WO2006031006A1

WO2006031006A1 - Water control valve

Info

Publication number: WO2006031006A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/001168
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong Koo Kim
Original assignee: Jong Koo Kim
Priority date: 2004-09-13
Filing date: 2005-04-22
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Also published as: KR20060024059A; KR100567657B1

Abstract

A water control valve (100) to control the temperature and flow rate of water with respective rotary control units (110, 160) provided at a side of a valve body (170) is disclosed. The valve (100) has U-packing rings (190, 190') expandable by water pressure at opposite sides of the junction between a control plate (150) and the cartridge base block (146). The flow rate control rotary unit (160) to control the flow rate of water is supported by support rings (180, 180') at predetermined precise rotational positions. Thus, the valve prevents leakage of water that may occur according to the amount that the ON/OFF control hole (151) of the control plate (150) overlaps the water outlet hole of the packing(147) and/or due to an uneven compression force of the U-packing rings (190, 190'), thereby having improved water leakage control.

Description

WATER CONTROL VALVE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to water control valves, which are called

"faucets"in the related art and, more particularly, to a water control valve which controls the temperature and flow rate of water with respective rotary control units provided at a side of a valve body, and is provided with packing rings expandable by water pressure at opposite sides of a water discharge control part that may leak water, and in which the rotary control units are supported at predetermined precise rotational positions, and which thus prevents leakage of water that may occur according to the amount that the ON/OFF control hole of a control plate overlaps the water outlet hole of the packing and/or due to an uneven compression force of the packing rings, thereby having improved water leakage control. Background Art

[2] Generally, a water control valve, which is called a "faucef'in the related art, has been configured to control the flow rate of water (including hot water supplied from a boiler), and to control the temperature of water by selecting cold water or hot water, or by mixing cold water and hot water at a desired mixing ratio.

[3] The water control valve capable of controlling the temperature and flow rate of water may be installed in a kitchen at an appropriate position above a sink or in a bathroom at a predetermined position above, for example, a bathtub. A user in the kitchen or the bathroom thus conveniently uses water by manipulating the water control valve.

[4] Conventional water control valves capable of controlling the temperature and flow rate of water have been classified into knob-operated valves and lever-operated valves. The knob-operated water control valves are configured to control the flow rate and temperature of water using knobs which are designated for cold water and hot water, respectively, and manipulated by a user to control the flow rate of water as well as the temperature of water. The lever-operated water control valves are configured to control the flow rate of water by moving a lever upwards or downwards, and control the temperature of water by appropriately rotating the lever leftwards or rightwards to select cold water, hot water, or a mix of the cold water and hot water together.

[5] Described in detail, in the conventional knob-operated water control valves, a cold water knob and a hot water knob are provided at opposite sides of a valve body, re¬ spectively. The cold water knob is manipulated to discharge cold water at a controlled flow rate, while the hot water knob is manipulated to discharge hot water at a controlled flow rate. Thus, when it is desired to use cold water or hot water ex¬ clusively, a user can easily control the flow rate of water by manipulating a knob designated for cold water or hot water. However, when it is desired to use mixed water of a desired temperature, the cold water knob and the hot water knob must be carefully manipulated to provide the desired temperature, resulting in inconvenience to users.

[6] Furthermore, the conventional water control valve has two valve cartridges used for separately controlling the flow rates of cold water and hot water. The two valve cartridges of the conventional water control valve each comprise many elements, com¬ plicating the construction of the water control valve.

[7] In an effort to overcome the problems experienced in the conventional water control valves, the inventor of the present invention proposed a water control valve in Korean Patent Application No. 2004-0006686, entitled "Valve for controlling the temperature and flow rate of water".

[8] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water control valve 100a disclosed in Korean Patent

Application No. 2004-0006686 is configured to control the temperature of water by ap¬ propriately mixing hot water and cold water and control the flow rate of hot water, cold water, or mixed water. The water control valve 100a comprises a valve body 101a through which hot water and cold water flow from external pipes into the valve 100a and are discharged outside the valve 100a through a spout after the hot water and cold water are mixed together in the valve 100a to provide mixed water. A temperature control knob 110a is provided at a side of the valve body 101a and controls the temperature of water. A temperature control rotary member 120a is mounted to the temperature control knob 110a by a locking member, and transmits the rotating force of the temperature control knob 110a to an control disk 130a. The control disk 130a having a guide dent is axially coupled to the temperature control rotary member 120a through a prominence and depression coupling method, thus rotating together with the temperature control rotary member 120a relative to a water distribution disk 140a. The water distribution disk 140a which has two water inlet openings and one water outlet opening is placed on an end surface of the control disk 130a opposite the temperature control rotary member 120a, so that at least one of the two water inlet openings of the water distribution disk 140a may communicate with the water outlet opening through the guide dent of the control disk 130a.

