GB2457007A

GB2457007A - Mixing valve

Info

Publication number: GB2457007A
Application number: GB0712546A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Paul Sansum; Karl Anthony Fearnley; Simon Alexander Hann
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2007-06-28
Filing date: 2007-06-28
Publication date: 2009-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-28
Also published as: GB0712546D0; GB2457007B

Abstract

A mixing valve 1 has a pair of inlet connectors 3, 5 for connecting the valve to hot and cold water supply pipes. The inlet connectors 3, 5 are laterally spaced apart and the lateral spacing is adjustable to align the connectors 3, 5 with the supply pipes. Lateral adjustment is provided by a telescopic fluid coupling associated with at least one of the inlet connectors 3, 5.

Description

2457QQ7

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ABLUTIONARY

INSTALLATIONS

This invention concerns improvements in or relating to ablutionary installations. More especially, the invention is concerned with the fluid connections to ablutionary appliances. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to mixing valves for the delivery of water at a controlled temperature for ablutionary and other purposes.

Mixing valves for mixing hot and cold water are well known and require three plumbing connections to the body of the mixing valve. Two of these connections are to inlets for the hot and cold water supplies and are plumbed by conventional means such as compression, push-fit or threaded joints. The third connection, being the mixed water outlet from the mixing valve, may consist of a simple shower hose or may be plumbed by conventional means to any number of auxiliary outlet fittings such as rigid shower fittings, bath spouts, multiple fixed shower outlets, wash down hose stations etc. The configuration of connections embodied in the mixing valve usually allows for the inlet supply pipes to be either routed through the wall for connection to the inlets from the back of the valve or surface mounted for Connection to the inlets from above, below or the side of the valve. The connections require the incoming supply pipes to align with the inlets to the mixing valve and problems can arise if the spacing of the supply pipes does not match the spacing of the inlets. This can be a particular problem when replacing a mixing valve with a mixing valve having a different inlet spacing where the supply pipes are already configured for connection to the inlets of the original mixing valve and have to be moved to match the different spacing of the inlets of the new valve.

A further problem can arise if the surface on which the mixing valve is to be mounted is not perpendicular to the supply pipes. This can be a particular problem if the surface is uneven or if the pipes extend at an angle other than 90° to the surface for rear entry or 00 for top, bottom or side entry with the result that the mixing valve does not lie flat against the surface when connected to the supply pipes.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the forgoing problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a mixing valve having a pair of inlets for connection to a pair of supply pipes wherein the inlets are laterally spaced apart and the lateral spacing is adjustable to align the inlets with the supply pipes by means of a telescopic fluid coupling associated with at least one of the inlets.

Preferably, the telescopic fluid coupling is incorporated in an inlet connector assembly.

Preferably, the inlet connector assembly includes a first connector member for connecting the inlet connector assembly to a body of the mixing valve, a second connector member for connecting the inlet connector assembly to the supply pipe and a coupling sleeve between the first and second connector members, the coupling sleeve being slidable relative to one of the connector members for adjusting the relative position of the connector members.

Preferably, the coupling sleeve is slidable relative to the first connector member and the second connector member is connected to the coupling sleeve and moves with the coupling sleeve.

Preferably, the second connector member extends transverse to the direction of sliding movement of the coupling sleeve. For example, the inlet connector assembly is preferably an elbow connector.

Preferably, the coupling sleeve is rotatable relative to the first connector member. In this way, the position of the inlet is adjustable in two mutually perpendicular directions for alignment with the supply pipe.

Preferably, the inlet connector assembly includes a cover for the coupling sleeve.

Preferably, the inlet connector assembly is configured to provide a thermal break between the cover and the coupling sleeve. For example, an air gap between the cover and coupling sleeve to reduce or eliminate heat transfer between the cover and fluid flowing through the coupling sleeve.

Preferably, the inlet connector assembly includes a filter.

Preferably, the filter is detachably located in the coupling sleeve and can be removed from the coupling sleeve without disconnecting the connector assembly from the supply pipe.

Preferably, both inlets have an associated telescopic fluid coupling whereby each inlet can be laterally adjusted relative to the other inlet.

Preferably, the second connector member includes a further telescopic fluid coupling whereby the axial length of the second connector member is adjustable to adjust the position of the inlet.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid connector assembly having an inlet and an outlet and a telescopic fluid coupling therebetween whereby the spacing between the inlet and the outlet can be adjusted.

Preferably, the telescopic fluid coupling is rotatable whereby the angular position of the inlet relative to the outlet can be adjusted.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a mixing valve having a pair of inlets, wherein at least one inlet includes a telescopic connector for connecting the inlet to a supply pipe.

