The present invention relates to a mixing unit for a mixer tap and a mixer tap comprising such a mixing unit.

The invention relates to the field of valves for sanitary use. In particular, said valves "mixers" are used to send a mixed stream of running water by mixing a hot water flows and a cold water flow within a cartridge mounted in the body of tap. The respective flow rate of the cold water flow and hot water admitted to the cartridge can be adjusted using a control lever in order to enable a temperature control flow mixed by rotation of the lever around an axis, and the rate of flow mixed by a lever rotation about a second axis.

The cartridge comprises, in most cases, a pair of perforated ceramic discs, one being fixed and the other being movable under the action of the lever while being in planar contact, sliding and sealed with the fixed disc. Depending on the position of the movable disk on the fixed disk, the channels are formed to allow the admission of cold and hot water flows within the cartridge, with a more or less large flow rate, and thereby cause their mixture the formation of the mixed stream.

Some cartridges can be known with a separate additional housing and is reported against the cartridge. For example, patent FR-B-2,876,433 discloses a cartridge for a mixing valve equipped with an additional sealing thermostat module coupled to the base of the cartridge. The additional thermostat module is provided with thermostatically controlled means for, when the mixed flow temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value, to close the passage of hot water before it enters the cartridge, to automatically limit the temperature of the stream. The assembly formed by the mixing valve and the thermostat module includes both the mixing means, formed by ceramic discs, while the thermostatic means comprises a separate closure of the mixing means,

However, the addition of such an additional housing requires an assembly step of the cartridge with the additional housing during manufacture of the valve, which makes it more complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, means of sealing between the cartridge and the additional housing must be provided, which also represents a substantial cost, under penalty of a risk of water leakage between the cartridge and the additional housing.

EP 2335127 B1 discloses a thermostatic mixing unit, comprising a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, a mixed water outlet, a sliding valve and thermostatic means on which the slide valve is mounted. However, this mixing unit does not include both of the mixing means of hot water with cold water to form the mixed stream, and a shutter speed of passage of hot water actuated by a thermostatic element. If the above-mentioned drawbacks, related to the assembly and the provision of sealing means, do not arise in this known mixing unit, the shutter function of the passage of hot water is not provided separately from the mixing function of the hot water and cold water through the sliding valve.

DE 197 16 307 A1 discloses a valve comprising a thermostatic mixer cartridge with hot water and cold water inlets. The cartridge comprises, in its lower part, a system of discs controlled by a valve lever, and which allow to regulate the flow of water at the hot water inlets and cold water. The tap also comprises, above the disk system, a thermostatic element mounted within the cartridge, coupled to a shutter. However, this known faucet cartridge form a complex assembly that requires the implementation of many parts and many sealing means.

Accordingly, the invention aims to remedy the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a new mixing unit that is easier and less expensive to manufacture.

The invention relates to a mixing unit for a mixer tap, the mixing unit having a generally cylindrical shape defining a major axis of the mixing unit, the mixing unit comprising:

- a cartridge, including a mixing chamber traversed by the principal axis, the mixing chamber comprising:

o a first input of a first incoming stream of fluid having a first temperature,

o a second input of a second incoming stream of fluid having a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and

o an outlet out of the mixing chamber, for an outgoing flow of fluid,

mixing means of the first and second incoming stream to form the output stream, the mixing means being contained in the mixing chamber, - an additional housing extending out of the mixing chamber, the additional housing being traversed by main axis,

- thermostatic means, which are arranged in the additional housing and comprises:

o a thermostatic element which comprises both a heat-sensitive portion disposed at least partially to the outlet, and a mobile part in translation with respect to the thermosensitive portion, and

o a shutter of the second input, which is connected in translation to the movable part in translation.

According to the invention, the mixing unit comprises a common single piece, which at least partially delimits the mixing chamber while forming at least a portion of the additional housing, the joint part forming a partition wall of the cartridge and the housing additional, the partition wall extending in a plane orthogonal to the main axis, the first inlet, the second inlet and the outlet, being formed through the partition wall being distributed around the main axis.

