WO2023194029A1

WO2023194029A1 - Manual adjustment device for water dispensing apparatuses, in particular ergonomics-focused faucets, showers and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2023194029A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/055933
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto Nobili
Original assignee: Carlo Nobili S.P.A. - Rubinetterie
Priority date: 2022-04-07
Filing date: 2023-03-08
Publication date: 2023-10-12
Also published as: IT202200006893A1

Abstract

A manual adjustment device (1) for water dispensing apparatuses, particularly faucets, showers and the like, which comprises: a knob (20) which can rotate about a central longitudinal axis (X) and is adapted to be functionally connected to, or installed in, a water dispensing apparatus so that the flow intensity and/or the temperature of the water in output from the dispensing apparatus is determined by the angle of rotation of the knob (20); and a mechanical locking element (40) which prevents the rotation of the knob (20) beyond a predetermined maximum angle; the device further comprising: • - a fixed base body (30) which comprises the mechanical locking element (40); the knob (20) can translate, with respect to the base body (30), along the central longitudinal axis (X), between a retracted position, in which the mechanical locking element (40) prevents the rotation of the knob (20) beyond the predetermined maximum angle by interacting mechanically with an abutment surface (54) of the knob (20), and an extracted position, in which the abutment surface (54) is positioned offset with respect to the mechanical locking element (40) so that the knob (20) is free to rotate beyond the maximum angle.

Description

MANUAL ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR WATER DISPENSING APPARATUSES, IN PARTICULAR ERGONOMICS -FOCUSED FAUCETS, SHOWERS AND THE LIKE

The present invention relates to a manual adjustment device (i.e. adjusted using a knob) for faucets, showers and the like, i.e. a mechanism adapted to be installed in, or be part of, a faucet or the like, for adjusting the flow and/or the temperature of the water in output from the faucet.

Nowadays, knob-operated adjustment devices for faucets, showers and the like are known and widely used in domestic plumbing systems. This type of device usually comprises a knob which is functionally connected, by way of a kinematic chain, to a dispensing valve and/or to a mixing valve, so that the rotation and/or inclination of the knob makes it possible to adjust the intensity of the flow and/or the temperature of the water dispensed by the faucet.

In more detail, the adjustment device according to the present invention is of the type that allows adjustment via two or more adjustment steps, which comprise at least one first maximum adjustment limit which can be exceeded by the user only by acting voluntarily on a release element. In practice, in this type of knob-operated adjustment mechanism, the knob is allowed to perform only a partial movement, in order to limit the effect of the user's natural movement, so as not to exceed a preset maximum limit of temperature and/or of flow of the water in output; this limit can be exceeded by the user only by voluntarily actuating the release in the event of particular requirements.

Typically, the limit on the adjustment of the temperature of the water is a safety limit to prevent high temperatures that would be dangerous to the user, while the limit on the adjustment of the quantity of the flow dispensed is adapted to encourage conservation of water.

As shown in Figure 1, which shows a faucet R which comprises a manual adjustment device A that is known in the prior art. Manual adjustment devices A of this type are usually produced by integrating a button C in the body of the knob B, which is used to defeat the block that limits the movement of the knob B.

These conventional solutions, for their structure, are often lacking in terms of comfort of use, and also from the point of view of aesthetics, which is an issue for product design. The button C, in fact, is not always easily findable, reachable and activatable by the user, and its presence represents a structural constraint that affects the symmetry of the knob B as well as being an element subject to wear and tear and making it more difficult to thoroughly clean the knob itself.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a manual adjustment device for water dispensing apparatuses, in particular faucets and the like, of the type indicated above, which is capable of solving the above mentioned problems and overcoming the above mentioned limitations of the prior art.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a manual adjustment device for water dispensing apparatuses, such as faucets, showers or the like, that has better usability and ergonomics with respect to the prior art.

Another object of the invention consists of providing a manual adjustment device for water dispensing apparatuses that has fewer constraints from the point of view of design and which therefore can have an exterior appearance that is more symmetrical or in any case more customizable.

Another object of the invention consists of providing a manual adjustment device for water dispensing apparatuses that is easy to clean and less subject to wear.

