Abstract:
A thermostatic cartridge regulates hot and cold fluids to be mixed, and a mixer tap one such cartridge. The cartridge includes two disks which are used to adjust the flow of hot and cold fluids and which each include a passage for hot fluid, a passage for cold fluid, and a passage for a mixture of both. The disks are movably joined to one another. One of the disks is connected in rotation to a member for controlling the flow of the mixture, while the other is fixed. In order to do without a turbulator in the cartridge, the flow section for the mixture through the disks, which is defined by stacking passages for the mixture in the joining plane of the disks, varies according to the configuration of the control member. The majority of the thermo sensitive part of a thermostatic regulation element is positioned upstream of the disk joining plane in the direction of flow of the mixture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a thermostatic cartridge for regulating hot and cold fluids to be mixed, in particular a cartridge having concentric flow rate and temperature controls, in particular of the quarter-turn type. It also relates to a mixer tap comprising such a cartridge. 
   Most current taps having ceramic discs do not allow the temperature of the outlet fluid, referred to as the “mixed fluid”, to be stabilized effectively when the pressure and/or the temperature of at least one of the inlet fluids, referred to as the “cold fluid” and “hot fluid”, vary. Therefore, there have been proposed, for those taps, cartridges provided with a thermostatic element which is intended to regulate the temperature of the mixed fluid. 
   FR-A-2821411 describes a thermostatic cartridge of this type, referred to as having concentric controls, that is to say, a cartridge which is intended to be fitted to a tap comprising two concentric handles for the respective controls of the flow rate and temperature of the mixed fluid. Regulation of the temperature is brought about by a sliding member which is fixedly joined to a thermostatic element while the adjustment of the flow rate is brought about by two discs of ceramic material which are movably joined to each other. One of those discs is connected in terms of rotation to a control member which is fixedly joined to the handle for controlling the flow rate, while the other disc, which is connected to the casing of the cartridge, is fixed in terms of rotation. Each disc delimits an upward passage for the hot fluid, an upward passage for the cold fluid and a downward passage for the mixture of the hot and cold fluids. The heat-sensitive portion of the thermostatic regulation element is arranged in the flow path of the mixture of the hot and cold fluids. In order to improve the quality and/or speed of the thermostatic regulation, that cartridge is provided with a fixed member for generating turbulence, commonly referred to as a “turbulator”, which disrupts the flow of the mixture around the heat-sensitive portion so as to increase the turbulence thereof in order to homogenize the mixture, and to homogenize the local rate of flow at the surface of that heat-sensitive portion. 
   However, the presence of the turbulator inhibits the capacity for discharging the mixture at the outlet of the cartridge and therefore involves a limit of the flow rate when the tap is fully open. Conversely, for low flow rates, the turbulator does not ensure that the mixture is of a homogeneous temperature, nor that it flows along the heat-sensitive portion of the thermostatic element. In other words, the dimensions of the turbulator lead to a compromise between the desired thermostatic regulation at low flow rates and the maximum flow rate permitted by the cartridge. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the invention is to provide a thermostatic cartridge of the type set out above, which allows the generation of turbulence in a generally similar manner to a fixed turbulator of the prior art, but to the same degree for low flow rates as for higher flow rates, or for a maximum flow rate greater than that permitted by a cartridge of the prior art. 
   To that end, the invention relates to a thermostatic cartridge for regulating hot and cold fluids to be mixed, including a casing, a member for controlling the flow rate of the mixture of the hot and cold fluids, and two elements for adjusting the flow rates of the hot and cold fluids, which each comprise a passage for the hot fluid, a passage for the cold fluid and a passage for the mixture of the hot and cold fluids, and which are movably joined to each other, one of the elements being connected in terms of rotation to the flow rate control member and the other being connected in terms of rotation to the casing. In addition, the cartridge includes a thermostatic regulation means which comprise a thermostatic element, the heat-sensitive portion of which is located in the flow path of the mixture. The cross-section of flow of the mixture of the hot and cold fluids through the adjustment elements, defined by the superimposition of the passages for the mixture in the joining zone of the adjustment elements, is variable in accordance with the configuration of the flow rate control member. In the direction of the dimension of the heat-sensitive portion which is generally parallel with the direction of flow of the mixture around that portion, at least approximately half of the heat-sensitive portion is located downstream of the joining zone of the adjustment elements. 
