WO2001071227A2

WO2001071227A2 - A faucet valve

Info

Publication number: WO2001071227A2
Application number: PCT/YU2001/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Predag PEŠOVIĆ; Nemanja Pešović; Vojin PEŠOVIĆ
Original assignee: Pesovic Predag; Pesovic Nemanja; Pesovic Vojin
Priority date: 2000-03-23
Filing date: 2001-03-15
Publication date: 2001-09-27
Also published as: EP1196705A1; AU4599901A; WO2001071227A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a faucet valve with regulated depth of installing that solves the problems of installing a valve when the depths of faucet seats are different due to various manufacturers, and with worn faucets due to various damages which cause after the repair various installing depths. The valve has a continuous change of distance within a defined size range. Said valve comprises a body (1) having at one of its ends an external thread (2) for fastening to a faucet, and at the other end thereof an external thread (21) on which a nut (24) is rotatably mounted biasing a ring (25) the teeth (15) thereof sliding within the grooves (22) longitudinally cutting said thread (21). Within an opening (3) of the body (1) there is inserted a shaft (4) with a toothed part (5) for engaging a handle and a quadrilateral (6). Shaft (4) transmits the torque to the holder (10) which is by means of a spindle (8) connected to a piston (12) having a cap (16) contacting a seal (23) mounted in a holder (19). Axial movement is transmitted by means of ring (25) to bushing (14) axially pushing said holder (10) and holder (19).

Description

A FAUCET VALVE WITH REGULATED DEPTH OF INSTALLING THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The object of present invention is, in general, within the field of machine technics in general, i.e. within the field of the elements of machines, particulary in the field of water-sanitary devices, faucets, valves and sliding gate valves, i.e. devices with spindles for regulating the fluid flow.

According to the International Patent Classification (IPC), the present invention obtained the following symbols of the International Patent Classification: F 16 K 31/44 and F 16 K 3/26.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Technical problem to be solved by this invention is how to design a valve for cutting the flow of a fluid in the case when the sealing bush is in contact with a faucets seat, said seats being at various distances from the sealing ring under the valve body, nut, and/or how to provide a valve allowing the changing of installing depth thereof without inserting adapters such as extra rings and rubber seals, so as to obtain a valve for various types of faucets and for faucets of different manufacturers, said faucets having different distances between the abutting surface of the valve nut and the seat where the sealing is to bi provided and various depth of machining the seats when repairing old faucets, because the old faucets have various degrees damage.

PRESENT STATE OF ART

In the domain of valves well known are flow control valves which are the most used and they are closed by a spindle, the closing of said valve being opposed by the fluid pressure, and finally providing the abutting of the rubber seal on the valve seat. These valves have a number of shortcomings. Such way of closing the valve causes uncontrolled tightening, i.e. to insufficient pressing of the rubber seal on the valve seat, damaging the seal and producing the erosion of the valve seat due to greater fluid speed through the reduced flow cross-section. It also produces excessive friction between the spindle and the nut causing the slipping of the spindle, producing a play between the movable members leading to vibrations during the fluid flow.

Another group of known valves are ball valves wherein an axle with a hole is positioned radially to the direction of the water flow. They function by rotating said axle with an handle, so that the hole is either aligned with direction of the water flow or is blocking the water flow.

Another group of valves are valves with ball and spring wherein by pushing the ball the flow starts and the releasing of the ball stops the flow. Such solutions are similar to classical faucets valves.

As for axial valves, wherein the opening and closing thereof is at right angle to the direction of the fluid flow, several solutions are known, some of them disclosed in YU applications P-661/75, P-1091/83, P-2463/83 etc. One of the relevant solutions of this type is disclosed in the YU application P-733/93 under the title "A valve-sliding flow controller". This valve, useful for controlling the flow of all kinds of liquid and gaseous fluids, comprises a hollow cylindrical housing having a chamber wherein is inserted axially and slidingly a cylindrical body. In the middle of said body, which is provided in axial direction with inlets and outlets, there are made redially and under an angle to the axis thereof two overflow openings at each side, the aces of said overflow openings being in the same plane. The inlet with the overflow openings and the outlet with the overflow openings are separated from each other. On said body, in front and between said overflow openings there are inserted sealing rings sliding along the internal surface of said housing. To limit the movement of the sliding valve body, in the cylindrical tubular valve housing there is provided a steel detent.

