Plumbing fixture with mixing valve and controller

• US 9,340,959 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler MIRA Limited (Kohler Company)
• Original Assignee: Kohler MIRA Limited (Kohler Company)
• Inventors: Peel, Kevin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): McCalister, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAQUETTE, IAN G
• Application Number:
  US13/835,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20130340852A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 137/602, 137/896, 137/897, 137/606, 137/607, 137/613, 137/801, 137/599.01, 137/599.03, 137/599.08, 137/599.12, 137/599.14, 137/599.16, 137/601.02, 137/601.14, 137/341, 236/12.1, 236/12.11, 236/12.12
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/24 incorporating means for heating the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. electrically
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 1/24 Applying particulate materials
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/006 Arrangements or methods for cleaning or refurbishing water conduits
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/074 Arrangement of water treatment devices
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/075 Arrangement of devices for control of pressure or flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/078 Combined units with different devices; Arrangement of different devices with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/02 Plumbing installations for fresh water
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0409 Shower handles
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/044 having a heating or cooling apparatus in the supply line water heaters, e.g. with continuous flow, F24H
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/44 Details of seats or valve members of double-seat valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/22 with an actuating member for each valve, e.g. interconnected to form multiple-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/24 with an electromagnetically-operated valve, e.g. for washing machines
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 19/00 Arrangements of valves and flow lines specially adapted for mixing fluids multiple-way valves F16K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 19/006 Specially adapted for faucets
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/0263 multiple way valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 49/002 : Electric heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 1/00 : Pipe-line systems conveying articles or materials through a pipe- line by means of a fluid carrier B65G51/00, B65G53/00; liquids B67D; special devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers into vehicles or boats or vice versa, e.g. loading or unloading vehicles or portable containers B67D7/00; conveying material which has been excavated by a dredger or soil shifter through a pipe-line E02F7/10; sewer pipe-line systems E03F3/00; thermal insulation of pipe-lines F16L59/00; central heating systems F24D
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/13 : characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/16 : Controlling mixing ratio of fluids having different temperatures, e.g. by sensing the temperature of a mixture of fluids having different viscosities
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 : characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1858 : by varying the mixing ratio of fluids having different temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 : characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 : using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0617 : specially adapted for fluid materials
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 : dummy group
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 : Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0329 : Mixing of plural fluids of diverse characteristics or conditions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0391 : Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0424 : Liquid cleaning or flushing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6606 : With electric heating element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7759 : Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8376 : Combined
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 : Systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 : Programmer or timer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87668 : Single actuator operates plural flow control means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87684 : Valve in each inlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87692 : With common valve operator

Abstract

A plumbing fixture includes a body and a mixing valve within the body. The mixing valve includes a first linear actuator for controlling a first flow control valve within the mixing valve and a second linear actuator for controlling a second flow control valve within the mixing valve. A controller is located within the body and is configured to send control signals to control actuation of the linear actuators.

Claims

1. A plumbing fixture comprising:

a body;

a mixing valve within the body, the mixing valve comprising a first linear actuator for controlling a first flow control valve within the mixing valve and a second linear actuator for controlling a second flow control valve within the mixing valve; and

a controller within the body and configured to send control signals to control actuation of the linear actuators;

wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve and controller are located within a spout of the faucet;

wherein each of the first flow control valve and the second flow control valve comprises an inlet and a valve member assembly to control the fluid flow through the respective flow control valve; and

wherein the valve member assembly and the inlet of each of the first flow control valve and the second flow control valve is configured such that, when in use, fluid flowing through the first flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the first flow control valve and fluid flowing through the second flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the second flow control valve.

2. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the spout of the faucet is configured to pivot relative to a base of the faucet.

3. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein mixing valve and controller are located above an escutcheon of the faucet.

4. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the faucet is for use with one of a bath tap, a sink tap, and a basin tap.

5. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the linear actuators are stepper motors.

6. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a user interface accessible by a user outside the body of the plumbing fixture.

7. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, further comprising a user interface located on a base of the faucet, wherein the base is configured to be secured to a support surface and support the spout of the faucet.

8. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a microprocessor mounted on a control panel.

9. The plumbing fixture of claim 8, wherein the control panel is a printed circuit board.

10. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmable.

11. The plumbing fixture of claim 10, wherein the controller comprises a memory for storing different settings relating to at least one of temperature or flow rate for the plumbing fixture.

12. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the mixing valve comprises an electric heating element and the controller is configured to allow selection of a disinfection cycle in which the electric heating element is activated to heat the mixing valve.

13. The plumbing fixture of claim 12, wherein the controller comprises a memory and the memory is configured to record at least one of the time when the disinfection cycle is carried out, the temperature of outlet water, or the duration of the disinfection cycle.

