The invention relates to a device for a valve system, the valve system comprising
5 such a device, and a use of the device and of the valve system.
The present invention relates to the technical field of valves, in particular for
plumbing purposes.
A wall-mounted valve system with a built-in base is known, e.g. for equipping a
shower and for feeding a shower head. Such system comprises a water temperature control
10 knob, which protrudes directly from the wall. Such knob controls a mixer cartridge, which is
mounted on the knob base so as to be connected to a hot water inlet and to a cold water
inlet arranged inside the wall. The mixer cartridge mixes hot and cold water with a
thermostatic control, depending on the position of the temperature control knob, so as to
form a mixed water stream at the desired temperature, which then exits through the shower
15 head. When installing the system, the fitter connects the base with the water inlets and
embeds it in the base into the wall. Once the base is built-in, the fitter couples the mixer
cartridge to the base, which connects the water inlets to the mixer cartridge in one go.
It should be considered that most thermostatic, and even non-thermostatic
cartridges work properly only if the hot water inlet is connected to the hot water inlet of the
20 cartridge while the cold water inlet is connected to the cold water inlet of the cartridge, and
not vice versa.
However, due to an error made by the fitter, it can happen that the hot water inlet
and the cold water inlet were connected to the base in an inverted manner. Generally, the
fitter realizes such error when the installation is refilled, once the base is already built-in and
25 the cartridge is already mounted onto the base. To remedy such problem, the only solution
is, when possible, to extract the base which was built-in so as to reverse the connections.
Such heavy operation, even when possible, leads to a delay and to a significant additional
cost for the work to be done.
In other cases, the configuration of the premises prevents mounting the base by
30 connecting the water inlets correctly, due to lack of space. This is the case e.g. when two
valve systems have to be built-in back-to-back into the same wall. In such a case, for the
first valve system, it is possible that the cold water inlet is on the left and the hot water inlet
is on the right, when looking at the valve system from the front, whereas, for the second
valve system, the cold water inlet is on the right and the hot water inlet is on the left when
35 looking at the second valve system from the front. Henceforth, it is necessary to consider a
2
solution other than built-in valves, which is not suitable for the case where the hot and cold
water inlets are reversed.
The invention aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned
prior art by proposing a novel device for a valve system, which avoids any complication in
5 the event of an installation error while making the valve system more versatile.
The subject matter of the invention is a device for a valve system, comprising a
housing, which comprises a seat, by means of which the housing is designed for being
coupled to a base, for exchanging a water stream between the base and the housing
through the seat, the seat matching the base so as to impose that the coupling of the
10 housing with the base takes place only when the housing is in a first coupling position with
respect to the base. The seat includes a first seat opening configured for leading a first
water stream amongst the water streams and for fluidically connecting to a first base
opening of the base when the housing is coupled with the base in the first coupling position.
so that the first water stream is led through the first base opening. The device further
15 comprises an adjuster, which is contained within the housing for adjusting the flow-rate of
at least one of said water streams, and a controller, which protrudes from the housing and
controls the adjuster.
According to the invention, the seat comprises a breakaway part, which is configured
for being broken from the seat so that the coupling of the housing with the base takes place
20 when the housing is in a second coupling position with respect to the base; and the first
seat opening is configured for fluidically connecting to a second base opening belonging to
the base, when the housing is coupled with the base in the second coupling position, so
that the first water stream is led through the second base opening.
One idea underlying the invention is that, when the breakaway part of the seat is
25 broken, the seat is configured so that the coupling of the housing with the base takes place
when the housing is in the first coupling position with respect to the base and when the
housing is in the second coupling position with respect to the base. When not broken from
the seat, the breakaway part is configured for preventing the coupling of the housing with
the base from taking place when the housing is in the second coupling position with respect
30 to the base and so that the coupling of the housing with the base takes place when the
housing is in the first coupling position with respect to the base.
An idea underlying the invention is to provide that, without specific action by the
fitter, the seat requires that the housing be coupled in the first coupling position, so as to
ensure that the fluidic connections between the housing and the base are correct when the
35 base has been correctly connected to the water network. However, where the fitter knows
that the base has been connected to the water network incorrectly, knowingly or by error,
3
e.g. by reversing a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet, the fitter can intentionally break
the breakaway part of the base so as to couple the housing in the second coupling position,
thereby modifying the fluidic connection of the first seat opening with the base. The correct
operation of the device is thus ensured without modifying the connection of the base to the
5 water network. The presence of the breakaway part can further be useful during
manufacture because the breakaway part can allow a human operator or a machine to
easily identify which is the orientation of the seat. In particular, if a plurality of seat openings
are provided, it is easy to identify which is the first seat opening, knowing the position thereof
with respect to the breakaway part.