Another solution by this applicant, disclosed in the YU application P- 1439/86 under the title "A flow control valve" is a valve for sanitary fixtures and for all kinds of fluids. Said valve comprises a housing at one side thereof the valve seat being screwed in, and at the other side thereof being mounted the spindle with the piston holder containing the piston. A sealing ring is located on the front side of said piston and abuts the valve seat. This valve provides no possibility for various depth of installing.

Another solution by the present applicant is disclosed in YU application P-31/87 under the title "An improved noiseless valve with directed fluid flow" wherein the spindle thread has at the end and at the beginning teeth. The piston holder also has at the end of the internal thread teeth that engage when the spindle is completely screwed- in. On the basic plate there are also made teeth positioned opposedly to each other, cooperating with the spindle teeth when the spindle is opened.

Yet another known solution by the present applicant is disclosed in YU application P-2127/89 wherein is disclosed a complex closing member for sanitary fixtures having a sealing spindle in which a split piston pin is inserted under pressure, split pin abutting with a flange an upper wall of a rectangular opening. On the piston outer surface there are made protrusions engaging grooves made in a cylinder obliquely pulled over the piston and spindle assembly. All cited known solutions are foreseen to be installed in fixtures of standard diameters and threads and of standard depth of 20 or 22 mm. Said depth is the distance from the seat of the end seal to the top of the thread seat where the valve nut is seated, said nut being a component of the valve body. It was shown in praxis that there exists a need for various depth of installing, from 20 up to 28 mm, due to various manufacturers and because of different depths of repair of worn faucets and the like.

Another invention by the present author disclosed in EP 0708 285 under the title "A valve for faucets and the like that prevents hydraulic shocks in installation during the use thereof solves two problems: with a rubber sleeve it abuts the faucet seat thus preventing the damaging thereof and, also, by endless rotating the handle it prevents excessive pressure causing the damage to the seal. In this valve the leading spindle is screwed-in in the piston holder and secured by a key. In the upper part of said holder there is a piston on the free circumference thereof there are two teeth which are inserted in grooves in the posts of the rubber seal holder. On the bottom end surface and on the spindle circumference there are provided two teeth on each of them, said teeth being diametrically opposed and turned 90° against each other. There are provided at least two teeth on holder engaging corresponding teeth on the body. Said teeth provide in the open/closed valve position the slipping there between thus preventing excessive tightening of the valve. Still, this valve cannot solve the problem of various depths of installing. Until recently it was solved by inserting rings of various sizes, of 1, 2 up to 4 mm and their combination with an additional end seal. The installing depth must be such as to correspond to preset dimensions of inserts. A worn faucet seat cannot be repaired to a depth enough to eliminate damage but has to be adapted to the preset dimensions of the inserts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of present invention is to provide for various depth of installing the valves with continuous change of distance but without changing the distance between the valve handle and the valve nut seat on the faucet. There shall also be provided for an easy and simple installing of valve, with a preset pressure force sufficiently great to press the end seal against the faucet seat, but not too great to cause deformation of valve members.

All this is attained with a new construction of a valve with regulated depth of installing, having a body with a thread at the first end thereof for fastening said valve in a faucet, on the other end thereof having a thread on which is a regulating nut movably mounted. Under the regulating nut is a toothed ring. In the external thread whereupon is movably mounted said regulating nut there are provided longitudinal slots for axial guiding the teeth of said ring, said teeth biasing the cylinder assembly containing the piston and the spindle. Said cylinder is pushing the end seal holder thus increasing the distance between the end seal presed against the faucet seat and a seat under the valve nut, on the valve body. By turning the regulating nut clockwise this distance is increased thus attaing the greater installing depth, and by turning the regulating nut anticlockwise the installing depth is reduced. Installing of the valve according to present invention is universal, quick and easy. Before installing the valve in faucet, it is prepared according to determined depth by turning the regulating nut anticlockwise so as to reduce the distance of the end seal. Thus the holder and the end seal are withdrawn. When the valve is screwed in the faucet so that the ring seal under the valve nut is pressed, which is attained by a torque, the regulating nut is rotated until the end seal on its holder approaches the faucet seat. This process is called the extending of the end seal holder and this is the essence of the invention. Finally, the regulating nut shall be tightened by a corresponding torque so as to press the end seal on the faucet seat attaining a sealing joint. Said torque should not be over extensive. According to aforesaid, a faucet valve with regulated depth of installing thereof, according to this invention, has a number of advantages in comparision to known valves, some more important being the following:

- the valve is universal, i.e. is applicable to a great number of faucets of various manufacturers with various distances to the faucet seats, - makes possible installing with reduced machining, or without machining, eliminating the need of adapting the valve to any preset inserts to accommodate the various installing depth,

- the torque for pressing the end seal on the faucet seat is preset,

- the possibility of damaging the valve components when the distance to the seat does not correspond to the valve dimensions is eliminated, and

- installing is quick and easy, suited for the "do it yourself repairs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

- Figure 1 shows a valve with regulated depth of installing, according to present invention, in a longitudinal cross-section, showing the piston thereof in a closed position and the regulating nut in a middle position,

- Figure 2 shows the valve as shown in Fig. 1, with the piston in an open position and the regulating nut in the middle position,

- Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the valve in a closed position, with the regulating nut in the initial position and with withdrawn front seal holder,

- Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-section of the valve in a closed position and with regulating nut in end position when the front seal holder is wholly extended,

- Figure 5 is a lateral cross-section of the valve in the plane of the regulating nut showing the teeth pushing the piston holder which in turn is pushing the front seal holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A faucet valve with regulated depth of installing, according to invention and Figs. 1 an 2, comprises a valve body 1 with a thread 2 adapted for the standard faucets.

At the other end of the body 1 there is a thread 21 on which is a regulating nut 24 rotatingly movable. There is an opening 3 in the body 1 within which are positioned a biasing bushing 14, the piston holder 10 and the piston 12. Piston holder 10 spindle 8 engages the piston 12 by means of an internal thread 8a. The bush 14, positioned within the opening 3, abuts freely rotating holder 19 of the front seal 23. This rubber sleevelike seal 23 covers the end surface of said holder 19. The seal 23 engages internally a ring of the holder 19 and is biased by a cap 16, freely rotatably fastened on the piston 12. Holder 19 has openings 20 for the passaging of fluid when the valve is open, i.e. when the piston 12 with its cap is withdrawn from the end seal 23. The shaft 4 at one end has a quadrilateral 6 and at the other end a grooved part 5. Quadrilateral 6 is transmitting the torque to piston holder 10 and is axially movable against it. A handle is engaging the grooved part 5 so as to produce the torque.

When assembling the valve the shaft 4 is inserted through the opening 3 and when the grooved part 5 finds its final position, i.e. when a shoulder thereon abuts the wall around the opening 3, a locking ring 9 is inserted to prevent the axial movement of the shaft 4. Then there is inserted, through an opening 1 1 in the bushing 14, an assembly comprising the piston 12 and the holder 10. The spidle 8 is secured with a key 13 inserted through the wall of the piston 12 against being withdrawn from the piston 12, the sharply cut beginning of the spindle 8 thread striking said key 14 so as to stop further unscrewing. On the end surface of the piston holder 10 there are made two teeth 7 at an anglar distance of 180°. These teeth 7 engage corresponding teeth 7a on the piston 12, their purpose being to prevent during the screwing-in of the spindle 8 the end surface thereof from being stuck at the bottom of the hole with the internal thread 8a and causing the blocking of the assembly.

On the assembly comprising the piston 12 and the holder 16 a cap 16 is mounted and the whole is inserted in the bushing 14. Before inserting a sealing ring 17 is mounted on the piston 12. A sealing ring 18 is mounted on the bushing 14 and the whole assembly is then inserted in the opening 3 of the body 1. A holder 19 carrying the end seal 23 is mounted on the bushing 14. At the other side of the body 1 is mounted a biasing ring 25 encircling the thread 21, the teeth 15 thereof engaging the grooves 22 that axially cut the thread 21. Thereafter a regulating nut 24 is mounted on the thread 21 abutting the biasing ring 25. Thus all the valve members are mounted in and on the body 1.