Another object of the invention consists of providing a manual adjustment device for water dispensing apparatuses that is easy to implement and economically competitive.

Another object of the invention is to make available an alternative to the prior art.

This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a manual adjustment device according to claim 1.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a manual adjustment device for water dispensing apparatuses, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a faucet which comprises a manual adjustment device according to the prior art;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a faucet that comprises a possible embodiment of the manual adjustment device according to the invention;

Figure 3 A is a side view of an adjustment device, according to the invention, with the knob in the retracted position;

Figure 3B is a front elevation view of the adjustment device of Figure 3 A;

Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view, taken along the longitudinal plane III-III, of the adjustment device of Figure 3 A, with the knob in the retracted position;

Figure 4 A is a side view of the adjustment device of the preceding figures with the knob in the extracted position;

Figure 4B is a front elevation view of the adjustment device of Figure 4A;

Figure 4C is a cross-sectional view, taken along the longitudinal plane VI- VI, of the adjustment device of Figure 4 A with the knob in the extracted position;

Figure 5A is a side view of the adjustment device, with the knob in the extracted position and rotated by 90° with respect to the preceding figures; Figure 5B is a front elevation view of the adjustment device of Figure

5 A;

Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view, taken along the longitudinal plane IX-IX, of the adjustment device of Figure 5 A.

With reference to the figures, the manual adjustment device, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, is intended for use in water adjustment devices 900, in particular faucets, showers and the like.

The adjustment device 1 is of the knob-operated type and therefore comprises a knob 20 that is adapted to be rotated manually by the user.

The knob 20 is able to rotate about a central longitudinal axis X and is adapted to be functionally connected to, or installed in, a dispensing apparatus 900 (being for example connected to, and/or partially inserted in, a faucet 200 body) so that the flow intensity and/or the temperature of the water in output from such dispensing apparatus 900 is determined by the angle of rotation of the knob 20 about the central longitudinal axis X.

The adjustment device 1 further comprises a mechanical locking element 40 which prevents the rotation of the knob 20 beyond a predetermined maximum angle, so as to limit the flow intensity and/or the temperature that can be achieved by the simple rotation of the knob 20.

According to the invention, the adjustment device 1 comprises a fixed base body 30 (fixed with respect to the axis X, during operation) which comprises the above mentioned mechanical locking element 40.

According to the invention, the knob 20 is movable (translatable), with respect to the base body 30, along the central longitudinal axis X, between a retracted position and an extracted position.

In the retracted position (illustrated in Figures 3A-3C), the knob 20 is partially contained in the base body 30 so that the mechanical locking element 40 prevents (blocks) the rotation of the knob 20 beyond the predetermined maximum angle a by interacting mechanically with an abutment surface 54 of the knob 20. In Figures 3A-3C the device is shown with the knob 20 when it has reached the predetermined maximum angle a of rotation: the abutment surface 54 of the knob 20 has come into contact with the mechanical locking element 40 which therefore prevents the knob 20 from rotating further.

In the extracted position (illustrated in Figures 4A-4C and 5A-5C), the abutment surface 54 is positioned offset (i.e. further outside) with respect to the mechanical locking element 40, i.e. so as not to be in contact with this during the rotation of the knob 20, so that the knob 20 is free to rotate beyond the maximum angle a (as shown in Figure 5B, in which the knob is rotated by an additional angle 0, reaching a total angle of rotation a+P).

In more detail, in the preferred embodiments, the knob 20 comprises a distal portion 21 which is positioned outside of the base body 30 (both in the retracted position and in the extracted position) and a proximal portion 22 which is at least partially contained in the base body 30 (both in the extracted position and in the retracted position) and which can rotate within the base body 30. The term “proximal” means, in the present description and in the accompanying claims, further inside, in the direction of the base body 30; conversely, the term “distal” means further outside, i.e. further away from the base body 30.

The proximal portion 22 has a smaller diameter than the distal portion 21.

The distal portion 21 is advantageously widened and is adapted to be gripped in order to allow the manual rotation of the knob 20.

In even more detail, the base body 30 comprises a cavity 31 (preferably substantially cylindrical) in which the proximal portion 22 of the knob 20 can rotate and in which the mechanical locking element 40 is present. Note that the proximal portion 22 comprises the abutment surface 54.

