Valve core assembly

The valve core assembly includes a valve housing member, an actuating member, a control plate, a moving plate member, a static plate member, a valve seat member and a sealing member coupled to obtain the valve core assembly. The valve housing member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The actuating member is rotatably disposed in the valve housing member along the first end portion. The control plate is disposed in the second cavity and coupled to the actuating member. The moving plate member is coupled to the control plate and disposed in the second cavity. The static plate member is disposed adjacent to the moving plate member in the second cavity. The valve seat member is detachably coupled to the valve housing member. Further, the sealing member is removably disposed in a cutout portion of the valve seat member.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to taps, and, more particularly, to a valve core assembly for taps.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Valve cores in the taps are configured to regulate water flowing through taps. Generally, valve cores include complex structure of various moving and static elements coupled to each other. Further, the complexity of the overall valve cores increases when the valve cores are for outlet of mixed water supply that are adapted to the intake hot and cold water and mix thereto to output the mixed water. More often than not, during maintenance of such valve cores, disassembling and assembling of such complex valve cores are quite cumbersome and time consuming. Further, due to more parts than required, often, there are probable chance of losing or damaging of one or other parts of conventional valve cores causing leakage in the taps.

Accordingly, there exists a need to overcome shortcomings of the conventional valve cores. For example, there exists a need of a valve core which may be comparatively less in complexity in the overall structure of valve cores. Further, there is need of such valve core which may be simple in structure and involves less structural arrangements. Further, there is need of such valve core which may be easy to assemble and disassemble for maintenance purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a valve core assembly, to include all advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent in the prior art.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a valve core which may be comparatively less in complexity in the overall structure of valve cores.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a valve core which may be simple in structure and involves less structural arrangements.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a valve core which may be easy to assemble and disassemble for maintenance purposes.

In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present disclosure, valve core assembly is provided. The valve core assembly may include a valve housing member, an actuating member, a control plate, a moving plate member, a static plate member, a valve seat member and a sealing member coupled to obtain the valve core assembly.

In one embodiment, the valve housing member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The valve housing member includes a seat member separating the first end portion with the second end portion. The valve housing member defines a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein the first cavity is in the first end portion and the second cavity is defined in the second end portion. In one embodiment, the second cavity includes a bigger circumference area than the first cavity.

In one embodiment, the actuating member may be rotatably disposed in the valve housing member. The actuating member may include an actuator sleeve element, an actuator rod element, through holes, and a protruding pin element. The actuator sleeve element may include a sleeve cavity and a sleeve flange. The actuator sleeve element may be rotatably disposed in the first cavity, and the sleeve flange rests on the seat member. Further, the actuator rod element may be disposed in the sleeve cavity. The through holes may be defined along sides of the actuator sleeve element and the actuator rod element. The through holes may be collinearly aligned when the actuator rod element is disposed in the sleeve cavity. Further, the protruding pin element may be engagingly disposed in the through holes to couple the actuator rod element with the sleeve cavity.

In one embodiment, the control plate may be disposed in the second cavity of the valve housing member and coupled to the actuating member. The control plate may include a rod cavity configured on the control plate to receive the actuator rod element to be coupled the control plate with the actuator rod element.

In one embodiment, the moving plate member may be coupled to the control plate and disposed in the second cavity of the valve housing member. The moving plate is adaptable to be rotated or slid by the control plate upon actuation by the actuating member.

In one embodiment, the static plate member may be disposed adjacent to the moving plate member in the second cavity of the valve housing member. The static plate member may include a first water inlet cavity, a second water inlet cavity and a mixed water outlet cavity.

