WO2005019708A1

WO2005019708A1 - Valve assembly for maintaining flow of water

Info

Publication number: WO2005019708A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/000843
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ji-Ha You; Eui-Kap Jung; Jae-Yual Kim; Kyoung-Sic Jeon; Kil-Su Kim
Original assignee: Yooilsystem Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-25
Filing date: 2004-04-13
Publication date: 2005-03-03

Abstract

Disclosed is a constant flow valve, including a housing having a chamber, a fluid inlet port coupled to the chamber, a flow control elastic member having an orifice and mounted to a lower portion of the chamber, a fluid outlet port provided at a lower portion of the housing and communicating with a second path coupled to the chamber via the orifice, a first path to couple the chamber to the fluid outlet port, and a cover to open or close the top of the housing. The constant flow valve further includes a flow control assembly (40) and a spring (12). The flow control assembly is provided above the elastic member, and includes a disc (42) on which a fluid acts, a contact part (46) to open or close the first path coupled to the chamber, and a stem (44) to couple the disc to the contact part.

Description

DESCRIPTION VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR -MAINTAINING FLOW OF WATER

Technical Field The present invention relates, in general, to constant flow valves and, more particularly, to a constant flow valve which has a simple structure and is additionally provided with a flow control assembly that is controlled by an elastic force, thus supplying a constant small amount of fluid, even when variation in fluid pressure occurs, especially under low pressure.

Background Art Generally, a conventional constant flow valve is used in a beverage dispenser, a water purifier, an ice maker, or the like, and is constructed as follows. An elastic member, such as a rubber member, for controlling the flow of a fluid is installed upstream and downstream of a valve body. The elastic member is bored at a central portion thereof, thus forming an orifice. In this case, an effective sectional area of the orifice formed on the central portion of the elastic member changes, according to the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides, thus keeping the flow of the fluid constant. According to another conventional constant flow valve, the valve may use only an elastic force of a spring or use a spring in combination with an elastic member, such as a rubber member. However, the flow is controlled in a single path, so that it is difficult to provide the constant flow in a low pressure range (about 0.5-2kg/cn) or in a high pressure range (about 8-15kg/cnf) . However, as described above, when either the rubber member or .the spring is used or the flow is controlled in a single path, it is difficult to provide constant flow in low pressure or high pressure ranges, and fatigue or aging of the elastic member is caused, thus reducing durability. Particularly, in the case of high pressure fluid, the elastic member must be thick and hard so as to bear high pressure. Thus, it is imprecise. Further, deviation in the thickness and hardness of the elastic member affects the control of the flow. Meanwhile, to control the flow of low pressure fluid, the size of the orifice formed in the elastic member for controlling the flow is changed, according to fluid inlet pressure. However, in the case of low pressure fluid, the amount of fluid passing through the orifice of the elastic member is too small, so that it is difficult to keep the flow constant, thus causing a functional problem. Further, in order to keep the flow constant in low pressure or high pressure ranges, high manufacturing costs are required, thus being uneconomical to manufacture. Description of Drawings FIG. 1 is a sectional view to show specific parts of a constant flow valve, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a flow control assembly included in the constant flow valve of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a sectional view to show specific parts of a constant flow valve, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views to show specific parts of constant flow valves, according to further embodiments of the present invention.

Disclosure Technical Problem Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a constant flow valve, which has a simple structure and is configured such that a flow control assembly easily controlled by an elastic force of a spring or the like is installed in a chamber of the constant flow valve or in a first path, thus opening a second path in a low pressure range, and closing the first path when a predetermined pressure level is reached, and allowing a fluid to pass through an orifice of a rubber member of the second path in a high pressure range, therefore supplying a constant small amount of fluid, even when variation in fluid pressure occurs, especially under a low pressure.

