WATER SUPPLY DEVICE

Abstract

 Water supply device for an electric appliance connected to a water mains, comprising a body (1) that defines an inner cavity (19) and, within the inner cavity (19), a flow conduit (26) for water from an inlet (21) to an outlet (20, 22, 24), wherein an overflow window (13) communicating with the inner cavity (19) is formed through an outer wall (11) of the body (1), the overflow window (13) having a lower edge (131) defining a spillover level (H) above which water accumulated in the inner cavity (19) spills out of the body (1). At the lower edge (131) of the overflow window (13) there is arranged a rib (14) extending from the lower edge (131) of the overflow window (13) outwardly of the body (1), wherein the rib (14) defines, within the inner cavity (19), at least one aperture (111) or passage arranged upon a respective flank of the rib (14).

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a water supply device - commonly referred to in technical jargon as an "air break" - for electric appliances connected to a water mains, such as dishwashers and washing machines.

[0002] More specifically, such a device comprises a body that defines an inner cavity and, within the inner cavity, a flow conduit for water from an inlet to an outlet. The inlet is generally configured to be connected to a water mains supply hose-set. The supplied water is then divided within the supply device into various flows that may be directed, for example, to a softener device for the softening and formation of a regeneration brine, respectively, or directly to the washing tank.

[0003] In general the supply device has an overflow window formed through an outer wall of the body and communicating with the inner cavity. Such overflow window has a lower edge defining a spillover level above which water accumulated in the inner cavity spills out of the body of the supply device.

[0004] The EN 61770:2009/A12:2022 standard "Electric appliances connected to the water mains - Avoidance of backsiphonage and failure of hose-sets" specifies the requirements for domestic and professional appliances that prevent the backflow of non-potable water into the water mains. Such standard furthermore specifies the requirements for those hose-sets used for connecting such appliances to those water mains that supply water at a pressure no greater than 10 bar.

[0005] The EN 61770 and the WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) standards also provide that, in order to simulate the case of a failure of the hydraulic system of the electrical appliance, all of the outlets have to be closed except the overflow window.

[0006] Therefore, in supplying a hydraulic system with a charge valve, water should flow out of the overflow window, and two seconds after closing the aforementioned charge valve, the level of residual water within the body of the supply device has to be equal to the overflow level (ideally).

[0007] In the case wherein the level within the body of the supply device is greater than the overflow level, as a result also of the surface tension of the water, the window must be increased by a dimension according to a formula dictated by the certifying body. Nevertheless, in some cases it may be impossible, or undesirable, to increase the dimensions of the windows, in particular for space reasons.

[0008] One object of the present invention is that of obviating the drawbacks highlighted above from the prior art.

[0009] According to the invention, such object is achieved by virtue of the fact that at the lower edge of the overflow window there is arranged a rib extending from the lower edge of the overflow window inwardly of the body, wherein the rib defines, within the inner cavity, at least one aperture or passage arranged upon a respective flank of the rib.

[0010] By virtue of such an arrangement it is possible to ensure that water is able to drain away within the period of time stipulated by the standards, also in the case wherein surface tension is created, and without requiring an increase in the dimensions of the overflow window.

[0011] A further object of the invention is an electric appliance for connecting to a water mains comprising a supply device of the type indicated above.

[0012] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the detailed description that follows, given purely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a device of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of an overflow window of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the overflow window of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an overflow window which is not claimed;

Figure 5-7 are sectional views of the overflow window of Figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further overflow window which is not claimed.

[0013] A water supply device will now be described for an electric appliance connected to a water mains, such as a dish washing machine, commonly known as an "air break". The supply device has a hollow body 1 made of a plastic material having a flattened shape and presenting a plurality of outer walls, in particular two major side walls 11, 12 (wherein only one thereof is visible in Figure 1), two minor walls 15 and a bottom wall 16 and a top wall 18. Obtained through one of the major walls, indicated with 11, in a manner that is known per se, is an aspiration hole 20 for connecting the supply device to a tank, in particular a washing tank. The body 1 may be a single part or else it may be formed from multiple parts that are assembled therebetween, for example a main part and a cover that is fixed to such main part.

[0014] Protruding, in a manner that is known per sé, from below the body 1 are a first inlet conduit 21 configured to be connected to a mains water supply tube (not shown), and two outlet conduits 22 and 24. A first conduit 24 may serve, for example, for sending water to be decalcified to a decalcifier (not shown) and a second conduit 22 may serve, for example, for sending to the decalcifier water that is necessary for the formation of regeneration brine.

