A SINGLE HANDLE MIXING VALVE WITH CARTRIDGE, HAVING AN INLET REVERSING MEMBER

Abstract: A single handle mixing valve with a cartridge (8), including a reversing member (12) inserted within the valve body (1) between the cartridge (8) and two inlets (2, 3) for hot and cold water, so arranged that it can be selectively inserted in two different modes, and having two passageways (14, 15) therethrough so shaped and disposed that, in the first insertion mode, the first body inlet (2) is in fluid communication with the first cartridge entrance (9) and the second body inlet (3) with the second cartridge entrance (10), whereas in the second insertion mode the first body inlet (2) is in fluid communication with the second cartridge entrance (10) and the second body inlet (3) with the first cartridge entrance (9), whereby the selection of the insertion mode of the reversing member (12) allows chosing at the valve installation, as well as modifying successively if required, the order of connection between the body inlets (2, 3) and the cartridge entrances (9, 10).

Description: DESCRIPTION A SINGLE HANDLE MIXING VALVE WITH CARTRIDGE, HAVING AN INLET REVERSING MEMBER TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a single handle mixing valve comprising a body, with two inlets for hot and cold water and an outlet for discharg¬ ing mixed water, a cap intended to be fixed to the body and forming with the body a chamber for receiving a cartridge, a cartridge including me¬ chanisms for controlling and regulating the water flow as well as the mixing ratio between hot and cold water, said cartridge having two en¬ trances for the hot and cold water, and single handle control means for said cartridge. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In view of avoiding operation errors by the users, it is commonly required that in all single handle mixing valves a shifting of the lever handle to the right provides for delivery of colder water whilst a shifting to the left provides for delivery of hoter water. This invol¬ ves that in a certain valve the inlets cannot be exchanged between them, i.e. that the hot water pipe cannot be connected to the inlet intended for cold water and vice versa, since this would result in a undesired reversal in the operation of the valve. Therefore, in installing a plant, the supply pipes inserted in the walls, to which the valves will be connected, should be suitably disposed. However, certain difficul¬ ties arise in specific situations. For example, it is very convenient to have two valves in two different rooms placed on the opposite sides of a common wall and connected to common supply pipes. Unfortunately the pipe that is on the right for a first valve turns out to be on the left for the other valve. So, unless one accepts the fact that each valve operates in an opposite fashion from the other, it is necessary to have two valves with two different operating mechanisms therein that provide for reverse arrangement of the supply pipes. This factor causes higher cost and the risk of installing the wrong valve, which would re¬ quire later replacement. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The object of this invention is to overcome the stated difficulties by providing a single handle valve of the type stated in the preamble, wherein, preferably by a simple operation effected when installing the valve and which can be corrected at any time in case of mistake, the disposition of the inlets can be established in the one or in the oppo¬ site mode, whereby the valve can receive, at choice, cold water from right inlet and" hot water from left, inlet, or vice versa, though in any event preserving a correct operation. In accordance with one.aspect of the invention, this object is at- tained in that the valve includes a reversing member inserted in the bo¬ dy between the two body inlets and the mechanisms of the cartridge, said reversing member being so shaped that it can be selectively inserted in- two different modes, and having two passages so shaped and disposed that, in the first mode of insertion of the reversing member, the first passage thereof establishes fluid communication between the first body inlet and the first entrance of the cartridge and the second passage es¬ tablishes fluid communication between the second body inlet and the se- . cond entrance of the cartridge, whereas, in the second mode of insertion of the reversing member, the first passage thereof establishes fluid communication between the first body inlet and the second entrance of the cartridge and the second passage establishes fluid communication between the second body inlet and the first entrance of the cartridge. According to a first possible embodiment, the reversing member may include two separate pieces, the first piece being intended to be in- stalled to achieve the first insertion mode and the second piece being intended to be installed to achieve the second insertion