Preferably, the telescopic connector is axially adjustable to vary the length of the connector.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an inlet connector assembly for connecting a supply pipe to a mixing valve, the connector assembly comprising a first connector member for connection to the mixing valve and a second connector member for connection to the supply pipe, wherein at least one connector member is telescopic.

The first connector member may be telescopic to compensate for misalignment between the second connector member and the supply pipe.

The second connector member may be telescopic to adapt the length of the Connector member to the supply pipe.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid connector comprising a first part, a second part slidable relative to the first part for linear movement between extended and retracted positions.

The connector may include a third part slidable relative to the first part for linear movement between extended and retracted positions.

Preferably the first and second parts define a first axis and the first and third parts define a second axis extending at an angle to the first axis.

The angle may be substantially 90 degrees. For example the connector may be an elbow connector wherein both connector legs are telescopic.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid connector provided with a thermal break between an exposed surface of the fluid connector and a fluid passing through the connector.

The thermal break may be an air gap. The connector may be an inlet connector for a hot or cold supply to an ablutionary fitting such as a mixing valve.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid connector for connecting two parts, the connector being provided with a filter that is removable in use without disconnecting the connector from the parts.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a first embodiment of a mixing valve according to the invention with the inlets adjusted to provide a maximum spacing; Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the mixing valve shown in Figure 1 with one of the inlets adjusted to provide a reduced spacing; Figure 3 is a side view of the mixing valve shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the cover removed; Figure 4 is an exploded isometric view of an inlet connector assembly of the mixing valve shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a part sectional view of the mixing valve and one of the inlet connector assemblies with the telescopic coupling retracted; Figure 6 is a part sectional view similar to Figure 5 with the telescopic coupling extended; Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of a mixing valve according to the invention with the inlets adjusted to provide a maximum spacing; Figure 8 is an underneath plan view of the mixing valve shown in Figure 7 with one of the inlets adjusted to provide a reduced spacing; Figure 9 is a side view of the mixing valve shown in Figures 7 and 8 with the cover removed; Figure 10 is an exploded isometric view of an inlet connector assembly of the mixing valve shown in Figures 7 to 9; Figure 11 is a part sectional view of the mixing valve and one of the inlet connector assemblies with the telescopic couplings retracted; Figure 12 is a part sectional view similar to Figure 11 with the telescopic couplings extended; Figure 13 is an exploded isometric view showing a modification to the inlet connector assembly of Figures 1 to 6; Figure 14 is a part sectional view of the assembled inlet connector assembly shown in Figure 13 connected to a mixing valve; and Figure 15 is a sectional view on the line 15-15 of Figure 14.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, a first embodiment of a thermostatic mixing valve for an ablutionary installation such as a shower is shown comprising a cylindrical main body 1 in which a valve cartridge (not shown) is received, and two inlet elbow connector assemblies 3,5 for connection to incoming hot and cold water supply pipes (not shown).

The main body 1 has a top outlet 6 and a bottom outlet 8 for supply of temperature controlled water from the cartridge to a fitting such as a showerhead or handset (not shown). In use, the fitting is selectively connectable to one of the outlets 6,8 by any suitable means such as a flexible hose or conventional pipework and the other outlet is closed by a blanking plug (not shown).

S

The valve cartridge may be of any known type for mixing hot and cold water to provide water having a desired temperature according to user selection via any suitable control means, for example a rotatable member 10 such as a knob or lever. In this embodiment, the valve cartridge is thermostatically controlled to maintain constant selected water temperature. This is not essential, however, and the invention has application to non-thermostatic mixing valves.

Figure 1 shows the mixing valve 1 with the elbow connector assemblies 3,5 configured to provide a maximum spacing "Smax" between the respective inlet centres. Figure 2 shows the mixing valve 1 with the elbow connector assemblies 3,5 configured to provide a reduced spacing "Sred" between the respective inlet centres.

The elbow connector assemblies 3,5 are similar and the assembly 3 will now be described in more detail, it being understood that the description applies equally to the other assembly 5.

The elbow connector assembly 3 includes a compression fitting 7 for connection to the incoming supply pipe, a coupling sleeve 9, a connector member 11 and a cover 13. The coupling member 9 and connector member 11 together provide a telescopic coupling for moving the compression fitting 7 between the end positions shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In this way, the lateral spacing between the compression fittings of both elbow connector assemblies 3,5 can be adjusted to match the spacing of the water supply pipes.

