Innovations in Plumbing : faucets

most popular sanitary device is a mixer.Modern industry produces a huge number of these devices for a wide variety of designs, design, purpose and execution.

What mixers and what they are

mixers called shut-off distribution plumbing device designed to mix hot and cold water that flows into it on two different highways, and follows a stream through the spout or shower with the temperature desired consumer.Mixers can be divided into two groups according to the type of mounting: mounted on the wall and mounted in the sink or tub.Wall installation more complicated, as you have to seize the concrete.Often this process is somewhat easier, building panels hidden cavity in which are all communications.This reduces the useful floor area.For concealed wiring faucet or shower valves flexible feed all mixing chambers, thermostats, electrical system disguised in a wall or under the panels.Outside is only the spout and the handle to adjust the water flow.

Adopted share mixers and the principle of action:

• On dvuhzahvatnye or dvuhventilnye (standard construction).
• Odnozahvatnye or single lever.
• thermostatic mixers.
• Proximity and sensory design.

first type of mixers used in the plumbing has been for many decades, and the great interest for this article is not, although it is used more often, especially the variants with a beautiful design.In recent years, numerous innovations have been introduced in the plumbing: mixers is no exception.All other devices just can be attributed to innovative, as they appeared on the market recently.

device and the types of single-lever mixers

This type of device has no valve and is equipped with a single lever that can move in four directions.When moving in the vertical plane it regulates water pressure, while movement in the horizontal plane its temperature.These devices have been widely performed in the last 15 - 20 years, so they have no clearly established name.Sometimes referred to as monokomandnye, odnozahvatnye, one-armed.It occurs and this term as a joystick.

However, domestic name "lever" hides the presence of two completely different devices: ball faucets and mixers ceramic cartridges.They are similar not only in appearance, a control method, but equally reliable and durable.

Design and Function ball single-lever mixers

In essence, ball mixer, this is nothing but a hollow ball, which is made of stainless steel and high quality, equipped with sealing gaskets.In the mixing bowl is supplied water from the hot and cold pipes at the same time.She gets there, passing the spring-loaded teflon seats.The hollow ball has three holes, two of which are smaller inlet and a larger diameter one - outlet.Mixing water flow occurs in this bowl, after which at the correct temperature it flows through the faucet spout.Ball rigidly attached to a valve which regulates the flow of water through the plastic seat and cap nut.This plastic seat are Teflon rings that act as a sealant and rubber packing.This device allows you to keep excellent tightness at ease turning the entire structure.mixer attachment housing is needed to fix the exact location of the ball in front of the openings and is responsible for the delivery, metering and release of water from the device.

To set the required temperature of the water spout, you just want to turn the mixer lever in the horizontal plane.The comfortable temperature is reached quickly, due to the fact that the shape and dimensions of the openings in the balloon are selected with great accuracy.Since the size of the mixing chamber in ball mixers large enough, this allows a more qualitatively to mix hot and cold water.The same circumstance contributes to the fact that hard water has no damaging effects on the metal parts of the mixer.While laying on such devices are worn for a long time, dirty water from the grains of sand and other mechanical impurities can have a detrimental effect on them, because the elements in a mixer fitted very tightly.

main disadvantage of ball faucets is that they Teflon and rubber pads are susceptible to dirt and corrosion of steel ball.It is noticed that the water with excessive chlorination also adversely affect the plastic lining device.Ball mixer requires constant use since its complete drying violated the ease of movement of the lever.

Single-lever mixers with plate cartridge

more innovative materials are used in this type of mixers, than in the previous year.The main operating unit is a device equipped with a drive mechanism, a removable cartridge.It was collected from the plates of ceramic based on aluminum oxide.Driving devices of different models can be very different, but always that any cartridge is made of two very closely adjacent to each other ceramic plates, or discs.These plates have openings which have a certain shape.When they coincide with each other in both plates, through which directs the flow of water, both hot and cold.Both streams enter the mixing chamber, after which the water flows out through comfort temperature spout.

technology wafer production involves grinding them with the help of ultrasound, which makes them perfectly smooth.Expensive models have a graphite-coated plates, significantly reducing friction, which further extends their lifespan and increases durability.Most quality models will last at least 10 years.The device is able to withstand a pressure of 8 - 10 atmospheres, which is sufficient for any plumbing.A serious drawback of mixers with ceramic cartridges is their very high sensitivity to the insoluble impurities.Therefore, when using such a device it is necessary to install a filter for water purification.It is important also that the ceramic cartridges, non-collapsible.They change the fully assembled.At the same time they are completely different models of different shapes.

