Abstract:
A flow and temperature separation control valve includes a valve housing for connecting to a water faucet, a temperature control module received in the valve housing for controlling the temperature of the outputted water flow, and a flow control module received in the valve housing for controlling the outputted flow. The valve housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The temperature control module includes a rotation shaft having a straight post non-interferentially extending from the upper portion of the upper housing, a water division seat mounted on the lower housing. The water division seat connects the lower housing and the upper housing together. The flow control module includes a rotation cover covering the upper portion of the upper housing, a flow control plate pivotally disposed betwee the water division seat and the lower housing. Thereby separately controlling water temperature and water flow for convenient use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a flow and temperature control valve, and particularly to a flow and temperature separation control valve which can separately control water flow and water temperature.  
         [0003]     2. Prior Art  
         [0004]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conventional flow and temperature control valve for a water faucet includes a valve housing  5 , a control module  6  which includes a control lever  61  and a control lever seat  62 , a driven module  7  which includes a slide control plate  71 , an upper ceramic plate  72 , a lower ceramic plate  73 , and a water division seat  8 .  
         [0005]     Water flow is controlled through the control module  6  to linearly adjust the slide control plate  71 . Water temperature is controlled through rotation of the upper ceramic plate  72 . Therefore, the conventional flow and temperature control valve has functions of water flow and temperature control.  
         [0006]     However, since the control module  6  for controlling water flow and the driven module  7  for controlling water temperature are linked to readily move together, it is hard to control water flow or water temperature separately through the conventional flow and temperature control valve. That&#39;s, when it is desired to change water flow, water temperature is also changed undesirably, or when it is desired to change water temperature, water flow is also changed undesirably. Thus, it is inconvenient to use the conventional flow and temperature control valve.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a flow and temperature separation control valve which includes a temperature control module and a flow control module not linked to move together thereby separately controlling water temperature and water flow for convenient use.  
         [0008]     To achieve the above-mentioned object, a flow and temperature separation control valve in accordance with the present invention includes a valve housing for connecting to a water faucet, a temperature control module received in the valve housing for controlling the temperature of the outputted water flow, and a flow control module received in the valve housing for controlling the outputted flow. The valve housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The temperature control module includes a rotation shaft having a straight post non-interferentially extending from the upper portion of the upper housing, an upper ceramic plate mounted on the bottom of the rotation shaft and rotatable with the rotation shaft, a lower ceramic plate disposed below the upper ceramic plate and closely jointing to the upper ceramic plate, and a water division seat mounted on the lower housing. The water division seat connects the lower housing and the upper housing together. The water division seat supports the lower ceramic plate thereon. The flow control module includes a rotation cover covering the upper portion of the upper housing, a driven member received in the upper housing, and a flow control plate pivotally disposed betwee the water division seat and the lower housing. A through hole is defined in the center of the rotation cover for non-interferential extension of the straight post of the rotation shaft. The driven member receives the rotation shaft, the upper ceramic plate, the lower ceramic plate and the water division seat therein and is rotatable with the rotation cover. The driven member is drivable the flow control plate to rotate.  
         [0009]     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed embodiments of the present invention with attached drawings, in which: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a conventional flow and temperature control valve;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a flow and temperature separation control valve of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a temperature control module;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a temperature restriction unit and an upper housing of the temperature control module viewed from a top angle;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a flow control module;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of a rotation cover and an upper housing of the temperature control module;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 9-11  are schematic views showing operation of separately controlling cold and hot water flows through the flow control module; and  
         [0019]      FIGS. 12-14  are schematic views showing operation of separately controlling cold and hot water flows through the temperature control module. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , a flow and temperature separation control valve of the present invention includes a valve housing  1 , a temperature control module  2  and a flow control module  3 .  
         [0021]     The valve housing  1  for receiving the temperature control module  2  and the flow control module  3  therein includes a lower housing  11  and an upper housing  12 .  
         [0022]     The lower housing  11  includes hot and cold water inlets  111 ,  112  respectively in communication to water faucets (not shown) and a mixed water outlet  113 . Each of the hot water inlet  111  and the cold water inlet  112  has a tubular rubber aqueduct sleeving  115  in which a compression spring  114  is disposed. A pivot shaft  116  shaped as a short cylinder is formed at the center of the lower housing  11 . Two symmetrical upper tab  117  upwardly extend from the upper periphery of the lower housing  11 . An engaging hole  118  is defined in each of the upper tabs  117 . A plurality of positioning pins  119  each shaped as a short cylinder is formed at the bottom of the lower housing  11 .  