   The cartridge according to the invention is thus provided in a manner of speaking with a turbulator having variable geometry, around or upstream of the heat-sensitive portion of the thermostatic element. The overlapping of the adjustment elements which are joined to each other leads to a cross-section of flow of the mixture which varies in accordance with the configuration (orientation) of the flow rate control member, that is to say, in accordance with the outlet flow rate controlled at the cartridge. When the flow rate is low, the passages for the mixture are in fluid communication in accordance with a small proportion of one of the passages, or the two passages. Therefore, the flow of that small quantity of mixed fluid is sufficiently disrupted in order to have a generally homogeneous temperature, and is preferably conveyed along the heat-sensitive portion of the thermostatic element, which brings about good thermostatic regulation. For a greater flow rate, or a flow rate with the tap fully open, the passages for the mixture are in fluid communication to a greater extent, or totally, in order not to inhibit the flow of that great quantity of mixture. The cartridge according to the invention thus has a better compromise between the thermostatic regulation and the flow rate than the cartridges of the prior art. 
   According to other features of this cartridge, taken in isolation or according to any technically possible combination:
         at least three-quarters of the heat-sensitive portion are located downstream of the joining zone of the two adjustment elements;   the heat-sensitive portion of the thermostatic element is arranged at least partially across the two passages for the mixture;   the space between the heat-sensitive portion and the respective walls delimiting the two passages for the mixture is completely free;   when the flow rate control member moves from a first configuration for controlling a first flow rate, optionally zero, to a second configuration for controlling a second flow rate that is higher than the first flow rate, the cross-section of flow of the mixture increases and, when the flow rate control member moves from the second configuration to the first, the cross-section decreases;   the adjustment elements are discs which are joined to each other by means of one of their respective faces, the joining zone forming a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the mixture in the passage thereof for the mixture;   each passage for the mixture is in the form of a circle which is truncated by two chords which are substantially symmetrical relative to the center of the circle, the distance between those two chords preferably being substantially equal to the dimension of the heat-sensitive transverse portion relative to the direction of flow of the mixture around that portion;   the passages for the mixture are delimited directly by the corresponding adjustment elements; and/or   the passages for the mixture are delimited by components which are fitted in a fixed manner to the corresponding adjustment elements, respectively.       

   The invention also relates to a mixer tap which is provided with a thermostatic cartridge as defined above. 
   The tap has, in comparison with taps of the prior art, better thermostatic regulation at low flow rates and admits a greater maximum flow rate with equivalent dimensions for the cartridges. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following description, given purely by way of example and with reference to the drawings, in which: 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic longitudinal sections of a thermostatic cartridge according to the invention, taken in the same plane of section, illustrating the operation of the cartridge with zero and maximum flow rates, respectively (that is to say, illustrating the cartridge in a closed configuration and in a fully open configuration, respectively); 
       FIG. 2  is a front view, taken according to arrow II indicated in  FIG. 1A , of the movable disc of the cartridge, considered in isolation; 
       FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , illustrating the fixed disc of the cartridge; and 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are sections in the planes A-A and B-B in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , respectively, only the discs of the  FIGS. 2 and 3  and the thermostatic element of the cartridge being illustrated. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a thermostatic cartridge which is arranged about and along a center axis X-X. That cartridge is adapted to be fitted to a mixer tap for hot water and cold water. 
   The cartridge comprises an outer casing  1  which delimits, at the base thereof, an eccentric inlet pipe  1 A for hot water, an eccentric inlet pipe  1 B for cold water and a central outlet pipe  1 C for the mixture of hot and cold water, those pipes generally extending parallel with the axis X-X. The upper portion of the casing  1  receives at the same time:
         a lower disc  2  of ceramic material which is centered on the axis X-X and which is connected in terms of rotation to the casing  1  in a tight manner,   an upper disc  3  of ceramic material which is centred on the axis X-X and the lower face of which is joined to the upper face of the disc  2  in a joining plane P,   a lower portion  4 A of a flow rate control member  4  for controlling the flow rate of mixed water, that portion  4 A being connected in terms of rotation to the disc  3 ,   a thermostatic element  5  having dilatable wax, of generally cylindrical form having a circular base centered on the axis X-X, and   a thermostatic regulation sliding member  6  which is mounted in a sliding and tight manner inside the portion  4 A of the member  4  and which is fixedly joined, for example, by means of screwing, to the body  5 A of the thermostatic element  5 .       

