DEVICE FOR OPENING, CLOSING AND REGULATING A FLOW RATE FOR A FAUCET BODY OF A BATH OR KITCHEN

Abstract

A device for regulating a water flow rate for a faucet body, comprising: a water inlet and outlet, a closing plug having a metal part sliding inside a cylindrical chamber having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the plug; a pushbutton comprising a magnet associated with the metal part, the pushbutton able to be operated so as to displace the magnet and the closing plug along an axis of the cylindrical chamber, into two different stable directions, corresponding to opening or closing of the water flow. The device comprises a first disk with a hole; a second disk, coaxial with the first disk and comprising at least another hole; the second disk axially rotatable relative to the first disk, and the flow rate of the water corresponds to a cross-section of a water passage through the second holes, the cross-section associated with an angular displacement of the disks.

Claims

1. A device for opening, closing, and regulating a water flow rate, the device intended to be mounted in a faucet body of a bathroom or a kitchen, the device comprising: a water inlet; a water outlet; a closing plug having at least one metal part, the at least one metal part slidable inside a substantially cylindrical chamber with a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the closing plug; a pushbutton including a magnet associated with the at least one metal part of the closing plug; the pushbutton operable to displace the magnet and the closing plug along an axis of the substantially cylindrical chamber, into two different stable positions, corresponding to opening or closing of water flow by the device; and a flow regulation unit including: a first disk including at least one hole in fluid communication with the water outlet; and a second disk including a second hole, the second disk being coaxial with the first disk and in contact with the first disk; wherein the second disk is axially rotatable relative to the first disk, and a flow rate of the water passing from the flow regulation unit corresponds to a cross-section of a water passage defined by the disks in a region of the first hole and the second hole, the cross-section being variable with a relative angular displacement of the first disk and the second disk.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the first disk includes a third hole; the flow rate of the water corresponding to the cross-section of the passage defined by the disks in the region of the first hole and the second hole is associated with the relative angular displacement of the first disk and the second disk, where <<; and a relative angular displacement of the first disk and the second disk, where << and <, is associated with a cross-section of a second passage formed by the disks in the region of the first hole and the third hole, the first passage being associated with a first fluid supply mode and the second passage being associated with a second supply mode.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: the first disk includes at least one fourth hole; a relative angular displacement of the first disk and the second disk, where << and >, is associated with a cross-section of at least one third passage formed by the disks in the region of the first hole and the at least one fourth hole; and the third passage is associated with a third supply mode different from the first and second supply modes.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein, for a given angular displacement , the first passage and the second passage are open and associated with a respective cross-section for simultaneous supplying at a corresponding flow rate in the first and second supply modes.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein, for an angular displacement , the second passage and the third passage are open and associated with a respective cross-section for simultaneous supplying at a corresponding flow rate in the second and third supply modes.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein, for an angular displacement , the first passage, the second passage, and the third passage are all open and associated with a respective cross-section for simultaneous supplying at a corresponding flow rate in the first, second, and third supply modes.

7. The device according to claim 2, wherein, for a given angular displacement , the third passage and the second passage are closed and the first passage is associated with a respective cross-section for exclusive supplying at a flow rate in the first supply mode.

8. The device according to claim 3, wherein, for a given angular displacement , the first passage and the second passage are closed and the third passage is associated with a respective cross-section for exclusive supplying at a flow rate in the third supply mode.

9. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first disk and the second disk have substantially the same radius and the first hole is at a radial distance from the center of the first disk corresponding to a radial distance of the second hole, the third hole, or the fourth hole from the center of the disk.

10. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first hole, the third hole, and the fourth hole on the first disk are substantially circular and the second hole is a window situated on a substantially circular segment of the second disk.

11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a thermostat unit for regulating temperature.

12. A method for regulating a water flow rate for a faucet body of a bathroom or a kitchen, the method comprising: activating opening or closing of a flow by a pushbutton, the pushbutton including a magnet associated with at least one metal part of a closing plug, the at least one metal part being slidable inside a substantially cylindrical chamber with a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the closing plug, the pushbutton operable to displace the magnet and the closing plug along an axis of the substantially cylindrical chamber, into two different stable positions, corresponding to opening or closing of the water flow by the device; and regulating the water flow rate by: rotating a knob or the pushbutton axially; and rotating, via the pushbutton or the knob, a second disk including a second hole, the second disk being coaxial with a first disk and in contact with the first disk; wherein the second disk rotates, axially with respect to the first disk, to regulate the water flow rate of the water passing through a water passage defined by the disks in a region of the first hole and the second hole, the cross-section being variable with a relative angular displacement of the first disk and the second disk.

