WO2017103568A1 - Dispositifs de réglage de débit - Google Patents

Dispositifs de réglage de débit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2017103568A1
WO2017103568A1 PCT/GB2016/053808 GB2016053808W WO2017103568A1 WO 2017103568 A1 WO2017103568 A1 WO 2017103568A1 GB 2016053808 W GB2016053808 W GB 2016053808W WO 2017103568 A1 WO2017103568 A1 WO 2017103568A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flow rate
faucet
ring
flow
control device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2016/053808
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Oliver Jones
Austin Bumpsteed
Original Assignee
Kohler Mira Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kohler Mira Limited filed Critical Kohler Mira Limited
Priority to EP16808782.3A priority Critical patent/EP3390734A1/fr
Publication of WO2017103568A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017103568A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/04—Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
    • E03C1/0404—Constructional or functional features of the spout
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K3/00—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing
    • F16K3/02—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor
    • F16K3/03—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor with a closure member in the form of an iris-diaphragm
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C2001/026—Plumbing installations for fresh water with flow restricting devices
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
    • Y02A20/40—Protecting water resources

Definitions

  • the invention relates to flow control devices and to faucets employing the flow control devices.
  • the invention concerns flow control devices for a mixer valve, which achieve precise flow rate control with little input force.
  • the invention may have particular application for shower systems but it need not be limited to this use.
  • the invention is discussed primarily in relation to mixer valves for showering, bathing and/or washing.
  • the skilled person will appreciate that various applications of the flow control devices are possible, such as in kitchen or bathroom taps, showers, or other flow adjustors .
  • the term "faucet” as used herein includes shower heads and the likes in addition to taps. It is known to control flow in a mixer valve by relative movement of ceramic discs plates open and close an orifice. This method has the disadvantage that the mixing performance of the mixer valve can be hindered. Additionally, ceramic disks require a high input force to operate as large areas are needed for low pressure flow rates. There is therefore a need for a flow control device which provides precise flow rate control without requiring a large input force.
  • a flow control device arranged, in use, to adjust a flow rate of fluid, and comprising an iris mechanism.
  • the flow control device may comprise a first ring which houses a number of blades, and may additionally comprise a second ring, arranged, in use, to move the blades.
  • the combination of the first ring and the second ring and the blades, wherein rotation of one ring relative to the other actuates the blades so as to alter the size of an orifice, is an example of an iris mechanism.
  • one ring is fixed in place and the other ring is rotatable. Either the first or the second ring may be fixed in place.
  • both rings may be rotatable.
  • the rings are concentric and the outer of the two rings is rotatable. In embodiments wherein the outer ring is the first ring, the first ring surrounds the second ring. In embodiments wherein the outer ring is the second ring, the second ring surrounds the first ring.
  • a user can rotate the outer ring directly , thereby actuating the iris mechanism and, in use, controlling flow rate.
  • a switch, button , flow control knob or lever is not required.
  • a switch, button, knob or lever may be provided to, in use, allow a user to actuate the iris mechanism.
  • the flow rate may be adjusted to any value between a minimum and maximum flow rate determined by the flow control device.
  • a switch, button, knob or lever may provide only a limited set of flow rate options.
  • the flow control device is used in a shower mixer valve.
  • a faucet comprising at least one flow control device according the preceding aspect which is operable to control water flow rate through the faucet.
  • the faucet may comprise a mixer valve or a tap.
  • the mixer valve may further comprise an inlet for a cold feed supplying cold water, an inlet for a hot feed supplying hot water and an outlet through which water leaves, wherein the flow control device is used to adjust the flow rate of water flowing through the outlet.
  • a method of adjusting the flow rate of water through a faucet comprising providing a flow control device comprising an iris mechanism having blades defining an orifice for fluid flow and adjusting the blades to vary the size of the orifice.
  • the iris mechanism can be continuously adjusted to obtain any flow rate value between a minimum and maximum flow rate determined by the flow control device.
  • the iris mechanism has a plurality of discrete set or fixed positions between which it can be rotated to adjust the flow rate value.
  • the flow control device may be as described in relation to any of the preceding aspects.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic of a cross-section of a flow control device of an embodiment of the invention in a first position where the size of an orifice is a maximum;
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic of the cross-section of the flow control device of Figure 1 in a second position where the size of the orifice is a minimum
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic of the cross-section of the flow control device of
  • Figures 1 and 2 in a third position where the size of the orifice is between the maximum and minimum sizes of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 shows a shower mixer valve
  • the flow control device 200 comprises an iris mechanism which is actuated by a control member (not shown) .
  • a control member not shown
  • rotational movement of the control member actuates the iris mechanism, thereby controlling the flow rate.
  • the iris mechanism may be actuated by sliding movement of the control member.
  • the flow control device 200 comprises a rotatable ring 202, a fixed ring 204 and a plurality of blades 206 forming the iris mechanism.
  • the rotatable ring 202 is the outer of the two rings.
  • the fixed ring 204 may be the outer of the two rings.
  • the flow control device 200 is substantially circular in cross-section.
  • the outer ring 202 may have an outer perimeter 220 which is not circular.
  • the outer perimeter 220 may be square, hexagonal, or have multiple b umps or protrusions.
  • the control member may be integral with the rotatable ring 202 or separate and operatively connected to the rotatable ring 202.
  • the control member may comprise the outer perimeter 220 of the rotatable ring 202 configured to allow rotation of the rotatable ring 202, for example by a user gripping the outer perimeter 220 of the rotatable ring 202.
  • control member may comprise a separate member (not shown), such as a rocker switch, button, knob or lever, coupled to the outer perimeter 220 of the rotatable ring 202 and configured to allow rotation of the rotatable ring 202, for example by a user operating the rocker switch, button, knob or lever.
  • a separate member such as a rocker switch, button, knob or lever