mode, the re- maining piece of the reversing member being in each case excluded. According to a second embodiment, which is preferred, the reversing member is formed by a single piece and it is so shaped that it can be selectively inserted within the valve body in one of two different posi- tions, each position achieving one of the two insertion modes. Thanks to these characteristics, at the time of installation the valve can be simply connected to the supply pipes regardless of whether the cold or the hot water supply pipe is on the right side, and then the actual position of the hot and cold water supply pipes can be compensat- ed by the correct selection of the insertion mode of the reversing mem¬ ber within the valve body, so that the hot and cold water are in any event directed to the appropriate cartridge entrances or other valve portions, irrespective of the hot and cold water passing through the first or the second inlets within the valve body. Any error possibly made during the installation and successively revealed can, in any event, be easily corrected by displacing the reversing member from the one to the other insertion mode. The systematical use of such a possi¬ bility often allows to simplify and rationalize the disposition of the supply pipings, as well as to avoid the manufacture of valves having different dispositions of their inlets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of the invention will be mo¬ re clearly apparent from the following description of some preferred em¬ bodiments, diagrammatically shown in the appended drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 5 are side elevational views of the axial sections of five different embodiments of valves according to the invention; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a specific embodiment of the reversing member. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to figure 1, a single handle mixing valve includes a body 1 having two inlets 2 and 3 for hot and cold water and a discharge outlet 4 for the mixed water, as well as a member 5 in the form of a cy¬ lindrical extension which has a central bore; in the embodiment shown, the inlet 2 extends in axial direction. To the body 1 is connected a cap member 6 which together with the body 1 defines a chamber 7, and against which rests a valving cartridge 8 having first and second en¬ trances 9 and 10 for the hot and cold water, respectively. A control lever 11 extends upwardly through the cap member 6 for controlling in a conventional fashion the movements of the valve elements within the cartridge. The cartridge 8 is fitted within the cap chamber 7 such that the entrances 9 and 10 face downwardly into the bore of extension 5; the cartridge has not been shown in more detail in this figure since it can be of conventional construction, i.e. any usual, well known cartridge for single handle mixer valves. A reversing member 12 is fitted within the bore of extension 5, whe¬ rein it seals by means of a peripheral packing, and it has a centrally protruding downward extension 13 that is sized to fit within the central inlet 2 of body 1, wherein it seals by means of a packing 18 pushed by a spring 17. The reversing member 12 has a first passage 14 which extends from the central extension 13 obliquely towards a position on the oppo¬ site face of reversing member 12, which registers with the first entran¬ ce 9 of cartridge 8. The reversing member further has a second passage 15 which connects a position on the face of the reversing member, regis¬ tering with the second entrance 10 of cartridge 8, to a peripheral cham- ber 15, which in turn is in fluid communication with the second inlet 3 of body 1. The peripheral chamber 16 can alternatively be an annular or semi-annular chamber or even a peripheral groove that extends only par¬ tial y about the reversing member. The reversing member 12 can be inserted into the cylindrical exten- sion 5 of body 1 in two different positions: the first is that now des¬ cribed and shown in figure 1, the second position is rotated by 180° a- round the valve axis with respect to the first position, and it would therefore appear as symmetrical to the position shown with respect to the valve axis. Suitable stops, not shown in this figure, can be pro¬ vided for fixing these positions and ensure that the reversing member is correctly inserted in one of said two positions. In the position shown, the first passage 14 registers with the first entrance 9 of cartridge 8, and the second passage 15 registers with the second entrance 10 of cartridge 8, whereby water entering the first in¬ let 2 of body 1 is directed to the first cartridge entrance 9, whilst water entering the second inlet 3 of body 1 is directed to the second cartridge entrance 10. If, on the contrary, the reversing member 12 is displaced to its se¬ cond position, symmetrical to the first one, passage 14 is made to re¬ gister with the second cartridge