FR3094808A1 - Thermostatic cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

Thermostatic cartridge This cartridge (1) comprises a base (10), a thermostatic regulation system (20, 30) for regulating the temperature of a mixture of cold and hot fluids, and a system for regulating the flow rate of the mixture, comprising a fixed part (60) and a moving part (61). The stationary part is provided with intake passages (63F, 63C) and return passages (64F, 64C) for cold and hot fluids, and is fixedly assembled to the base so that the return passages open out respectively into inputs (16, 17) of the base. The moving part is movably assembled to the fixed part, so that, along an axis (XX) of the base, a first face of the movable part is axially contiguous against a second face of the fixed part, forming an interface coupling (62), and is provided with connection passages which, for cold and hot fluids respectively, allow the intake passages to be placed in communication with the return passages according to the position of the moving part. So that the cartridge is less subject to the risk of leaks at the mating interface, it includes, for each of the cold and hot fluids, a compartment (70, 71), which is arranged on the second face of the moving part and is in communication, through the movable part, with the mating interface so as to be supplied with fluid coming from the corresponding inlet passage regardless of the position of the movable part. Figure for the abstract: Figure 11

Description

Thermostatic cartridge

The present invention relates to a thermostatic cartridge.

In the field of fluid regulation, a cartridge is a device making it possible to control the mixing of a cold fluid and a hot fluid, in particular cold water and hot water in the sanitary field.

The cartridge is qualified as thermostatic when it incorporates a thermostatic regulation system, making it possible to regulate the temperature of the mixture of cold and hot fluids at a set temperature. Such a thermostatic regulation system comprises for example a thermostatic actuator, such as a thermostatic element, which includes a first part, normally fixed relative to a hollow base of the cartridge, and a second part, movable along an axis of the cartridge. with respect to the first part under the effect of the temperature applied to the actuator, for example under the action of the expansion of a thermoexpandable material, contained in a dish of the thermostatic element. The second part of the thermostatic actuator is provided integral with a slide that can be moved along the axis inside a chamber of the base of the cartridge, so as to vary inversely the flow sections of the cold and hot fluids in regulating passages opening into the chamber, with a view to mixing these two fluids in variable proportions to obtain in the chamber, downstream of the drawer, the mixture, otherwise called “mixed fluid” or “mixed fluid”. After being formed in the chamber, the mixture flows along a temperature-sensitive region of the thermostatic actuator and exits the base. By modifying the position of the first part of the thermostatic actuator with respect to the base, by means of an ad hoc setpoint mechanism, it is possible to vary the setpoint temperature around which the temperature of the mixture is thus regulated by the drawer.

In addition, the cartridge incorporates a flow rate adjustment system, making it possible to adjust the flow rate of the mixture, by acting on the respective flows of the cold and hot fluids sent to the base to supply the chamber. To this end, this flow control system comprises two parts which are joined together along the axis of the cartridge, forming an joining interface, namely a fixed part, which is fixedly assembled to the base, and a movable part, which is assembled in a movable manner relative to the fixed part. The fixed part and the moving part are typically made of ceramic and are often in the form of discs. In all cases, each of the cold and hot fluids that feed the cartridge flows through the fixed part until it reaches the moving part which, depending on its position relative to the fixed part, prevents or allows, in a controlled proportion, the fluid concerned to flow to the base by re-crossing the fixed part. By moving the moving part, the latter thus varies both the flow of cold fluid and the flow of hot fluid sent to the base through the fixed part. In practice, the cartridge generally comprises a housing, which is fixed to the base and in which the fixed part and the moving part are arranged, the flow rate adjustment system then possibly comprising an adjustment member making it possible to control the movement of the part movable from outside the case. WO 2017/137368 discloses an example of such a cartridge.