Thanks to the invention, the common part formed integrally within the mixing unit, connects the additional housing and the mixing chamber. The mixing unit thus forms a unitary assembly, the mixing chamber being bounded in part by the additional housing, in this case by the common part forming at least part of the latter. According to this configuration, it is advantageously not necessary to provide an assembling step of the mixing chamber with the additional housing to connect the latter. Thus it is in particular not necessary to provide sealing means between the mixing chamber and the additional housing. The number of parts required to manufacture the mixing unit is advantageously reduced. The manufacturing

According to other advantageous features of the invention, taken individually or in combination:

- The mixing unit comprises a control member formed by a lever, mounted at the top of the cartridge, for controlling the mixing means and thereby control the respective flow of the first incoming stream and the second inflow.

- The mixing means comprise a set of mixing discs contained within the mixing chamber, preferably three mixing disk, the mixing disk being in surface contact with each other and extend in planes orthogonal to the main axis.

- The joint part forms a peripheral hood defining the mixing chamber, wherein surrounding cover rises from the partition wall;

- The mixing unit comprises a locking ring which is mounted on the surrounding cover, opposite to the partition wall for at least partially closing the mixing chamber;

- The joint part forms a conduit passing through the additional housing, wherein the conduit extends through from the first input;

- The joint part forms a baffle duct of the additional housing, wherein the conduit baffle extends from the second input and is configured to be closed by the shutter;

- The joint part forms a housing of the additional housing, the thermostatic element being mounted in said housing;

- The mixing unit comprises a sealing ring of the mixing unit with a valve body mixing valve, the sealing ring extending in a plane orthogonal to the main axis, the sealing ring comprising both a circular groove which is centered on the main axis and which is formed by the common area, and a seal mounted within the circular groove; and

- The movable portion is movable in translation with respect to the thermosensitive portion on a seal center line, and the orthogonal plane and the sealing axis intersect, the sealing axis being inclined with respect to this orthogonal plane and the crossing.

The invention also relates to a mixing valve equipped with a mixing unit as defined above.

The invention will be better understood from reading the description which follows, given by way of example and with reference to the drawings:

- Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal sections of a mixing valve comprising a mixing unit according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 3 is a view of a detail of Figure 1, on a larger scale, in part III;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the unit of mixture of Figures 1 to 3, in which the planes II and II-II correspond to the respective section planes of Figures 1 and 2 are shown;

- Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figure 1, a mixing valve comprising a mixing unit according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a mixing valve 1 into which is inserted a mixing unit 2 according to the first above-mentioned embodiment. The mixer tap 1 is preferably designed to be installed on a sink or shower tray type, or more generally in a sanitary installation. The mixing valve 1 comprises, typically, a 3 to spout from which a mixed flow of water shown by the arrow M1 is to be transmitted. The valve 1 also comprises a body 4 which forms a hollow cylinder defining a main axis X4, which is intended, in this example, to be disposed vertically when the valve is mounted on the plumbing.

For convenience, the following description is oriented relative to the main axis X4, considering that the terms "upper" and "top" correspond to an axial direction directed towards the upper part of Figure 1, while the terms "lower" and "bottom" correspond to an axial direction in opposite directions.

In non-illustrated variant, the X4 axis is disposed in a direction different from the vertical and is for example horizontal.

The mouthpiece 3 form a curved duct which extends from the body 4 obliquely relative to the main axis X4, upwardly, the curvature of the spout 3 to guide the mixed water flow M1 to the bottom. The mixed water flows and progresses obliquely upwardly within the spout of the arrow M2 until the free end of the latter.

The mixer tap 1 also comprises a cold water inlet 5, which is visible in Figure 2, and a hot water inlet 6 which is visible in Figure 1, which are connected to the body 4 at a lower end of the last. The cold water inlet 5 and the hot water inlet 6 are provided for connection to conventional water supply means of the sanitary installation, which are not detailed in this description. Cold water progresses upwardly in the inlet 5, along arrow F1, at a temperature Tf. Hot water progresses in turn upwardly in the inlet 6, according to arrow C1, to a temperature Te. C1 and F1 flows are mixed within the mixer tap 1 to form the M1 flow, a temperature T M between T and Te, and debit supplemented C1 and F1 flows.

The mixing unit 2 is housed within the body 4, by being inserted therein by means of an upper opening 9 of the body 4 along the main axis X4. In this mixing unit 2 that is done mixing and C1 F1 inflows to form the outflow M1.