Technical Solution In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a constant flow valve, including a housing having at an upper portion thereof a chamber and being opened at a top thereof, a fluid inlet port coupled to the chamber of the housing, a flow control elastic member having at a central portion thereof an orifice and being mounted to a lower portion of the chamber, a fluid outlet port provided at a lower portion of the housing and communicating with a second path coupled to the chamber via the orifice, a first path to couple the chamber to the fluid outlet port, and a cover to open or close the top of the housing, the constant flow valve further including a flow control assembly which is mounted to a position above the elastic member and includes a disc on which a fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port acts, a conical contact part to open or close an inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber, and a stem to couple the disc to the contact part, and including a spring placed such that a first end of the spring is seated on a position around the inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber and a second end of the spring is seated on an inside surface of the disc of the flow control assembly. According to an aspect of the invention, a flow control ring is provided above the orifice of the flow control elastic member, with a through hole being formed at a central portion of the flow control ring and having a predetermined diameter, and a stopper is provided around the flow control ring to prevent the flow control ring from being dislodged from a predetermined position.

Advantageous Effects According to the present invention, a constant flow valve has a simple structure, and is configured such that a flow control assembly easily controlled by an elastic force of a spring or the like is installed in a chamber of the constant flow valve or in a first path, thus allowing a fluid to flow through both the first and second paths in a low pressure range of 0.5 to 2kg/cn, and closing the first path when a predetermined pressure level is reached, and thereby controlling the flow of the fluid only by a rubber member of the second path, thus supplying a constant small amount of fluid under low pressure, therefore considerably improving functionality and marketability. Best Mode Reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components . FIG. 1 is a sectional view to show specific parts of a constant flow valve, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a flow control assembly included in the constant flow valve of FIG. 1. As shown in the drawings, the constant flow valve denoted by reference numeral 10 includes a housing 22 which defines an external appearance of the valve and is configured so that a fluid inlet port 18 communicates with a fluid outlet port 30. A chamber 16 is provided at an upper portion in the housing 22. A flow control assembly 40 is installed in the chamber 16. As described above, the housing 22 has in the upper portion thereof the chamber 16, and is open at the top thereof. The chamber 16 of the housing is coupled to the fluid inlet port 18. A flow control elastic member 20 is mounted to a lower portion of the chamber 16, with an orifice 24 formed at a central portion of the elastic member 20. The elastic member may be made of rubber. Further, a flow control ring 32 is provided above the orifice 24 of the flow control elastic member 20. A stopper 34 is provided around the ring 32 to prevent the ring 32 from being dislodged from a predetermined position. The fluid outlet port 30 is provided at a lower portion in the housing 22, and communicates with a second path 26 which is defined to be coupled to the chamber 16 via the orifice 24. Further, the chamber 16 is coupled to the fluid outlet port 30 via a first path 28. A cover 14 is placed on top of the constant flow valve 10 to open or close the top of the housing 22. The flow control assembly 40 is installed in the chamber 16 to keep the rate of flow of a fluid into the fluid inlet port 18 constant. The flow control assembly 40 includes a disc 42, a stem 44, and a contact part 46. The fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port 18 is in direct contact with the disc 42. The contact part 46 functions to open or close an inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber 16. Preferably, the contact part 46 has a conical shape. Further, the stem 44 couples the disc 42 to the contact part 46. It is preferable that a needle 48 be provided at an end of the contact part 46 and be made of an elastic material having predetermined elasticity, in order to more precisely make the contact part 46 open or close the inlet of the first path 28. Further, a spring 12 is provided such that an end of the spring 12 is seated on a position around the inlet of the first path 28 coupled to the chamber 16 and an opposite end of the spring 12 is seated on an inside surface of the disc 42. The operation of the constant flow valve of this invention constructed as described above is as follows . When a fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port 18 has a low pressure (about 0.5-2kg/cn) , the contact part 46 provided at an end of the flow control assembly 40 does not completely close the inlet of the first path 28. Thus, some fluid present in the chamber 16 flows to the fluid outlet port after sequentially passing through the orifice 24 and the second path 26. Further, some fluid flows through the first path 28 to the fluid outlet port 30. However, when the pressure of the fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port 18 increases and the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure level, the contact member 46 provided at the end of the flow control assembly 40 completely closes the inlet of the first path 28. Thus, all fluid present in the chamber 16 flows only through the second path 26 to the fluid outlet port 30, after passing through the orifice 24. Therefore, the rate of flow of the fluid discharged through the fluid outlet port 30 is maintained at a constant level, regardless of the pressure of the fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port 18. FIG. 3 is a sectional view to show specific parts of a constant flow valve, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 3 is different from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that the constant flow valve 50 of FIG. 3 is configured such that the flow control assembly 40 is provided in the first path 28. In a detailed description, the flow control assembly