[9] The water control valve 100a further comprises a cartridge base block 150a which has a stepped cylindrical shape and supplies hot water and cold water from the valve body 101a to the water distribution disk 140a and the control disk 130a. A cylindrical cartridge cap 160a is axially coupled to the cartridge base block 150a, with the temperature control rotary member 120a, the control disk 130a and the water dis¬ tribution disk 140a housed in the cartridge cap 160a, thus forming a valve cartridge. A flow rate control unit 170a is fitted over both the cartridge base block 150a and the cartridge cap 160a of the valve cartridge. A control plate 174a is coupled by a hinge pin P to the center of the interior of the cartridge base block 150a, and is mounted to the flow rate control unit 170a by a locking pin P'. The flow rate control unit 170a has two locking arms and is placed in the valve body 101a such that the ends of the two locking arms protrude from an open end of the valve body 101a. The exposed ends of the two locking arms of the flow rate control unit 170a are coupled to a flow rate control ring 180a. The flow rate control ring 180a is fitted around the temperature control knob 110a and rotates the flow rate control unit 170a.

[10] The above-mentioned water control valve 100a is advantageous in that it is easy to manipulate the valve. However, because two spring-biased packings 158a and 158'a are provided at opposite sides of the control plate 174a, the control plate 174a may leak water during rotation thereof to open or close a water outlet opening of the packing 158a. Thus, the water control valve 100a is problematic in that water leaks outside the valve cartridge and, furthermore, outside the valve during operation. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[11] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water control valve which controls the temperature and flow rate of water with respective rotary control units provided at a side of a valve body, and is provided with packing rings expandable by water pressure at opposite sides of a water discharge control part that may leak water, and in which the rotary control unit to control flow rate is supported at predetermined precise rotational positions, and which thus prevents leakage of water that may occur according to the amount that ON/OFF control hole of a control plate overlaps the water outlet hole of the packing and/or due to an uneven compression force of the packing rings, thereby having improved water leakage control. Technical Solution

[12] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a water control valve, which is configured to control temperature and flow rate of water with respective rotary control units provided at a side of a valve body, comprising: a temperature control unit to control the temperature of water, the temperature control unit having a ring dial protruding from an end thereof, with a plurality of numerals provided on a circumferential outer surface of the ring dial; a window ring fitted over the ring dial of the temperature control unit, with an exposure window formed on the window ring at a predetermined position to expose the numerals of the ring dial; a cylindrical valve cap having a fitting boss at an end thereof and being securely fitted into the window ring at the end having the fitting boss, with first and second annular grooves having respective depths and widths and being formed around a circum¬ ferential outer surface of the valve cap at positions outside the window ring, and a first support ring and a first U-packing ring having a U-shaped cross-section and being fitted over the first and second annular grooves, respectively; a valve cartridge, comprising: a temperature control rotary member mounted to the temperature control unit by a locking member, thus rotating within a predetermined angular range in co¬ operation with the temperature control unit; an control disk axially coupled to the temperature control rotary member through a prominence and depression coupling method, thus rotating in cooperation with the temperature control rotary member, with a guide dent formed on an end surface thereof opposite the temperature control rotary member; a cartridge cap houshing temperature control rotary member and control disk; and a cartridge base block axially coupled to the cartridge cap, with hot and cold water guide holes formed through the cartridge base block at predetermined positions, a water outlet hole formed through the cartridge base block at a predetermined position, a spring-biased packing inserted into the water outlet hole, and a guide protrusion provided on an end surface of the cartridge base block opposite the cartridge cap at a predetermined position above the water outlet hole; and a water distribution disk fitted into an end of the cartridge base block opposite the end having the guide protrusion, with a gasket interposed between the water distribution disk and the cartridge base block, a pair of water inlet openings and a water outlet opening formed through each of the water distribution disk and the gasket such that a pair of water inlet openings are opened or colsed by the guide dent of the control disk; a control plate connected to a center of the cartridge base block by a shaft to rotate relative to the cartridge base block, with an ON/OFF control hole formed through the control plate to open or close the water outlet hole of the cartridge base block, a curved guide slit formed around the ON/OFF control hole and movably engaging with the guide protrusion of the cartridge base block, and a radial protrusion formed on a circumferential outer surface of the control plate; a cylindrical flow rate control unit, with a radial slot provided on an inner surface of the flow rate control unit to engage with the radial protrusion of the control plate, thus rotating the control plate relative to the cartridge base block within a pre¬ determined angular range; and a cylindrical valve body assembled with the valve cap through a threaded engagement, to which both a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe are connected, with a water discharge hole formed through the valve body to discharge water, flowing from the valve cartridge, outside the valve body, third and fourth annular grooves formed around a circumferential outer surface of the valve body and respectively supporting thereon a second support ring and a second U-packing ring having a U-shaped cross-section, and a control plate guide slit formed around the cir¬ cumferential outer surface of the valve body at a position near an open end thereof and engaging with the radial protrusion of the control plate so that the control plate rotates in the valve body within a predetermined angular range.