The mixing unit 2 has a coaxial generally cylindrical shape with the main axis X4. The mixing unit 2 comprises firstly a cartridge 1 1, which contains means 13 for mixing of the first inflow F1 and the second inflow C1 to form the output stream M1, and secondly an additional housing 15 .

The mixing unit comprises a joint part 46 in one piece, which forms part of the cartridge 1 1 and a housing part 15. The joint part 46 is a part in one piece and is preferably obtained by molding. The common part 46 is for example made of plastic.

The common part 46 in particular form a partition wall 45 of the cartridge 1 1 and the additional casing 15 which extends in a plane orthogonal to the axis X4. Thus, the cartridge 1 1 is located in the upper part of the body 4, above the accessory housing 15 which is located in the lower part of the body 4 and out of the cartridge 1 1, the common part 46 forming the frame part bottom of the mixing unit 2.

The common part 46 forms a lower face 24 of the additional housing 15 through which the unit 2 bears downwardly against a supporting wall 23 of the body 4.

The support wall 23 is substantially disc-shaped and extends radially with respect to the main axis X4. Arrivals 5 and 6 of the inflow F1 and C1 through the support wall 23 for feeding the additional housing 15 by the bottom face 24. In practice, arrivals 5 and 6 are respectively connected in a leakproof manner, to a first input 19 of the first inflow F1, and at a second input 21 of the second inflow opening C1 on the surface of the lower face 24.

As shown in Figure 2, the first incoming stream progresses along arrow F1 to the first inlet 19 and continues its travel through the additional housing 15 from bottom to top according to arrow F2 in a conduit 25 through the housing additional 15 extending parallel to the main axis X4 from the first input 19. the through duct 25 guides the first incoming stream F2 to a mixing chamber 27 of the cartridge 1 1, in passing through the partition wall 45 which delimits the bottom of the mixing chamber 27. the mixing chamber 27 is thus partly bounded by the common area 46. the through-channel 25 is formed by the common area 46 and is integral with the wall 45.

Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 1, the second inflow enters the additional housing 15 through the second inlet 21, and circulates from bottom to top according to arrow C2 through the additional housing 15 in a conduit baffle 32 which extends generally upwardly from the second inlet 21. This conduit baffle 32 is formed by the common area 46, and is integral with the wall 45. Specifically, the baffle duct 32 comprises a first portion 31 substantially parallel to the main axis X4 and extending from the second input 21. The conduit baffle 32 then comprises a closable portion 29, by a shutter 87 which is described in more detail below, the closable portion 29 extending the first portion 31. Finally,

extending the closable portion 29. The closable portion 29 extends obliquely with respect to the first portion 31 and third portion 35 so that the baffle duct 32 form an "S". The third portion 35 opens into the mixing chamber 27. Thus, the two streams entering F2 and C2 are admitted into the mixing chamber 27 of the cartridge 1 1 and there be mixed to form an outgoing flow M3 for forming the flow M1.

The mixing chamber 27 includes an inlet 39 for the first stream F2, a second inlet 41 for the second flow C2, and an output 43 for the outflow M3. The through duct 25 extends from the inlet 39 in the continuity thereof, and the baffle pipe 32 extends from the inlet 41 in the continuity of the latter, the inputs 39 and 41 being formed through the partition wall 45. in this case, the partition wall 45 has a generally discoid shape centered on the main axis X4, the inputs 39 and 41 and junction 43 being distributed about the axis Senior X4.