13. A faucet body for a bathroom or kitchen, the faucet body comprising: a hot water inlet; a cold water inlet, a thermostatic mixer having hot water and cold water inlets associated with the inlets of the faucet body, an outlet for mixed water, and means for regulating the flow rate of the mixed water; a device according to claim 1 having an inlet thereof connected to the outlet of the thermostatic mixer and at least one outlet connected to at least one respective outlet of the faucet body; and a substantially cylindrical unit having generally opposite sides incorporating the thermostatic mixer and the device, the generally opposite sides being closed by knobs for regulating the thermostatic mixer and the device, rotatable about the axis of the cylindrical unit.

14. The faucet body according to claim 13, wherein the knobs are retractable inside the substantially cylindrical unit, the rotation about the axis of the unit being possible only if the knobs are extracted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] FIG. 1a is a cross-section A-A through a device shown in FIG. 1b for opening, closing and regulating the water flow rate, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 1b is a side view of the device, in which the device is closed and set to supply water through a first water passage formed through a first hole in a first regulating disk and a second hole in a second regulating disk.

[0046] FIG. 1c is a view from below of the device according to FIG. 1b.

[0047] FIG. 2a is a view of the second regulating disk of the device according to FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 2b is a view of the first regulating disk of the device according to FIG. 1, arranged over the second regulating disk according to FIG. 2a, in accordance with different relative angular displacements of the two disks (holes shown in broken lines).

[0049] FIG. 3b is a view of the device according to FIG. 1b, in which the device is open and set to supply water through the first water passage, formed through the first hole in the first disk and the second hole in the second regulating disk.

[0050] FIG. 3a is a cross-section A-A through the device according to FIG. 3b.

[0051] FIG. 3c is a view from below of the device according to FIG. 3b.

[0052] FIG. 4b is a view of the device according to FIG. 1b, in which the device is closed and set to supply water through a second water passage, formed through a third hole in the first disk and the second hole in the second regulating disk.

[0053] FIG. 4a is a cross-section A-A through the device according to FIG. 4b.

[0054] FIG. 4c is a view from below of the device according to FIG. 4b.

[0055] FIG. 5b is a view of the device according to FIG. 1b, in which the device is open and set to supply water through the second water passage, formed through the third hole in the first disk and the second hole in the second regulating disk.

[0056] FIG. 5a is a cross-section A-A through the device according to FIG. 5b.

[0057] FIG. 5c is a view from below of the device according to FIG. 5b.

[0058] FIGS. 6a-6d are perspective exploded views of the device according to FIG. 1, illustrating the method of assembly of the device, and in particular show the fixing components (FIG. 6d), the selection, opening and closing components (FIG. 6c), the opening and closing components (FIG. 6b) and the water diversion components (FIG. 6a).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] With reference to the attached figures, a number of examples of embodiment of a device 1 for opening, closing and regulating the water flow rate, intended to be applied to a faucet body for a bathroom or kitchen are described.

[0060] The examples of embodiment are provided without limitation of the scope of protection of the present invention and with the sole aim of highlighting the advantages of the device 1, for example in the case where it is installed in the faucet body of a shower, without however excluding the possibility of its use in other areas, for example as a faucet body of a washbasin or a kitchen sink or a hydromassage tub.

[0061] Preferably, the device 1 is assembled as a cylindrical body or unit 50 (FIG. 1b) or a cartridge which can be inserted inside the body of a faucet, in particular inside a seat of the faucet with a diameter and depth of a few centimeters, for example a diameter of 4-7 cm and depth of 10-15 cm.

[0062] The device 1 has an inlet 2 for the water, for example formed by a lateral opening 52 in a cylindrical and hollow unit 51, preferably by three lateral openings 52 at the same angular distance on the unit 51. The hollow cylindrical unit 51 forms a terminal portion of the cylindrical unit 50.

[0063] A water outlet 3 is associated with a central opening 54 of the unit 51, inside which a system 60 for regulating at least the flow rate (FIG. 6a) is mounted. In particular, the system for regulating the flow rate 60 comprises at least two coaxial disks 10, 12 rotatable relative to each other and each having at least one hole.

[0064] In the example of embodiment provided with reference to FIG. 6a, a first disk 10 has three holes 14, 15, 16 and a second disk 12 has one hole 13.

