WO2000046535A1

WO2000046535A1 - Cam and valve fittings for sanitary ware

Info

Publication number: WO2000046535A1
Application number: PCT/FR1999/000202
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moïse PIAT
Original assignee: Piat Moise
Priority date: 1999-02-01
Filing date: 1999-02-01
Publication date: 2000-08-10
Also published as: AU2169699A

Abstract

The invention concerns sanitary ware fittings whereof the base element is a simple cam faucet (18) and valve, associated with another identical faucet and a central (30) piece, consisting of a single-hand faucet, and such a faucet on the bath tub can be associated with a device for automatic closure when the filling level is reached.

Description

Cam and valve fittings for sanitary appliance

The present invention relates to fittings for sanitary appliances, the basic element of which is a cam and valve tap which, combined with another identical tap, constitutes a single-lever mixer.

The invention also relates to such a mixer installed on a bathtub and which cooperates with an automatic closing device as soon as the filling level is reached. In the simple tap, the opening is effected by the action of the user who, by means of a handwheel, rotates a cam acting on the end of a straight valve whose other end carries the valve. It is thus separated from its sealing seat.

To cause the closure, the user returns the control wheel to its initial position and it is then the pressure of the water which pushes the valve against its sealing seat.

Such a device which makes a cam cooperate with a valve is already known in principle in particular by patent WO95 / 33102 issued from PCT FR

95/000136 - wherein the closing of the valve ^is effected by the action of a float and not by that of the user and in which there is no flow control means.

In the tap according to the invention, the valve carries, fixed downstream of the sealing seat, a shutter which, in the closed position, is placed in correspondence with a slot made in the body of the tap. With the retraction of the valve, said slot is gradually cleared to allow the flow of water with a flow rate determined by the amplitude of the coating of the valve.

The shape of the cam is established so that to a given angular variation of its rotation corresponds a given linear variation of the valve, the two values respectively angular and linear being proportional.

At its end opposite to that of the valve, the valve is provided with a membrane, for example an unwinding membrane, which seals the shutter compartment without significantly impeding the buildup of said valve. This arrangement is the necessary condition to guarantee closure, even with very low pressure.

At the same time, the extreme flexibility of the movement offers the possibility of adapting a mechanical timer on the axis of the control wheel, which performs, for example after a few minutes, the automatic closing of the tap which would have been left open by forgetting to the user. The tap also has a valve arrangement designed to avoid malfunctions linked to the presence in the water of solid particles, in particular limestone.

-The single-lever mixer consists of two taps of the type which has just been described, arranged symmetrically on either side of a central part which pivots around the axis of symmetry for adjusting the temperature and which slides along of this same axis for adjusting the flow.

The patents USA 3207183 and CH.A 232331 relate to such mixing valves but these [lack of precision as to the adjustment of the flow rates because these flow rates are only determined by the more or less large spacing of the valve of each valve by compared to its sealing seat.

This drawback is aggravated by the fact that the central control part is a cone element whose rotation around an axis generates sliding of different values between the two valves.

In the mixer according to the invention, the central part is arranged in its shape so that, during its pivoting, it causes simultaneous couiissement and equal value of each of the valves, one advancing while the other moves back .

It is also arranged in its shape so that, in a given angular position, its coloring does not modify the ratio of the flow surfaces and thus the proportions of the mixture are preserved.

The axes of the valves can be either combined or parallel.

In the latter case the mixer comes in the form of a hollow body inside which is placed the mechanism consisting of a removable cartridge on which is connected a collector which crosses the body to, in its external part, constitute the pourer .

The cartridge which is thus kept inside the body has at its base two tubes which fit tightly on sheaths fixed to the bottom of the body.

These sheaths extend inside said body the inlet pipes for cold and hot water respectively.

It is understood that such an arrangement considered as a whole results in a considerable saving in the manufacture of the body of the mixer and in a very great facility for mounting the cartridge.