40 is installed in a passage of the first path 28 which is separated from a second path 26 by a partition wall 52. Such a construction keeps the rate of flow of a fluid discharged through the fluid outlet port 30 constant, regardless of the pressure of the fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port 18. Since the construction of FIG. 3 is similar to that of FIG. 1, it will not be described in detail herein. FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views to show specific parts of constant flow valves, according to further embodiments of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 4 is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in that a constant flow valve 60 of FIG. 4 is configured such that two flow control assemblies are provided in the first path 28. In a detailed description, the valve 60 includes an outer flow control assembly. The outer flow control assembly is installed in the passage of the first path 28, and includes an outer body 61, an outer contact part 62, and an outer stem 63. The outer body 61 is provided in the passage of the first path 28, and has a hollow part which is vertically bored. The outer contact part 62 has a shape of a flat plate having a hollow part which is vertically bored, and functions to open or close the inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber 16. The cylindrical outer stem 63 couples the outer body 61 to the outer contact part 62. Further, an outer spring 64 is included to provide elasticity to the flow control assembly. In this case, an end of the outer spring 64 is seated on a position around the inlet of the first path 28, while an opposite end of the outer spring 64 is seated on an outer surface of a lower portion of the outer body 61. Further, the valve 60 includes an inner flow control assembly. The inner flow control assembly is installed in the hollow part of the outer body 61, and includes an inner body 65, an inner contact part 66, and an inner stem. The inner body 65 is positioned in the hollow part of the outer body 61. The inner contact part 66 functions to open or close a through hole of the outer body 61 which is coupled to the outer stem 63. The inner stem couples the inner body 65 to the inner contact part 66. Further, an inner spring 68 is included to provide elasticity to the inner flow control assembly. In this case, an end of the inner spring 68 is seated on an inner surface of the lower portion of the outer body 61, while an opposite end of the inner spring 68 is seated on an outer surface of a lower portion of the inner body 65. According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, a constant flow valve 70 uses rubber as an elastic means which provides elasticity to a flow control assembly. That is, the valve includes a body 71, a contact part 72, and a stem 73. A fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port acts on the body 71. The contact part 72 opens or closes the inlet of the first path 28 coupled to the chamber. The stem 73 couples the body 71 to the contact part 72. Further, the rubber member 74 is mounted to the contact part 72 which is provided at an end of the flow control assembly, such that the rubber member is placed around the inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber, and provides elasticity to the flow control assembly. As shown in an encircled part of FIG. 5, the constant flow valve controls the flow of the fluid, using the rubber member 74 which is compressed against a step 75. In this case, the rubber member 74 is mounted to the end of the flow control assembly. The step 75 is provided around the inlet of the first path. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A constant flow valve, comprising a housing having at an upper portion thereof a chamber and being opened at a top thereof, a fluid inlet port coupled to the chamber of the housing, a flow control elastic member having at a central portion thereof an orifice and being mounted to a lower portion of the chamber, a fluid outlet port provided at a lower portion of the housing and communicating with a second path coupled to the chamber via the orifice, a first path provided on an inside surface of the housing to couple the chamber to the fluid outlet port, and a cover to open or close the top of the housing, the constant flow valve further comprising: a flow control assembly mounted to a position above the elastic member, and comprising: a disc on which a fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port acts; a conical contact part to open or close an inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber; and a stem to couple the disc to the contact part; and a spring placed such that a first end of the spring is seated on a position around the inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber and a second end of the spring is seated on an inside surface of the disc of the flow control assembly.

