WO2018072876A1

WO2018072876A1 - Encased electronic tap

Info

Publication number: WO2018072876A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/001219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Flavio RUGGERI
Original assignee: Domo Hydros S.R.L.
Priority date: 2016-10-20
Filing date: 2017-10-17
Publication date: 2018-04-26
Also published as: IT201600105521A1

Abstract

A fluid delivery assembly (1), which is electronic, stand-alone, and encased, of the type comprising - a mixing device (13), which can be associated with fluid intake and output pipes (11,12), - a touchscreen panel (7) and - electronics configured to allow the control and regulation of the mixing device (13); the electronics can be controlled directly via the touchscreen panel (7). The above is enclosed in a containment case (2) closed by means of a corresponding lid (3), wherein: • the lid (3) comprises an opening (5) which can be partially closed by means of an external flange (6); • the lid (3) is equipped, on one internal side, with two runners (17) for a removable internal plate (18), which is suitable to fasten the said external flange (6) to the containment case (2); • the external flange(6) can be fastened to the internal plate (18) at variable distances corresponding to the thickness of the masonry or wall (20) on which the said assembly (1) will be mounted; • the external flange (6) is equipped with seats (21) for housing respective magnets (22) which hold the touchscreen panel (7) in place, wherein the panel closes at least the portion of the aforesaid opening (5) left open.

Description

DESCRIPTION

ENCASED ELECTRONIC TAP

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention falls within the field of mixing and flow regulation devices and in particular relates to a new device for mixing and regulating a flow of liquids with electronic temperature and flow control, for plumbing systems for household and/or industrial use.

BACKGROUND ART

More specifically, the invention consists of a modular electronic mixing device, such as that described in patent MO2013A000114 (which has the characteristics of being a single stand-alone product, i.e. not modular), which can be fitted into a practical stainless steel case and includes everything necessary for the complete installation thereof.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The invention meets the needs of those who are not planning to install a whole system, but simply require a design-led electronic tap, with high-quality components and simple, non-invasive installation. The device also meets the needs of those who want to renew a system by replacing solely the terminal part thereof, i.e. the delivery units, thereby minimising the masonry work which would be required with respect to replacing the whole system. The aforesaid advantages are achieved by the encased stand-alone electronic tap envisaged in the present invention, in accordance with the characteristics set out in the claims below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

This and further characteristics of the invention will be better highlighted in the following description of some embodiments thereof, illustrated, in the form of a non-limiting example, with the help of accompanying drawings.

- Figure 1 : illustrates the invention in an exploded configuration,

- Figure 2: illustrates the case with the lid removed and the mixing device contained therewithin,

- Figure 3: illustrates the internal side of solely the lid

- Figures 4 and 5: illustrate two configurations of the tap envisaged by the invention, i.e. applied to the wall and in an operational configuration,

- Figure 6: illustrates the magnetic system for fastening the panel to the external flange of the case,

- Figure 7: illustrates a perspective view of the device,

- Figure 8: various images of a removal sequence for maintenance operations.

1 shall denote (as a whole) the assembly, envisaged by the invention, which is visible in Figure 1 in the exploded configuration with some of the elements thereof, namely: - a containment case 2 which can be closed by means of a corresponding lid 3, wherein the lid is equipped with an internal plate 18 with an opening 5 which can be partially closed by means of an external flange 6

- a glass panel 7 with touchscreen features which allow the user to interact, via a graphical interface, with the unit for the control or regulation of the flow and temperature of the associated mixing device;

- a set of gaskets 8 and 9 which are arranged between the panel and the flange and between the flange and the wall to protect the interior from water infiltration.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The case is equipped with means for fastening the said lid and with fittings for connecting the pipelines 11 , 12 for hot and cold fluids.

Figure 2 shows the internal components according to a more complete and sophisticated embodiment of the invention.

The figure shows the presence of a mixing device 13 to which a second block or unit 14, has been added, said block or unit being equipped with solenoid valves capable of diverting the flow of water between three different outputs 15 or delivering the flow to multiple outputs simultaneously. In this case, the product is equipped with an electronic diverter.

Nevertheless, numerous other embodiments can be envisaged while remaining within the scope of protection required, for example, a cheaper version may feature solely one output and not be equipped with the additional block.

The mixer/diverter unit and the various fittings and pipes are preferably assembled in the factory.

A central hole 16 allows the passage of the very low-voltage power cable (below 50V, standard is around 12V, for electrical safety and certification reasons).

With reference to Figure 3, one observes that the lid is equipped with two parallel guides 17 which allow a steel plate 18 to be slid and removed, which is necessary in order to fasten the external flange to the lid and then to the case and then to the wall.

