WO2022229746A1

WO2022229746A1 - Installation device

Info

Publication number: WO2022229746A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/053153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Ruzza
Original assignee: Almar S.R.L.
Priority date: 2021-04-29
Filing date: 2022-04-05
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: IT202100010901A1; EP4330470A1

Abstract

The invention is an installation device (1), installable inside a wall in fluid connection with at least one hydraulic pipe. The installation device (1) comprises an inner body (2) in a single piece of a material belonging to the metal alloys that extends along an axis (X-X) comprising: an operating face (20), or front face, having an operating mouth (200) to which an operating device is mount able; and at least one side face (21), substantially parallel to said axis (X-X), having a side mouth (210), connectable to a hydraulic pipe comprised in the wall; a fluid connection path (25) that extends and connects the at least one side mouth (210) and the operating mouth (200). Furthermore, the installation device (1) comprises an outer body (3), in a single piece, made of a material belonging to the family of polymer materials, heat-sealed and/or co-molded to the inner body (2), wherein the outer body (3) comprises a plurality of fixing slots (39) extending parallel to the axis (X-X), and comprises an accommodation collar (30), which extends parallel to the axis (X-X), through which the operating mouth (200) is accessible.

Description

INSTALLATION DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

[0001]The present invention relates to an installation device, to a water management system comprising an installation device, and to the method for manufacturing an installation device.

[0002]In particular, the present invention relates to the field of hydraulic systems. Such systems are typically embedded in the walls delimiting a room. [0003]Such systems are well known in the prior art, including pipes and specific fittings and/or installation devices embedded, by means of suitable masonry works, in the walls.

[0004]Solutions of water management systems are also known which comprise an operating device which engages the installation device and by projecting from the walls allows the flow of water to be managed and in some cases also allows it to be adjusted and/or dispensed.

[0005]In the present discussion, "operating devices" means innumerable embodiments, such as mixers, water intakes, taps, and the like.

[0006]In the solutions of the prior art, the fluid connection of the operating devices with the pipes of the hydraulic system is carried out by means of the installation devices. [0007]In the prior art, solutions of installation devices to be installed in a wall connected to the system pipes, in which the operating devices are connectable to said installation devices, are well known. Said installation devices are typically entirely made of metallic material, fluidically connectable to the pipes or they have an inner body, made of metallic material, fluidically connectable to the pipes, and an outer box-like body typically made of plastic material which contains said inner body. The outer box-like body allows the simplification of the installation operations in the wall, as well as the containment of the inner body and soundproofing .

[0008]In the prior art, many drawbacks related to the installation devices are also known, in particular these drawbacks are due to the production of the outer box shaped body and the assembly of the outer box-shaped body on the inner body. The more complex the geometry of the outer body is, the greater the aforementioned drawbacks. [0009]The object of the present invention is to provide an installation device which solves the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior solutions. In other words, the object of the present invention is to provide an installation device which is versatile, simple to install and above all simple to use for the installer. [0010]Such object is achieved by an installation device according to claim 1, furthermore such object is achieved by a water management system which comprises said installation device according to claim 10. In addition, such object is achieved by a method for manufacturing an installation device according to claim 11. The claims dependent on these claims describe further preferred embodiments .

[0011]The features and the advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description, made by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0012]- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an installation device according to the present invention, in a first embodiment;

[0013]- Figure la shows a front view of the device of

Figure 1;

[0014]- Figures lb and lb' show a sectional view along the section plane A-A of Figure la, and an enlarged view of a detail thereof;

[0015]- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an installation device according to the present invention, in a second embodiment;

[0016]- Figure 2a shows a front view of the device of Figure 2; [0017]- Figures 2b and 2b' show a sectional view along the section plane A-A of Figure 2a, and an enlarged view of a detail thereof;

[0018]- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an installation device according to the present invention, in a third embodiment;

[0019]- Figure 3a shows a front view of the device of

Figure 3;

[0020]- Figures 3b and 3b' show a sectional view along the section plane A-A of Figure 3a, and an enlarged view of a detail thereof;

[0021]- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an installation device according to the present invention, in a fourth embodiment; [0022]- Figure 4a shows a front view of the device of

Figure 4;

[0023]- Figures 4b and 4b' show a sectional view along the section plane A-A of Figure 4a, and an enlarged view of a detail thereof; [0024]- Figure 5 shows a perspective view with separate parts of a water management system comprising a plurality of water management systems, each comprising a respective installation device, according to the present invention; [0025]- Figure 5a shows a top view of the water management system of Figure 5; [0026]- Figure 5a' shows a sectional view along the section plane A-A of Figure 5a.