Preferably, the mechanical locking element 40 consists of a rigid body, for example a grub screw or a plug or a metallic block.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the mechanical locking element 40 extends longitudinally within the cavity 31 up to an intermediate height hl and the abutment surface 54 is comprised in a proximal end of the proximal portion 22 of the knob 20, and the abutment surface 54, when the knob 20 is in the extracted position, is positioned in the cavity 31 at an external height h2 that is greater than the above mentioned intermediate height hl, where the term “height” hl, h2 means the distance from the bottom 33 (or proximal end) of the cavity 31.

In the preferred embodiments, the adjustment device 1 comprises at least one elastic element 70 which is configured to keep the knob 20 in the retracted position, i.e. to contrast the movement of the knob 20 toward the extracted position and therefore to return it to the retracted position when it is not subjected to entrainment from the outside.

Such at least one elastic element 70 preferably comprises a spring that pushes the knob 20 toward the retracted position.

Conveniently, the knob 20 is joined in rotation to a kinematic transmission element 60 (such as for example a shaft or other kinematic transmission device) which can rotate within the base body 30 and is adapted to transmit the rotation from the knob 20 to a flow or temperature adjustment mechanism which is internal to a water dispensing apparatus 900 (in which the device 1 is, or can be, installed) when it is mechanically connected thereto. In any case other conventional devices for transmitting motion are not ruled out for transmitting the rotation from the knob 20 to the flow or temperature adjustment mechanism. The systems for mechanically connecting a knob 20 to a mechanism for adjusting the temperature and/or to a mechanism for adjusting the flow (such as for example dosing valves or mixing valves) in a faucet so that the rotation of the knob 20 commands the adjustment mechanism are widely known, and therefore these implementation details, which are within the grasp of the person skilled in the art, will not be discussed further.

Preferably, the knob 20 can move, along the longitudinally central axis X, with respect to the kinematic transmission element 60 (between the retracted position and the extracted position).

According to an optimal embodiment also present in the example shown, the kinematic transmission element 60 is rigidly fixed (at a distal end) to an internal connection element 80 which in turn is coupled in rotation to the knob 20; in this solution the knob 20 can move longitudinally, along the central longitudinal axis X, with respect to the internal connection element 80, as is clear from the figures.

According to one of the possible solutions for fixing the kinematic transmission element 60 to the internal connection element 80, the kinematic transmission element 60 comprises a pin or other protuberance 88 which engages, by interlocking or by screwing, a hole in the internal connection element 80.

In even more detail, the internal connection element 80 is slideably accommodated in a sliding seat 28 which is defined within the knob 20. Note that in the embodiment illustrated, the sliding seat 28 is provided with sliding guides which slide along the internal connection element 80.

Note also that, in the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the elastic element 70 is positioned between the internal connection element 80 and a bottom wall 29 of the sliding seat 28 (the bottom wall 29 being integral in translation with the knob 20) so that the elastic element 70 is compressed when the knob 20 is shifted toward the extracted position.

The present invention also relates to a water dispensing apparatus 900, such as for example a faucet, which comprises an adjustment device 1, as previously described, which is configured to adjust the flow intensity and/or the temperature of the water dispensed as a function of the angle of rotation a, 0 of the knob 20 about the central longitudinal axis X.

The operation of the manual adjustment device 1 and of the water dispensing apparatus 900 is clear and evident from the foregoing description.

In any case, the user can control the flow of water dispensed and/or the temperature thereof by rotating the knob 20 normally up to the predetermined maximum angle a (for example 180°) while the knob is in the retracted position; once the maximum angle a is reached, the mechanical locking element 40 prevents the knob 20 from rotating further. At this point, if the user needs to rotate the knob further in order to further increase the flow or the temperature of the water, it is sufficient to exert a traction force on the knob 20 (simply by pulling it out with the hand), bringing it to the extracted position: in this way the mechanical locking element 40, since it is no longer in contact with the abutment surface 54, no longer prevents the further rotation of the knob 20, which can therefore be rotated further by an additional angle 0 in order to further increase the temperature and/or the flow of the water.