2. The constant flow valve according to claim 1, further comprising: a flow control ring provided above the orifice of the flow control elastic member, with a through hole being formed at a central portion of the flow control ring and having a predetermined diameter; and a stopper provided around the flow control ring to prevent the flow control ring from being dislodged from a predetermined position.

3. A constant flow valve, comprising a housing having at an upper portion thereof a chamber and being opened at a top thereof, a fluid inlet port coupled to the chamber of the housing, a flow control elastic member having at a central portion thereof an orifice and being mounted to a lower portion of the chamber, a fluid outlet port provided at a lower portion of the housing and communicating with a second path coupled to the chamber via the orifice, a first path separated from the second path by a partition wall to couple the chamber to the fluid outlet port, and a cover to open or close the top of the housing, the constant flow valve further comprising: a flow control assembly installed in a passage of the first path, and comprising: a disc on which a fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port acts; a conical contact part to open or close an inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber; and a stem to couple the disc to the contact part; and a spring placed such that a first end of the spring is seated on a position around the inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber and a second end of the spring is seated on an inside surface of the disc of the flow control assembly.

4. The constant flow valve according to claim 3, further comprising: a flow control ring provided above the orifice of the flow control elastic member, with a through hole being formed at a central portion of the flow control ring and having a predetermined diameter; and a stopper provided around the flow control ring to prevent the flow control ring from being dislodged from a predetermined position.

5. A constant flow valve, comprising a housing having at an upper portion thereof a chamber and being opened at a top thereof, a fluid inlet port coupled to the chamber of the housing, a flow control elastic member having at a central portion thereof an orifice and being mounted to a lower portion of the chamber, a fluid outlet port provided at a lower portion of the housing and communicating with a second path coupled to the chamber via the orifice, a first path separated from the second path by a partition wall to couple the chamber to the fluid outlet port, and a cover to open or close the top of the housing, the constant flow valve further comprising: an outer flow control assembly installed in a passage of the first path, and comprising: an outer body provided in the passage of the first path, and bored vertically to form a hollow part; an outer contact part having a shape of a flat plate with a hollow part bored vertically, and opening or closing an inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber; and a cylindrical outer stem to couple the outer body to the outer contact part; an outer spring provided such that a first end thereof is seated on a position around the inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber and a second end thereof is seated on an outer surface of a lower portion of the outer body; an inner flow control assembly installed in the hollow part of the outer body, and comprising: an inner body placed in the hollow part of the outer body; an inner contact part to open or close a through hole of the outer body coupled to the outer stem; and an inner stem to couple the inner body to the inner contact part; and an inner spring provided such that a first end thereof is seated on an inner surface of the lower portion of the outer body and a second end thereof is seated on an outer surface of a lower portion of the inner body.

6. A constant flow valve, comprising a housing having at an upper portion thereof a chamber and being opened at a top thereof, a fluid inlet port coupled to the chamber of the housing, a flow control elastic member having at a central portion thereof an orifice and being mounted to a lower portion of the chamber, a fluid outlet port provided at a lower portion of the housing and communicating with a second path coupled to the chamber via the orifice, a first path separated from the second path by a partition wall to couple the chamber to the fluid outlet port, and a cover to open or close the top of the housing, the constant flow valve further comprising: a flow control assembly installed in a passage of the first path, and comprising: a body on which a fluid flowing into the fluid inlet port acts; a contact part to open or close an inlet of the first path coupled to the chamber; and a stem to couple the body to the contact part; and a rubber member mounted to the contact part provided at an end of the flow control assembly to be positioned around the inlet of the first path.

7. The constant flow valve according to claim 6, wherein the constant flow valve controls a flow of the fluid, using the rubber member which is mounted to the end of the flow control assembly and is compressed against a step provided around the inlet of the first path.