   The flow rate control member  4  has an upper portion  4 B, inside of which there are received a temperature control member  7  for controlling the temperature of mixed water and a screw  10  for adjusting that temperature. Both member  7  and screw  10  are connected in terms of rotation to the member  4  and connected in the manner of a screw/nut system to the member  7 . 
   The flow rate control member  4  and the temperature control member  7  are suitable for being fixedly joined to a flow rate control handle and a temperature control handle, respectively. Those handles, which are not illustrated, belong to the mixer tap. 
   The casing  1  is, at the upper end thereof, hermetically closed by a stopper  8  which tightly retains the upper portion  4 B of the member  4 . Thus, the flow rate control member  4  is locked in terms of translation relative to the casing, but is free to rotate about the axis X-X, preferably over approximately one quarter of a circle, between a closure position, illustrated in  FIG. 1A , in which the flow rate of mixed water is zero, and a fully open position, illustrated in  FIG. 1B , in which the flow rate of mixed water corresponds to the maximum flow rate permitted by the cartridge. 
   The thermostatic element  5  comprises a piston  5 B, the free end of which is in permanent contact with an over-travel abutment  11  in the form of a bell-like member. In the absence of over-travel of the piston  5 B, a compression spring  12  which is interposed axially between the screw  10  and an abutment  11 , maintains that abutment against a stop washer  13  so that the position of the piston along the axis X-X is fixed. In that manner, when the thermostatic element  5  extends and the height of the piston  5 B is maintained in a fixed manner by the spring  12 , the body  5 A of the element moves in translation along the axis X-X and correspondingly displaces the sliding member  6  between the upper face of the upper disc  3  and the lower face of the upper portion  4 B of the member  4 . A return spring  9  of the sliding member is interposed between the upper face of the disc  3  and the sliding member. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  3 , the lower disc  2  delimits, facing the hot water inlet pipe  1 A, cold water inlet pipe  1 B and mixed water outlet pipe  1 C, a respective hot water inlet passage  2 A, cold water inlet passage  2 B and mixed water outlet passage  2 C. The inlet passages  2 A and  2 B extend in the manner of circular arcs which are centered on the axis X-X, at one side and the other of the axis X-X, respectively, while the outlet passage  2 C is generally centered on the axis X-X. 
   The upper disc  3  also comprises a hot water inlet passage  3 A, a cold water inlet passage  3 B and a mixed water outlet passage  3 C, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  2 . The hot water passage  3 A and cold water passage  3 B extend in the manner of circular arcs which are centered on the axis X-X, at one side and the other of the axis X-X, respectively, with respective radii which are substantially equal to those of the inlet passages  2 A and  2 B. Unlike the inlet passages  2 A,  2 B and  3 A, the passage  3 B opens over the entire length of its arc, at the periphery of the disc  3  in order to constitute a lateral passage for cold water, allowing the cold water to flow radially outwards from the disc. 
   The cartridge illustrated thus has an assembly structure which is similar to that of the cartridge described in FR-2821411. Therefore, it will not be described in greater detail here with regard to its common provisions relative to the cartridge of the above-mentioned document, to which the reader may refer. 