It finds a particularly interesting application in mixer taps fed laterally as is generally the case for those which equip showers and baths.

It then makes it possible, by virtue of the couiissement of the lateral tubes, to adjust the spacing of the connection conduits to make it coincide exactly with the spacing of the arrivals. The bathtub mixer with automatic filling stop is type whose opening is effected by depression of the central part. It is provided with means by which the shower position of the diverter neutralizes the automatic closing device in order to allow the user to use said shower without causing the untimely stopping of the flow. To understand the invention well, reference may usefully be made to the appended figures given by way of nonlimiting examples, which are:

I and 2 are views in longitudinal and transverse sections of the single tap in the respectively open and closed position;

3, 4 and 5 sectional views of a mixer in which the axes of the valves are in alignment and this in the different phases of its operation; 6 is a top view of this same mixer; 7 and 8 are sectional views of a cartridge in two different options, namely respectively: a / that in which it is by its external part that the central part acts on the opening and closing members; b / that where it is by its internal part that the central part hollowed out for this purpose, acts on said organs;

9 is a side view of a mixer in which a manifold detachably connected to the cartridge passes through the body of the mixer to provide the pouring function;

10 is a cross-sectional view of this same mixer;

I I and 12 are sectional views from above of a mixer with side inlets;

13, 14 and 15 show, in its different operating phases, the mixer on the bathtub with its automatic filling stop device.

For a simplification of the figures and a good understanding of the description which will follow, it should be agreed that in the sectional views, the tap and the mixers appear vertically, the arrival of the water being effected from the bottom.

Also that, in the mixers, the taps are shown schematically and that there are reproduced with the same number as the bodies involved in the description.

Finally, the identical members of the same mixer will be designated by the same number assigned with the letter (a) for cold water and (b) for hot water. The body (1) of the single tap comprises, from upstream to downstream: a / A compartment (2) for the arrival of water; b / A sealing seat (3) housed in the bottom of (2); c / A compartment (4) in which a slot (5) is formed leading to the flow; d / A cylindrical bearing surface (6). Inside the body (1) is placed a rectilinear valve (7) which, at its lower end, carries a valve (8).

This valve (8) is a truncated cone whose small base (9) carries a rod

(10) parallel to the general axis (11) of the tap and of the valve (7), which rod (10) is thus eccentric with respect to it. This arrangement, while providing a maximum surface area between the compartments (2) and (4) allows the passage of solid particles through the tap.

A cylinder sector (12) fixed on the end of the rod (10) is arranged so as to close the slot (5) in the situation where the valve (8) is pressed against the seat (3).

At its upper end, the valve (7) carries a cylinder (13) which is capped by a membrane (14) for example unwinding so that the water which enters the compartment (4) has no other outlet possible as that of the slot (5). Pressing on the outer side of the membrane (14) and sliding in the seat (6) is placed a cylindrical pusher (15) surmounted by a stud (16) whose end (17) is in contact with the edge a flat cam (18).

The valve (7) is formed by the assembly formed by the valve (8), the rod (10), the shutter (12), the cylinder (13) and the pusher (15) with its stud (16). The cam (18) fits into a vertical plane which, by convention, is that of FIG. 1 and it pivots around an axis perpendicular to this plane and which cuts it at point (19) itself placed on the 'axis (11).

In the valve closed position, the end (17) is in contact with the cam (18) at a point (20) distant from (19) by a length (21a). From this position, the external shape of the cam (18) is defined as follows: If one prints at point (20) a double continuous movement of linear distance from point (19) and of rotation around this same point (19), we obtain a curve (22a) which is a segment of a spiral having for point the point (19). The other end of this curve (22a) is a point (23) which is the point of its intersection with the axis (11) and this point (23) is distant from (19) by a length (21b).