In the illustrated example, the mixing means 13 comprise a set of mixing discs 13A, 13B and 13C, which are contained in the mixing chamber 27, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. The discs 13A mixture , 13B and 13C are in contact surface with each other and extend in planes orthogonal to the main axis X4. The mixing assembly of discs comprises a upper disc 13A, 13B an intermediate disc and a lower disc 13C, 13A and 13B the upper intermediate discs being movable relative to the disc 13C which is fixed, 13B intermediate disc being in sliding contact and sealed with the disc 13C. 13B intermediate and lower discs 13C comprise a system of channels and apertures, not shown, which is connected to the inputs 39 and 41 so that to the output 43 and which, depending on the relative position of the discs 13B and 13C, sets the respective rate of incoming flows F2 and C2 admitted within the disk array by the 39 and 41 inputs. As represented by arrows F3 and C3, incoming flow circulating in the channel system and gills and first pass through the bottom disk 13C, and 13B in the intermediate disc. Inflows F3 and C3 then circulate again through the bottom disk 13C from top to bottom. During their passage within 13A drives, 13B and 13C, where inflows F3 and C3 are contacted to be mixed and form the outflow M3. Efflux M3 is at temperature T adjusts the respective flow rate of incoming flows F2 and C2 admitted within the disk array by the 39 and 41 inputs. As represented by arrows F3 and C3, incoming flow circulating in the channel system and gills and first pass through the bottom disk 13C, and 13B in the intermediate disc. Inflows F3 and C3 then circulate again through the bottom disk 13C from top to bottom. During their passage within 13A drives, 13B and 13C, where inflows F3 and C3 are contacted to be mixed and form the outflow M3. Efflux M3 is at temperature T adjusts the respective flow rate of incoming flows F2 and C2 admitted within the disk array by the 39 and 41 inputs. As represented by arrows F3 and C3, incoming flow circulating in the channel system and gills and first pass through the bottom disk 13C, and 13B in the intermediate disc. Inflows F3 and C3 then circulate again through the bottom disk 13C from top to bottom. During their passage within 13A drives, 13B and 13C, where inflows F3 and C3 are contacted to be mixed and form the outflow M3. Efflux M3 is at temperature T first through 13C lower disc and the intermediate disc 13B. Inflows F3 and C3 then circulate again through the bottom disk 13C from top to bottom. During their passage within 13A drives, 13B and 13C, where inflows F3 and C3 are contacted to be mixed and form the outflow M3. Efflux M3 is at temperature T first through 13C lower disc and the intermediate disc 13B. Inflows F3 and C3 then circulate again through the bottom disk 13C from top to bottom. During their passage within 13A drives, 13B and 13C, where inflows F3 and C3 are contacted to be mixed and form the outflow M3. Efflux M3 is at temperature TM , the ratio of flow rates of F3 and C3 inflows for adjusting the temperature T M , and the flowrates of F3 and C3 inflows for adjusting the flow rate of the M3 flows. In practice, the passage section of the incoming streams F3 and C3 varies according to the relative position of the discs 13B and 13C, by establishing communication channels and louvers

above. The ceramic discs and duct system are not described in detail because they are well known mixing means as such, and described for example in FR-B1 2876 433. It is also understood that although the is preferred implementation of a ceramics disc mixing chamber, any known mixing means and usually implemented in the mixing valves cartridges may be used instead.

Efflux M3 formed by mixing in the mixing chamber 27 is then discharged out of the latter and out of the cartridge 1 1 into an outlet chamber 37 of the mixing valve 1, leading the outflow M3 high at the bottom to an outlet 47 formed through the support wall 23. arrivals 5 and 6 and the outlet 47 are distributed around the main axis X4. The common part 46 forms a sealing ring 71 of the housing 15. This sealing ring 71 is of circular shape centered on the main axis X4. In this case, the sealing ring 71 extends in a plane orthogonal P71 with respect to the axis X4, projecting centrifugally with respect to the axis X4, from the partition wall 45 of so as to sealingly engage the body 4. Specifically, the sealing ring 71 comprises a circular groove open radially outwardly formed by the common area 46. In this circular groove is formed an outer seal, for example toroidal which crashed in contact with the body 4, as illustrated in FIGS. The sealing ring 71 thus defines an upper portion of the outlet chamber 37, the latter also being laterally delimited by the wall of the body 4, and below by the support wall 23. As shown in Figure 4 , the outlet chamber 37, through the conduit 25 and the conduit baffle 32 are regularly distributed around the main axis X4. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outgoing flow M3 is thus discharged in a lower chamber 50, the body 4 by the via the outlet 47. The lower chamber 50 is bounded at the top by the wall 23, laterally through the body 4 and at the bottom by a bottom 49 of the mixing valve 1. The bottom 49 is substantially discoid and orthogonal to the main axis X4, and closes the body 4 at the lower end thereof. In the lower chamber 50, the outflow conduit is M3, M4 according to arrow until spout 3 through an access opening 51 formed in the wall of the body 4 radially relative to the axis Senior X4, communicating the lower chamber 50 with the nozzle 3. in the spout 3, the outflow M4 becomes the outflow 2, then the outflow M1 mentioned above. laterally by the body 4 and at the bottom by a bottom 49 of the mixing valve 1. The bottom 49 is substantially discoid and orthogonal to the main axis X4, and closes the body 4 at the lower end thereof. In the lower chamber 50, the outflow conduit is M3, M4 according to arrow until spout 3 through an access opening 51 formed in the wall of the body 4 radially relative to the axis Senior X4, communicating the lower chamber 50 with the nozzle 3. in the spout 3, the outflow M4 becomes the outflow 2, then the outflow M1 mentioned above. laterally by the body 4 and at the bottom by a bottom 49 of the mixing valve 1. The bottom 49 is substantially discoid and orthogonal to the main axis X4, and closes the body 4 at the lower end thereof. In the lower chamber 50, the outflow conduit is M3, M4 according to arrow until spout 3 through an access opening 51 formed in the wall of the body 4 radially relative to the axis Senior X4, communicating the lower chamber 50 with the nozzle 3. in the spout 3, the outflow M4 becomes the outflow 2, then the outflow M1 mentioned above.

