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DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a valve device, in particular a diverter valve for a fluid flow, designed to be used in a household appliance, for example a washing machine, such as a dishwasher.

Technological background

More specifically, the present invention relates to a valve device according to the preamble of appended claim 1, i.e. to a valve device comprising:

- an inlet, which is able to receive a fluid flow;

- a plurality of outlets, which are able to expel at least a portion of said fluid flow;

- a plurality of valve seats, which are arranged crosswise in said body and are in fluid communication with said outlets; and

- a shutter, which is mounted so as to rotate in said body around a rotation axis among a plurality of positions in which it is able to at least partially open and close said valve seats.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a valve device, which is able to ensure, in a reliable manner and by means of a compact mechanism, a conveying of the fluid coming from the inlet, directing it at one or more desired outlets or intercepting it, thus preventing it from flowing through the device.

According to the present invention, this and other objects are reached by means of a valve device of the type described above and defined by the characterizing portion of appended claim 1, i.e. wherein said shutter is substantially cup-shaped and has:

- a bottom wall, and

- a lateral wall, which peripherally extends from said bottom wall, delimiting a central cavity, and ending in a top edge that is axially open;

said central cavity being in fluid communication with said inlet through said top edge;

said lateral wall transversely obstructing said valve seats and having at least one transverse opening, which is able to at least partially establish a fluid communication between said central cavity and one of said seats, when said shutter is rotated in one of said positions in which said opening at least partially transversely faces said seat .

The appended claims are an integral part of the technical teaches provided in the following detailed description concerning the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention and describe optional technical features.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description, which is provided by way of example and is not limiting, with reference, in particular, to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 is a perspective view showing a valve device according to an explanatory embodiment of the present invention; - figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the above-mentioned valve device obtained according to line II- II of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 is a further cross-sectional view of the device shown in the previous figures;

- figure 4 is a schematic view of the electrical connections carried by the device shown in the previous figures ;

- figure 5 is a perspective view of a shutter associated with the valve device shown in the previous figures; and

- figure 6 is an exploded view of the device shown in the previous figures.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference, in particular, to figure 1, number 10 indicates, as a whole, a valve device manufactured according to an explanatory embodiment of the present invention .

In the embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example, device 10 is a fluid diverter valve, especially designed to be used in a household appliance, for example a washing machine, such as a dishwasher. However, as a person skilled in the art can clearly understand by reading the description below, the aforesaid valve device 10 can also have other uses for different types of fluids (liquid or gaseous substances) and in different fields.

With reference, in particular, to figures 1 to 3, device 10 comprises a hollow body 12 having:

- an inlet 14, which is able to receive a fluid flow (in the embodiment shown herein, a flow of liquid, such as water ) ;

- a plurality of outlets 16, which are able to expel at least a portion of the fluid flow; - a plurality of valve seats 18, which are arranged crosswise in body 12 and are in fluid communication with outlets 16; and

- a shutter 20, which is mounted so as to rotate in body 12 around a rotation axis X-X among a plurality of positions in which it is able to at least partially open and close valve seats 18.

In this way, shutter 20 at least partly enables and prevents a fluid communication between inlet 14 and outlets 16, based on the position assumed and on the degree of freedom and obstruction of the respective valve seats 18.

Furthermore, and with reference to the rotation axis X-X, the shutter is substantially cup-shaped and has:

- a bottom wall 22, and

- a lateral wall 24, which peripherally extends, in particular in a substantially axial direction, from said bottom wall 22, delimiting a central cavity 26, and ending in a top edge 28 that is axially open;

Cavity 26 is in fluid communication with the inlet through top edge 28, whereas lateral wall 24 transversely obstructs valve seats 18 and having at least one transverse opening 30, which is able to at least partially establish a fluid communication between central cavity 26 and one of seats 18, when shutter is rotated in one of the aforesaid positions in which said opening 30 at least partially transversely faces seat 18.

