Plumbing fixture with integrated mixing valve

• US 9,376,792 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• 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
• Application Number:
  US13/839,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20130340853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 137/602, 137/896, 137/897, 137/898, 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: 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 provided within the body. The mixing valve includes a first inlet for receiving a first fluid, a second inlet for receiving a second fluid, and a mixing chamber having a fluid outlet for outputting the first fluid or the second fluid or a mixture thereof. The mixing valve includes a first flow control valve for controlling the flow of the first fluid into the mixing chamber and a second flow control valve, separate from the first flow control valve, for controlling the flow of the second fluid into the mixing chamber, wherein at least one of the first or second flow control valve includes at least two separate outlets into the mixing chamber.

Claims

1. A plumbing fixture comprising:

a mixing valve provided within a body of the plumbing fixture and comprising;

a cold water inlet;

a hot water inlet;

a mixing chamber;

a water outlet configured to output cold water or hot water or a mixture thereof from the mixing valve;

a first flow control valve for controlling the flow of cold water from the cold water inlet to the mixing chamber; and

a second flow control valve for controlling the flow of hot water from the hot water inlet to the mixing chamber;

wherein each of the first and second flow control valves includes a first valve outlet and a second valve outlet communicating with the mixing chamber and a valve member assembly to control the flow of water through the first and second valve outlets;

wherein each valve member assembly includes a first valve member configured to engage with a first valve seat associated with the first valve outlet in a closed position of the flow control valve and a second valve member configured to engage with a second, separate, valve seat associated with the second valve outlet in the closed position of the flow control valve;

wherein the first and second flow control valves are arranged side by side in parallel and on opposite sides of the mixing chamber; and

wherein the mixing chamber is located between the first and second flow control valves and between the four outlets thereof.

2. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve is located within a spout of the faucet.

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

4. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve is located above a surface to which the faucet is mounted.

5. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the plumbing fixture is a shower head.

6. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the valve inlet of each flow control valve is located between the first valve member and the second valve member of the valve member assembly.

7. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein each flow control valve includes an inlet chamber and the valve inlet of each flow control valve opens into the inlet chamber, and wherein the first and second valve outlets of each flow control valve are arranged at opposite ends of the inlet chamber.

8. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the includes a mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the water outlet.

9. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the first valve member is configured to be urged closed by water entering through the valve inlet and the second valve member is configured to be urged open by water entering through the valve inlet such that, when in use, water flowing through the first flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the first flow control valve and water flowing through the second flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly of the second flow control valve.

10. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the first valve outlet of each of the first and second flow control valves opens into a first side of the mixing chamber, and the second valve outlet of each of the first and second flow control valves opens into a second side of the mixing chamber, the second side of the mixing chamber being located between the water outlet and the first side of the mixing chamber, and the second side of the mixing chamber is fluidly connected to the first side of the mixing chamber by a central portion of the mixing chamber that is located between the first and second flow control valves.

11. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the first and second valve members of each valve member assembly are connected to a spool that is coupled to an actuator, which controls the position of the valve members relative to their respective valve seats, wherein the actuator is an electrically powered stepper motor and is also provided within the plumbing fixture, wherein the spools of the first and second flow control valves are arranged side by side in parallel and on opposite sides of the mixing chamber, and wherein a portion of the mixing chamber that is located between the spools extends parallel to the spools.

12. The plumbing fixture of claim 11, wherein the mixing valve includes a housing made of metal or alloy and includes an electrically powered heating device for thermally disinfecting the mixing valve.

13. A plumbing fixture comprising:

a body; and

a mixing valve provided within the body, the mixing valve comprising;

a first inlet for receiving a first fluid;

a second inlet for receiving a second fluid; and

a mixing chamber having a fluid outlet for outputting the first fluid or the second fluid or a mixture thereof;

a first flow control valve for controlling the flow of the first fluid into the mixing chamber; and

a second flow control valve, separate from the first flow control valve, for controlling the flow of the second fluid into the mixing chamber;

wherein each flow control valve includes at least two separate outlets into the mixing chamber comprising at least a first outlet and a second outlet;

wherein the mixing chamber comprises;

a first region that extends between the first outlet of the first control valve and the first outlet of the second flow control valve;

a second region that extends between the second outlet of the first control valve and the second outlet of the second flow control valve; and

a third region extending between the first and second regions and between the first and second flow control valves; and

wherein the first and second flow control valves are arranged side by side in parallel and on opposite sides of the third region of the mixing chamber.

14. The plumbing fixture of claim 13, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve is located within a spout of the faucet.

15. The plumbing fixture of claim 13, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve is located above a surface to which the faucet is mounted.

16. The plumbing fixture of claim 13, wherein the plumbing fixture is a shower head.

17. The plumbing fixture of claim 13, wherein the plumbing fixture is a hand shower and the mixing valve is located within a handle of the hand shower.

18. The plumbing fixture of claim 13, wherein each flow control valve extends through the first and second regions of the mixing chamber and the associated inlet.

19. The plumbing fixture of claim 13, wherein the mixing valve includes a housing that houses the first and second flow control valves and includes apertures that form the first fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet, and the fluid outlet, and wherein the housing is made of metal or an alloy and includes an electrically powered heating device configured to thermally disinfect the mixing valve.

