U.S. patent application number 12/322744 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for 4 port fluid cartridge.
Invention is credited to David Di Nunzio.
Application Number | 20090139589 12/322744 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36695441 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090139589 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Di Nunzio; David |
June 4, 2009 |
4 Port fluid cartridge
Abstract
A control disk insert for a one lever mixer valve (20) contains
two preferably, planar disks, whereof one fixed control disk (24)
has at least one opening zone for hot water and at least one
opening zone for cold water. The movable control disk (22) facing
the fixed control disk (24) and movable with two degrees of freedom
can both completely close and continuously completely open the
opening zones in the fixed control disk (24). The opening zones of
the fixed control disk (24) and the opening zones of the moveable
control disk (22) are constructed in such a way that the control
disk (22) can be positioned to divert a non-contaminated fluid
stream to a separate outlet for connection to various devices. Or,
the opening zones of the fixed control disk (24) and the opening
zones of the moveable control disk (22) are constructed in such a
way that the control disk (22) can be positioned to send a pressure
signal or pressure relief signal to an appliance.
Inventors: |
Di Nunzio; David; (Mentor,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David Di Nunzio
9314 Lake Shore Blvd.
Mentor
OH
44060
US
|
Family ID: |
36695441 |
Appl. No.: |
12/322744 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11341349 |
Jan 26, 2006 |
7487797 |
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12322744 |
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60647252 |
Jan 26, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/625.46 ;
4/249 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/86549 20150401;
Y10T 137/86558 20150401; Y10T 137/86863 20150401; F16K 11/0787
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/625.46 ;
4/249 |
International
Class: |
F16K 11/00 20060101
F16K011/00 |
Claims
1. A sanitary mixer valve with a fixed control disk connectable to
water inlet ports of the valve, the fixed control disk having at
least one inlet for cold water, at least one inlet for hot water
and at least two outlets, a movable control surface having at least
three opening zones mechanically coupled and movable with respect
to a fixed control surface with two degrees of freedom, a mixer
lever attached to the movable control surface for controlling
quantity and mixing ration between opening zones as a function of
position, wherein: a movable control surface having a first opening
zone functioning as a mixing chamber as a function of position, a
second opening zone connecting to a third opening zone where at
least part of the connection from the second opening zone to the
third opening zone passes through the body of the moveable control
disk and said second and third opening zones are not in
communication with a mixing chamber.
2. A valve according to claim 1, wherein a movable control surface
having a first opening zone functioning as a mixing chamber as a
function of position, a second opening zone connecting to a third
opening zone where at least part of the connection from the second
opening zone to the third opening zone passes through the body of
the moveable control disk and said second and third opening zones
are not in communication with a mixing chamber, and said third
opening zone can connect to a fixed control disk outlet as a
function of position where second opening zone in the moveable
control disk simultaneously allows a fluid stream to pass through,
where said fixed control disk outlet is not a mixing chamber
outlet.
3. A valve according to claim 1, wherein a flow path of a second
opening zone to third opening zone is separated from a mixing
chamber by a seal.
4. A valve according to claim 1, wherein the second opening zone in
the moveable control surface is in communication with the third
opening zone in the moveable control surface, where said
communication occurs at a mechanically sealed area of an opposing
side of a movable control disk.
5. A valve according to claim 1, wherein movable control disk
having a control surface on one side of the movable control disk
has an opposing side where the mixing chamber is contained by a
mechanically sealed area, and a flow path that leads from the
second opening zone to the third opening zone is also mechanically
sealed on an opposing side or along a peripheral zone.
6. A valve according to claim 1, wherein the fixed and movable
control surfaces are surfaces of planar control disks.
7. A valve according to claim 1, wherein a movable control disk
having a control surface on one side and two through holes
emanating from a second and third opening zone in the moveable
control surface and as a function of position, at least one through
hole functions as an inlet and at least one through hole functions
as an outlet, both said through holes are in communication with
each other at the opposing side of the movable control disk through
an open path and are contained by a mechanical seal.
8. A valve according to claim 1, wherein a movable control disk
having a control surface on one side and two through holes
emanating from a second and third opening zone in the moveable
control surface, and as a function of position, at least one
through hole functions as an inlet and at least one through hole
functions as an outlet, both said through holes are in
communication with each other beside or away from the opposing side
through an open path and are contained by a mechanical seal.
