GB2584116A

GB2584116A - A modular assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2584116A
Application number: GB1907191.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Jones Oliver
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-22
Filing date: 2019-05-22
Publication date: 2020-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-22
Also published as: WO2020234574A1; GB2584116B; GB201907191D0

Abstract

A modular shower valve assemblyA modular valve assembly 1 for use in a fluid delivery system e.g. a shower valve and which comprises a mount 2 with at least one waterway 15 providing fluid communication between a first mount inlet 5 and a first mount outlet (not shown). The mount may comprise a second waterway 17 which extends from a second mount inlet 7 to a second mount outlet (not shown). The assembly may comprise a module 4 which may be a thermostatic mixer valve module which may be formed integrally with the mount 2. A first outlet module 6 may be slidably mounted on the mounting rail and in fluid communication with an outlet 20 of the thermostatic mixer valve module 4. The mount may comprise a back plate 12 and a mounting rail 14. Further outlet modules may be slidably mounted on the mounting rail 14

Description

A MODULAR ASSEMBLY

This disclosure relates to a modular assembly, particularly although not exclusively to a modular valve assembly. The disclosure also relates to systems or installations, e.g. fluid delivery systems or installations, comprising one or more of the modular assemblies.

Employing a modular assembly, e.g. a modular valve assembly, within a fluid delivery system such as a plumbing system or an ablutionary system may allow for the system to be installed, or adapted at a later date, using fewer components and/or with less redundancy while providing the required functionality for the system.

DE10343249A discloses a modular, thermostatic mixer valve comprising a plurality of separate inlet/outlet modules that are fluidly connected to a supply line and which can be switched between to provide different functions and/or layouts. The modules may have a rectangular profile that allows for stacked connection between two rails.

Other examples of modular valve assemblies for use in an ablutionary system are disclosed in W005022021A and W012160367A.

A first aspect provides a modular assembly for use in a fluid delivery system comprising: a mount having at least one waterway providing fluid communication between a mount inlet and a mount outlet; and a first module comprising an inlet and at least one outlet, the inlet being in fluid communication with the mount outlet.

The first module may be integrally formed with the mount or a part thereof.

The first module may be adapted to be mountable on the mount and configured such that, when mounted on the mount, the inlet is in fluid communication with the mount outlet.

The mount may he adapted to he attached to a surface such as a wall.

The mount may comprise a plurality of discrete waterways, each waterway providing fluid communication between a mount inlet and a mount outlet. For example, the mount may comprise two discrete waterways. i.e. a first waterway and a second waterway.

The or each mount inlet may be configured or configurable for connection to a fluid supply pipe. For instance, in an embodiment with a first waterway and a second waterway, the mount inlet of the first waterway may be connectable, in use, to a hot water supply pipe and the mount inlet of the second waterway may be connectable, in use, to a cold water supply pipe or vice versa.

The mount may comprise a hack plate. The hack plate may he adapted to be attached to a surface such as a wall.

The mount may comprise a receiving part adapted to have the first module mounted thereon. The first module and the receiving part may be adapted to interengage with one another. The first module and/or the receiving part may he adapted in any suitable manner, in order to facilitate the mounting and retention, in use, of the first module on the receiving part.

For example, the receiving part may comprise a mounting track or a mounting rail.

The first module may slidably engage with the mounting track or rail. The first module may be slidably mounted or mountable on the mounting track or rail.

For example, the first module and the receiving part may he configured to interengage magnetically with one another. For instance, the first module may comprise one or more magnets arranged to interengage with one or more magnets on the mount, e.g. on the receiving part, when, in use, the first module is mounted on the mount.

For example, the first module may be adapted to be clipped into or plugged into the receiving part.

The first module may comprise a valve module. The valve module may comprise a thermostatic valve. The valve module may comprise a mixer valve module.

The modular assembly may comprise one or more further modules, e.g. a second module, a third module, a fourth module and so on. The or each further module may comprise an inlet and be adapted to be mountable on the mount and configured such that, when mounted on the mount, the inlet is in fluid communication with an outlet of another module.

The or each further module and the receiving part may be adapted to interengage with one another. The or each further module and/or the receiving part may be adapted in any suitable manner, in order to facilitate the mounting and retention, in use, of the or each further module on the receiving part.

The or each further module may comprise an outlet module.

The or each outlet module may comprise an inlet and at least two outlets. The outlet module may comprise a valve disposed between the inlet and the at least two outlets. The valve may be operable to control flow rate and/or divert flow (or a portion thereof) to one or other or some or all of the at least two outlets.

The or each valve may be operable via a suitable actuator, e.g. a rotary actuator or a push button actuator.