The function of said valve, Figs. 2 to 4, i.e. of the regulating nut 24, the assembly comprising the piston holder 10, spindle 8 and the piston 12 within the bushing 14 and of shaft 4 is the following: when the valve is mounted in the faucet and fastened by means of the external thread 2 on the body 1, we start to turn previously released regulating nut 24 clockwise. Said nut 24 biases the ring 24 which is pushing the bushing 14 axially within the opening 3. The bushing 14 is pulling the assembly comprising the end seal 23, holder 19, holder 10, piston 12 and the cap 16. Thus the end seal 23 is pressed against the faucet seat. Axial movement of said assembly can proceed just as much as necessary to provide for efficient sealing. It is attained by corresponding torque applied to the nut 24. There is allowed an axial movement between the quadrilateral 6 and the piston holder 10, so that the torque is transmitted regardless of whether the internal assembly is withdrawn or extended, depending on the valve installing depth. Closing and/or opening of the installed valve is attained by means of grooved part 5 on which is mounted a handle which acts on the quadrilateral 6 which transmits the torque on the holder 10 which via the spindle 8 axially extends the piston 12 with the cap 16, said cap 16 pressing the seal 23 mounten on the holder 19. When turning the handle counterclockwise, the spindle 8 withdraws the piston 12 with cap 26 inward leaving the free space between the cap 16 and the seal 23 so as to provide the fluid flow through openings 20 in the holder 19. The opening and the closing of the valve is the same regardless of the position of the nut 24, i.e. whether it is released or tightened. When the regulating nut is untightened Fig. 3, at the beginning of the thread 21, the holder 19 with the seal 23 is withdrawn corresponding to the small installing depth, for example 20 mm. To the end tightened regulating nut, Fig. 4, the holder 19 with the seal 23 is extended from the valve body 1, corresponding to a greater installing depth, for example 28 mm. The distance between the grooved part 5 on the shaft 4 from the valve body 1 , that is from the faucet body, is the same, so that the handle keeps the same position thereto. INDUSTRIAL OR OTHER APPLICATIONS OF THE INVENTION

The application of the present invention is evident from the foregoing text and appended drawings, so that any additional description is superfluous. All the construction and functional features of the present invention were checked on the prototype.

Structural details and design features can vary within broad limits and still remain within the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that the field of application of the present invention is large, including all kinds of faucets excepting only the single-handle kitchen faucets. Regulating of the depth of installing makes possible the application of present invention to faucets of many different manufacturers. Makes easy the repair of old worn faucets. It is very convenient for amateur installing on undamaged seats regardless of the depth as it is not necessary to take care of the number and combination of preset inserts. This valve needs no inserts for changing the installing depth. Valve members are made of moulded plastics. Used materials should be of such quality to withstand the fluid temperature up to 90 degrees centigrade. If the valve is used for drinking water installations, materials must be approved for such usage. For end seal preferred material is the APDM resilient material. Members of the piston 12 assembly with holder 10 and bushing 14 must be of materials having good sliding characteristics. The securing ring 9 is the only metal part which is a standard, commercially available, nickel-plated Seger-ring. If specially required, certain valve element should be made of metal, i.e. of brass-bronze alloy not affecting the users' health.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A faucet valve with regulated depth of installing thereof, characterized in that it comprises a body (1) having at one end an external thread (2), and at the other end an external thread (21) on which is mounted a regulating nut (24), in said body (1) an opening (3) being provided in which a bushing (14) is axially slidable inserted, in that in the opening (11) of the bushing (14) there is axially slidable inserted an assembly comprising a piston (12) with a cap (16) and a holder (10) rotatably connected by a spindle (8), said holder (10) with its spindle (8) engaging the piston (12) by means of an internal thread (8a) therein, in that a holder (19) with a seal (23) is supported by the bushing (14) and is axially movable therewith, in that at the other side of the piston holder (10) is coupled by means of a quadrilateral (6) a shaft (4) secured against axial movement by a securing ring (9), and in that the thread (21) is longitudinally cut by slots (22) in which are slidably moving the teeth (15) of ring (25) biased by the regulating nut (24).

2. A valve as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the spindle (8) is secured against being withdrawn from the piston (12) by a key (13) passing through the wall of the piston (12).

3. A valve as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that on the end surface of the piston holder (10) are made two teeth (7) at an angular distance of 180° from each other, said teeth engaging corresponding teeth (7a) on the piston (12).

4. A valve as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that there are openings (20) in the holder (19) for the passage of fluid.

5. A valve as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (4) at one of its ends has a quadrilateral (6) and at the other end a toothed part (5).