         [0023]     The upper housing  12  is generally close at the upper portion thereof, hollow at the middle portion thereof and open at the lower poriton thereof. A shaft through hole  121  is defined in the center of the upper portion of the upper housing  12 . Two symmetrical arcuate rotation guidance grooves  122  are defined in the upper periphery of the upper housing  12 . A fan-shaped protruding restriction block  123  extends from the upper end surface of the upper housing  12 . An engaging recess  124  is defined in the upper end surface of the upper housing  12 . A metallic strengthening block  125  with a through hole  126  being defined in the center thereof is received in the engaging recess  124 . Two symmetrical lower tabs  127  downwardly extend from the lower periphery of the upper housing  12 . A receiving cutout  129  is defined adjacent to each lower tab  127  for providing access to the upper tab  117  of the lower housing  11 . An engaging hole  128  is defined in each of the lower tabs  127 .  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the temperature control module  2  includes a rotation shaft  21  for driving a temperature regulation mechanism, a temperature restriction unit  22  for providing a temperature regulation range, an upper ceramic plate  23  rotatable with the rotation shaft  21 , a lower ceramic plate  24  tightly jointing to the upper ceramic plate  23 , and a water division seat  25  supporting the lower ceramic plate  24  thereon. The upper ceramic plate  23 , the lower ceramic plate  24  and the water division seat  25  are similar to prior art and so are not detailedly described herein.  
         [0025]     The rotation shaft  21  is generally a reversed T-shape and is received in the upper housing  12 . The rotation shaft  21  has a straight post  211  projecting from the shaft through hole  121  of the upper housing  12 . The straight post  211  has a square cross section. A plurality of driving blocks  212  extends from the bottom of the rotation shaft  21  (see  FIG. 5 ) for engaging with cavities defined in the upper ceramic plate  23 .  
         [0026]     The temperature restriction unit  22  includes a right restriction block  221  and a left restriction block  225 . A tube receiving hole  222  is defined in the center of the right restriction block  221 . A wing-shaped right block  223  (see  FIG. 6 ) outwardly and downwardly extends from the periphery of the right restriction block  221  for abutting against the restriction block  123  of the upper housing  12  when rotating. A plurality of successional aligning teeth  224  is formed at the inner side surface of the right block  223  and at the peripheral surface of the right restriction block  221 .  
         [0027]     The left restriction block  225  has a tube  226  projecting from the center thereof for extending into the tube receiving hole  222  of the right restriction block  221 . A shaft receiving hole  227  is defined along an axis of the left restriction block  225  and has a cross section consistent to that of the straight post  211  of the rotation shaft  21  for extension of the straight post  211  of the rotation shaft  21  thereby rotating with the rotation shaft  21 . A wing-shaped left block  228  (see  FIG. 5 ) outwardly and upwardly extends from the periphry of the left restriction block  225  for abutting against the restriction block  123  of the upper housing  12  when rotating. A plurality of successional engaging teeth  229  is formed at the inner side surface of the left block  228  and at the peripheral surface of the left restriction block  225  for mating with the aligning teeth  224  of the right restriction block  221  and the right block  223 . The upper portion of the upper ceramic plate  23  has a close end surface.  
         [0028]     An arcuate receiving groove  251  is defined in the water division seat  25  adjacent to the periphery thereof. Two pairs of engaging protrusions  252  extend from the peripheral surface of the water division seat  25  for respectively engaging with the upper tabs  117  of the lower housing  11  and the lower tabs  127  of the upper housing  12 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the flow control module  3  includes a rotation cover  31 , a driven member  32  and a flow control plate  33 . The rotation cover  31  covers the upper housing  12 . A shaft through hole  311  is defined in the center of the rotation cover  31  for non-interferential extension of the straight post  211  of the rotation shaft  21 . Two symmetrical driving plates  312  (see  FIG. 8 ) downwardly extend from the lower periphery of the rotation cover  31  for respectively extending into the rotation guidance grooves  122  of the upper housing  12 .  
         [0030]     The driven member  32  is received in the upper housing  12 . Two symmetrical position restriction plates  321  upwardly extend from the upper periphery of the driven member  32 . A mating cutout  322  is defined in each of the position restriction plates  321  for insertion of the driving plate  312  of the rotation cover  31 . A driven plate  323  downwardly extends from the lower periphery of the driven member  32  for extending through the receiving groove  251 .  
         [0031]     The flow control plate  33  is pivotally connected between the lower housing  11  and the water division seat  25 . A pivot shaft hole  331  is defined in the center of the flow control plate  33  for extension of the pivot shaft  116  of the lower housing  11 . A mating cutout  332  is defined in the periphery of the flow control plate  33  for receiving the driven plate  323  of the driven member  32 . A hot water through hole  333 , a cold water through hole  334 , and a mixed water through hole  335  are respectively defined in the flow control plate  33 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 3-8 , in assembly, the assembling steps are described as follows.  