The mixing unit 2 further comprises a lever 7 which is mounted at the top of the cartridge 1 1, so as to protrude from the body 4 through the upper opening 9, for allowing a user to actuate the lever 7.

The actuation of the lever 7 is used to control the mixing means 13, and in particular to move 13A and 13B through upper disc rotating about an axis parallel to the main axis X4, or around the axis X4 him -even, and in translation along an axis X13 which is orthogonal to the main axis X4. In general, the lever 7 forms a control member for actuating at least one of the disks 13A, 13B and 13C, and thereby control the respective flow rate of the first inflow F1 and the second inflow C1. Thus, the controller 7 adjusts both the temperature and flow rate of the outflow M1 by adjusting the relative position of disks in the set of discs 13A, 13B and 13C. The mixer tap 1 and the cartridge 1 1 may as well be called "single lever" to the extent that the lever 7 is used to control both the flow and temperature of the outflow M1 regulate flows F1 inflows and C1. In practice, the lever 7 is:

- to pivot about the main axis X4, which causes a rotation of the upper disc 13A and 13B around the same axis, for adjusting the ratio between the flow of the first and second incoming streams F1 and C1 and thus the temperature of the efflux M1, and

- pivotable about a second axis X7 which is orthogonal to the main axis X4 in order to relocate the upper disc 13A and 13B along the axis X13 and vary equally the flow of the first and second flow, to adjust the flow of the output flow.

The lever 7 is linked to the set of discs 13A, 13B and 13C, that is to say, the mixing means 13 by a operating mechanism that is not described in more detail, in so far as it is known as such.

The common part 46 also forms a peripheral cover 53 of the cartridge 1 1, which forms an outer shell wall of the cartridge 1 1 is substantially cylindrical with a circular base about the main axis X4. The cover 53 contains mixing means 13, laterally delimiting the chamber 27 from the partition wall 45, from which it rises along the X4 axis. The cap 53 also encloses the base of the lever 7, the cartridge comprising a closure ring 63 delimiting the top of the chamber 27 and being attached to an upper end of cover 53 opposite to the partition wall 45. A nut 65 , centered around the principal axis X4, plate the mixing unit 2 against the supporting wall 23 by means of the locking ring 63. in practice, the nut 65 has an external thread which is screwed into an internal thread 69 of the upper opening 9 of the body 4, the thread 69 being centered on the axis X4. The mixing chamber 27 is thus closed at the top by the base of the lever 7, its mechanism and the locking ring 63.

The mixing unit 2 also comprises thermostatic means, visible in particular in Figures 1 and 3, which include first a thermostatic element 73, extending along an axis X73 shutter included in the plane of Figure 1. The axis of shutter X73 and P71 orthogonal plane intersect. In other words, the axis X73 shutter is inclined relative to this plane and P71 therethrough. The closable portion 29 of the baffle duct 32 extends substantially coaxially with the axis X73 shutter. Preferably, the axis X73 shutter forms an angle β1 of inclination between 1 ° and 45 ° with the plane orthogonal P71, and preferably equal to 13 °.