The cup shape of shutter 20 allows us to ensure, in a reliable manner and by means of a compact mechanism, a conveying of the fluid coming from inlet 14, directing it at one or more desired outlets 16 or intercepting it, thus preventing it from flowing through the device. In particular, the fluid flow coming from inlet 14 is moved away from shutter 20 and deflected substantially by 90°, when it is directed through valve seats 18 towards outlets 16.

With reference, in particular, to figures 2 and 3, lateral wall 24 has the shape of a cylinder with a circular cross-section. Preferably, top edge 28 axially rests against an abutment portion 31 arranged in body 12, in the embodiment shown herein arranged adjacent to inlet 14.

In the embodiment described herein, the cylindrical segment of lateral wall 24 close to top edge 28 has a thickness that is slightly smaller than the one of the remaining extension of lateral wall 24. In particular, the thickness of lateral wall 24 is gradually tapered - for example substantially resembling the shape of a truncated cone - to reach the aforesaid cylindrical segment arranged close to top edge 28.

In the embodiment shown herein, bottom wall 22 has a substantially concave shape (towards top edge 28), which joins an intermediate portion of lateral wall 24.

With reference in particular to figures 2 and 3, again, bottom wall 22 has an annular projection 22a, which projects on the opposite side relative to top edge 28 and axially rests against a corresponding annular wall of an abutment 23 projecting from a half-shell 12b of hollow body 12b, e.g. projecting from the bottom of said half-shell 12b. In particular, annular projection 22a is in a radially inner position compared to lateral wall 24, which, in the embodiment shown herein, externally surrounds it.

Preferably, the rotation support of shutter 20 in hollow body 12 consists of abutments, which internally project from the hollow body itself and, by way of example, in the embodiment shown herein, are abutment 31 and annular abutment wall 23, which are arranged on axially opposite sides of shutter 20.

In the embodiment shown herein, device 10 further comprises actuator means, which are generically indicated with number 32 in figure 1 and are designed to control the rotation of shutter 20 among its different operating positions .

With reference, in particular, to figure 3, actuator means 32 comprise an electric motor, which is known per se and, therefore, is simply indicated in a schematic manner with a broken line and with number 32a. Electric motor 32a is advantageously enclosed by a casing 33, for example substantially shaped like a cap, which is coupled to body 12 (in particular, by means of a click-in coupling) . In the embodiment shown herein, the electric motor has an operating shaft 34, which cooperates with shutter 20, thus controlling its rotation around rotation axis X-X.

Advantageously, the connection between hollow body 12 and casing 33 occurs in a fluid-tight manner, so that there is undesired flow of fluid coming from the inlet 14 towards the electric motor housed in casing 33.

Preferably, operating shaft 34 is constrained in rotation to shutter 20, in particular it being mechanically coupled to the latter (for example fitting thereto) . In the embodiment shown herein, shutter 20 has an axially hollow appendage 36, which projects from bottom 22, in particular in a substantially central position, and on the opposite side relative lateral wall 24. In particular, appendage 36 is arranged in a radially inner position compared to annular projection 22a.

In the embodiment, operating shaft 34 is housed, for example by means of interference, on the inside of the cavity defined by appendage 36.

Preferably, shutter 20 is associated with a cam member 38, shaped so as to drive - in a known manner - a tracer member (not numbered) associated therewith, which is configured to signal that shutter 20 has reached a predetermined position.

Preferably, cam member 38 is carried by actuator means 32, for example by operating shaft 34. In particular, cam member 38 comprises a disc or collar, which is peripherally carried by operating shaft 34 and is properly shaped with projections and/or recesses, which are suited to come into contact with the tracer member.

Preferably, device 10 comprises, furthermore, a signaling switch 40, whose switching is suited to be controlled based on the action of tracer member 38, which is properly stressed by cam member 38 when shutter 20 reaches a predetermined operating position. For example, the tracer member can be a movable contact of signaling switch 40 itself.

