WO1996030681A1

WO1996030681A1 - Diverter valve

Info

Publication number: WO1996030681A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/000931
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zoltan Goncze; Teodoro J. Gonzalez
Original assignee: Kohler Co.
Priority date: 1995-03-30
Filing date: 1996-01-25
Publication date: 1996-10-03
Also published as: AU4704996A

Abstract

A diverter member (10) for a faucet (12) having a spray function (57) is provided. In one embodiment, the diverter member is sealed to a spray outlet passage (66) in the valve housing to allow for flow of the water through the central axis of the piston head (45), but with no radial flow around the head. A flange is provided in a junction between spray and spout outlets to further reduce clogging problems. A check valve or spring bias (59) can also be provided.

Description

DIVERTER VALVE Background Of The Invention

Field Qf The Invention

This invention relates primarily to faucets. More particularly, the invention relates to diverter valves for use with faucets having a spout outlet and a separate spray outlet.

Description Of The Art

Hand spray functions in conjunction with kitchen faucets have been in existence for over fifty years. An outlet valve on the pull-out spray typically causes a water pressure change that activates a diverter valve to shut off flow to a spout while the spray is operating.

Prior art diverter valves for such purposes have shortcomings in that they have a tendency to clog with foreign particles. Even some designs which have incorporated by-pass paths to minimize clogging problems have difficulties with manufacturing tolerances. Other diverters do not provide one hundred percent spout shut off. There is also the problem with prior art diverters in that they assemble with difficulties and/or machining problems in the valve body. In instances where custom diverters are used, they normally require a large number of parts. Accessibility, complexity, and high costs have also been a problem. Further, there can be problems incorporating anti-siphon protection in such systems.

Summary Of The Invention

In one aspect, the invention provides a faucet with a housing having a fluid inlet leading to an internal cavity and a fluid outlet leading from the internal cavity. A valve unit is positioned in the cavity for regulating a flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet.

The outlet has a first branch leading to a spout, a second branch leading to a spray member with a junction at the intersection of the two branches. A diverter valve is positioned near the junction, the diverter valve having a sleeve in radial sealing engagement with the first branch, and having an axial passage through the sleeve. A valve member is operatively connected to the sleeve member for reciprocal movement relative thereto, the valve member including a first head for opening and closing the passage through the sleeve in one direction.

The valve member further includes a second head in radial sealing engagement with the second branch and a passage extending through the second head.

When the spray member is closed, the first head can move away from a sealing position and allow fluid flow to the spout, and when the spray member is open, fluid pressure can close off fluid from entry to the spout and allow fluid flow through the second head into the spray member.

Preferably, the valve member includes a neck portion interconnecting the first and second heads and a first central cutout portion in the neck portion and adjacent the second head.

In another aspect, the second head is of a larger diameter than the first head.

In yet another aspect, the sleeve has a guide surface adjacent the second branch guiding reciprocal movement of the valve member. In another embodiment, the sleeve also includes at least one wing portion extending therefrom having a cutout thereon.

In still another embodiment, there is a check valve in the second head to prevent back siphonage from the spray member.

In yet another embodiment, the flow of fluid is around the second head which has an antisiphonage seal thereon.

A diverter valve, as previously described, is also provided separately from the faucet .

The objects of the invention therefore include: a. providing a diverter member of the above kind which reduces the risks of clogging; b. providing a diverter member of the above kind which can easily and efficiently be installed; c . providing a diverter member of the above kind which can be manufactured with few parts and thus at reduced costs; d. providing a diverter member of the above kind which can be easily assembled; e . providing a diverter member of the above kind which affords complete shut off of a valve spout; and f . providing a diverter member of the above kind which can be assembled or retrofitted into a variety of valve housings.

These and still other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows. In the detailed description below, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Rather the invention may be employed in other embodiments.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a faucet employing the diverter valve of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diverter valve parts shown in Figs. 3 and 5;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line

3-3 of Fig. 1 and showing the diverter valve in one mode of operation;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the diverter valve in another mode of operation;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 3; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged views similar to Fig. 5 showing alternative embodiments.

Description Of The Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the diverter valve, generally 10, is shown in conjunction with a faucet, generally 12, having a housing 14 with a cavity 15. There are hot and cold water passages 16 and 17 in the housing 14 to supply hot and cold water to the cavity 15 such as by the cold water pipe 18. A cartridge valve 23 is seated in the cavity 15 and retained therein by the mounting nut 25 over which is placed the bonnet 26.

Valve 23 is of the ceramic disk type having a stationary disk with hot and cold water passages extending therethrough and a movable disk operable by the stem 28.

Stem 28 is connected to a handle 31 such as by the screw

27. Water flows from the valve 23 through the outlet orifice 30 and into outlet passage 29 where it enters a second and non-coaxial junction passage 33 in the valve housing 14. A valve sleeve 19 surrounds the valve body

14 and is sealed thereto by 0-rings 20 and seals 21 and

22.

