DISPOSITIVO DE VÁLVULA MULTIVÍAS.

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.

[0005] In addition, the preparation of solutions by dissolving solid substances such as granules, powders or grains, may require a particular sequencing of the introduction of the solid and the solvent in different steps or the sequenced use of solvents of different types. This is particularly the case in the field of preparing drinks based on dehydrated powders: a first quantity of solvent may be mixed with the powder in a first time, then subsequently a second quantity of solvent may be inserted into the first mixture in order to produce a texture effect, for example foam, and complete the dilution. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention proposes to alleviate these disadvantages by producing a multi-way valve device, for delivering a solvent in a predetermined state of temperature and pressure, combined with a device for measuring a soluble product into this solvent, the said multi-way valve device being reliable, economic to construct and use and easy to make and maintain.

[0007] This object is achieved by 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 orifice for the inlet of a liquid solvent and at least two outlet orifices for this solvent, characterized in that the said movable piston is coupled with an axial movement measuring stem of a linear measuring element of a solid substance consisting of particles divided particularly into grains, granules, powder or similar particles, this measuring stem being actuated by a mechanical actuator and associated with a return spring, and in that the said movable piston is arranged so as to move in one direction, freely, or against the pressure of the said return spring, under the effect of the pressure of the said liquid solvent applied at the said inlet orifice to this movable piston, and in the opposite direction, under the effect of the pressure applied to the said measuring stem by the return spring.

[0008] According to the invention, the inlet orifice and the two outlet orifices are usually all separate. The movement of the measuring stem is controlled both by the movable piston and by the mechanical actuator because these two movement means are separate.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the device, in which the said movable piston comprises a piston head and a piston stem, the said piston head is provided with at least one internal channel arranged in order to bring into communication at least one of the said inlet orifices and at least one of the said outlet orifices for a determined position of the said mobile piston.

[0010] In another embodiment, in which the said movable piston comprises a piston head and a piston stem, the said piston head comprises a first internal channel arranged to bring into communication a first inlet orifice and at least one of the said outlet orifices, for a determined position of the said movable piston, and a second internal channel arranged to bring into communication at least one second inlet orifice and at least one of the said outlet orifices for another determined position of the said movable piston.

[0011] In a particularly advantageous manner, the said measuring stem is arranged in order to slide in a hollow sheath which supports at least one reservoir for the storage of the said solid substance having an outlet opening emerging into the said sheath, this measuring stem comprising at least one peripheral groove arranged in order to receive a single measure of the said solid substance when the said measuring stem is moved so as to position this peripheral groove opposite the said outlet opening of the storage reservoir.

[0012] Preferably, the said sheath comprises at least one through-opening arranged in order to allow a gas to pass through, when the said measuring stem is in a determined position.

[0013] In order to ensure a precise measure of the solid substance, the said measuring stem may comprise at least two axially offset peripheral grooves, the distance that separates the two peripheral grooves being substantially equal to the distance that separates the said outlet opening of the storage reservoir and the said through-opening of the said sheath.

[0014] Advantageously, the said measuring stem is coupled to a plunger core of the mechanical actuator and comprises a bearing collar for the said return spring.

[0015] The hollow body is preferably closed, at one of its ends, by a closure end-piece, and the length of the piston head is such that the said first channel emerges into the second outlet orifice when the said piston head is pressing against the said closure end-piece.