The modular assembly may comprise a control module. The control module may be operable to control at least one function of the modular assembly such as flow rate and/or flow temperature, a warm-up operation, a timer function, a cleaning cycle or an automatic on/off function, for example. The control module may he operable to control at least one function of an output module. The control module may be adapted to be mountable on the mount.

The modular assembly may be housed at least partially in a casing. The casing may protect the modular assembly, e.g. by being hard wearing and/or substantially waterproof. The casing may make it harder to access the modular assembly, thereby reducing the chance of the modular assembly being tampered with by a user. The casing may serve an aesthetic function.

A second aspect provides a fluid delivery system comprising a modular assembly according to the first aspect and one or more fluid delivery devices in fluid communication with and downstream of the modular assembly.

The fluid delivery system may comprise a plumbing system. The fluid delivery system may comprise an ablutionary system such as a bath and/or shower system.

The one or more fluid delivery devices may include one or more of any of a tap, a faucet, a sprayer, a spray head for a shower, a handset for a shower and combinations thereof.

A third aspect provides a method of installing a modular assembly comprising: providing a mount having at least one waterway providing fluid communication between a mount inlet and a mount outlet; connecting the mount inlet to a fluid supply pipe and affixing the mount to a wall or other surface; mounting a first module on the mount, wherein the first module comprises an inlet and at least one outlet, the first module is configured such that, when mounted on the mount, the inlet is in fluid communication with the mount outlet.

The first module may be slidably mounted on the mount, The first module may comprise a mixer valve module.

One or more further modules may be mounted on the mount. The one or more further modules may be slidably mounted on the mount.

A second module may be mounted on the mount adjacent the first module. When the second module is located adjacent the first module, there may he fluid communication, in use, from the first module to the second module. The second module may be an outlet module. The second module may be slidably mounted on the mount.

A third module may be mounted on the mount adjacent the second module. When the third module is located adjacent the second module, there may he fluid communication, in use, from the second module to the third module. The third module may be an outlet module. The third module may be slidably mounted on the mount.

The modular assembly may be a modular assembly of the first aspect.

The person skilled in the art will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied mutatis mutandis to any other aspect. Furthermore except where mutually exclusive any feature described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature described herein.

The invention is described in further detail below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a modular assembly according to the disclosure; Figure 2 is a perspective view of another example of a modular assembly according to the disclosure; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another example of a modular assembly

according to the disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates some example configurations of a modular assembly according to the disclosure; Figure 5 illustrates an example of a shower and bath system; and Figure 6 is a flowchart of an example method of installing a modular assembly

according to the disclosure.

Figure 1 shows an example of a modular valve assembly 1. The modular valve assembly 1 comprises a mount 2. The mount 2 comprises a back plate 12 and a mounting rail 14.

A thermostatic mixer valve module 4 is slidably mounted on the mounting rail 14. In other embodiments, the thermostatic mixer valve module 4 may be formed integrally with the mount 2, e.g. the thermostatic mixer valve module 4 may be formed integrally with the mounting rail 14.

As illustrated in Figure 1, a first outlet module 6 is provided, which is adapted to be slidably mounted on the mounting rail 14. The first outlet module 6 may be slid along the mounting rail 14 until it is adjacent to the thermostatic mixer valve module 4.

When the first outlet module 6 is located adjacent the thermostatic mixer valve module 4, there will be fluid communication from the thermostatic mixer valve module 4 to the first outlet module 6. The first outlet module 6 will thus be located immediately downstream of the thermostatic mixer valve module 4.

The back plate 12 is adapted for attachment to a surface such as a wall. The back plate 12 and, hence, the mount 2, may be attached to the surface by any suitable means.

The mount 2 comprises a first waterway 15. The first waterway 15 extends from a first mount inlet 5 to a first mount outlet (not shown). The first waterway 15 provides fluid communication from the first mount inlet 5 to the first mount outlet.

The mount 2 comprises a second waterway 17. The second waterway 17 extends from a second mount inlet 7 to a second mount outlet (not shown). The second waterway 17 provides fluid communication from the first mount inlet 7 to the second mount outlet.

The first mount inlet 5 and the second mount inlet 7 may each he configured or configurable for connection to a fluid supply pipe. For instance, when installed as part of an ablutionary system, the first mount inlet 5 may be connected to a hot water supply pipe and the second mount inlet 7 may be connected to a cold water supply pipe or vice versa.

The first mount outlet and the second mount outlet are provided in or on the mounting rail 14.