entrance 10 and passage 15 is made to register with the first cartridge entrance 9, whereby water entering the first inlet 2 of body 1 is now directed to the second cartridge entrance 10 and water entering the second body inlet 3 is directed to the first cartridge entrance 9. Therefore the reversing member 12 allows to in¬ vert the predisposition of valve inlets with respect to supply pipings. It is to be noted that the t ree connections: inlets 2, 3 and outlet 4, of body 1 do not need to be disposed on a same plane, on the contrary inlet 3 and outlet 4 can each be situated in any angular position around the central inlet 2. In the embodiment described, the reversing member 12 undergoes the thrust of spring 17 and the pressure of water within inlet 3, and there- fore it applies to the cartridge a total force resulting from the addi¬ tion of a constant force and a force proportional to the actual water pressure, thus also effecting the operation of a piston compressing the cartridge, such operation being per se the subject matter of another Pa¬ tent of same Applicant. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment in which the components corres¬ ponding to those already described are designed by the same references. Substantially, the difference with respect to the first embodiment is that the peripheral chamber intended to communrcate the second passage 15 of reversing member 12 with the second inlet 3 of body 1 is a chamber 19 (annular or partially annular) that is situated within the extension 5 of body 1, rather than a chamber 16 formed within the reversing member 12, and that the packings interposed between the reversing member ' 12 and the extension 5 are concentrical and, by their own yieldability, also effect the operation of spring 17 of the first embodiment. Such arran¬ gements allow to reduce the general encumbrance of the device, and to simplify the shape of reversing member 12. Also in this case, the re- versing member 12 passes from the first to the second insertion mode through a rotation by 180° around the valve axis, and the operation is the same as already described. In this case too, the angular position of connections 3 and 4 around central connection 2 may be whatever. The embodiment according to figure 3 is suitable for a different disposition of the supply pipings, and inlets 2 and 3 of body 1 are di¬ rected in radial direction, for example (but not necessarily) diametri¬ cally opposite the one another, rather than in axial direction as shown in the first two embodiments. The body 1 further includes one or two outlets, not shown, which may be disposed for example at 90° with res- pect to the inlets 2 and 3. In this case there is no cylindrical exten¬ sion 5 of body 1, as in the first and second embodiments, and the seat for the reversing member is located within body 1 between inlets 2 and 3. The passages 14 and 15 of the reversing member are both in communi¬ cation with peripheral chambers, 16A and 16, superimposed the one ano- ther and separated by a ring seal, which chambers on their turn are con¬ nected to inlets 2 and 3 of body 1. The reversing member 12 passes from its first to the second position through a rotation by 180° around the valve axis, and the operation is the same as already described. The wa¬ ter pressure of inlet 2 acts on reversing member 12 within the chamber 20, whereas a projection of the reversing member 12 is inserted with seal into a blind chamber 21 of body 1 and compresses the air trapped therein, which acts as an elastic member. Therefore, in this embodiment too the reversing member also effects the operation of a piston compres¬ sing the cartridge. In the embodiment shown in figure 4, the chamber 7 intended to house the cartridge 8 is formed basically within the body 1 rather than within the cap member 6. Apart from some differences in manufacture, the dis¬ position of passages 14 and 15 and of the peripheral chambers 16A and 16 of the reversing member 12, as well as their communication with inlets 2 and 3 of body 1, are the same of the former embodiment, and the beha¬ viour of the reversing member is also the same. In this case, however, the ring seals of reversing member 12 are all of the same diameter and the chamber 21A of body 1, wherein reversing member 12 impinges, com¬ municates with the ambient air through a passage 22, whereby the revers¬ ing member does not undergo any force, neither elastical nor hydraulic- al , and it does not act as a compression piston relative to the cartrid- ge. Figure 4 also shows a projection 23 of reversing member 12, that can fit within two diametrically opposed seats 24 within the body 1, in order to define the two operative positions of the reversing member. Furthermore figure 4 illustrates the cross section of the cartridge structure, comprising an envelope ' 8 wherein are basically housed a fixed hard material plaque 25, having passages corresponding to the entrances 9 and 