By transferring this curve (22 a) symmetrically with respect to the axis

(11) another curve (22 b) is obtained which also has the point (19) as its pole and which, joined to (22 a), forms with it a closed loop (29) which represents the periphery of the cam (18) . The characteristic of this loop (29) is that if one draws a straight line passing over the pole (19) it cuts said loop (29) at two points which determine between them a distance of constant value whatever the direction of the line. The operation of the device is as follows: When, from the closed position, the cam (18) is pivoted until the point (23) comes into contact with the end (17), the nipple (16) is pushed in by an amplitude equal to the difference between (21a) and (21b). This corresponds to the total opening of the tap and the movement can be carried out either in one direction or the other.

However, in order to respect both the customs in use and the standards in force, it is advisable to limit the angular travel of the cam (18) to its operational zone of 180 degrees, the opening and closing movements respectively then performing in the opposite direction.

This arrangement also allows the adaptation of a safety device / timer closure.

The cam (18) is rotated by a flywheel (26) which, at its periphery, carries a tongue (27) which, in the valve closed position, is in contact with a fixed stop (28a).

A 180 degree rotation of the handwheel (26) in the direction of the arrow (25) brings the tongue (27) against another fixed stop (28 b) diametrically opposite to (28 a).

The handwheel (26) is secured to a mechanical timer (33) of the current type, shown here diagrammatically. The opening movement arms the timer which, by freely relaxing as soon as the handwheel (26) is released, drives it in the opposite direction until the tap is closed.

In the mixer where the axes are in line with each other, the central part (30) pivots around a fixed cylindrical journal (31) and slides along this same journal whose axis ( 32) is the axis of symmetry of the valves.

The volume of the part (30) is an envelope (41) delimited by two bases parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis (32). The small base (34) is a disc whose center is placed on the axis (32) and the large (35) is a loop of the same shape as that of the cam (18) in which the common pole (36) is also place on the axis (32).

The two bases (34) and (35) are both parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis (32).

The envelope (41) is defined as follows: If we consider in any direction a plane (37) attached to the axis (32) and which is therefore perpendicular to the planes of the bases, this plane cuts the outer limits of said bases respectively at points (38) for the small and (39) for the large.

If we draw a straight line (40) between points (38) and (39.) to obtain a segment (40a) and we rotate the plane (37) 360 degrees around the axis (32) said segment (40a) generates a surface which constitutes the envelope (41).

The operation of the device is as follows from the rest position where the two taps are closed, the pins (16 a) and (16 b) being in contact with the small base (34) as shown in Figure 3. When the part (30) is pushed downwards, for example while retaining the angular position of FIG. 3, the stud (16a) will remain in place and the cold water will remain closed while at the end of this translation, the nipple (16b) will be completely pushed back - and the hot water fully open, the intermediate positions determining the flow rate. II. it goes without saying that at each of the intermediate positions, the proportions of the mixture can be varied by rotating the part (30) since a depression of given value of one of the valves corresponds to an advance of an equal value of the other valve. Figure 5 shows the mixer in intermediate positions for both flow and mixing. The figures show an assembly in which the opening of the flow takes place by pushing the part (30) downwards, but one could naturally, without departing from the scope of the invention, reverse the respective positions of the bases of so that the opening is carried out by pulling the part (30) upwards and the closing by pushing it downwards. In the mixer where the axes of the taps are parallel, the central part

(30) acts simultaneously on two cams (42 a) and (42 b) arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis (32) and pivoting around fixed journals (43a) and (43 b) whose axes, also symmetrical with respect to to (32), are perpendicular to the plane in which the axes (32), (11a) and (11b) are inscribed and which is that of the figure itself.

Each cam has the general shape of a square, one of the branches (44) of which is placed, by its end (45) in contact with the end (17) of the stud (16). This branch (44) is in an approximately horizontal position.

The other branch (46) which is approximately vertical and directed upwards carries, fixed on its end (47) a horizontal lug (48) whose end (49) is placed in contact with the central part (30).