In order that the temperature and the flow rate of the mixture leaving the cartridge can be controlled with precision and efficiency, the flow of the cold fluid to the chamber and the flow of the hot fluid to the chamber must be controlled, in particular without suffering from leaks, whatever the position of the moving part in relation to the fixed part. However, leaks at the joining interface between the fixed part and the moving part can occur due to detachment between the fixed part and the moving part, which occur in particular when the cold fluid and/or the fluid supplying the cartridge exhibit high pressure and/or when the moving part occupies certain positions relative to the fixed part, in particular those corresponding to the total or almost total closure of the cartridge.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved thermostatic cartridge, which is less subject to the risk of leaks at the interface between the fixed part and the moving part of its flow control system.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a thermostatic cartridge, comprising:

- a base, which defines an axis and which contains a chamber for mixing a cold fluid and a hot fluid, this chamber being connected to the outside of the base by both a first inlet for the cold fluid, a second inlet for the hot fluid, and an outlet for a mixture of cold and hot fluids,

- a thermostatic regulation system, which is at least partially arranged in the chamber and which is adapted to regulate the temperature of the mixture to a set temperature, by inversely varying the respective flow sections of a first passage of regulation, provided between the first inlet and the chamber, and a second regulation passage, provided between the second inlet and the chamber, and

- a flow adjustment system, which is suitable for adjusting the flow rate of the mixture.

This flow control system comprises a fixed part, which:

- has a first face and a second face, opposite to each other along the axis,

- is provided with at least one first inlet passage and at least one first return passage, which pass through the fixed part by connecting the first and second faces of the fixed part to each other,

- is also provided with at least one second inlet passage and at least one second return passage, which pass through the fixed part by connecting the first and second faces of the fixed part to each other, and

- is fixedly assembled to the base so that the first face of the fixed part faces axially towards the base, by connecting the first inlet with the outlet of the first return passage on the first face of the fixed part and by connecting the second inlet with the outlet of the second return passage on the first side of the fixed part,

This flow control system also includes a moving part, which:

- has a first face and a second face, opposite to each other along the axis,

- is assembled in a movable manner to the fixed part, the first face of the movable part being joined axially against the second face of the fixed part, forming an joining interface,

- is provided with at least a first connection passage, which opens onto the first face of the moving part and which is adapted to put the first inlet passage into communication with the first return passage by varying the flow rate of the fluid cold circulating from the first inlet passage to the first return passage via the first connection passage as a function of the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part, and

- is also provided with at least one second connection passage, which opens onto the first face of the moving part and which is suitable for placing the second inlet passage in communication with the second return passage by varying the flow rate of the hot fluid flowing from the second inlet passage to the second return passage via the second connection passage depending on the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part,

According to the invention, the thermostatic cartridge includes:

- a first compartment, which is arranged on the second face of the moving part and which is in communication, through the moving part, with the adjoining interface so as to be supplied with cold fluid coming from the first passage of admission regardless of the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part, and

- a second compartment, which is arranged on the second face of the moving part and which is in communication, through the moving part, with the adjoining interface so as to be supplied with hot fluid coming from the second passage of admission regardless of the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part.

One of the ideas underlying the invention is to create a counter-pressure on the second face of the moving part, by sending cold fluid and hot fluid therefrom from the fixed part, regardless of the position of the moving part. the moving part relative to the fixed part. To do this, the invention provides for integrating, at the level of the second face of the moving part, a first compartment for the cold fluid and a second compartment for the hot fluid, which are obviously separate to avoid any mixing between the fluids. cold and hot. The first compartment is supplied with cold fluid from the joining interface, through the moving part, it being noted that cold fluid coming from the first inlet passage(s) of the fixed part always reaches the joining interface regardless of the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part. Similarly, the second compartment is supplied with hot fluid from the adjoining interface, through the moving part, it being noted that hot fluid coming from the second inlet passage(s) of the fixed part always reaches the interface adjoining regardless of the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part. Whatever the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part, the cold fluid thus floods the first compartment, putting the latter at the same pressure as the pressure of the cold fluid at the level of the joining interface, while that, at the same time, the hot fluid floods the second compartment, putting the latter at the same pressure as the pressure of the hot fluid at the joining interface. Thus, whatever the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part, the pressures in the first and second compartments counterbalance the pressures applied by the hot and cold fluids on the moving part at the level of the joining interface. In other words, the moving part is pressure balanced between its first and second faces. This avoids any detachment of the moving part relative to the fixed part, linked to a pressure differential between the first and second faces of the moving part. The risks of leaks at the junction interface are thus substantially reduced, and this advantageously without impacting the general structure of the cartridge, nor inducing costly or complex arrangements, as detailed below.