9. A valve according to claim 1, wherein a movable control surface
having a first opening zone functioning as a mixing chamber as a
function of position, a second opening zone connecting to a third
opening zone where at least part of the connection, from the second
opening zone to the third opening zone passes through the body of
the moveable control disk and said second and third opening zones
are not in communication with a mixing chamber, and said third
opening zone can connect to either one of two fixed control disk
outlets as a function of position where second opening zone in the
moveable control disk simultaneously allows a fluid stream to pass
through, where neither of the two fixed control disk outlets are a
mixing chamber outlet.
10. A control insert according to claim 1, wherein the fixed and
movable control surfaces are surfaces of planar control disks.
11. A control insert according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is
used in combination with a water filtration device.
12. A control insert according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is
used as a control device by using the non mixed output as a means
for sending a pressure signal to activate an appliance.
13. A control insert according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge
diverting port is used in combination with a water heating
appliance.
14. A control insert according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge
diverting port is used in combination with a water cooling
appliance.
15. A control insert according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge
diverting port is used in combination with a water heating
appliance and a water cooling appliance.
16. A control insert according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge
diverting port is used in combination with a garbage disposal.
17. A sanitary mixer valve with a fixed control surface connectable
to water inlet ports of the valve, the fixed control surface having
at least one opening zone for cold water and at least one opening
zone for hot water, a control surface movable with respect to said
fixed control surface with two degrees of freedom, a mixer lever
attached to the movable control surface for controlling quantity
and mixing ration between the opening zones and at least one out
port as a function of position, wherein: the fixed control surface
has at least one additional outlet that can be connected to one of
the inlet ports to define a diverting path the sanitary mixer valve
has a diverting path that passes through a moveable control
disk.
18. A sanitary mixer valve according to claim 17, wherein the
diverting path passes through a moveable control disk specifically
means that a fluid entering a diverting path opening zone in the
moveable control surface does not exit through the same diverting
path opening zone.
19. A sanitary mixer valve according to claim 17, wherein the
cartridge lever can actuate the diverting path where a distal end
is attached to said cartridge lever and actuation for a diverting
stream is achieved by pressing the distal end downward.
20. A sanitary mixer valve according to claim 17, wherein a fixed
control disk has a diverting opening that is diametrically opposed
to the inlet that is being diverted.
21. A faucet having a distal end that is used to flush a toilet
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/647,252, filed 2005 Jan. 26 by the present
inventor.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] This invention relates to faucets which control the mixing
of hot and cold water. More particularly, the invention relates to
faucets of the foregoing type wherein a movable disk is both
rotated and directed in a linear manner over a stationary disk by
an operating spindle. In addition, the invention relates to a
cartridge with at least one additional port which can be used for
various applications.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] There are problems with certain mixing valves which utilize
movable and stationary disks (e.g. ceramic disks) in applications
which relate to the use of water filtration systems. Prior art
arrangements of these faucets and four port mixing valves (e.g.
cartridges) appear to suffer from common disadvantages such as (a)
cartridges are bulky and large. (b) cartridges require additional
space and are specific to one unique application. (c) cartridges
require numerous additional components. (d) they are more expensive
to manufacture due to larger exterior components. (e) cartridges
have small flow area at control surface interface of the additional
filtration water communication port. (f) cartridges have rotatable
activation at faucet handle. Control surface refers to where a
movable control disk and a fixed control disk form a seal plane for
mixing.
[0008] Also, alternate cartridge designs that are used for water
filtration applications require 5 port cartridges. Such a cartridge
is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,699 by Yoav Granot. The
aforementioned patent employs small overlap area at the control
surface interface of the diverting opening. Also, the large 5 port
cartridge activates filter water mode by handle rotation, which is
perhaps less than an intuitive approach.
[0009] Other large and bulky cartridge designs do activate filter
water by pushing downwards on a faucet handle as in U.S. Pat. No.
6,135,151 by David L. Bowers et al. While this cartridge design has
the convenience of downward activation, and the cartridge requires
one less flow line when compared to the cartridge described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,029,699 by Yoav Granot, the cartridge is complex, bulky
and can only be used on very specific valve seats.
[0010] Furthermore, The cartridge described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,135,151 by David L. Bowers et al defines disk members having
defined therebetween a mixing chamber and a diverting cavity. Such
arrangements result in limiting surface area for the overlapping
cavity and results in more geometry restrictions on the underside
of such movable control disks.