   According to the invention, the outlet passages  2 C and  3 C do not have, in cross-section, a strictly circular shape centered on the axis X-X, but instead each has a shaped defined by a circle which is truncated by a pair of chords  2 C 1 ,  2 C 2  and  3 C 1 ,  3 C 2  which are substantially symmetrical relative to the center of the circle. In the example illustrated, the respective geometries of the passages  2 C and  3 C are substantially identical. For each disc  2  and  3 , the radial distance d separating the rectilinear walls  2 C 1  and  2 C 2  and  3 C 1  and  3 C 2 , respectively, is substantially equal, to within operational tolerances, to the diameter of the heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1  of the body  5 A of the thermostatic element  5 . That heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1  is, when the cartridge is in the assembled state, arranged across the openings  2 C and  3 C, independently of the position of the discs  2  and  3 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  set out below, the more or less extensive superimposition of the passages  2 C and  3 C thereby defines the cross-section S of flow of mixed water through the discs  2  and  3  which, from a geometrical point of view, corresponds to the intersection of the cross-sections of those passages  2 C and  3 C in the plane P, subtracted from the cross-section of the heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1  of the thermostatic element  5 . Furthermore, as also illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the cylindrical body (heat sensitive portion)  5 A extends through the mixed fluid passages  2   c ,  3   c  and has a circular cross-section. 
   When the cartridge is in its closed configuration of  FIGS. 1A and 4A , the discs  2  and  3  are positioned relative to each other so that no fluid communication is brought about between the passages for hot water  2 A and  3 A and between the passages for cold water  2 B and  3 B. Therefore, the outlet flow rate of the cartridge is zero. In this configuration, the outlet passages  2 C and  3 C are partially in fluid communication, as illustrated in  FIG. 4A , although no fluid flows through them in practice because the hot water and cold water inlets are closed. It is understood here that a zone of the passage  2 C and a zone of the passage  3 C are in fluid communication when those two zones overlap each other in a direction parallel with the axis X-X, which means that those two zones are a continuation of each other in that direction without any material being interposed. The rectilinear walls  2 C 1  and  2 C 2  extend in respective planes which are perpendicular to the planes containing the rectilinear walls  3 C 1  and  3 C 2 , respectively. In other words, the cross-section S of flow of mixed water through the discs  2  and  3  corresponds, in the plane P, to a square which has a side measurement d and which is centered on the axis X-X, subtracted from the cross-section of the portion  5 A 1  of the thermostatic element  5 . 
   When the cartridge is in its fully open configuration of  FIGS. 1B and 4B , hot water enters the cartridge via the pipe  1 A of the casing  1 , as indicated by the arrow F A , travels along the passages  2 A and  3 A of the discs  2  and  3 , flows into an annular channel defined between the disc  3 , the member  4  and the sliding member  6 , passes through the space between the disc  3  and the sliding member and reaches the interior of the sliding member  6 , in the region of the base of an internal chamber  6 A of that sliding member. At the same time, cold water enters the cartridge via the pipe  1 B, as indicated by the arrow F B , passes along the passages  2 B and  3 B of the discs  2  and  3  and, after being discharged radially from the lateral passage  3 B of the disc  3 , flows into an annular channel  4 C which is defined between, at one side, the lower portion  4 A of the member  4  and, at the other side, the casing  1  then the stopper  8  in order to reach the upper portion of the sliding member  6  and pass via the space between the sliding member and the upper portion  4 B of the member  4  before being introduced into the upper portion of the chamber  6 A. The mixing of the hot water and cold water begins inside the chamber  6 A and continues inside the passages  2 C and  3 C which extend in a symmetrical manner relative to the joining plane P and which are therefore completely in fluid communication. In other words, the entirety of the passage  3 C is in fluid communication with the entirety of the passage  2 C and the cross-section S of flow of mixed water is therefore equal to the whole of the cross-section of the passage  3 C, which is itself equal to that of the passage  2 C, subtracted from the cross-section of the portion  5 A 1  of the thermostatic element  5 . Downstream of the plane P, the mixed water flows around the heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1  of the thermostatic element  5  and is then discharged via the pipe  1 C, as indicated by the arrow F C . 
   Between the configurations involving total closure and total opening of the cartridge, the adjustment of the flow rate is obtained by rotating the flow rate control member  4  by means of the corresponding handle of the tap, which brings about rotation of the disc  3  defining the angular position of that disc relative to the disc  2 . Thereby, the cross-section of flow for the hot water results from the greater or lesser superimposition of the passages  2 A and  3 A, and the cross-section of flow for the cold water results from the greater or lesser superimposition of the passages  2 B and  3 B. The shapes of those passages  2 A,  3 A,  2 B and  3 B are adapted so that the cross-sections of flow of hot water and cold water are equal, whatever the relative angular position between the two discs, those cross-sections of flow varying from complete closure to maximum opening. 
