Ceramtec Gmbh

Josef Leinen

The invention relates to a control cartridge for single-lever mixer taps, comprising a housing in which a ceramic base disk and a rotatable and displaceable ceramic control disk resting on the base disk are situated. An inlet for the cold water and hot water, respectively, and an outlet for the mixed water are situated in the base disk, and the mixed water is diverted in the control disk and leaves the control cartridge via the outlet in the base disk. In order for automatic scalding protection to be integrated into the control cartridge, i.e., for the control cartridge to automatically close in the event of a scalding temperature of the mixed water, according to the invention at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) element is situated on the control disk, and takes on the temperature of the mixed water during operation of the control cartridge, and upon reaching a scalding temperature of the mixed water, expands and hereby automatically moves the control disk into the closed position in which no water arrives at the outlet, and the SMA element is supported on the one hand on the control disk and on the other hand on the housing.

Control cartridge designed as scalding protection valve

The invention relates to a control cartridge for single-lever mixing taps, comprising a housing having a cylindrical housing wall and a base having a borehole for an inlet for cold water and a borehole for an inlet for hot water. Three ceramic disks are situated one above the other on the base, namely, a lower base disk having a borehole for the inlet for hot water and a borehole for the inlet for cold water, a rotatable and displaceable ceramic control disk which rests on the base disk and has a control edge on the circumferential surface, and an upper bearing disk which is sealed off from the housing or the housing wall. In order for mixed water to be dischargeable either laterally or vertically with the same installation space or the same installation height and installation diameter, it is proposed that the base and the base disk each have a mixed water outlet in addition to the two inlets for cold water and hot water. The inlets for hot water and for cold water and the mixed water outlet are situated one above the other in the base and in the base disk. The base is sealed off from the housing wall, and, depending on the requirements, the housing wall has an opening for a lateral mixed water outlet or no opening in the housing wall for a vertical mixed water outlet.

Control cartridge having high volumetric flow and a variable mixed water outlet

The most strained component of a cartridge is the bush, in which the control lever is mounted, using which the control can is moved. Upon actuation of the control lever to open and close the intakes and drains, the bush and thus also the extension of the housing and the front wall thereof are strained by bending. Upon mixing of the cold and hot water streams, friction forces arise in directions, which are perpendicular to one another, between the bush and the front wall of the housing and in the extension of the housing by rotation of the bush. All of these strains can result in hysteresis in the mixing position and in the position of the control cam during the opening and closing movements because of tolerances and play the opening and closing movements because of tolerances and play between the individual components. To overcome the strain issues, the bush bus has the control lever mounted therein is mounted using a conical face and also conical part of the front wall of the cylindrical housing.

Cartridge housing

Conventional single-lever plumbing fixtures include a so-called cartridge in which the cold and hot water streams fed to said plumbing fixture are discharged into sanitary equipment or are blocked and are mixed with each other.

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Wittlich, Germany

Josef Leinen