WO2009091135A2

WO2009091135A2 - The bibcock having the cold water and warm water mixture are possible

Info

Publication number: WO2009091135A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/007759
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang Tae Park
Original assignee: Sang Tae Park
Priority date: 2007-12-27
Filing date: 2008-12-29
Publication date: 2009-07-23
Also published as: WO2009091135A3

Abstract

A mixing faucet including a main body having an installing section, upper and lower outlets connected with the installing section and separated from each other, and inlets for cold and hot water connected with the installing section and separated from each other, a selecting unit having a plate arranged in the installing section and a diverter coming into contact with an upper surface of the plate and having a single inlet switching hole connected with one or both of first and second inlet flow holes for selective inflow of cold and hot water, and a tap lever connected with the diverter of the selecting unit.

Description

THE BIBCOCK HAVING THE COLD WATER AND WARM WATER MIXTURE ARE POSSIBLE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a single lever-operated mixing bibcock, i.e. a mixing faucet, having a selecting unit allowing mixing hot, cold water together or the output thereof, and more particularly, to a mixing faucet in which a single lever is operated in lateral and vertical directions so that a diverter is moved while it is in contact with a support plate so as to allow selective inflow of any one or both of hot and cold water flows while controlling the amount of inflow, such that a user can select one of the outlets and flow mixed water at the desired temperature through the selected one. Background Art

[2] A faucet having an operating lever is disclosed in Korean Utility Model Publication

No. 20-1998-063736 (published on Nov. 25, 1998, 'prior technology 1') entitled "Disk Structures for Mixing Cartridge of Hydrant".

[3] The faucet of the prior technology 1 is configured such that a pair of inlet holes for hot and cold water flows, an outlet passage, and an outlet are provided, a lower fixing plate of a cartridge and a disk are also respectively provided with a cold water inlet hole, a hot water inlet hole, and an outlet hole, and a long hole is provided on the circumference for smooth movement upon driving while it is being filled with grease.

[4] Further, a bibcock is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2005-0091237

(published on Sep. 15, 2005, 'prior technology T).

[5] The bibcock of the prior technology 2 is configured such that a pair of outlet passages are provided for each inlet hole so as to allow effluence of water through a selected branch path or the selected pair of outlet passages, being available for multiple purposes, and that a pair of inlet holes for hot and cold water flows and an outlet passage are provided, and for use of a pair of outlets, a selecting valve is installed between the outlets so as to select either of the outlets.

[6] However, the prior technology 1 has a problem in that it is comprised of the pair of outlet holes for hot and cold water flows, the single outlet passage, and the single outlet, so that the effluence is performed through only the single outlet, which is unavailable for a diversity of uses.

[7] Further, in case of the prior technology 2 in which the pair of outlet passages are provided for each inlet hole so as to allow effluence of water through the selected branch path or the selected pair of outlet passages, although upon outflow both the outlet passages can be used, if hot and cold water flows are used at the same time, the pair of outlets cannot be simultaneously used because both the flows flow through only the single outlet. Then, if the selecting valve is installed between the outlets to solve the above problem, the manufacturing costs problematically increase because of an increase in cost of selecting valve, assembly time, and the number of parts.

[8] Further, a single handle type mixing valve disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication

No. Hei. 10-160011 (June 16, 1998, 'prior technology 3') also had the following problems.

[9] On the one hand, since an outlet is shaped like a semicircle, with an upper side thereof being formed with a teeth shape, precise control on inflow and water pressure is difficult to implement.

[10] Meanwhile, the restriction of an operating radius of a control plate sliding on a valve plate is determined by a rotation radius of a control lever connected with a cap on the control plate, and the rotation radius of the control lever depends upon a diameter of a flange covering the control lever.

