Unit for a Single-Lever Mixing Valve

The present invention relates to a unit for a single-lever mixing valve having a fixed housing, an inner sleeve disposed within the housing, a cage which is rotatable and radially displaceable relative to the housing, a spindle which is swivel-mounted obliquely inside the inner sleeve, engages in the cage and is actuated externally, and with superposed washers having openings, of which one is desired as an inlet valve and attached to the housing and another is designed as a distributor valve and attached to the cage, while yet another is fitted as a shim between the inlet valve and the distributor valve.

Units for single-lever mixing valves of the abovementioned type are known from DE 28 27 236 A1, DE 29 29 199 A1. With these known units the shim can rotate together with the inner sleeve relative to the inlet valve. The distributor valve can rotate radially relative to the shim. Mixing of clod and warm water into mixed water occurs between inlet and distributor valves, while opening and closing of the valve occurs between shim and distributor valve. In the known units there is the risk of so-called spillage: if only a small amount of mixed water is removed, the openings--not exhibiting separate inlet ducts inside the same washer--between shim and distributor valve are extensively closed and if the temperature of the mixed water is selected such that the openings between inlet valve and shim are extensively opened, there may be resulting mixed water reflux in the lower-pressure water feed pipe. Spillage can be overcome by incorporation of reflux valves in the feed pipes. This is, however, not a justifiable expense.

This is where the present invention is of assistance. The object of the present invention is to provide a unit for a single-lever mixing valve of the type initially described such that there is no spillage. This task is solved according to the present invention by the shim being used as a volume valve which can be radially displaced on the inlet valve relative to the cage, and by the distributor valve being used as a temperature valve which is rotatable with the cage relative to the volume valve and which together with the volume valve is rotatable and radially displaceable relative to the inlet valve.

In the present invention the inner sleeve is disposed permanently in the housing. Relative thereto the spindle is turned and swivelled and the cage is moved rotationally and translationally. The separate inlet ducts of the washers prevent spillage without reflux valves being present in the feed pipes. The maximum angle of rotation between distributor valve/shim and inlet valve is adjustable, thus enabling the choice of a temperature limit. This also makes for a slimmer construction offering the same volume flow. Better design possibilities present themselves for a housing accommodating the unit. There is also a saving on materials.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the diagram and is described hereinafter in detail. In twice-enlarged representation:

FIG. 1 shows an axial section through a unit for a single-lever mixing valve in the assembled state;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show two axial sections of the housing rotated towards each other at 90.degree.;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along section line 4--4 from FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along section line 5--5 from FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the housing;

FIGS. 7-9 are a front elevation, the left side elevation, each half in axial section, and a plan view of an inner sleeve of the unit, respectively;

FIGS. 10-12 show a spindle for the unit in front elevation, bottom view and plan view, respectively;

FIGS. 13-14 show a cast component set in to the housing on the spindle side, preferably of a synthetic material, in side elevation, in partial axial section and in plan view, respectively;

FIGS. 15-18 show the components of a temperature limiter pluggable on the spindle in side elevation, in partial axial section and in bottom view;

FIGS. 19-21 show a cage for the housing in axial section, in left side elevation, in partial axial section and in bottom view, respectively;

FIGS. 22-23 show a sliding cap covering the cage in axial section and in plan view, respectively;

FIGS. 24-27 show an inlet valve for the unit in bottom view, plan view and in axial sections along section lines 26--26 and 27--27, respectively;

FIGS. 28-29 show a temperature valve for the unit in plan view and axial section along line 29--29, respectively;

FIGS. 30-33 show a volume valve for the unit in plan view, bottom view and in section;

