Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/247,001, filed on Sep. 30, 2009. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to spindles for faucet valve assemblies. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
         [0004]    Valve assemblies used in faucet applications can include a spindle acting as a flow restricting member. Spindles having O-ring seals used to contact and release from a sealing surface to isolate a pressurized fluid from a flow port are known. Spindle valves are susceptible to entrance of a contaminant such as dirt, food products, and/or cleaning agents which upon drying in the valve assembly can crystallize and produce sharp crystalline particles. Entrance of these contaminants into the valve assembly can corrode internal components and/or cause the spindle to bind in position, which can result in a continuously dripping or flowing condition which wastes water. Excessive force used to close a sticking valve assembly can result in damage to valve internal members, and further displacement of a valve member which has surface contaminants thereon can grind away sealing or contact surfaces which further compounds the leaking condition. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
         [0006]    According to several embodiments, a self cleaning valve assembly includes a valve body having an internal valve cavity; and a cylinder member received in the valve cavity having a first sealing surface and a cylinder wall. The cylinder member divides the valve cavity into a liquid-free cavity portion and a flow cavity portion. A spindle includes a spindle body in sealing contact with the first sealing surface to continuously prevent a pressurized fluid in the flow cavity portion from entering the liquid-free cavity portion. A piston end of the spindle includes a wiper member received in a receiving groove in continuous frictional contact with the cylinder wall. A handle is rotatably pinned to the valve assembly and directly contacts the piston end such that rotation of the handle displaces the spindle from a valve closed to a valve open position permitting flow of the pressurized fluid into the flow cavity portion. Displacement of the spindle causes the wiper member to wipe a contaminant off the cylinder wall. The wiper member further prevents entrance of the contaminant into the liquid-free cavity. 
         [0007]    According to further embodiments a self cleaning valve assembly includes a valve body having an internal valve cavity. A U-shaped cylinder member received in the valve cavity has a sealing surface and a cylinder wall, and divides the valve cavity into a liquid-free cavity portion and a flow cavity portion. A spindle includes a spindle body having a first O-ring seal received in a first O-ring groove and a second O-ring seal received in a second O-ring groove. The second O-ring seal is in continuous sealing contact with the sealing surface in each of a valve closed and a valve open position to prevent a pressurized fluid in the flow cavity portion from entering the liquid-free cavity portion. A piston end of the spindle has a wiper member received in a receiving groove in continuous frictional contact with the cylinder wall. A handle rotatably pinned to the valve assembly has an extending portion directly contacting the piston end such that rotation of the handle causes the extending portion to displace the spindle from the valve closed to the valve open position permitting flow of the pressurized fluid past the first O-ring seal into the flow cavity portion. Displacement of the spindle causes the wiper member to wipe a contaminant off the cylinder wall. The wiper member further prevents entrance of the contaminant into the liquid-free cavity. 
         [0008]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a right front perspective view of a spindle for a self cleaning valve assembly of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an end elevational view of the spindle of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional front elevational view taken at section  3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional front elevational view similar to  FIG. 3  of another embodiment of a spindle; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional front elevational view of a valve assembly having the spindle of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a right front perspective view of a cylinder member of the valve assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the cylinder member of  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional front elevational view taken at section  8  of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0020]    Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
         [0021]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
         [0022]    When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0023]    Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
         [0024]    Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a spindle  10  of the present disclosure includes a spindle body  12  extending from and connected to a piston end  14 . Spindle body  12  includes a first cylindrical portion  16  and a second cylindrical portion  18  which are spaced from each other by a third cylindrical portion  20 . A diameter of third cylindrical portion  20  is smaller than a diameter of both first and second cylindrical portions  16 ,  18  for reasons which will be further discussed in further reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , spindle  10  can have a spindle length “A” which includes spindle body  12  plus piston end  14 . Spindle length “A” can be varied to suit a size and desired flow rate for a faucet or a valve assembly. First cylindrical portion  16  can include a conical face  22  at a free end of spindle body  12 . A first O-ring groove  24  is created in first cylindrical portion  16  which receives a first O-ring  25 . Both first cylindrical portion  16  and second cylindrical portion  18  can include a common spindle body diameter “B”. A diameter reducing portion  26  such as a conical shaped surface can be used to transition from the spindle body diameter “B” to the smaller diameter of third cylindrical portion  20 . 