[0015] Branching off from the main walls 11 and 12 are main side walls that define one or more flow conduits 26 of water from the inlet conduit 21 to the outlets defined by the hole 20 and from the conduits 22 and 24. In embodiments that are not shown, but that are nonetheless conventional, the outlets may be present in numbers and with an arrangement that differ from those shown. In general, therefore, at least one conduit 26 may be defined from amongst one inlet and at least one outlet 20, 22, 24. The details of the internal hydraulic circuit of the supply device that subdivides the water supplied by the tube 30 as flows that are designated for the outlets 20, 22, 24 are not described here insofar as they are conventional and well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0016] Again, in a manner that is known per se, an air gap 32 is arranged upon the flow conduit 26. As is known, the standards, for example the EN 61770 standard, classify anti-backflow systems on the basis of the suitability thereof to prevent the return to the mains of the aforementioned liquids classified within the categories from 2 to 5 and specify the characteristics thereof.

[0017] For example, in category 4 and 5 anti-backflow systems for liquids, an unpressurized nozzle 32' is included wherefrom water falls freely into a collecting chamber 19' (a chamber defines within the inner cavity 19 of the supply device) with a minimum distance between the surface of the water collected and the nozzle of at least 20 mm, or else an upper nozzle directing water towards a second nozzle (not shown) spaced apart from a free gap in air of at least 20 mm operating at ambient pressure. All of such systems are commonly referred to as an "air gap" and are implemented within an environment at atmospheric pressure.

[0018] Formed through one of the outer walls of the body 1, in particular one of the main side walls 11, 12, is an overflow window 13 communicating with the inner cavity 19 of the body 1. The overflow window 13 defines the maximum reachable level water level within the supply device and places the supply device in communication with ambient pressure. In particular, the overflow window 13 is arranged below the air gap 32, or sideways relative to the air gap 32. In every case the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13 must be below the nozzle 32' of the air gap 32 (and, in particular, at a distance of at least 20 mm therefrom) or else, in the case wherein the air gap 32 is defined by a gap between two nozzles, below the first nozzle or upper nozzle (and, in particular, at a distance of at least 20 mm therefrom).

[0019] Represented in Figures 2 and 3 is an embodiment of the overflow window. The portion of the supply device wherein it is applied in a simplified way.

[0020] The overflow window 13 is delimited by a peripheral edge comprising a lower edge 131 defining a spillover level H above which water accumulated in the inner cavity 19 spills out of the body 1, as indicated by the arrow F.

[0021] Arranged at the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13 is a rib 14, extending from the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13 inwardly of the body 1. The rib 14 extends over the entire length of the lower edge 131, or over a part thereof, and in the direction of depth it may extend far enough to connect the side main sidewalls 11 and 12 therebetween. Defined within the inner cavity of the body 1 are thus two apertures or passages 111 arranged on respective opposite flanks of the rib 14. The rib 14 may also extend by a value greater than the length of the lower edge 131, the important point is that on at least one of the flanks thereof an aperture 111 is defined. At least one portion 141 of the rib 14 is at the same level as the spillover level H, and therefore of the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13.

[0022] A flow of water that spills over therefore flows from the aperture 111, bypasses the rib 14 and spills out from the overflow window as indicated by the arrow F. The water level therefore remains below the rib 14 and all possible surface tensions remain only at the sides of the same. The water level on the plane of the spillover level H is thus equal to zero.

[0023] The rib 14 may be implemented as a single part with the respective wall or with both of the walls 11, 12. The rib 14 may alternatively be implemented in the form of an insert that is assembled upon the respective wall or else on both of the walls 11, 12.

[0024] According to the embodiment shown, the rib 14 may be perpendicular to the respective wall or to both of the walls 11, 12. The rib 14 may alternatively be inclined for or against the flow F flowing out of the two apertures 111, 111.

[0025] According to the embodiment shown, the rib 14 may be a single element. The rib 14 may alternatively be formed from multiple segments interspersed with spaces between adjacent segments.

[0026] Represented in Figures 4 to 7 is an overflow window which is not claimed. The portion of the supply device wherein it is applied in a simplified way. For convenience, elements corresponding to those of the foregoing embodiment have been assigned the same numerical references.

[0027] The overflow window 13 is delimited by a peripheral edge comprising a lower edge 131 defining a spillover level H above which water accumulated in the inner cavity 19 spills out of the body 1, as indicated by the arrow F.