FIGS. 34-35 show a moulded seal for the unit in side elevation, in partial axial section and in bottom view, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 1, for a single-lever mixing valve selected as exemplary embodiment exhibits a fixed housing 1, in which is attached an inner sleeve 2. Rotatable and radially displaceable relative to inner sleeve 2 is a cage 3 disposed in housing 1 beneath inner sleeve 2. Rotatably and swivel-mounted in inner sleeve 2 is a spindle 4 which engages inwards in cage 3 and is actuated externally. To control the quantity and temperature of the mixed water mingled and delivered from the supplied hot and cold water the unit contains washers which are superposed, and that present openings. One of the washers is designed as inlet valve 5 and is attached to housing 1. Another washer is designed as temperature valve 6 and is attached to cage 3. Fitted between inlet valve 5 and temperature valve 6 is a volume valve 7 which together with cage 3 is radially and translationally displaceable relative to inlet valve 5. Temperature valve 6 is rotatable relative to volume valve 7, therefore and is rotationally displaceable, and together with volume valve 7 is therefore radially and translationally displaceable relative to inlet valve 5. The inlet side of the unit forms an elastic packing washer 8 held by housing 1.

The spindle-side end of the unit forms an eyebolt 10 which is screwed into housing 1. A synthetic component 20 is held by eyebolt 10, which adjoins the spindle-side front end of inner sleeve 2. On its side facing synthetic component 20, inner sleeve 2 exhibits an internal groove accommodating a retaining ring 91 which holds a locking ring 92 and a synthetic slide ring 93 lying on one another in the axial direction of inner sleeve 2 and on a shoulder of the inner sleeve. Inner sleeve 2 is sealed opposite housing 1 and spindle 4 by O-rings 94, 95. Housing 1 and the entire unit are sealed by means of another O-ring 97 opposite a valve, not illustrated. Attached to the free end of spindle 4 is a temperature valve 40 which in cooperation with synthetic component 20 delimits the angle of rotation of spindle 4 and thus the aperture diameter of the warm water opening in temperature valve 6. Attached to cage 3 on the side adjoining inner sleeve 2 and lying thereon is a sliding cap 30.

Inlet valve 5--cf. FIGS. 1 and 24-27--is formed in its contour essentially from graduated circles, namely two diametrically opposed graduated circles 51 of larger diameter and two graduated circles 52 of smaller diameter arranged between the graduated circles of larger diameter 51. Graduated circles 51, 52 are interconnected by straight lines 53. Inlet valve 5 exhibits two openings 54 disposed symmetrically to its longitudinal central axis. One of the two openings is connected with the cold water feed pipe, the other with the warm water feed pipe. Openings 54 are designed circularly on the underside of the inlet valve, and on the upper side are designed rectangularly with rounded corners. Openings 54 are disposed offset to the longitudinal central axis on the upper side compared to the underside; the result are oblique openings 54 which run trapezoid in one cross-sectional plane, according to section 26--26 in FIG. 24, and in the other plane run in parallelogram manner, according to section 27--27. With its edge, inlet valve 5 fits into place in housing 1 in the manner of a bearing. Openings 54 are separated from one another by cross-member 55 disposed between them.

The shim provided as volume valve 7 is essentially circular in shape, as in FIGS. 1 and 12. Upper side 75 of volume valve 7 is designed as a circular area, while underside 76 is a circular area of larger diameter, which is truncated on the opposite sides like a secant 77. The result thereof is two recesses disposed parallel to underside 76 and to one another, with which volume valve 7 can glide along identically formed surfaces in housing 1. At the transition from the circular surface to secants 77, underside 76 overhangs upper side 75, the result of which is four protruding keys 78. Symmetrically to the longitudinal central axis, volume valve 7 exhibits two openings 71 separated from one another by a cross-member. In the bottom view, each opening 71 has the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners, and in the top view has the shape of a trapezoid whose base runs vertically to the longitudinal central axis. Cogs 72 are formed in the region of the longer base. Cogs 72 prevent water hammer and noises and enable the removal of minimal quantities. Provided on the side of cogs 72 is opening 71 with a sloping wall 73 opening to temperature valve 72, and further with a wall 74 vertical to the washer front surfaces. The circumference of volume valve 7 is shaped such that laterally reversed installation is not possible.