The first waterway 15 and the second waterway 17 may be configured to take any route from the first mount inlet 5 to the first mount outlet and from the second mount inlet 7 to the second mount outlet respectively. At least a portion of the first waterway 15 and/or the second waterway 17 may extend through the mount 2 or a part thereof. As illustrated in Figure 1, the first waterway 15 and the second waterway 17 may pass through the back plate 12.

The thermostatic mixer valve module 4 comprises a first valve inlet (not shown), a second valve inlet (not shown) and a valve outlet 20, the thermostatic mixer valve module 4 being operable to regulate water flow therethrough to provide water to the valve outlet 20 with a desired temperature and/or flow rate. The thermostatic mixer valve module 4 includes a mixing chamber (not shown) and a thermostatic cartridge (not shown). An actuator 30 is arranged to enable user operation of the thermostatic mixer valve module 4.

With the thermostatic mixer valve module 4 in the position shown in Figure 1 (and Figure 2 and Figure 3), the first mount outlet communicates with the first valve inlet and the second mount outlet communicates with the second valve inlet.

The first outlet module 6 comprises an inlet, a first outlet 24 and a second outlet (not shown) located on a lower face of the first outlet module 6. The first outlet 24 is located on an opposite face of the first outlet module 6 from the inlet. There is fluid communication between the inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet of the first outlet module. A valve (not shown) is located between the inlet and the first and second outlets. The valve is operable to control flow rate through the first outlet module 6 and/or divert flow (or a proportion thereof) to one or other or both of the first outlet 24 and the second outlet. A rotary actuator 28 is arranged to enable user operation of the valve in the first outlet module 6.

With the first outlet module 6 in the position shown in Figure 2, the outlet 20 of the thermostatic mixer valve module 4 communicates with the inlet of the first outlet module 6.

The modular assembly 1 may be configured for use in a single outlet ablutionary fitting. An example of such a configuration is shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the outlet 24 of the first outlet module 6 is blocked with a blanking cap 26.

The modular assembly 1 may be configured for use in or with an ablutionary system or fitting having any number of outlets, e.g. for different water delivery modes, patterns or locations.

Further modules, e.g. outlet modules, that are adapted to be slidably mounted on the mounting rail 14 may be provided and may be slidably mounted on the mounting rail 14. For example. as illustrated in Figure 3, a second outlet module 32 may be slid along the mounting rail 14 until it is adjacent to the first outlet module 6.

The second outlet module 32 comprises an inlet (not shown), a first outlet 36, a second outlet 38 located on a lower face of the second outlet module 32 and a third outlet 34 located on an upper face of the second outlet module 32. The first outlet 36 is located on an opposite face of the second outlet module 6 from the inlet. There is fluid communication between the inlet, the first outlet 36, the second outlet 38 and the third outlet 34 of the second outlet module 32. A valve (not shown) is located between the inlet and the first, second and third outlets. The valve is operable to control flow rate through the second outlet module 32 and/or divert flow (or a proportion thereof) to one or more of the first outlet 36, the second outlet 38 and the third outlet 34. A rotary actuator may be arranged to enable user operation of the valve in the second outlet module 32.

When the second outlet module 32 is located adjacent the first outlet module 6. there will be fluid communication from the first outlet module 6 to the second outlet module 32. The second outlet module 32 will thus be located immediately downstream of the first outlet module 6.

In Figure 3, the outlet of the second outlet module 32 can be blocked with a blanking cap 33.

Equally, one or more further modules, e.g. outlet modules. may be slidably mounted on the mounting rail 14, such that the further module(s) arc disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with, the second outlet module 32 (and the first outlet module 6, the thermostatic mixer valve module 4 and the mount 2).

Figure 4 illustrates a number of possible configurations for the modular assembly 1.

Generally, each configuration of the modular assembly 1 comprises the mount 2 with the thermostatic mixer valve module 4 coupled thereto, as described above.

Varying numbers of outlet modules, e.g. similar outlet modules to those described previously, can then be slidably mounted on the rail 14 to provide a variety of configurations of modular assembly. The modular assembly may be housed at least partially in a casing.

In Figure 4, four example configurations of the modular assembly 1 are shown.

A first example configuration further comprises one outlet module 46 with a rotary actuator 428 arranged to enable user operation of a valve 422 in the outlet module. The first example configuration may be generally as described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. A casing 426 houses the modular assembly.

A second example configuration further comprises one outlet module 46' with a push button actuator 428' arranged to enable user operation of a valve 422' in the outlet module. A casing houses 426' the modular assembly.

A third example configuration further comprises two outlet modules 46', each outlet module 46' having a push button actuator 428' arranged to enable user operation of a valve 422' therein. A casing 426" houses the modular assembly.