[0027]In the accompanying figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates an installation device as a whole. [0028]Furthermore, the reference numeral 900 generally indicates a water management system which comprises said installation device 1 according to the present invention. The reference numeral 500 indicates an operating device engaged to the installation device 1. [0029]The reference numeral 1000 generally indicates a water management system comprising a plurality of water management systems according to the present invention. [0030]As described in detail below and shown by way of example in the accompanying figures, depending on the type of operating device 500, the installation device 1 has predefined features and implements a specific fluid connection with the hydraulic system depending on the needs.

[0031]According to the present invention, the installation device comprises an inner body 2 in a single piece made of a material belonging to metal alloys.

[0032]According to a preferred embodiment, the inner body 2 is made of brass alloy.

[0033]According to a preferred embodiment, the inner body 2 extends along an axis X-X between an operating, or front, region and a rear region.

[0034]Preferably, said axis X-X, with the installation device 1 installed in the wall, is substantially orthogonal to said wall. [0035]Preferably, therefore, the operating region is proximal to the internal environment, the rear region is distal from the household environment facing the interior of the wall.

[0036]The inner body 2 comprises an operating face 20, or front face, substantially orthogonal to said axis X-X, having an operating mouth 200 to which an operating device is mountable.

[0037]Preferably, the operating face 20 is therefore accessible and usable from the outside. [0038]Moreover, the inner body 2 comprises at least one side face 21, substantially parallel to said axis X-X, having a side mouth 210, which is connectable to a hydraulic pipe comprised in the wall.

[0039]According to a preferred embodiment, the inner body 2 comprises at least two side faces 21, and therefore at least two side mouths 210.

[0040]According to a preferred embodiment, a pipe, for example a hot water pipe and a cold water pipe, is connectable to each side face 21. [0041]According to a preferred embodiment, the inner body 2 comprises at least two side faces 21, and therefore at least two side mouths 210, connected to the two aforesaid pipes, and at least one further side face 21 connectable to a third pipe. [0042]According to a preferred embodiment, as shown by way of example in Figures 5, 5a and 5a', two side faces 21 of two distinct inner bodies 2 fluidically connected to each other.

[0043]According to the present invention, the inner body 2 comprises a fluid connection path 25 which extends and connects the at least one side mouth 210 and the operating mouth 200.

[0044]Preferably, the shape of the fluid connection path 25 changes as a function of the number of side faces 21 and side mouths 210.

[0045]For example, according to a preferred embodiment, the fluid connection path 250 comprises at least one control housing 251, preferably suitable for accommodating a non-return valve. [0046]According to other embodiments, the fluid connection path 250 defines a mixing chamber therein.

[0047]According to a preferred embodiment, the inner body 2 has overall dimensions substantially equal to the size of the fluid connection path 250. The necessary metallic material is then optimized to identify said fluid connection path 250

[0048]Preferably, the operating mouth 200 and/or the side openings 210 are threaded.

[0049]Preferably, the operating mouth 200 comprises a thread inside the fluid connection path 250.

[0050]Preferably, the side mouth 210 comprises a thread inside the fluid connection path 250.

[0051]Preferably, the operating mouth 200 comprises a thread outside the fluid connection path 250, for example in this embodiment, the operating face 20 comprises a step 20' parallel to the axis X-X on which said thread is formed.

[0052]According to a preferred embodiment, the installation device 1 object of the present invention also comprises an outer body 3, in a single piece, made of a material belonging to the family of polymer materials.

[0053]According to a preferred embodiment, the outer body 3 is made of a polymer material. [0054]Preferably, the outer body 3 is made of thermoplastic polymer.

[0055]Preferably, the outer body 3 is made of ABS.

[0056]Preferably, the outer body 3 is made of expanded polypropylene, preferably reinforced with 30% glass fiber. [0057]Preferably, the outer body 3 is made of polyethylene.

[0058]Preferably, the outer body 3 is made of polystyrene. [0059]According to the present invention, the outer body 3 is co-molded and/or heat-sealed to the inner body 2, preferably to outer walls thereof.

[0060]According to the present invention, the outer body 3 comprises a plurality of fixing slots 39 extending parallel to the axis X-X, which are engageable for fixing the installation device 1 into the wall.

[0061]Furthermore, again according to the present invention, the outer body 3 comprises an accommodation collar 30, extending parallel to the axis X-X, through which the operating mouth 200 is accessible. [0062]Preferably, the accommodation collar 30 is therefore suitable for overhanging or being flush with the outer surface of the wall.

[0063]Preferably, the accommodation collar 30 comprises collar walls 31 axially symmetrical with respect to the axis X-X defining an operating accommodation 300.

[0064]Preferably, the accommodation collar 30 is substantially a tubular section.

[0065]According to a preferred embodiment, the number of fixing slots 39 varies according to the type of installation device 1. [0066]Preferably, the number of fixing slots 39 is four. [0067]Preferably, the number of fixing slots 39 is eight. [0068]According to a preferred embodiment, the outer body 3 comprises peripheral walls 38 positioned distally from the axis X-X.