According to the advantageous additional characteristics of the thermostatic cartridge according to the invention, taken in isolation or according to all the technically possible combinations:

- The moving part can be moved relative to the fixed part between two extreme positions, namely:

- a fully closed position, in which the first connection passage is, at the joining interface, separated from the first inlet passage so that the flow rate of the cold fluid circulating from the first inlet passage to the first the return passage via the first connection passage is zero, and in which the second connection passage is, at the abutment interface, separated from the second inlet passage so that the flow rate of the hot fluid circulating from the second inlet passage to the second return passage via the second connecting passage is zero, and

- a fully open position, in which the first connection passage covers, at the level of the adjoining interface, both the first inlet passage and the first return passage, forming a flow section for the cold fluid which is maximum, and in which the second connection passage covers, at the level of the abutment interface, both the second inlet passage and the second return passage, forming a section of flow for the hot fluid which is maximal,

and the moving part is provided with:

- a first channel, which crosses the moving part to connect the first and second faces of the moving part to each other, opening into the first compartment at the level of the second face of the moving part, and opening into the first inlet passage at the joining interface at least when the moving part is in the fully closed position, and

- a second channel, which crosses the moving part to connect the first and second faces of the moving part to each other, opening into the second compartment at the level of the second face of the moving part, and opening into the second inlet passage at the joining interface at least when the moving part is in the fully closed position.

- The moving part is also equipped with:

- a third channel, which crosses the moving part to connect the first and second faces of the moving part to each other, opening into the first compartment at the level of the second face of the moving part, and opening into the first return passage at the joining interface at least when the moving part is in the fully open position, and

- a fourth channel, which crosses the moving part to connect the first and second faces of the moving part to one another, opening into the second compartment at the level of the second face of the moving part, and opening into the second return passage at the joining interface at least when the moving part is in the fully open position.

- Whatever the position of the movable part between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the first channel opens, at the level of the adjoining interface, into the first inlet passage and/or the third channel opens, at the joining interface, into the first return passage, and, whatever the position of the moving part between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the second channel opens , at the adjoining interface, into the second inlet passage and/or the fourth channel opens, at the adjoining interface, into the second return passage.

- At least when the movable part is in the fully closed position, the third channel is separated, at the level of the adjoining interface, from the first return passage and the fourth channel is separated, at the level of the interface of adjoining, of the second return passage, and, at least when the moving part is in the fully open position, the first channel is separated, at the adjoining interface, from the first inlet passage and the second channel is separated, at the adjoining interface, from the second inlet passage.

- The thermostatic cartridge includes a seal, which is arranged on the second face of the moving part and which isolates the first and second compartments from each other.

- The thermostatic cartridge includes a wall, which is arranged facing, along the axis, the second face of the moving part, and each of the first and second compartments is delimited by said wall and by the second face of the moving part.

- Said wall is kinematically linked to the moving part.

- The thermostatic cartridge comprises a box, which is fixed to the base and inside which are arranged the fixed part, the moving part and the said wall, and in that the flow adjustment system further comprises:

- an adjustment member, which is arranged outside the housing and which is mounted on the housing in a movable manner, and

- a connecting member, which connects, through the housing, the adjusting member to the moving part so that the adjusting member controls the moving part in displacement, said wall being integrated into the connecting member.

- The movable part is movable in rotation around the axis relative to the fixed part, and the fixed part and the movable part are discs, in particular made of ceramic, each having a central geometric axis which is parallel or coincident with the axis.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a thermostatic cartridge according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a section along the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of only part of the cartridge of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an elevational view along the arrow IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cartridge of Figure 1, the cartridge being in a first operating configuration;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating the cartridge in the operating configuration of Figure 5;

FIG. 7 is a section, along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6, of the cartridge in the operating configuration of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a section, along the line VIII-VIII, of the cartridge in the operating configuration of FIG. 5;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the cartridge of Figure 1, the cartridge being in a second operating configuration, different from the configuration of Figure 5;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating the cartridge in the operating configuration of Figure 9;

FIG. 11 is a section, along the line XI-XI of FIG. 10, of the cartridge in the operating configuration of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a section, along the line XII-XII of FIG. 10, of the cartridge in the operating configuration of FIG. 9;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the cartridge of Figure 1, the cartridge being in a third operating configuration, which is different from the configurations of Figures 5 and 9;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating the cartridge in the configuration of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a section along the line XV-XV of Figure 14, of the cartridge in the operating configuration of Figure 13; and

Figure 16 is a section, along line XVI-XVI of Figure 14, of the cartridge in the operating configuration of Figure 13.