A fourth example configuration further comprises three outlet modules 46'. each outlet module 46' having a push button actuator 428' arranged to enable user operation of a valve 422' therein. A casing 426"' houses the modular assembly.

The modular assembly 1 may be employed within an ablutionary system such as a bath and/or shower system. An example of a bath and shower system is illustrated in Figure 5. The bath and shower system comprises a bath tub 40. A modular mixer valve assembly 52 according to the disclosure, e.g. the modular assembly 1, configured to provide water to two fluid delivery devices is attached to a wall 51 adjacent the bath tub 40. The modular mixer valve assembly 52 can be operated by a user to provide water at a desired temperature selectively to a tap 53 and an overhead shower 54, the tap 53 and the overhead shower 54 both being arranged to deliver water into the bath tub 40.

Figure 6 shows a flowchart of the method of installing a modular assembly in accordance with the disclosure. In a first step 601, a mount having at least one waterway providing fluid communication between a mount inlet and a mount outlet is affixed to a wall or other surface.

In a second step 602, a first module, typically a mixer valve module (e.g. a thermostatic mixer valve module) is mounted on the mount. The first module comprises an inlet and at least one outlet, the first module is configured such that, when mounted on the mount, the inlet is in fluid communication with the mount outlet. The first module may be slidably mounted on the mount, In a third step 603, a second module is mounted on the mount adjacent the first module. When the second module is located adjacent the first module, there may he fluid communication, in use, from the first module to the second module. The second module may be an outlet module. The second module may be slidably mounted on the mount.

In a fourth step 604, a third module is mounted on the mount adjacent the second module. When the third module is located adjacent the second module, there may be fluid communication, in use, from the second module to the third module. The third module may he an outlet module. The third module may he slidably mounted on the mount.

It will be understood that the module(s) may be mounted and retained on the mount, in use, by any suitable methods, means or mechanism. Slidable mounting of the module(s) on the mount merely represents an example of a suitable method of mounting and retaining the module(s) on the mount.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A modular assembly for use in a fluid delivery system comprising: a mount having at least one waterway providing fluid communication between a mount inlet and a mount outlet; and a first module comprising an inlet and at least one outlet, the inlet being in fluid communication with the mount outlet.
2. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first module is adapted to be mountable on the mount and configured such that, when mounted on the mount, the inlet is in fluid communication with the mount outlet.
3. A modular assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mount comprises a plurality of discrete waterways, each waterway providing fluid communication between a mount inlet and a mount outlet.
4. A modular assembly according to claim I, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the mount comprises a receiving part adapted to have the first module mounted thereon.
5. A modular assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first module and the receiving part are adapted to interengage with one another.
6. A modular assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the receiving part comprises a mounting track or a mounting rail.
7. A modular assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first module slidably engages with the mounting track or rail.
8. A modular assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first module and the receiving part are configured to interengage magnetically with one another.
9. A modular assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first module is integrally formed with the mount or a part thereof.
10. A modular assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first module comprises a valve module.
11. A modular assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the modular assembly comprises one or more further modules.
12. A modular assembly according to claim 11, wherein the or each further module comprises an inlet and is adapted to be mountable on the mount and configured such that, when mounted on the mount, the inlet is in fluid communication with an outlet of another module.
13. A modular assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the further modules comprises an outlet module.
14. A modular assembly according to claim 13, wherein the or each outlet module comprises an inlet and at least two outlets and a valve disposed between the inlet and the at least two outlets, wherein the valve is operable to control flow rate and/or divert flow or a portion thereof to one or other or some or all of the at least two outlets.
15. A modular assembly according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a control module.
16. A modular assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the modular assembly is housed at least partially in a casing.
17. A fluid delivery system comprising a modular assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and one or more fluid delivery devices in fluid communication with and downstream of the modular assembly.
18. A fluid delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the one or more fluid delivery devices include one or more of any of a tap, a faucet, a sprayer, a spray head for a shower, a handset for a shower and combinations thereof.
19. A method of installing a modular assembly comprising: providing a mount having at least one waterway providing fluid communication between a mount inlet and a mount outlet; connecting the mount inlet to a fluid supply pipe and affixing the mount to a wall or other surface; mounting a first module on the mount, wherein the first module comprises an inlet and at least one outlet, the first module is configured such that, when mounted on the mount, the inlet is in fluid communication with the mount outlet.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the first module is slidably mounted on the mount,
21. A method according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the first module comprises a mixer valve module.
22. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 21 comprising mounting one or more further modules on the mount.