Europäisches Patentamt

(19) European Patent Office *EP000738847B1*

Office européen des brevets (11) EP 0 738 847 B1
(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.7: F16K 11/078, F16K 27/04
of the grant of the patent:
31.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/44

(21) Application number: 96109942.1

(22) Date of filing: 27.04.1993

(54) Single-control mixer cartridge for hot and cold water

Einhebelmischventilkartusche für heisses und kaltes Wasser
Cartouche pour robinet mitigeur à commande unique pour eau chaud et froide

(84) Designated Contracting States: (73) Proprietor: AMFAG S.p.a.

DE ES FR IT 46042 Castel Goffredo (Mantova) (IT)

(30) Priority: 30.04.1992 IT MN920010 (72) Inventor: Bosio, Orlando

46040 Casaloldo (Mantova) (IT)
(43) Date of publication of application:
23.10.1996 Bulletin 1996/43 (74) Representative: Modiano, Guido, Dr.-Ing. et al
Modiano & Associati SpA
(62) Document number(s) of the earlier application(s) in Via Meravigli, 16
accordance with Art. 76 EPC: 20123 Milano (IT)
93106817.5 / 0 571 768
(56) References cited:
EP-A- 0 433 781
EP 0 738 847 B1

Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give
notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in
a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art.
99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 1 EP 0 738 847 B1
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a single-control mixer
cartridge for hot and cold water.
[0002] As known, devices known as mixer cartridges
are widely used in the field of faucets; these cartridges
are inserted in the faucets and allow, by acting on a sin-
gle actuation lever, to vary both the flow-rate delivered
by the faucet from zero to a maximum value and the
temperature of the delivered water by appropriately mix-
ing the hot water and the cold water that arrive at said
faucet.
[0003] These devices comprise a bottom provided
with two inlet openings for the separate inflow of hot and
cold water and with an outlet opening for hot, cold or
mixed water, and a body which is associated with said
bottom so as to define a portion of space suitable to con-
tain a fixed plate, made of ceramic material and provided
with holes corresponding to the openings of the bottom,
and a movable plate, also made of ceramic material,
which comprises a mixing chamber.
[0004] Said movable plate is coupled, with a plate
covering element interposed or not, to the above men-
tioned actuation lever, which is pivoted on a rotating cou-
pling inside said body; in this manner it is possible to
make the movable plate assume different positions with
respect to the fixed plate, thus obtaining different flow-
rates and temperatures of the water delivered by the
faucet, according to methods which are too well-known
to delve into them.
[0005] Known cartridges have a bottom which, by vir-
tue of the shape and arrangement of the openings, is
excellently suited for inserting the cartridge in very sim-
ple faucets, such as ordinary flush-mount faucets for
bathtubs and showers, whereas it is troublesome to in-
sert said cartridge in different faucets, such as for ex-
ample faucets for wash-bowls or bidets or for bathtub
fittings.
[0006] A cartridge having the features set forth in the
preamble of claim 1 is known from EP-A-433 781.
[0007] So-called adapter devices have thus been pro-
posed; they are inserted between the cartridge and the
base of the cartridge accommodation cavity formed in
the faucet; however, these adapter devices are not ca-
pable of meeting all the requirements of the various
kinds of faucet, and most of all they create maintenance
problems since, as they usually remain stuck in said
cavity due to the hardening of the gaskets or to lime con-
cretions, they cannot be removed and thus cleaned or
replaced when necessary.
[0008] There are also cartridges in which the bottom
is shaped so that it adapts in optimum conditions to in-
dividual types of faucet which are different from flush-
mount ones for bathtubs and showers; however, obvi-
ously they do not allow interchangeability, since they are
targeted for a single type of faucet, with all the conse-
quent and well-known disadvantages.
[0009] It should also be noted that known cartridges,
2
and particularly those meant to be inserted in small
faucets, often have an inadequate performance as re-
gards delivered water flow-rate and functionality, con-
sidered as ease in adjusting the temperature of the wa-
5 ter and as ease in sliding during actuation.
[0010] The aim of the present invention is therefore to
provide a single-control mixer cartridge for hot and cold
water which overcomes the problems encountered in
the use of the prior art mixer cartridges. Within this aim,
10 an object of the invention is to provide a mixer cartridge
which is intrinsically suited to be inserted in an optimum
manner in ordinary faucets, such as flush-mount faucets
for bathtubs and showers. Another object of the inven-
tion is to provide a mixer cartridge which can be con-
15 verted for optimum insertion in different faucets.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to
provide a mixer cartridge having optimum performance
characteristics from all points of view.
[0012] The mixer cartridge according to the invention
20 is defined in claim 1.
[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the de-
scription of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of
the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative ex-
25 ample in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
figure 1 is a sectional view of the cartridge according
to the present invention, taken along a diametrical
plane;
30 figure 2 is an exploded view of the components of
the cartridge according to the present invention;
figure 3 is a view of the bottom of the cartridge, tak-
en from the side directed toward the inside of said
cartridge;
35 figure 4 is a sectional view, taken along the plane
IV-IV of figure 3;
figure 5 is a view of the bottom of the cartridge, tak-
en from the side directed outwards;
figure 6 is a view of the gaskets located at the pe-
40 riphery of the water flow openings provided in the
bottom;
figure 7 is a view of the fixed plate, taken from the
side directed toward the bottom;
figure 8 is a sectional view, taken along the plane
45 VIII-VIII of figure 7;
figure 9 is a view of the fixed plate, taken from the
side directed toward the movable plate;
figure 10 is a view of the movable plate, taken from
the side directed toward the plate cover;
50 figure 11 is a sectional view, taken along the plane
XI-XI of figure 10;
figure 12 is a view of the movable plate, taken from
the side directed toward the fixed plate;
figure 13 is a view of the noise screen inserted with-
55 in the movable plate;
figure 14 is a view of the plate cover, taken from the
side directed toward the movable plate;
figure 15 is a sectional view, taken along the plane
2
 3 EP 0 738 847 B1
XV-XV of figure 14;
figure 16 is a view of the plate cover, taken from the
side directed toward the coupling;
figure 17 is a plan view of the coupling;
figure 18 is a side view of the coupling;
figure 19 is a sectional view, taken along the plane
XIX-XIX of figure 17;
figures 20, 21 and 22 are views of the lever taken
along three orthogonal planes;
figure 23 is a view of the body, taken from the side
directed toward the inside of the cartridge;
figure 24 is a sectional view, taken along the plane
XXIV-XXIV of figure 23;
figures 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 are views of differ-
ent relative positions of the water flow openings pro-
vided in the fixed and movable plates;
figure 31 is a schematic view of different positions
of the movable plate in its movement within the body
of the cartridge.
[0014] With reference to the above figures 1 and 2,
the cartridge according to the present invention com-
prises: a substantially flat bottom 1, provided with open-
ings for the separate inflow of hot water 2 and cold water
3, and with an opening 4 for the outflow of hot, cold or
mixed water; a body 5, associated with the bottom 1; a
fixed plate 6, provided with inflow openings 7 and 8 for
hot and cold water respectively, and with an outflow
opening 9 for hot, cold or mixed water; a movable plate
10, internally comprising a mixing chamber 11 and a
noise screen 12; a plate cover 13 removably rigidly cou-
pled to the movable plate 10 and coupled, by virtue of
the pin 14, to the actuation lever 15, which is pivoted at
16 on the coupling 17 which is rotatable within the body
5.
[0015] By moving the lever 15 about the fulcrum 16,
the movable plate 10 moves with respect to the fixed
plate 6; this movement, as is known, varies from zero to
a maximum value the flow-rate of water delivered by the
faucet in which the cartridge is inserted.
[0016] By rotating the coupling 17 between two ex-