In the embodiment shown herein, device 10 also comprises a pair of signaling terminals A, B, signaling switch 40 being electrically interposed between them. Preferably, signaling terminals A, B are laminar connectors, which can be connected to a control unit (not shown) on the outside of device 10, which is designed to apply a potential difference to signaling terminals A, B and to receive a signal indicating the position assumed by shutter 20 depending on the switching condition (closing and/or opening) taken on by signaling switch 40, based on the passage of current between said signaling terminals A, B. For example, said signaling terminals A, B radially project from hollow body 12 and/or from casing 33. In the embodiment shown herein, device 10 also comprises a pair of power supply terminals C, D, which are designed to electrically connect electric motor 32 to an external electrical power source, typically through the control of a control unit on the outside of the device. For example, said power supply terminals C, D radially project from hollow body 12 and/or from casing 33.

Preferably, the pair of signaling terminals A, B and/or the pair of power supply terminals C, D are manufactured as a single connector 42, for example a RAST connector, which is designed so as to be connected to an associated complementary connector in order to ensure the connection with the aforesaid control unit. In the embodiment shown herein, the above-mentioned single connector 42 laterally projects, in particular in a substantially transverse or radial direction, relative to body 12 and/or to casing 33, said connector 42 being defined in one or more of them.

In the embodiment shown herein, hollow body 12 is made up of two half-shells 12a and 12b, which are substantially cup-shaped and are coupled to one another (for example, with a click-in coupling or with a bayonet coupling) , especially in the area of their transversely or radially outer periphery. Preferably, the coupling between half shells 12a and 12b occurs in the area of respective tank- shaped portions (not numbered), which face one another in the area of their concavity and mutually penetrate one another .

Preferably, the first half-shell 12a carries inlet 14 and outlets 16 (with the associated valve seats 18) and can house, on the inside and with freedom of rotation, shutter 20. In the embodiment shown herein, the first half-shell 12a has a central portion 13 defining a housing, in particular with a cylindrical shape, wherein shutter 20 is coupled in a turning manner. In particular, the central portion 13 substantially acts as a manifold into which inlet 14 axially leads and from which outlets 16 radially branch off through respective seats 18, with the interposition of shutter 20.

In the embodiment shown herein, the first half-shell 12a defines abutment portion 31, in particular close to the region where inlet 14 leads into the housing defined by central portion 13.

With reference, in particular, to figure 3, the second half-shell 12b creates the connection between body 12 and casing 33 of actuator means 32 and is designed to be crossed by operating shaft 34, preferably supporting it during its rotation. Advantageously, between the second half-shell 12b and operating shaft 34 there are interposed known sealing means 44, for example an annular gasket or "0-ring", which are designed to create a substantially watertight connection. Sealing means 44, for example, are radially interposed between shaft 34 and an annular projection 45, which projects from the second half-shell 12b (especially in the direction of actuator means 32) .

In the embodiment shown herein, the first half-shell 12a carries annular abutment wall 23, especially in a central position, for example radially arranged more on the outside compared to operating haft 34.

With reference, in particular, to figure 3, the connection between the first half-shell 12a and the second half-shell 12b can occur in a fluid-tight manner, for example using (further) suitable sealing means 46, such as an annular gasket or "0-ring". These (further) sealing means 46 can be radially interposed between annular abutment wall 23 and a corresponding annular formation 48 arranged on half-shell 12a (and, in particular, projecting in the direction of actuator means 32) . In particular, when assembling hollow body 12, annular formation 48 is radially arranged more on the outside compared o annular abutment wall 23.

Preferably, inlet 14 is a substantially straight, tubular inlet fitting, in the embodiment shown herein oriented in an axial direction and, in particular, having a substantially circular cross section. Advantageously, tubular inlet fitting 14 is coaxial to rotation axis X-X.