10 Preferentially, the seat comprises a second seat opening, which is configured for:
leading a second water stream, amongst said water streams, and fluidically connecting to
the second base opening when the housing is coupled to the base in the first coupling
position, so that the second water stream is led through the second base opening.
Preferentially, the second base opening is configured for fluidically connecting to the first
15 base opening when the housing is coupled with the base in the second coupling position,
so that the second water stream is led through the first base opening.
Preferentially, the first seat opening and the second seat opening are mutually
symmetrical about a primary axis crossing through the seat.
Preferentially, the breakaway part comprises a breakaway pin provided with an
20 incipient breaking so same can be broken, the breakaway pin being arranged off-centered
with respect to the primary axis.
Preferentially, the device comprises a mixer, which is formed by the adjuster and/or
by a housing compartment, the mixer being configured for forming, when the housing is
coupled to the base, an outgoing water stream by mixing two incoming water streams, the
25 incoming water streams and the outgoing water stream belonging to said water streams
exchanged between the housing and the base, one of the incoming water streams
preferentially consisting of the first water stream. Preferentially, the housing is configured
for leading through the seat, the incoming water streams from the base to the adjuster, and
the outgoing water stream from the adjuster to the base. Preferentially, upon control from
30 the controller, the adjuster adjusts the flow-rate of the incoming water streams so as to
determine the proportion of the incoming water streams forming the outgoing water stream.
The further subject matter of the invention relates to a valve system, comprising: the
device defined hereinabove, and the base, which comprises the first base opening and the
second base opening, the second coupling position being a position wherein the housing is
35 pivoted with respect to the first coupling position, about a main axis of the valve system.
4
Preferentially, the base comprises a fool proof guide and an obstructing surface,
while the breakaway part, when not broken, is arranged for being received in the fool proof
guide, when the housing is coupled in the first coupling position and to prevent the coupling
of the housing when the housing is in the second coupling position by abutting the
5 breakaway part against the obstructing surface.
Preferentially, the seat comprises a permanent pin, which is off-centered and is
received sliding in with respect to the main axis, and the seat comprises a first positioning
guide and a second positioning guide, which are off-centered with respect to the main axis,
and which are arranged in such a way that, when the housing is in the first coupling position,
10 the permanent pin is received sliding in, in the first positioning guide parallel to the main
axis, so as to rotatably fix the housing with respect to the base about the main axis in the
first coupling position, and when the housing is in the second coupling position, the
permanent pin in the second positioning guide, parallel to the main axis, so as to rotatably
fix the housing with respect to the base about the main axis in the second coupling position.
15 Preferentially, the base comprises a recess, which receives the seat when the
housing is coupled to the base, the recess and the seat then defining an interstitial chamber
therebetween, and the seat comprises a third seat opening, which is configured for leading
a third water stream, among the water streams exchanged between the housing and the
base, the third seat opening into the interstitial chamber when the housing is coupled to the
20 base in the first coupling position and when the housing is coupled to the base in the second
coupling position.
A further subject matter of the invention is the use of the above-defined device or
the above-defined valve system. The use comprises: determining whether the first seat
opening is to be fluidically connected to the first base opening or the second base opening.
25 The use comprises: coupling the housing with the base: in the first coupling position, if it
has been determined that the first seat opening is to be fluidically connected to the first base
opening; or after breaking the breakaway part, in the second coupling position, if it has been
determined that the first seat opening is to be fluidically connected to the second base
opening.
30 If it has been determined that the first seat opening is to be fluidically connected to
the first base opening, the housing is coupled to the base in the first coupling position,
preferentially without breaking the breakaway part, and, if it has been determined that the
first seat opening is to be fluidically connected to the second base opening, the housing is
coupled to the base in the second coupling position, after breaking the breakaway part so
35 that the coupling can take place in the second coupling position.
5
The invention will be better understood upon reading the description hereinafter,
given only as an example, but not limited to, and making reference to the drawings listed
hereinafter.
[Fig 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device, belonging to a valve system
5 according to the invention.
[Fig 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view, from another angle, of the device shown in
Figure 1.
[Fig 3] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the device shown in the previous figures.
[Fig 4] Figure 4 is a longitudinal section view of the device shown in the previous
10 figures.
[Fig 5] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a base, belonging to the valve system,
on which a housing of the device can be coupled.
Figures 1 to 4 show a device according to the invention, which herein is in the form
of a cartridge.
15 Figure 5 shows a base to which a housing 1 belonging to the device is intended to
be coupled. Together, the device and the base form a valve system according to the
invention, which is preferentially for plumbing use, being connected to a sanitary water
network via the base, e.g. for a house or for professional premises.
The valve system preferentially consists of a wall system, the base being designed
20 for being partially embedded in a wall, or more generally in a masonry wall, whatever the
orientation thereof. The valve system is preferentially a mixer tap for a shower or a bathtub,
the base being e.g. designed for feeding a shower head, a rainfall shower head and/or a
bathtub spout. In a variant, the base forms the base of a sink or washbasin faucet, the faucet
further including a washbasin spout.
