WO2010063889A1

WO2010063889A1 - Cartridge for single lever tap, single lever tap and method for leading water in single lever tap

Info

Publication number: WO2010063889A1
Application number: PCT/FI2009/050974
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leo Juhani Weckman
Original assignee: Leo Juhani Weckman
Priority date: 2008-12-03
Filing date: 2009-12-03
Publication date: 2010-06-10
Also published as: FI20080646A0; EP2359039A1; FI20080646L

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge (3) of a single lever tap, a single lever tap (1) and a method for leading water in a single lever tap. In the tap according to the invention water is led into the cartridge (3) of the single lever tap, then through the fixed ceramic adjustment plate (14) through the first water flow opening (15a, 15b), then through the mobile ceramic adjustment plate (16), which is connected to the fixed adjustment plate (14), through the second water flow opening (17), further to the mixing space (19) of the cartridge and out from the cartridge through the outlet opening (21) of the mixing space. The temperature and/or amount of the water flowing through the cartridge (3) is controlled by moving the location of the openings of the ceramic adjustment plates (15a, 15b, 17) in relation to each other. According to the invention water is led from the second water flow opening (17) directly into the mixing space (19) and therefrom directly out from the cartridge (3).

Description

CARTRIDGE FOR SINGLE LEVER TAP, SINGLE LEVER TAP AND METHOD FOR LEADING WATER IN SINGLE LEVER TAP

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is a cartridge for a single lever tap, a single lever tap and a method for leading water in a single lever tap according to the preambles of the independent claims presented below.

PRIOR ART In single lever taps the temperature and/or amount of the water flowing through the tap is typically controlled inside a so-called cartridge. In a conventional tap, the water flow route leads the water from inlet passages to the cartridge. The cartridge has two opposed ceramic adjustment plates, through the openings in which the water is led. The position of the adjustment plates and thus also their openings in relation to each other can be controlled. After the adjustment plates the water is led into a mixing space, where cold and hot water are allowed to mix. Typically the flow direction of the water is turned inside the cartridge by at least about 180 degrees. Finally the water exits the cartridge into the body of the tap and onwards out of the tap through the aerator.

In a typical single lever tap the cartridge is situated in a pressure-resistant cast body. The manufacturing process of the body requires a lot of energy and manual work. In a typical one lever tap the water is led along quite a winding route, whereby the pressure loss of the water is substantial and the flow of the water causes a substantial amount of noise. Typically several openings need to be made in the ceramic adjustment plates.

OBJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce or even eliminate the above- mentioned problems appearing in prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution, whereby the structure of the cartridge of a single lever tap can be made simple and reliable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a single lever tap, which does not need a pressure-resistant body.

In order to realize the above-mentioned objects, among others, the invention is characterized by what is presented in the characterizing parts of the enclosed independent claims.

The embodiments and advantages mentioned in this text relate both to the cartridges of the single lever tap, the single lever tap and the method for leading water in a single lever tap according to the invention, even though it is not always specifically mentioned.

A typical single lever tap according to the invention comprises a support part and a thereto attached cartridge, through which the water is arranged to flow, and an operating lever. The operating lever is attached to the cartridge so that the flow of water through the cartridge and thus through the tap can be controlled by altering the position of the operating lever in relation to the support part. The support part can for example be a metal plate or plastic or another sufficiently supporting piece, whereto the parts of the tap can be attached, and which can be attached to a desired object, such as the wall of a bathroom or a sink. A typical cartridge comprises a housing and within it at least partly arranged a fixed and mobile ceramic adjustment plate, a lid arranged in connection with the mobile adjustment plate, in connection with which lid a spindle has been arranged, to which spindle the operating lever can be connected, and a travel stop arranged between the housing and the lid, which travel stop is arranged to limit the movement of the mobile adjustment plate in relation to the fixed adjustment plate.