As is particularly visible in Figure 3, along the axis X73 shutter, the thermostatic element 73 includes a heat-sensitive portion 75 mounted in a housing 79 of the joint piece 46. The housing 79 is a coaxial conduit with the axis X73 shutter and which is arranged in the additional housing 15 so as to connect the outlet chamber 37 and the baffle 32. the conduit housing 79 and communicates the outlet 47 with the second inlet 21.

The thermosensitive portion 75 forms a fixed part of the thermostatic element 73 and includes, in particular, along the axis X73 shutter, a cup 81 that protrudes from the housing 79 and extends into the passage of the outgoing flow M3 at the exit 47. the cup 81 has a generally cylindrical shape with circular base centered on the axis X73 shutter, and contains a thermally expandable body which is for example a suitable wax. The cup 81 is in contact with the outflow M3, the thermo-expandable body expands and contracts according to the temperature T M of the outgoing flow M3.

and has a seal 92 with the housing 79, so as to close the latter tight manner and prevent any water transfer from the second C2 flows in the outlet 47 via the housing 79. The ring 84 is fixed supporting housing 79 using fastening elements 94 shown schematically in Figure 4, the screw type. The fixing elements 94 are located in a wall of the chamber 37, which forms the periphery of the end 90. The thermostatic element 73 is thus housed in the housing 79 so as to sealingly close the communication between the outlet 47 and the second input 21. The ring support 84 is attached to the housing 79 using fastening elements 94 shown schematically in Figure 4, the screw type. The fixing elements 94 are located in a wall of the chamber 37, which forms the periphery of the end 90. The thermostatic element 73 is thus housed in the housing 79 so as to sealingly close the communication between the outlet 47 and the second input 21. The ring support 84 is attached to the housing 79 using fastening elements 94 shown schematically in Figure 4, the screw type. The fixing elements 94 are located in a wall of the chamber 37, which forms the periphery of the end 90. The thermostatic element 73 is thus housed in the housing 79 so as to sealingly close the communication between the outlet 47 and the second input 21.

The thermostatic element 73 also comprises a movable portion 77 which forms a cylindrical piston coaxial with the axis X73 shutter. The movable portion 77 is mounted within the guide 83, so as to translate with respect to the thermosensitive portion 75 away from the thermosensitive portion 75, towards the pipe baffle 32, as the shutter axis X73 under the action of the thermo-expandable body contained in the cup 81.

A shutter 87 belonging to the thermostatic element 73 is provided in the closable portion 29, and is adapted to be moved in translation along the closure axis X73 by the moving part 77. The shutter 87 is arranged with respect to the movable portion 77 so that the latter can drive the shutter 87 to a position closing the second inlet 21, wherein a gasket 26 of the closure 87 formed by example by an external O-ring, closes off the closable portion 29, at least partially. In this case, the movable portion 77 is in contact with the shutter 87 so as to urge the latter away from the thermosensitive portion 75 in a direction D1 parallel to the axis X73, under the action of the heat expandable body contained in the cup 81. Due to the inclination of the axis X73 relative to the plane P71, the thermostatic element 73 is further from the mixing means 13 than is the shutter 87.

The shutter 87 is mounted in compression between the free end of the movable part 77 and a return spring 89. The latter is itself mounted in compression between the closure 87 and an opposite wall 28 of the closable portion 29 of the conduit baffle 32. the opposing wall 28 extends in a plane orthogonal to the axis X73. The return spring 89 is a compression spring, designed to bias the shutter 87 in a D2 direction opposite to D1, to an opening position of the duct in baffle 32 and thus the second input 21.

The shutter 87 is configured to close the second inlet 21 by sealing the closable portion 29, a variable shutter degree depending on the expansion of the thermally expandable body, and hence the temperature T M for varying the flow rate of the second inflow C2 accordingly. When the temperature T M reaches a predetermined threshold, for example 50 ° C, the C2 stream is completely or at least partially interrupted by closure of the second inlet 21.