In Figures 1 and 2 is shown a thermostatic cartridge 1. The cartridge 1 is suitable for equipping a mixer tap supplied with hot water and cold water, not shown as such in the figures. More generally, the cartridge 1 is suitable for equipping an installation, such as a sanitary installation, delivering a fluid obtained by mixing, at the level of the cartridge, a hot fluid and a cold fluid.

This cartridge 1 defines a geometric axis X-X, on which the cartridge is generally centered and along which the cartridge is arranged.

For convenience, the rest of the description is oriented with respect to the axis XX, considering that the terms "upper", "high" and the like correspond to an axial direction facing the upper part of Figures 1 and 2, while the terms "lower", "lower" and the like correspond to an axial direction of opposite direction.

As clearly visible in Figures 1 and 2, the cartridge 1 includes a base 10 having a generally cylindrical outer shape, centered on the X-X axis. In the embodiment considered here, the base 10 mainly comprises an upper part 11 and a lower part 12, which are axially superimposed in a fixed manner one on the other and which form between them a junction interface at the level which the contact zones between the upper 11 and lower 12 parts are sealed to prevent the flow of fluids through these contact zones. Specificities of production relating to these parts 11 and 12 and to their assembly are given in WO 2017/005860, WO 2017/137368 and PCT/EP2018/077345 to which the reader can refer. In practice, embodiments other than those with two separate superimposed parts such as parts 11 and 12 can be envisaged for the base 10, this aspect not being limiting of the invention. Thus, in a variant not shown, the base 10 can be made differently, for example in one piece, or even as in WO 2014/135614.

The base 10 is provided with a circulation channel 13 for the cold water, connecting the lower face to the upper face of the base. Similarly, the base 10 is provided with a circulation channel 14 for the hot water, connecting its lower and upper faces to each other. In addition, the base 10 contains a chamber 15 through which the axis X-X passes. In the embodiment considered in the figures, this chamber 15 is centered on the X-X axis.

On either side and distinctly from the chamber 15, the base 10 is provided with an inlet 16 for cold water and an inlet 17 for hot water which, at their upper end, open each on the upper face of the base 10, while, at their lower end, these inlets 16 and 17 open into the chamber 15, the lower end of the inlet 17 being located axially lower than that of the inlet 16. Thus, the inlets 16 and 17 connect the chamber 15 to the outside of the base 10, more precisely to the upper face of this base. In addition, the base 10 is provided with a mixing outlet 18, which, at its upper end, opens into the chamber 15 while, at its lower end, this outlet 18 opens onto the underside of the base 10 The outlet 18 thus connects the chamber 15 to the exterior of the base 10, more precisely to the underside of the latter. In the embodiment considered in the figures, the output 18 is substantially centered on the X-X axis.

When the cartridge 1 is used in a mixer tap or similar installation, the circulation channels 13 and 14 are respectively supplied with cold water and hot water from the underside of the base 10, as indicated by the arrows F1 and C1 in FIG. 1. After having left the base 10 via the upper face of the latter, then after having circulated inside the rest of the cartridge 1 as detailed below, this cold water and this hot water are returned to the upper surface of the base 10 so as to supply the inlets 16 and 17 respectively, as indicated by the arrows F2 and C2 in FIG. 2. This cold water and this hot water, flowing downwards respectively in the inlets 16 and 17, then feed the chamber 15, in which they mix in the form of mixed water, hereinafter called mixture, which, as indicated by the arrow M in Figure 2, leaves the chamber 15 through the outlet 18, while being evacuated ee down.

The cartridge 1 also includes a drawer 20. This drawer 20 has a generally tubular shape, centered on an axis which, in the assembled state of the cartridge 1, is parallel or even coincident with the X-X axis.

The drawer 20 is mounted on the base 10, more precisely inside the chamber 15, movably parallel to the axis X-X between two extreme positions, namely:

- an extreme high position, in which the upper face of the drawer 20 bears against a high seat, which is fixed relative to the base 10, and

- an extreme low position, in which the underside of the drawer 20 bears against a low seat, which is fixed relative to the base 10.