treme positions which are mutually spaced by an angle
termed "mixing angle", the temperature of the water de-
livered by the faucet varies from the minimum temper-
ature, which coincides with the inflow temperature of the
cold water, to the maximum temperature, which coin-
cides with the temperature of the hot water.
[0017] It is now possible to separately examine the in-
dividual components, starting from the bottom 1, with
reference to figures 3, 4, 5 and 6.
[0018] As mentioned, the bottom 1 comprises the
openings 2 and 3, respectively for the inflow of hot and
cold water, and the opening 4 for the outflow of hot, cold
or mixed water, depending on the position of the mova-
ble plate 10 with respect to the fixed plate 6; said open-
ing 4 is symmetrical with respect to the axis 1a and is
almost entirely contained on one side of the axis 1b; the
openings 2 and 3 are also symmetrical with respect to
4
the axis 1a, and are almost entirely located on the other
side of the axis 1b.
[0019] Said openings are advantageously mutually
separated by thin walls 18a, 18b and 18c having a sub-
5 stantially uniform thickness, so as to exploit the availa-
ble area as much as possible.
[0020] The inflow openings 2 and 3 are provided re-
spectively with the through gaskets 19 and 20, which
provide maximum functional assurances and, again
10 with the purpose of maximally exploiting the area avail-
able for water flow, are thinner in the regions 19a, 20a
in which they are adjacent to the gasket 21 of the outflow
opening 4, also characterized by a thinner portion in the
regions 21a.
15 [0021] It should be furthermore noted that the internal
perimeter of the gasket 21 is shaped like two oppositely
arranged circular arcs 21b and 21c, which are linked by
means of the two circular arcs 21d; this allows the bot-
tom according to the present invention to be correctly
20 associated with most of the types of holes provided in
currently commercially available faucets.
[0022] The cartridge according to the present inven-
tion, with the bottom described above, is perfectly suited
to be inserted in certain types of faucet, such as flush-
25 mount faucets for bathtubs and showers, but it is pro-
vided with means for connection to a supplemental bot-
tom to allow optimum conditions of insertion in different
faucets; said means comprise the three slots 22, which
pass through the thickness of the bottom, are provided
30 with a tooth 22a and are suitable to stably associate,
with a snap-together action, with protrusions which are
rigidly coupled to the supplemental bottom.
[0023] Once said protrusions have been associated
with said slots, they can be separated only by using an
35 appropriate tool, whereas the connection is assuredly
fixed when the cartridge is extracted from its seat in the
faucet for maintenance or replacement.
[0024] The reference numeral 23 furthermore desig-
nates two reference pins suitable to enter circular holes
40 provided at the base of the cavity for accommodating
the cartridge in a faucet; in order to be also associable
with holes provided in a supplemental bottom, if provid-
ed, said pins are shaped to define a cylindrical portion
23a whose diameter is equal to that of said circular
45 holes, conveniently reduced in its outward bulk by the
wall 23b.
[0025] The bottom 1 is provided with a wall portion 24
containing the fixed plate 6 and having recessed re-
gions, such as 25a, in which teeth such as 25b are de-
50 fined; said teeth allow to stably associate the body 5 with
said bottom 1 by snap-together engagement of the teeth
which are located at the ends of the legs 5a of said body.
[0026] The body 5 comprises a first substantially cy-
lindrical portion 5b suitable to be arranged directly after
55 the wall portion 24 of the bottom and connected, by
means of the flat annular portion 5c provided with helical
grooves 5d for containing lubricating grease, to the sec-
ond cylindrical portion 5e, for containing and guiding the
3
 5 EP 0 738 847 B1
coupling 17 in its movement.
[0027] Said cylindrical portion 5b is internally provided
with strengthening ridges 5f in regions which, by virtue
of the particular shape of the movable plate 10, are not
involved in the movement of said plate; this circum-
stance is highlighted by figure 31, which shows, in 10a,
10b, 10c and 10d, the four extreme positions of the
movement of the plate 10.
[0028] The wall 24 of the bottom 1 is also provided
with similar ridges 24a.
[0029] The fixed plate 6 is now described in detail.
[0030] As mentioned above with reference to figure 2,
the fixed plate 6 comprises the two inflow openings 7
and 8, respectively for hot and cold water, which are ar-
ranged symmetrically with respect to the diametrical ax-
is 6a, and the outflow opening 9 for hot, cold or mixed
water, which is symmetrical with respect to said axis 6a.
[0031] Starting by considering the inflow openings, it
can be seen that on the surface directed toward the bot-
tom 1, visible in figure 7, they have sections 7a, 8a,
which are shaped like a drop which is elongated toward
the axis of symmetry 6a, and that on the surface directed
toward the movable plate 10, visible in figure 9, they
have sections 7b, 8b which are shaped so as to form a
circular arc which is concentric with respect to the wall
of the plate.
[0032] Two walls 7c and 7d, which are flared toward
the section 7b, and two walls 7e and 7f, which are flared
toward the section 7a, extend from said section 7a to-
ward said section 7b so as to define the opening 7; sim-
ilarly, two walls 8c and 8d, which are flared toward the
section 8b, and two walls 8e and 8f, which are flared
toward the section 8a, extend from said section 8a to-
ward said section 8b, so as to form the opening 8.
[0033] An optimum shape of the inflow openings 7
and 8 is thus produced; the drop-shaped section 7a, 8a
for water inflow, which has determined the shape of the
inflow openings 2 and 3 in the bottom 1, with the related
gaskets 19 and 20, is the most suitable to act as inter-
mediate section in the path of the water entering the car-
tridge toward the movable plate 10, between the two ex-
treme sections which, it is stressed, are the circular out-
flow section at the base of the seat of the cartridge in
the faucet and the arc-like section 7b, 8b; the flared walls
of said openings define a fluid path with optimum fluid-
dynamic conditions.
[0034] The outflow opening 9 is now considered in or-
der to observe that its section on the surface directed
toward the movable plate, shown in figure 9, is shaped
so as to define a portion 9a which is comprised within
the inflow openings, with an edge which is concentric
with respect to said openings, and expands in 9b at right
angles to the axis of symmetry 6a in the region not af-
fected by the inflow openings in a portion which is closed
by the arc 9c, which is concentric with respect to the
periphery of the plate and has a diameter equal to that
of the outer edge of the arc-like openings 7b and 8b; a
section is thus defined which maximally facilitates the
6
flow of water, thus avoiding any throttling thereof, and
indeed offering large passage sections, as better de-
scribed hereinafter.
[0035] Continuing with the description of the outflow
5 opening 9, it can be seen that its section on the surface
of the plate which is directed toward the bottom, shown
in figure 7, is shaped so as to form two oppositely ar-
ranged circular arcs 9d and 9e which are linked by the
circular arcs 9f; in this respect, it follows the shape of
10 the gasket 21 for the purpose specified earlier.
[0036] The surface 9g, which is substantially flared to-
ward the above described section, shown in figure 7,
and a small section portion 9h, having an opposite
shape, extend from said section towards the section il-
15 lustrated in figure 9; this provision is aimed at optimizing
fluid-dynamic conditions.
[0037] Before ending the description of the fixed plate
6, it should be noted that the inflow sections 7a, 8a and
the outflow section shown in figure 7 are tangent, on op-
20 posite sides, with respect to the diametrical axis 6b
which is at right angles to the axis of symmetry 6a; final-
ly, one should also consider the presence of the re-
cessed peripheral region 6c, which improves the condi-
tions of the movement of the movable plate 10 in contact
25 with the fixed plate 6; said region 6c is internally delim-
ited by a circumference which is concentric to the exter-
nal wall of the plate which encloses the sealing region.
[0038] The movable plate 10 is now described, having
an elongated shape, and the edge whereof is shaped
30 so as to define the two half-circles 26a, 26b which are
linked by means of the two straight portions 26c.
[0039] On the surface shown in figure 12, meant to be
directed toward the fixed plate 6, said movable plate 10
has a water flow opening connected to the mixing cham-
