengthened or shortened, and

  consequently, the possible path of pin 24.

  Figure 2 shows the adjusting screw 32, the passages 1 '

  being open; in Figure 3, however, they are blocked

  ques. The maximum possible stroke H is shown between the

two figures.

  The mixing temperature is limited in a manner known per se by changing the position of the ring

  stop 19 on the guide sleeve 20 (see Figure 1).

  Figures 4 and 5 show a second example of a

  reading of the invention. In this case the transfer device

  formation U intended to transform the rotational movement of the rotary handle 33 into a rectilinear movement of the member

  regulator 4 is constituted by a pinion 35 disposed axially-

  ment and a rack 36. The pinion 35 is fixed axially in the inner face of the rotary handle 33 and engages in a rack 36 which is mounted in a support 40 in

bowl shape.

  The support 40 with the rack 36 slides horizontally-

  ment in the tilting plane of the tilting lever 22 and

  thus displaces the fork-shaped extension 41 of the support

  port 40, which extension influences the driving member

  ment 21 of the tilting lever 22. The support 40 in the form of cu-

  vette is guided by slides 42. In the section above

  of the rotary handle 33 is put in place and

  throws by means of a support 39 a centering ring 37. The

  transformation device U fulfills the function of the bro-

  threaded che 24 shown in the first example of the

  gure 1. The other constituent elements with their reference numbers and functions have already been explained in the

  description of the first example according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

  The same applies to the construction and operation of the lower part of the single lever mixer tap. This part is part of the state of the art and is not an object of the present invention. Therefore and for reasons of simplification the inner part of the

  mixer tap with one lever is certainly represented

  fully in Figure 1 but only partially -

in the other figures.

  The transformation device U of FIGS. 4 and 5 shows

  places the tilting lever 22 in its tilting plane and its drive pin 22a controls the driver 12. Being

  given that the upper and lower parts of the tap-

  mixer with one lever are coaxial, the upper part, which is not arranged obliquely as is the case for the example in Figure 1, can not be used as a lever for adjusting the temperature of the mixture. For this function is provided a rocking lever 44 which is connected to the

  upper part 23 of the envelope and thus facilitates re-

  setting of the cold water / hot water quantitative ratio. The position of the tilting lever 44 shows the set temperature of the

water mixture.

  In FIG. 5, which represents a section at right angles to the section in FIG. 4, are also further represented, in addition to the components already described, screws 38 which connect the centering ring 37 to the part

upper 23 of the envelope.

  Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of

  the invention. In the rotary handle 33, which contains interior

  laughingly a clamping ring 45 and a sliding ring 46, is fixed, at a predetermined distance from the axis, a

  eccentric pin 43 which ends downwards with an organ-

  drive 21 and is engaged with the recess 22d of the barrel part 22c of the rocking lever 22. During the rotation of the rotary handle 33 the drive member 21

  slides into the recess 22d in the form of a perpendicular groove

  in the tilting plane of the tilting lever 22 and at the same time around the axis of the mixing valve at one

  single lever. The pressure exerted on the walls of the recess-

  22d shaped groove produces the necessary tilting

  re tilt lever 22. The other functions correspond

  to those already described for Figures 1 to 5.

  It goes without saying that the object of the invention is not li-

  mite the examples shown. Other trans-

  formation U can also be mounted inside the rotary handle 33. In the upper interior surface of the rotary handle 33 can be formed a spiral-shaped groove in which the drive member 21 of the rocking lever 22 s' directly engages, thereby enabling him to

  slide freely in a groove-like recess of the rocking lever 22, perpendicular to its rocking plane, and transmit the pressure component in the rocking direction to the rocking lever.

Claims (10)

  1. Mixing taps with a single lever intended to regulate the flow rate and the mixing ratio of hot and cold water, and equipped with a fixed distributor plate (3) which has two passages (1 ') communicating respectively   with the hot water supply pipe (Zi) and the supply pipe   cold water pipe (Z2), and on which a member is mounted   regulator (4) which can be moved relative to the plate   feeder and having other passages, can be moved by a rocking lever (22), capable of rocking around a shaft (16), and thanks to a recess (22d) provided in the   tilting lever (22) and in which engages a driving member   drag (21) which can be brought, by a transformation device (U) actuated by means of a handle (33), to pivot in the axis of rotation of the regulating member (4), so that the transformation device (U) intended to transform the angle of rotation at the level of the   handle (33) in a rectilinear movement of the regulating member   tor (4), such as a threaded pin (24) or a   pinion (35) and a rack (36) or a dowel   block (43), limits the water flow, and the angle of pivot   ment of the handle (33) around the axis of rotation of the   regulating gane (4) rotates it on the passages of the hot water supply pipe and the water supply pipe   cold (Z1, Z2) and thus regulates the mixing ratio.   2. Single lever mixer tap according to the re-   vendication 1, characterized in that the transformation ratio   mation between the rotational movement of the handle (33) and the rectilinear movement of the regulating member (4) for adjusting the flow rate is one to four rotations of rotation per stroke (H).   3. Single lever mixer tap according to the re-   vendication 1, characterized in that the threaded spindle (24) has a trapezoidal thread (24c) and moves, so   straight, a transmission part (30) provided with a tap trapezoidal dage (30 ').   4. Single lever mixer tap according to re-   vendication 3, characterized in that the threaded spindle (24) is in working relationship with a polygonal guide element (24b) which with its sliding surfaces (24 ') can move rectilinearly on other surfaces of   sliding (23 ') in the upper part (23) of the envelope eg, and is prevented from turning.   5. Single lever mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the rocking lever (22) has a spherical middle part (22b) which bears in leaktight manner on an O-ring seal (15).   6. Single lever mixer tap according to the re-   vendication 5, characterized in that the rocking lever (22) has a barrel part (22c), in a recess   (22d) in the form of a slot which engages the dragging (21).   7. Single lever mixer tap according to the re-   vendication 5, characterized in that on the spherical middle part (22b) is provided a drive pin (22a) which engages in the middle part of a shaped coach (12) of pot.   8. Single lever mixer tap according to re-   vendication 1, characterized in that two or more retaining screws (10) are provided which are each engaged with a bearing pressure nut (8) embedded in the casing (6, 23) of the mixing valve.   9. Single lever mixer tap according to the re-   vendication 1, characterized in that a threaded bush (25) is provided in the threaded spindle (24) which, by means of an adjusting screw (32), limits the stroke (H) of the spindle   (24) relative to the transmission part (30).   10. Single lever mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that on the handle (33) is provided a rib (34) in the form of an indicator and / or on the upper part (23) of the casing a tilting lever (44).