25 As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the device comprises a controller 3, as well as a housing
1 with a seat 2. As can be seen in Figure 4, the device comprises an adjuster 4, contained
in the housing 1. The housing 1 is designed for housing the flow of a water stream, herein
the water streams F1, F2 and F3, which are exchanged with the base when the device is
coupled to said base, via the seat 2 which serves as an interface for the exchange of all the
30 water streams of the device with the base, herein the streams F1, F2 and F3.
The device defines a primary axis X1, fixed with respect to the housing 1, and which
crosses through the seat 2. Preferentially, the axis X1 also crosses through the controller
3. Preferentially, the axis X1 also crosses through the adjuster 4, which is placed axially
between the controller 3 and the seat 2.
35 The base defines a main axis X0 of the valve system. When the device is coupled
to the base, the axes X0 and X1 coincide.
6
Unless otherwise stated, expressions such as "radial", "axial" and "coaxial" in
relation to the device, refer to the primary axis X1, and expressions such as "radial", "axial"
and "coaxial" in relation to the base, refer to the main axis X0.
The seat 2 forms a first axial end of the housing 1, which is oriented downwards in
5 Figures 1, 2 and 4. The housing 1 further comprises a cover 5, which forms a second axial
end of the housing 1, opposite the first end and crossed by the controller 3. The second end
of the housing 1 is shown at the top of Figures 1, 2 and 4. The seat 2 and the cover 5 extend
successively along the axis X1 and together form the entire outer envelope of the housing
1.
10 Preferentially, as can be seen in Figures 1 to 4, the housing 1 has, on the outside,
a general shape of revolution about the primary axis X1, which is the case for the seat 2
and the cover 5. To this end, a part of the seat 2 and the cover 5 form an external peripheral
wall of the housing 1, surrounding the axis X1. Between the axial ends of the housing 1, the
seat 2 and the cover 5 form e.g. a succession of cylindrical walls along the axis X1, which
15 are all centered on the axis X1.
Inside, the housing 1 advantageously comprises a transverse partition 6, which is
preferentially orthogonal to the axis X1 and crossed by the axis X1. The partition 6 occupies
a cross-section of the cover 5. The partition 6 thus divides the housing 1 into a compartment
7, called the "controller compartment", containing the essential part of the controller 3 and
20 into a compartment 8, called the "mixing compartment", containing the essential part of the
adjuster 4.
The compartment 8 is delimited by the partition 6, the seat 2 and a part of the cover
5 which extends axially between the seat 2 and the partition 6. The axis X1 crosses through
the compartment 8.
25 The compartment 8 is designed for leading the flow of the water streams F1, F2 and
F3. Preferentially, no water stream flows through the compartment 7, the partition 6 being
designed for separating the compartments 7 and 8 in a sealed manner.
In the present example, as discussed in detail below, the adjuster 4 and the
compartment 8 together form a mixer which, when the housing 1 is coupled to the base, is
30 configured for forming the outgoing water stream F3, by mixing the streams F1 and F2
which entered the housing 1. The housing 1 comprises an inlet chamber 11 for leading the
water stream F1, which is an incoming water stream within the housing 1, from the base to
the adjuster 4. The housing 1 comprises an inlet chamber 12 for leading the water stream
F2, which is another incoming water stream within the housing 1, from the base to the
35 adjuster 4. The housing 1 comprises an outlet chamber 13 for leading the water stream F3,
which is an outgoing water stream within the housing 1, from the adjuster 4 to the base. The
7
chambers 11, 12 and 13 form together the compartment 8, for mixing the streams F1 and
F2 and thus form the stream F3, with the contribution of the adjuster 4.
Preferentially, the device is designed so that the stream F1 is an incoming flow of
hot water while the stream F2 is an incoming flow of cold water. “Cold water” means
5 unheated running water, which is generally at a temperature slightly less than or equal to
room temperature. Hot water means running water which has been heated by a plumbing
heating system. More generally, hot water has a higher temperature than cold water.
Henceforth, the water stream F3 resulting from the mixing of the streams F1 and F2 by the
mixer, is at an intermediate temperature between the temperatures of the streams F1 and
10 F2, which depends on the proportion of the streams F1 and F2 for mixing. The stream F3
can be qualified as a mixed water stream and the device can be qualified as a mixing device.
In the present example, the seat 2 advantageously comprises a ring 20 and a bottom
wall 21. The seat 2 is attached to the cover 5 by means of the ring 20. The ring 20 forms a
peripheral wall of the housing 1, which has a general shape of revolution about the axis X1,
15 i.e. which is centered on the axis X1. The bottom wall 21 is a transverse wall, e.g. a wall
orthogonal to the axis X1, which occupies the cross-section of the ring 20 so as to close the
housing 1 at one of the axial ends thereof. More generally, the seat 2 closes the housing 1
at one of the axial ends thereof.