In one embodiment, the valve seat member may be detachably coupled to the valve housing member. The valve seat member may include a first water inlet channel, a second water inlet channel, a mixed water outlet channel, a cutout portion, openings, and flow guiding members. The first water inlet channel may be communicably coupled to the first water inlet cavity. The second water inlet channel may be communicably coupled to the second water inlet cavity. The mixed water outlet channel may be communicably coupled to the mixed water outlet cavity. Further, the cutout portion may be formed along sides of the first and second water inlet channels, and the mixed water outlet channel to guide a flow of water. Further, the openings may be perpendicularly aligned and bend to fluidly coupled to the first and second water inlet channels, and the mixed water outlet channel, respectively. Furthermore, the flow guiding members may be formed along the respective bends between the first water inlet channel and the first threaded openings, and between the second water inlet channel and the second threaded openings, and between the water inlet channel and the third threaded openings. The respective flow guiding members are capable of guiding flow of the water in such as manner to reduce the noise of the flowing water.

In one embodiment, the sealing member may be removably disposed in the cutout portion of the valve seat member. The sealing member may include a complementary first water inlet cavity, a complementary second water inlet cavity and a complementary mixed water outlet cavity to fluidly align with respective the first water inlet cavity, the second water inlet cavity and the mixed water outlet cavity upon being disposed in the cutout portion.

This together with the other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, is pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in implementation. The present disclosure provides a valve core assembly. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited only to what is disclosed and extends to cover various alternation to valve core assembly. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

The terms “having”, “comprising”, “including”, and variations thereof signify the presence of a component.

A valve core assembly1000will now be described in conjunction withFIGS. 1 to 17B, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 1illustrates an environment, whereby the valve core assembly1000is shown to be coupled with the tap ‘T’. As seen inFIG. 1, the valve core assembly1000is provided. The valve core assembly1000may be capable of being coupled horizontally or slantly to the tap ‘T’. The valve core assembly1000may include a handle ‘H’ coupled thereto to be actuated or rotated up-and-down or left-and-right to open and close the tap ‘T’.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A to 2D, various views of the valve core assembly1000are shown. Specifically,FIG. 2Aillustrates an exploded view of the valve core assembly1000, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2Billustrates a side assembled view of the valve core assembly1000, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2Cillustrates a bottom assembled view of the valve core assembly1000, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2Dillustrates a top assembled view of the valve core assembly1000, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 2A, the valve core assembly1000includes a valve housing member100, an actuating member200, a control plate300, a moving plate member400, a static plate member500, a valve seat member600and a sealing member700coupled to obtain the valve core assembly1000.

Referring now toFIGS. 3A and 3B, a perspective view and a cross sectional view of the valve housing member100are respectively illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and will be described in conjunction withFIGS. 2A to 2D. As shown, the valve housing member100includes a first end portion102and a second end portion104. The valve housing member100includes a seat member103separating the first end portion102with the second end portion104. The valve housing member100defines a first cavity106and a second cavity108, wherein the first cavity106is in the first end portion102and the second cavity108is defined in the second end portion104. In one embodiment, the second cavity108includes a bigger circumference area than the first cavity106.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A and 4B, a perspective exploded and a perspective assembled view of the actuating member200are respectively illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and will be described in conjunction withFIGS. 2A to 3B. The actuating member200may be rotatably disposed in the valve housing member100. The actuating member200may include an actuator sleeve element201, an actuator rod element204, through holes206a,206b, and a protruding pin element208. The actuator sleeve element201may include a sleeve cavity202and a sleeve flange203. The actuator sleeve element201may be rotatably disposed in the first cavity106, and the sleeve flange203rests on the seat member103. Further, the actuator rod element204may be disposed in the sleeve cavity202. The through holes206a,206bmay be defined along sides of the actuator sleeve element201and the actuator rod element204. The through holes206a,206bmay be collinearly aligned when the actuator rod element204is disposed in the sleeve cavity202. Further, the protruding pin element208may be engagingly disposed in the through holes206a,206bto couple the actuator rod element204with the sleeve cavity202.