10, a movable plaque 26, cooperating with the fixed plaque 25, and a control head 27 connected to the movable plaque 26 and to the inner arm of control lever 11. Figure 6 shows a cross section of a modified embodiment of the re- versing member of figure 4. In this embodiment the reversing member has passages 14 and 15 obliquely directed, there is no peripheral chamber and the packing which seal with respect to inlets 2 and 3 of body 1 are ■ disposed frontally. The reversing member includes two separate pieces, the one having passages 14 and 15 as shown by solid lines in figure 6, and the second piece being symmetrical to the first and having alterna¬ tive passages as shown in phantom in figure 6. As such, the two inser¬ tion modes of the reversing member 12 can be achieved by the selection and insertion of either one of the described pieces, whilst the other piece remains not used. Alternatively, the passages 14 and 15 can extend to both the bottom and top faces of the reversing member 12, which in this case is formed by a single piece, and then the two insertion modes may be achieved by turning the reversing member 12 upside down and by inserting plugs or seals on those end openings of passages 14 and 15 which face the bottom of body 1. As it appears from the foregoing examples, the two insertion modes of the reversing member may be achieved by inserting the one or the other of two pieces forming the reversing member, or by rotating the reversing member around the valve axis, er else by displacing the re¬ versing member upside down. Another embodiment, similar to that of figure 3, is disclosed in fi- gure 5, in which the passage 15 of the reversing member still communica¬ tes with a peripheral chamber 16 connected on its turn to body inlet 3, whilst passage 14 passes through the reversing member and opens cen¬ trally on its bottom face, where it directly communicates with inlet 2. The reversing member 12 still passes from its first to the second inser- tion mode through a rotation by 180° around.the valve axis, and the ope¬ ration is as already described. Number 29 designates a passage in body 1 which connects the one another two oulets (not shown) disposed at 90° with respect to inlets 2 and 3. The bottom portion of reversing member 12 has a reduced diameter, and undergoes the pressure in inlet 2. Cham- ber 28, formed where the reversing member 12 is stepped, is blind, and the reversing member compresses the air trapped therein, which operates as an elastic member. Therefore, also in this embodiment the reversing member acts as a piston compressing the cartridge. In the embodiments according to figures 3, 4 and 5, the inlets 2 and 3 of body 1 may have any angular orientation, and they may also be si¬ tuated sideways the one another, converging or even parallel. The reversing member according to the invention allows, during the design operation, to choose very freely the position of the inlet and outlet connections of the valve body, particularly when peripheral annu¬ lar or partially annular chambers are provided for, such as 16, 16A, 19, to which water can arrive from any direction whatever. In view of this fact, the sectional views shown are not necessarily to be interpreted as diametrical sections, and they can represent sections taken along dihe¬ dral planes through other possible embodiments. To ensure an easy removal of the reversing member from the valve bo¬ dy, the reversing member can also be connected through elastic snap or bayonet joints, or even by friction, to the cartridge envelope or cage, whereby the cartridge trails the reversing member when pulled out from the body. The reversing member can also form the bottom of the cartrid¬ ge and in this case it may be removable or even it may be fixed; in this latter'case the whole cartridge should be rotated to two opposite posi- tions into the valve body, to correspond to the desired insertion mode. As it appears from the foregoing examples, the idea of invention can be embodied in different forms and may be adapted to different types of valve bodies, in all cases allowing to chose at the time of installa¬ tion, or even to modify at a later time, the order of connection between body inlets and cartridge entrance, thus allowing realize in the most convenient manners the connection of valves to supply pipings, though retaining the control operation deemed correct. Another particular alternative of the invention is to have the re¬ versing member incorporated into the cartridge envelope or cage, parti- cularly forming the fixed or removable bottom thereof, without the cart¬ ridge being able to be rotated within the valve body. In this case, the position of the reversing member with respect to the cartridge is fixed at the time of manufacture and cannot be modified. At the time of in¬ stallation a particular cartridge, suitable for the actual conditions, must be chosen, but the standardization in manufacture is preserved for all components of the valve and the cartridge, with the only exception of the envelope or cage of the cartridge, and of its bottom.