The mixing unit 2 is configured to be inserted in one piece into the body 4 of the mixing valve 1 through the top opening 9. Before this step of inserting the unit 2, the chamber outlet 37 is opened and forms a clearance, due to the absence of the body 4 of the mixing valve 1. The assembly of the thermostatic element 73 may be effected by insertion of the latter into the housing 79 in the direction D1, by the end 90, which therefore constitutes "insertion end". Preferably, the clearance space of the chamber 37 is shaped so that the thermostatic element 73, the shutter 87 and the spring 89 can be placed in this clearance, along the axis X73, then be pushed in the direction D1 in order to be inserted into the housing 79 through the insertion end 90, without requiring a separation of the additional casing 15 and the cartridge 1 1. This configuration of the chamber 37 is made possible due to the inclination of the axis X73 relative to the plane P71, whereby the thermostatic means passes beside the sealing ring 71 when placed in translation along the axis X73 in the chamber 37. Without this inclination of the axis X73, the sealing ring 71 would oppose the free travel of the aforementioned thermostatic means along the axis X73 in the chamber 37. it is understood that the tilt angle β1 of the X73 axis relative to the plane P71 is selected so that the means of

A notch 72, visible in Figures 3 and 4, is formed in the sealing ring 71 at a point on the circumference of the latter. This notch 72 has a coaxial cylindrical profile with the axis X73, and has a radius DR. The DR radius is greater than the radial size, that is to say the maximum radius relative to the axis X73, thermostatic means. When the above-mentioned thermostatic means are mounted within the housing 79, they are traversed by the plane P71 and surrounded by the sealing ring 71. Generally, to allow disengagement of the thermostatic means, it is expected that the clearance space extends at least on a cylinder coaxial with the axis X73, starting at the end of

Finally, the inclination of the axis X73 means that the sealing ring 71 can be placed at a relatively short distance from the lower face 24, despite the congestion thermostatic means and the constraints associated with their mounting within of the mixing unit 2. Thus, the mixing unit 2 is particularly compact and is adapted to the geometry of the existing mixing valves.

5 illustrates a mixing unit 102 according to a second embodiment and has similar characteristics with the mixing unit 2 of the first embodiment described above, illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, similar features being such designated by the same route in the drawing and / or reference numbers increased by 100. the following description therefore focuses on the differences between the first and second embodiment.

Just like the mixing unit 2, the mixing unit 102 comprises a first input for a first incoming stream, not visible in Figure 5, and a second inlet 121 for a second inflow C1. From the second inlet 121 extends a conduit baffle 132, with a closable part 129. The conduit baffle 132 extends to a first input 141 of a mixing chamber 127. The unit 102 includes also the mixing means 1 13 to form an outgoing flow M3, an outlet 143 with an outlet chamber 137 and a housing 179. the mixing unit 102 also includes a controller 107, thermostatic means comprising firstly a thermostatic element 173 includes both a heat-sensitive portion 175 and a movable portion 177, and

The mixing unit 102 is integrated in the body 4 of mixer tap 1 as that of Figures 1 to 4. The mixing unit 102 includes a cartridge 1 1 1 1 and an additional housing 15, a common area 146 forming a part of the mixing chamber 127, disposed within the cartridge 1 1 1, and a portion of additional housing 1 15. the part 146 forms a sealing ring 171 of the mixing unit 2 with the body 4 of the valve mixer 1, the ring 171 projecting centrifugally with respect to the main axis X104. The piece 145 also formed integrally, a cover 153 of the cartridge 1 1 1, the conduit baffle 132, the outlet chamber 137 and conduit therethrough, not visible in Figure 5. The cover 153 is partially closed by a closure ring 163 reported.

Mixing units 2 and 102 are particularly easy to manufacture and assemble in the body 4 of valve 1, to the extent that it is not necessary to assemble an additional housing on a front insertion cartridge in said body 4, the additional housing and the cartridge forming a unitary assembly. The number of parts required to manufacture the mixing unit 2 is advantageously reduced.

In the above, it implements water flow. However, other fluids can be used instead of water, preferably liquid fluid flow. Generally, the arrival of 5 corresponds to an arrival of a first inflow fluid F1 having a first temperature Tf, while the arrival 6 corresponds to an arrival of a second inflow fluid C1 having a second temperature You

which is higher than the first temperature Tf. The fluids of the first inflow F1 and the second inflow C1 are preferably identical and liquids, but may however be of different nature. The water escaping from the nozzle 3 thus corresponds to a fluid outflow M1, which is formed by mixing the first and second inflow F1 and C1 within the mixer tap 1.