   In the same manner, the angular position of the disc  3  relative to the disc  2  also defines the cross-section S of flow of mixed water which varies between its value in  FIG. 4A  and its value in  FIG. 4B , thereby changing continuously from a minimum to a maximum. It will be clearly appreciated by comparing  FIGS. 4A and 4B  because, in order to move from one of those Figures to the other, the disc  3  has to be moved in rotation about the axis X-X by a quarter of a turn relative to the fixed disc  2 . 
   The shapes of the passages  2 C and  3 C are advantageously adapted so that the cross-section S of flow of mixed water resulting from the greater or lesser superimposition of the passages  2 C and  3 C is substantially equal to the sum of the cross-sections of flow of hot water and cold water being admitted, whatever the relative angular position between the two discs. In the same manner, the superimposition of the passages  2 C and  3 C does not significantly slow down the flow of the mixture being discharged from the cartridge. 
   Since only a portion of the passage  3 C is in fluid communication with the passage  2 C when the cartridge is not in a fully open configuration, occurrences of turbulence are brought about within the mixed water when it passes through the joining plane P of the discs  2  and  3 . In the region of this plane P, the turbulence generated homogenizes the temperature of the mixed water while, downstream of the plane P, the non-circular shape of the passages  2 C and  3 C conveys the mixed water in such a manner that it flows along the heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1 . In order for the thermal load of the thermostatic element  5  to be effective, it is important that, as illustrated, the majority of the heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1  is arranged in accordance with the flow F C  (that is to say, along axis X-X) downstream of the zone in which turbulence is generated (in other words, downstream of the joining plane P). 
   The position of the joining plane P along the heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1 , in the direction of flow F C , is not, however, limited to that illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The joining zone can be located further downstream but, in order to ensure a sufficiently turbulent effect, at least approximately half of that heat-sensitive portion must be located downstream of the joining plane P, and preferably at least three-quarters. 
   Furthermore, since the distance d is substantially equal to the diameter of the heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1 , it is not possible for a member to be arranged around the heat-sensitive portion in the region of the joining plane P, such a member tending to generate a hindrance to the flow of mixed water downstream and being at risk of cancelling out the turbulent effect sought. 
   As set out in the document FR-2 821 411, when the temperature of the mixed water increases around the heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1 , the thermostatic element  5  extends and the sliding member  6  regulates the temperature of the mixed water by reducing the quantity of hot water admitted into the chamber  6 A and increasing the quantity of cold water. Adjusting the temperature at which the regulation is controlled is brought about by rotating the temperature control member  7 , which carries the screw  10  and therefore moves the height of the piston  5 B in translation along the axis X-X. Furthermore, if the cold water is interrupted, any risk of being scalded is prevented by the hot water automatically being shut off, the over-travel (compression) spring  12  then being compressed by the extensive displacement of the piston  5 B. 
   Various arrangements and variants (individually or in combination) relating to the cartridge described above can further be envisaged as noted below. 
   Rather than the passages  2 C and  3 C being directly delimited by the discs  2  and  3 , those passages can be delimited by components which are carried in a fixed manner on those discs, respectively. It may be provided, for example, that each disc delimits a central opening which is substantially circular, and that components carrying the rectilinear walls  2 C 1 ,  2 C 2  and  3 C 1 ,  3 C 2  are fitted in a fixed manner at two diametrically opposed locations of each of those openings. 
   A portion of the space between the heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1  and the walls which delimit the passages  2 C and  3 C, respectively, may serve as a housing for a component, in particular a portion of the return spring  9 , provided that that component does not constitute a significant hindrance to the flow of the mixed water in the region of the passages  2 C and  3 C. 
   The heat-sensitive portion  5 A 1  is not necessarily arranged across the passages  2 C and  3 C but instead can, in particular for a larger cartridge, be completely arranged outside those passages. 
   Other elements, which are joined to each other, for adjusting the flow rate may be used in place of the discs  2  and  3  of ceramic material, for example, ball type systems or plates with sealed joints.