         [0027]    A diameter increasing portion  28  such as a conical shaped surface can be used to transition from the diameter of third cylindrical portion  20  to the larger body diameter “B” of second cylindrical portion  18 . A second O-ring groove  30  which receives a second O-ring  32  is created in second cylindrical portion  18 . A wiper member receiving groove  34  is created in an outer perimeter wall of piston end  14  which receives a wiper member  36 . Wiper member  36  can include a resilient member such as an O-ring, or a gasket. Piston end  14  has a diameter “C” which is larger than spindle body diameter “B”. A contact face  38  of piston end  14  is oriented substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis  39  of spindle  10 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 4  and again to  FIGS. 1-3 , a spindle  10 ′ is modified from the design of spindle  10  by further inclusion of a recess  40  created in piston end  14 ′ by removing a portion of the material of piston end  14 ′ from contact face  38 ′ such that recess  40  is coaxially aligned with longitudinal axis  39 ′. The function of recess  40  will be described in reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , spindle  10  of the present disclosure can be incorporated in a valve assembly  42  used to control the flow of a fluid such as water in an application such as a faucet for a sink or wash tub. Valve assembly  42  includes a valve body  44  which is releasably connected to a mounting surface  46  such as a sink surface. A valve sub-assembly  48  is releasably mounted within a valve cavity  50  of valve body  44 . Valve sub-assembly  48  includes a U-shaped cylinder member  52  received in valve cavity  50  and sealed against an inner wall  51  of valve cavity  50  using an O-ring seal  53 . U-shaped cylinder member  52  is retained in valve cavity  50  using a retention sleeve  54  which is engaged by a carrier member  56  when a coupling nut  58  is threadably received in an outer jacket  60  of valve body  44 . Coupling nut  58  applies contact pressure to carrier member  56 , retention sleeve  54 , and U-shaped cylinder member  52 . A seating member or washer  59  can also be positioned between coupling nut  58  and contact member  56 . 
         [0030]    A manually actuated handle  62  (only partially shown) extends freely away from valve body  44 . Handle  62  can be rotatably mounted to contact member  56  using a pin  64 . Handle  62  includes an extending portion  66  which directly contacts contact face  38  of piston end  14  when handle  62  is rotated in a lever rotation arc “D”. Direct contact between extending portion  66  and contact face  38  displaces spindle  10  in a valve opening direction “E” against the biasing force of a biasing member  68 . Biasing member  68  can be a metal or polymeric material spring such as a compression spring which is seated in a liquid-free cavity  70 . Biasing member  68  contacts each of U-shaped cylinder member  52  and piston end  14 . A biasing force created by biasing member  68  continuously biases spindle  10  in a valve closing direction “F”. When handle  62  is released following displacement in the lever rotation arc “D”, biasing member  68  returns spindle  10  to the valve closed position shown in  FIG. 5  and returns handle  62  to its pre-rotated position shown. The position of spindle  10  shown in valve sub-assembly  48  in  FIG. 5  is therefore the furthest upward or valve closed position of spindle  10 . 
         [0031]    The first cylindrical portion  16  of spindle  10  is slidably received within a bushing  72 . Bushing  72  is slidably received in a pressurized fluid cavity  74  of valve body  44  which communicates with valve cavity  50 . Bushing  72  is retained in the position shown by contact with an extending end  75  of cylinder member  52 . A bushing O-ring seal  76  is provided between bushing  72  and a fluid cavity wall  77  defined by pressurized fluid cavity  74  of valve body  44 , creating a fluid pressure boundary between these two components. In the valve closed position, first O-ring  25  creates a second fluid pressure boundary with bushing  72  by contact with an inwardly raised sealing surface  78  created within bushing  72 . Both O-ring seal  76  and first O-ring  25  prevent pressurized fluid in pressurized fluid cavity  74  from entering a flow cavity portion  80  when spindle  10  is in the valve closed position shown. 
         [0032]    Fluid in pressurized fluid cavity  74  can flow into flow cavity portion  80  by rotational displacement of handle  62  in the lever rotation arc “D” which displaces spindle  10  in the valve opening direction “E”. Spindle  10  displacement (downward as viewed in  FIG. 5 ) continues until first O-ring  25  is repositioned below or free from contact with raised sealing surface  78  which creates a flow path for fluid in pressurized fluid cavity  74  to flow past first cylindrical portion  16  and into flow cavity portion  80 . The smaller diameter of third cylindrical portion  20  provides clearance for flow of the pressurized fluid into flow cavity portion  80 . A throttling effect can also be provided by limiting the axial displacement of first cylindrical portion  16  depending on the rotation of handle  62  in lever rotation arc “D”. Fluid such as hot or cold water is continuously present in pressurized fluid cavity  74  via a first supply tube  82  which extends through a first aperture  84  created in mounting surface  46 . A joint such as a soldered or a swaged/sealed connection is created between first supply tube  82  and valve body  44 . 
         [0033]    In every operating position of spindle  10  second O-ring  32  is in continuous sealing contact with a second sealing surface  86  defining an inner perimeter wall of an inner tubular portion  88  of U-shaped cylinder member  52 . Fluid reaching flow cavity portion  80  is therefore prevented from further flowing into liquid-free cavity  70  by second O-ring  32 . “Liquid-free” as used herein is defined as the substantial absence in any operating condition of the valve assembly of water or liquid originating from a source of pressurized liquid or fluid such as pressurized hot or cold water. Atmospheric air or air containing moisture due to atmospheric humidity can be present in liquid-free cavity  70  by entrance proximate the handle  62  and past piston end  14  and wiper member  36 . 