[11] Thus, on the other hand, when the flange is damaged because of frequent operation of the control lever coming into contact with the same, the rotation radius of the control lever is changed, problematically causing a change in range of sliding operation of the control plate on the valve plate. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[12] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems with the prior art, and therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a mixing faucet in which a diverter is provided so as to allow effluence of incoming hot and cold water flows via either of two outlets, and in which a space of a single inlet switching hole is identical to or larger than that of respective inlet flow hole.

[13] A further object of the present invention is to provide a mixing faucet in which a single inlet switching hole is shaped like a lunette, and first and second inlet flow holes are shaped like an arc, thereby allowing a precise control of inflow water.

[14] A further object of the present invention is to provide a mixing faucet in which a housing containing a diverter and restricting an operating radius of the diverter is provided with a first boundary coming into contact with a lever and a second boundary coming into contact with the diverter such that even when the first boundary is damaged, the operating radius of the lever is not changed by the second boundary.

[15] A further object of the present invention is to provide a mixing faucet in which first and second outlet flow holes and first and second inlet flow holes of a plate are flared from upside to downside, so that pressure of inflow can increase and pressure of outflow can decrease. Technical Solution

[16] In order to accomplish the above object of the present invention, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mixing faucet including: a main body having an installing section, upper and lower outlets connected with the installing section and separated from each other, and inlets for cold and hot water connected with the installing section and separated from each other; a selecting unit having a plate arranged in the installing section and having first and second outlet flow holes and first and second inlet flow holes respectively corresponding to the upper and lower outlets and the inlets for cold and hot water, and a diverter coming into contact with an upper surface of the plate and having a single inlet switching hole connected with one or both of the first and second inlet flow holes for selective inflow of cold and hot water, and a space area of which is identical to or larger than that of the respective inlet flow holes and a single outlet switching hole for selective outflow via one or both of the first and second outlet flow holes; and a tap lever connected with the diverter of the selecting unit.

[17] Here, the single inlet switching hole may be shaped like a lunette, and the first and second inlet flow holes may be shaped like an arc.

[18] The mixing faucet may be further provided with a housing that receives the diverter and restricts an operating radius of the diverter.

[19] The first and second outlet flow holes and the first and second inlet flow holes of the plate may be flared downwards.

Advantageous Effects

[20] As set forth above, the mixing faucet of the present invention has effects as follows:

[21] Incoming cold and hot water flows can separately flow out or the mixed water can flow out via the selected one of two outlets.

[22] Further, without the provision of an expensive selecting valve for outflow- switching between the two outlets, a function of implementing individual inflow of cold and hot water flows and inflow of the mixed water flow as well as outflow of incoming water flow via one of two outlets is integrated in the single diverter, so that as compared to the prior technology, manufacturing costs, assembly time, and the number of assembly parts can be reduced.

[23] Furthermore, by means of the diverter, any of the outlets can be arbitrarily selected without sequentially processing an existing, complex, multiple- stage manipulating procedure, while avoiding unnecessary leakage of water during an existing sequential manipulating procedure. Brief Description of Drawings

[24] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mixing faucet having a selecting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [25] FIGS. 2 and 3 are plan and bottom views illustrating a base plate of the mixing faucet; [26] FIGS. 4 and 5 are a plan view and a cross-sectional view, which is taken along line

A-A', illustrating a support plate of the mixing faucet; [27] FIGS. 6 and 7 are a plan view and a cross-sectional view, which is taken along line

B-B', illustrating a diverter of the mixing faucet;

[28] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the operating state of the mixing faucet;

[29] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the moving states of the diverter according to the operating states (a), (b), and (c) shown in FIG. 8; [30] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mixing faucet having a selecting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention; [31] FIGS. 11 and 12 are a plan view and a cross-sectional view, which is taken along line

D-D', illustrating a diverter of the mixing faucet; and

[32] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the moving states of the diverter of the mixing faucet.