[0011] 3. Objects and Advantages
[0012] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present
invention are: [0013] (a) to provide a cartridge with a downward
activation with reference to the faucet handle and a diverting
fluid stream [0014] (b) to provide a 4 port cartridge that can be
used in filtration applications [0015] (c) to provide a more
conventional shaped 4 port cartridge [0016] (d) to provide a 4 port
cartridge requires a few additional components when compared to
existing 3 port cartridges that are quite common [0017] (e) to
provide a cartridge that can be used to send water to a
displacement type chiller that dispenses chilled, filtered or
unfiltered cold water [0018] (f) to provide a cartridge that can
send a momentary or long duration pressure signal to control an
appliance or mechanism [0019] (g) to provide a cartridge that can
vent a pressure buildup in order to control an appliance or
mechanism
[0020] Further objects and advantages are to provide a compact
cartridge that may be suitable for applications that dispense hot
or chilled water in kitchens.
SUMMARY
[0021] The invention can be used in applications where the
dispensing of filtered water is desired. The newly invented
cartridge requires few additional parts when compared to typical 3
port cartridges. Such an invention would be well suited for the
dispensing of Hot water by means of a displacement type heated
water chamber similar to that of a commercial coffeemaker. Or, a
similar displacement device could be used to chill water.
Furthermore, both devices could be located in modern or gourmet
kitchens where the dispensing of heated cooking water and chilled
water are desired. In addition, the use of such a device to control
appliances by way of a pressure signal communicated by the
cartridge may be desirable.
DRAWINGS--FIGURES
[0022] The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter
relative to non-limitative embodiments and the attached drawings,
wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a cross-section through part of a mixer valve with
a control insert according to the invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross-section from a direction turned 80.degree.
relative to FIG. 1 with the control rod rotated respectively.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the moveable control disk e.g.
the moveable control surface
[0026] FIG. 4 is a top view of the moveable control disk
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-section through the moveable control disk
according to FIG. 4
[0028] FIG. 6 is a top view of the fixed control disk e.g. the
fixed control surface
[0029] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the fixed control disk
[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-section through the fixed control disk
according to FIG. 6
[0031] FIG. 9 is a cross-section through the fixed control disk
according to FIG. 6
[0032] FIGS. 10 to 14 are diagrammatically positions of fixed and
movable control disks.
[0033] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the valve of FIG. 1.
DRAWINGS
Reference Numerals
[0034] 20 cartridge [0035] 21 cartridge housing [0036] 22 movable
control disk [0037] 23 bearing surface [0038] 24 fixed control disk
[0039] 25 flange [0040] 26 valve seat [0041] 27 bearing surface
[0042] 28 cavity [0043] 29 limit locus [0044] 30 rotative control
rod device [0045] 32 cover seat [0046] 34 attachment [0047] 36
cavity [0048] 38 motion transmission element [0049] 40 o-ring
[0050] 41 protrusion feature [0051] 42 protrusion feature [0052] 43
void [0053] 44 inlet cavity [0054] 45 void [0055] 46 inlet cavity
[0056] 48 overpass chamber [0057] 50 mixing chamber [0058] 51
diverting outlet [0059] 53 seal [0060] 54 hot water inlet [0061] 58
cold water inlet [0062] 59 upper limit surface [0063] 60A seal slot
[0064] 60B seal slot [0065] 60C seal slot [0066] 60D seal slot
[0067] 61 moveable control surface [0068] 62 seal [0069] 63 seal
slot [0070] 64 opening [0071] 66 opening [0072] 67 diverting
chamber [0073] 68 opening [0074] 69 outlet [0075] 74 outlet [0076]
153 seal [0077] 144 outlet [0078] 145 inlet [0079] 148 inlet [0080]
174 inlet [0081] 253 seal [0082] 353 seal
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Preferred Embodiment
[0083] Referring to the attached drawings FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the
present invention generally includes a cartridge 20, a movable
control disk 22, a fixed control disk 24, and a valve seat 26. A
bearing surface 23 is located above a flange 25. A cartridge
housing 21 is cylindrical, on the top. there is a cavity 28 of a
smaller diameter. A rotative control rod device 30 is inserted in
the cavity 28. The control rod 30 swings through the central axis
of a cover seat 32, and includes an attachment 34. The control rod
30 extends down and continuous in an attachment 34 from a cover
seat 32. The attachment 34 is placed in a corresponding cavity 36.