The total axial dimension of the drawer 20, separating its upper and lower faces from each other, is smaller than the axial distance separating the aforementioned top and bottom seats from each other. Also, when the drawer 20 is in its extreme low position, the drawer closes a hot water inlet inside the chamber 15, by pressing the drawer against the low seat, while opening a regulation passage F3 to the maximum. for cold water, which is delimited axially between the drawer and the high seat and which lets cold water pass from the inlet 16 to the chamber 15. Conversely, when the drawer 20 is in its extreme high position , the drawer 20 closes off a cold water inlet inside the chamber 15 by axial support of the drawer against the upper seat, while opening to the maximum a regulation passage C3 for the hot water, which is delimited axially between the drawer and the bottom seat and which allows hot water to pass from inlet 17 to chamber 15. In use, the regulation passage F3 is supplied with cold water by the inlet 16 and the regulation passage C3 is supplied in hot water through the inlet 17: according to the axial position of the drawer 20 between its positions e xtremes high and low, the respective flow sections of the cold water passage F3 and of the hot water passage C3, vary inversely, which amounts to saying that the quantities of cold water and hot water admitted in chamber 15 are regulated, in respective inverse proportions, by slide valve 20 according to its axial position.

In practice, to ensure the guiding of the mobile assembly of the drawer 20 in the chamber 15, the side face of this drawer is received in an adjusted and sealed manner inside a complementary surface of the chamber 15, with the interposition of at minus a seal to prevent any mixing between cold and hot water upstream of the drawer. In addition, so that the cold water admitted into the chamber 15 from the inlet 16 can join and mix with the hot water admitted inside this chamber from the inlet 17, thus forming the aforementioned mixture s Flowing downstream of the drawer as far as the outlet 18, the drawer 20 internally delimits one or more flow passages, which connect its upper and lower faces to one another. The embodiment of the arrangements described in this paragraph does not limit the invention.

To drive axial movement of slide 20 and thus control its axial position with respect to base 10, cartridge 1 comprises a thermostatic element 30, comprising a body 31 and a piston 32. Body 31 contains a thermoexpandable material which, by expansion, causes the relative displacement in translation of the piston 32. The body 31 and the piston 32 are centered on the corresponding axis of translation, this axis of translation being in parallel or even coincident with the axis XX in the assembled state of the cartridge 1. Also in the assembled state of the cartridge, the body 31 is fixedly secured to the drawer 20, and this by any appropriate means, so that at least a part of the body 31 is placed in the chamber 15 and that the thermoexpandable material that this body 31 contains can be sensitized by the heat of the mixture flowing downstream of the slide 20 along the body 31.

The thermostatic element 30 is also associated with a compressed return spring 34 which acts on the body 31 and therefore on the spool 20 integral with this body 31, in a manner opposite to the deployment of the piston 32 out of the body 31 resulting from a expansion of the thermoexpandable material. The return spring 34 is interposed axially between the base 10 and the drawer 20. In the embodiment considered here, the return spring 34 is thus interposed between the lower part 12 of the base 10 and the body 31 of the thermostatic element 30. During a contraction of the thermoexpandable material, the spring 34 partially relaxes and returns the piston 32 inside the body 31.

In the assembled state of the cartridge 1, the position of the piston 32 along the axis XX relative to the base 10 defines a setpoint temperature, which corresponds to a regulation position for the drawer 20 inside the chamber 15: in fact, the drawer regulates the quantities of hot water and cold water which flow through the passages C3 and F3, by adjusting its effective position around this regulation position by means of its drive by the body 31 by relative to the piston 32, which means that the temperature of the resulting mixture is regulated around the aforementioned set temperature.

More generally, it is understood that the assembly comprising the drawer 20, the thermostatic element 30 and the return spring 34 constitutes a possible embodiment of a thermostatic regulation system, which is at least partially disposed in the chamber 15 and which is adapted to regulate the temperature of the mixture to a setpoint temperature, by inversely varying the respective flow sections of the passages C3 and F3. Forms of embodiment of this thermostatic regulation system, other than that detailed so far, are possible. In other words, the embodiment of this thermostatic control system does not limit the invention.

The cartridge 1 also includes a housing 40. As clearly visible in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 40 generally has a tubular shape, centered on a geometric axis which, in the assembled state of the cartridge 1, is substantially coincident with the axis XX. In the embodiment considered here, the housing 40 includes an upper part 41, which has a tubular shape centered on the axis XX, and a lower part 42, which also has a tubular shape centered on the axis XX but whose internal and external diameters are respectively greater than the internal and external diameters of the upper part 41. The upper part 41 and the lower part 42 are connected to each other by a shouldered part 43 of the casing 40.