[0065] The first disk 10 is locked together with the unit 51. For example three equidistant windows 55 on the side surface of the cylindrical unit 51 form snap-engaging seats for a corresponding number of projections 56 on the first disk 10 and, when the parts are engaged, prevent a rotation of the disk 10 with respect to the unit 51. The second disk 12 does not have the projections 56 and comprises a number of recesses 57, for example three equidistant recesses 57, and is free to rotate axially inside the cylindrical unit 51, by means of coupling of the recesses 57 together with a regulating unit 58 shown in FIG. 6b. The regulating unit 58 is provided with projections 59 coupled with the recesses 57 of the second disk 12, causing the second disk 12 to be locked together with the regulation unit 58 and axially rotatable inside the cylindrical unit 51.

[0066] In the example of embodiment shown in the figures, the regulating unit 58 is associated with a unit 70 for opening and closing the flow, for example by means of engagement of projections 71 on the opening and closing unit 70 with respective recesses 72 in the regulating unit, which rotationally lock together the units 58 and 70.

[0067] The first and second disks are made of ceramic material.

[0068] A third disk 61, which is made of plastic and has three holes 144, 155, 166 and three projections 56 like the first disk 10, is mounted on the cylindrical unit 51 and fixed to its end, preferably by means of a snap-engaging system consisting of a further projection 61 on the third disk 61, preferably three projections 62, and respective snap-engaging seats 65 on the unit 51. The third disk does not rotate relative to the unit 51 and its holes are aligned with the holes in the first disk 10. The holes 144, 155, 166 are fitted with three circular seals 63 inside which three rings 64 of metallic or plastic material are mounted.

[0069] A pin 31, or preferably two equidistant pins 31, projecting from the base of the third disk 61, protrudes from the unit 51 and is intended to fix the unit 51 to the body of the faucet. The pin 31 is formed integrally with the third disk 61. Once the unit 51 is fixed to the faucet body, only the second disk 12 is axially rotatable relative to the unit 51, while the disks 10, 61 are locked together with it.

[0070] In particular, the second disk 12 is axially rotatable relative to the first disk 10 and the flow rate is determined by the cross-section of a fluid passage formed through a hole in the first disk 10 and the hole in the second disk 12.

[0071] Even more particularly, the second disk 12 is axially rotatable relative to the first disk 10, and the flow rate of the water passing from the flow regulation unit 51 corresponds to a cross-section S of a water passage 14 (FIG. 1c) defined by the disks in the region of the first hole 11 and the second hole 13. The cross-section S is variable with a relative angular displacement of the first disk 10 and the second disk 12.

[0072] FIG. 2a shows in schematic form the second disk 12 with the hole 13 in a position . FIG. 2b shows in schematic form the second disk 12 superimposed on the first disk 10. In the position the second disk 12 closes the hole 11 of the first disk 10. In a position > the hole 13 of the second disk 12 is at least partly positioned opposite the hole 11 of the first disk 10 and forms a water passage 14 having a flow rate which increases with an increase in the open cross-section of the hole 11. In an advanced position , the second disk 12 closes again the hole 11 of the first disk 10.

[0073] In other words, for a predefined angular displacement , the second disk allows regulation of the flow rate through the hole 11 of the first disk 10, which may be associated, by means of the faucet body, with a first supply mode.

[0074] Similarly, for other predefined angular displacements, the second disk allows regulation of the flow rate through the hole 15 or the hole 16 in the first disk 10, which holes may be associated, by means of the faucet body, with a second and a third supply mode.

[0075] However, even if the example of embodiment provided with reference to FIG. 6a relates to a device able to regulate the output via three different holes 11, 15, 16 available on the first disk 10, and therefore potentially for supplying water by means of three modes associated with the three holes 11, 15, 16, the other embodiments are not limited to this embodiment, but embrace, for example, also a device 1 with a single outlet hole 11 on the first disk 10, and therefore a device able to regulate only the flow rate through said hole 11.

[0076] In this case, the device regulates the water flow rate passing from the flow regulation unit 51 and corresponding to the cross-section S of a single possible passage 14 defined by the disks 10, 12 in the region of a single first hole 11 available on the first disk 10 and a single second hole 13 available on the second disk 12.

[0077] Similarly, the invention embraces also embodiments in which the second disk has, for example, one hole and the first disk has two holes. In this case, the device may be associated with a faucet body which controls supplying in two different modes.