The embodiments and variations defined above can be combined to create new embodiments.

CLAIMS

1 .- mixing unit (2; 102) for a mixer valve (1), the mixing unit having a generally cylindrical shape defining a major axis (X4; X104) of the mixing unit, the mixing unit comprising:

- a cartridge (1 1; 1 1 1), including a mixing chamber (27; 127) through which the main axis, the mixing chamber comprising:

o a first input (39) of a first incoming stream (F2) of fluid having a first temperature (Tf),

o a second input (41; 141) of a second inflow (C2) of fluid having a second temperature (Tc) higher than the first temperature, and

o an outlet (43; 143) out of the mixing chamber to an outflow (M3) of fluid,

- mixing means (13) first and second incoming stream to form the output stream, the mixing means being contained in the mixing chamber,

- an additional housing (15; 1 15), extending out of the mixing chamber, the additional housing being traversed by the principal axis,

- thermostatic means, which are arranged in the additional housing and comprises:

o a thermostatic element (73; 173) which comprises both a thermosensitive portion (75; 175) disposed at least partially to the outlet, and a movable part (77) in translation with respect to the thermosensitive portion, and o shutter (87; 187) of the second input, which is connected in translation to the movable portion in translation,

the mixing unit (2; 102) being characterized in that it comprises a common part (46; 146) in one piece, which at least partially delimits the mixing chamber (27; 127) while forming at least a portion of the additional housing (15; 1 15), the joint piece (46) forming a partition wall (45; 145) of the cartridge (1 1) and the additional housing (15; 1 15), the partition wall (45; 145) extending in a plane orthogonal to the main axis (X4), the first input (39), the second input (41; 141) and the outlet (43; 143) being provided through the wall of separation being distributed around the main axis.

2.- mixing unit (2; 102) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing unit comprises a control member (7; 107) formed by a lever,

mounted at the top of the cartridge (1 1; 1 1 1), for controlling the mixing means (13) and thereby control the respective flow rate of the first inflow (F1) and second inflow (C1).

3. The mixing unit (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixing means (13) comprise a set of mixing discs (13A, 13B, 13C) contained in the chamber mixing (27; 127), preferably three mixing discs (13A, 13B, 13C), the mixing disk being in surface contact with each other and extend in planes orthogonal to the main axis (X4; X104).

4. - mixing unit (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the common part (46; 146) forms a surrounding cover (53; 153) delimiting the mixing chamber (27; 127 ) wherein surrounding cover rises from the partition wall (45; 145).

5. - mixing unit (2; 102) according to claim 4, characterized in that the mixing unit comprises a locking ring (63; 163) which is attached to the device cover (53; 153) to opposite the partition wall (45; 145) for at least partially closing the mixing chamber (27; 127).

6. - mixing unit (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the common part (46; 146) forms a through duct (25) of additional housing (15; 1 15), wherein through duct extends from the first inlet (39).

7. - mixing unit (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the common part (46; 146) forms a conduit deflector (32; 132) of additional housing (15; 1 15 ), which baffle extends from the second inlet conduit (41; 141) and is configured to be closed by the shutter (87; 187).

8. - mixing unit (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the common part (46; 146) forms a housing (79; 179) of additional housing (15; 1 15) the thermostatic element (73; 173) being mounted in this housing.

9. - mixing unit (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixing unit comprises a sealing ring (71; 171) of the mixing unit with a body ( 4) mixer tap (1), the sealing ring extending in a plane orthogonal (P71) relative to the main axis, the sealing ring comprising both a circular groove which is centered on the the main axis and which is formed by the common area (46; 146), and a seal mounted within the circular throat.

10. - mixing unit (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that:

- the moving part (77) is movable in translation with respect to the thermosensitive portion (75) in a closure axis (X73), and

- the orthogonal plane (P71) and the axis of shutter are secant, the sealing axis being inclined with respect to this orthogonal plane and extending therethrough.

January 1. - Mixing valve (1) equipped with a mixing unit (2; 102) according to any one of the preceding claims.