JPH0356346B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to valve assemblies, such as household water faucets.

Domestic pillar hydrants have a chamber through which water flows to the outlet. A valve located within the chamber fills the chamber with water due to water pressure from the valve seat and forces water to exit from the water outlet. To close the water tap,
A threaded rod-like mechanism is rotated to force the valve into contact with the valve seat against the pressure of the water. The water supply to the chamber is then cut off. A disadvantage of this device is that a considerable amount of energy is required to close the stopper, and furthermore, a certain degree of dexterity is required to rotate the threaded rod to open and close the valve.

According to the invention, a main flow path and a control flow path are connected to the same fluid source, a valve member disposed in the main flow path for opening and closing the main flow path, and a gap between the open state and the closed state of the valve member. A valve assembly is provided comprising a control means for controlling a fluid disposed in a control flow path for displacement at a temperature of .

Further, in accordance with the invention, a chamber, a diaphragm dividing the chamber into first and second separate sections, a main inlet and a main outlet both communicating with the first section, and a main inlet and a main outlet for opening and closing communication between the main inlet and the main outlet are provided. a valve member displaceably conveyed by the diaphragm such that when the fluid pressures in the two parts are equal and the valve member is in the closed position, the net force on the diaphragm holds the valve member in the closed position; a control channel communicating with the main inlet and extending to the faucet, inlet and outlet valves located in the control channel, between a second portion of the chamber and a portion of the control channel located between the two valves; a means of communicating,
and closing the inlet valve and opening the outlet valve to open a flow path between the main inlet and the main outlet, reducing the pressure in the second portion and moving the diaphragm to the open state of the valve member;
A valve assembly is provided comprising control means for controlling two valves to open an inlet valve and close an outlet valve to close a flow path between a main inlet and a main outlet.

A household pillar hydrant that embodies this invention,
Referring to the attached schematic diagram showing the cross section of the water tap,
An example will be described below.

The illustrated water tap includes an inlet 1 that is connected to the domestic water supply system in use. The body of the faucet defines a generally cylindrical chamber 16 communicating between the inlet 1 and the faucet 20. The faucet 20 has an upstream portion forming an annular valve seat extending to the lower end of the chamber 16 and a downstream portion terminating in the water outlet 2 .

The diaphragm 15 located within the chamber is
Separate the chamber into upper and lower parts in a watertight manner. The diaphragm 15 supports the plug-like valve member 14 and forces the valve to move within the chamber toward and away from the valve seat. The lower side of the plug is provided with a protruding guide 14a provided to guide the plug to the valve seat. As the valve is opened, the guide 14a
The flow rate through the valve is nonlinear; i.e., slowly at first and then gradually faster.
It has stepped or grooved sides.

An upper chamber 4 located above a generally cylindrical chamber 16 communicates with the inlet 1 via a passageway 3. A valve member 8 in the passageway 3 controls the flow of water through the passageway 3. The upper chamber 4 communicates with the cylindrical chamber 16 through an opening in the roof of the chamber 16. Another channel 5 connects the upper chamber 4 and the outlet 2.
The downstream part of A valve member 9 located in the passageway 5 opens and closes flow to the passageway. An adjustable restriction device 6 in the flow path 5 controls the flow rate of fluid through the flow path 5.

A shaft-supported lever 7 is housed in the upper chamber 4. The shaft 17 extends through an opening in the roof of the upper chamber 4. The O-ring seal between the shaft 17 and the roof not only provides a watertight seal between the wall and the shaft 17, but also swingably supports the shaft 17 relative to the roof.

The two valve members 8 and 9 are each provided with a control rod. Each control rod has a tapered center section. The opposite arm of the control lever 7 is
Each of the control rods is slidably engaged with the tapered cross-section of one of the control rods. In this way, a certain amount of play occurs in the connection between the lever and the control rods of the two valve members.

The shaft 17 supports the lever 10 at its upper end. A pair of "on" and "off" pushbuttons 12 and 13 are located above the lever 10, adjacent each of its two arms.

Each pushbutton 12 and 13 is spring biased away from lever 10 and each has an actuation pin extending toward the lever that engages and tilts lever 10 when the corresponding button is pressed.

The restriction device 6 consists of a flexible flap 26 which is biased in the direction of the flow path 5 by a through screw 28 and forms a compression section. The through screw 28 is adjusted to increase or decrease the size of the compression section to influence the flow through the channel 5. When operating a faucet that is off, pressing the "on" button will generate a progressively increasing water flow. Releasing the "on" button will stop any further increase in water flow rate and the flow of water through the faucet will continue at a constant rate. Pressing the "off" button will block water flow through the hydrant and close the hydrant.
If the "on" button is only partially pressed, a small water flow will occur and will be cut off as soon as the "on" button is released. After a water flow has been created through the hydrant, the "off" button can be partially pressed to reduce the flow without closing the hydrant. After the flow rate from the faucet reaches the desired rate, releasing the "off" button will again maintain a constant flow.