The seat 2 forms a male part which is entirely received in a recess 60 formed by the
20 base, forming a female part, when the housing 1 is coupled to the base. As shown in Figure
5, the recess 60 of the base comprises e.g. a peripheral wall 61 having a shape of revolution
about the axis X0, i.e. being centered on the axis X0, and a bottom wall 62, which is
transverse while being orthogonal to the axis X0, occupying a section of the peripheral wall
61. The walls 61 and 62 are shown diagrammatically with a dotted line in Figure 4, in a
25 configuration wherein the housing 1 is coupled to the base. When the housing 1 is coupled
to the base, the axes X1 and X0 are coaxial.
In particular, the device comprises a peripheral sealing gasket 30, of circular shape,
such as an O-ring, which is centered on the axis X1. The gasket 30 is supported by the ring
20, by surrounding the ring 20. When the housing 1 is coupled to the base, the gasket 30 is
30 in radial contact with the wall 61 so as to provide a watertight seal of the coupling. The
recess 60 which opens out when the housing 1 is not coupled, is sealed off by the seat 2
when the housing 1 is coupled, due to the fact that the gasket 30 is interposed radially
between the seat 2 and the wall 61. In the coupling configuration, the seat 2 and the recess
60 delimit together an interstitial chamber 63. Water tightness between the chamber 63 and
35 the outside of the valve system is provided by the gasket 30.
8
The bottom wall 62 of the base has a water inlet opening 64 and a water inlet
opening 65. The openings 64 and 65 are "base openings", which bring water streams to the
device.
The seat 2 advantageously comprises a duct 22 which protrudes from the bottom
5 wall 21 and delimits a part of the chamber 11. The duct 22 extends e.g. parallel to the axis
X1. The duct 22 ends in an opening 24, called "seat opening", which opens out onto the
outside of the housing 1. When the housing 1 is coupled with the base in a first coupling
position, the seat opening 24 is fluidically connected with the base opening 64, which puts
the chamber 11 in communication with the base opening 64. By the match between the seat
10 2 and the base, the fact of coupling the housing 1 with the base in the first coupling position,
automatically connects the openings 24 and 64. In order to provide the sealing of said
connection, the device advantageously comprises a sealing gasket 26, called the "internal
sealing gasket", which surrounds the seat opening 24 while being supported by the seat 2.
The gasket 26 is axially interposed between the seat 2 and the bottom wall 62 of the base
15 when the housing 1 is coupled to the base, as is schematically shown in Figure 4. The
incoming stream F1 enters the housing 1, in particular, into the chamber 11, via the opening
24 supported by the seat 2. In the first coupling position, the incoming stream F1 is led into
the housing 1 through the base opening 64.
The duct 22 delimits a first part of the chamber 11, which is essentially parallel to
20 the axis X1 and which extends from the opening 24 to the bottom wall 21. Between the
bottom wall 21 and the partition 6, a second part 28 of the chamber 11 is defined by the
housing 1, and advantageously has an annular shape about the axis X1.
The seat 2 advantageously comprises a duct 23 which protrudes from the bottom
wall 21 and delimits a part of the chamber 12. The duct 23 extends e.g. parallel to the axis
25 X1. The duct 23 ends in an opening 25, called "seat opening", which opens out onto the
outside of the housing 1. When the housing 1 is coupled with the base in the first coupling
position, the seat opening 25 is fluidically connected with the base opening 65, which puts
the chamber 12 in communication with the base opening 65. By the match between the seat
2 and the base, the fact of coupling the housing 1 with the base in the first coupling position,
30 automatically connects the openings 25 and 65. In order to provide the sealing of said
connection, the device advantageously comprises a sealing gasket 27, called the "internal
sealing gasket", which surrounds the seat opening 25 while being supported by the seat 2.
The gasket 27 is axially interposed between the seat 2 and the bottom wall 62 of the base
when the housing 1 is coupled to the base, as is schematically shown in Figure 4. The
35 incoming stream F2 enters the housing 1, in particular into the chamber 12, via the opening
9
25 supported by the seat 2. In the first coupling position, the incoming stream F2 is led into
the housing 1 through the base opening 65.
The duct 23 delimits a first part of the chamber 12 which is essentially parallel to the
axis X1 and which extends from the opening 25 to the bottom wall 21. Between the bottom
5 wall 21 and the partition 6, a second part 29 of the chamber 12 is defined by the housing 1,
and advantageously has an annular shape about the axis X1. The annular part 29 of the
chamber 12 and the annular part 28 of the chamber 11 are thus coaxial, being nested one
inside the other and/or one above the other between the partition 6 and the bottom wall 21.