Referring now toFIGS. 5A and 5B, perspective views, of the control plate300that are respectively illustrated from upside and downside, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and will be described in conjunction withFIGS. 2A to 4B. The control plate300may be disposed in the second cavity108of the valve housing member100and coupled to the actuating member200. The control plate300may include a rod cavity301configured on the control plate300to receive the actuator rod element204to be coupled the control plate300with the actuator rod element204. The control plate300may include recess members304formed along a circumferential region of the control plate300. Further, the control plate300may also include a groove302configured thereon. The recess members304and the control plate300may be described herein later.

Referring now toFIGS. 6A and 6B, perspective views, of the moving plate member400that are respectively illustrated from upside and downside, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and will be described in conjunction withFIGS. 2A to 5B. The moving plate member400may be coupled to the control plate300and disposed in the second cavity108of the valve housing member100. The moving plate400is adaptable to be rotated or slid by the control plate300upon actuation by the actuating member200.

Referring now toFIGS. 7A and 7B, perspective views, of the static plate member500that are respectively illustrated from upside and downside, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and will be described in conjunction withFIGS. 2A to 6B. The static plate member500may be disposed adjacent to the moving plate member400in the second cavity108of the valve housing member100. The static plate member500may include a first water inlet cavity502, a second water inlet cavity504and a mixed water outlet cavity506.

Referring now toFIGS. 8A and 8B, a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the valve seat member600are respectively illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and will be described in conjunction withFIGS. 2A to 7B. The valve seat member600may be detachably coupled to the valve housing member100. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the valve seat member600may include a first water inlet channel602, a second water inlet channel604, a mixed water outlet channel606, a cutout portion607, openings608,610,612, and flow guiding members614. The first water inlet channel602may be communicably coupled to the first water inlet cavity502. The second water inlet channel604may be communicably coupled to the second water inlet cavity504. The mixed water outlet channel606may be communicably coupled to the mixed water outlet cavity506. Further, the cutout portion607may be formed along sides of the first and second water inlet channels602,604, and the mixed water outlet channel606to guide a flow of water. Further, the openings608,610,612may be perpendicularly aligned and bend to fluidly coupled to the first and second water inlet channels602,604, and the mixed water outlet channel606, respectively. Furthermore, the flow guiding members614may be formed along the respective bends between the first water inlet channel602and the first threaded openings608, and between the second water inlet channel604and the second threaded openings610, and between the mixed water inlet channel606and the third threaded openings612. The respective flow guiding members614are capable of guiding flow of the water in such as manner to reduce the noise of the flowing water.

Referring now toFIG. 9, a perspective view of the sealing member700is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and will be described in conjunction withFIGS. 2A to 8B. The sealing member700may be removably disposed in the cutout portion607of the valve seat member600. The sealing member700may include a complementary first water inlet cavity702, a complementary second water inlet cavity704and a complementary mixed water outlet cavity706to fluidly align with respective the first water inlet cavity502, the second water inlet cavity504and the mixed water outlet cavity506upon being disposed in the cutout portion607.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the valve seat member600may be detachably coupled to the valve housing member100by an attaching mechanism800, as shown and described with reference toFIG. 10. The attaching mechanism800may include fastening protrusions802and complementary fastening grooves804. The fastening protrusions802may extend 180 degrees from an inner region of a circumference of the valve seat member600. Further, the complementary fastening grooves804may be formed along a circumference of the valve housing member100. The fastening protrusions802may be adapted to be received in the complementary fastening grooves804to detachably couple the valve seat member600with the valve housing member100. The attaching mechanism800may also include complementary extension806and slot808combination met each other while coupling the valve seat member600and the valve housing member100. Such complementary extension806and slot808may be respectively formed along the valve seat member600and the valve housing member100,