[0028] Arranged at the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13 is a rib 14, extending from the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13 outwardly of the body 1. According to one embodiment, the rib 14 may extend inwardly of the body 1. The rib 14 extends over the entire length of the lower edge 131, or a part thereof. At least one portion 141 of the rib 14 is on the same plane as the spillover level H, and therefore the same as the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13, more precisely the inner side of the lower edge 131.

[0029] The rib 14 has a ramp upper surface 14'. In particular, at a distal side of the rib 14, the upper surface 14' of the rib 14 has a profile sloping downward in a direction from one side edge to the other side edge of the overflow window 13 (see Figure 4). At the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13 the profile of the upper surface 14' of the rib 14 is horizontal and coincides with the spillover level H. The cross-sectional of the rib 14' consequently defines a ramp ascending outwardly (against the outflow from the window 13 - Figure 5) at one of the side edges of the overflow window 13, and a ramp descending outwardly (favoring the outflow from the window 13 - Figure 7) at one of the side edges of the overflow window 13, with a gradual transition from one profile to the other in the intermediate positions (Figure 6).

[0030] A stream of overflowing water arrives at the highest point of the rib 14 to then drain away as indicated by the arrow F. Thus, at the plane of the spillover level H, the water level is equal to zero.

[0031] The rib 14 may be implemented as a single part with the respective walls 11, 12. The rib 14 may alternatively be implemented in the form of an insert assembled upon the respective wall 11 or 12.

[0032] Represented in Figure 8 is another overflow window which is not claimed. The portion of the supply device wherein it is applied in a simplified way. For convenience, elements corresponding to those of the foregoing embodiments have been assigned the same numerical references.

[0033] The overflow window 13 is delimited by a peripheral edge comprising a lower rectilinear edge 131.

[0034] At the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13, there is arranged at least one notch 132 formed in the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13 and defining a spillover level H above which water accumulated in the inner cavity 19 spills out of said body 1, as indicated by the arrow F. The remaining portion 141 of the lower edge 131 of the window 13 is above the plane of the spillover level H. Water that overflows drains from the notch 132 as indicated by the arrow F. At the plane of the spillover level H, the water level is thus equal to zero.

[0035] The notch 132 is preferably in the shape of a semicircle, but may assume other shapes, and has a length that is less than the length of the lower edge 131 of the overflow window 13.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the notch 132 may be a single notch. The notch 132 may alternatively be composed of several notches that are interspersed therebetween.

[0037] Without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the details of construction may vary widely with respect to that which has been described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims. In particular, those elements described in relation to specific embodiments or examples which are not claimed may be combined, where compatible, with elements described in relation to other embodiments of examples which are not claimed.

Claims

1. Water supply device for an electric appliance connected to a water main, comprising a body (1) which defines an inner cavity (19), an inlet (21) and an outlet (20, 22, 24) and, within the inner cavity (19), a flow conduit (26) for water from the inlet (21) to the outlet (20, 22, 24), wherein an overflow window (13) communicating with the inner cavity (19) is formed through an outer wall (11) of the body (1), the overflow window (13) having a lower edge (131) defining a spillover level (H) above which water accumulated in the inner cavity (19) spills out of said body,
characterized in that, at the lower edge (131) of the overflow window (13), there is arranged at least one rib (14) extending from the lower edge (131) of the overflow window (13), inwardly of the body (1), wherein the rib (14) defines within the inner cavity (19) at least one aperture or passage (111) arranged upon a respective side of the rib (14).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rib (14) comprises at least one portion (141) arranged at the same horizontal plane as the spillover level (H).

3. Device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the rib (14) connects two opposite external walls (11,12) of the body (1) therebetween.

4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rib (14) has a ramp upper surface (14') having a cross-sectional profile that changes along the direction of the lower edge (131) of the overflow window (13).

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein along a part of the rib (14) said ramp upper surface (14') has a profile ascending outwardly and, along another part of the rib (14), said ramp upper surface (14') has a profile descending outwardly.

6. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein an air gap (32) is arranged within said flow conduit (26), said air gap comprising an unpressurized nozzle (32') wherefrom water falls freely into a collecting chamber (19'), or else an upper nozzle that directs water towards a lower nozzle spaced apart from the upper nozzle by a free gap in air operating at ambient pressure.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the overflow window (13) is arranged below the air gap (32), or to one side in relation to the air gap (32).

8. Device according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the lower edge (131) of the overflow window (13) is arranged below the unpressurized nozzle (32') or below the upper nozzle.

9. Electric appliance to be connected to a water main and comprising a water supply device according to any of the preceding claims.

Drawing