[33] <Description for Reference Signs of Major Elements in the Drawings>

[34] 10: Main Body 11 : Installing Section

[35] 20: Base plate 21 : Inner Outlet Hole

[36] 22: Outer Outlet Hole 23 : Left Inlet Hole

[37] 24: Right Inlet Hole 30: Support Plate

[38] 31: Inner Corresponding Outlet Hole

[39] 32: Outer Corresponding Outlet Hole

[40] 33: Left Corresponding Inlet Hole

[41] 34: Right Corresponding Inlet Hole

[42] 40: Diverter 41: Single Outlet Switching Hole

[43] 42: First Inlet Switching Hole 43: Second Inlet Switching Hole

[44] 44; Flow Passage 45: Single Inlet Switching Hole

[45] 50: Lever Installing Body 60: Link Lever

[46] 70: Housing

[47] 71, 72: First, Second Boundary 80: Cover

[48] 81 : Passing Hole 2OA: Plate

[49] OH 1 : First Outlet Flow Hole

[50] OH2: Second Outlet Flow Hole

[51] IH 1 : First Inlet Flow Hole

[52] IH2: Second Inlet Flow Hole

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention [53] Description will now be made of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[54] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13, a mixing faucet (or a bibcock) according to the present invention includes: a main body having an installing section, upper and lower outlets connected with the installing section and separated from each other, and inlets for cold and hot water connected with the installing section and separated from each other; a selecting unit having a plate arranged in the installing section and having first and second outlet flow holes and first and second inlet flow holes respectively corresponding to the upper and lower outlets and the inlets for cold and hot water, and a diverter coming into contact with an upper surface of the plate and having a single inlet switching hole connected with one or both of the first and second inlet flow holes for selective inflow of cold and hot water, and a space area of which is identical to or larger than that of the respective inlet flow holes and a single outlet switching hole for selective outflow via one or both of the first and second outlet flow holes; and a tap lever connected with the diverter of the selecting unit.

[55] Specifically, the mixing faucet includes the main body 10 having the installing section 11, upper and lower outlets 12 and 13 connected with the installing section 11 and separated from each other, and inlets 14 and 15 for cold and hot water connected with the installing section 11 and separated from each other, and the selecting unit C connected with the tap lever 5 and arranged in the installing section 11.

[56] The selecting unit C generally includes the plate 2OA and the diverter 40.

[57] The plate 2OA is arranged in the installing section 11, and includes first and second outlet flow holes OHl and OH2 and first and second inlet flow holes IHl and IH2 respectively corresponding to the upper and lower outlets 12 and 13 and the inlets 14 and 15 for cold and hot water.

[58] The plate 2OA consists of a base plate 20 and a support plate 30.

[59] The base plate 20 is arranged on the bottom of the installing section 11 of the main body 10 and is provided with inner and outer outlet holes 21 and 22 communicating with the upper and lower outlet 12 and 13, respectively, and left and right inlet holes 23 and 24 communicating with the inlets 14 and 15 for cold and hot water, respectively.

[60] The support plate 30 is arranged on the upper surface of the base plate in a contact state therebetween, and is provided with inner and outer corresponding outlet holes 31 and 32 and left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34 corresponding to the inner and outer outlet holes 21 and 22 and the left and right inlet holes 23 and 24 of the base plate 20.

[61] The first outlet flow hole OHl is a hole including the inner outlet hole 21 of the base plate 20 and the inner corresponding outlet hole 31 of the support plate 30.

[62] The second outlet flow hole OH2 is a hole including the outer outlet hole 22 of the base plate 20 and the outer corresponding outlet hole 32 of the support plate 30.

[63] The first inlet flow hole IHl is a hole including the left inlet hole 23 of the base plate

20 and the left corresponding inlet hole 33 of the support plate 30.

[64] The second inlet flow hole IH2 is a hole including the right inlet hole 24 of the base plate 20 and the right corresponding inlet hole 34 of the support plate 30.

[65] The arrangement of the inlet holes and the outlet holes of the base plate 20 and the support plate 30 will be described as follows.