         [0033]     1. Providing the lower housing  11  with leakproof gaskets  4  mounted on the upper and lower portions thereof, inserting the aqueduct sleevings  115  each with the compression spring  114  received therein into the hot water inlet  111  and the cold water inlet  112 , thereby finishing the assembly of the lower housing  11 ;  
         [0034]     2. Horizontally placing the flow control plate  33  on the lower housing  11 , thereby finishing the assembly of the flow control plate  33 ;  
         [0035]     3. Providing the water division seat  25  with leakproof gaskets  4  being respectively attached to the upper and lower portions thereof to abut against the flow control plate  33 , engaging the engaging hole  118  of the lower housing  11  with the engaging protrusion  252  of the water division seat  25 , thereby finishing the assembly of the lower housing  11 , the flow control plate  33  and the water division seat  25 ;  
         [0036]     4. Aligningly placing the lower ceramic plate  24  on the water division seat  25 , thereby finishing the assembly of the lower ceramic plate  24 ; aligningly and closely jointing the upper ceramic plate  23  to the lower ceramic plate  24 , thereby finishing the assembly of the upper ceramic plate  23 ;  
         [0037]     5. Aligningly connecting the rotation shaft  21  to the upper ceramic plate  23 , thereby finishing the assembly of the rotation shaft  21 ;  
         [0038]     6. Connecting the driven member  32  to the water division seat  25  whereby the driven plate  323  extending through the receiving groove  251  of the water division seat  25  and is received in the mating cutout  332  of the flow control plate  33  thereby finishing the assembly of the driven member  32  and the flow control plate  33 ;  
         [0039]     7. Providing the upper housing  12  with the strengthening block  125  connected thereto to cover the above subassembly whereby the position restriction plate  321  of the driven member  32  extends into the rotation guidance groove  122  of the upper housing  12 , and the engaging hole  129  of the upper housing  12  engagingly receives the engaging protrusion  252  of the water division seat  25 , thereby finishing the assembly of the upper housing  12  and the above subassembly;  
         [0040]     8. Connecting the temperature restriction unit  22  to the straight post  211  of the rotation shaft  21 , thereby finishing the assembly of the temperature restriction unit  22  and the rotation shaft  21 ;  
         [0041]     9. Providing the rotation cover  31  to cover the upper housing  12  whereby the straight post  211  of the rotation shaft  21  extends through the shaft through hole  311  of the rotation cover  31 , and the driving plate  312  of the rotation cover  31  extends through the rotation guidance groove  122  of the upper housing  12  and engages with the mating cutout  322  of the driven member  32 , thereby finishig the assembly of the flow and temperature separation control valve of the present invention.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , operation of separately controlling cold and hot water flows ( proportion of synchronous opening and closing, that&#39;s water flow magnitude) is shown. Since the rotation cover  31  and the straight post  211  of the rotation shaft  21  are not linked to move, when the rotation cover  31  is rotated (see  FIG. 7 ), the rotation shaft  21  is not driven by the rotation cover  31 . Therefore, the driven member  32  is driven to rotate by the driving plate  312  of the rotation cover  31 , and then the flow control plate  33  is driven to rotate by the driven plate  323  of the driven member  32 . Thus, the water flow is separately controlled through rotation of the flow, control plate  33  to control the synchronous opening and closing of the hot water inlet  111  and the cold water inlet  112  of the lower housing  11 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 12-14 , operation of separately controlling cold and hot water flows ( proportion of relative opening and closing, that&#39;s mixed proportion between the cold and hot water) is shown. Since the rotation cover  31  and the straight post  211  of the rotation shaft  21  are not linked to move, similarly the rotation cover  31  is not driven when the rotation shaft  21  rotates (see  FIG. 4 ). The upper ceramic plate  23  is driven to rotate by the driving block  212  of the rotation cover  31 . Therefore, the position relationship between the upper ceramic plate  23  and the lower ceramic plate  24  is changed and so mixed proportion of the cold and hot water between the upper ceramic plate  23  and the lower ceramic plate  24  is correspondingly changed. Then the mixed cold and hot water flows out through the water division seat  25  and the mixed water outlet  113  of the lower housing  11  thereby separately controlling the temperature of the outputted water flow.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a range of controlled temperature of the mixed water flow may be set through configuring the angle between the right block  223  and the left block  228  of the temperature restriction unit  22 , and through the restriction block  123  of the upper housing  12 , thereby restricting the max temperature of the mixed water flow for preventing from hurting a user due to overhigh temperature of the mixed water flow.  
         [0045]     It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.