Device for opening, closing and regulating a flow rate for a faucet body of a bath or kitchen

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.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for opening, closing and regulating the water flow rate for a faucet body of a bathroom or kitchen. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to a device of the aforementioned type in which opening, closing and regulating of the water flow rate are performed manually, i.e., without using electric means.

Embodiments of the invention also relate to a method for opening, closing and regulating the water flow rate for a faucet body of a bathroom or kitchen, in particular to a method which allows high-pressure manual adjustments to be performed.

BACKGROUND

Devices designed to be installed in a faucet body of a bathroom or kitchen, in order to perform opening and closing of the water and regulation of its flow rate, are known.

In this connection there is an increasingly pressing need to reduce to the dimensions of the opening, closing and regulating devices, so as to allow installation thereof in a concealed manner also in a bathroom or kitchen faucet body having a particularly sophisticated design, in which the space for housing the devices is generally very limited, for example in a faucet body having one or more outlets associated with a shower sprinkler head, a body jet, a hand shower or a waterfall outlet.

At the same time there is a need to ensure very precise regulation of the flow rate. In some cases, it is desirable also to make provision for various modes of supplying the fluid, for example sprinkler type, by means of a rose situated in the center of the shower, jet type, by means of hydromassage nozzles situated at mid-height on the shower panel or at the bottom, or by means of a mobile hand shower, connected to a flexible pipe, etc.

Some known devices are particularly effective for performing precise regulation of the flow rate since they are electrically controlled. These devices are also viewed favorably because the control system for opening, closing or regulation is digital and therefore associated with a small-size pushbutton which is particularly sensitive to the pressure applied by the user.

However, the electronic devices are somewhat bulky because they require electric components, such as one or more motors for operating a flow rate closing valve/regulator, a sensor system, a power supply interface, an electronic board, etc.

SUMMARY

The technical problem of one or more embodiments of the present invention is that of devising a water opening and closing device which is completely manual and able to perform regulation of the flow rate and if necessary regulation of the supply mode by means of a shower sprinkler head and/or a body jet and/or a hand shower and/or a waterfall outlet associated with it at high pressure and at the same time is able to limit the overall dimensions of a bathroom or kitchen faucet body in which it is to be installed, substantially overcoming all the drawbacks which affect the currently known devices.

The idea underlying one or more embodiments of the present invention is that of providing a device for controlling the opening, closing and regulation of the water flow rate for a faucet body of a bathroom or kitchen, in which an opening/closing system comprises a closing plug, movable between two stable opening or closing positions and associated with a magnet which can be operated by means of a manual pushbutton, and is situated upstream of a system for regulating at least the flow rate.

In particular, the system for regulating the flow rate comprises two coaxial disks rotatable relative to each other, each having at least one hole, in which the flow rate is determined by the cross-section of a fluid passage formed through the two holes in the disks.

Advantageously, closing of the flow is performed by the system 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.

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.

However, it is quite possible for the form and the position of the holes in the disks to prevent complete closure of the water flow and for the disks to be rotatable relative to each other solely in order to increase or reduce the flow from a maximum flow rate to a minimum flow rate and not in order to keep the water flow closed.

Preferably, the closing system is coaxial with the disks; even more preferably, the closing plug is movable along the same axis as the disks.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the downstream disk comprises several holes and each hole is in fluid communication with a duct for a respective flow supply mode. In other words, the angular displacement of one disk relative to the other one determines one of the possible supply modes.

For example, according to one embodiment, two holes in the downstream disk may be associated with two different supply modes, i.e., sprinkler or jet type; the fluid passage is formed by positioning the hole of the upstream disk opposite either hole of the downstream disk, and the flow rate is regulated by varying the cross-section of the passage by means of angular displacement of the disks.