This central part (30), by sliding vertically in the direction of the opening, pushes back the pins (48), the recoil of which causes the cams (42) to pivot in the direction of the arrows (50). Each of the branches (44), by pressing on the end (17) of the stud (16) then causes the corresponding tap to open.

When the part (30) slides in closing, the pressure of the water causes the cams (42) to pivot in opposite directions, which keeps the ends (49) in contact with said part (30). The two twin taps form, with the part (30) a cartridge (51) on the front face of which is fixed a plate (52) which has two vertical slots (53a) and (53b) being placed in correspondence with the slots (5a) and (5b) for the outlet of the cold and hot water respectively. The cartridge (51) is removably fixed in the body of the mixer, which in its vertical cylindrical part (54) has a hole (55) which is placed opposite the plate (52).

This has a rounded external section, for example oval or circular to receive a housed seal (56), for example an O-ring.

On this pjaque (52) which also has a vertical hole (57) a hollow element (58) is fitted in which passes through the cylindrical part (54) through the hole (55) to, on the outside, constitute the pourer (59 ).

In its fitting part on (52), it has a vertical hole of the same caliber as (57) and which is placed in correspondence with it to, by means of a key (60), allow its fixing both waterproof and removable on the plate (52). The cold and hot water respectively enter the compartments

(2) by vertical cylindrical tubes (88) which are tightly fitted onto sheaths (89) also cylindrical fixed on the bottom (90) of the body and which, outside of the latter, are extended by supply hoses

(91). In the mixer which is the subject of figs 11 and 12, the bottom (90) carries a vertical plate (92) which fits in the plane (93) of symmetry of the taps.

On this plate and symmetrically with respect to (93) are fixed two horizontal blind tubes (94) whose open ends (95) are placed facing holes (96) formed at the base of the vertical cylindrical part (54). On the top of the tubes (94) and in the vicinity of (92) are connected the vertical sheaths (89) on which are fitted the tubes (88) supplying the cartridge.

The water enters the mixer through the side pipes (97) which, inside (54) fit tightly on the pipes (94). At their opposite ends, the pipes (97) are bent at 90 degrees to form the parallel elements (98), the ends of which connect to the inlets.

The elements (98) determine between them a center distance which can be adjusted precisely by sliding the pipes (97) inside (54). We can then fix and connect the mixer without using eccentric connection parts which represents a significant saving.

After fixing, the body is adjusted to the middle position and secured to each of the tubes (97) by means of the needle screws (99) housed in the bottom.

(90) and arranged vertically so that their axes cross the straight line (100) which is the general axis of the pipes (94) and (97). For maximum efficiency screws (99) their ends are placed inside the longitudinal grooves (101) formed on the external part of the tubes (97). the mixer on the bathtub is of the type in which the opening is effected by depressing the central part (30). It is fixed to the horizontal rim (61) of the adjacent bathtub with the vertical wall (62) in which the overflow hole (63) is housed.

On the wall (62) and in correspondence with the hole (63) is fixed a housing (64) into which opens, directed downwards, the vertical tube (65) which is connected to the drain flow of the bathtub, here not shown. This tube (65) extends inside the housing (64) by a vertical tube element (66) whose upper end is in the horizontal plane (67).

By a horizontal conduit (68) the housing (64) communicates with a cavity

(69) placed below relative to the plane (70) in which the lowest point (71) of the hole (63) is inscribed. On the bottom (72) of the cavity (69) is connected a pipe (73) which is directed downwards and is connected with the tube (65) at a confluence (74) lying below the plane of (72) .

On the underside of the central control part (30) is fixed a vertical rod (75) which, when said part (30) is pressed, is placed, by its end (76) in contact with the upper face (77) d 'A float (78) housed in the bottom of the cavity (69).

From this insertion of the part (30) the operation of the device is as follows:

When the filling level reaches the plane (70) the water passes directly from the housing (64) to the cavity (69) which is filled. The float (78) is then raised and, by pushing the rod (75) upwards, causes the mixing valve to close.