thermostatic mixers

With the introduction of innovative technologies will provide a person tries to imagine a greater and greater levels of comfort.An example of this - Thermostat.These devices are equipped with a thermostat that automatically maintains the temperature of the water in the mixing chamber, which the user has installed.This ensures safety when washing the dishes or taking the soul, as the tap, under any circumstances, do not suddenly flow boiling.It does not affect the flow change or line pressure.

thermostat has two arms that rotate.One adjusts the pressure and includes a shower, the other is equipped with a temperature scale for accurate billing of heating required.For automatic maintenance of a stable temperature corresponds to the thermocouple mounted inside the mixer body.It is associated with a locking mechanism.Thanks to him the balance is restored when changing the heating of water in one direction or another.As a result, the unit should be set up only once.Then, at any pressure and temperature of the stream is maintained.

thermostats operate on the following principle.Turning the knob of the mixer, you create a head of one of the streams, hot or cold.He, in turn, pushes the valve and causes the flow of the other pipe.But the amount of a particular constituent entering the mixer, thermostatically controlled and always remains constant, regardless of pressure.All springs, valves and other items specifically selected to ensure the accuracy of this effect.It is noteworthy that such devices are equipped with a safety button.Only after pressing can be reset to the next higher temperature.Most thermostat controls the temperature in the range of 38 to 45 degrees, which is the most comfortable and safe for the human body value.

Touch and contactless mixer

These devices are mainly installed in public toilets.These mixers are equipped with sensors or photocells, which are designed to control the locking device.In the case of sensor devices, to bring them into effect, simply touch the panel or listed in the right place at the sink.Solar cells include crane already at presentation to him under the arms.The motion of hands up and down the water temperature changes.

Contactless faucets can be used at home in the kitchen.This is quite convenient as it saves water and allows you to wash the dishes without worrying about pressure and temperature.It should be understood that the value of such innovative devices is much higher than conventional mixers.

Other innovative ideas embodied in mixers

Also mixers described above, which are used widely enough, and there is quite exotic innovations.Perhaps in the near future, they too will be widely disseminated.

retractable shower head, which is mounted in the body of the mixer spout, able to stretch to 1 meter.This enables a more convenience to wash dishes, vegetables and shell itself.The shape of the jets emanating from a nozzle lends itself to regulation.

very interesting model for the basin, which is equipped with so-called "turbodentom".This is a thin tube with a tip is pulled out of the mixer.It serves as a mouthwash pressurized water jet.

Classification mixers for

destination Depending on the purpose of all modern mixers are divided into:

• mounTed bath.
• on the sink or washbasin.
• on the kitchen sink.On
• shower.
• On bidet.

The most common installation is carried out directly on the surface of the sanitary appliance.On the sink is usually the one opening, and in their soul is three: for valves and for most of the spout.They are also mounted on the acrylic bath with broad sides, a rectangular or angular.

Mixers for sinks or washbasins are sometimes swivel spout for filling a number of standing bath.Some models are equipped with a mechanism that opens and closes the sink drain plug.

The shower cabins are equipped with mixers only watering can with a long flexible liner, equipped with a watering can.The more expensive cabins have a hydro-massage system and the so-called "rain."In fact, all these elements are controlled by a mixer in which the auxiliary handle by turning the water flow occurs redistribution for a particular output node.

main feature bidet mixer is that they are provided with special divider and mesh.Passing through them, the jet of water is enriched with air, which makes it very soft.Furthermore, the tip of the mixer has a floating head that allows easy and precise control of the direction of movement of the jet.Some of the more innovative models are fitted with a retractable flexible hose that allows more accurately direct the water to the right place.The adjustment knobs are mounted on the rim of the bath, creating comfort when the regulation of pressure and water temperature.

kitchen faucet has a slightly different shape and length of the spout.Preferred when the arcuate form, as it allows water to easily fill the various containers.Usually he spout on the kitchen sink can be rotated in the horizontal plane, allowing you to use one mixer just for two sinks.

Thus, today's industry, producing plumbing fixtures, actively introducing innovative technologies into production.Therefore, the ideas that today we seem futuristic quirks, may tomorrow become a daily reality.