Device for the automatic delivery of water

• US 6,425,415 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2001
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nuova Galatron Srl
• Original Assignee: Nuova Galatron Srl
• Inventors: Sarasini, Gabriele, Lorenzelli, Mauro
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US09/769,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20010020490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 137/624.11, 137/624.12, 137/801, 251/129.04, 462/3
• US Class Current: 137/624.11
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/05 Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps remote control of taps or the like per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0743 with both the supply and the discharge passages being on one side of the closure plates
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0787 with both the supply and the discharge passages being on the same side of the closure members F16K11/0785 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/402 acting on a diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

Device (10) to deliver and mix water for taps (12) said device comprising a mixer cartridge (30), able to be arranged inside the monoblock (11) of said tap (12), means to regulate the mixing of the water and actuation means arranged above said monoblock (11), able to determine the opening and closing of the flow of water, said actuation means being commanded electrically and comprising an interception element (20) able to cooperate with of said mixer cartridge (30).

Claims

1. A device for the automatic delivery of water from a tap (12) comprising a mixer cartridge (30), arranged inside a monoblock (11) of said tap (12), a handle (45) operationally associated with the mixing cartridge (30) to regulate the mixing of the water, and actuation device (42), arranged above said monoblock (11), which controls an opening and closing of a flow of water through the mixing cartridge, said actuation device being commanded electrically and cooperating with a corresponding membrane (20) of said mixer cartridge (30).

2. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said actuation device (42) is commanded by drive means (41) associated with at least a presence sensor (44).

3. Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said drive means (41) comprise at least a solenoid device.

4. Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said drive means (41) comprise at least an electric motor.

5. Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said drive means (41) are fed by batteries (36).

6. Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said actuation device (42), said drive means (41), said presence sensor (44) and an electronic circuit (43) are integrated in a single unit (40) which is located above said mixer cartridge (30) in a position outside said monoblock (11).

7. Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said drive means (41) are associated with timer means able to automatically de-activate said drive means (41) after a predetermined time from when said sensor (44) detects the presence of a user.

8. Device as in claim 7, characterized in that said timer means are programmable.

9. Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said unit (40) comprises housing seatings (38) for at least one battery (36).

10. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that a unit (40) integrally includes said handle (45) to regulate the mixing.

11. Device as in claim 10, characterized in that the function of said handle (45) is to cover and protect the components of said unit (40).

12. Device as in claim 6, characterized in that said unit (40) can be coupled onto said mixer cartridge (30).

13. Device as in claim 12, characterized in that said unit (40) and said mixer cartridge (30) cooperate with reciprocal clamping means (48).

14. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said actuation device assumes at least an inactive position and a working position wherein they define respectively the closing and opening of said tap (12).

15. Device as in claim 14, characterized in that said actuation device comprises a piston (42) which assumes an extracted position in said inactive position and a retracted position in said working position.

16. Device as in claim 15, characterized in that said membrane (20) is housed in an inner chamber (26) of said mixer cartridge (30), said membrane (20) assumes a first position wherein the membrane (20) does not allow the water to be delivered from the tap (12), defined by the extracted position of said piston (42), and a second position wherein the membrane (20) allows said delivery, defined by the retracted position of said piston (42).

17. Device as in claim 15, characterized in that a chamber (26) communicates with a channel (29,31) which is selectively closed by said piston (42), and cooperates with a water distribution means (18) of said mixer cartridge (30), said channel (29,31) being closed in the extracted position of said piston (42), and allowing said chamber (26) to be filled with water so as to maintain said membrane (20) in a first position wherein the membrane (20) does not allow the water to be delivered from the tap (12), and said channel (29,31) being open in the retracted position of said piston (42) to allow said membrane (20) to be arranged in a second position wherein the membrane (20) allows the water to be delivered from the tap (12).

18. Device as in claim 17, characterized in that said chamber (26) communicates with a delivery outlet (21) by means of at least two channels (29,31) connected with each other by an intermediate seating (51), at least one (29 or 31) of said channels being selectively closed by said piston (42).

19. Device as in claim 17, characterized in that said membrane (20) is housed on the bottom of said chamber (26) and is raised therefrom in said second position due to an effect of the pressure of the water passing in said distribution means (18).

20. Device as in claim 17, characterized in that said membrane (20) is provided with a through hole (32), cooperating with said distribution means (18), which allows said chamber (26) to be filled with water.