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the static plate member500is detachably coupled to the valve seat member600such that when the valve seat member600is detachably coupled to the valve housing member100, the static plate member500is positioned in the second cavity108. The static plate member500is detachably coupled to the valve seat member600by an attachment arrangement900, as shown and described with reference toFIG. 11and will be described in conjunction toFIGS. 1 to 10. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the attachment arrangement900may include attaching protrusions902and chamfered regions904. The attaching protrusions902may extend 180 degrees from an outer region of a circumference of the valve seat member600. Each of the attaching protrusion902includes hook-like member906. Further, the chamfered regions904may be formed along edge of the static plate member500. The attaching protrusions902may be adapted to be received in the chamfered regions904and each respective hook-like member906grip the valve seat member600to detachably coupled the static plate member500with the valve seat member600.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control plate300and the actuating member200are detachably coupled to each other by a groove and protrusion combination, as shown inFIG. 12. In such an arrangement, the groove302may be formed on the control plate300and the protrusion210may be formed along the sleeve flange203. The protrusion210of the sleeve flange203may engage with the groove302of the control plate300for detachably coupled to each other.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG. 13, the moving plate member400and the control plate300are coupled to each other. The moving plate member400may include recess members402formed along a circumferential region of the moving plate member400. Further, the control plate300may include complementary extending members304extending 180 degrees from a circumferential region of the control plate300. Such recess members402and the complementary extending members304are adapted to be detachably engageable to each other to detachably couple the moving plate member400and the control plate300.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG. 8B, the flow guiding members614includes a tapered projection614ataperedly extending from a respective circumference of the flow guiding members614.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG. 14, the openings608(only shown inFIG. 14),610,612are perpendicularly aligned and bend to fluidly coupled to the first and second water inlet channels602(only shown inFIG. 14),604such that the mixed water outlet channel606and respective opening612is located between the first water inlet channel602and the second water inlet channel604and respective opening608,610.

Further shown inFIG. 14and also inFIG. 15, in one embodiment, the openings608(only shown),610,612are perpendicularly aligned and bend to fluidly coupled to the first and second water inlet channels602(only shown),604such that the mixed water outlet channel606and respective opening612is located below in a level with respect to the first water inlet channel602and the second water inlet channel604and respective opening608,610(seen inFIG. 17A), thereby forming a depression820between the first water inlet channel602and the second water inlet channel604and respective opening608,610. In one example embodiment, the mixed water outlet channel606and respective opening612protrude outward from a surface of the valve seat member600.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 16, the second water inlet cavity504, the second water inlet channel604, and the complementary second water inlet cavity704are colinearly aligned to each other. Further, the first water inlet cavity502, the first water inlet channel602, and complementary first water outlet cavity702are colinearly aligned to each other. Furthermore, the mixed water outlet cavity506communicably coupled to the mixed water out channel606, and the complementary mixed water outlet cavity706are colinearly aligned to each other.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 17A, the openings608,610,612and the first and second water inlet channels602,604and the mixed water outlet channel606are integrally formed as a one-piece structure. the one-piece structure may be injection molded. In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 17B, the openings608,610,612and the first and second water inlet channels602,604and the mixed water outlet channel606are separately formed as a multi piece structure.

The valve core assembly1000as described above may be coupled with the tap ‘T’ as shown inFIG. 1. As seen inFIG. 1, the valve core assembly1000may be capable of being coupled horizontally or slantly to the tap ‘T’. The valve core assembly1000may include a handle ‘H’ coupled thereto to be actuated or rotated up-and-down or left-and-right to open and close the tap ‘T’. In one embodiment, the valve core assembly1000may be aligned downward such that the openings608,610,612are aligned facing the ground. The opening608may be coupled to hot-water supply and the opening610may be coupled to the cold-water supply. Further, the opening612may be directly coupled to an outlet of the tap ‘T. The cold and hot water get mixed within the valve core assembly1000and mixed water is outlet from the tap via the opening612.

The present disclosure is advantageous in providing a valve core, such as the valve core1000, which may be comparatively less in complexity in the overall structure of valve cores. Further, the valve core may be simple in structure and involves less structural arrangements. Further, the valve core may be easy to assemble and disassemble for maintenance purposes.