[66] The inner and outer outlet holes 21 and 22 of the base plate 20 and the inner and outer corresponding outlet holes 31 and 32 of the support plate 30 are located at the lower-half side of the plates, each of the outlet holes being respectively vertically separated the other one in a circular form along different circumferences.

[67] The left and right inlet holes 23 and 24 of the base plate 20 and the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34 of the support plate 30 are located at the upper-half side of the plates, each of the inlet holes being respectively laterally separated the other one from a vertical center line on the plates while extending in a circular form along the same circumference. That is, the inlet holes of the respective plates are of circular forms and are symmetrically arranged on the upper-half side of the plates in a separated manner.

[68] The inner and outer outlet holes 21 and 22 and the left and right inlet holes 23 and 24 of the base plate 20 are flared in the downward direction, varying the pressure of the inflow and outflow of water.

[69] That is, the inflow passage (via the first and second inlet flow holes IHl and IH2) gradually decreases in area, resulting in an increase in water pressure, whereas the outflow passage (via the first and second outlet flow holes OHl and OH2) gradually increases in area, resulting in a decrease in water pressure.

[70] To this end, the inlet ports of the upper and lower outlets 12 and 13 starting from the installing section 11 are preferably formed corresponding to the outlet ports of inner and outer outlet holes 21 and 22 and the left and right inlet holes 23 and 24.

[71] The diverter 40 is arranged on the upper surface of the support plate 30 in a contact state therewith so as to select individual or mixed inflow of cold and holt water according to the manipulation of the cap lever 5, thereby enabling selective outflow of water via the upper or lower outlet 12 or 13 of the main body 10.

[72] In an embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the diverter 40 includes a single outlet switching hole 41 arranged in a circular form between the inner and outer corresponding outlet holes 31 and 32 of the support plate 30 while coming into contact with the same, first and second inlet switching holes 423 and 43 respectively arranged in different circular forms on upper and lower (or outer and inner) sides of the circumference extending along the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34, and a connecting passage 44 connected between the single outlet switching hole 41 and the first and second inlet switching holes 42 and 43.

[73] In another embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, the diverter 40 includes a single outlet switching hole 41 arranged in a circular form while coming into contact with the outer side of the outer corresponding outlet hole 32 of the support plate 30, a single inlet switching hole 45 shaped like a lunette and arranged on an inner side of the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34 of the support plate 30, and a connecting passage 44 connecting the single outlet switching hole 41 and the single inlet switching hole 45.

[74] The single inlet switching hole 45 has a spatial area which is identical to or larger than that of the respective inlet flow holes IHl and IH2, particularly the left or right corresponding inlet hole 33 or 334.

[75] Here, the single inlet switching hole 45 operatively open or closes the communication between the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34 with the manipulation of the cap lever 5.

[76] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the single inlet switching hole 45 is shaped like a lunette, so that it can precisely mediate the communication between the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34.

[77] That is, the single inlet switching hole 45 is configured such that an upside radius rl of curvature is smaller than that r2 of the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34, and a downside radius r3 of curvature is smaller than that r4 of the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34, so that it enables precise inflow and mixing of cold and hot water into the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34.

[78] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 10, the mixing faucet further includes a lever installing body 50 coupled in a sealing manner with the connecting passage 44 of the diverter 40, and a link lever 60 hinge-coupled at one end with the lever installing body 50 and fixedly coupled at the other end with the cap lever 5.

[79] The diverter 40 is of a diameter smaller than the support plate 30, and is moved in the state of being in contact with the support plate 30 by vertical and lateral manipulation of the cap lever 5. Such a motion will be described later in detail.

[80] In FIGS. 1 and 10, the mixing faucet includes a housing having a first boundary 72 covering the diverter 40 and the lever installing body 50 provided above it such that the diverter 40 can be moved within an edge of the support plate 30, and a second boundary 71 protruding upwards from the first boundary 72 and covering a portion of the link lever 60 connected with the lever installing body 50 which does not interfere with moving of the link lever 60 within a radius of motion.