35 ber 11 and shaped so as to define a first portion 27,
whose circular edge has a diameter which is intermedi-
ate between the diameter of the internal edge of the sec-
tions 7b and 8b and the diameter of the section portion
9a, as can be seen from figure 25; a second portion 29
40 extends from said portion 27, is linked by means of the
two protrusions 28, is symmetrical with respect to the
axis of symmetry of the plate and is closed by an arc.
[0040] The mixing chamber 11 defined within the plate
10 is provided with the resting abutment 30 for the noise
45 screen 12, which is constituted by the circular portion of
metallic mesh with folded edge which can be seen in
figure 13; above the level of said abutment, said mixing
chamber 11 is shaped so as to define a side wall 31
which follows the shape of the outer lateral wall of the
50 plate.
[0041] The reference numeral 32 furthermore desig-
nates one of the seats for the feet with which the plate
cover 13, described hereinafter, is provided; said plate
cover delimits the mixing chamber 11 in an upward re-
55 gion.
[0042] A few brief notes on operation, given with ref-
erence to figures 25 to 30, in which the water flow re-
gions are indicated by stippling, shall suffice to highlight
4
 7 EP 0 738 847 B1
some of the main characteristics of the invention, the
general operation of said invention being well-known.
[0043] In the position of figure 25, which is obtained
by placing the coupling 17 supporting the movable plate
actuation lever 15 at the center and by placing said lever
at one end of its stroke about the fulcrum 16, no water
flows; the circular edge of the portion 27 of the section
of the movable plate is superimposed on the safety re-
gion comprised between the inflow sections 7b and 8b
and the portion 9a of the outflow section, all of which are
provided in the fixed plate.
[0044] Without rotating the coupling 17, the lever 15
is moved and, by passing through the position of figure
26, in which medium flow-rate and mixing with equal
flows of hot water entered from 7b and of water entered
from 8b occur, one reaches the position of figure 27, with
the maximum flow-rate and with equal flows of hot and
cold water; here the importance of the portion 29 of the
section of the movable plate in conveying water to the
outflow opening is evident.
[0045] By turning the coupling 17 until it reaches the
stroke limit on the hot water side, the position of figure
28 is obtained; this position indeed conveys only hot wa-
ter with the maximum flow-rate, and said flow-rate can
be decreased by moving, as a consequence of the
movement of the lever 15 about the fulcrum 16, into the
position of figure 29, which shows the importance, in
terms of water conveyance, of the presence of the por-
tion 9b of the outflow section in the fixed plate combined
with the portion 29 of the opening of the movable plate.
[0046] By continuing the movement of the lever 15 un-
til it reaches the stroke limit, one reaches the closure
position of figure 30, showing the importance of the pro-
trusions 28, which allow to obtain a high mixing angle
highly appreciated by users since it allows easy and fine
temperature adjustment without having to reduce the di-
mensions of the sections 7b and 8b, while maintaining
an adequate safety region for sealing.
[0047] The plate cover 13, the actuation lever 15 and
the coupling 17 are now described; it is immediately ev-
ident that said plate cover 13 has, on the side directed
toward the movable plate 10: the five feet, such as 13a,
for association with said plate; the recess 13b for the
gasket 33 shown in figure 1; and the protrusion 13c,
meant to make contact with the noise screen 12, which
rests on the abutment 30 of said movable plate.
[0048] On the side directed toward the coupling 17,
the plate cover 13 is instead provided with the flat sur-
face 34, which makes contact with said coupling; said
flat surface is provided with the cavity 35 for accommo-
dating the end of the lever 15 which protrudes from said
coupling.
[0049] The seats 36 and 37 of the traction pin 14, rig-
idly coupled to the lever 15 in the hole 15a, are present
at the edges of the cavity 35; since said pin 14 is partially
located within the recesses 38 provided at the base of
the coupling 17, said seats have protrusions 39 which
extend from the flat surface 34 to enter recesses 40
8
which are also provided at the base of the coupling.
[0050] The reference numeral 41 furthermore desig-
nates a recess which is provided at the base of the cou-
pling 17 and allows the insertion of the pin 14 in the hole
5 15a of the lever 15; said lever 15 is already located in
said coupling, and said insertion can consequently oc-
cur for example in a single operation together with the
fulcrum 16.
[0051] It should be stressed that all of the above de-
10 scribed provisions are aimed at containing the axial size
of the cartridge.
[0052] Again with reference to the plate cover 13, it
should be noted that within the cavity 35 there is the
protrusion 42, which is associable with the recess 15b
15 in order to ensure the correct mutual assembly of the
lever 15 and of the plate cover 13. To complete the de-
scription of the coupling 17, the reference numerals 17a
and 17b designate two per se known protrusions con-
stituting stroke limiting elements; the reference numeral
20 17c designates a seat for the pin 15c extending from the
lever 15 proximate to the hole 15d for accommodating
the fulcrum 16 and ensuring the correct assembly of the
lever with the coupling; the reference numeral 17d des-
ignates the seats for a device for limiting the flow-rate
25 delivered by the faucet, which is disclosed in European
patent application No. 93106818.3 filed on April 27,
1993 by the same Applicant; and finally the reference
numeral 17e designates the hole for accommodating
the fulcrum 16 of the lever 15.
30 [0053] From all of the above it can be immediately un-
derstood that the present invention provides a mixer car-
tridge which is intrinsically insertable in an optimum
manner in certain types of very simple faucets, such as
flush-mount faucets for bathtubs and showers, and can
35 be easily converted, by virtue of the stable engagement
of a supplemental bottom, for optimum insertion in
faucets of a different kind.
[0054] This leads to absolute interchangeability, since
only one type of cartridge is provided together with a
40 plurality of supplemental bottoms suited for the various
requirements, with easily imaginable advantages in
terms of supply on the part of distribution organizations.
[0055] In the cartridge according to the present inven-
tion, optimum utilization of the areas available for the
45 flow of water allows to obtain great flow-rates even in
the small sizes imposed by the dimensions of the spac-
es for accommodating the cartridge in the faucets des-
tined to accommodate it.
[0056] One should also note the optimization
50 achieved as regards the functional characteristics, with
the achievement of a high mixing angle, reliability con-
cerning the seals, easy sliding movements, and opti-
mum fluid-dynamic characteristics.
[0057] The described invention is susceptible to nu-
55 merous modifications and variations, all of which are
within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in
the claims; thus, for example, the means for stably cou-
pling a supplemental bottom which are provided in the
5
 9 EP 0 738 847 B1
bottom of the cartridge may assume a different config-
uration with respect to the one described, and in partic-
ular the openings 22 may be present in any number; the
internal profile of the gasket 21 may also be different
from the one described by consisting of the combination
of any number of circular arcs.
[0058] In the practical embodiment of the invention,
all the details may be replaced with other technically
equivalent elements.
[0059] Where technical features mentioned in any
claim are followed by reference signs, those reference
signs have been included for the sole purpose of in-
creasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly,
such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on
the interpretation of each element identified by way of
example by such reference signs.
Claims
1. Mixer cartridge, comprising a body (5) associated
with a bottom (1) for containing a fixed plate (6) and
a movable plate (10) provided with a plate cover
(13) which is coupled to an actuation lever (15) piv-
oted on a rotating coupling (17), the plate cover (13)
having a flat surface (34) suitable to make contact
with said coupling (17) and being coupled to said
lever (15) by way of a traction pin (14) accommo-
dated in corresponding seats (37, 36), said surface
(34) being provided with a cavity (35) for accommo-
dating the end of the lever (15) protruding from said