         [0034]    Based on the geometry of extending portion  66  of handle  62 , a clearance opening  90  is necessary between extending portion  66  and an inner wall  91  of contact member  56 . This allows for free rotation of handle  62  but also simultaneously creates a path for a contaminant such as dirt, food particles, and/or cleaning chemicals to enter valve body  44  and contact piston end  14  of spindle  10 . To mitigate against these contaminants entering liquid-free cavity  70 , wiper member  36  is positioned in continuous sliding contact with a cylinder wall  92  of a cylinder sleeve portion  94  of U-shaped cylinder member  52 . Wiper member  36  pushes out contaminants such as dirt, food particles, or chemical cleaning solution which contact the exposed portion of piston end  14  or which contact the exposed portion of cylinder wall  92  back outward toward clearance opening  90  when spindle  10  returns by biasing force in the valve closing direction “F” upon release of handle  62 . Wiper member  36  therefore mitigates contaminant contact with any of the interior portions of valve sub-assembly  48  which could cause binding of piston end  14  with cylinder wall  92 . Although wiper member  36  is represented as an O-ring, wiper member  36  can also be a washer or gasket made from a resilient material, or a polymeric material which is softer than the material of spindle  10 . Use of wiper member  36  permits an increased clearance gap between piston end  14  and cylinder wall  92  which allows free sliding motion of spindle  10 . 
         [0035]    A second valve assembly  96  which can be used for example for the other of a hot or a cold water service can also be included with valve body  44 . Second valve assembly  96  receives fluid from a second supply tube  98  extending through a second aperture  100  created through mounting surface  46 . Valve assembly  42  can therefore be used to provide each of a hot and a cold water flow. Because wiper member  36  does not have to perform the function of a fluid boundary pressure seal, the pressure contact between wiper member  36  and cylinder wall  92  can be lower than that normally provided between an O-ring and its sealing contact wall when a fluid pressure boundary is desired. This permits the O-ring or gasket used for wiper member  36  to have a higher durometer or stiffness compared to a sealing O-ring to provide a scraping action by wiper member  36 . The stiffness of biasing member  68  can be unchanged with respect to an embodiment of valve sub-assembly  48  which does not include wiper member  36 . 
         [0036]    Wiper member  36  used in conjunction with spindle  10  of the present disclosure offers several advantages. Spindle assemblies known in the art lacking a wiper member permit a crystallized form of cleaning solutions or soil and/or food products entering into the valve assembly to harden and bind the free sliding motion of the spindle. Utilization of a wiper member of the present disclosure automatically precludes entry of contaminants into the liquid-free cavity  70  by a wiping action with each upstroke of spindle  10  in the valve closing direction “F”. Because a wiping motion and not a sealing pressure is required for wiper member  36 , the material for wiper member  36  and its contact pressure with cylinder wall  92  can be selected to reduce friction between the wiper member and cylinder wall  92 . 
         [0037]    With further reference to both  FIGS. 4 and 5 , for cold water applications of valve sub-assembly  48 , spindle  10 ′ having recess  40  can be substituted. Use of spindle  10 ′ permits the extending portion  66  of handle  62  to be partially received within recess  40  of the piston end  14 ′. This permits the handle  62  to be released with spindle  10 ′ in the fully open position such that continuous fluid flow is possible without retaining contact with handle  62 . For hot water applications, if it is undesirable to include the hands-free full flow condition provided by spindle  10 ′, spindle  10  can be used in place of spindle  10 ′. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 6  and again to  FIG. 5 , U-shaped cylinder member  52  includes a threaded body portion  102  used to threadably couple cylinder member  52  into valve body  44 . A tool drive portion  104  can include multiple tool engagement faces to assist in rotating cylinder member  52  into engagement with valve body  44 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 7  and again to  FIG. 5 , extending end  75  has an engagement face  106  which contacts bushing  72  to retain bushing  72  in position within valve body  44 . At least one and according to several embodiments a plurality of flow apertures  108  are perpendicularly created through extending end  75  which provide flow paths for fluid to flow into flow cavity portion  80 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 8  and again to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , pressurized fluid enters U-shaped cylinder member  52  via a fluid chamber  110  and as previously noted is prevented from entering liquid-free cavity portion  70  by sealing contact between second O-ring  32  and second sealing surface  86  of inner tubular portion  88 . The biasing member  68  is positioned in a biasing member alignment slot  112  and contacts or seats against a biasing member contact face  114 . Biasing member alignment slot  112  is created between inner tubular portion  88  and an outer cylinder portion  116 . Threaded body portion  102  is created and extends axially on an outer side of outer cylinder portion  116 . Cylinder wall  92  extends axially for a total length of cylinder sleeve portion  94  and outer cylinder portion  116 . Each of the flow apertures  108  are created through a perimeter wall  118  of extending end  75  and are oriented transverse to a cylinder member longitudinal axis  120 . 
         [0041]    The foregoing description of the various embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 4