Advantageous Effects

[13] The present invention provides a water control valve which controls the temperature and flow rate of water with respective rotary control units provided at a side of a valve body, and which is provided with packing rings expandable by water pressure at opposite sides of a water discharge control part that may leak water, and in which the flow rate control rotary unit is supported at predetermined precise rotational positions, and which thus prevents leakage of water that may occur according to the amount that the ON/OFF control hole of a control plate overlaps the water outlet hole of the packing and/or due to an uneven compression force of the packing rings, thereby having improved water leakage control. Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a water control valve previousely proposed by the inventor of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the construction of the water control valve of

FIG. 1;

[16] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a water control valve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[17] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the construction of the water control valve of

FIG. 3. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[18] Reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

[19] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a water control valve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the construction of the water control valve of FIG. 3.

[20] As shown in the drawings, the water control valve 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is configured to control the temperature and flow rate of water with respective rotary control units provided at a side of a valve body, comprises a cylindrical temperature control unit 110 to control the temperature of discharged water. The temperature control unit 110 has a ring dial 111 which protrudes from an end of the temperature control unit 110, with a plurality of numerals provided on the circumferential outer surface of the ring dial 111. A window ring 120 is fitted over the ring dial 111 of the temperature control unit 110, with an exposure window 121 formed on the window ring 120 at a predetermined position and exposing the numerals of the ring dial 111. The water control valve 100 further includes a cylindrical valve cap 130. The valve cap 130 having a fitting boss at an end thereof is securely fitted into the window ring 120 at the end having the fitting boss. First and second annular grooves 131 and 132 having respective depths and widths are formed around the circumferential outer surface of the valve cap 130 at positions outside the window ring 120. A first support ring 180 and a first U-packing ring 190 having a U- shaped cross-section are fitted over the first and second annular grooves 131 and 132, respectively.

[21] The water control valve 100 further includes a valve cartridge 140. The valve cartridge 140 comprises a temperature control rotary member 142 on which the temperature control unit 110 is mounted by locking member, thus rotating within a pre¬ determined angular range along with the temperature control unit 110. An control disk 143 is axially coupled to the temperature control rotary member 142 through a prominence and depression coupling method, thus rotating in cooperation with the temperature control rotary member 142. A guide dent is formed on an end surface of the control disk 143 opposite the temperature control rotary member 142. The valve cartridge 140 further includes a cartridge cap 141 which is housing temperature control rotary member 142 and control disk 143. A cartridge base block 146 is axially coupled to the cartridge cap 141. Hot and cold water guide holes 146-1 are formed through the cartridge base block 146 at predetermined positions, while a water outlet hole 146-2 is formed through the cartridge base block 146 at a predetermined position. A packing 147, which is biased by a spring 148, is seated in the water outlet hole 146-2. A guide protrusion 146-3 is provided on an end surface of the cartridge base block 146 opposite the cartridge cap 141 at a predetermined position outside the water outlet hole 146-2. The valve cartridge 140 further includes a water distribution disk 144 which is fitted into an end of the cartridge base block 146 opposite the end having the guide protrusion 146-3, with a gasket 145 interposed between the water distribution disk 144 and the cartridge base block 146. Two water inlet openings and one water outlet opening are formed through each of the water distribution disk 144 and the gasket 145 such that at least one of the two water inlet openings may communicate with the water outlet opening through the guide dent of the control disk 143.