coupling (17); characterized in that said seats
(36,37) for said traction pin (14) are provided at said
flat surface (34) of the plate cover (13) at the edges
of said cavity (35), first recesses (38) being further
provided at the base of said coupling (17) in which
the ends of said pin (14) are partially located, said
seats (36, 37) having protrusions (39) extending
from said flat surface (34) to enter further recesses
(40) provided in the base of the coupling (17), at
side parts of said first recesses (38).
2. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 1, character-
ized by a recess (41) at the base of the coupling
(17), for allowing insertion of the traction pin (14) of
the plate cover (13) in the lever (15) arranged in said
coupling (17).
3. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 2, character-
ized in that. the lever (15) has, on its side wall, a
pin (15c) accommodated in a seat (17c) provided in
the coupling (17), for ensuring correct mutual as-
sembly of said lever (15) and said coupling (17), and
furthermore has, proximate to its end, a recess
(15b) suitable to associate with a protrusion (42)
which is present in the cavity (35) accommodating
said end which is present in the plate cover (13), for
ensuring correct mutual assembly of the lever (15)
10
and the plate cover (13).
4. Mixer Cartridge according to any one or more of the
preceding claims, characterized in that said bot-
5 tom (1) is provided with means (22,22a) for the sta-
ble engagement of a supplemental bottom.
5. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 4, character-
ized in that said means (22,22a) for the stable en-
10 gagement of a supplemental bottom comprise a plu-
rality of slots (22) passing through the thickness of
the bottom (1) and provided with a tooth (22a) in an
intermediate region of said thickness.
15 6. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 5, character-
ized in that each slot (22) has a substantially quad-
rilateral shape and in that the tooth (22a) present
in the intermediate region of the thickness extends
at one of the sides.
20
7. Mixer Cartridge according to any one or more of the
preceding claims, characterized in that said bot-
tom comprises: an outflow opening (4) for hot, cold
or mixed water, which is symmetrical with respect
25 to a diametrical axis of symmetry (1a) and is com-
prised, except for a small portion, on one side of the
diametrical axis (1b) which is perpendicular to said
axis of symmetry (1a); and two inflow openings
(2,3), respectively for hot and cold water, which are
30 located, except for a small portion, on the opposite
side of said diametrical axis (1b) and are symmet-
rical with respect to said axis of symmetry (a), sep-
arated from each other and from the outflow open-
ing by means of thin walls (18a,18b,18c) having a
35 substantially uniform thickness.
8. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 7, character-
ized in that the openings (2,3,4) provided in the bot-
tom (1) are fitted with through gaskets (19,20,21)
40 which are thinner in the regions where the outflow
opening (4) is adjacent to the inflow openings (2,3).
9. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 8, character-
ized in that the perimeter of the internal wall of the
45 gasket (21) of the outflow hole (4) for hot, cold or
mixed water is shaped so as to define consecutive
circular portions (21b,21c) in which at least the dif-
ferent centers are aligned along the axis of symme-
try.
50
10. Mixer Cartridge according to any one or more of
claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the perimeter
of the internal wall of the gasket (21) of the outflow
hole (4) is shaped so as to define two oppositely
55 arranged circular arcs (21b, 21c), each of which ex-
tends half on one side and half on the other side
with respect to the axis of symmetry (a), said arcs
(21b,21c) being linked by means of two circular arcs
6
 11 EP 0 738 847 B1
(21d).
11. Mixer Cartridge according to any one or more of
claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the bottom (1)
comprises reference pins (23) suitable to enter at
least holes provided at the base of the cavity for ac-
commodating the cartridge in a faucet, said pins
(23) being shaped so as to define a cylindrical por-
tion in which the diameter is equal to the diameter
of said holes, said portion being conveniently re-
duced in its outward dimension.
12. Mixer Cartridge according to any one or more of the
preceding claims, characterized in that said body
(5) comprises a first substantially cylindrical portion
(5b) provided with legs (5a) for stable snap-together
engagement with said bottom (1), said first portion
(5b) being connected by means of a flat annular re-
gion (5c) to a second cylindrical portion (5e) for con-
taining the rotating coupling (17) and guiding it in its
movement, said bottom (1) comprising a wall por-
tion (24) containing the fixed plate (6) and is ar-
ranged so as to continue the wall of said first cylin-
drical portion (5b) of the body (5).
13. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 12, character-
ized in that said flat annular region (5c) is provided,
on its face directed toward the inside of the car-
tridge, with helical grooves (5d) suitable to contain
lubricating substances.
14. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 12, character-
ized in that the internal surface of the first cylindri-
cal portion (5b) of the body (5) has two oppositely
arranged strengthening ridges (5f) in regions not in-
volved in the movement of the movable plate (10),
said ridges (5f) being also present in the wall portion
comprised within the bottom (1).
15. Mixer Cartridge according to any one or more of the
preceding claims, characterized in that said fixed
plate (6) comprises: an opening (9) for the outflow
of hot, cold, or mixed water, which is symmetrical
with respect to a diametrical axis of symmetry (6a);
and two inflow openings (7,8), respectively for hot
and cold water, which are symmetrical with respect
to said axis (6a); characterized in that the section
(7a,8a) of each inflow opening (7,8) on the surface
directed toward the bottom (1) is shaped like a drop
which is elongated toward the axis of symmetry
(6a), and in that the section (7b,8b) on the surface
directed toward the movable plate (10) is shaped
so as to define a circular arc concentric with respect
to the wall of the plate (6); and in that two walls (7c,
7d,8c,8d) extend from the section (7a,8a) on the
surface which is directed toward the bottom (1) and
are flared toward the section (7b,8b) on the surface
directed toward the movable plate (10) at the ex-
12
treme edges of said section (7b,8b); and in that two
walls (7e,7f,8e,8f) with an opposite shape extend
from said section (7a,8a) on said surface directed
toward the bottom (1) at the edges of said section
5 (7a,8a), shaped like circular arcs.
16. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 15, character-
ized in that the section of the outflow opening (9)
on the surface of the fixed plate (6) which is directed
10 toward the movable plate (10) is shaped so as to
define a portion (9a) which is comprised within the
inflow openings (7,8) with an edge which is concen-
tric with respect to said openings and expands at
right angles to the axis of symmetry (6a) in the re-
15 gion not affected by said openings (7,8) in a portion
which is closed by a circular arc (9c) which is con-
centric to the periphery of the plate (6) and has the
same diameter as the outer edge of the inflow sec-
tions (7b,8b), whereas the section of said outflow
20 opening (9) on the surface directed toward the bot-
tom (1) is shaped so as to define consecutive circu-
lar portions (9d,9e) having at least different centers
aligned along the axis of symmetry (6a); in that
walls (9g,9h) extend from the section on the surface
25 which is directed toward the bottom (1) and are sub-
stantially flared toward the section on the surface
directed toward the movable plate (6), except for a
portion of wall (9h) having the opposite shape in the
region proximate to the periphery of the plate (6).
30
17. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 16, character-
ized in that the section of the outflow opening (9)
on the surface of the fixed plate (6) directed toward
the bottom (1) is shaped so as to define two oppo-
35 site circular arcs (9d,9e), each of which extends half
on one side and half on the other side with respect
to the axis of symmetry (6a), said arcs (9d,9e) being
linked by means of two circular arcs (9f).
40 18. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 15, character-
ized in that the sections of the two inflow openings
(7,8) and the section of the outflow opening (9) on
the surface of the fixed plate (6) directed toward the
bottom (1) are tangent, on opposite sides, with re-
45 spect to the diametrical axis (6b) which is perpen-