Referring to Figs. 2-5, it is seen that junction passage 33 joins with a first outlet branch 35 and a second outlet branch 36. The diverter valve 10 is placed in the junction passage 33 and has a sleeve 38 sealably engaged in the first branch 35 by the 0-ring 47. A poppet type valve member 42 has opposing piston heads 43 and 45 with head 43 having a seal member 44 connected thereto such as by the cap 41 frictionally engaged over the enlarged head 39. As shown specifically in Fig. 5, the seal member 44 is in sealing engagement with a valve seat 55 in the sleeve 38, adjacent the passage 40.

Valve member 42 has a neck portion 48 which extends through the guide 50 which provides a guide surface for the neck portion. The guide 50 is connected to the sleeve 38 by the wings 52 having a cutout 53. The neck portion 48 has a central cutout portion 49 which allows water to enter therein and pass through the passage 46 in the piston head 45. A seal member 51 of the V-cup type is connected to the piston head 45 for sealable engagement in the second outlet branch 36. Wings 52 of sleeve 38 abut against end wall 54 of junction passage

33. There is also a tapering wall 56 extending between wall 54 and the second outlet branch 36.

Fig. 3 shows the diverter valve in a spout open condition with water flowing from cartridge valve 23. In this instance the spray nozzle 57 is attached to a spray outlet line 66 communicating with the second outlet branch 36 by the passage 65 as seen in Fig. 4. The spray nozzle 57 would be closed. Water pressure builds in the junction passage 33, thus forcing the valve member 42 to move to the right as viewed in Fig. 3, and thereby moves the seal member 44 away from the valve seat 55 and allows the flow of water to pass in the direction of the flow arrows. Water flows around the piston seal 44 from the sleeve 38, into a passage 60 in the valve body 14 and to the opposite side where, as seen in Fig. 1, it flows through the aperture 62 and ultimately into the spout 64 extending from sleeve 19.

In the instance where the spray nozzle 57 would be in an open condition, water flows through the spray outlet line 66. This condition would cause the valve member 42 to move to the left as viewed in Fig. 5, thus closing the pathway, including passage 40, through the sleeve 38 as the seal member 44 now sealably engages the valve seat 55. However, water is free to flow through the cutout 49 in the neck portion 48 and through the center of piston head 45 by means of the central passage 46. This central passage is also seen in conjunction with Fig. 7. It should be noted that there is no flow around the outside of the piston head 45 as it is sealed by the seal 51 to the inside of the second outlet branch

36.

As seen in Fig.-l, a spring 59 is housed in second outlet branch 36. This biases valve member 42 to the valve open position shown in Fig. 3. This is an optional feature and is provided in the event the system is required to include an air intake to prevent a back flow hazard should a loss of pressure occur in the water intake supply.

An important feature of the diverter valve 10 is the passage 46 through the center of the head 45. This passage allows sufficient flow of water so that if there are any foreign substances in the water such as small particulate matter, it will not clog. This is an advantage over the prior art diverters where the passage of water is to the outside and around the piston head with a small clearance between the piston head and the passageway.

Another important feature is the inwardly extending walls or cutouts 53 on the wings 52. As seen in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, in the event that one of these wings would be orientated with the outlet passage 29, it could form a barrier in passage 29 so that any particulate matter could accumulate therein and cause a clogging problem. By having the walls inwardly extending, this forms a relief surface so that any particulate matter can flow around the flange and into the junction passage 33.

Alternative diverter valve embodiments, generally 10A and 10B, are shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Similar components are referred to by the same numbers except with an "A" or "B" suffix. Referring to diverter valve, generally 10A, in Fig. 8, it differs from diverter valve

10 in that it includes a check valve 69A in piston head

45A. It is retained therein by retainer 70A. A passage

72A is provided in the retainer 70A for flow of fluid through cutout portion 49A, check valve 69A, and passage

72A. The purpose of check valve 69A is to prevent back siphonage from the spray passage 65A in the event of a pressure loss in water supply. Another difference is the construction of the seal 71A which is retained in the groove 73A of piston head 45A. It has a double lip feature rather than the single lip of seal 51.

Referring to diverter valve 10B as shown in Fig. 9, it differs from both diverter valves 10 and 10A in that fluid flow is around the outside of piston head 42B and seal 75B. This is effected by an inward deflection of the lip 76B as fluid flows from junction 33B to passage 65B when the valve 10B is in a spray open condition. Valve 10B, as well as valves 10 and 10A, all have the common feature of the wings 52B, 52 and 52A with the respective cutouts 53B, 53 and 53A to reduce clogging in the respective outlet passages 29B, 29 and 29A.

Both diverter valves 10A and 10B offer the advantage of an antisiphonage feature. As stated above, this is effected by the check valve 69A in valve 10A. It is effected in valve 10B by the seal 75B with lip 76B. Back flow from spray nozzle 57 is prevented should it be left in dirty water and there is a loss of pressure in the water supply passages 16 and 17. It will therefore be appreciated that a diverter 10 is provided which substantially reduces a clogging problem previously experienced with diverter valves wherein the flow is around a piston head. In addition, complete shut off of water is effected to the spout while the spray nozzle function is taking place. This is effected by the movement of the piston head 43 and the seal member 44 against the valve seat 55 in response to the fluid pressure on the larger piston head 45. In addition, there is an ease of assembly in that the valve member 42 is quickly assembled into the sleeve 38 by passing the piston head 43 through the guide 50, as well as the passage 40 in the sleeve 38. The valve seal member 44 is then passed over the enlarged head 39 and the cap 41 secured thereon. This then captures the valve member 42 in the sleeve 38.