In the present example, the annular part 28 of the chamber 11 is delimited axially by the
10 bottom wall 21, at the periphery thereof by the annular part 29 of the chamber 12, and
internally by a wall 34, which preferentially has a shape of revolution, or a cup shape, about
the axis X1. In the example, the annular part 29 of the chamber 12 is delimited axially by
the partition 6, internally by the annular part 28 of the chamber 11, and externally by the
cover 5.
15 Preferentially, the device defines a plane P62 which is orthogonal to the axis X1.
The seat openings 24 and 25 belong to the plane P62 and are thus mutually coplanar. The
gaskets 26 and 27 extend along the plane P62 and are thus mutually coplanar. The ducts
22 and 23 extend right to the plane P62. When the housing 1 is coupled to the base, the
plane P62 and the bottom wall 62 of the base are coplanar. Henceforth, reciprocally, the
20 base openings 64 and 65 belong to the plane P62 when the housing 1 is coupled, and are
mutually coplanar.
Advantageously, the ducts 22 and 23 are mutually symmetrical about the axis X1,
as well as, preferentially, the corresponding openings 24 and 25.
The chambers 11 and 12 both open onto a slide valve 31 belonging to the adjuster
25 4. The drawer 31 is disposed in the compartment 8 at a place where the chambers 11 and
12 converge. The slide valve 31 has e.g. the shape of a disc perpendicular to the axis X1,
so as to have two opposite axial faces 32 and 33, the axial face 33 being oriented towards
the partition 6. More particularly, the annular part 28 opens onto the face 32 while the
annular part 29 opens onto the face 33.
30 Whatever the embodiment of the chambers 11 and 12, the purpose thereof is to
fluidically connect, correspondingly, the seat openings 24 and 25 to the adjuster 4, herein
to the slide valve 31, so that the streams F1 and F2 reach the adjuster 4, more particularly
the slide valve 31.
The slide valve 31 is movable with respect to the housing 1 so as to adjust the flow35 rate of the streams F1 and F2. As shown in Figure 4, the slide valve 31 is e.g. movable with
respect to the housing 1, along a translation parallel to the axis X1. The slide valve 31 is
10
movable to a first position, here downwards, where the stream F1 is completely interrupted,
so as to have a zero flow-rate, and where the stream F2 is not limited, so as to have a
maximum flow-rate. In the first position, the slide valve 31 closes the chamber 11 whereas
the chamber 12 is left fully open. The chamber 12 is left open by forming an annular gap
5 between the partition 6 and the axial face 33 of the slide valve 31. The chamber 11 is closed
by closing an annular gap between the face 32 of the slide valve 31 and an upper edge 36
of the wall 34, the edge 36 delimiting the opening of the chamber 11 on the slide valve 31.
Axially, the edge 36 is preferentially placed between the partition 6 and the bottom wall 21.
The slide valve 31 is movable right to a second position, herein upwards, where the stream
10 F2 is completely interrupted, so as to have a zero flow-rate, and where the stream F1 is not
limited, so as to have a maximum flow-rate. In the second position, the slide valve 31 closes
the chamber 12 whereas the chamber 11 is left fully open. The chamber 12 is closed by the
abutment of the axial face 33 of the slide valve 31 against the partition 6. The chamber 11
is left fully open by opening the gap between the axial face 32 of the slide valve 31 and the
15 upper edge 36 of the wall 34. In Figure 4, the slide valve 31 is shown in an intermediate
position where the streams F1 and F2 are limited substantially equally by the slide valve 31
to an intermediate flow-rate between the zero flow-rate and the maximum flow-rate. In such
intermediate position, each of the chambers 11 and 12 is partially closed by the slide valve
31 in a substantially even way.
20 Advantageously, the position of the slide valve 31 limits the flow-rates of the streams
F1 and F2 in an opposing manner, or inversely proportional, or else in such a way that the
sum of the flow-rates of the streams F1 and F2 is substantially constant for any position of
the slide valve 31. In other words, the adjuster 4 is preferentially designed for adjusting the
flow-rates of the streams F1 and F2 in an inverse manner, which makes it possible to define,
25 in an adjustable way, the proportions of the mixture of the streams F1 and F2, i.e. the
proportion of the stream F1 and of the stream F2 in the composition of the stream F3. In
other words, the slide valve 31 allows the adjuster 4 to adjust the flow-rate of the incoming
water streams F1 and F2, so that the adjuster 4 can be used for obtaining a mixture with a
variable proportion, i.e. adjustable, for the stream F3. In fact, the proportion of the streams
30 F1 and F2 in the formation of the stream F3 is modified by the adjuster 4, in particular as a
function of the position of the slide valve 31, which advantageously influences the
temperature of the stream F3 thus obtained.