[0069]Preferably, the fixing slots 39 are positioned in proximity to the peripheral walls 38; preferably, the fixing slots 39 are formed in the peripheral walls 38; preferably, the fixing slots 39 are formed outside the peripheral walls 38.

[0070]According to a preferred embodiment, the outer body 3 comprises connecting portions 37 which extend between the inner body 2 and the peripheral walls 38.

[0071]Preferably, the outer body 3 in the connecting portions 37 comprises lightening cavities 370. Preferably, between two lightening cavities 370, the connecting portion comprises a reinforcing rib 371.

[0072]According to a preferred embodiment, the lightening cavities 370 extend parallel to the axis X-X in the operating region and/or in the rear region.

[0073]According to a preferred embodiment, the peripheral walls 38 extend parallel to the axis X-X.

[0074]Preferably, the thickness of the peripheral walls 38 is substantially equal to the thickness of the reinforcing ribs 371. [0075]According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing slots 39 are positioned, with respect to the axis X-X, most distally with respect to the at least one side face 21. [0076]According to a preferred embodiment, the outer body

3 covers the inner body 2 substantially in its entirety. [0077]In other embodiments, only a minimal annular portion proximal to the side mouths 220 projects from the outer body 3. Preferably, even a minimal annular portion proximal to the operating mouth 210 projects from the outer body 3.

[0078]According to a preferred embodiment, the installation device 1 further comprises a safety ring 4, made of an elastomeric material, positioned between the inner body 2 and the outer body 3, proximally to the operating mouth 200 and the accommodation collar 30.

[0079]According to a preferred embodiment, the safety ring

4 is an O-ring, accommodated in a safety cavity 24 obtained on the inner body 2. [0080]According to a preferred embodiment, the safety ring

4 is the only sealing element between the inner body 2 and the outer body 3 obtained thereon.

[0081]In particular, the safety ring 4 is the only gasket present in the installation device 1. Preferably, as said, such gasket has a safety purpose should the water seep between the inner body 2 and the outer body 3 in the operating region.

[0082]As mentioned, the present invention also relates to the method for manufacturing an installation device 1 with the features described above.

[0083]Preferably, said manufacturing method comprises the steps of:

[0084]- preparing a first mold in which a first mold area is defined; [0085]- injecting/pressing the metal alloy, preferably the brass alloy, into the first mold area, thus obtaining the inner body 2;

[0086]- positioning the inner body 2 into a second mold in which a second mold area is defined; [0087]- injecting the polymer alloy into the second mold area, thus obtaining, on the inner body 2, the outer body

3.

[0088]The manufacturing method necessarily includes cooling steps of the injected/pressed metal alloy and of the injected polymer alloy.

[0089]According to a preferred embodiment, the manufacturing method further comprises the step of:

[0090]- inserting a safety ring 4, made of an elastomeric material, on the inner body 2, before performing the step of injecting the polymer alloy into the second mold area. [0091]According to a preferred embodiment, the manufacturing method of an installation device 1 comprises the step of:

[0092]- performing operations of tapping/milling the inner body 2, in particular the operating mouth 200 and/or the at least one side mouth 210.

[0093]Preferably, the tapping/milling operations of the inner body 2, in addition to any other roughing or finishing operations of the inner body 2, are carried out before inserting it into the second mold area.

[0094]According to a preferred embodiment, the injection temperature of the polymer material varies according to the type of material injected. Preferably, during these operations the second mold is heated to a temperature which is a function of the type of injection temperature. [0095]According to a preferred embodiment, in which ABS is injected, the injected material is at about 220-260°C, while the second mold is at about 60-95°C.

[0096]According to a preferred embodiment, in which polypropylene foam with glass fiber is injected, the injected material is at about 230-270°C, while the second mold is at about 50-80°C.

[0097]According to a preferred embodiment, in which polyethylene is injected, the injected material is at about 170-220°C, while the second mold is at about 20- 70°C.

[0098]According to a preferred embodiment, in which polystyrene is injected, the injected material is at about 200-260°C, while the second mold is at about 20- 30°C.

[0099]According to a preferred embodiment, the second mold area comprises cores and inserts such as to obtain, in the single molding operation, the lightening cavities and the slots of the outer body 3. [00100] The reference numeral 1000 generally indicates a water management system comprising a plurality of water management systems 900 according to the present invention.

[00101] As shown in Figures 5, 5a and 5a', the different water management systems 900 are mutually joinable together by mutually engaging the respective installation devices 1. Preferably, the inner bodies 2 of two installation devices 1 are put into communication by means of a connection device 800, two distinct fluid paths 25 are then put into communication by means of the connection device 800.