The cavity (69) is then emptied into the tube (65) via the pipe (73) which is calibrated so that the emptying rate of said cavity (69) is much lower than that of the filling of the bathtub. The height between the planes (67) and (70) is established so as to correspond to the volume of water displaced by a person of normal build entering the bath when it is full.

On the horizontal part of the pourer (79) is placed the reverser (80) whose piston (81) is arranged vertically. In the figures, this inverter is of the type in which the raised position corresponds to the shower and the lowered position to the bath, but it could also, without departing from the scope of the invention, be of reverse operation.

On the piston (81) is fixed, directed downwards, a vertical rod (82) whose lower end (83) carries a valve (84) which is housed inside a vertical compartment (85 ). The valve (84) consists of a plate (86) which has a calibrated hole (87) so that, in the lowered position of the reverser, said hole (87) is placed in correspondence with the internal section of the duct. (68). Conversely, in the raised position of the reverser, the plate (86) closes the conduit (68) so as to prevent any flow towards the cavity (69).

The valve (84) which has just been described is of the drawer type but it goes without saying that one could, still without departing from the scope of the invention, use a valve of different type.

Claims

- Cam and valve fittings, particularly for sanitary fittings relating to a single tap which, combined with another identical tap and a central part, constitutes a single-lever mixer.

The simple tap is of the type which makes a cam cooperate with a valve and it is characterized in that the rectilinear valve (7) carries, downstream of the valve (8), a cylinder sector (12) which, in the position where the valve (8) is applied against its sealing seat (3), closes a slot (5) formed in the coφs of the tap for the flow of water;

That the flat cam (18) fits in a plane which also contains the axis (11) which is the general axis of the valve (7);

That the cam (18) pivots about an axis which cuts its plane at a point (19) which places itself on the axis (11); That the external shape of the cam (18) is defined as being constituted by two contiguous curves (22a) and (22b) arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis (11);

That each of the curves (22) is a segment of a spiral having as point the point (19); Still characterized by the fact that the head of the valve (7) is provided with a membrane (14) for example with unwinding which intervenes so that the water which is introduced into the compartment (4) where is located the sector (12) can exit therefrom only through the slot (5);

That the mixer which is of the kind in which a central part (30) simultaneously controls two valves arranged symmetrically on either side of the axis (32) of said central part (30) which slides for adjusting the flow rate and which swivels for temperature regulation, is characterized in that the valves are of the valve and shutter type;

That the central part (30) is arranged in such a way that in a given intermediate position, its pivoting causes sliding of equal amplitudes of each of the valves, one advancing while the other moves back, while, in a given angular position, its couiissement preserves the ratio of the surfaces of flow;

That, in the case where the axes of the valves are parallel, the mechanism is in the form of a cartridge (51) which is fixed in a removable manner in the body of the mixer;

That the cartridge (51) comprises means by which a removable pourer (59) can be incorporated into it and that this pourer passes through the cylindrical part (54) of the body; That, in the case where the mixer is supplied by pipes (97) arranged laterally, the connection of the cartridge is arranged so as to allow the couiissement pipes (97) inside (54);

That the mixing valve on the bathtub is associated with means which cause it to close automatically as soon as the filling level is reached.

2 - Cam and valve fittings especially for sanitary appliances according to claim 1 characterized in that the cam (18) is rotated by a flywheel (26) which, at its periphery carries a tongue (27) which, by cooperating with two fixed stops (28a) and (28b) diametrically opposite, limit the angular travel of the cam (18) to its operational area to 180 degrees.

3 - Cam and valve fittings especially for sanitary devices according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that, at each of its opening movements, the steering wheel (26) arms a mechanical timer of the current type which, by freely relaxing , ensures the tap is closed.