dicular to the axis of symmetry (6a).
19. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 15, character-
ized in that said fixed plate (6) comprises, at the
50 surface directed toward the movable plate (10), a
recessed peripheral region (6c) which is internally
delimited by a circle which is concentric with respect
to the external wall of the fixed plate (6).
55 20. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 15, character-
ized in that the movable plate (10) has, on its sur-
face directed toward the fixed plate (6), a water flow
opening connected to the mixing chamber (11) de-
7
 13 EP 0 738 847 B1
fined within said movable plate, which is shaped so
as to define a first portion (27) having a circular edge
whose diameter is intermediate between the diam-
eter of the internal edge of the section (7b,8b) of the
inflow openings (7,8) present on the surface of the
fixed plate (6) which is directed toward the movable
plate (10) and the diameter of the portion (9a) of the
section of the outflow opening (9) which is com-
prised within said inflow openings (7,8); and in that
a second portion (29) extends from said first portion
(27), is connected thereto by means of two protru-
sions and is symmetrical with respect to the axis of
symmetry of the movable plate (10); said movable
plate (10) having an elongated shape whose edge
defines two half-circles linked by straight portions.
21. Mixer Cartridge according to claim 20, character-
ized in that the mixing chamber (11) defined within
the movable plate (10) has, at the first portion of the
water flow opening, a resting abutment (30) for a
noise screen (12) adapted to be kept in position by
a protrusion extending from the overlying plate cov-
er (13), said screen (12) being constituted by a cir-
cular portion of flat mesh with folded edges, said
mixing chamber (11) having, from the level of said
noise screen (12) up to the surface of the movable
plate (10) which is directed toward the plate cover
(13), a lateral wall (31) which follows the shape of
the lateral outer wall of the plate.
Patentansprüche
1. Mischerpatrone, umfassend: ein Gehäuse (5), das
mit einem Boden (1) versehen ist zur Aufnahme ei-
ner fixierten Scheibe (6) und einer beweglichen
Scheibe (10), die mit einer Scheibenabdeckung
(13) versehen ist, welche mit einem Betätigungshe-
bel (15) gekoppelt ist, welcher an einer schwenkba-
ren Kupplung (17) angelenkt ist, wobei die Schei-
benabdeckung (13) eine ebene Fläche (34) auf-
weist, die zur Anlage mit der genannten Kupplung
(17) geeignet ausgebildet ist und mit dem genann-
ten Hebel (15) mittels eines Zugstiftes (14) gekop-
pelt ist, der in entsprechenden Sitzen (37, 36) an-
geordnet ist, wobei die genannte Fläche (34) mit ei-
ner Ausnehmung (35) zur Aufnahme des von der
genannten Kupplung (17) vorstehenden Endes des
Hebels (15) versehen ist,
durch gekennzeichnet,
daß die genannten Sitze (36, 37) für den genannten
Zugstift (14) an der genannten ebenen Fläche (34)
der Scheibenabdeckung (13) an den Kanten der ge-
nannten Ausnehmung (35) vorgesehen sind, wobei
erste Ausnehmungen (38) weiterhin am Boden der
genannten Kupplung (17) vorgesehen sind, in de-
nen die Enden des genannten Stiftes (14) teilweise
angeordnet sind, wobei die genannten Sitze (36,
14
37) von der genannten ebenen Fläche (34) vorra-
gende Vorsprünge (39) haben für einen Eintritt in
weitere Rücksprünge (40), welche am Boden der
Kupplung (17) vorgesehen sind, und zwar an den
5 seitlichen Teilen der genannten ersten Ausnehmun-
gen (38).
2. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 1,
gekennzeichnet durch
10 eine Ausnehmung (41) am Boden der Kupplung
(17) für das Zulassen eines Einsetzens des Zugstif-
tes (14) der Scheibenabdeckung (13) in dem Hebel
(15), der in der genannten Kupplung (17) angeord-
net ist.
15
3. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Hebel (15) an seinen Seitenwänden einen
Zapfen (15c) hat, der eingepaßt ist in einen Sitz
20 (17c), welcher in der Kupplung (17) vorgesehen ist,
zum Sicherstellen eines korrekten wechselseitigen
Zusammenbaus des genannten Hebels (15) und
der genannten Kupplung (17) und weiterhin, be-
nachbart zu seinem Ende, eine Ausnehmung (15b)
25 hat, welche geeignet für ein Anliegen an einem Vor-
sprung (42), welcher vorgesehen ist in der Ausneh-
mung (35), welche das genannte Ende aufnimmt,
welches in der Scheibenabdeckung (13) vorgese-
hen ist, um einen korrekten, wechselseitigen Zu-
30 sammenbau des Hebels (15) und der Scheibenab-
deckung (13) sicherzustellen.
4. Mischerpatrone nach einem oder mehreren der vor-
angehenden Ansprüche,
35 dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der genannte Boden (1) mit Mitteln (22, 22a)
für eine feste Anlage eines zusätzlichen Bodens
versehen ist.
40 5. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die genannten Mittel (22, 22a) für die feste An-
lage eines zusätzlichen Bodens eine Mehrzahl von
Schlitzen (22) umfassen, welche sich über die Dik-
45 ke des Bodens (1) erstrecken und mit einer Nase
(22a) in einem Zwischenbereich der genannten Dik-
ke versehen sind.
6. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 5,
50 dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß jeder Schlitz (22) eine im wesentlichen recht-
eckige Form hat und daß die im Zwischenbereich
der Dicke vorgesehene Nase (22a) sich an einer
der Seiten erstreckt.
55
7. Mischerpatrone nach einem oder mehreren der vor-
angehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
8
 15 EP 0 738 847 B1
daß der genannte Boden umfaßt: eine Auslauföff-
nung (4) für warmes, kaltes oder gemischtes Was-
ser, welche symmetrisch ist gegenüber einer dia-
metralen Symmetrieachse und welche mit Ausnah-
me eines kleinen Bereichs an einer Seite der dia-
metralen Achse (1b) vorgesehen ist, welche senk-
recht zur genannten Symmetrieachse (1a); und
zwei Zulauföffnungen (2, 3), für warmes bzw. kaltes
Wasser, welche, abgesehen von einem kleinen Be-
reich, auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite der ge-
nannten diametralen Achse (1b) angeordnet sind
und welche symmetrisch sind gegenüber der ge-
nannten Symmetrieachse (1a), welche voneinan-
der und von der Auslaßöffnung mittels dünner Wän-
de (18a, 18b, 18c) getrennt sind, welche eine im we-
sentlichen gleiche Dicke haben.
8. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die im Boden (1) vorgesehenen Öffnungen (2,
3, 4) mit Durchgangsdichtungen (19, 20, 21) einge-
paßt sind, welche dünner sind in den Bereichen, wo
die Auslaßöffnung (4) benachbart zu den Zulauföff-
nungen (2, 3) ist.
9. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Umfang der Innenwand der Dichtung (21)
der Auslauföffnung (4) für warmes, kaltes oder ge-
mischtes Wasser so geformt ist, daß er aneinander
anschließende kreisförmige Bereiche (21b; 21c)
bildet, wobei mindestens die unterschiedlichen
Zentren entlang der Symmetrieachse fluchten.
10. Mischerpatrone nach einem oder mehreren der An-
sprüche 8 bis 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Umfang der Innenwand der Dichtung (21)
der Auslauföffnung (4) für warmes, kaltes oder ge-
mischtes Wasser so geformt ist, daß er zwei einan-
der gegenüberliegend angeordnete Kreisbögen
(21b, 21c) bildet, deren jeder sich jeweils zur Hälfte
auf der einen und der anderen Seite der Symme-
trieachse (1a) erstreckt, wobei die genannten Bö-
gen (21b, 21c) mittels zweier Kreisbögen (21d) ver-
bunden sind.
11. Mischerpatrone nach einem oder mehreren der An-
sprüche 7 bis 10,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Boden (1) Paßstifte (23) umfaßt, welche
zum Eintreten zumindest in Löcher geeignet sind,
welche am Boden des Hohlraums vorgesehen sind,
um die Patrone in einer Armatur einzusetzen, wobei
die genannten Stifte (23) so geformt sind, daß sie
einen zylindrischen Bereich bilden, in dem der
Durchmesser gleich dem Durchmesser der ge-
nannten Löcher ist, wobei der genannte Bereich in
16
üblicher Weise in seiner äußeren Abmessung redu-
ziert ist.
12. Mischerpatrone nach einem oder mehreren der vor-
5 angehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das genannte Gehäuse (5) einen ersten, im
wesentlichen zylindrischen Bereich (5b) umfaßt,
der mit Stegen (5a) für eine feste Einrastverbindung
10 mit dem genannten Boden (1) versehen ist, wobei
der genannte erste Bereich (5b) mittels eines ebe-
nen, ringförmigen Bereichs (5c) mit einem zweiten
zylindrischen Bereich (5e) für die Aufnahme der
drehbaren Kupplung (17) und für deren Führung in
15 ihrer Bewegung verbunden ist, wobei der genannte
Boden (1) einen Wandbereich (24) umfaßt, der die
fixierte Scheibe (6) enthält und so angeordnet ist,
daß er die Wand des genannten ersten zylindri-
schen Bereichs (5b) des Gehäuses (5) fortsetzt.
20
13. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 12,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der genannte ebene, ringförmige Bereich (5c)