[00102] According to a preferred embodiment, two installation devices 1 are put into mutual engagement by means of the mutual fixing of two outer bodies 3. In particular, the slots 39 of each outer body 3 are positioned in such a way as to allow the positioning of two adjacent outer bodies 3 parallel to the axis X-X of the slots 39.

[00103] The mutual and integral engagement of all the outer bodies 3 gives solidity to the water management system 1000.

[00104] Innovatively, the installation device, the water management system and the method for manufacturing an installation device object of the present invention allow achieving the predetermined object.

[00105] Advantageously, the installation device is simple and functional to manufacture and install.

[00106] Advantageously, the installation device object of the present invention has a limited number of components.

[00107] Advantageously, the installation device object of the present invention is cost-effective to be manufactured and produced.

[00108] Advantageously, the engagement of the outer body on the inner body is guaranteed and sealed and is not modifiable by an installer, either voluntarily or involuntarily .

[00109] Advantageously, the outer body is hermetically fixed on the inner body. [00110] Advantageously, the inner body is compact in size and above all requires a substantially minimum quantity of metal.

[00111] Advantageously, the resistance of the installation device is guaranteed by the features and geometry of the outer body.

[00112] Advantageously, the outer bodies of two adjacent installation devices are mutually engageable. Advantageously, the solidity and rigidity of said engagement is a function of the features of the outer body.

[00113] It is clear that those skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent needs, may make changes to the invention described above, all of which are contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An installation device (1), installable inside a wall in fluid connection with at least one hydraulic pipe, and comprising : i) an inner body (2) in a single piece made of a material belonging to metal alloys, preferably made of brass alloy, which extends along an axis (X-X) between an operating, or front, region, and a rear region, comprising : - an operating face (20), or front face, substantially orthogonal to said axis (X-X), having an operating mouth (200) to which an operating device is mountable; and

- at least one side face (21), substantially parallel to said axis (X-X), having a side mouth (210), which is connectable to a hydraulic pipe comprised in the wall;

- a fluid connection path (25) which extends and connects the at least one side mouth (210) and the operating mouth (200); ii) an outer body (3), in a single piece, made of a material belonging to the family of polymer materials, heat-sealed and/or co-molded to the inner body (2), wherein the outer body (3) comprises a plurality of fixing slots (39) extending parallel to the axis (X-X), which are engageable for fixing the installation device (1) into the wall, wherein the outer body (3) comprises an accommodation collar (30), which extends parallel to the axis (X-X), through which the operating mouth (200) is accessible.

2. Installation device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outer body (3) comprises peripheral walls (38) positioned distally from the axis (X-X), wherein the fixing slots (39) are positioned in proximity to the peripheral walls (38), wherein the outer body (3) comprises connecting portions (37) which extend between the inner body (2) and the peripheral walls (38) defining lightening cavities (370) which extend parallel to the axis (X-X) in the operating region and/or in the rear region.

3. Installation device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said peripheral walls (38) extend parallel to the axis

(X-X).

4. Installation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing slots (39) are positioned, with respect to the axis (X-X), most distally with respect to the at least one side face (21).

5. Installation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accommodation collar (30) comprises collar walls (31) which are axially symmetrical with respect to the axis (X-X), defining an operating accommodation (300).

6. Installation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a safety ring (4), made of an elastomeric material, positioned between the inner body (2) and the outer body (3), proximally to the operating mouth (200) and the accommodation collar (30).

7. Installation device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the safety ring (4) is an O-ring, accommodated in a safety cavity (24) obtained on the inner body (2).

8. Installation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner body (2) comprises at least two side faces (21) which are each connectable to a respective hydraulic pipe included in the wall.

9. Installation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid connection path (250) comprises at least one control housing (251), preferably adapted to accommodate a non-return valve.

10. A water management system (900) comprising an operating device and Installation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating device is adapted to engage the installation device (1) by accommodating at least partially the operating mouth (200) in the accommodation collar (30) and by fluidly engaging it.

11. A method for manufacturing an installation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of:

- preparing a first mold in which a first mold area is defined; injecting/pressing the metal alloy, preferably brass alloy, into the first mold area, thus obtaining the inner body (2);

- positioning the inner body (2) into a second mold in which a second mold area is defined;

- injecting the polymer alloy into the second mold area, thus obtaining, on the inner body (2), the outer body

(3).

12 . A method for manufacturing an installation device (1) according to claim 11, comprising the step of:

- inserting a safety ring (4), made of an elastomeric material, on the inner body (2), before performing the step of injecting the polymer alloy into the second mold area.

13. A method for manufacturing an installation device (1) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, comprising the step of:

- performing operations of tapping/milling the inner body (2), in particular the operating mouth (200) and/or the at least one side mouth (210).