4 - Cam and valve fittings especially for sanitary devices according to claim 1 characterized in that in the mixer, the central part (30) is constituted by a volume limited by two parallel bases (34) the small and (35) the large, both perpendicular to the axis (32) and interconnected by an envelope (41);

That the base (34) is a disc whose center is placed on the axis (32); That the base (35) is a closed loop constituted by two segments of spirals having for common pole a point (36) also placed on the axis (32);

That the envelope (41) is defined as being the surface generated by a straight line segment (40a) performing a complete rotation around the axis (32);

That this segment (40a) is part of a plane (37) which also contains the axis (32), the extreme points of the segment (40a) being the points (38) and (39) of intersection of said plane ( 37) with the respective contours of the bases (34) and (35).

5 - Cam and valve fittings especially for sanitary appliances according to claim 1 characterized in that in the cartridge (51) of the mixer where the axes of the valves are parallel, the central part (30) acts on the ends of the valves by l '' intermediate two pivoting cams (42a) and (42b) arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis (32) and

That the contact of said cams with the part (30) can be established either on the external part of the envelope (41) or on its internal part. 6 - Cam and valve fittings particularly for sanitary appliances according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that on the face of the cartridge (51) where the slots open (5) is fixed a plate (52) which has two slots ( 53) which are placed in correspondence with the slots (5) to extend them;

That this plate (52) which is rounded in shape to receive a housed joint (56) is placed opposite a hole (55) made in the cylindrical part (54) of the body and

That it has a transverse hole (57).

7 - Cam and valve fittings, particularly for sanitary appliances according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that on the plate (52) is sealed a hollow element (58) which collects the water and which after passing through ( 54) through the hole (55) extends outside to act as a pourer (59);

That the element (58) has a hole of the same caliber as that of (57), with which it is in correspondence in the fitting position so as to allow the element (58) to be fixed on the plate ( 52) by means of a key (60).

8 - Cam and valve fittings especially for sanitary devices according to claim 1 characterized in that on the bottom (90) of the body is fixed a plate (92) which fits in the median plane (93) of the mixer;

That on this plate (92) and symmetrically with respect to (93) are fixed two blind pipes (94) whose open ends (95) are placed opposite holes (96) formed at the base of (54);

That on the top of the pipes (94) and in the vicinity of (92) are connected perpendicularly parallel sheaths (89) on which are tightly fitted the tubes (88) supplying the cartridge (51) and That the tubes (97) fit tightly on the tubes (94).

9 - Cam and valve fittings, particularly for sanitary appliances according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that after the mixing valve has been fixed / connected and the body fitted, it is fixedly secured to the pipes (97 ) by the action of two needle screws (99) whose axes intersect the straight line (100) which is the axis common to the pipes (94) and (97) and

That the ends of the screws (99) are housed in longitudinal grooves (101) formed on the external part of the tubes (97).

10 - Cam and valve fittings, particularly for devices sanitary according to claim 1 characterized in that, in the mixer on the bathtub, the part (30) carries, directed downwards, a vertical rod (75) which is, in the low open position and by its lower part, in contact with a float (78) housed in the bottom (72) of a cavity (69); That the device comprises a housing (64) fixed on the vertical wall (62) of the bathtub in correspondence with the hole (63) of overflow;

That the vertical overflow tube (65) extends, inside the housing (64) by a vertical tube element (66) whose upper end is inscribed in a horizontal plane (67) ; That the cavity (69) communicates with the housing (64) by means of a conduit

(68) and that it is located below with respect to the plane (70) which is that in which the lowest point (71) of the hole (63) is inscribed;

That on the horizontal bottom (72) of the cavity (69) is connected a pipe (73) directed downwards and which joins the tube (65) at a confluence (74) placed below the plane (72);

That the pipe (73) is calibrated so that its rate of emptying the cavity (69) is much lower than the rate of filling of the bathtub;

That on the vertical piston (81) of the bath-shower diverter (80) is fixed a vertical rod (82) whose lower end (83) carries a valve (84); That said valve (84), open in the bath position, closes the conduit (68) in the shower position in order to prevent any flow towards the cavity (69).