The present invention relates to faucets in general and particularly to faucets having internal valves. More particularly, the invention relates to faucets having internal thermostatic tempering devices.
In a conventional faucet, a user mixes hot and cold water to control the temperature of water supplied to a faucet by manipulating water control valves. Unfortunately, a small child can inadvertently supply too much hot water to the faucet which can scald the child. In addition, it is possible for the hot or cold water sources to fail, thereby mixing too much hot water or too little cold water and scalding the user.
Thermostatic tempering devices that restrict the temperature of a flow of water to a preset maximum are known. It is also known to add these valves in the flow between the hot and cold water valves and the faucet. However, such a setup requires the user to install an additional component in the plumbing system which is inconvenient. Moreover, the typical installation requires the installer to install the thermostatic tempering devices below the sink, which is typically a cramped workspace.
The present invention overcomes these and other shortcomings of conventional thermostatic tempering device installations by providing a faucet with an internal thermostatic tempering device. Hence, an installer need only install a faucet in a conventional manner making standard connections to provide the additional protection of a thermostatic tempering device. When upgrading to a thermostatic valve, the installer need not get below the sink, since the thermostatic valve is in the faucet and above the sink.
A faucet 10 includes a mixing area in an internal cavity 12, an outlet 14 in fluid communication with the cavity 12 and hot and cold water valves 16, 18 that connect hot and cold water sources 20, 22 with the cavity 12 by conduits 26, 28. A thermostatic tempering device 30 is disposed in the cavity 12 and receives hot and cold water inputs from conduits 26, 28, respectively. Thermostatic tempering device 30 includes an outlet 32 coupled to the faucet outlet 14.
Thermostatic tempering device 30 is preset at the factory to provide a maximum outlet temperature, regardless of the temperature of the hot water source 20, even in the event of a failure in either the hot or cold water supply systems.
Alternatively, it is possible to reverse the positions of the cartridge valve 54 and thermostatic tempering device 56 so that the thermostatic tempering device 56 provides water to the cartridge valve 54 at the maximum predetermined temperature. In this case, the cartridge valve 54 would select the volume of water. Either arrangement ensures that the water at the faucet outlet is tempered.
The thermostatic tempering device 100 includes a temperature sensing element 116 and a seal 118. The thermostatic tempering device 100 is disposed in the down stream mixed water path so that as the temperature rises, the temperature sensing element 116 activates the seal 118 to reduce or completely close off the amount of hot water entering the spout 104. If the temperature-sensing element 116 is activated, the user can reset it quickly by turning down the hot water or by increasing the cold water at the valves. Alternatively, the thermostatic tempering device 100 can include a reset activator 120 that can also act as a manual temperature adjuster.
The underbody 206 differs from the underbody 106 in that it includes a separate channel 215 connecting the thermostatic tempering device 200 to the cold water end body 210 at a point below the valve. Thus, cold water is supplied to the thermostatic tempering device 100 regardless of the position of the cold water control valve. A manual adjustment device 216 allows the user to set a maximum temperature by adjusting the amount of cold water added to the mixed water during activation of the device.
The thermostatic tempering device 200 includes a temperature-sensing element 216. In one embodiment, the temperature-sensing element 216 can be a wax thermostatic element.
Wax thermostatic elements permit the transforming of thermal energy into mechanical energy by tapping into the large thermal expansion of waxes when they pass from the solid to the liquid state.
Typically, the wax thermostatic element includes a copper cup containing wax. In some cases, copper flakes are added to the wax to equalize heat distribution throughout the cup and act as filler. A flat rubber diaphragm is placed on the upper part of the cup and a brass guide closes the zone containing the wax. The diaphragm assures that the zone containing the wax is leak tight. The brass guide includes a central bore to receive a piston. As the wax increases in volume with increasing temperature, it distorts the diaphragm, which pushes upwards to urge the piston out of the element. The piston can return to its initial position under the action of a return spring.
As illustrated in
The thermostatic tempering device 300 includes temperature-sensing element 311, a piston 312, and a seal 316. The piston 312 and seal 316 are disposed in a channel member 317 that defines the water path from the mixing area of the faucet to the spout 304. The temperature sensing element 311 is positioned adjacent an internal abutment member 319 formed in the spout 304, so that expansion of the temperature sensing element 311 with increasing temperature urges the piston 312 downwardly to urge the seal 316 against valve seat 318. As the seal 316 seats in the channel member 317, it cuts off the flow of hot water to the spout 304.
The channel member 317 is further illustrated in
The above-described embodiments, of course, are not to be construed as limiting the breadth of the present invention. For example, the illustrated embodiments are directed to two-handle faucets, while the invention applies equally to single control faucets. In addition, each illustrated embodiment shows the temperature sensing element moving vertically to shut off the flow of hot water. It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that a horizontal orientation would also work to achieve the desired effect. Other modifications and alternative constructions will be apparent which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US03/10230 | 4/3/2003 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60369915 | Apr 2002 | US |