In the figure, the hydrant is shown in the "off" state. In this state, the valve 8 is opened under the action of gravity. Additionally, the valve may be biased open by other means.
A locking mechanism (not shown) holds the valve open until it is forced closed. Water pressure from the inlet 1 of the faucet is transmitted through the upper chamber 4, the flow passage 3 and the inlet valve 8 to the upper part of the chamber 16. An outlet valve 9 in a flow path 5 extending from the upper chamber 4 is kept closed by the water pressure of the upper chamber 4. In addition to this water pressure, the valve 9 is kept closed by a spring (not shown) or float.

In this condition, both sides of the diaphragm 15 receive the same pressure from the source. However, since the area under pressure above the diaphragm is larger than the area below it, the diaphragm biases the plug 14 toward the valve seat, blocking any water flow from the lower portion of the chamber 16 to the faucet 2. .

Pressing the "on" button tilts the lever 7 and thus tilts the shaft 17 around the O-ring seal 11. This in turn displaces lever 7 and valve 9
and close valve 8. The valve 8 is held against the valve seat by water pressure from the inlet 1. A small amount of water flows through the restriction device 6 via the flow path 5 to the outlet 2. This is chamber 1
6 to reduce the pressure on the upper part of the diaphragm 15.
tilts slowly by an amount corresponding to the amount of water lost through the outlet valve 9. Plug 14 is lifted by water pressure and passes from inlet 1 through the lower portion of chamber 16 to outlet 2.
A flow occurs. The longer the "on" button is pressed and held, the more water will be released through the valve and therefore the greater the flow through the faucet. The increase in flow rate through the faucet can be stopped at any time during the opening process by releasing the "on" button. By releasing the “on” button,
Water flows through the faucet at the desired constant rate until the "on" or "off" button is then pressed.

When flowing through the hydrant at a constant rate other than maximum velocity, the flow rate through the hydrant is increased by holding the "on" button until the flow is at the desired speed. Once the desired flow rate is achieved, the "on" button is released and water flows through the faucet at an increased and constant rate.

In order to reduce the water flow rate without closing the hydrant all at once, the mechanism operates as follows. It must first be noted that the "off" button has two operating pressures. A first pressure occurs when the button is partially depressed and a second pressure occurs when the button is fully depressed. To reduce the hydrant water flow without closing the hydrant, the "off" button is partially depressed to the first operating pressure. This partially opens inlet valve 8, while leaving outlet valve 9 closed. In this condition, water flows into the chamber 16 above the diaphragm, displacing the plug 14 downward. Therefore, the water flow at the hydrant is reduced.
Valve 8 is only partially open, so it is “off”
As soon as the button is released, the water pressure in the passage 3 lifts the inlet valve 8 towards the valve seat, thereby preventing the hydrant from shutting off. The water flow from the faucet remains constant until the next "on" or "off" button is depressed.

To completely stop the flow from the faucet 2, which is flowing at a constant rate, the "off" button is depressed to the second pressure position. As a result, the lever 7 is tilted to open the inlet valve 8. Due to the play provided between the engaging parts of the outlet valve 9, the arm of the lever 7 is raised without displacing the outlet valve 9, and the outlet valve 9 remains closed. When the inlet valve 8 is fully opened, the upper portions of the chambers 4 and 16 rapidly fill with water, rapidly closing the hydrant. The sides of the inlet valve are shaped so that the water flowing through it holds the valve open. Once the hydrant is closed, water no longer passes through the inlet valve and the valve is opened by gravity. However, if the hydrant is opened and there is no water flow through the inlet valve, the valve will be closed as described below.

When the hydrant is closed, a very small flow is created by depressing the "on" button. As a result, the outlet valve 9 is opened, but the inlet valve 8 is kept fully open. When the inlet valve is open, the diaphragm holds the plug closed;
When the outlet valve 9 opens, a small flow is created through the restriction device 6 and the flow path 5 to the water outlet 2. This provides the faucet with a drip control mechanism for dispensing small amounts of water. Releasing the "on" button will, in this case, automatically close the hydrant without depressing the "off" button as the inlet valve will return to its fully open position and the outlet valve will be closed again.

The flow rate when the hydrant is opened is governed by the rate of water flow from the upper chamber through the restriction device 6. This is influenced by the pressure of the water source. To compensate for pressure changes in the water source, the water flow through the restriction device 6 is adjusted to change the flow rate when the hydrant is opened.

An air chamber (not shown) containing air is connected to the flow path 3. This absorbs any pressure fluctuations in the inlet due to water hammer when the hydrant is rapidly closed.

In a faucet running at a constant flow rate, there is a small pressure drop across the valve seat that tends to cause the diaphragm to move down. This results in a small pressure drop in the upper part of the chamber 16 and the pressure from the flow path 3 acts to hold the inlet valve 8 towards its seat. In this way, the diaphragm is able to keep the plug in an open position, maintaining a steady flow of water. However, as soon as the inlet valve 8 is opened, the diaphragm moves to force the plug into its seat.

The O-ring, which only seals between the "on" and "off" buttons and the lever 7, does not experience any friction due to rotation or rocking, and is only distorted by the rocking movement of the valve lever shaft 17. This feature is due to close contact
To ease the operation of a push button when using a ring.

