SK8608Y1 - Electric valve for domestic appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

Electric valve device (1) comprising a hollow body (2), in which between at least one inlet passage (5A, 5B) and one outlet passage (6) a path is defined for a flow of a fluid, in particular a liquid, and in which the communication between the at least one inlet passage (5 A, 5B) and the outlet passage (6) is controllable by means of an electrically controlled actuator (7 A, 7B), carried by the body (2). The electric valve device (1) is furthermore provided with an indicator device (13) for an accurate determination of flow rate.

Description

The present technical solution of the valve of the electric valve for household appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical valves of this type necessarily have manufacturing tolerances that are likely to modify the dimensional characteristics with respect to the corresponding design nominal values and cause corresponding changes in fluid flow through such valves.

The essence of the technical solution

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical valve that overcomes the above-described deficiencies in the prior art valve.

The object of the invention is an electric valve for household appliances comprising a hollow body, in which a fluid path, namely a liquid, is defined between at least one inlet channel and one outlet channel, and wherein the connection between the at least one inlet channel and outlet channel is controlled by an electrically operated such as a solenoid actuator carried by a hollow body, the valve being provided with an indicating element comprising information indicating values predicted by at least one predetermined parameter to accurately determine the flow rate through the electric valve.

The indicator element of the electrical valve may comprise a QR code.

In another embodiment, the indicator element may comprise a one-dimensional bar code.

In yet another embodiment, the indicator element may comprise an RFID tag, i. j. radio frequency identification tag (RFID).

The subject electric valve further comprises a structure connected to a hollow body into which the indicator element is incorporated or applied.

The technical solution is also related to a household appliance comprising said electric valve. For example, the household appliance containing the electric valve may be a washing machine or a dishwasher.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a two-gate electric valve made in accordance with this invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view along the Π-Π line in Figure 1.

EXAMPLES

In the drawings, the electric valve according to the present invention is collectively designated 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electric valve 1 comprises a hollow body 2 forming two inlet fittings 3A and 3B defining respective channels 5A and 5B (Figure 1) to selectively supply respective fluid flows and one outlet fitting 4 defining a channel (Figure 2) for the flow emerging from the electrical valve used.

Within the body 2, in a manner known per se, respective valve seats are defined between each inlet duct 5A and 5B and the outlet duct 6, which are associated with respective shutters actuated by respective actuators 7 of known per se type such as solenoid actuators or wax filled (linear) actuators.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connection between the inlet channel 5A and the outlet channel 6 is controlled by the coil or solenoid of the actuator 7A, and the connection between the inlet channel 5B and the outlet channel 6 is controlled by the coil or solenoid of the actuator 7B.

Said coils or solenoids of the actuators 7A and 7B appropriately continue from the same side with respect to the body 2 in an adjacent parallel arrangement.

The coils or solenoids of the actuators 7A and 7B can be excited to selectively bring one or the other, or both, of the inlet ducts 5A and 5B in contact with the outlet channel 6.

S K 8608 Υί

As can be seen in figure 2, in the outflow channel 6 defined in the valve 4, a flow regulator device 8 of the type known per se and the filter 9 also of the type known per se can be appropriately mounted.

In a manner not shown in the drawings, the flow measurement device (so-called "water meter") can also be placed in the outlet fitting 4, for example a turbine type.

Above the coils or solenoids of actuators 7A and 7B is mounted a structure commonly referred to as 10 made of a molded plastic material in which two electrical connectors 11 and 12 are connected which are connected to coil wires or leads or solenoids of said actuators to connect them to external excitation devices. circuit

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the structure 10 carries an indicator element 13 comprising a code of the "Quick Response" (QR) type, i. j. a two-dimensional bar code comprising encoded information indicating values predicted by at least one predetermined parameter of the electric valve 1 adapted to allow accurate determination of fluid flow therethrough.

In the case of an electrical valve 1 having two inlets as in the embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the information or data contained in the code of the indicator element 13 is adapted to allow accurate determination of the flow rate between each inlet duct 5A and 5B and the outlet duct 6 .

As an alternative to the QR type code, the indicator element 13 may simply comprise one or more one-dimensional bar codes of the traditional type or RFID tag, or other equivalent devices and codes.

In any case, the code associated with the indicator element 13 is applied to each electric valve 1 in the final part of the production line after measurements specifically performed on each electric valve.

The information contained in the code of the indicator element 13 associated with each electric valve can be easily delegated using a suitable sensing device known per se, during installation of the electric valve in a utility or system for use in operation, to more accurately determine the flow rate of liquid entering the device through the electric valve.

Therefore, for example, if an electric valve according to the invention of the described type is used in a washing machine to control the filling of hot and / or cold water flows, the control unit of such a device, based on the information obtained by the specific electric valve indicator 13 installed therein, can very accurately determine the amount. actually filled with hot and / or cold water.

This makes it possible to eliminate or at least to greatly reduce errors due to manufacturing tolerances of the electrical valves in question.

Naturally, without changing the principle of the technical solution, the embodiments and construction details can vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated by way of non-limiting example only, with the technical solution extending to all embodiments that achieve the same functionality of the same innovative concepts.

Therefore, for example, the technical solution is also applicable with respect to electric valves with one inlet and one or more outlets, as well as to electric valves with different actuators from solenoid actuators.

Claims (5)

An electric valve (1) for household appliances comprising a hollow body (2) in which a fluid flow path, in particular a liquid, is defined between at least one inlet channel (5A, 5B) and one outlet channel (6), and wherein the connection is between at least one inlet duct (5A, 5B) and an outlet duct (6) operable by an electrically operated actuator (7A, 7B) supported by a hollow body (2), characterized in that it is provided with an indicating element (13) to accurately determine the flow rate. Electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicating element (13) comprises a QR code. Electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicating element (13) comprises a one-dimensional bar code. Electric valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicating element (13) comprises an RFID tag. An electric valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a structure (10) is connected to the hollow body (2) in which the indicator element (13) is incorporated or applied. 2 x drawings