MULTI-WAY VALVE DEVICE.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-way valve device having a hollow body and an axially movable piston mounted inside the said hollow body, this body comprising at least one inlet orifice for a liquid solvent and at least two outlet orifices for this solvent. PRIOR ART

[0002] In many applications, both industrial and domestic, items of automated equipment are designed to prepare solutions based on solid substances, for example in the form of granules, powders, grains, aggregated particles or similar elements, and one or more solvents. For these preparations, it is usually necessary to measure, sometimes in weight, but more often in volume, the solid substances on the one hand, then to measure the appropriate solvent(s), on the other hand, also in weight or more usually in volumes and finally to convey them to a receptacle intended to receive the various components for the purpose of preparing a mixture.

[0003] In industrial production installations, the measuring elements of solid substances usually comprise a movable member actuated by a cylinder or by the plunger core of an electromagnet or by a linear or rotary drive motor or by any other known actuator. In this type of installation, the liquid solvents are usually transferred by pumping and their measurement is carried out by the regulation of the flow and the actuation of the pump for a predetermined period. The conveyance to the receptacle of one or more solvents or of one and the same solvent in different temperature or pressure conditions, is operated by independently-controlled multi-way valves. It is evident that, in these ponderous industrial installations, each of these items of equipment, solid component measuring element, liquid solvent pump and multi-way valves, comprises its own motorized activation system. Looking for a reduced cost and space requirement is not usually the major concern of the designers. Efficiency, productivity and reliability are sought as a priority.

[0004] On the other hand, in domestic appliances, particularly consumer appliances, for example household appliances, the manufacturing cost of multifunctional items of equipment is the primary concern of the manufacturers. When an item of equipment must be capable of measuring solid substances, measuring liquids and conveying these liquids through a valve with several ways, it is necessary to have mechanized actuators that are capable of setting in motion different movable members belonging respectively to the components assuming the said functions. These actuators are relatively costly and considerably increase the cost of the said items of equipment if they are independent. Pumps for conveying the liquid solvents are inevitably provided with an electric motor. Measuring elements of solid substances often comprise a linear actuator with a plunger core attracted inside a solenoid when an electric voltage is applied to its terminals. Multi-way valves usually comprise a solenoid that moves a piston in one direction or in the opposite direction. The latter element is particularly costly and substantially increases the total price of a multifunctional item of equipment, complicates its assembly and increases its space requirement.