Whatever its embodiment, the housing 40 is fixedly secured to the base 10 in the assembled state of the cartridge 1. The respective arrangements of the housing 40 and the base 10, allowing their relative fixing, are not limitations of the invention: these respective arrangements can for example cooperate by complementarity of shapes, in particular by interlocking, clipping, adjustment, etc. In the exemplary embodiment considered in the figures, tabs 19 of base 10 cooperate by snap-fastening with housings 44 delimited by lower part 42 of housing 40. Specificities of this embodiment are detailed in PCT/EP2018/ 077345. Whatever the embodiment of the aforementioned arrangements, the latter are adapted, by their design, to position the box 40 in a predetermined manner with respect to the base 10, in particular with respect to the axis XX, both in the direction of this axis than transversely to this axis and angularly around this axis.

According to an advantageous optional arrangement, which is implemented in the embodiment considered in the figures, the cartridge 1 comprises a setpoint mechanism 50 allowing, from outside the housing 40, to control the aforementioned setpoint temperature and, there, to regulate the temperature of the mixture. In the embodiment considered in the figures, the deposit mechanism 50 comprises an adjustment rod 51 which, in the assembled state of the cartridge 1, is centered on the axis XX and extends axially from the outside to inside the housing 40, crossing the top of the upper part 41. This adjustment rod 51 is locked in translation along the axis XX relative to the housing 40, while being able to rotate around the axis XX. The deposit mechanism 50 also comprises a nut 52 which, in the assembled state of the cartridge 1, is centered on the axis XX and is housed inside the casing 40, in particular inside its upper part. 41. This nut 52 is locked in rotation about the axis XX relative to the housing 40, while being movable in translation along this axis. A threaded part of the adjusting rod 51, arranged inside the housing 40, is screwed into a threaded part of the nut 52, thus forming a screw-nut connection between the adjusting rod 51 and the nut 52 Thus, by driving the adjustment rod 51 in rotation around the axis XX, typically by stressing the part of this adjustment rod, located outside the housing 40, the nut 52 is driven in translation according to the axis XX inside the housing 40. This axial translation of the nut 52 is transmitted to the piston 32 of the thermostatic element 30, for example by a connecting rod 53. This connecting rod 53 extends in the extension axial upwards of the piston 32 so that, on the one hand, under the upward thrust effect of the return spring 34, the piston 32 is pressed axially against the lower end of this connecting rod 53 and, on the other hand, under normal service conditions of the cartridge 1, the upper end of the connecting rod 53 is t rigidly linked to the nut 52. It is understood that under normal operating conditions, the setpoint mechanism 50 determines the axial altitude of the piston 32 relative to the housing 40 and to the base 10, independently of the relative position of this piston 32 vis-à-vis the body 31 of the thermostatic element 30. The connection between the nut 52 and the connecting rod 53 can advantageously incorporate overtravel arrangements making it possible to accommodate an overtravel of the piston 32 without damaging the drawer 20 or the thermostatic element 30. Specificities relating to these overtravel arrangements and, more generally, additional or alternative arrangements to the deposit mechanism 50 presented so far, are detailed in WO 2017/137368 and in EP 1 241 385 .

As clearly visible in Figure 2, the cartridge 1 also comprises two discs superimposed along the axis XX, namely a lower disc 60 and an upper disc 61. Each of these discs is centered on a geometric axis which, at the assembled state of the cartridge 1, is parallel or even coincident with the axis XX. Each disc 60, 61 has two opposite faces along the X-X axis, namely a lower face 60A and an upper face 60B for the disc 60 and a lower face 61A and an upper face 61B for the disc 61.