One end of the connector member 11 is externally threaded and screws into an internally threaded hole 15 in the main body 1 that communicates with an inlet to the valve cartridge. The other end of the connector member 11 is a sliding fit in a cylindrical counter bore 17 at one end of the coupling sleeve 9. An 0-ring (not shown) located in an annular groove 19 at the other end of the connector member 11 provides a fluid-tight seal between the connector member 11 and the coupling sleeve 9.

The counter bore 17 leads to a cylindrical blind bore 21 of reduced diameter that extends towards the other end of the coupling sleeve 9 and has its longitudinal axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the counter bore 17.

The compression fitting 7 includes a connector member 23, a compression olive 25, and a compression nut 27. One end of the connector member 23 is externally threaded and screws into the internally threaded outer end of a stepped bore 29 in the coupling sleeve 9 that opens into the blind bore 21 intermediate the ends thereof. An 0-ring (not shown) seated on a shoulder 33 of the connector member 23 provides a fluid-tight seal between the connector member 23 and the coupling sleeve 9. The other end of the connector member 23 is provided with a counterbore 35 to receive the incoming supply pipe.

The connector member 23 retains a filter 37 that is. inserted in the bore 29 and has a flange 38 at the outer end that engages an internal shoulder 39 within the bore 29 of the coupling sleeve 9 to locate the filter 37 in the bore 29 prior to screwing the connector member 23 into the bore 29. The filter 37 projects from the bore 29 into the blind bore 21 of the coupling sleeve 9.

Before inserting the supply pipe in the counterbore 35 of the connector member 23, a concealing plate 41, the compression nut 27 and compression olive 25 are slid onto the free end of the supply pipe. The compression nut 27 is internally threaded and screws onto an externally threaded end portion of the connector member 23 to compress the olive 27 between the connector member 23 and compression nut 27 to secure the supply pipe within the connector member 23 and provide a fluid-tight seal between the supply pipe and the connector member 23 when the compression nut 27 is tightened. The concealing plate 41 overlies and conceals the opening in the mounting surface through which the supply pipe extends for connection to the inlet connector assembly 3 and provides an aesthetically pleasing finish. It will be understood that the compression fitting 7 may be replaced by any other suitable fitting for connecting the supply pipe in a fluid-tight manner, for example a push-fit connector or a threaded connector may be employed.

The cover 13 fits over the coupling sleeve 9 and the exposed portion of the connector member 11 and is received in a recess 43 in the main body 1. A grub screw 45 secures the cover 13 to the connector member 11 and an 0-ring (not shown) located in an external groove 47 adjacent to the external thread of the connector member 11 provides a fluid-tight seal between the cover 13 and the connector member 11.

In a modification (not shown), a bleed hole in the end of the coupling sleeve 9 connects the blind bore 17 to a space formed between the inner end of the coupling sleeve 9 and the cover 13 and an 0-ring is located in an external groove 49 at the inner end of the coupling sleeve 9 to provide a fluid-tight seal between the cover 13 and the coupling sleeve 9.

The connector member 23 extends through an elongate hole 51 in the side of the cover 13 allowing the coupling sleeve 9 to slide in an axial direction relative to the connector member 11 between retracted and extended end positions defined by engagement of the connector member 23 with the ends of the hole 51 in the cover 13 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this way, the coupling sleeve 9 and connector member 11 provide a telescopic coupling for adjusting the position of the connector member 23 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupling to align the coupling member 23 with the supply pipe.

As will now be apparent, when connecting the inlets of the mixing valve to the incoming hot and cold supply pipes, the lateral spacing between the coupling members 23 of the elbow connector assemblies 3,5 is adjustable to match the spacing between the incoming supply pipes. In this embodiment, each connector assembly 3,5 can provide a range of adjustment of 10mm between the end positions of the connector member 23 providing a total range of adjustment of 20mm. It will be understood however, that this is not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention and that any range of adjustment can be provided as may be required in use.

In addition to relative axial sliding movement between the coupling sleeve 9 and connector member 11 as described above, the relative dimensions of the hole 51 and connector member 23 permit limited rotational movement of the coupling sleeve 9 relative to the connector member 11 indicated by the angle "a" in Figure 3 to compensate for any -angular misalignment between the connector member 23 and the supply pipe when the mixing valve is offered up to the supply pipe. In this way, if the mounting surface is uneven or if the supply pipe extends at an angle other than 90° to the mounting surface, the connector member 23 can be rotated to align with the supply pipe so that the mixing valve can lie flat against the mounting surface. In this embodiment, rotational movement of up to 10° is permitted but it will be understood this is not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention and that any range of angular adjustment can be provided as may be required in use.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 12 of the drawings, a second embodiment of a thermostatic mixing valve for an ablutionary installation such as a shower is shown. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment and like reference numerals in the series 100 are used to indicate corresponding parts.