The cavity 36 is located in an upper portion of a motion
transmission element 38. A bearing surface 27 is located above
transmission element 38. The transmission element 38 provides a
range of motion for the control rod 30. An, O-ring 40 is beneath
the transmission element 38 where said O-ring 40 seals transmission
element 38 with the movable control disk 22. The transmission
element 38 is equipped with protrusion features 41 and 42 extending
downward into voids 43 and 45 securing control disk 22 as
illustrated in FIG. 15. There are also two inlet cavities 44, 46
and two outlet cavities 74 and 174 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0084] Referring to the FIGS. 1 to 5, the moveable control disk 22
is a smaller diameter than the aforesaid cartridge 20. There is an
overpass chamber 67 in the upper portion of the movable disk 22.
The transmission element 38 has protrusions 41 and 42 that can be
inserted into voids 43,45 in the moveable control disk 22. In
addition, an o-ring 40 seals the moveable control disk 22 with the
transmission element 38.
[0085] Together, these items are to be mounted in the cartridge 20
while moving freely relative to the fixed disk 24. The moveable
disk is free to move within the confines of the cartridge housing
21 with a notable difference from existing cartridges defined by
inner cartridge housing 21 geometry limit locus 29. Also, there is
a mixing chamber 50 in the movable disk 22. The mixing chamber 50
can be connected to hot water inlet 54 and cold water inlet 58 in
the fixed control disk.
[0086] A valve seat 26 inserts and engages at bottom of the
cartridge 20 and positions the seals 53, 153, 253 and 353
interfacing the fixed disk 24. The moveable disk 22 is subjected to
the movement of the control rod 30 and is able to move and overlap
the fixed disk 24. The control rod 30 drives the moveable disk 22
and alters various positions of the moveable disk 22 in relation to
the fixed disk 24 (see FIGS. 10 to 14). The movable control disk
has a lower limit surface that forms the movable control surface 61
as illustrated in FIG. 3. To provide for outlet 74 water flow, the
movable control disk opening 66 connects to hot water inlet 54,
cold water inlet 58, or a combination of both water inlets. All
mixed water exits the fixed control disk 24 through outlet 69. By
way of the aforementioned connections, the movable control disk 22
is able to open or close or mix or deliver hot and cold water to
outlet 74.
[0087] See FIGS. 1,2,6,7 and 15. Below the movable control disk 22,
the fixed control disk 24 is secured in the cartridge by the
position of the seals 53,153,253 and 353 only for the purpose of
this example. The fixed disk will utilize common means for securing
the fixed control disk in position. Common means refers to voids
along a peripheral edge in a lower surface of a fixed control disk
which engage securing protrusions located in a valve seat. The
fixed control disk 24 has an upper limit surface 59 which forms the
fixed control surface. The fixed control disk 24 has hot and cold
inlet 54 and 58 that receive flow from inlet cavities 46 and 44.
The only diagrammatically represented fixed control disk 24 rest
partly on the seals 53,153,253 and 353 and valve seat 26. In FIGS.
6 to 8, the fixed disk 24 contains a diverting outlet 51. The
diverting outlet 51 is diametrically opposed to the cold water
inlet 58.
[0088] In FIG. 15 you can see seal slots 60A,60B,60C, and 60D in
the valve seat 26. A seal 62 covers seal slot 63 in order to
prevent leakage between valve seat and all inlets and outlets. In
doing so, all individual fluid paths are also sealed from each
other as is accomplished by individual seals 53,153,253 and
353.
[0089] It is common practice to use a flat surface of two disks to
form a seal plane by placing what we call control surfaces against
each other to form a seal plain. In order to be clear, the term
opening zone in a control surface means an opening in a control
surface where an edge of said opening zone does not share an edge
with a perimeter or boundary of said control surface.
[0090] With reference to FIG. 4, and FIGS. 10 to 14, the
interactions of the two control disks for mixing the two water
flows and for setting the water quantity will now be described. A
rotation of the movable control disk 22 leads to a temperature
change, whilst a displacement of the movable control disk in a
direction of an alignment passing through the center of the section
3 line in FIG. 4 permits the choice of the water quantity. In FIG.
12 the control disk is rotated counter clockwise to its end
position and is simultaneously displaced to the left and upwards.
The opening 64 of moveable control disk 22 frees the cold water
inlet 58 of the fixed control disk 24, which is to be connected
with the cold water. Simultaneously, the opening 68 of moveable
control disk 22 frees opening 51 in the fixed control disk, which
is also connected to the cold water inlet. The water enters opening
64 and travels through a diverting channel 67. The position of FIG.