auf seiner zum Inneren der Patrone gerichteten
25 Oberfläche mit spiraligen Nuten (5d) versehen ist,
die zur Aufnahme von Schmiermitteln ausgebildet
sind.
14. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 12,
30 dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die innere Oberfläche des ersten zylindrischen
Bereichs (5b) des Gehäuses (5) zwei einander ge-
genüberliegend angeordnete Verstärkungsrippen
(5f) aufweist, in Bereichen, die nicht in die Bewe-
35 gung der beweglichen Scheibe (10) einbezogen
sind, wobei die genannten Rippen (5f) ebenfalls im
Wandbereich vorhanden sind, der im Boden (1) vor-
gesehen ist.
40 15. Mischerpatrone nach einem oder mehreren der vor-
angehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die fixierte Scheibe (6) umfaßt: eine Öffnung
(9) für den Auslauf von warmem, kaltem oder ge-
45 mischtem Wasser, welche symmetrisch ist gegen-
über einer diametralen Symmetrieachse (6a); und
zwei Zulauföffnungen (7, 8) für warmes bzw. kaltes
Wasser, welche symmetrisch zu der genannten
Achse (6a) sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
50 der Bereich (7a, 8a) einer jeden Zulauföffnung (7,
8) auf der Oberfläche, die zum Boden (1) gerichtet
ist, wie ein Tropfen geformt ist, der in Richtung auf
die Symmetrieachse (6a) gelängt ist, und daß der
Bereich (7b, 8b) auf der Oberfläche, welche auf die
55 bewegliche Scheibe (10) gerichtet ist, so geformt
ist, daß er einen Kreisbogen bildet, der konzen-
trisch zur Wand der Scheibe (6) ist; wobei zwei
Wände (7c, 7d, 8c, 8d) von dem Bereich (7a, 8a)
9
 17 EP 0 738 847 B1
auf der Oberfläche ausgehen, welche zum Boden
(1) gerichtet ist und welche sich zum Bereich (7b,
8b) auf der zur beweglichen Scheibe (10) gerichte-
ten Oberfläche an den äußersten Kanten des ge-
nannten Bereichs (7b, 8b) erweitern, und wobei
zwei Wände (7e, 7f, 8e, 8f) mit entgegengesetzter
Form von dem genannten Bereich (7a, 8a) auf der
genannten Oberfläche, die zum Boden gerichtet ist
(1), an den Kanten des genannten Bereichs (7a, 8a)
ausgehen, die wie Kreisbögen geformt sind.
16. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 15,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Bereich der Auslauföffnung (9) auf der
Oberfläche der fixierten Scheibe (6), welche zur be-
weglichen Scheibe (10) gerichtet ist, so geformt ist,
daß er einen Bereich (9a) bildet, der innerhalb der
Zulauföffnungen (7, 8) umfaßt ist mit einer Kante,
welche gegenüber den genannten Öffnungen kon-
zentrisch ist und sich unter rechten Winkeln gegen-
über der Symmetrieachse (6a) in den Bereich aus-
dehnt, der nicht von den genannten Öffnungen (7,
8) beeinträchtigt wird, in einen Bereich, der durch
einen Kreisbogen (9c) geschlossen ist, welcher
konzentrisch zum Umfang der Scheibe (6) ist und
den gleichen Durchmesser wie die Außenkante der
Zulaufbereiche (7b, 8b) hat, wobei der Bereich der
Auslauföffnung (9) auf der zum Boden (1) gerichte-
ten Oberfläche so geformt ist, daß er zusammen-
hängende Kreisbereiche (9d, 9e) bildet, die zumin-
dest unterschiedliche Zentren haben, welche ent-
lang der Symmetrieachse (6a) fluchten; wobei die
Wände (9g, 9h) von dem Bereich der Oberfläche
ausgehen, die zum Boden (1) gerichtet ist und wel-
che sich im wesentlichen zum Bereich der zur be-
weglichen Scheibe (6) gerichteten Oberfläche er-
weitern, ausgenommen für einen Bereich der Wand
(9h), welcher die entgegengesetzte Form in dem
Bereich benachbart zum Umfang der Scheibe (6)
hat.
17. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 16,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß der Bereich der Auslauföffnung (9) auf der zum
Boden (1) gerichteten Oberfläche der fixierten
Scheibe (6) so geformt ist, daß er zwei entgegen-
gesetzte Kreisbögen (9d, 9e) bildet, deren jeder
sich zur Hälfte auf einer Seite der Symmetrieachse
(6a) und zur Hälfte auf der anderen Seite der Sym-
metrieachse (6a) erstreckt, wobei die genannten
Bögen (9d, 9e) mittels zweier Kreisbögen (9f) ver-
bunden sind.
18. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 15,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Bereiche der beiden Zulauföffnungen (7, 8)
und der Bereich der Auslauföffnung (9) auf der zum
Boden gerichteten Oberfläche der fixierten Scheibe
18
(6) sich im Hinblick auf die diametrale Achse (6b),
welche senkrecht zur Symmetrieachse (6a) ver-
läuft, auf entgegengesetzten Seiten berühren.
5 19. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 15,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die genannte fixierte Scheibe (6) an der zur be-
weglichen Scheibe (10) gerichteten Oberfläche ei-
nen ausgenommenen Umfangsbereich (6c) auf-
10 weist, der innen durch einen Kreis begrenzt wird,
der konzentrisch zur Außenwand der fixierten
Scheibe (6) ist.
20. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 15,
15 dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die bewegliche Scheibe (10) auf ihrer zur fixier-
ten Scheibe (6) weisenden Oberfläche eine Was-
serströmungsöffnung aufweist, die mit der inner-
halb der genannten beweglichen Scheibe (10) ge-
20 bildeten Mischkammer (11) verbunden ist, welche
geformt ist zur Bildung eines ersten Bereichs (27),
der eine kreisförmige Kante hat, dessen Durchmes-
ser zwischen dem Durchmesser der inneren Kante
des Bereichs (7b, 8b) der Zulauföffnungen (7, 8)
25 liegt, die auf der Oberfläche der fixierten Scheibe
(6) vorhanden sind, welche zur beweglichen Schei-
be (10) gerichtet ist und dem Durchmesser des Teils
(9a) des Bereichs der Auslauföffnung (9), der in den
genannten Zulauföffnungen (7, 8) umfaßt ist; und
30 daß ein zweiter Bereich (29) von dem genannten
ersten Bereich (27) ausgeht und damit mittels zwei-
er Vorsprünge (28) verbunden ist und symmetrisch
zur Symmetrieachse der beweglichen Scheibe (10)
ist; wobei die bewegliche Scheibe (10) eine längli-
35 che Form hat, deren Kante zwei Halbkreise bildet,
die durch gerade Bereiche miteinander verbunden
sind.
21. Mischerpatrone nach Anspruch 20,
40 dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Mischkammer (11), die innerhalb der be-
weglichen Scheibe (10) gebildet ist, an dem ersten
Bereich der Wasserströmungsöffnung einen Rast-
anschlag (30) für ein Geräuschsieb (12) aufweist,
45 das ausgebildet ist, durch einen von der aufliegen-
den Scheibenabdeckung (13) ausgehenden Vor-
sprung in seiner Stellung gehalten zu werden, wo-
bei das genannte Sieb (12) durch einen kreisförmi-
gen Bereich eines ebenen Gitters mit gefalteten
50 Kanten gebildet wird, wobei die Mischkammer (11)
von dem Niveau des genannten Geräuschsiebs
(12) bis zur Oberfläche der beweglichen Scheibe
(10), welche zur Scheibenabdeckung (13) weist, ei-
ne Seitenwand (31) hat, welche der Form der seit-
55 lichen Außenwand der Scheibe folgt.
10
 19 EP 0 738 847 B1
Revendications
1. Cartouche pour mitigeur comportant un corps (5)
associé à un fond (1) pour contenir une plaque fixe
(6) et une plaque mobile (10) munie d'un recouvre-
ment de plaque (13) qui est accouplé à un levier
d'actionnement (15) monté pivotant sur un accou-
plement rotatif (17), le recouvrement de plaque (13)
ayant une surface plate (34) appropriée pour être
en contact avec ledit accouplement (17), et étant
accouplée audit levier (15) par l'intermédiaire d'une
broche de traction (14) reçue dans des sièges cor-
respondants (37, 36), ladite surface (34) étant mu-
nie d'une cavité (35) pour recevoir l'extrémité du le-
vier (15) faisant saillie à partir dudit accouplement
(17), caractérisée en ce que lesdits sièges (36, 37)
destinés à ladite broche de traction (14) sont agen-
cés au niveau de ladite surface plate (34) du recou-
vrement de plaque (13) au niveau des bords de la-
dite cavité (35), des premiers évidements (38) étant
en outre agencés au niveau de la base dudit accou-
plement (17) dans lesquels les extrémités de ladite
broche (14) sont partiellement positionnées, lesdits
sièges (36, 37) ayant des saillies (39) s'étendant à
partir de ladite surface plate (34) pour entrer dans
des évidements supplémentaires (40) agencés
dans la base de l'accouplement (17), au niveau de
parties latérales desdits premiers évidements (38).
2. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 1,
caractérisée par un évidement (41) situé au niveau
de la base de l'accouplement (17), pour permettre
d'insérer la broche de traction (14) du recouvrement
de plaque (13) dans le levier (15) agencé dans ledit
accouplement (17).
3. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 2,
caractérisée en ce que le levier (15) a, sur sa paroi
latérale, une broche (15c) reçue dans un siège
(17c) agencé dans l'accouplement (17), pour ga-
rantir un assemblage mutuel correct dudit levier
(15) et dudit accouplement (17), et a de plus, à
proximité de son extrémité, un évidement (15b) ap-
proprié pour être associé à une saillie (42), qui est
présente dans la cavité (35) recevant ladite extré-