In this second embodiment, the compression fitting 107 is modified to provide telescopic adjustment of the position of the connector member 123 in a direction transverse to the telescopic adjustment provided by the telescopic coupling between the coupling sleeve 109 and connector member 111. In other respects, the construction and operation of this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment and will be understood from the description of the first embodiment.

As best shown in Figures 10 to 12, the connector member 123 comprises two telescopically engaged parts 123a, 123b. The first part 123a screws into the stepped bore 129 of the coupling sleeve 109 and retains filter 137 in position in similar manner to the connector member 123 of the first embodiment. The second part 123b has a nipple 153 that is received in a stepped bore 155 of the first part 123a. The front end of the nipple 153 has a hexagonal or other non-circular formation 153a that engages an inner end 155a of the bore 155 having a corresponding shape to prevent relative rotation between the first and second parts 123a, 123b while permitting relative axial movement between the first and second parts 123a,123b. An 0-ring (not shown) is located in an annular groove 153b in the nipple 153 and is engageable with a cylindrical portion 155b of the bore 155 to provide a fluid-tight seal between the first and second parts 123a,123b. A circlip 157 is located in an annular groove 153c of the nipple 153 and is received in an axially extending annular recess 155c in the bore 155 to retain the nipple 153 in the bore 155 while permitting axial movement of the nipple 153 between retracted and extended end positions defined by engagement of the circlip 157 with the ends of the recess 155c as shown in Figures 11 and 12. In this way the connector member 123 is telescopically adjustable to adjust the length of the connector member 123 for connection to the incoming supply pipe over the range "13" indicated in Figure 8. This is useful to allow the position of the connector member 123 to be altered to suit the connection to the supply pipe. In this embodiment the range of adjustment is about 5mm but it will be understood this is not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention and that any range of adjustment of the length of the connector member can be provided as may be required in use.

In other respects, the construction and operation of the connector assemblies 103,105 of this embodiment is similar to and will be understood from the description of the previous embodiment.

Referring now to Figures 13 to 15, a modified version of the inlet connector assembly of Figures 1 to 6 is shown to provide a thermal break between the cover and water supply and to allow the filter to be removed for cleaning/replacement without disconnecting the connector assembly from the water supply. For convenience, parts corresponding to the inlet connector assembly of Figures 1 to 6 are provided with like reference numerals in the series 200.

In this modified version, the coupling sleeve 209 of the inlet connector assembly is provided with an eccentric recess 259 in the outer surface that forms an offset annular air gap 261 between the coupling sleeve 209 and the cover 213. One end of the coupling sleeve 209 is sliding fit in the cylindrical bore of the connector member 211 and is sealed relative to the connector member by an 0-ring 263 located in an annular groove 264 that allows axial and angular movement of the coupling sleeve 209 relative to the connector member 211. 0-rings 265,267 located in annular grooves 247,249 prevent water penetrating the air gap 261. In this way, the air gap 261 provides a thermal break between the coupling sleeve 209 and the cover 213 so that heat transfer between the cover 213 and the water flowing through the connector assembly to the mixing valve 201 is substantially reduced or eliminated. As a result, the surface temperature of the cover is generally unaffected by the temperature of the water flowing through the connector assembly. Thus, when the connector assembly is connected to the hot water supply, the outer surface of the cover 213 remains cool to the touch reducing the risk of the user being scalded by touching the cover. Similarly, when the connector assembly is connected to the cold water supply, the outer surface of the cover 213 remains substantially free from condensation. Other means of providing a thermal break may be employed. The thermal break may be provided on the hot only or cold only or hot and cold inlet connector assemblies as desired.

In addition to having a thermal break, the connector assembly has a filter sleeve 237 received and retained in the coupling sleeve 209 by an end plug 269 that is a screw fit in the outer end of the coupling sleeve 209 and is sealed by an 0-ring 271. Access to the end plug 269 is provided by an end cap 273 having a spigot 275 that is a push fit in an opening in the outer end of the cover 213 and is retained by an 0-ring 277 located in an annular groove 279 in the spigot 275. In use, the end cap 273 can be detached from the cover 213 allowing the end plug 269 to be unscrewed and the filter sleeve 237 to be axially withdrawn from the coupling sleeve 209 through the opening in the cover 213 without disconnecting the connector assembly from the supply pipe. The filter 237 can be cleaned and re-fitted. Alternatively, a damaged filter 237 can be replaced.