  • the blades 206 are connected to the fixed ring 204 and are actuated by movement of the rotatable ring 202.
  • the blades 206 may be connected to the rotatable ring 202 and that relative movement of the two rings 202, 204 actuates movement of the blades.
  • twelve blades 206 are provided.
  • the mechanism may have between two and 36 blades, and preferably has between 6 and 18 blades.
  • blades 206 can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, blades 206 of different sizes and shapes may be used within a single flow control device 200. Alternatively, all blades 206 may have the same shape and size.
  • the blades 206 control the size of an orifice 210 in the flow control device 200 through which fluid can flow.
  • the size of the orifice 210, and hence the flow area therethrough, is controlled by rotation of the rotatable ring 202. Rotation of the rotatable ring 202 may be thought of as actuation of the iris mechanism.
  • the size of the orifice 210 controls the flow rate of fluid through the flow control device - at a given fluid pressure, the size corresponds to a particular flow rate.
  • the flow control device 200 is shown in a first position where the size of the orifice 210 is a maximum.
  • the first position may be indicated by alignment of index marks 202a, 204a on the rings 202, 204.
  • the blades 206 are partially visible behind a lip 208.
  • flow rate of fluid through the flow control device 200 is a maximum in this configuration.
  • the maximum size of the orifice 210 is defined by the blades 206.
  • the maximum size of the orifice may be defined by the lip 208.
  • the flow control device 200 is shown in a second position where the size of orifice 210 is a minimum.
  • the blades 206 are extended inwards from the lip 208.
  • flow rate of fluid through the flow control device 200 is a minimum in this configuration.
  • the iris mechanism may be configured so that the orifice 210 is closed in the second position to shu t-off flow through the flow control device 200.
  • the flow control device 200 of the embodiment being described When the flow control device 200 of the embodiment being described is in the first position shown in Figure 1 , rotation of the rotatable ring 202 is only possible in one direction.
  • the rotatable ring 202 is rotatable in a clockwise direction from the first position as indicated by the arrow A.
  • the rotatable ring 202 may be rotatable in a counterclockwise direction from the first position.
  • the blades 206 move inwards and the size of the orifice 210 reduces from the maximum in the first position shown in Figure 1 to the minimum in the second position shown in Figure 2.
  • the angular spacing of the first and second positions is approximately 180 degrees. This is not limiting and, in other embodiments, the angular spacing of the first and second positions may be more than or less than 180 degrees.
  • the flow rate of fluid through the flow control device 200 reduces as the size of the orifice 210 reduces from the maximum in Figure 1 to the minimum in Figure 2.
  • the rotatable ring 202 is rotatable in a counterclockwise direction from the second position as indicated by the arrow B . In other embodiments the rotatable ring 202 may be rotatable in a clockwise direction from the second position.
  • actuation of the flow control device 200 can be controlled to set the flow rate at the maximum or minimum flow rates or any intermediate flow rate between the maximum or minimum flow rates by rotation of the rotatable ring 202 to adjust the position of the blades 206 to vary the size of the orifice 210 and thus the flow rate through the flow control device 200.
  • the flow control device 200 is shown in a third position intermediate the first and second positions where the size of orifice 210 is between the maximum and minimum sizes of Figures 1 and 2.
  • the orifice 210 may vary in shape as well as in size as the blades 206 which form the perimeter of the orifice 210 move.
  • the orifice 210 is lobed in its first position (Figure 1), becomes more hexagonal as the size of orifice is reduced ( Figure 3), and then becomes more circular at size of the orifice is further reduced ( Figure 2).
  • the shape of the orifice 210 may not vary, or may vary in a different manner, in other embodiments.
  • Straight blades result in a polygonal shape as the orifice opens. Curved blades improve the roundness of the iris mechanism orifice.
  • the orifice 210 may be completely closed at full restriction, such that no fluid may flow through it .
  • the size of the orifice can have unlimited adjustments between the maximum and minimum flow rates.
  • a user can therefore smoothly adjust the flow rate to a desired value and is not limited to a set number of flow rates.
  • a user could move the rotatable ring 202 directly to effect flow rate changes.
  • the presence of one or more formations on the outer perimeter 220 of the rotating ring 202 could be advantageous to improve grip and/or to provide a visual indication of the angular position of the rotatable ring 202 and thus the size of the orifice and the flow rate .
  • a control member such as a handle, lever or knob may be used to control the position of the rotatable ring 202.
  • the handle, lever or knob may be linearly adjustable across the full range of orifice sizes/flow rates.
  • a mixer valve 100 for a shower system (not shown).
  • the mixer valve 100 comprises inlets 103, 105 for hot and cold water and an outlet 107 for temperature controlled water.
  • the outlet 107 may be connected to a shower head by any suitable means such as a hose 109 or pipe.
  • the mixer valve 100 further comprises a rotatable temperature control knob 104 for user selection of outlet water temperature and a rotatable flow control knob 106 for user selection of outlet water flow rate.
  • the temperature control knob 104 is operatively connected to a valve mechanism within a body 102 of the mixer valve for controlling mixing of the hot and cold water according to user selection of the outlet water temperature.
  • the valve mechanism may be thermostatic or non -thermostatic.
  • the flow control knob 106 is operatively connected to a flow control mechanism within the body 102 of the mixer valve for controlling water flow through the mixer valve 100 according to user selection of the outlet water flow rate.
  • the flow control mechanism may compris e the flow control device 200 of Figures 1 to 3 located at the outlet 107 for controlling flow rate.
  • the flow control device 200 may also be configured to turn the water flow on and off as well as adjust the flow rate as described previously.
  • the flow control mechanism may comprise a separate flow control device 200 in each inlet 103, 105 for controlling flow rate.
  • the flow control devices 200 may be synchronised so that the selected outlet water temperature is not affected when the flow rate is adjusted.
  • the flow control devices 200 may also be configured to turn the water flow on and off as well as adjust the flow rate as described previously.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un robinet comprenant au moins un dispositif de réglage de débit (200) apte à régler le débit de l'eau sortant du robinet. Le dispositif de réglage de débit (200) est conçu pour, en mode d'utilisation, ajuster le débit d'un fluide, et comprend un mécanisme de diaphragme iris (202, 204).
PCT/GB2016/053808 2015-12-17 2016-12-02 Dispositifs de réglage de débit WO2017103568A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16808782.3A EP3390734A1 (fr) 2015-12-17 2016-12-02 Dispositifs de réglage de débit