[22] The valve cartridge 140 further includes a control plate 150 which is connected to the center of the cartridge base block 146 by a shaft such that the control plate 150 rotates relative to the cartridge base block 146. An ON/OFF control hole 151 is formed through the control plate 150 and opens or closes the water outlet hole of the packing 147. A curved guide slit 152 is formed through the control plate 150 around the ON/ OFF control hole 151, and movably engages with the guide protrusion 146-3 of the cartridge base block 146. A radial protrusion 153 is formed on the circumferential outer surface of the control plate 150 at a predetermined position.

[23] The water control valve 100 further includes a cylindrical flow rate control unit

160. A radial slot 161 is provided on the inner surface of the flow rate control unit 160 and engages with the radial protrusion 153 of the control plate 150, thus rotating the control plate 150 relative to the cartridge base block 146 within a predetermined angular range. A cylindrical valve body 170 is assembled with the valve cap 130 through a threaded engagement, with both a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe connected to the valve body 170. A water discharge hole is formed through the valve body 170, thus discharging water flowing from the valve cartridge 140. Third and fourth annular grooves 171 and 172 are formed around the circumferential outer surface of the valve body 170 and respectively support thereon a second support ring 180' and a second U-packing ring 190'having a U-shaped cross-section. A control plate guide slit 173 is formed around the circumferential outer surface of the valve body 170 at a position near an open end of the valve body 170 and engages with the radial protrusion 153 of the control plate 150 so that the control plate 150 rotates in the valve body 170 within a predetermined angular range.

[24] In the above-mentioned water control valve 100, the first and second support rings

180 and 180'which are fitted over the valve cap 130 and the valve body 170, re¬ spectively, support opposite ends of the inner surface of the flow rate control unit 160. Furthermore, the first and second packing rings 190 and 190' are placed at opposite sides of the control plate 150, such that the open ends of the first and second U- packing rings 190 and 190'face each other.

[25] The above-mentioned water control valve 100 is operated as follows. First, a user rotates the temperature control unit 110 such that the guide dent of the control disk 143 communicates with at least one of the two water inlet openings of the water dis¬ tribution disk 144 and, at the same time, communicates with the water outlet opening of the water distribution disk 144. In the above state, the user also rotates the flow rate control unit 160 to control the opening ratio of the water outlet hole of the packing 147 which may be opened or closed by the ON/OFF control hole 151 of the control plate 150. Thus, the water control valve 100 can discharge water outside the valve through a spout (not shown) while controlling the temperature and flow rate of the water.

[26] In other words, a user manipulates the temperature control unit 110 such that at least one of the two water inlet openings of the water distribution disk 144 com¬ municates with the water outlet opening of the water distribution disk 144 through the guide dent of the control disk 143. Thereafter, the flow rate control unit 160 is ma¬ nipulated such that the water outlet hole of the packing 147 communicates with the ON/OFF control hole 151 of the control plate 150 at a controlled opening ratio. Thus, the water control valve 100 can discharge water through its water discharge hole.

[27] When the ON/OFF control hole 151 of the control plate 150 communicates with the water outlet hole of the packing 147 by the manipulation of the flow rate control unit 160 as described above, hot water and cold water flowing from the valve body 170 into the valve cartridge 140 through the hot and cold water guide holes 146-1 of the cartridge base block 146 separately flow backwards through the two water inlet openings of the water distribution disk 144, thus reaching the guide dent of the control disk 143 in which the hot water and cold water are mixed together. Thereafter, the mixed water sequentially flows forwards through the water outlet opening of the water distribution disk 144 and the water outlet hole of the packing 147. The water is, thereafter, discharged from the water control valve 100 to the atmosphere through the water discharge hole of the valve body 170.

[28] In the above state, the flow rate of water in the water control valve 100 is determined by the opening ratio of the water outlet hole of the packing 147 which is opened or closed by the ON/OFF control hole 151 of the control plate 150 in response to manipulation of the flow rate control unit 160. During the operation of the water control valve 100, water leaks from the junction between the water outlet hole of the packing 147 and the ON/OFF control hole 151 of the control plate 150 according to the amount that the ON/OFF control hole 151 overlaps the water outlet hole of the packing 147. To prevent the leaking water from escaping outside both the valve cartridge 140 and the valve body 170, the first and second U-packing rings 190 and 190'are fitted over the valve cap 130 and the valve body 170, respectively. The first and second U- packing rings 190 and 190'are in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the flow rate control unit 160, so that desired water-tightness between the valve cap 130, the valve body 170 and the flow rate control unit 160 is accomplished. Thus, water leaking from the junction between the water outlet hole of the packing 147 and the ON/OFF control hole 151 of the control plate 150 does not flow outside the flow rate control unit 160.