For mixing the streams F1 and F2, the chambers 11 and 12 converge in the chamber
13 at the adjuster 4, in particular at the slide valve 31. Herein, the chamber 13 is delimited
35 by the wall 34 and is thus centered on the axis X1, being coaxial with the annular parts 28
and 29 of the chambers 11 and 12. More particularly, the chamber 13 is surrounded directly
11
by the chamber 11. The edge 36 advantageously defines a closed contour about the axis
X1, preferentially circular and centered on the axis X1, and forms an open axial end of the
chamber 13, for connecting the chamber 13 with the chambers 11 and 12. The open axial
end is oriented towards the slide valve 31.
5 The chamber 11 opens into the chamber 13, preferentially directly. Herein, the
chamber 11 opens into the chamber 13 directly via the gap provided between the face 32
of the slide valve 31 and the edge 36 of the wall 34. The chamber 12 opens into the chamber
13, preferentially via the slide valve 31. More precisely, the chamber 12 opens into the
chamber 13 via the gap provided between the face 33 of the slide valve 31 and the partition
10 6, then via gills 35 provided through the slide valve 31, each gill 35 connecting the face 33
to the face 32, whereas the face 32 delimits the chamber 13 with the wall 34. From the
chamber 12, the stream F2 thus preferentially reaches the chamber 13 by crossing through
the slide valve 31.
In the chamber 13, the streams F1 and F2 mix and together become the stream F3
15 at the open axial end of the chamber 13 delimited by the edge 36. The chamber 13 can
thus be called a "mixing chamber", housing the mixing between the streams F1 and F2,
following the adjustment of the proportions of the mixture by the adjuster 4, herein the slide
valve 31.
As can be seen more clearly in Figures 1 and 2, the chamber 13 includes at least
20 one seat opening. Each seat opening of the chamber 13 is preferentially arranged beyond
the bottom wall 21, with respect to the edge 36, i.e. between the bottom wall 21 and the
plane P62. e.g., among the seat openings, the chamber 13 has two radial seat openings 37
and an axial seat opening 38. The openings 37 and 38 are formed between the two ducts
22 and 23.
25 Each opening 37 advantageously extends between the bottom wall 21 and the plane
P62 of the housing 1 where the seat openings 24 and 25 are formed. The openings 37 are
advantageously diametrically opposed around the axis X1, or at least regularly distributed
about the axis X1, e.g. in the same plane orthogonal to the axis X1. In other words,
preferentially, the openings 37 are mutually symmetrical about the axis X1. When reference
30 is made to a symmetry about an axis, it means, unless otherwise stated, a symmetry of
rotation about the axis, i.e. an invariance in rotation about the axis, of an angle of 180°.
The opening 38 advantageously belongs to the plane P62, i.e. the opening 38 is
coplanar with the openings 24 and 25. The opening 38 is centered on the axis X1.
In a variant, it would be possible to provide for the chamber 13 to have a single seat
35 opening, or a number of seat openings other than two.
12
When the housing 1 is coupled onto the base, each seat opening 37 and 38 opens
into the interstitial chamber 63 delimited between the seat 2 and the recess 60 of the base.
The stream F3 coming out from the seat 2 is received in the interstitial chamber 63. The
chamber 63 is crossed by the streams F1 and F2, yet the streams F1 and F2 are fluidically
5 separated from the chamber 63, since the connection of the seat openings 24 and 25,
respectively, with the base openings 64 and 65, is sealed by the gaskets 26 and 27. In other
words, a watertight seal is provided for separating the interstitial chamber 63 from the
connection between the seat openings 24 and 25 and the base openings 64 and 65. In
other words, the chamber 63 is placed annularly around the openings 24 and 25, the
10 gaskets 26 and 27 delimiting the chamber 63 from the inside. The stream F3 is then
discharged from the interstitial chamber 63 via one or more openings belonging to the base,
not shown, which opens into the chamber 63. Each of the openings is provided e.g. in the
peripheral wall 61 or in the bottom wall 62.
Provision is made for the seat openings 24 and 25 to be arranged so as to be
15 distributed regularly about the axis X1. Herein, since there are only two openings 24 and 25
forming inlet seat openings for leading incoming streams, the regular distribution about the
axis X1 means that the openings 24 and 25 are diametrically distributed about the axis X1.
More precisely, the openings 24 and 25 are mutually symmetrical about the axis X1.
Similarly, provision is made for the base openings 64 and 65 to be arranged by being
20 distributed regularly about the axis X0. Herein, since there are only two openings 64 and 65
forming inlet seat openings for leading incoming streams, the regular distribution about the
axis X0 means that the openings 64 and 65 are diametrically distributed about the axis X0.
More precisely, the openings 64 and 65 are mutually symmetrical about the axis X0.