12 consequently means that the cartridge is in the diverting
position and is sending water or sending a pressure signal to a
water filter or alternate device. If the control disk 22 is now
positioned downward to the right, then the situation is as shown in
FIG. 14. Opening 66 frees opening 58 in the fixed control disk and
allows the water to exit through outlet 69. Thus, FIG. 14 shows the
control insert in the cold water position.
[0091] If the control disk 22 is now positioned downward to the
left, then the situation is as shown in FIG. 13. To an equal extent
opening 66 frees the openings 54 and 58.
[0092] Thus, FIG. 13 shows the control insert position with a 50%
mixing ratio.
[0093] If the moveable control disk 22 is moved upwards from the
position in FIG. 13 without turning it, the position shown in FIG.
10 is obtained, in which the valve is closed in the central
temperature position. In this closed position, control disk 22 can
be rotated both clockwise and counterclockwise without the valve
opening. In FIG. 11, the off position of the full hot orientation
is displayed.
Alternative Embodiments
[0094] There may be applications where a compact cartridge is able
to channel hot or cold water to a another location. FIG. 1 can also
be a section through the hot water inlet 54 & outlet 74. Such a
5 port unit could have the fifth port diametrically opposed to the
hot water inlet 144 that can utilize the diverting channel 67 in
order to connect to a second diverting out port 174. Using FIG. 1
to replace the hot water cross section of FIG. 2 is the simplest
way to describe what a section that is 80 degrees away from the
cold water position of FIG. 1 would look like. A cartridge built
without limit locus 29 being completely circular cross sectioned
cartridge could allow for the dispensing of either stream or a mix
of both streams. In the event that a mixing of both diverting
streams is undesirable, a smaller limit locus or a groove in limit
locus can facilitate downward activation occurring in only
non-mixing positions.
[0095] The newly invented cartridge could easily have the
translation or volume controlling throw positions divided into two
index-able positions to allow for a user interface that provides
response feel to the user when pressing handle down. Part of the
response throw could be momentary and then transition into a fixed
position of outflow. This can be accomplished by use of indents
with corresponding cavities located in the lever and interfacing
parts. Use of a spring or incorporating geometry into a memory
retaining polymer would suffice for such an application.
[0096] In addition, the cartridge 20 can be seated on a surface
that allows for, the first one of two diverting positions to be
active, the second of two diverting positions to be active or both
diverting positions to be active.
[0097] Also, the cartridge can be used with one of the diverting
ports functioning as a vent. This may be useful in applications
where a filter unit can be relieved of pressure so as to change the
filter unit. Similarly, one of the diverting chambers can be used
to connect a vent to an appliance that builds pressure in a line
where the relief of such pressure causes a desired functioning to
occur. Such a device could be used to flush a toilet and promote
good hygiene practices. In such an application, the movement of the
faucet handle to wash ones hands could automatically flush a
toilet.
[0098] Additionally, the cartridge can be constructed using similar
protrusion notches or pawls to secure and balance the fixed control
disk to the valve seat as is done in current cartridge designs.
Furthermore, the cartridge can be constructed using similar snap
locking features that are currently used to secure the cartridge
outer shell to the valve seat.
[0099] Similarly, the cartridge can be constructed similar to
existing 3 port cartridges requiring few additional parts. From an
appearance standpoint, the main differences distinguishing this
invention from other cartridges are related to the geometry of the
control disks.
[0100] When the invention is compared to other similar four or five
port cartridges, the simplicity and therefor lower cost is
desirable.
[0101] When the alternate flow area overlap in the control surface
of the newly invented cartridge is compared to other 4 or 5 port
cartridges, the sound and performance may be more desirable.
[0102] Although the description above contains many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention.
[0103] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by
examples given.
Advantages
[0104] The numerous advantages in the aforementioned items
generally relate to diverting flow area, size, cost and
versatility. The newly invented cartridge can be used in many
different applications. Also, the cartridge can be used in
applications where a cheaper alternative cartridge is desired.
There may be numerous applications for which this cartridge may be
preferred over the prior art.
[0105] It is noteworthy to mention that such a cartridge can have
numerous common parts with other similar cartridges so as to reduce
the number of custom parts that are unique only to a 4 or 5 port
application.
* * * * *