Alternatively, according to another embodiment, three holes in the downstream disk may be associated with three different supply modes, i.e., sprinkler, jet or hand shower. The fluid passage is formed by positioning the hole of the upstream disk opposite one of the three holes of the downstream disk, and the flow rate is regulated by varying the cross-section of the passage, by means of angular displacement of the disks.

According to another aspect of the present invention, fluid passages associated with different supply modes may be supplied simultaneously. A fluid passage through several holes in the downstream disk is defined by an angular displacement which positions the hole of the upstream disk over said several holes.

According to the proposed solution mentioned above, the technical problem is solved by a device for opening, closing and regulating the water flow rate in a faucet body for a bathroom or kitchen, comprising:a water inlet and outlet,a closing plug having at least one metal part sliding inside a cylindrical chamber with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the closing plug;a pushbutton comprising a magnet associated with the metal part of the closing plug;

the pushbutton being 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 positions, corresponding to opening or closing of the water flow by the device, characterized in that it comprises:a flow regulation unit comprising:a first disk comprising at least one hole in fluid communication with the outlet;a second disk comprising a second hole, said second disk being coaxial with the first disk and in contact with the first disk;

the second disk is axially rotatable relative to the first disk and the flow rate of the water passing from the flow regulation unit corresponds to a cross-section S of a water passage defined by the disks in the region of the first hole and the second hole, the cross-section being variable with a relative angular displacement α of the first disk and the second disk.

In one embodiment, the first disk comprises a third hole, and the flow rate of the water corresponding to the cross-section S 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 α of the first disk and the second disk, where α′<α<α″, and

a relative angular displacement β of the first disk and the second disk, where β′<β<β″ and α″<β′, is associated with a cross-section S′ 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 one fluid supply mode and the second passage being associated with another supply mode.

In another embodiment the first disk comprises at least one fourth hole, and a relative angular displacement Ø of the first disk and the second disk, where Ø′<Ø<Ø″ and β″>Ø′, is associated with a cross-section S″ of at least one third passage formed by the disks in the region of the first hole and the at least one fourth hole, where the third passage is associated with a supply mode different from the other supply modes.

According to one aspect of the present invention, for a given angular displacement α, the first passage and the second passage are open and associated with a respective cross-section S, S′ for simultaneous supplying at a corresponding flow rate P1, P2 in the first and second supply modes.

For a given angular displacement β, the second passage and the third passage 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.

According to another aspect of the invention, for an angular displacement Ø, the first passage, the second passage and the third passage 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.

According to a further embodiment, for a given angular displacement α, the third passage and the second passage are closed and the first passage is associated with a respective cross-section S for exclusive supplying at a flow rate P1, in the first supply mode.

Similarly, for a given angular displacement β, the first passage and the second passage may be closed and the third passage is associated with a respective cross-section S″ for exclusive supplying at a flow rate in the third supply mode.

Preferably, the first disk and the second disk have the same radius and the first hole is at a radial distance from the center of the first disk substantially corresponding to a radial distance of the second hole, the third hole or the fourth hole from the center of the disk.

According to one aspect of the invention, the first hole, the third hole and the fourth hole in the first disk are circular and the second hole is a window situated in a circle segment of the second disk.

According to the proposed solution mentioned above, the technical problem is solved by a method for regulating the water flow rate in a faucet body for a bathroom or kitchen, comprising the steps of:activating opening or closing of the flow by means of a pushbutton comprising a magnet associated with the metal part of a closing plug, the metal part being slidable inside a cylindrical chamber with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the closing plug, and the pushbutton being 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 positions, corresponding to opening or closing of the water flow by the device, characterized in that regulation of the flow rate is performed by rotating a knob or the pushbutton axially and rotating via said pushbutton or the knob a second disk comprising a second hole, said second disk being coaxial with a first disk and in contact with the first disk;

the second disk, rotating axially with respect to the first disk, regulates the flow rate of the water passing through a water passage defined by the disks in the region of the first hole and the second hole, said cross-section being variable with a relative angular displacement α of the first disk and the second disk.

