Water dispenser abstract
A outlet valve structure of a water dispenser includes a body member,
a first controller, a second controller and a control switch. The
outlet valve has the function of controlling dispense and switch
of hot water, cold water and warm water. Therefore, only one of
such outlet valve is required for one water dispenser; and consequently,
the front panel area of the water dispenser is reduced.
Water dispenser claims
What is claimed is:
1. An outlet valve of a water dispenser, comprising: a hollow body
member, including a first end terminated with a bottom surface and
an open second end, the bottom surface including an inlet port,
a water supply port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port;
a first control member, fixed within the body member, including
an inlet port, a water supply port, a first outlet port distal to
the inlet port, and a second outlet port in proximity of the inlet
port, wherein the first outlet port is connected to the water supply
port by a channel, such that the inlet port, the water supply port,
the first and second outlet ports of the body member are connected
to the inlet port, the water supply port, the first and second outlet
port of the first control member, respectively; a second control
member, disposed within the body member and superposing the first
control member, including a slot and a water block extending into
the slot and aligned with the inlet port of the first control member
under a normally closed condition, wherein the water supply port
of the first control member is connected to the slot, and at least
one third outlet port is formed on the second control member at
a position between the first and second outlet ports of the first
control member; and a control switch covering the second open end
of the body member and linked with the second control member, the
control switch being operative to drive the second control member
to rotate in relation with the first control member.
2. The outlet valve of claim 1 wherein the body member includes
an axial pole extending from the bottom surface towards a hollow
space thereof, and each of the first and second control members
comprises an axial perforation allowing the axial pole to penetrate
through.
3. The outlet valve of claim 2 wherein the second control member
has a circular periphery and the body member has an interior contour
conformal to the periphery of the second control member.
4. The outlet valve of claim 1 wherein the first and second control
members each includes a notch at a periphery thereof, and the body
member includes a protrusion extending from a sidewall thereof to
engage with the notch.
5. The outlet valve of claim 1 wherein the first control member
further comprises an upper body and a lower body closely attached
to each other.
6. The outlet valve of claim 5 wherein upper and lower bodies
each comprises at least a perforation allowing a fastener to fasten
the upper and lower bodies into an integral body.
7. The outlet valve of claim 1 wherein the second control member
further comprises two third outlet ports staggered with the first
and second outlet ports of the first and first control members.
8. The outlet valve of claim 1 wherein the control switch comprises
a control handle, a lid covering the open end of the body member,
and a shaft connecting the control handle, the lid and the second
control member.
9. The outlet valve of claim 8 further comprising a sealing ring
disposed between the lid and the body member.
10. The outlet valve of claim 8 further comprising a plurality
of positioning members located between the second control member
and the switch member, wherein each positioning portion comprises
a hollow position column extending from the lid, a positioning recess
on the second control member, and an elastic bead retained between
the positioning portion and positioning column.
Water dispenser description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an outlet valve
structure for a water dispenser, and more particularly, to an outlet
valve structure for controlling dispense of hot water, cold water
and/or warm water.
[0002] FIG. 1 shows the structure of a conventional water dispenser.
Recessed from the front panel of the water dispenser 1a is a space
for disposing receptacles. On the top portion of the recessed space,
three parallel outlet valves 11a are formed for controlling dispense
of hot water, cold water and warm water, respectively. By disposing
the receptacle underneath the selected outlet valve 11a, water at
required temperature can be dispensed by operating the select outlet
valve 11a.
[0003] The conventional water dispenser 1a comprises at least two
outlet valves 11a to control dispense of hot water and cold water,
respectively. When warm water is required, the user can mix hot
water and the cold water with specific proportion, or an additional
warm water outlet valve can also be formed. Either of the above
methods requires a large front panel area and a large space for
disposing the receptacles to receive water at various temperatures.
[0004] Therefore, there is a substantial need to provide a water
dispenser that can dispense hot water, cold water and warm water
with a reduced front panel area and space for disposing receptacle
for receiving water.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a single outlet valve of
a water dispenser that can provide hot, cold and warm water, such
that the front panel area and volume for disposing receptacle can
be reduced.
[0006] The outlet valve provided by the present invention comprises
a hollow body member, a first controller, a second controller and
a control switch. The body member has an inlet port, a water supply
port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port on a bottom surface
at a first end thereof. The second end of the body member is open
to receive the first and second control member within the space.
The first control member fixed within the space comprises an inlet
port, a water supply port, a first outlet port distal to the inlet
port and a second outlet port in proximity of the second outlet
port. The first outlet port is connected to the water supply port
by a channel. The inlet, water supply, first and second outlet ports
of the body member are aligned with the inlet, water supply, first
and second outlet ports of the first control member, respectively.
The second control member is superposed on the first control member.