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . A single handle mixing valve comprising a body (1), with two in¬ lets (2,3) for hot and cold water and an outlet (4) for discharging mix¬ ed water, a cap (6) intended to be fixed to the body (1) and forming with the body a chamber (7) for receiving a cartridge, a cartridge (8) including mechanisms for controlling and regulating the water flow as well as the mixing ratio between hot and cold water, said cartridge (8) having two entrances (9,10) for the hot and cold water, and single han¬ dle control means (11) for said cartridge, characterized in that the valve includes a reversing member (12) interposed in the body (1) bet¬ ween the two body inlets and the mechanisms of the cartridge, said re¬ versing member being so shaped that it can be selectively inserted in two different modes, and having two passages (14,15) so shaped and dis¬ posed that, in a first mode of insertion od the reversing member (12), the first passage thereof (14) establishes fluid communication between the first body inlet (2) and the first entrance (9) of the cartridge and the second passage (15) establishes fluid communication between the se¬ cond body inlet (3) and the second entrance (10) of the cartridge, whe¬ reas, in a second mode of insertion of the reversing member (12), the first passage thereof (14) establishes fluid communication between the first body inlet (2) and the second entrance (10) of the cartridge and the second passage (15) establishes fluid communication between the se¬ cond body inlet (3) and the first entrance (9) of the cartridge, whereby the suitable selection of the insertion mode of said reversing member (12) allows choosing at the time of installing the valve, as well as mo¬ difying successively if required, the order of communication between the body inlets (2,3) and the cartridge entrances (9,10). 2 . A mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the reversing member (12) includes two separate pieces, the first piece be¬ ing installed to achieve the first insertion mode and the second piece being installed to achieve the second insertion mode, the remaining pie- ce of the reversing member being excluded (Figure 6). 3 . A mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the reversing member (12) is so shaped that it can be selectively inserted within the valve body (1) in one of two different positions, each posi¬ tion achieving one of the two insertion modes. 4 . A mixing valve according to claim 3, characterized in that said two different positions of said reversing member (12) are achieved by rotating the reversing member about the central axis of the valve. 5 . A mixing valve according to claim 3, characterized in that said two different positions of said reversing member (12) are achieved by turning upside down the reversing member (Figure 6). 6 . A mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that said reversing member (12) has at least a portion of its surface which is ex¬ posed to the pressure of at least one body inlet, and it is eventually biased by an elastic member (17), whereby it also operates as a piston compressing the cartridge (8). 7 . A mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that said reversing member (12) has a passage therethrough (14) in direct communi¬ cation with the first inlet (2) of the body, and a second passage (15) in communication with a peripheral chamber (16,19) which in turn is in communication with the second inlet (3) of the body. 8 . A mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that said reversing member (12) has both passages therethrough (14,15) in communi¬ cation with separate peripheral chambers (156,16A) which in turn are in communication with either one of the inlets (2,3) of the body. 9 . A mixing valve according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one of said peripheral chambers (16,16A,19) is formed in the reversing member (12). 10 . A mixing valve according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one of said peripheral chambers (16,16A) is formed in the valve body (1). 12 . A mixing valve according to claim 1, characterized in that said reversing member (12) is permamently incorporated into the envelope or cage of the cartridge (8). 13 . A mixing valve according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the cartridge (8) is so shaped that it can be inserted in two dif¬ ferent positions in the valve body (1). 14 . A mixing valve according to claim 11,-12 or 13, characterized in that said reversing member. (12) forms the bottom of the envelope or cage of the cartridge (8).

Inventors: GRASSBERGER ROLAND, KNAPP ALFONS, GRASSBERGER, ROLAND, KNAPP, ALFONS
Applicants: GEVIPI AG, GEVIPI A.G.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: F16K11
IPC codes: F16K11