Further characteristic features and advantages of embodiments the present invention will become clear from an embodiment described purely by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the attached figures, a number of examples of embodiment of a device1for opening, closing and regulating the water flow rate, intended to be applied to a faucet body for a bathroom or kitchen are described.

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 device1, 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.

Preferably, the device1is assembled as a cylindrical body or unit50(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.

The device1has an inlet2for the water, for example formed by a lateral opening52in a cylindrical and hollow unit51, preferably by three lateral openings52at the same angular distance on the unit51. The hollow cylindrical unit51forms a terminal portion of the cylindrical unit50. The inlet2may be connected to an outlet of a thermostatic mixer, the thermostatic mixer having hot water and cold inlets associated with inlets of a faucet body and an outlet for mixed water.

A water outlet3is associated with a central opening54of the unit51, inside which a system60for regulating at least the flow rate (FIG. 6a) is mounted. In particular, the system60for regulating the flow rate comprises at least two coaxial disks10,12rotatable relative to each other and each having at least one hole.

In the example of embodiment provided with reference toFIG. 6a, a first disk10has three holes11,15,16and a second disk12has one hole13.

The first disk10is locked together with the unit51. For example three equidistant windows55on the side surface of the cylindrical unit51form snap-engaging seats for a corresponding number of projections56on the first disk10and, when the parts are engaged, prevent a rotation of the disk10with respect to the unit51. The second disk12does not have the projections56and comprises a number of recesses57, for example three equidistant recesses57, and is free to rotate axially inside the cylindrical unit51, by means of coupling of the recesses57together with a regulating unit58shown inFIG. 6b. The regulating unit58is provided with projections59coupled with the recesses57of the second disk12, causing the second disk12to be locked together with the regulation unit58and axially rotatable inside the cylindrical unit51.

In the example of embodiment shown in the figures, the regulating unit58is associated with a unit70for opening and closing the flow, for example by means of engagement of projections71on the opening and closing unit70with respective recesses72in the regulating unit, which rotationally lock together the units58and70.

The first and second disks are made of ceramic material.

A third disk61, which is made of plastic and has three holes144,155,166and three projections56like the first disk10, is mounted on the cylindrical unit51and fixed to its end, preferably by means of a snap-engaging system consisting of a further projection61on the third disk61, preferably three projections62, and respective snap-engaging seats65on the unit51. The third disk does not rotate relative to the unit51and its holes are aligned with the holes in the first disk10. The holes144,155,166are fitted with three circular seals63inside which three rings64of metallic or plastic material are mounted.

A pin31, or preferably two equidistant pins31, projecting from the base of the third disk61, protrudes from the unit51and is intended to fix the unit51to the body of the faucet. The pin31is formed integrally with the third disk61. Once the unit51is fixed to the faucet body, only the second disk12is axially rotatable relative to the unit51, while the disks10,61are locked together with it.

In particular, the second disk12is axially rotatable relative to the first disk10and the flow rate is determined by the cross-section of a fluid passage formed through a hole in the first disk10and the hole in the second disk12.

Even more particularly, the second disk12is axially rotatable relative to the first disk10, and the flow rate of the water passing from the flow regulation unit51corresponds to a cross-section S of a water passage14(FIG. 1c) defined by the disks in the region of the first hole11of the first disk10and the one hole13of the disk12. The cross-section S is variable with a relative angular displacement α of the first disk10and the second disk12.

FIG. 2ashows in schematic form the second disk12with the hole13in a position α′.FIG. 2bshows in schematic form the second disk12superimposed on the first disk10. In the position α′ the second disk12closes the hole11of the first disk10. In a position α>α′ the hole13of the second disk12is at least partly positioned opposite the hole11of the first disk10and forms a water passage14having a flow rate which increases with an increase in the open cross-section of the hole11. In an advanced position α″, the second disk12closes again the hole11of the first disk10.