The controller 3 determines the adjustment of the adjuster 4, i.e. the position of the
25 slide valve 31 with respect to the housing 1. Herein, it is in this way possible to determine
the proportion of the streams F1 and F2 forming the stream F3.
The controller 3 preferentially comprises a controller component 46, which is
designed for being actuated by an end user in order to control the adjuster 4, once the valve
system has been installed. The controller 3 further comprises a mechanical transmission
30 47 which mechanically links the position of the controller component 46 to the position of
the slide valve 31 with respect to the housing 1. Optionally, the mechanical transmission 47
comprises a thermal actuator 48 which makes it possible to influence the adjustment of the
adjuster 4, in addition to the adjustment imposed by the controller component 46, e.g.
depending upon the temperature of the outgoing stream F3. Preferentially, if the thermal
35 actuator 48 is provided, the mechanical transmission 47 comprises an overtravel damper
54.
13
The compartment 7, crossed by the axis X1, is delimited by the partition 6, a part of
the cover 5 which extends between the partition 6 and the axial end of the housing 1
opposite the seat 2. The partition 6 separates the compartment 7 from the compartment 8.
The axial end of the housing 1 includes an upper opening 49 crossed by the axis X1,
5 preferentially being centered on the axis X1, and which thus puts the compartment 7 in
communication with the outside of the housing 1. More precisely, the opening 49 is provided
through the cover 5, axially opposite the partition 6 and the seat 2.
The controller component 46 closes the opening 49, so that part of the component
46 protrudes outside the housing 1 and another part of the component 46 is received inside
10 the compartment 7. More generally, provision is made for a part of the controller 3 to
protrude outside the housing 1, herein the controller component 46, at the axial end of the
housing 1 which is opposite the seat 2, crossing through said axial end of the housing 1. It
is through the protruding part, herein the component 46, that the user can actuate the
controller 3 for controlling the adjuster 4.
15 In the present case, for the protruding part thereof, the component 46 forms an
adjustment knob which can be actuated by the user. The component 46 can pivot with
respect to the housing 1, preferentially about the axis X1. The pivoting is advantageously
supported by the opening 49. Preferentially, with respect to the housing 1, the component
46 pivots only about one axis, herein the axis X1.
20 The mechanical transmission 47 transforms the pivoting movement of the
component 46 into a translational movement of the slide valve 31 with respect to the housing
1 parallel to the axis X1.
To this end, the transmission 47 preferentially comprises a screw-nut system. The
screw-nut system e.g. comprises a thread 50 formed on the component 46 in the
25 compartment 8, which is coaxial with the axis X1. The screw-nut system further comprises
a nut 51 contained in the compartment 8. The nut 51 is guided in translation by the cover 5
parallel to the axis X1, while being prevented from rotating with respect to the housing 1
about the axis X1, e.g. by means of axial splines 52 supported by the cover 5 and the nut
51. The nut 51 further comprises a central opening coaxial with the axis X1, receiving
30 therefor within the part of the controller component 46 bearing the thread 50. In the central
opening, the nut 51 has a thread 53 engaged with the thread 50, so as to link the rotational
position of the controller component 46 to the translational position of the nut 51.
In the case (not shown) where the overtravel damper 54 and the thermal actuator
48 are not provided, provision can be made for the nut 51 and the slide valve 31 to be fixed
35 with respect to each other, so as to be mutually connected in translation with respect to the
housing 1. The translation of the nut 51 then directly reflects the translation of the slide valve
14
31 with respect to the housing 1, along the axis X1. For this purpose, provision is made e.g.
for the nut 51 to be directly attached to the slide valve 31 through the partition 6, e.g. by
means of a rod connecting the nut 51 to the slide valve 31 and crossing through the partition .

I/We Claim:
1.- A device for a valve system, comprising:
• a housing (1) which comprises a seat (2), by means of which the housing (1) is
5 designed for being coupled to a base, for an exchange of water streams (F1, F2,
F3) between the base and the housing (1) through the seat (2), the seat (2) matching
the base so as to impose that the coupling of the housing (1) with the base takes
place only when the housing (1) is in a first coupling position with respect to the
base, the seat (2) comprising a first seat opening (24), configured for:
10  leading a first water stream (F1), among said water streams (F1, F2, F3),
and
 fluidically connecting to a first seat opening (64), belonging to the seat, when
the housing (1) is coupled to the seat in the first coupling position, so that the
first water stream (F1) is led through the first seat opening (64);
15 • an adjuster (4), which is contained within the housing (1) for adjusting the flow-rate
of at least one of said water streams (F1, F2, F3); and
• a controller (3), which protrudes from the housing (1) and controls the adjuster (4);
characterized in that:
• the seat (2) comprises a breakaway part (43) which is configured for being broken
20 from the seat (2) so that coupling of the housing (1) to the base can take place when
the housing (1) is in a second coupling position with respect to the base; and
• the first seat opening (24) is configured for fluidically connecting to a second base
opening (65) belonging to the base when the housing (1) is coupled with the base
in the second coupling position, so that the first water stream (F1) is led through the
25 second base opening (65).