In a typical fixed ceramic adjustment plate there are first water flow openings, which can be connected to the cold and warm water inlet passages, through which water flow openings the flow route of the water coming from the inlet passages can be arranged. The fixed adjustment plate is typically arranged to be mainly or completely immobile in relation to the housing of the cartridge. A typical mobile ceramic adjustment plate has a least one, for example exactly one, second water flow opening. The mobile ceramic adjustment plate is arranged in connection with the fixed ceramic adjustment plate and to be mobile in relation to the fixed ceramic adjustment plate and the housing. From the first water flow openings the water flow route is arranged to continue directly through the second water flow opening.

From the second water flow opening in the mobile ceramic adjustment plate the water flow route is typically arranged to continue directly into a mixing space. From the mixing space the water flow route is arranged directly out of the cartridge, through the outlet opening of the mixing space. The water flow route is thus arranged out of the mixing space through the edge of the cartridge.

In a typical single lever tap according to the invention the water flow route leads from the outlet opening of the mixing space onwards via the outlet passage to the aerator of the tap.

The mobile ceramic adjustment plate is typically connected, usually in an immobile manner, to a lid. The lid is thus also arranged to be moving in relation to the housing of the cartridge. The lid can be arranged completely or only partly inside the housing of the cartridge. Typically the lid is arranged to form the mixing space after the mobile ceramic adjustment plate for the water flowing through the tap, in which mixing space hot and cold water can mix. The mixing space can be delimited for example at its bottom end by the mobile ceramic adjustment plate and at its other sides by the lid.

A typical spindle is at its first end connected to the lid for example with a swivel joint. Typically the second end of the spindle is connected to the operating lever of the single lever tap. Thus moving the operating lever and thus also the spindle in relation to the cartridge, moves the lid and thus also the mobile ceramic adjustment plate in relation to the fixed ceramic adjustment plate. Thus the temperature and/or amount of the water flowing through the second water flow opening can be adjusted. A typical travel stop is arranged so that the movement of the lid and the mobile ceramic adjustment plate is limited especially close to the edge of the cartridge, through which the water flow route out of the mixing space is arranged. At its opposite part, i.e. close to the edge of the cartridge where the outlet opening is not situated, more movement is allowed. This allows for sufficient relative movement of the adjustment plates so that the amount of water flowing through their flow openings can be adjusted as desired. In other words the movement of the lid and the mobile adjustment plate when turning the operating lever is at its smallest close to the outlet opening. Thus the gap between the outlet opening and the outlet passage leading to the aerator can easily be arranged to be tight.

In a single lever tap according to the invention the travel stop arranged between the housing and lid of the cartridge, which travel stop limits the movement of the lid and the adjustment plate, comprises a groove and a therein fitting stop pin. Typically the stop pin is arranged close to the edge of the cartridge, through which the water flow route out of the mixing space is arranged, for example close to the outlet opening of the mixing space. The closest spot of the stop pin or said groove can for example be situated at a distance of less than 30 mm, less than 20 mm, less than 10 mm or less than 5 mm from the outlet opening of the mixing space or from the edge of the opening formed for the outlet opening in the housing of the cartridge.

In an embodiment of the invention the groove is directed in parallel with the plane of the mobile ceramic adjustment plate. In an embodiment of the invention the groove is, when seen in a perpendicular direction to the direction of the plane of the mobile ceramic adjustment plate, directed from the second water flow opening towards the outlet opening. For example, the stop pin can be arranged in the housing of the cartridge and the groove in the lid.

The shape of the cartridge and its housing can for example be mainly cylindrical.

Thus the cartridge has a bottom, an upper edge and a side edge between them.

The cold and warm water flow route can be arranged for example in through the bottom of the cartridge and out through the side edge of the mixing part. In other words there are thus openings in the bottom of the cartridge for cold and warm water inlet passages and an opening in the side wall of the cartridge for the outlet passage of the mixing space. Such a cartridge is applicable for several use purposes.