In other words, for a predefined angular displacement α, the second disk allows regulation of the flow rate through the hole11of the first disk10, which may be associated, by means of the faucet body, with a first supply mode.

Similarly, for other predefined angular displacements, the second disk allows regulation of the flow rate through the hole15or the hole16in the first disk10, which holes may be associated, by means of the faucet body, with a second and a third supply mode.

However, even if the example of embodiment provided with reference toFIG. 6arelates to a device able to regulate the output via three different holes11,15,16available on the first disk10, and therefore potentially for supplying water by means of three modes associated with the three holes11,15,16, the other embodiments are not limited to this embodiment, but embrace, for example, also a device1with a single outlet hole11on the first disk10, and therefore a device able to regulate only the flow rate through said hole11.

In this case, the device regulates the water flow rate passing from the flow regulation unit51and corresponding to the cross-section S of a single possible passage14defined by the disks10,12in the region of a single first hole11available on the first disk10and a single hole13available on the second disk12.

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.

In particular, the first disk10comprises a second hole15, and the water flow rate corresponding to the cross-section S of the passage14defined by the disks10,12in the region of the first hole11of the first disk10and the hole13of the second disk12is associated with the relative angular displacement α of the first disk10and the second disk12, where α′<α<α″, while a relative angular displacement β of the first disk10and the second disk12, where (β′<β<β″ and α″<β′, is associated with a cross-section S′ of a second passage21formed by the disks in the region of the first hole10and the second hole15, the first passage14being associated with one fluid supply mode and the second passage21being associated with another supply mode.

In the example of embodiment provided specifically with reference toFIGS. 6aand 2b, the device also comprises a third hole16on the first disk10, and a relative angular displacement Ø of the first disk10and the second disk12, where Ø′<Ø<Ø″ and β″>Ø′, is associated with a cross-section S′ of a passage22formed by the disks in the region of the first hole10and the third hole16, and the third passage22is associated with a supply mode different from the other supply modes.

According to different embodiments of the present invention, which all fall within the scope of protection of the application, when the first disk10has more than one outlet hole12, it is possible to envisage that engagement of the second disk12with the first disk10allows simultaneous supplying via two or more holes in the first disk10or exclusive supplying via only one of said holes.

For example, according to an embodiment where the first disk10has three holes11,15and16, for a given angular displacement α, the first passage14and the second passage21are 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 disk12relative to the first disk10. Again according to this embodiment, for an angular displacement β, the second passage21and the third passage22are 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 disk12relative to the first disk10.

According to another embodiment, for an angular displacement Ø, the first passage14, the second passage21and the third passage22are 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 device1.

In the case where it is required to perform exclusive supplying via one of the many holes provided in the first disk10, it is instead envisaged that, for a given angular displacement α, the third passage22and the second passage21are 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 passage14is associated with a respective cross-section S for exclusive supplying at a flow rate P1 in the first supply mode.

Similarly, according to this embodiment, for another angular displacement β, the first passage14and the second passage21are 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 passage22is associated with a respective cross-section S″ for exclusive supplying at a flow rate P1 in the third supply mode.

Closing and opening of the flow in the device1is performed by means of the unit70. This unit comprises a closing plug4having at least one metal part5sliding inside a cylindrical chamber6having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the closing plug4. An associated magnet8is associated with the metal part5of the closing plug4and is slidable above the cylindrical chamber6.

A pushbutton7can be operated manually so as to displace the magnet8and the closing plug4along an axis X of the cylindrical chamber6, into two different stable positions, corresponding to opening or closing of the water flow by the device.

In particular, the pushbutton7is associated with the magnet8and the unit for opening and closing the flow70by means of the system100(FIG. 6c) which allows operation of the pushbutton7axially, so as to switch the magnet and the closing plug between two stable positions or rotate the pushbutton7in order to vary the angular position of the second disk12with respect to the first disk10.