14. A plumbing fixture comprising:

a body;

a mixing valve within the body, the mixing valve comprising a first linear actuator for controlling a first flow control valve within the mixing valve, a second linear actuator for controlling a second flow control valve within the mixing valve, and a mixing chamber, wherein each of the flow control valves comprises two valve outlets in communication with the mixing valve for controlling flow of fluids from the first and second flow control valves to the mixing chamber;

wherein the two outlets of each of the flow control valves are substantially the same size; and

a controller within the body and configured to send control signals to control actuation of the linear actuators;

wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve and controller are located within a spout of the faucet.

15. The plumbing fixture of claim 14, wherein each of the first and second flow control valves comprise an inlet and a valve member assembly to control the fluid flow through the respective flow control valve, the valve member assembly and the inlet of each of the first and second flow control valves configured such that, when in use, fluid flowing through the first flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the first flow control valve and fluid flowing through the second flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the second flow control valve.

16. The plumbing fixture of claim 14, wherein each flow control valve includes a valve member assembly including a first valve member adapted to engage with a first valve seat associated with a first of the two valve outlets in a closed position of the flow control valve and a second valve member adapted to engage with a second, separate, valve seat associated with a second of the two valve outlets in the closed position of the flow control valve.

17. A plumbing fixture comprising:

a body comprising a base portion, which is configured to mount to a support surface, and a stem portion supported by the base portion, the stem portion configured to discharge fluid;

a mixing valve located within the stem portion of the body, wherein the mixing valve is coupled to a first fluid delivery line providing a first fluid and to a second fluid delivery line providing the second fluid, the mixing valve further comprising a first stepper motor for controlling a first flow control valve within the mixing valve and a second stepper motor for controlling a second flow control valve within the mixing valve; and

a controller located within the stem portion, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the first and second stepper motors;

wherein each of the first control valve and the second flow control valve comprises an inlet and a valve member assembly to control the fluid flow through the respective flow control valve; and

wherein the valve member assembly and the inlet of each of the first flow control valve and the second flow control valve is configured such that, when in use, fluid flowing through the first flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the first flow control valve and fluid flowing through the second flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the second flow control valve.

18. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the stem portion is configured to pivot relative to the base portion.

19. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve and controller are located above an escutcheon of the faucet.

20. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve and controller are located above a surface to which the faucet is mounted.

21. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the plumbing fixture is a shower head that extends from a wall and the mixing valve and controller are provided on the same side of the wall as the shower head.

22. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the plumbing fixture is selected from the group consisting of a bath tap, a sink tap, and a basin tap.

23. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the controller comprises a user interface accessible by a user outside the body of the plumbing fixture.

24. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the plumbing fixture is a shower head.

25. The plumbing fixture of claim 24, wherein the shower head is a hand shower and the mixing valve and controller are located within a handle of the hand shower.

26. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the controller includes a microprocessor mounted on a control panel.

27. The plumbing fixture of claim 26, wherein the control panel is a printed circuit board.

28. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the controller is programmable.

29. The plumbing fixture of claim 28, wherein the controller comprises a memory for storing different settings relating to at least one of temperature or flow rate for the plumbing fixture.

30. The plumbing fixture of claim 17, wherein the mixing valve comprises an electric heating element and the controller is configured to allow selection of a disinfection cycle in which the electric heating element is activated to heat the mixing valve.

31. The plumbing fixture of claim 30, wherein the controller comprises a memory and the memory is configured to record at least one of the time when the disinfection cycle is carried out, the temperature of outlet water, or the duration of the disinfection cycle.

32. A plumbing fixture comprising:

a body comprising a base portion, which is configured to mount to a support surface, and a stem portion, which is supported by the base portion and is configured to discharge fluid;

a mixing valve located within the stem portion of the body, wherein the mixing valve is coupled to a first fluid delivery line providing a first fluid and to a second fluid delivery line providing the second fluid, the mixing valve comprising a first stepper motor for controlling a first flow control valve within the mixing valve, a second stepper motor for controlling a second flow control valve within the mixing valve, and a mixing chamber, wherein each of the flow control valves comprises two valve outlets in communication with the mixing valve for controlling flow of fluids from the first and second flow control valves to the mixing chamber;

wherein the two outlets of each of the flow control valves are substantially the same size; and

a controller located within the stem portion of the body, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the first and second stepper motors.

33. The plumbing fixture of claim 32, wherein each of the first and second flow control valves comprise an inlet and a valve member assembly to control the fluid flow through the respective flow control valve, the valve member assembly and the inlet of each of the first and second flow control valves configured such that, when in use, fluid flowing through the first flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the first flow control valve and fluid flowing through the second flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the second flow control valve.

34. The plumbing fixture of claim 32, wherein each flow control valve includes a valve member assembly including a first valve member adapted to engage with a first valve seat associated with a first of the two valve outlets in a closed position of the flow control valve and a second valve member adapted to engage with a second, separate, valve seat associated with a second of the two valve outlets in the closed position of the flow control valve.

35. The plumbing fixture of claim 32, further comprising a user interface located on the base portion of the faucet, wherein the user interface includes a touch sensitive panel for inputting settings and a display for showing a temperature of the fluid discharged from the stem portion.