In more detail, the internal plate is removable from the outside by sliding it out of the guides, so as to allow for easier maintenance of the internal components when necessary. The lid is preferably pre-fitted on the steel case in the factory.

Figures 4 and 5 are clearly visible as the internal plate and external flange, fitted with a gasket, are fastened together by long screws. The length of the screws allows the variable distance due to the thickness of the wall 20 (seen in a section view in the figure) to be compensated.

Once the external flange is fastened to the case and then to the wall, one may then proceed by mounting the touchscreen control panel.

In more detail, one observes in Figures 5 and 6 that the external flange is equipped with seats 21 for cylindrical magnets 22 with a force of approximately 3 kg each.

To ensure the magnetic attraction between the touch panel 7 and the external flange 3 made of steel, inside the seats 21 , there is a further magnetic disk 23, fastened by means of adhesive, with a thickness of one millimetre.

Thanks to this solution, the seats also serve for aligning the panel with the steel flange during wall mounting. Furthermore, thanks to this solution, the magnets are fastened, in turn, with adhesive, directly to the rear of the glass panel 7.

After connecting the data cable (pre-fitted in the factory) to the panel electronics and verifying the correct positioning of the gasket on the glass panel, one simply closes the panel by sliding the cylindrical magnets into the appropriate seats in the flange.

The mounted case (Figures 4, 5, 6, 7) shows simply the touchscreen panel, which is preferably made of glass, and the external flange made of steel. Around this, only the wall is visible, with no screws or joints. This is an important aesthetic and technical achievement.

The maintenance operations illustrated in Figure 8 involve:

- removing the glass touchscreen panel using a suction cup,

- once the external flange screws are exposed, it is possible to remove the said flange,

- removing the external flange screws, in order to release the internal plate and then slide it out of the appropriate guides in order to remove it completely,

- separating the diverting unit from the mixing device and extracting it, releasing the mixing device from the constraints of the hot and cold intake pipes and from the data and power connector,

- removing the mixing device.

Essentially, the invention claims a fluid delivery assembly, which is electronic, stand-alone, and encased, of the type comprising

a. a mixing device, which can be associated with fluid intake and output pipes,

b. an electronic device configured to control and/or regulate the device; the electronics can be controlled directly via the touchscreen panel. The delivery assembly is characterised by the fact that said assembly comprises a containment case, which can be closed by means of a corresponding lid, wherein:

- the lid is endowed with an opening which can be partially closed by means of an external flange;

- the lid is equipped, on one internal side, with two runners for a removable internal plate, which is suitable for fastening the said external flange to the containment case;

- the said internal flange, once fastened to the external flange, is located at a variable distance corresponding to at least the thickness of the masonry or wall on which the said stand-alone delivery device will be mounted;

- the external flange is equipped with seats for housing the respective magnets which hold a touchscreen panel in place which closes at least the portion of the aforesaid opening left open, ensuring a watertight seal during normal use.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery assembly (1 ), which is electronic, stand-alone, and encased, of the type comprising

a. a mixing device (13), which can be associated with fluid intake and output pipes,

b. electronics configured to control and/or regulate the device; the electronics are controllable directly via a touchscreen panel (7), the said assembly being characterised by the fact of comprising a containment case (2), which can be closed by means of a corresponding lid (3), wherein:

- the lid is equipped with an internal plate (4) forming an opening (5) which can be partially closed by means of an external flange (6);

the lid is equipped, on one internal side, with two runners (17) for a removable internal plate (18), which is suitable for fastening the said external flange to the containment case;

- the said internal flange (18), once fastened to the external flange, is located at a variable distance corresponding to at least the thickness (20) of the wall on which the said stand-alone delivery assembly (1 ) will be mounted;

- the external flange is equipped with seats (21 ) for housing the respective magnets (22) which hold a touchscreen panel (7) in place which closes at least the portion of the aforesaid opening left open, ensuring a watertight seal during normal use conditions.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein, inside the seats (21 ) of the magnets, there is a further magnetic disk (23) designed to ensure the magnetic attraction between the touch panel and the external flange.

3. A device according to Claim 1 , wherein the seats also serve for aligning the panel with the external flange during wall mounting.

4. A device according to Claim 1 , wherein the magnets are fastened, in turn, with adhesive, directly to the rear of the touchscreen panel.

5. A device according to Claim 1 , wherein there may be an on/off solenoid valve unit (14) which can be associated with the said mixing device designed to divert the fluid flow between different outputs (15) or delivering the flow to multiple outputs (15) simultaneously.

6. A device according to Claim 1 , wherein gaskets (8, 9) protect the interior from water infiltration.