Temperature valve 6 is circular in design, as in FIGS. 1 and 28-29. It has two symmetrically disposed sector-shaped openings 61. One of the two openings is connected with the cold water feed pipe, the other with the warm water feed pipe. On its edge, temperature valve 6 exhibits flush-type steps 62, between sector-shaped openings 61 on the upper side. By these steps 62 temperature valve 6 lies on shoulders 31 in cage 3. Steps 62 are separated from one another by and from openings 61. Walls 64 of sector-shaped openings 61 run vertically to the bases. For the bearing unit of temperature valve 6 into housing 1, steps 62 may be arranged offset compared to the precisely diametrical arrangement according to the same side. Provided in the connection line of steps 62 in the region of one step is a grain-like recess 63 for the bearing unit.

Packing washer 8 forming the inlet side of the unit lies on inlet valve 5 and is held by housing 1, as in FIGS. 1, 34, and 35. Packing washer 8 displays the same contour as inlet valve 5 and is equipped with two symmetrically disposed circular openings 81 of packing washer 8 which are congruent with circular openings 54 of inlet valve 5 on the adjoining side. Packing washer 8 is flat on this side. On the side averted from inlet valve 5 packing washer 8 is provided on the edge of openings 81 with keys 84. On one hand, packing washer 8 together with circular keys 84 cuts off the cold and warm water supply. On the other hand, on the side facing inlet valve 5 two recessed steps 82 joining the smaller diameter circle prevent disintegration of the components of the unit not yet accommodated in the valve.

In FIGS. 1 and 2-6 outer housing 1 presents on the side of the spindle an inner thread 11 for taking up eyebolt 10. Adjoining this housing, 1 is equipped with an inner hexagon 12 for the fixed installation of inner sleeve 2 and synthetic component 20. Openings 14 adjoin a cylindrical bearing surface 13 for inner sleeve 2. Openings 14 are formed by the wall of outer housing 1 in this region which are formed only by diametrically opposing cross-members 15. Openings 14 enable lateral escape of the mixed water from the unit. Accommodated on the valve side in a bottom end of housing 1 is a borehole 16 running parallel to the central axis for taking up an axial bolt used to fix the housing in a valve. On the inside housing 1 is provided on this side, with a contour 17 identical to the outer contours of inlet valve 5 and packing washer 8 for their attaching. Adjoining this, an inner shoulder 18 is provided with a bearing surface that faces spindle 4, and an inwards facing guide surface for volume valve 7.

In FIGS. 1 and 7-9 inner sleeve 2 exhibits externally on the side facing spindle 4 a hexagon 21, which engages in inner hexagon 12 of housing 1, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Inside, at the level of hexagon 21, a groove 22 is provided for taking up retaining ring 91, adjoining which is a shoulder 23, on which lie locking ring 92 and synthetic slide ring 93. Facing the opposite end, inner sleeve 2 exhibits externally a circular groove 25 for taking up O-ring 94. Provided inside on this bottom end is an inner flange 26 on which O-ring 95 rests.

Lying on the top end of inner sleeve 2, facing spindle 4, is synthetic component 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 13-14. In the bearing region--that is, the region where inner sleeve 2 externally exhibits hexagon 21--synthetic component 20 also presents a hexagon 24, with which component 20 is held secure in housing 1 by means of inner hexagon 12. Hexagon 24 overhangs outer wall 27 of synthetic component 20 like a flange, such that the latter can be fixed in place by retaining ring 10. Inside synthetic component 20 is a longitudinal recess 28 for guiding spindle 4. Front ends 29 of recess 28 run conically inwards as they taper.

Cage 3 is designed like a sheath, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10-21. Projecting from the valve-side end are bosses 31 for engaging in steps 62 of temperature valve 6. At a distance from this, side wall cage 3 also exhibits openings 32 for the escape of the mixed water. These openings 32 also are formed between diametrically opposed cross-members 33 running in an axial direction. The end opposite bosses 31 is sealed off by a cover 34. Provided in cover 34 is an opening 35 which is designed as an inner hexagon and which takes up the inner end of spindle 4. Cover 34 overhangs the remaining portion of cage 3 in the manner of a castle nut. The result is an external circular shoulder 36.