[81] The mixing faucet includes a cover 80 arranged above the housing 70 and fixed in an upper circumference of the installing section 11 of the main body 10. The cover is provided with a hole through which the link lever 60 passes.

[82] A sealing O-ring Rl is provided on the lever installing body 50 for sealing the upper portion of the flow passage 44 of the diverter 40.

[83] Further, sealing O-rings R2 are also provided between the inlet holes and the outlet holes of the base plate 20, the support plate 30 and the installing section 11 of the main body 10.

[84] The operating state of the mixing faucet according to the present invention will now be described.

[85] In an embodiment, water flow through operation of the selecting unit C having the diverter 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[86] In FIG. 8, figure (a) indicates an initial state (in which the cap lever 5 is not manipulated), figure (b) indicates the state in which the cap lever 5 is operated to move the diverter 40 backwards, and figure (c) indicates the state in which the cap lever 5 is operated to move the diverter 40 forwards.

[87] In the initial state, as illustrated in FIG. 9(a), pertaining to the inner and outer outlet holes 21 and 22 and the inner and outer corresponding outlet holes 31 and 32, the single outlet switching hole 41 of the diverter 40 is located between the inner and outer corresponding outlet holes 31 and 32 and comes into contact with the same, and the first and second inlet switching holes 42 and 43 are provided on both sides of the circumference extending along the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34. Thus, water incoming through the inlets 14 and 15 for cold and hot water of the main body 10 stays there without flowing outside.

[88] In the state in which the cap lever 5 is pushed up to move the diverter, as illustrated in FIG. 9(b), the first inlet switching hole 42 communicates between the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34, and the single outlet switching hole 41 communicates with the outer outlet hole 22, so that incoming water can flow out.

[89] Here, if the cap lever 5 turns left or right in the pushed-up state, the first inlet switching hole 42 of the diverter 40 is moved along the circumference extending along the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34, thereby implementing the selection and mixing between cold or hot water and regulating the amount of the mixed water.

[90] In the state in which the cap lever 5 is pushed down to move the diverter 40, as illustrated in FIG. 9(c), the second inlet switching hole 43 communicates with the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34, and the single outlet switching hole 41 communicates with the inner outlet hole 21, so that incoming water can flow out.

[91] Also in this case, as illustrated in FIG. 9(b), if the cap lever 5 turns left or right, the selection and mixing between cold and hot water, and the regulation of the mixed water can be implemented. [92] In another embodiment, water flow when the selecting unit C having the diverter 40 is operated will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

[93] In FIG. 13, figure (a) indicates an initial state (in which the cap lever 5 is not manipulated), figure (b) indicates the state in which the cap lever 5 is pushed up to move the diverter 40 forwards, and figure (c) indicates the state in which the cap lever 5 is pushed up to the utmost to move the diverter 40 forwards.

[94] In the initial state, as illustrated in FIG. 13 (a), pertaining to the inner and outer outlet holes 21 and 22 and the inner and outer corresponding outlet holes 31 and 32, the single outlet switching hole 41 of the diverter 40 is contiguous to the outer side of the outer corresponding outlet hole 32, and the single inlet switching hole 45 is contiguous to the inner side of the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34. Thus, water incoming through the inlets 14 and 15 for cold and hot water of the main body 10 stays there without flowing outside.

[95] In the state of FIG. 13(b) in which the cap lever 5 is pushed up to the middle point from the utmost point to move the diverter, the single inlet switching hole 45 communicates with the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34, and the single outlet switching hole 41 communicates with the outer outlet hole 22, so that incoming water can flow out.

[96] Here, if the cap lever 5 turns left or right in the pushed-up state, the single inlet switching hole 45 of the diverter 40 is moved along the circumference extending along the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34, thereby implementing the selection and mixing between cold or hot water and regulating the amount of the mixed water.