[29] Furthermore, in the present invention, the first and second support rings 180 and

180'are fitted over the valve cap 130 and the valve body 170, respectively. The support rings 180 and 180'evenly support the opposite ends of the flow rate control unit 160, thus preventing the flow rate control unit 160 from partially compressing the upper portions of the packing rings 190 and 190' fitted over the valve cap 130 and the valve body 170 due to gravity, and thereby preventing the compression force of the lower portions of the packing rings 190 and 190' from being reduced. In other words, the support rings 180 and 180' allow each of the U-packing rings 190 and 190' to perform its sealing function with even pressure around its circumference. Industrial Applicability

[30] As described above, the present invention provides a water control valve which controls the temperature and flow rate of water with respective rotary control units provided at a side of a valve body, and which is provided with packing rings expandable by water pressure at opposite sides of a water discharge control part that may leak water, and in which the flow rate control rotary unit is supported at pre¬ determined precise rotational positions, and which thus prevents leakage of water that may occur according to the amount that the ON/OFF control hole of a control plate overlaps the water outlet hole of the packing and/or due to an uneven compression force of the packing rings, thereby having improved water leakage control.

[31] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A water control valve, which is configured to control temperature and flow rate of water with respective rotary control units provided at a side of a valve body, comprising: a temperature control unit to control the temperature of water, the temperature control unit having a ring dial protruding from an end thereof, with a plurality of numerals provided on a circumferential outer surface of the ring dial; a window ring fitted over the ring dial of the temperature control unit, with an exposure window formed on the window ring at a predetermined position to expose the numerals of the ring dial; a cylindrical valve cap having a fitting boss at an end thereof and being securely fitted into the window ring at the end having the fitting boss, with first and second annular grooves having respective depths and widths and being formed around a circumferential outer surface of the valve cap at positions outside the window ring, and a first support ring and a first U-packing ring having a U- shaped cross-section and being fitted over the first and second annular grooves, respectively; a valve cartridge, comprising: a temperature control rotary member on which the temperature control unit is mounted by a locking member, thus rotating within a predetermined angular range in cooperation with the temperature control unit; an control disk axially coupled to the temperature control rotary member through a prominence and depression coupling method, thus rotating in cooperation with the temperature control rotary member, with a guide dent formed on an end surface thereof opposite the temperature control rotary member; a cartridge cap housing the temperature control rotary member and control disk; and a cartridge base block axially coupled to the cartridge cap, with hot and cold water guide holes formed through the cartridge base block at predetermined positions, a water outlet hole formed through the cartridge base block at a pre¬ determined position, a spring-biased packing inserted into the water outlet hole, and a guide protrusion provided on an end surface of the cartridge base block opposite the cartridge cap at a predetermined position outside the water outlet hole; and a water distribution disk fitted into an end of the cartridge base block opposite the end having the guide protrusion, with a gasket interposed between the water distribution disk and the cartridge base block, a pair of water inlet openings and a water outlet opening formed through each of the water distribution disk and the gasket such that a pair of water inlet openings are opened or closed by the guide dent of the control disk; a control plate connected to a center of the cartridge base block by a shaft to rotate relative to the cartridge base block, with an ON/OFF control hole formed through the control plate to open or close the water outlet hole of the packing, a curved guide slit formed around the ON/OFF control hole and movably engaging with the guide protrusion of the cartridge base block, and a radial protrusion formed on a circumferential outer surface of the control plate; a cylindrical flow rate control unit, with a radial slot provided on an inner surface of the flow rate control unit to engage with the radial protrusion of the control plate, thus rotating the control plate relative to the cartridge base block within a predetermined angular range; and a cylindrical valve body assembled with the valve cap through a threaded engagement, to which both a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe are connected, with a water discharge hole formed through the valve body to discharge water, flowing from the valve cartridge, outside the valve body, third and fourth annular grooves formed around a circumferential outer surface of the valve body and re¬ spectively supporting thereon a second support ring and a second U-packing ring having a U-shaped cross-section, and a control plate guide slit formed around the circumferential outer surface of the valve body at a position near an open end thereof and engaging with the radial protrusion of the control plate so that the control plate rotates in the valve body within a predetermined angular range.

[2] The water control valve according to claim 1, wherein the first and second support rings fitted over the valve cap and the valve body, respectively, support opposite ends of an inner surface of the flow rate control unit.

[3] The water control valve according to claim 1, wherein the first and second U- packing rings are placed at opposite sides of the control plate, respectively, such that open ends of the first and second U-packing rings face each other.