mité qui est présente dans le recouvrement de pla-
que (13), pour garantir un assemblage mutuel cor-
rect du levier (15) et du recouvrement de plaque
(13).
4. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon l'une quelconque
des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en
ce que ledit fond (1) est muni de moyens (22, 22a)
pour la mise en prise stable d'un fond supplémen-
taire.
5. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 4,
caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens (22, 22a)
20
pour une mise en prise stable d'un fond supplémen-
taire comportent une pluralité de fentes (22) pas-
sant à travers l'épaisseur du fond (1), et munies
d'une dent (22a) dans une zone intermédiaire de
5 ladite épaisseur.
6. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 5,
caractérisée en ce que chaque fente (22) a une
forme sensiblement de quadrilatère, et en ce que
10 la dent (22a) présente dans la zone intermédiaire
de l'épaisseur s'étend au niveau d'un des côtés.
7. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon l'une quelconque
des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en
15 ce que ledit fond comporte : une ouverture d'écou-
lement de sortie (4) pour de l'eau chaude, froide ou
mélangée, qui est symétrique par rapport à un axe
de symétrie diamétral (1a) et qui est constituée, à
l'exception d'une petite partie, sur un premier côté
20 de l'axe diamétral (1b) qui est perpendiculaire audit
axe de symétrie (1a); et deux ouvertures d'écoule-
ment d'entrée (2, 3), respectivement pour de l'eau
chaude et de l'eau froide, qui sont situées, à l'ex-
ception d'une petite partie, sur les côtés opposés
25 dudit axe diamétral (1b), et qui sont symétriques par
rapport audit axe de symétrie (1a), qui sont sépa-
rées l'une de l'autre et de l'ouverture d'écoulement
de sortie par l'intermédiaire de parois minces (18a,
18b, 18c) ayant une épaisseur sensiblement unifor-
30 me.
8. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 7,
caractérisée en ce que les ouvertures (2, 3, 4)
agencées dans le fond (1) sont munies de joints
35 d'étanchéité traversants (19, 20, 21) qui sont plus
fins dans les zones où l'ouverture d'écoulement de
sortie (4) est adjacente aux ouvertures d'écoule-
ment d'entrée (2, 3).
40 9. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 8,
caractérisée en ce que le périmètre de la paroi in-
terne du joint d'étanchéité (21) du trou d'écoule-
ment de sortie (4), destiné à de l'eau chaude, froide
ou mélangée, est mis en forme de manière à définir
45 des parties circulaires consécutives (21b, 21c)
dans lesquelles sont alignés, le long de l'axe de sy-
métrie, au moins les différents centres.
10. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon l'une quelconque
50 des revendications 8 à 9, caractérisée en ce que
le périmètre de la paroi intérieure du joint d'étan-
chéité (21) du trou d'écoulement de sortie (4) est
mis en forme de manière à définir deux arcs circu-
laires agencés de manière opposée (21b, 21c),
55 dont chacun s'étend pour une moitié sur un premier
côté et pour une moitié sur l'autre côté par rapport
à l'axe de symétrie (1a), lesdits arcs (21b, 21c) étant
reliés par l'intermédiaire de deux arcs circulaires
11
 21 EP 0 738 847 B1
(21d).
11. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon l'une quelconque
des revendications 7 à 10, caractérisée en ce que
le fond (1) comporte des broches de référence (23)
appropriées pour entrer au moins dans des trous
agencés au niveau de la base de la cavité, pour re-
cevoir la cartouche dans un robinet, lesdites bro-
ches (23) étant mises en forme de manière à définir
une partie cylindrique dans laquelle le diamètre est
égal au diamètre desdits trous, ladite partie ayant
une dimension extérieure convenablement réduite.
12. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon l'une quelconque
des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en
ce que ledit corps (5) comporte une première partie
sensiblement cylindrique (5b) munie de pattes (5a)
pour une coopération par encliquetage stable avec
ledit fond (1), ladite première partie (5b) étant con-
nectée par l'intermédiaire d'une zone annulaire pla-
te (5c) à une seconde partie cylindrique (5e) pour
contenir l'accouplement rotatif (17) et le guider dans
son déplacement, ledit fond (1) comportant une par-
tie de paroi (24) contenant la plaque fixe (6), et est
agencé de manière à continuer la paroi de ladite
première partie cylindrique (5b) du corps (5).
13. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 12,
caractérisée en ce que ladite zone annulaire plate
(5c) est munie, sur sa face dirigée vers l'intérieur de
la cartouche, de gorges hélicoïdales (5d) appro-
priées pour contenir des substances lubrifiantes.
14. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 12,
caractérisée en ce que la surface interne de la pre-
mière partie cylindrique (5b) du corps (5) a deux
arêtes de renforcement agencées de manière op-
posée (5f) situées dans des zones non impliquées
dans le déplacement de la plaque mobile (10), les-
dites arêtes (5f) étant également présentes dans la
partie de paroi contenue dans le fond (1).
15. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon l'une quelconque
des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en
ce que ladite plaque fixe (6) comporte : une ouver-
ture (9) pour l'écoulement de sortie d'eau chaude,
froide ou mélangée, qui est symétrique par rapport
à un axe de symétrie diamétral (6a), et deux ouver-
tures d'écoulement d'entrée (7, 8), respectivement
pour de l'eau chaude et de l'eau froide, qui sont sy-
métriques par rapport audit axe (6a), caractérisée
en ce que le tronçon (7a, 8a) de chaque ouverture
d'écoulement d'entrée (7, 8) sur la surface dirigée
vers le fond (1) est mis en forme de manière ana-
logue à une goutte qui est allongée vers l'axe de
symétrie (6a); et en ce que le tronçon (7b, 8b) situé
sur la surface dirigée vers la plaque mobile (10) est
mis en forme de manière à définir un arc circulaire
22
concentrique par rapport à la paroi de la plaque (6);
et en ce que deux parois (7c, 7d, 8c, 8d) s'étendent
à partir du tronçon (7a, 8a) de la surface qui est di-
rigée vers le fond (1) et sont évasés vers le tronçon
5 (7b, 8b) de la surface dirigée vers la plaque mobile
(10) au niveau des bords extrêmes dudit tronçon
(7b, 8b); et en ce que deux parois (7e, 7f, 8e, 8f)
ayant une forme opposée s'étendent à partir dudit
tronçon (7a, 8a) de ladite surface dirigée vers le
10 fond (1) au niveau des bords dudit tronçon (7a, 8a),
mises en forme de manière analogue à des arcs
circulaires.
16. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 15,
15 caractérisée en ce que le tronçon de l'ouverture
d'écoulement de sortie (9) de la surface de la plaque
fixe (6) qui est dirigée vers la plaque mobile (10) est
mis en forme de manière à définir une partie (9a)
qui est contenue dans les ouvertures d'écoulement
20 d'entrée (7, 8) en ayant un bord qui est concentrique
par rapport auxdites ouvertures, et qui s'étend à an-
gle droit par rapport à l'axe de symétrie (6a) dans
la zone non affectée par lesdites ouvertures (7, 8),
dans une partie qui est fermée par un arc circulaire
25 (9c) qui est concentrique par rapport à la périphérie
de la plaque (6), et a le même diamètre que le bord
extérieur des tronçons d'écoulement d'entrée (7b,
8b), tandis que le tronçon de ladite ouverture
d'écoulement de sortie (9) de la surface dirigée vers
30 le fond (1) est mis en forme de manière à définir des
parties circulaires consécutives (9d, 9e) ayant au
moins différents centres alignés le long de l'axe de
symétrie (6a); en ce que des parois (9g, 9h) s'éten-
dent à partir du tronçon de la surface qui est dirigée
35 vers le fond (1), et sont sensiblement évasées vers
le tronçon de la surface dirigée vers la plaque mo-
bile (6), à l'exception d'une partie de paroi (9h)
ayant la forme opposée dans la zone située à proxi-
mité de la périphérie de la plaque (6).
40
17. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 16,
caractérisée en ce que le tronçon de l'ouverture
de l'écoulement de sortie (9) de la surface de la pla-
que fixe (6) dirigée vers le fond (1) est mis en forme
45 de manière à définir deux arcs circulaires opposés
(9d, 9e), dont chacun s'étend pour une moitié sur
un premier côté et pour une moitié sur l'autre côté
par rapport à l'axe de symétrie (6a), lesdits arcs (9d,
9e) étant reliés par l'intermédiaire de deux arcs cir-
50 culaires (9f).
18. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 15,
caractérisée en ce que les tronçons des deux
ouvertures d'écoulement d'entrée (7, 8) et le tron-
55 çon de l'ouverture d'écoulement de sortie (9) de la
surface de la plaque fixe (6) dirigée vers le fond (1)
sont tangents, sur des côtés opposés, par rapport
à l'axe diamétral (6b) qui est perpendiculaire à l'axe
12
 23 EP 0 738 847 B1 24