20. The plumbing fixture of claim 13, wherein each flow control valve comprises an elongated valve inlet chamber having a valve inlet and two separate valve outlets formed at substantially opposite ends of the valve inlet chamber, wherein the valve inlet is located between the valve outlets.

21. The plumbing fixture of claim 20, wherein the first valve member is received in the valve inlet chamber in an open position of the flow control valve and the second valve member is received in the second region of the mixing chamber in the open position of the flow control valve.

22. The plumbing fixture of claim 20, 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.

23. The plumbing fixture of claim 22, wherein the valve member assembly is balanced such that fluid flowing through the flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly.

24. The plumbing fixture of claim 22, wherein the first valve member is arranged to be urged closed by fluid entering the valve inlet chamber through the valve inlet and the second valve member is arranged to be urged open by fluid entering the valve inlet chamber through the valve inlet.

25. The plumbing fixture of claim 24, wherein the first and second valve members of each flow control valve are connected to a spool coupled to an actuator which controls the position of the valve members relative to their respective valve seats, and wherein the actuator is a stepper motor.

26. A plumbing fixture comprising:

a mixing valve having a mixing chamber having a first end portion and a second end portion, the mixing valve comprising;

a first flow control valve having a first outlet that opens to the first end portion and a second outlet that opens to the second end portion for controlling the flow of a first fluid from a first inlet into the mixing chamber; and

a second flow control valve having two outlets a first outlet that opens to the first end portion and a second outlet that opens to the second end portion for controlling the flow of a second fluid from a second inlet into the mixing chamber;

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;

wherein the first and second end portions of the mixing chamber are fluidly connected by a central portion that is located between all four outlets of the first and second flow control valves; and

wherein the two spools are arranged side by side in parallel and on opposite sides of the central portion of the mixing chamber.

27. The plumbing fixture of claim 26, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve is located within a spout of the faucet.

28. The plumbing fixture of claim 26, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve is located above a surface to which the faucet is mounted.

29. The plumbing fixture of claim 26, wherein the plumbing fixture is a shower head.

30. The plumbing fixture of claim 26, wherein the plumbing fixture is a hand shower and the mixing valve is located within a handle of the hand shower.

31. The plumbing fixture of claim 26, wherein the plumbing fixture is a shower head that extends from a wall and the mixing valve is provided on the same side of the wall as the shower head.

32. The mixing valve of claim 26, wherein the first valve member is configured to be urged closed and the second valve member is configured to be urged open by the first fluid from the first inlet, and the second end portion of the mixing chamber is provided between a water outlet of the mixing valve and the first end portion of the mixing chamber.

33. The mixing valve of claim 26, wherein the first and second valve members of each flow control valve are connected to a spool coupled to an actuator which controls the position of the valve members relative to their respective valve seats, and wherein the actuator is an electrically powered motor.

34. The mixing valve of claim 26, wherein the valve member assembly is balanced such that fluid flowing through the flow control valve exerts substantially no net force on the valve member assembly.

35. The mixing valve of claim 26, wherein the two outlets of each of the flow control valves are of similar size and are axially aligned.

36. The mixing valve of claim 26, wherein the mixing valve includes a housing that houses the first and second flow control valves and is made of metal or an alloy and the mixing valve further comprises an electric heating element configured to thermally disinfect the mixing valve.

37. A plumbing fixture comprising:

a mixing valve comprising;

a mixing chamber;

a first flow control valve having two outlets for controlling the flow of a first fluid from a first inlet; and

a second flow control valve having two outlets for controlling the flow of a second fluid from a second inlet;

wherein the mixing chamber comprises;

a first region that extends between the first outlet of the first control valve and the first outlet of the second flow control valve;

a second region that extends between the second outlet of the first control valve and the second outlet of the second flow control valve; and

a third region fluidly connecting the first and second regions and extending between the first and second flow control valves;

wherein the two flow control valves are arranged side by side in parallel and on opposite sides of the third region of the mixing chamber; and

wherein the mixing chamber is located between the first and second flow control valves and between the four outlets thereof.

38. The plumbing fixture of claim 37, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve is located within a spout of the faucet.

39. The plumbing fixture of claim 37, wherein the plumbing fixture is a faucet and the mixing valve is located above a surface to which the faucet is mounted.

40. The plumbing fixture of claim 37, wherein the plumbing fixture is a shower head.

41. The plumbing fixture of claim 37, wherein the plumbing fixture is a hand shower and the mixing valve is located within a handle of the hand shower.

42. The plumbing fixture of claim 37, wherein the mixing valve includes a housing that houses the first and second flow control valves and is made of metal or an alloy and the mixing valve further comprises an electric heating element configured to thermally disinfect the mixing valve.

43. The plumbing fixture of claim 42, wherein the electric heating element extends through a portion of the housing.

44. The plumbing fixture of claim 37, 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.

45. The plumbing fixture of claim 44, wherein the first valve member is configured to be urged closed and the second valve member is configured to be urged open by the first fluid from the first inlet.

46. The plumbing fixture of claim 44, wherein the first and second valve members of each flow control valve are connected to a spool coupled to an actuator which controls the position of the valve members relative to their respective valve seats.

47. The plumbing fixture of claim 46, wherein the actuator is an electrically powered motor.