The closing plug4acts on a disk90for closing or opening the flow. The pressure exerted manually on the pushbutton7only serves to move the magnet8and the associated closing plug4a few millimeters; this displacement serves only to bring the closing plug4into contact with the disk90or move the closing plug4away from the disk90. Closing of the disk90, and in particular closing of a small hole in the center of the disk90, causes a rapid displacement of the disk90so as to close the flow, as a result of filling of a chamber91in which the disk is movable. The chamber91is filled with water under pressure from the water supply mains, which displaces the disk90into the closed position, against the outlet92, preventing the water flow towards the first disk10and the second disk12for regulating the flow rate.

Vice versa, the separation of the closing plug4from the disk90produces a rapid movement of the disk90away from its closed position, owing to emptying of the chamber91and the pressure of the water entering into the device.

In other words, during closing, the water inside the chamber91exerts a pressure on the disk90, compressing it against a fluid outlet, while, during opening, the absence or reduction of the water inside the chamber91, and therefore the absence or reduction of the pressure exerted on the disk90towards the outlet, allows the water outlet92towards the disks10,12to be freed.

FIGS. 6a-6dshow, in an exploded and perspective view, the components of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The magnet8is inserted inside a body80(Figure c) externally provided with a plurality of teeth81having inclined surfaces82; the teeth81are associated with respective projections104on the outer side of a body103, each provided with two oppositely inclined surfaces105,106. The two teeth81have, formed between them, a space83inside which a guide107(visible also inFIG. 3a) situated on the inner surface of a body101is slidably engaged over a predetermined length of the body101. The body80is inserted inside the body103and, together with it, inside the body101.

The top part of the body103is engaged with the pushbutton7, such that the pushbutton7and the body103are locked together. The pushbutton7has a hollow cylindrical section which fits over the body101, and a spring is arranged between the body101and the pushbutton7. The body101is also cylindrical and hollow and the body103is slidable inside the body101. The body80has a section with a larger diameter slidable inside the body101and a section with smaller diameter inserted insider the body103. The spaces83between the teeth are on the smaller-diameter section. The larger-diameter section receives the cylindrical chamber6.

A spring120is arranged between the body80and the cylindrical chamber6.

In this connection, as can be seen fromFIG. 1a, the body80has a first cylindrical section which houses the magnet8and 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 chamber6. The body103is fitted onto the body80. Operationally speaking, the pushbutton7may slide axially (e.g. from the position shown inFIG. 3a) together with the body103so as to move the body80downwards, owing to the contact between the inclined surface106and the inclined surface82. The body80does not rotate along a predetermined axial section where the guides107are engaged inside the spaces83between the teeth81; along a further axial section, the body80comes out of the guides107and performs a rotation caused by sliding of the surface106on the inclined surface82, this terminating when the surface105makes contact with a tip84of the tooth81, reaching a first equilibrium position in which closing of the flow is performed (FIG. 4a).

When the pushbutton7is released, the spring moves the pushbutton and the body103away from the body80which however maintains its equilibrium position because the guides107are in contact with the teeth81, along the vertical surface before the tip84, therefore preventing the body80from moving back upwards. In other words, for the predefined rotation which the body80performs with respect to the body101, the guides are no longer inserted between the spaces83, but make contact above the teeth.

In order to reach the second stable position, corresponding to opening of the flow, the pushbutton7is operated again. In particular, with a pressure applied onto the pushbutton7, the body103is lowered and the inclined surface106again comes into contact with the inclined surface82, causing, firstly, lowering of the body80until the tip84is uncovered by the guides107and, subsequently, a further rotation of the body80which repositions the spaces83opposite the guides107, allowing the body80to move back up between the guides107.

Advantageously, according to an embodiment of the present invention, closing of the flow is performed by means of the disc90which is operatively associated with the closing plug4, and closing plug4serves only to trigger the movement of the disk90inside the chamber92.

Advantageously, closing of the flow is performed by the unit70upstream 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.

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.