In the embodiment shown herein, outlets 16 are substantially straight, tubular inlet fittings, in particular having a substantially circular cross-section. Advantageously, the tubular outlet fittings are oriented crosswise relative to rotation axis X-X, for example they are arranged radially. Preferably, the axes of the tubular outlet fittings lie on the same plane, in particular perpendicular relative to rotation axis X-X, advantageously departing from central portion 13.

In the embodiment shown herein, tubular outlet fittings 16 are substantially coaxial to the respective valve seats 18, in particular said valve seats 18 being the inner ends of said tubular outlet fittings 16.

Preferably, the axes of at least two of the aforesaid tubular outlet fittings 16 are angularly staggered by approximately 90°. Further preferably, the axes of at least two of the aforesaid tubular outlet fittings are angularly staggered by approximately 180°.

Preferably, inlet 14 and/or at least one of outlets 16 are provided with suitable means designed to enable a quick coupling with external pipes (not shown), for example capable of enabling a bayonet coupling. To this regard, inlet 14 and/or at least one of outlets 16 can be provided with a plurality of radial projections (not shown), which are designed to be inserted into circumferential grooves or slits carried by connection portions of the external pipes.

Now we will describe, in general terms, the operation of valve device 10 according to the embodiment shown herein .

We will consider the example in which the aforesaid valve device 10 is designed as a flow diverter valve (or simply "diverter") and is mounted in a a household appliance, for example a washing machine, more in particular a dishwasher.

More specifically, inlet 14 is connected upstream of a liquid pumping fluid, in particular for water, and the three outlets 16 are respectively connected to:

- a supplying or recirculation branch (through or in the washing machine);

- a draining branch (of the washing machine); and

- a storage branch (for example, for a liquid storage tank arranged inside the washing machine and designed to deliver the stored liquid in a following moment) .

Shutter 20 has a single opening 30, for alternately facing one of valve seats 18 associated with the three outlets 16. This opening 30 can also be optionally placed in a position in which it does not lead through any of seats 18, thus preventing the fluid from flowing through device 10. In other words, there are four possible different operating positions of shutter 20:

- a first delivering position, in which liquid is delivered to the supplying or recirculation branch; - a second delivering position, in which liquid is delivered to the draining branch;

- a third delivering position, in which liquid is delivered to the storage branch;

- a fourth total obstruction position, in which liquid is prevented from flowing through device 10.

Depending on the operating steps of the washing machine, actuator means 32 (supplied with power through the electrical power supplied by means of terminals C and D) control the position assumed by shutter 20, through the rotation caused by operating shaft 34. When shutter 20 reaches the desired position, the associated operating shaft 34 - through the stress exerted by cam member 38 upon the tracer member - causes signaling switch 40 to be adequately switched, thus preventing or enabling the passage of electrical current through terminals A, B. By so doing, the control unit interprets the switching of switch 40 as an indication of "position reached" and, according to predetermined criteria, it stops supplying the electrical power used to operate actuator means 32. Therefore, the rotation of shutter 20 is properly stopped and it remains in the position reached.

Therefore, device 10 can be controlled so as to assume the proper operating position depending on the operating steps of the dish-washer, for example enabling the recirculation of water or the draining thereof or preventing the passage of water.

Clearly, in simpler variants, one can omit the outlet connected to the storage branch (if the advantageous use of a storage tank for the liquid is not contemplated) , thus designing a device that simply offers the chance to divert the water flow, creating a recirculation of fluid inside the pipes of the dishwasher, or to obtain the draining of the liquid on the outside of the machine.

Naturally, the principle of the present invention being set forth, embodiments and implementation details can be widely changed relative to what described above and shown in the drawings as a mere way of non-limiting example, without in this way going beyond the scope of protection provided by the accompanying claims.

For example, in alternative embodiments, the shutter can have a plurality of openings carried by its lateral wall, depending on the function and on the features to be obtained by the device in terms of obstruction and freeing of the inlets and of the outlets.