US20110214766A1

US20110214766A1 - Faucet diverter device

Info

Publication number: US20110214766A1
Application number: US12/718,438
Authority: US
Inventors: Yu-Yu Hsieh; Min-Nan Hong
Original assignee: Deluxe Brassware Co Ltd
Current assignee: Deluxe Brassware Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-03-05
Filing date: 2010-03-05
Publication date: 2011-09-08

Abstract

A faucet diverter device includes a faucet main body and a diverter valve. The faucet main body includes a first channel and a second channel for respectively passing therethrough a first fluid and a second fluid. The diverter valve, which is connected with the first channel and the second channel, includes a turning valve thereinside, a first diverting outlet, a second diverting outlet, and a pivot connected with the turning valve for turning the turning valve. The first fluid and the second fluid respectively flow into the turning valve of the diverter valve for blending with each other to generate a mixed fluid. The turning valve further includes a hole, and through turning the pivot to move the turning valve, the hole can be moved to a first position corresponding to the first diverting outlet, a second position corresponding to the second diverting outlet or a cut-off position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a diverter device, and more particularly to a faucet diverter device whose outflow can be altered through turning a switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

R.O.C patent No. M247741, entitled “Thermostatic Faucet Structure”, disclosed that by cooperating a preliminary setting of control switches for cold and hot waters for adjusting the flow amount with independent water supplying switches for water outlets, such as, a shower nozzle, a shower pipe, and a lower drain pipe, the user can adjust the water temperature via the control switches for hot and cold waters, and further control the water amount directly via the independent water supplying switches. Accordingly, the user can have steady flows of hot and cold waters through fixing the control switches, so that during showering, there is not more need to frequently adjust the control switches for achieving the desired water temperature, which wastes not only time but also water. Moreover, the flow amount of the mixed warm water can be controlled or turned off only by each independent water supplying switch. Therefore, the water outlets can be utilized more flexible.
However, the structure disclosed in R.O.C patent No. M247741 is complicated and has to yield to the multiple independent water supplying switches, so that both the cost and the volume become higher, and further, since each independent water supplying switch can be turned on at the same time, the user might erroneously touch the independent water supplying switch so as to cause an unpredictable water outflow.
Furthermore, R.O.C patent No. M277837 disclosed a switching valve structure for a faucet with multiple water outlets, wherein an eccentric shaft is used to switch the switching valve, which has a upper and a lower washers respectively mounted on the top and the bottom thereof, and by turning the eccentric shaft, the switching valve can be moved to reject against the upper water outlet or the lower water outlet of the faucet, thereby switching the outlet for outflow.
However, since the washer must be made by a flexible material, such as, a rubber, if the rubber is worn down, it might cause a water leakage, and further, because the rubber is easily deteriorated by the alternate high and low temperatures, the life time thereof might be reduced. Besides, the acid and alkali resistance of the rubber is also poor, so that after a period of time, it might become difficult to turn the eccentric shaft, and finally become stuck and can not be used any more.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to reduce the number of switch handles for controlling water supply and the whole volume can also be reduced so as to provide a simpler and more intuitive operation method, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and assembling cost and also effectively enhancing the yield.
Another object of the present invention is to solve the problem of damage to the faucet main body caused by the rubber washer with short life time and the incapability of the whole faucet device due to the stuck rubber washer in the faucet main body.
For achieving the objects described above, the present invention provides a faucet diverter device includes a faucet main body and a diverter valve. The faucet main body includes a first channel and a second channel for respectively passing therethrough a first fluid and a second fluid. The diverter valve, is connected with the faucet main body, comprising a turning valve thereinside, a first inlet communicated with the first channel and the turning valve, a second inlet communicated with the second channel and the turning valve, a first diverting outlet, a second diverting outlet, and a pivot connected with the turning valve for turning the turning valve. The first fluid and the second fluid respectively flow into the turning valve through the first inlet and the second inlet, and the turning valve includes a mixing space for blending the first fluid with the second fluid to generate a mixed fluid, and a hole corresponding to the first diverting outlet and the second diverting outlet, wherein through turning the pivot to move the turning valve, the hole can be moved to a first position corresponding to the first diverting outlet, a second position corresponding to the second diverting outlet or a cut-off position, so that the mixed fluid can be selected to output through the first diverting outlet or the second diverting outlet by moving the hole, and the cut-off position is a position other than the first position and the second position, for preventing the mixed fluid from flowing out.
Consequently, the faucet diverter device of the present invention utilizes turning the pivot to move the hole, so that the mixed fluid can be selected to output from the first diverting outlet or the second diverting outlet, or stop to output as the hole is moved to the cut-off position. Moreover, the present invention only employs one diverter valve to select the diverting outlets for outputting the mixed fluid or to cut-off the outflow of the mixed fluid, so that the whole volume of the faucet diverter device can be reduced and the operation also becomes easier, as compared with the prior art, thereby effectively enhancing the yield of manufacture and reducing the assembling cost. In addition, the turning valve is made of ceramics which has high wear resistance and excellent acid and alkali resistance, so that it can provide a longer life time and a lower failure probability, thereby not only the maintenance or replacement probability but also the maintenance cost can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view showing a sectional portion of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical view showing the flowing of the fluid in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the flowing of the fluid in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 4-A is a schematic view showing a first diverting state of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 4-B is a schematic view showing a second diverting state of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 4-C is a schematic view showing a cut-off state of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a