[0078] In particular, the first disk 10 comprises a third hole 15, and the water flow rate corresponding to the cross-section S of the passage 14 defined by the disks 10, 12 in the region of the first hole 11 and the second hole 13 is associated with the relative angular displacement of the first disk 10 and the second disk 12, where <<, while

a relative angular displacement of the first disk 10 and the second disk 12, where << and <, is associated with a cross-section S of a second passage 21 formed by the disks in the region of the first hole 10 and the third hole 15, the first passage 14 being associated with one fluid supply mode and the second passage 21 being associated with another supply mode.

[0079] In the example of embodiment provided specifically with reference to FIGS. 6a and 2b, the device also comprises a fourth hole 16, and a relative angular displacement of the first disk 10 and the second disk 12, where << and >, is associated with a cross-section S of a passage 22 formed by the disks in the region of the first hole 10 and the fourth hole 16, and the third passage 22 is associated with a supply mode different from the other supply modes.

[0080] According to different embodiments of the present invention, which all fall within the scope of protection of the application, when the first disk 10 has more than one outlet hole 12, it is possible to envisage that engagement of the second disk 12 with the first disk 10 allows simultaneous supplying via two or more holes in the first disk 10 or exclusive supplying via only one of said holes.

[0081] For example, according to an embodiment where the first disk 10 has three holes 11, 15 and 16, for a given angular displacement , the first passage 14 and the second passage 21 are open and associated with a respective cross-section S, S for simultaneous supplying at a corresponding flow rate P1, P2, associated with a first mode and second mode for supplying via the faucet body. Said flow rates P1, P2 are variable with the angular displacement of the second disk 12 relative to the first disk 10. Again according to this embodiment, for an angular displacement , the second passage 21 and the third passage 22 are open and associated with a respective cross-section S, S for simultaneous supplying at a corresponding flow rate P1, P2 in the second and third supply modes through the associated faucet body. These flow rates P1, P2 also vary with the angular displacement of the second disk 12 relative to the first disk 10.

[0082] According to another embodiment, for an angular displacement , the first passage 14, the second passage 21 and the third passage 22 are all open and associated with a respective cross-section S, S, S for simultaneous supplying at a corresponding flow rate P1, P2, P3 in the first, second and third supply modes, via a faucet body associated with the device 1.

[0083] In the case where it is required to perform exclusive supplying via one of the many holes provided in the first disk 10, it is instead envisaged that, for a given angular displacement , the third passage 22 and the second passage 21 are closed (namely the angular position of the first disk with respect to the second disk is such that neither the third passage nor the second passage are formed) and that the first passage 14 is associated with a respective cross-section S for exclusive supplying at a flow rate P1 in the first supply mode.

[0084] Similarly, according to this embodiment, for another angular displacement , the first passage 14 and the second passage 21 are closed (namely the angular position of the first disk with respect to the second disk is such that neither the first passage nor the second passage are formed) and the third passage 22 is associated with a respective cross-section S for exclusive supplying at a flow rate P1 in the third supply mode.

[0085] Closing and opening of the flow in the device 1 is performed by means of the unit 70. This unit comprises a closing plug 4 having at least one metal part 5 sliding inside a cylindrical chamber 6 having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the closing plug 4. An associated magnet 8 is associated with the metal part 5 of the closing plug 4 and is slidable above the cylindrical chamber 6.

[0086] A pushbutton 7 can be operated manually so as to displace the magnet 8 and the closing plug 4 along an axis X of the cylindrical chamber 6, into two different stable positions, corresponding to opening or closing of the water flow by the device.

[0087] In particular, the pushbutton 7 is associated with the magnet 8 and the unit for opening and closing the flow 70 by means of the system 100 (FIG. 6c) which allows operation of the pushbutton 7 axially, so as to switch the magnet and the closing plug between two stable positions or rotate the pushbutton 7 in order to vary the angular position of the second disk 12 with respect to the first disk 10.

[0088] The closing plug 4 acts on a disk 90 for closing or opening the flow. The pressure exerted manually on the pushbutton 7 only serves to move the magnet 8 and the associated closing plug 4 a few millimeters; this displacement serves only to bring the closing plug 4 into contact with the disk 90 or move the closing plug 4 away from the disk 90. Closing of the disk 90, and in particular closing of a small hole in the center of the disk 90, causes a rapid displacement of the disk 90 so as to close the flow, as a result of filling of a chamber 91 in which the disk is movable. The chamber 91 is filled with water under pressure from the water supply mains, which displaces the disk 90 into the closed position, against the outlet 92, preventing the water flow towards the first disk 10 and the second disk 12 for regulating the flow rate.