Advantageously, the user does not need to change their grip in order to overcome the block, nor does the user need to search for a release device on the knob in order to actuate it.

Furthermore, the external surface of the knob 20 can advantageously be completely smooth or in any case perfectly symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis X.

In practice it has been found that the manual adjustment device, according to the present invention, achieves the intended aim and objects in that it offers better usability and ergonomics with respect to the prior art.

Another advantage of the manual adjustment device according to the invention consists in that it has fewer constraints from the point of view of design, and it also has the possibility of having an exterior appearance that is more symmetrical or in any case more customizable.

Another advantage of the manual adjustment device according to the invention consists in that it is easy to clean and less subject to wear. Furthermore, the manual adjustment device according to the invention represents a valid alternative to the prior art.

The manual adjustment device for water dispensing apparatuses, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, and the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000006893 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A manual adjustment device (1) for water dispensing apparatuses (900), particularly faucets, showers and the like, which comprises:

- a knob (20) which can rotate about a central longitudinal axis (X) and is adapted to be functionally connected to, or installed in, a water dispensing apparatus (900) so that the flow intensity and/or the temperature of the water in output from the dispensing apparatus (900) is determined by the angle of rotation of the knob (20), and

- a mechanical locking element (40) which prevents the rotation of the knob (20) beyond a predetermined maximum angle (a), characterized in that it comprises a fixed base body (30) which comprises said mechanical locking element (40), and in that said knob (20) can translate, with respect to said base body (30), along said central longitudinal axis (X), between:

- a retracted position, in which the mechanical locking element (40) prevents the rotation of the knob (20) beyond the predetermined maximum angle (a) by interacting mechanically with an abutment surface (54) of the knob (20), and

- an extracted position, in which said abutment surface (54) is positioned offset with respect to said mechanical locking element (40) so that said knob (20) is free to rotate beyond said maximum angle (a).

2. The adjustment device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one elastic element (70) which is configured to contrast the movement of said knob (20) towards said extracted position and return it to the retracted position.

3. The adjustment device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said knob (20) comprises:

- a distal portion (21), which is adapted to be gripped and is located outside said base body (30) both in the retracted position and in the extracted position; - a proximal portion (22), which is at least partially contained in said base body (30), both in the extracted position and in the retracted position, and can rotate within said base body (30).

4. The adjustment device (1) according to claim 3, wherein said base body (30) comprises a cavity (31) in which said proximal portion (22) can rotate and in which said mechanical locking element (40) is present; said proximal portion (22) comprising said abutment surface (54).

5. The adjustment device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said mechanical locking element (40) extends longitudinally within said cavity (31) up to an intermediate height (hl); and wherein said abutment surface (54) is comprised in a proximal end of said proximal portion (22), said abutment surface (54) in said extracted position being located in the cavity (31) at an external height (h2) that is greater than said intermediate height (hl); said heights (hl, h2) being the distances from a bottom (33) of the cavity (31).

6. The adjustment device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said knob (20) is coupled in rotation to a kinematic transmission element (60) which can rotate within said base body (30) and is adapted to transmit the rotation from said knob (20) to a flow or temperature adjustment mechanism which is internal to a water dispensing apparatus (900) when it is mechanically connected thereto.

7. The adjustment device (1) according to claim 6, wherein said knob (20) can move along said longitudinally central axis (X) with respect to said kinematic transmission element (60).

8. The adjustment device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said kinematic transmission element (60) is rigidly fixed to an internal connection element (80) which in turn is coupled in rotation to the knob (20); said knob (20) being able to move longitudinally along said central longitudinal axis (X) with respect to said internal connection element (80).

9. The adjustment device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said internal connection element (80) is slideably accommodated in a sliding seat (28) which is defined within said knob (20).

10. The adjustment device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said elastic element (70) is arranged between said internal connection element (80) and a bottom wall (29) of said sliding seat (28) so that it is compressed when the knob (20) is shifted toward said extracted position.

11. A water dispensing apparatus (900), comprising an adjustment device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, which is configured to adjust the flow intensity and/or the temperature of the water dispensed as a function of the angle of rotation (a) of said knob (20) about said central longitudinal axis (X).