In a variant, the two pushbuttons can be replaced by a single rocking lever that is connected to or replaces the lever 10.

The hydrant described is a full unit, but does not have a main inlet, main outlet, and valve seat, and is a part that is attached in place of the upper part, which can be screwed off from the lower part of a normal type of hydrant, consisting of the inlet, outlet, and valve seat. It will be appreciated that it can be transformed as an assembly.

It will also be appreciated that the described hydrant acts as a "fail safe". Any leakage of water through the outlet valve 9 is compensated by water flowing through the open inlet valve 8, maintaining the pressure above the diaphragm to close the hydrant. Even if the diaphragm breaks, the hydrant will not open and will remain closed until the damaged diaphragm is replaced.

The detailed faucet mechanism can be incorporated into a hydraulic circuit for motor control and a jack in a hydraulic circuit.

Although the faucet control mechanism has been described as being located within the body of the faucet, it may alternatively be located separate from the faucet, for example in a control panel built into a wall that controls a sink unit, bathtub, or shower. .

The feature of providing an air chamber communicating with the inlet of a faucet to mitigate the effects of water hammer is utilized, for example, in domestic water supply systems or domestic washing machines. For example, pressure fluctuations are damped by the action of an air chamber separated from the system by a flexible membrane.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figure schematically shows a cross section of a household pillar faucet for explaining the present invention. 1...Main flow path (inlet), 2...Water outlet (outlet), 3, 5...Control flow path, 4...Chamber,
6... Restriction device, 7... Lever (mechanism), 8... Inlet (control) valve, 9... Outlet (control)
Valve, 10... lever, 11... O-ring seal,
12, 13...“ON” button, “OFF” button,
14... Valve member (plug), 14a... Guide,
15...diaphragm, 16...chamber, 17...
Shaft (lever mechanism), 20...Outlet duct (faucet), 26...Flap, 28...Through screw.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A chamber 16, a diaphragm 15 disposed within the chamber 16 dividing the chamber into two separate parts, a main flow channel 1 connected to one part and a control flow connected to the other part. The main and control channels 1 and 3 to 5 are connected to a common fluid source, and the two parts are supported by a diaphragm 15 for opening and closing the main channels. a valve member 14 displaceable in response to relative pressure changes between the valve member 1;
4, the control mechanism comprises a control mechanism disposed in the control channel to control the flow of fluid through the control channel to control the opening and closing of the main channel 1 by the control channel 3; comprising inlet and outlet control valves 8 and 9 respectively arranged in 5, the control channels 3 to 5 being connected to said other part upstream and downstream thereof;
A valve assembly characterized in that the two control valves 8 and 9 change the amount of fluid in the other part. 2 Outlet duct 20 is connected to chamber 16
duct 20 has an upstream end extending into said one portion of the diaphragm 15 and forming a valve seat for the valve member 14, the duct 20 reducing the fluid pressure-loaded surface area of said one portion of the diaphragm 15 when the valve member 14 is seated. 2. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve assembly exerts a net force on the diaphragm (15) to maintain the valve member closed to some extent. 3. The lever mechanisms 7, 17 are connected to both the inlet control valve 8 and the outlet control valve 9, and act through the diaphragm 15 by tilting the lever mechanisms 7, 17 to one side to open the outlet valve 9 and close the inlet valve 8. The pressure in the control flow path is reduced by releasing fluid from the other part of the chamber due to the pressure caused by the control flow, and by tilting the lever mechanisms 7, 17 to the opposite side to close the outlet valve 9 and open the inlet valve 8. Claim 1, characterized in that it acts on the diaphragm to displace the valve member 14 to the closed state.
The valve assembly according to item 1 or 2. 4. Play is provided between the lever mechanism 7 and the inlet and outlet valves 8 and 9, so that when the lever mechanism 7 is tilted to a special position, the inlet and outlet valves 8 and 9 open simultaneously, and the front 4. A valve assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that a continuous flow is formed through the control channels (3 to 5). 5 In order to tilt the lever mechanism 7 to the one side,
and a spring-loaded "on" button 12 and a spring-loaded "off" button 13 for tilting the lever mechanism 7 to the opposite side. Or the valve assembly according to item 4. 6. The valve assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it has a swing lever for controlling the inclination of the lever mechanism 7. 7 The control channels 3 to 5, the inlet and outlet valves 8 and 9, and the lever mechanism 7 are housed in the main body, and the lever mechanism 7 is supported by a shaft 17 extending from the main body, and the main body and the shaft 17 are connected to each other. The valve assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the valve assembly includes an O-ring seal 11 that seals between the parts and forms a swingable shaft of the lever mechanism 7. Assembly. 8. Valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has an adjustable restriction device 6 for restricting the flow through the control channels 3 to 5. 9. The valve assembly according to any one of items 1 to 8, characterized in that a gas-filled chamber communicating with the main flow path 1 reduces the adverse effects of rapid pressure fluctuations.