The second control member comprises a slot and a water block extending
into the slot. Under the normal closed status, the inlet port of
the first control member is aligned with and blocked by the water
block, and the water supply port of the first control member is
connected to the slot of the second control member. Between the
first and second outlet ports of the second control member, a third
outlet port is formed. The switch member covers the open end of
the body member and linked with the second control member. By operating
the switch member, the second control member is moved relative to
the first control member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These, as well as other features of the present invention,
will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional water
dispenser;
[0009] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a water dispenser provided
by the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the water dispenser from
a different viewing angle;
[0011] FIG. 4 shows the planar schematics of the first and second
controllers under off condition;
[0012] FIG. 5 shows the planar schematics of the first and second
controllers when hot water is dispensed;
[0013] FIG. 6 shows the planar schematics of the first and second
controllers when cold water is dispensed;
[0014] FIG. 7 shows the planar schematics of the first and second
controllers when warm water is dispensed;
[0015] FIG. 8 shows another planar schematics of the first and
second controllers when warm is dispensed;
[0016] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the water dispenser; and
[0017] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the water dispenser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] FIGS. 2 3 and 10 show the exploded views of the first and
second controllers from different viewing angles. The present invention
provides an outlet valve used to control dispense and switch of
hot water, cold water and warm water. The outlet valve includes
a body member 1 a first control member 2 a second control member
3 and a control switch 4.
[0019] The body member 1 is the bulk of the outlet valve. The body
member 1 is hollow and defines a space 10 therein. On one side of
the body member 1 a water inlet port 11 a water supply port 12
a first outlet port 13 and a second outlet port 14 are formed on
a bottom surface. A tube 15 extends from a sidewall of the body
member 1 with one end in fluid communication with the space 10 of
the body member 1 and the other end used as a water outlet 150.
The other side of the body member 1 is open for receiving the first
control member 2 the second control member 3 and the control switch
4 therein.
[0020] The first control member 2 is installed in the space 10
of the body member 1. The first control member 2 includes an upper
body 21 and a lower body 21 attached to each other. The lower body
21 is in contact with the bottom surface and preferably made from
material such as silicone. The upper and lower bodies 20 and 21
include connecting perforations 200 210 (as shown in FIG. 3) aligned
with each other to allow fastening elements such as screws fastening
the upper and lower bodies 20 and 21 into an integral body of the
first control member 2.
[0021] Axial perforations 201 211 are formed through the centers
of the upper body 21 and the lower body 22 respectively. At the
bottom surface of the body member 1 an axial pole 16 is mounted
for perforating through the upper body 21 and the lower body 22
at the axial perforations 201 and 211. On the periphery of the upper
and lower bodies 20 and 21 notches 202 and 212 are formed, and
corresponding to the notches 202 and 212 a protrusion 17 is formed
on the body member 1. Therefore, the engagement of the protrusion
17 and the notches 202 and 212 allows the first control member 2
to be fixed in the body member 1 to avoid a relative rotation between
the first control member 2 and the body member 1.
[0022] Water inlets ports 203 and 213 are formed on the upper and
lower bodies 20 and 21 respectively. On the upper body 20 a water
supply port 204 is formed at proximity of the water inlet port 203
and a first outlet port 205 is formed distal to the water inlet
203. A through trench 206 connecting the water supply port 204 and
the first outlet port 205 is formed on the upper body 20. Similarly,
a through trench 214 is formed on the lower body 21 and aligned
with the slot 206. Therefore, when the upper and lower bodies 20
and 21 are attached other, the trenches 206 and 214 define a channel
allowing water to flow through. Second outlet ports 207 and 215
are formed on the upper and lower bodies 20 and 21 at positions
distal to the inlet ports 203 and 213 respectively. The water inlet
port 11 the water supply port 12 the first outlet port 13 and
the second outlet port 14 of the body member 1 are connected to
the water inlet ports 203 213 the water supply port 204 and the
first and second outlet ports 205 207 and 215 respectively.
[0023] The second control member 3 is movably/rotatably mounted
in the space 10 of the body member 1 superposing the first control
member 2. The second control member 3 includes a slot 30 and a water
block 31 protruding into the slot 30. Under the normally close condition
of the water outlet valve, the water block 31 is aligned with the
water inlet port 203 of the first control member 2 to seal the water
inlet 203. Meanwhile, the water supply port 204 of the first control
member 2 is also aligned with the slot 30 and in fluid communication
therewith.
[0024] The second control member 3 comprises at least a third outlet
port 32 in addition to the slot 30. The third outlet port 32 is
aligned with the portion between the first and second outlet ports
205 and 207 of the upper body 20 of the first control member 2.
In one embodiment of the present invention, three third outlet ports
32 are formed on the second control member 3 staggered with the
first and second outlet ports 205 and 207 of the first control member
2.