[0089] Vice versa, the separation of the closing plug 4 from the disk 90 produces a rapid movement of the disk 90 away from its closed position, owing to emptying of the chamber 91 and the pressure of the water entering into the device.

[0090] In other words, during closing, the water inside the chamber 91 exerts a pressure on the disk 90, compressing it against a fluid outlet, while, during opening, the absence or reduction of the water inside the chamber 91, and therefore the absence or reduction of the pressure exerted on the disk 90 towards the outlet, allows the water outlet 92 towards the disks 10, 12 to be freed.

[0091] FIGS. 6a-6d show, in an exploded and perspective view, the components of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] The magnet 8 is inserted inside a body 80 (Figure c) externally provided with a plurality of teeth 81 having inclined surfaces 82; the teeth 81 are associated with respective projections 104 on the outer side of a body 103, each provided with two oppositely inclined surfaces 105, 106. The two teeth 81 have, formed between them, a space 83 inside which a guide 107 (visible also in FIG. 3a) situated on the inner surface of a body 101 is slidably engaged over a predetermined length of the body 101. The body 80 is inserted inside the body 103 and, together with it, inside the body 101.

[0093] The top part of the body 103 is engaged with the pushbutton 7, such that the pushbutton 7 and the body 103 are locked together. The pushbutton 7 has a hollow cylindrical section which fits over the body 101, and a spring is arranged between the body 101 and the pushbutton 7. The body 101 is also cylindrical and hollow and the body 103 is slidable inside the body 101. The body 80 has a section with a larger diameter slidable inside the body 101 and a section with smaller diameter inserted insider the body 103. The spaces 83 between the teeth are on the smaller-diameter section. The larger-diameter section receives the cylindrical chamber 6.

[0094] A spring 120 is arranged between the body 80 and the cylindrical chamber 6.

[0095] In this connection, as can be seen from FIG. 1a, the body 80 has a first cylindrical section which houses the magnet 8 and a second closed cylindrical section with a diameter smaller than that of the first section, which receives the spring and the end part of the cylindrical chamber 6. The body 103 is fitted onto the body 80. Operationally speaking, the pushbutton 7 may slide axially (e.g. from the position shown in FIG. 3a) together with the body 103 so as to move the body 80 downwards, owing to the contact between the inclined surface 106 and the inclined surface 82. The body 80 does not rotate along a predetermined axial section where the guides 107 are engaged inside the spaces 83 between the teeth 81; along a further axial section, the body 80 comes out of the guides 107 and performs a rotation caused by sliding of the surface 106 on the inclined surface 82, this terminating when the surface 105 makes contact with a tip 84 of the tooth 81, reaching a first equilibrium position in which closing of the flow is performed (FIG. 4a).

[0096] When the pushbutton 7 is released, the spring moves the pushbutton and the body 103 away from the body 80 which however maintains its equilibrium position because the guides 107 are in contact with the teeth 81, along the vertical surface before the tip 84, therefore preventing the body 80 from moving back upwards. In other words, for the predefined rotation which the body 80 performs with respect to the body 101, the guides are no longer inserted between the spaces 83, but make contact above the teeth.

[0097] In order to reach the second stable position, corresponding to opening of the flow, the pushbutton 7 is operated again. In particular, with a pressure applied onto the pushbutton 7, the body 103 is lowered and the inclined surface 106 again comes into contact with the inclined surface 82, causing, firstly, lowering of the body 80 until the tip 84 is uncovered by the guides 107 and, subsequently, a further rotation of the body 80 which repositions the spaces 83 opposite the guides 107, allowing the body 80 to move back up between the guides 107.

[0098] Advantageously, according to an embodiment of the present invention, closing of the flow is performed by means of the disc 90 which is operatively associated with the closing plug 4, and closing plug 4 serves only to trigger the movement of the disk 90 inside the chamber 92.

[0099] Advantageously, closing of the flow is performed by the unit 70 upstream of the disks and, when the closing plug is in the closed position, it is not needed to close the fluid passage between the holes of the disks in order to close off the water. In this way closing-off of the flow occurs immediately.

[0100] Vice versa, when the closing plug is in the open position, it is still possible to prevent supplying of water by keeping closed the fluid passage between the holes in the disks. In this way, subsequent opening, by means of gradual angular displacement of the disks, is particularly precise.