[97] In the state of FIG. 13(c) in which the cap lever 5 is pushed up to the utmost to move the diverter 40, the single inlet switching hole 45 communicates with the left and right corresponding inlet holes 33 and 34, and the single outlet switching hole 41 communicates with the inner outlet hole 21, so that incoming water can flow out.

[98] Also in this case, as illustrated in FIG. 13(b), if the cap lever 5 turns left or right, the selection and mixing between cold and hot water, and the regulation of the mixed water can be implemented.

[99] Although the drawings and specification have illustrated typical exemplary embodiments of "the mixing faucet" having specific shapes and structures according to the invention, the embodiments may be diversely changed and modified by those skilled in the art, and the changes and modifications should be construed as belonging to the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

[1] A mixing faucet comprising: a main body having an installing section, upper and lower outlets connected with the installing section and separated from each other, and inlets for cold and hot water connected with the installing section and separated from each other; a selecting unit having a plate arranged in the installing section and having first and second outlet flow holes and first and second inlet flow holes respectively corresponding to the upper and lower outlets and the inlets for cold and hot water, and a diverter coming into contact with an upper surface of the plate and having a single inlet switching hole connected with one or both of the first and second inlet flow holes for selective inflow of cold and hot water, and a space area of which is identical to or larger than that of the respective inlet flow holes and a single outlet switching hole for selective outflow via one or both of the first and second outlet flow holes; and a tap lever connected with the diverter of the selecting unit.

[2] The mixing faucet according to claim 1, wherein the single inlet switching hole is shaped like a lunette, and the first and second inlet flow holes are shaped like an arc.

[3] The mixing faucet according to claim 1, further comprising a housing that receives the diverter and restricts an operating radius of the diverter.

[4] The mixing faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second outlet flow holes and the first and second inlet flow holes of the plate flare open downwards.

[5] The mixing faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plate includes a base plate arranged on a bottom of the installing section, and a support plate arranged on an upper surface of the base plate.

[6] The mixing faucet according to claim 5, wherein the base plate is provided with inner and outer outlet holes communicating with the upper and lower outlet, respectively, and left and right inlet holes communicating with the inlets for cold and hot water, respectively, wherein the support plate is provided with inner and outer corresponding outlet holes and left and right corresponding inlet holes corresponding to the inner and outer outlet holes and the left and right inlet holes, wherein the first outlet flow hole is a hole including the inner outlet hole and the inner corresponding outlet hole, wherein the second outlet flow hole is a hole including the outer outlet hole and the outer corresponding outlet hole, wherein the first inlet flow hole is a hole including the left inlet hole and the left corresponding inlet hole, and wherein the second inlet flow hole is a hole including the right inlet hole and the right corresponding inlet hole.

[7] The mixing faucet according to claim 6, wherein the inner and outer outlet holes of the base plate and the inner and outer corresponding outlet holes of the support plate are located at a lower-half side of the plates, each of the outlet holes being respectively vertically separated each other in a circular form along different circumferences.

[8] The mixing faucet according to claim 7, wherein the left and right inlet holes of the base plate and the left and right corresponding inlet holes of the support plate are located at an upper-half side of the plates, each of the inlet holes being respectively laterally separated each other in a circular form along the same circumference.

[9] The mixing faucet according to claim 8, wherein the single outlet switching hole is arranged in a circular form while being contiguous to the outer side of the outer corresponding outlet hole of the support plate, and the single inlet switching hole is arranged contiguous to the inner side of the circumference of the left and right corresponding inlet holes of the support plate.

[10] The mixing faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a flow passage connecting the single outlet switching hole and the single inlet switching hole of the diverter, a lever installing body coupled in a sealing manner with the flow passage, and a link lever hinge-coupled at one end with the lever installing body and fixedly coupled at the other end with the cap lever.