In a typical method according to the invention for leading water in a single lever tap water is led into the cartridge of the single lever tap, then through a first water flow opening in the fixed ceramic adjustment plate, then through a second water flow opening in the mobile ceramic adjustment plate, which is in contact with the fixed ceramic adjustment plate, and therefrom directly into the mixing space of the cartridge and therefrom directly out of the cartridge through the outlet opening of the mixing space. In the method the temperature and/or amount of the water flowing through the cartridge is controlled by moving the location of the openings of the ceramic adjustment plates in relation to each other.

The single lever tap according to the invention does not require a pressure- resistant cast body. Casting operations are typically a big strain on the environment and require large investments and consume a lot of energy. The manufacturing of cast tap bodies requires a lot of manual work. Thus some of the largest advantages of the invention are that the environment, money, a lot of energy and manual work can be spared with the aid of the invention.

Some of the largest advantages of the invention are that the pressure loss of the water is small and the flow of the water only causes a little noise, since the water is led along quite a straight route in the single lever tap according to the invention.

An advantage of the invention is that fewer openings are needed in the ceramic adjustment plates than in prior art cartridges.

In an embodiment of the invention the main flow direction of the water is altered by at most 90 degrees in the mixing space. Thus the water is led in the mixing part along quite a straight route. In an embodiment of the invention the main flow direction of the water is altered by at most 90 degrees in the entire cartridge. In some embodiments of the invention the main flow direction of the water is altered in the entire cartridge or in the mixing space by at the most 60 or 70 or 80 or 90 or 100 or 110 degrees. In some embodiments of the invention the main flow direction of the water is altered in the entire cartridge or in the mixing space by at least 10 or 20 or 30 or 40 or 50 or 60 or 70 degrees.

In an embodiment of the invention the water flow route is arranged through the fixed and the mobile ceramic adjustment plate only once before it continues into the mixing space. Thus the water is led in the mixing part along quite a straight route.

In an embodiment of the invention the water flow route is turned inside the cartridge only once. Thus the water is led in the mixing part along quite a straight route.

In an embodiment of the invention the water flow route comprises a straight unobstructed line from the second water flow opening to the outlet opening of the mixing space. Thus the water is led in the mixing part along quite a straight route.

In an embodiment of the invention the water cannot touch other than the inner parts of the cartridge, i.e. the first and second water flow opening, the mixing space and the outlet opening before it is led from the outlet opening to the aerator. Impurities, which the water may contain, can thus not deteriorate the function of the cartridge. Therefore the cartridge according to the invention is reliable. This aids the single lever tap according to the invention to function without a pressurized body.

In an embodiment of the invention the outlet passage is of a flexible material, such as plastic tube.

In an embodiment of the invention the mixing space is formed between the lid and the mobile adjustment plate. Thus the lid can be concave on the surface toward the adjustment plate, whereby the mixing space can be formed between the hollow formed by the concave surface and the adjustment plate.

In an embodiment of the invention the lid is, on the side toward the outlet opening, shaped such that the mixing space continues outside the housing of the cartridge as a tube-like protrusion toward the outlet opening. This protrusion is easy to attach tightly to the outlet passage leading to the aerator. Said protrusion can be formed from a separate tube attached to a moving part, such as the lid. Said tube- like protrusion can also be a part of the same piece as the lid. Said protrusion can be sealed from the outside to the housing of the cartridge for example with a rubber sealing. The mixing space is easy to arrange to continue as a tube-like protrusion outside the housing of the cartridge, when the movement of the lid and the mobile ceramic adjustment plate is limited according to the invention just close to the side of the cartridge with the tube-like protrusion of the cartridge. With the aid of the tube-like protrusion the fouling of the ceramic adjustment plates and other parts of the tap by means of the water it is easy to arrange.