In other respects, the construction and operation of the connector assembly is similar to and will be understood from the description of Figures 1 to 6. Furthermore, it will be apparent that the modifications to provide a thermal break and to remove the filter can be provided separately or in combination in the connector assembly of Figures 1 to 6 or in the connector assembly of Figures 7 to 12.

It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and that changes can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, in the above embodiments, both inlet connector assemblies are operable to adjust the lateral spacing between the connector members for attaching the incoming supply pipes.

This is not essential, however, and adjustment of the lateral spacing may be achieved by telescopic adjustment of one inlet connector assembly only. In the second embodiment, both inlet connector assemblies are operable to adjust the lateral spacing between the connector members and to adjust the axial length of the connector members for attaching the incoming supply pipes. This is not essential, however, and the axial length adjustment may be provided without the adjustment to the lateral spacing. Similarly, the adjustment to the lateral spacing may be provided without the adjustment to the axial length as described for the first embodiment.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiments the inlet connector assemblies are configured for connection to supply pipes from the rear of the mixing valve and it will be understood that the invention has application to arrangements in which the inlet connector assembles are configured for connection to supply pipes from above, below or the side of the mixing valve.

Furthermore, while the invention has been described with particular reference to a mixing valve it will be understood that the invention has application to any type of fitting having two spaced apart inlets for connection to incoming fluid supplies where adjustment of the position of the inlets is desirable to connect to the fluid supplies. In this regard the fluid supplies may be liquids or gases.

Claims

1. A mixing valve having a pair of inlets for connection to a pair of supply pipes wherein the inlets are laterally spaced apart and the lateral spacing is adjustable to align the inlets with the supply pipes by means of a telescopic fluid coupling associated with at least one of the inlets.

2. A mixing valve according to claim 1 wherein, the telescopic fluid coupling is incorporated in an inlet connector assembly.

3. A mixing valve according to claim 2 wherein, the inlet connector assembly includes a first connector member for connecting the inlet connector assembly to a body of the mixing valve, a second connector member for connecting the inlet connector assembly to the supply pipe and a coupling sleeve between the first and second connector members, the coupling sleeve being slidable relative to one of the connector members for adjusting the relative position of the connector members.

4. A mixing valve according to claim 3 wherein, the coupling sleeve is slidable relative to the first connector member and the second connector member is connected to the coupling sleeve and moves with the coupling sleeve.

5. A mixing valve according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein, the second connector member extends transverse to the direction of sliding movement of the coupling sleeve.

6. A mixing valve according to claim 5 wherein, the inlet connector assembly is an elbow connector.

7. A mixing valve according to any of claims 3 to 6 wherein, the coupling sleeve is rotatable relative to the first connector member.

8. A mixing valve according to any of claims 3 to 7 wherein, the inlet connector assembly includes a cover for the coupling sleeve.

9. A mixing valve according to claim 8 wherein, the inlet connector assembly is configured to provide a thermal break between the cover and the coupling sleeve.

10. A mixing valve according to claim 10 wherein, the thermal break comprises an air gap between the cover and coupling sleeve to reduce or eliminate heat transfer between the cover and fluid flowing through the coupling sleeve.

11. A mixing valve according to any of claims 3 to 10 wherein, the inlet connector assembly includes a filter.

12. A mixing valve according to claim 11 wherein, the filter is detachably located in the coupling sleeve.

13. A mixing valve according to claim 12 wherein the filter can be removed from the coupling sleeve without disconnecting the connector assembly from the supply pipe.

14. A mixing valve according to any of claims 3 to 13 wherein, the second connector member includes a further telescopic fluid coupling whereby the axial length of the second connector member is adjustable to adjust the position of the inlet.

15. A mixing valve according to any of claims 3 to 14 wherein, both inlets have an associated inlet connector assembly having a telescopic fluid coupling whereby each inlet can be laterally adjusted relative to the other inlet.

16. A mixing valve according to claim 15 wherein, the inlet connector assemblies can be configured for connection to the supply pipes from the rear or the top or the bottom or the sides of the mixing valve.

17. An inlet connector assembly for connecting a supply pipe to a mixing valve, the connector assembly comprising a first connector member for connection to the mixing valve and a second connector member for connection to the supply pipe, wherein at least one connector member is telescopic.

18. An inlet connector assembly according to claim 17 wherein, the first connector member is telescopic to compensate for misalignment between the second connector member and the supply pipe.

19. An inlet connector assembly according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein, the second connector member is telescopic to adapt the length of the connector member for connection to the supply pipe.

20. An inlet connector assembly according to any of claims 17 to 20 wherein the first and second connector members extend at an angle to each other.