Cover 34 is overhung by sliding cap 30, as shown in FIGS. 1, 22,and 23 which has the shape of a cylinder 37, one end of which is open and the opposite end of which is provided with a floor 38 which presents an opening 39 for the passage of spindle 4. Along with floor 38 sliding cap 30 lies on cover 34 of cage 3.

Mounted in inner sleeve 2 is spindle 4, with the assistance of synthetic slide ring 93, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10-12. In its part projecting into opening 35 of cage 3 provided with the inner hexagon, spindle 4 is designed as an octagonal plate 42. Octagonal joint comprising opening 35 and plate 42, effects the backlash-free rotatory movement of cage 3 during rotation of spindle 4 and thus the temperature adjustment. Octagon plate 42 is easy to manufacture on an autolathe. With swivelling of spindle 4, octagonal plate 42 presses cage 3 over opening 35 in a translational movement, which is restricted by oblique ends 29 provided on synthetic component 20, and on which temperature limiter 40 comes to stop on spindle 4 in its final position. A volume flow limit can be adjusted by notched cams in synthetic component 20. In the region between octagonal plate 42 and a cylindrical component 43, the spindle is designed as a ball 44, by means of which spindle 4 lies on the inner wall of inner sleeve 2 and synthetic slide ring 93. In this way, relaying of the swivelling movement of spindle 4 is guaranteed. The outer end of spindle 4 forms a polygon 45, onto which may be attached a lever of a mixing armature, not illustrated, and temperature limiter 40.

Temperature limiter 40 consists of two sleeves, as shown in FIGS. 1, 15-18. Each sleeve 40, 40" presents in a longitudinal direction an inner cogged wheel rim 46 corresponding to polygon 45 of spindle 4. At their opposite ends, the sleeves are provided on diametrically opposite sides with sharp, flange-like bosses extending outwards. With bosses 47, temperature limiter 40 impacts on the side walls of synthetic component 20 which leads spindle 4 during the translational movement when the latter is offset in rotational movement. If in polygon 45 a longitudinal groove is given the width of two cogs, and if cogged wheel rim 46 of temperature limiter 40 is given at any point a double width cog, the position of temperature limiter 40 on spindle 4, and thus the angle of rotation of the spindle, is fixed accurately. The double-width cog is provided effectively in the connecting line of both bosses. Temperature limiter 40 thus formed and located guarantees complete cold water supply and total shut-off of warm water. The use of two components for temperature limiter 40 makes it possible to select an angle between bosses 47 of both components in such a way that the rotational movement of spindle 4 is further restricted: Between one fixed end position, in which the total cold water flow is supplied, and the other end position, in which the total warm water flow would be flowing, an angle is selected which enables flow only to a partial warm water flow. The mixed water temperature can be restricted upwards. The nominated design with temperature limiter 40 is a good value solution for transverse bolt stops compared to radial milling

Openings 54, 61 and 71 in inlet valve, temperature valve and volume valve 5, 6 and 7 cover and conceal each other depending on the position of cage 3 released by spindle 4 relative to housing 1. In the closed or resting position volume valve 7--as well as the temperature valve 6--connected to cage 3 closes off opening 54 in the inlet valve, so that no water can pass through the unit. Depending on the degree of the swivelling movement of spindle 4 in a vertical direction, a translational movement of cage 3 takes place relative to housing 1 and thus of volume valve 7 relative to inlet valve 5. Openings 54 and 71 are covered more or less; the desired quantity of mixed water can pass through the unit and escape by way of lateral openings 32 and 14. Depending on the swivelling movement of spindle 4 in a horizontal direction, a rotational movement of cage 3 takes place relative to housing 1 and thus of temperature valve 6 relative to inlet valve 5. Depending on the spindle position, opening 61 for warm water in temperature valve 6 covers associated opening 71 in volume valve 7 from complete covering to complete opening. Inversely, opening 61 for cold water covers associated opening 71 from complete covering to complete opening. Mixed water of the desired temperature is mixed and passes through the openings. The translational and rotational movements overlap each other.