A water flow route has been arranged through the cartridge of a single lever tap according to the invention. The cartridge comprises a housing, wherein the temperature and flow of the water exiting the tap is controlled, for example with the aid of the afore-mentioned ceramic adjustment plates. The cartridge comprises a tube-like protrusion leading from inside the housing of the cartridge to outside of the housing, along which protrusion the water flow route is arranged to travel after the adjustment of the temperature and flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which

Figure 1 shows a single lever tap according to the invention from the side as a cross-section,

Figure 2 shows a fixed ceramic adjustment plate according to the invention from above, Figure 3 shows a mobile ceramic adjustment plate according to the invention from above,

Figure 4 shows a lid according to the invention from above and Figure 5 shows the lid of figure 4 from the side and as a cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES Figures 1 show a single lever tap 1 according to the invention. The tap 1 has a support part 2, i.e. a metal plate or a plastic plate, whereto is attached a cartridge 3, an aerator 4 and a plastic tap housing 5. The cartridge has a mainly cylindrical housing 6, comprising a bottom 7, a bearing cap functioning as an upper edge 8 and a side wall 9, which connects them. The bearing cap 8 is attached to the housing 5 with the aid of a locking ring 8b. The support part has an opening 10 and aligned with it is arranged an opening 11 in the bottom of the cartridge, through which openings water is brought into the tap 1 with the inlet passage. Conventionally separate cold and hot water inlet passages come into the tap, of which only the cold water inlet passage 12a is seen in the figure 1. The inlet passages 12 are sealed to the opening in the bottom of the cartridge with seals

13. Inside the cartridge 3, against its bottom 7, is a fixed ceramic adjustment plate

14, arranged to remain in its place. The adjustment plate 14 has two first flow openings leading through it, of which the one 15a seen in the figure is connected to the cold water inlet passage 12a and the other 15b to the hot water inlet passage. In watertight immediate contact with the fixed adjustment plate 14 is a mobile ceramic adjustment plate 16. The adjustment plate 16 has only one second flow opening 17 leading through it. The adjustment plate 16 can be moved in relation to the housing 6 of the cartridge and the fixed adjustment plate 14 so that the second flow opening 17 can be placed aligned to a desired degree with one or both of the first flow openings 15. The mobile ceramtc adjustment plate 16 is attached in an immobile manner to the lid 18, which thus can also be moved in relation to the housing 6 of the cartridge. The bottom side of the lid 18 and the adjustment plate 16 delimit the mixing space 19. The mixing space 19 continues as a tube-like protrusion 20 formed in the lid through the opening 9b formed in the side wall 9 of the housing of the cartridge, ending up in the outlet opening 21 of the mixing space. The first end of a flexible plastic tube 22, functioning as an outlet passage, is attached to the outlet opening 21. The tube 22 is at its second end connected to the aerator 4 of the tap. The first end of the plastic tube 22 is sealed to the side wall 9 of the housing with a flexible rubber or plastic bellows 23. In the spherical hollow 18a above the lid 18 has been arranged the spherical first end of the metallic spindle 24. The hollow 18a and the spherical end of the spindle 24 thus form a swivel joint. The second end of the spindle 24 extends through the upper edge of the cartridge 3, i.e. through the bearing cap 8, in a turnable manner in relation to it. An operating lever (not shown) of the tap 1 can be attached to the second end of the spindle 24.

The fixed adjustment plate 14 and the upper edge 8 of the housing prevent the movement of the lid 18 and the mobile adjustment plate 16 in the vertical direction when looking at figure 1. There is however empty space 25 between the lid 18 and the circular cylindrically shaped side wall 9 of the housing, so that the lid 18 and the mobile adjustment plate 16 can be moved inside the cartridge 3 in the direction of the plane between adjustment plates 14 and 16, i.e. in the horizontal direction when looking at figure 1. Thus, by moving the spindle 24, the flow of water from the flow openings 15a and 15b in the fixed adjustment plate to the flow opening 17 in the mobile adjustment plate, i.e. the flow volume and temperature of the water passing through the cartridge 3 and the tap 1 , can be adjusted.