2.- The device according to claim 1, wherein the seat (2) comprises a second seat opening
(25), which is configured for:
• leading a second water stream (F2), among said water streams (F1, F2, F3), and
• fluidically connecting to the second base opening (65) when the housing (1) is
30 coupled with the base in the first coupling position, so that the second water stream
(F2) is led through the second base opening (65), and
• preferentially, fluidically connecting to the first base opening (64) when the housing
(1) is coupled to the base in the second coupling position, so that the second water
stream (F2) is led through the first base opening (64).
24
3.- The device according to claim 2, wherein the first seat opening (24) and the second seat
opening (25) are mutually symmetrical about a primary axis (X1) crossing through the
seat (2).
4.- The device according to claim 3, wherein the breakaway part (43) comprises a
5 breakaway pin provided with an incipient breaking (44) so as to be breakaway, the
breakaway pin being arranged off-centered with respect to the primary axis (X1).
5.- The device according to according to any of the preceding claims, wherein:
• the device comprises a mixer, which is formed by the adjuster (4) and/or by a
compartment (8) of the housing (1), the mixer being configured for forming an
10 outgoing water stream (F3) when the housing (1) is coupled to the base by mixing
two incoming water streams (F1, F2), the incoming water streams (F1, F2) and the
outgoing water stream (F3) belonging to said water streams (F1, F2, F3) exchanged
between the housing (1) and the base, one of the incoming water streams (F1, F2)
preferentially consisting of the first water stream (F1);
15 • the housing (1) is configured for leading, via the seat (2):
 the incoming water streams (F1, F2) from the base to the adjuster (4), and
 the outgoing water stream (F3) from the adjuster (4) to the base; and
• upon control from the controller (3), the adjuster (4) adjusts the flow-rate of the
incoming water streams (F1, F2) so as to determine the proportion of the incoming
20 water streams (F1, F2) forming the outgoing water stream (F3).
6.- A valve system, comprising:
• the device according to any of the preceding claims, and
• the base which comprises the first base opening (64) and the second base opening
(65), the second coupling position being a position wherein the housing (1) is pivoted
25 about a main axis (X0) of the valve system with respect to the first coupling position.
7.- The valve system according to claim 6, wherein:
• the base comprises a fool proof guide (68) and an obstructing surface (69); and
• the breakaway part (43), when not broken, is arranged for being received in the fool
proof guide (68), when the housing (1) is coupled in the first coupling position and
30 to prevent a coupling of the housing (1) when the housing (1) is in the second
coupling position, by abutting the breakaway part (43) against the obstructing
surface (69).
8.- The valve system according to any of claims 6 or 7, wherein:
• the seat (2) comprises a permanent pin (41; 42), which is off-centered with respect
35 to the main axis (X0); and
25
• the base comprises a first positioning guide (66) and a second positioning guide
(67), which are off-center with respect to the main axis (X0), and which are arranged
such that:
 when the housing (1) is in the first coupling position, the permanent pin (41; 42)
5 is received sliding in, in the first positioning guide (66: 67), parallel to the main
axis (X0), so as to set the housing (1) in rotation with respect to the base about
the main axis (X0) in the first coupling position, and
 when the housing (1) is in the second coupling position, the permanent pin (41;
42) is received sliding in, in the second positioning guide (67; 66), parallel to the
10 main axis (X0), so as to set the housing (1) in rotation with respect to the base
about the main axis (X0) in the second coupling position.
9.- The valve system according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein:
• the base comprises a recess (60) which houses the seat (2) when the housing (1)
is coupled to the base, the recess and the seat (2) then delimiting therebetween an
15 interstitial chamber (63);
• the seat (2) comprises a third seat opening (37, 38), which is configured for leading
a third water stream (F3), among the water streams (F1, F2, F3) exchanged between
the housing (1) and the base, the third seat opening (37, 38), opening into the
interstitial chamber (63) when the housing (1) is coupled to the base in the first
20 coupling position and when the housing (1) is coupled to the base in the second
coupling position.
10.- A use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or of the valve system
according to any of claims 6 to 9, the use comprising:
• determining whether the first seat opening (24) is to be fluidically connected to the
25 first seat opening (64) or the second seat opening (65);
• coupling the housing (1) with the base:
 in the first coupling position, if it has been determined that the first seat opening
(24) is to be fluidically connected to the first base opening (64); or
 after breaking the breakaway part (43), in the second coupling position, if it was
30 determined that the first seat opening (24) is to be fluidically connected to the
second base opening (65).