Still another feature of the diverter valve 10 is the simplified construction. It is composed of three rather simple injection molded pieces 42 and 38 with two elastomer seals 44 and 51, an 0-ring 47 and a cap 41.

All of the foregoing features concerning diverter valve 10 apply to diverter valves 10A and 10B except that valve 10B does not afford the anti-clogging feature through the piston head.

Yet another feature of the valves of this invention is the design of the diverters in that they are easily placed into a faucet housing either manually or by an automatic assembly.

Thus, the invention provides an improved diverter member. While preferred embodiments have been described above, it should be readily appreciated to those skilled in the art, that a number of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while an anti-clogging flange feature has been shown in conjunction with the piston with a sealing head and a passage therethrough, the advantages of the flow through piston head can be effected without it. Neither is it necessary to have the spring 59 biasing the diverter valve in an open position.

Also, the specific materials mentioned are not the only materials which can be used. All such and other modifications within the spirit of the invention are meant to be in the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A faucet, comprising: a housing having a fluid inlet leading to an internal cavity and a fluid outlet leading from the internal cavity; a valve unit positioned in the cavity for regulating a flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet; the outlet having a first branch leading to a spout, a second branch leading to a spray member and a junction at the intersection of the two branches; a diverter valve positioned in or adjacent the junction, the diverter valve having a sleeve in radial sealing engagement with the first branch, and having an axial passage through the sleeve; a valve member operatively connected to the sleeve member for reciprocal movement relative thereto, the valve member including a first head for opening and closing the passage through the sleeve in one direction, the valve member further including a second head in radial sealing engagement with the second branch and a passage extending through the second head; whereby when the spray member is closed, the first head can move away from a sealing position and allow fluid flow to the spout, and when the spray member is open fluid pressure can close off fluid from entry to the spout and allow fluid flow through the second head into the spray member.

2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the valve member includes a neck portion interconnecting the first and second heads having a first central cutout portion adjacent the second head.

3. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the second head is of a larger diameter than the first head.

4. The faucet of claim 2, wherein the sleeve has a guide surface adjacent the second branch guiding reciprocal movement of the valve member.

5. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the sleeve also includes at least one wing portion extending therefrom having a cutout thereon.

6. The faucet of claim 5, wherein the wing portion is adjacent the guide surface.

7. The faucet of claim 1, wherein a spring also biases the first head to an open position permitting flow to the spout absent flow to the spray head.

8. The faucet of claim 1, wherein a check valve means is operatively connected to the second head.

9. A diverter valve for use with a faucet housing having a fluid inlet leading to an internal cavity and a fluid outlet leading from the internal cavity, a valve unit positioned in the cavity for regulating a flow of fluid between the inlet and the outlet, the outlet having a first branch leading to a spout and a second branch leading to a spray member and a junction at the intersection of the two branches, the diverter valve comprising: a sleeve adapted to be positioned in or adjacent the junction, the sleeve having sealing means for radial sealing engagement with the first branch, and having an axial passage therethrough; a valve member operatively connected to the sleeve member for reciprocal movement relative thereto, the valve me;nber including a first head for opening and closing the passage through the sleeve in one direction, the valve member further including a second head with sealing means for radial sealing engagement with the second branch and a passage extending through the second head.

10. The diverter device of claim 9, wherein the sealing means includes a V-cup element connected thereto.

11. The diverter device of claim 9, wherein the valve member includes a neck portion interconnecting the first and second heads having a first central cutout portion having an opening extending transversely therethrough adjacent the second head.

12. The diverter device of claim 9, wherein the sleeve also includes at least one wing portion extending therefrom having a cutout thereon.

13. The diverter device of claim 9, wherein the first head is retained on the valve member by a friction fitting.

14. The diverter device of claim 9, wherein a check valve is connected to the second head by a retainer having a passage therethrough.

15. A faucet, comprising: a housing having a fluid inlet leading to an internal cavity and a fluid outlet leading from the internal cavity; a valve unit positioned in the cavity for regulating a flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet; the outlet having a first branch leading to a spout, a second branch leading to a spray member and a junction at the intersection of the two branches; a diverter valve positioned in or adjacent the junction, the diverter valve having a sleeve in radial sealing engagement with the first branch, and having an axial passage through the sleeve, the sleeve having at least one wing portion extending therefrom with a cutout thereon for placement in the junction; a valve member operatively connected to the sleeve member for reciprocal movement relative thereto, the valve member including a first head for opening and closing the passage through the sleeve in one direction, the valve member further including a second head having a one way seal valve in sealing engagement with the second branch; whereby when the spray member is closed, the first head can move away from a sealing position and allow fluid flow to the spout, and when the spray member is open fluid pressure can close off fluid from entry to the spout and allow fluid flow past the second head into the spray member.