[0025] Preferably, the second control member 3 includes a circular
plate with a center thereof perforated with an axial perforation
33. Similar to the axial perforations 201 and 211 the axial pole
16 penetrates through the second control member 3 at the axial perforation
33. In this embodiment, the contour of the space 10 of the body
member 1 is conformal to the periphery of the second control member
3 such that the second control member 3 can freely rotate relative
to the first control member 2 within the space 10.
[0026] The control switch 4 is mounted at the other side of the
body member 1 and linked with the second control member 3. By controlling
the control switch 4 the relative rotation between the first and
second control members 2 and 3 is generated. In this embodiment,
the control switch includes a control handle 40 a lid 41 covering
the other side of the body member 1 and a shaft 42 connecting the
lid 41 and the control handle 40 to the second control member 3.
By moving the control handle 40 the second control member 3 is
rotated relative to the first control member. To ensure the body
member 1 and the lid 41 being closely engaged to avoid water leaking
into the body member 1 a sealing ring 410 is installed between
the lid 41 and the body, and a sealing ring 420 can be installed
between the shaft 42 and the lid 41.
[0027] While moving the control hand 41 of the control switch 4
a positioning effect is also obtained by forming a positioning recess
34 on the second control member 3 a positioning column 411 extending
from the lid 41 and an elastic positioning bead 43 in the positioning
column 411. The positioning bead 43 is retained in the positioning
recess 34 by exerting a force thereto. Alternatively, the elastic
positioning bead 43 comprises a positioning bead 431 and a spring
430 within the positioning column 411.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 4 and 9 under the normally closed
condition of the water valve, the control handle 40 pointing at
"0" as shown in FIG. 9. The water canister 50 disposed
within the water dispenser 5 is connected to the water inlet port
11 of the body member 1 via tubing. Thereby, hot water is led to
the inlet ports 203 213 of the first and second control members
2 and 3 However, as the inlet port 213 of the second control member
2 is blocked by the water block 31 hot water cannot flow through,
and the water outlet valve is off.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 5 and 9 when the control handle 40
is turned to point at "1" (FIG. 9), the second control
member 3 is driven by the control hand 40 to rotate, such that the
water block 31 is displaced from the inlet port 203 of the second
control member 3. Hot water can now flow in the slot 30. Meanwhile,
as one of the third outlet ports 32 is connected to the first outlet
port 205 of the first control member 2 and the water supply port
204 of the first control member 2 is connected to the slot 30 for
supplying hot water. Hot water flows from the channel defined by
the slots 206 and 214 to the first outlet port 205 and exits from
the third outlet port 32 of the second control member 3. Thereby,
hot water is accumulated downwardly and dispensed from the outlet
port 150 of the body member.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 6 and 9 when the control handle 40
is turned to point at "2" (FIG. 9), the second control
member 3 rotates to displace the water block 31 from the inlet port
203. Therefore, hot water is allowed to flow into through the channel
defined by the trenches 206 and 214. However, the rotation of the
second control member 3 resulted one of the third outlet port 32
being aligned with the second outlet ports 207 and 215 of the first
control member 2. Therefore, hot water cannot flow through the first
outlet port 205 and can only be accumulated towards the first outlet
port 13 of the body member 13. The first outlet port 13 is connected
with the cold water canister 51 within the water dispenser 5 by
tubing, such that hot water flows into the cold water canister 51
to be cooled down. Preferably, to obtain an optimal cooling effect,
the cold water canister 51 has an opening at a sidewall thereof
allowing hot water to flow through. The top of the cold water canister
51 is connected to the second outlet port 14 of the body member
1 via tubing, such that while being is rushed out of the cold water
canister 51 by hot water, the cold water flows from the second outlet
port 14 through the second outlet ports 207 215 and exit from
the third outlet port 32 of the second control member 3. Thereby,
cold water is accumulated downwardly to be dispensed from the outlet
port 150.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 7 8 and 9 when the control handle
40 is pointing at "3" (FIG. 3), hot water is allowed to
flow into the slot 30. Meanwhile, according to the displacement
of the second control member 3 the first and second outlet ports
205 and 217 are partly open to dispense both hot water and cold
water simultaneously. Therefore, warm water mixed by cold and hot
water can be dispensed from the outlet port 150. More specifically,
when the second control member 3 is displaced as shown in FIG. 7
or FIG. 8 one of the third outlet ports 32 is partially aligned
with the first inlet port 205 or the second inlet port 207 while
one of the other third outlet ports 32 at two sides is partially
aligned with the second outlet port 207 (FIG. 7) or the first outlet
port (FIG. 8). Either condition will results in the above arrangement
to dispense warm water from the outlet port 150.
[0032] According to the above, the present invention provides an
outlet valve of a water dispenser. Only one of such outlet valve
is used to provide supply of hot, cold and warm water as desired.
Therefore, the front panel area and space for accommodating water
container are greatly reduced. Further, one can obtain warm water
directly without the effort of mixing hot and cold water.
[0033] Other embodiments of the invention will appear to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice
of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification
and examples to be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope
and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. |