Fluid handling – Systems – Multi-way valve unit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-09
2001-03-20
Hepperle, Stephen (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Multi-way valve unit
C137S454600, C137S625310
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202695
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention
The invention herein relates to an improved structure for a water faucet control cartridge comprised of a cartridge body, a sealing disk, a flow guide disk, and an eccentrically arranged valve. The eccentrically arranged valve is of plastic construction and, furthermore, has an internal offset flow passage which is contiguous with the opening of the faucet water supply pipe. This innovation allows a conventional water control cartridge to be replaced with a water control cartridge equipped with an eccentrically arranged valve so that the water flows through the offset flow passage directly from the water supply pipe seat, continues pass the flow guide disk and the water outlet hole of the cartridge body, and finally emerges from the mouth of the faucet. The improved structure of water faucet control cartridge is easy to install and offers excellent practicality.
2) Description of the Prior Art
Referring to
FIG. 1. a
conventional water faucet control cartridge is comprised of a cartridge body
2
installed at the lower extent of the faucet handle
11
(see FIG.
4
). The cartridge body
2
has a rotary control stem
21
in the center; a water outlet hole
22
at the bottom end and a water control piece
6
having a water inlet hole
61
that is fitted to the bottom end of the cartridge body
2
with a pipe end washer
121
for the faucet water output seat
12
(see FIG.
3
). Furthermore there is a coil spring
122
compressed under the bottom end of the pipe end washer
121
so that when the user opens the faucet, the handle
11
rotates the cartridge body
2
as well as the water control piece
6
fitted to the bottom end of the cartridge body
2
as a single structural entity, causing the water inlet hole
61
of the water control piece
6
to become aligned with the hole center of the pipe end washer
121
, thereby allowing water to flow from the water output seat
12
of the faucet
11
. However, in actual application, the structure is has a number of shortcomings requiring improvement that are summarized below.
1. Short Service Life
In a conventional water faucet control cartridge, the water control piece
6
is directly compressed on the pipe end washer
121
of the water output seat
12
such that when the faucet is opened, the cartridge body
2
rotates the water control piece
6
. Friction is therefore generated between the outer edge of the water inlet hole
61
and the surface of the pipe end washer
121
, resulting in damaging wear to the pipe end washer
121
and eventually leading to water leakage from the deteriorated pipe end washer
121
which precludes further utilization. Furthermore since the water control cartridge readily malfunctions, the service life is shortened, resulting in an accelerated rate of replacement.
2. Troublesome Installation
In a conventional water faucet control cartridge, the pipe end washer
121
is tightly secured onto the water output seat
12
and cannot be further utilized when the pipe end washer
121
begins to leak from areas that are deteriorated from surface wear. Consequently the entire water output seat
12
, must be replaced which is not only a troublesome installation procedure, but also requires the user to purchase a new water output seat
12
, thereby increasing user utilization cost.
In view of the said shortcomings, the industry researched and developed a water control cartridge that did net wear down the pipe end washer
121
of the water output seat. Furthermore, the cartridge body was additionally equipped with a sealing disk
3
and a flow guide disk
4
fabricated of a precision ceramic. Since the precision ceramic was a wear-resistant material and capable of withstanding up to 50,000 rotations, the sealing disk
3
and the flow guide disk
4
could be utilized for an extended period of time. Furthermore, since the rotary control stem rotated the sealing disk
3
, the pipe end washer
121
was no longer subjected to long-term friction with the water control piece
6
as in a conventional water control cartridge. The more recently developed water control cartridge seldom malfunctioned and had an extended service life.
However, most water control cartridges equipped with precision ceramic components that available on the market are structures having a water outlet hole situated at the center and lower part of the cartridge. Therefore, they cannot be utilized on conventional water output seats because conventional water control faucet cartridges have matching water output seats and the water outlet hole of the water output seat designed in an eccentric or offset structural configuration. They and require a replacement water output seat with the water output opening at the center and aligned with the flow guide hole in the center of the flow guide disk, which is inconvenient for the user. In view of the existent disadvantages, the inventor of the invention herein conducted extensive research, testing, and refinement which finally culminated in the successful development of the improved structure faucet water control cartridge of the invention herein, which is an original and innovative product that eliminates many of the said shortcomings and disadvantages and features significantly enhanced functional performance.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the invention herein is provide an improved structure for a water faucet control cartridge of excellent practicality and which is, easily installed. The invention herein has a eccentrically arranged valve at the lower extent of the flow guide disk. The eccentrically arranged valve is of plastic construction and has an internal offset flow passage that enables water to flow from the water output seat of the faucet to the flow guide disk. The precision ceramic component water control cartridge can be utilized on conventional end pipe washers of offset configuration water faucet output seats, without requiring a water output seat replacement. The invention thereby offers outstanding practicality and, furthermore, lessens user installation difficulties.
To enable the examination to further understand the structure, innovations, functions, and other practical objectives of the invention herein, the brief description of the drawings below are followed by the detailed description of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4700928 (1987-10-01), Marty
patent: 5107884 (1992-04-01), Orlandi
patent: 5348042 (1994-09-01), Wagner et al.
patent: 5732734 (1998-03-01), Buccicone
Bacon & Thomas
Hepperle Stephen
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