In the lid 18, beside the opening 9b formed in the side wall of the housing, there is a stop groove 25. A pin 26, formed on the inner surface of the side wall 9, has been arranged to fit in the groove. The groove 25 is mainly parallel with the flow direction of the water flowing away from the cartridge, i.e. with the tube-like protrusion 20 of the mixing space. The groove 25 and pin 26 limit the movement of the lid and the mobile adjustment plate 16 in relation to the housing 6 of the cartridge, so that close to the pin 26 the lid 18 and the adjustment plate 16 can mainly move only in the direction of the groove 25. The ends of the lid 18 and the adjustment plate 16, which are further from the pin 26, can move more also in the sideways direction, i.e. towards and away from the viewer in figure 1. Figure 2 shows a fixed ceramic adjustment plate 14 according to the invention. Two first water flow openings have been arranged through the adjustment plate 14: 15a for cold and 15b for hot water.

Figure 3 shows a mobile ceramic adjustment plate 16 according to the invention. One second water flow opening 17 has been arranged through the adjustment plate 16. The shape of the flow opening 17 is longer than the openings 15 in the fixed adjustment plate. Thus, when desired, both of the openings 15 can be aligned with the opening 17 at the same time.

Figure 4 shows the lid 18 of figure 1 seen from above and figure 5 seen from the side. In the figures can be seen the attachment hollow 18a of the spindle, the mixing space 19, the tube-like protrusion 20 of the mixing space, the outlet opening 21 and the groove 25.

It is obvious to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited merely to the above-described examples but the invention may vary within the scope of the claims presented below. The dependent claims present some possible embodiments of the invention, ana they are not to be considered to restrict the scope of protection of the invention as such.

Claims

1. A cartridge (3) for a single lever tap (1 ), through which a water flow route has been arranged, which cartridge comprises a housing (6) and within it at least partly arranged

- a fixed ceramic adjustment plate (14), which has first water flow openings (15a, 15b), which can be connected to inlet passages for cold and warm water, through which openings the flow route for the water coming from the inlet passages (12) is arranged, and which fixed adjustment plate is arranged to be essentially immobile in relation to the housing,

- a mobile ceramic adjustment plate (16), which has at least one second water flow opening (17), which mobile ceramic adjustment plate is arranged in connection with the fixed ceramic adjustment plate and to be mobile in relation to it and the housing, whereby the water flow route from the first water flow openings (15a, 15b) is arranged to continue directly through the second water flow opening (17),

- a lid (18), which is arranged in connection to the mobile adjustment plate (16) in at least an essentially immobile manner,

- a spindle (24), the first end of which is connected via the lid (18) to the mobile ceramic adjustment plate (16), whereby moving the second end of the spindle in relation to the cartridge (3) is arranged to move the mobile ceramic adjustment plate (16) in relation to the fixed ceramic adjustment plate (14), in order to control the temperature and/or the amount of the water flowing through the second water flow opening (17), - a mixing space (19) limited by at least the lid (18) and the mobile ceramic adjustment plate (16), where the water flow route is arranged to continue from the second water flow opening (17) and through the outlet opening (21) of which mixing space the water flow route is arranged out of the cartridge (3), characterized in that - the water flow route is arranged to continue from the second water flow opening (17) directly into the mixing space (19) and from there directly through the wall (9) of the cartridge out from the cartridge (3) via the outlet opening (21) of the mixing space, and - a travel stop (25, 26) is arranged between the housing (6) and the lid (18) of the cartridge, which travel stop is arranged to allow less movement of the Hd

(18) and the adjustment plate (16) close to the wall (9) of the cartridge, through which the water flow route is arranged out of the cartridge (3) than at its opposite part.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the travel stop comprises a groove and a stop pin which fits therein, which are arranged to limit the movement of the mobile adjustment plate in relation to the fixed adjustment plate.

3. Cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that the stop pin is arranged close to the outlet opening of the mixing space or close to the wall (9) of the cartridge, through which the water flow route is arranged out from the cartridge (3).

4. Cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the mixing space the main flow direction of the water is altered by 90 degrees at the most.

5. Cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water flow route is arranged through the fixed and mobile ceramic adjustment plate only once before it continues into the mixing space.

6. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water flow route comprises a straight unobstructed line from the second water flow opening to the outlet opening of the mixing space.

7. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water flow route is arranged to lead from the outlet opening of the mixing space via the outlet passage to an aerator of the single lever tap.

8. The cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that the outlet passage leading from the outlet opening of the mixing space to the aerator is of a flexible material, such as plastic tube.

9. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge is arranged in connection with the water flow route only by its inner parts, i.e. with the first and second water flow opening, the mixing space and its outlet opening.

10. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cartridge and its housing is mainly cylindrical, whereby it has a bottom, an upper edge and between them a side edge, whereby the flow route of the cold and warm water is arranged in through the bottom of the cartridge and out through the side edge of the mixing part.

11. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile ceramic adjustment plate has exactly one second water flow opening.

12. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixing space is formed between the moving piece and the mobile adjustment plate.

13. The cartridge according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid has a tube-like protrusion on the side of the outlet opening, which protrusion continues to the outside of the housing of the cartridge, in order to lead water from the mixing space directly to outside of the housing of the cartridge.

14. A single lever tap (1), which comprises a support part (2) and an operating lever connected thereto and a cartridge (3), characterized in that the cartridge is in accordance with any of the claims 1-13, whereby

- the second end of the spindle (24) is connected to the operating lever so that turning the operating lever in relation to the support part (2) of the tap is arranged to control the temperature and/or amount of the water flowing through the tap.

15. Method for leading water in a single lever tap (1), in which method: - water is led into the cartridge (3) of the single lever tap, then through the fixed ceramic adjustment plate (14) through the first water flow opening (15a, 15b), then through the mobile ceramic adjustment plate (16), which is connected to the fixed adjustment plate (14), through the second water flow opening (17), further to the mixing space (19) of the cartridge and out from the cartridge through the outlet opening (21 ) of the mixing space,

- the temperature and/or amount of the water flowing through the cartridge (3) is controlled by moving the location of the openings of the ceramic adjustment plates (15a, 15b, 17) in relation to each other, characterized in that water is led from the second water flow opening (17) directly into the mixing space (19) and therefrom directly out from the cartridge (3).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the main flow direction of the water in the mixing space is altered by 90 degrees at the most.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the water is led through the fixed and mobile ceramic adjustment plate only once before the water is led into the mixing space.

18. The method according to any of the preceding claims 15-17, characterized in that the water is led along a straight unobstructed line from the second water flow opening to the outlet opening of the mixing space.

19. The method according to any of the preceding claims 15-18, characterized in that the water is led from the outlet opening of the mixing space to the aerator along an outlet passage manufactured from a flexible material.

20. The method according to any of the preceding claims 15-19, characterized in that the water is led from the mixing space (19) to the outlet opening on the outside of the housing along a tube-like protrusion (20).

21. The method according to any of the preceding claims 15-20, characterized in that less movement of the mobile ceramic adjustment plate (16) in relation to the fixed ceramic adjustment plate (14) is allowed close to the outlet opening (21 ) of the mixing space than at the opposite side of the adjustment plates.

22. A cartridge (3) of a single lever tap (1 ), through which a flow rout for water has been arranged, which cartridge comprises a housing (6), inside which the temperature and amount of the water coming out of the tap is controlled, characterized in that the cartridge comprises a tube-like protrusion (20) leading from inside the housing of the cartridge to outside the housing, along which protrusion the water flow route is arranged to travel after the adjustment of the temperature and flow.