de symétrie (6a).

19. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 15,

caractérisée en ce que ladite plaque fixe (6) com-
porte, au niveau de la surface dirigée vers la plaque 5
mobile (10), une zone périphérique évidée (6c) qui
est délimitée intérieurement par un cercle qui est
concentrique par rapport à la paroi externe de la
plaque fixe (6).
10
20. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 15,
caractérisée en ce que la plaque mobile (10) a,
sur sa surface dirigée vers la plaque fixe (6), une
ouverture d'écoulement d'eau connectée à la cham-
bre de mélange (11) définie à l'intérieur de ladite 15
plaque mobile, qui est mise en forme de manière à
définir une première partie (27) ayant un bord cir-
culaire dont le diamètre est situé entre le diamètre
du bord intérieur du tronçon (7b, 8b) des ouvertures
d'écoulement d'entrée (7, 8) présentes sur la surfa- 20
ce de la plaque fixe (6) qui est dirigée vers la plaque
mobile (10), et le diamètre de la partie (9a) du tron-
çon de l'ouverture d'écoulement de sortie (9) qui est
contenu dans lesdites ouvertures d'écoulement
d'entrée (7, 8); et en ce qu'une seconde partie (29) 25
s'étend à partir de ladite première partie (27), est
connectée à celle-ci par l'intermédiaire de deux
saillies, et est symétrique par rapport à l'axe de sy-
métrie de la plaque mobile (10); ladite plaque mo-
bile (10) ayant une forme allongée dont un bord dé- 30
finit deux demi-cercles reliés par des parties rectili-
gnes.

21. Cartouche pour mitigeur selon la revendication 20,

caractérisée en ce que la chambre de mélange 35
(11) définie à l'intérieur de la plaque mobile (10) a,
au niveau de la première partie de l'ouverture
d'écoulement d'eau, une butée d'appui (30) pour
une grille antibruit (12) adaptée pour être mainte-
nue en position par une saillie s'étendant à partir du 40
recouvrement de plaque sus-jacente (13), ladite
grille (12) étant constituée d'une partie circulaire de
mailles plates ayant des bords pliés, ladite chambre
de mélange (11) ayant, à partir du niveau de ladite
grille antibruit (12) jusqu'à la surface de ladite pla- 45
que mobile (10) qui est dirigée vers le recouvrement
de plaque (13), une latérale paroi (31) qui suit la
forme de la paroi latérale extérieure de la plaque.

50

55

13
EP 0 738 847 B1

14
EP 0 738 847 B1

15
EP 0 738 847 B1

16
EP 0 738 847 B1

17
EP 0 738 847 B1

18
EP 0 738 847 B1

19