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1522324.1 2015-12-17
GB1522324.1A GB2545472A (en) 2015-12-17 2015-12-17 Flow control devices

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017103568A1 true WO2017103568A1 (fr) 2017-06-22

Family

ID=55311174

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2016/053808 WO2017103568A1 (fr) 2015-12-17 2016-12-02 Dispositifs de réglage de débit

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3390734A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2545472A (fr)
WO (1) WO2017103568A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113685643B (zh) * 2021-08-27 2023-03-31 中国核动力研究设计院 一种变径节流孔板

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4094492A (en) * 1977-01-18 1978-06-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Variable orifice using an iris shutter
US20080156889A1 (en) * 2007-01-03 2008-07-03 Shapira Yuval P Electronic faucet and manual override system therefor
US20140333059A1 (en) * 2013-05-07 2014-11-13 Alexander Montoya Faucet Attachment Adapter

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2037663A (en) * 1932-01-07 1936-04-14 Lalor Marjorie Flow controlling device
US2321336A (en) * 1942-08-10 1943-06-08 Albert W Tondreau Valve
US2649272A (en) * 1950-03-31 1953-08-18 Robert C Barbato Iris type valve construction
US2830617A (en) * 1954-03-11 1958-04-15 Harold L Brown Orifice box and flow regulator for fluid meters
US7819728B2 (en) * 2005-03-10 2010-10-26 Magna International Inc. Shutter cup
US9175786B2 (en) * 2013-08-30 2015-11-03 Lumec Control Products, Inc. Valve apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4094492A (en) * 1977-01-18 1978-06-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Variable orifice using an iris shutter
US20080156889A1 (en) * 2007-01-03 2008-07-03 Shapira Yuval P Electronic faucet and manual override system therefor
US20140333059A1 (en) * 2013-05-07 2014-11-13 Alexander Montoya Faucet Attachment Adapter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2545472A (en) 2017-06-21
GB201522324D0 (en) 2016-02-03
EP3390734A1 (fr) 2018-10-24

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