practical implementation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. As shown, the present invention is related to a faucet diverter device, including a faucet main body 30 and a diverter valve 40. The faucet main body 30 has a first channel 31 and a second channel 32 for respectively passing therethrough a first fluid 10 and a second fluid 20. The diverter valve 40, which is connected with the faucet main body 30, has a turning valve 41 thereinside, a first inlet 42 communicated with the first channel 31 and the turning valve 41, a second inlet 43 communicated with the second channel 32 and the turning valve 41, a first diverting outlet 44, a second diverting outlet 45 and a pivot 46 connected with the turning valve 41 for turning the turning valve 41. The first fluid 10 and the second fluid 20 respectively flow into the faucet main body 30 through the first channel 31 and the second channel 32, and respectively pass through the first inlet 42 and the second inlet 43 to enter the turning valve 41 inside the diverter valve 40, and then, the fluid in the diverter valve 40 flows out through the first diverting outlet 44 and the second diverting outlet 45. Here, the turning valve 41 includes a mixing space 411 for blending the first fluid 10 with the second fluid 20 to generate a mixed fluid 80, and a hole 412 corresponding to the first diverting outlet 44 and the second diverting outlet 45, wherein the hole 412 can be moved to a first position corresponding to the first diverting outlet 44, a second position corresponding to the second diverting outlet 45 or a cut-off position through turning the pivot 46 to move the turning valve 41.
Therefore, the present invention can be described into three states. First, please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4-A. When the hole 412 is moved to the first position corresponding to the first diverting outlet 44 through turning the pivot 46, which is referred to as a first diverting state, the mixed fluid 80 in the mixing space 411 will pass the hole 412 and flow out through the first diverting outlet 44. Then, as shown in FIG. 4-B, when the hole 412 is moved to the second position corresponding to the second diverting outlet 45 through turning the pivot 46, which is referred to as a second diverting state, the mixed fluid 80 in the mixing space 411 will pass the hole 412 and flow out through the first diverting outlet 45. Further refer to FIG. 4-C, when the hole 412 is moved to the cut-off position, which is referred to as a cut-off state, namely the hole 412 is located at a position other than the first position and the second position, the mixed fluid 80 can not flow out from the mixing space 411 through the hole 412, so that the mixed fluid 80 is retained in the mixing space 44.
Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5. The faucet main body 30 further includes a first flow rate control element 33, a second flow rate control element 34, an upper drain channel 35 and a lower drain channel 36. The first flow rate control element 33 and the second flow rate control element 34 are respectively connected with the first channel 31 and the second channel 32, so that the first flow rate control element 33 can be used to control the flow amount the first fluid 10 passing through the first inlet 42, and the second flow rate control element 34 can be used to control the flow amount of the second fluid 20 passing through the second inlet 43. The upper drain channel 35 and the lower drain channel 36 are respectively connected with the first diverting outlet 44 and the second diverting outlet 45 through individual one ends thereof. The other end of the upper drain channel 35 is extended to be an upper drain connector 37, which has threads on the surface thereof for screwing with a shower device 60, and through the extended upper drain connector 37 from the upper drain channel 35, the conventional pipe can be omitted as connecting to a water drain device, thereby reducing the cost. The other end of the lower drain channel 36 is connected with a lower drain pipe 70, so that the mixed fluid 80 which passes through the hole 412, the second diverting outlet 45 and the lower drain channel 36 can flow out through the lower drain pipe 70. The lower drain pipe 70 can be further connected with a switch component 71 and a shower nozzle 72, so that by the switch component 71, the mixed fluid 80 can be selected to output through the lower drain pipe 70 or the shower nozzle 72. For facilitating the operation, the pivot 46 can be externally mounted by a handle 50, so as to provide a larger handling surface.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the present invention is embodied into a shower equipment in the bathroom. The first fluid 10 and the second fluid 20 are respectively a hot water and a cold water, and the mixed fluid 80 is a warm water. The hot water passes through the first channel 31 and the first inlet 42 to enter the mixing space 411 of the turning valve 41, and the cold water passes through the second channel 32 and the second inlet 43 to enter the mixing space 411 of the turning valve 41, so as to mix with the hot water to form the warm water. Through turning the handle 50, the user can select the outlet of the warm water. If the handle 50 is turned to the first position corresponding to the first diverting outlet 44, namely the first diverting state, the warm water will pass through the hole 412, the first diverting outlet 44 and the upper drain channel 35, so as to flow out from the shower device 60 connected to the upper drain channel 35. Then, as shown in FIG. 4-B, if the handle 50 is turned to the second position corresponding to the second diverting outlet 45, namely the second diverting state, the warm water will pass through the hole 412, the second diverting outlet 45 and the lower drain channel 36, so as to flow out from the lower drain pipe 70 connected to the lower drain channel 36. Here, the lower drain pipe 70 is further mounted thereon the switch component 71 and the shower nozzle 72, so that through the switch component 71, the warm water can be select by the user to output through the lower drain pipe 70 or the shower nozzle 72. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4-C, if the handle 50 is moved to the cut-off position, namely, the cut-off state, there is no way the warm water can flow out, so that the warm water is retained in the faucet main body 30.
In the aforesaid, the faucet diverter device of the present invention utilizes turning the pivot to move the hole, so that the mixed fluid can be selected to output from the first diverting outlet or the second diverting outlet, or stop to output as the hole is moved to the cut-off position. The present invention only employs one diverter valve to select the diverting outlets for outputting the mixed fluid or to cut-off the outflow of the mixed fluid, so that the whole volume of the faucet diverter device can be reduced and the operation also becomes easier, as compared with the prior art, thereby effectively enhancing the yield of manufacture and reducing the assembling cost. In addition, the turning valve is made of ceramics which has high wear resistance and excellent acid and alkali resistance, so that it can provide a longer life time and a lower failure probability, thereby not only the maintenance or replacement probability but also the maintenance cost can be reduced.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A faucet diverter device, comprising:

a faucet main body, comprising a first channel and a second channel for respectively passing therethrough a first fluid and a second fluid; and

a diverter valve, which is connected with the faucet main body, comprising a turning valve thereinside, a first inlet communicated with the first channel and the turning valve, a second inlet communicated with the second channel and the turning valve, a first diverting outlet, a second diverting outlet, and a pivot connected with the turning valve for turning the turning valve, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid respectively flow into the turning valve through the first inlet and the second inlet, and wherein the turning valve comprises a mixing space for blending the first fluid with the second fluid to generate a mixed fluid, and a hole corresponding to the first diverting outlet and the second diverting outlet, in which through turning the pivot to move the turning valve, the hole is moved to a first position corresponding to the first diverting outlet, a second position corresponding to the second diverting outlet or a cut-off position, so that the mixed fluid can be selected to output through the first diverting outlet or the second diverting outlet by moving the hole, and the cut-off position is a position other than the first position and the second position, for preventing the mixed fluid from flowing out.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot is further connected with a handle for being held and turned by a user to turn the pivot.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the faucet main body further comprises a first flow rate control element and a second flow rate control element, wherein the first flow rate control element and the second flow rate control element are respectively connected with the first channel and the second channel, so that the first flow rate control element is used to control the flow amount of the first fluid passing through the first inlet, and the second flow rate control element is used to control the flow amount of the second fluid passing through the second inlet.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the faucet main body further comprises an upper drain channel and a lower drain channel, wherein individual one ends of the upper drain channel and the lower drain channel are respectively connected with the first diverting outlet and the second diverting outlet.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other end of the upper drain channel is extended to be an upper drain connector, which comprises threads on the surface thereof for screwing with a water drain device.

6. The device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a shower device connected to the other end of the upper drain channel for outputting the mixed fluid from the upper drain channel.

7. The device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a lower drain pipe connected to the other end of the lower drain channel for outputting the mixed fluid from the lower drain channel.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lower drain pipe is further connected with a switch component and a shower nozzle, and by operating the switch component, the mixed fluid is switched to output through the lower drain pipe or the shower nozzle.