In the assembled state of the cartridge 1, the discs 60 and 61 are arranged inside the casing 40, in particular inside the lower part 42 of this casing, being assembled on the base 10. More precisely, the disc 60 is fixedly assembled to the base 10 so that its lower face 60A is arranged axially against the upper face of the base 10. The disc 61 is assembled in a movable manner to the disc 60, the lower face 61A of the disk 61 being joined axially against the upper face 60B of the disk 60 by forming an joining interface 62. At the level of the joining interface 62, the contact zones between the disks 60 and 61 are sealed, preventing circulation of fluid transversely to the axis. In practice, this tightness can advantageously result from the fact that the discs 60 and 61 are made of ceramic or a similar material. As clearly visible in Figure 2, the joining interface 62 extends transversely, even perpendicularly to the X-X axis. In the embodiment considered here, disc 61 is movable relative to disc 60 at least in rotation around the X-X axis, or even exclusively in rotation around the X-X axis. That said, in variants, other kinematics of displacement of the disc 61 relative to the disc 60 are possible, as mentioned later.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the assembly of the base 10, the drawer 20, the thermostatic element 30 and the discs 60 and 61, without the housing 40 or the deposit mechanism 50 being shown in these figures 3 and 4. FIG. 4 thus makes it possible to observe, in the direction of the axis XX, the upper face 61B of the disc 61.

As shown in Figure 2, the disc 60 is provided with several through passages, which connect to each other the lower face 60A and the upper face 60B of the disc 60, namely:

- an inlet passage 63F which, in the assembled state of the cartridge 1, has its outlet on the underside 60A of the disc 60 which is connected to the circulation channel 13, so that, in service, the cold water supplying the circulation channel 13 circulates from the latter to the upper face 60B of the disc 60 via the inlet passage 63F,

- an inlet passage 63C which, in the assembled state of the cartridge 1, has its outlet on the underside 60A of the disc 60 which is connected to the circulation channel 14, so that, in service, the hot water supplying the circulation channel 14 circulates from the latter to the upper face 60B of the disc 60 via the inlet passage 63C,

- a return passage 64F which, in the assembled state of the cartridge 1, has its outlet on the underside 60A of the disc 60 which is connected to the inlet 16, so that, in service, cold water flowing from the upper face to the lower face of the disk 60 via the return passage 64F feeds the inlet 16, and

- a return passage 64C which, in the assembled state of the cartridge 1, has its outlet on the underside 60A of the disc 60 which is connected to the inlet 17, so that, in service, hot water flowing from the upper face to the lower face of the disc 60 via the return passage 64C feeds the inlet 17.

Also as clearly visible in Figure 2, the disc 61 is provided with several passages, which all open on the lower face 61A of the disc 61, namely:

- a connection passage 65F which, depending on the position of the disc 61 relative to the disc 60, makes it possible to put the inlet passage 63F in communication with the return passage 64F by varying the flow rate of the cold fluid circulating from the passage inlet 63F to return passage 64F via connection passage 65F, and

- a connection passage 65C which, depending on the position of the disc 61 with respect to the disc 60, makes it possible to put the inlet passage 63C in communication with the return passage 64C by varying the flow of hot water circulating from the inlet passage 63C to return passage 64C via connection passage 65C.

To fully understand the action of the disc 61 on the flow of hot water and on the flow of cold water vis-à-vis the disc 60, we will be interested in different operating configurations for the cartridge 1, to know :

- a configuration of total closure, which is illustrated by figures 5 to 8 and in which the circulation of cold water in the inlet 16 and the circulation of hot water in the inlet 17 are interrupted,

- a partial opening configuration, which is illustrated by Figures 9 to 12 and in which cold water circulates in the inlet 16 and hot water circulates in the inlet 17 but with water flows cold and hot water which are not maximum, and

- a configuration of total opening, which is illustrated by figures 13 to 16 and in which cold water circulates in the inlet 16 and hot water circulates in the inlet 17 with hot water flows and maximum cold water.

The cartridge 1 passes between the configuration of total closure and the configuration of total opening, via the configuration of partial opening, by means of the displacement of the disc 61 with respect to the disc 60, the disc 61 thus passing, respectively, between a position of total closure, clearly visible in Figure 6, and a fully open position, clearly visible in Figure 14, via a partial open position, clearly visible in Figure 10. In these Figures 6, 10 and 14, we has added, schematically, the respective contours, at the abutment interface 62, of the inlet passages 63F and 63C, of the return passages 64F and 64C and of the connection passages 65F and 65C. More precisely, the respective openings of the admission passages 63F and 63C and of the return passages 64F and 64C on the upper face 61A of the disc 60 are indicated therein in fine dotted lines, while the respective openings of the connection passages 65F and 65C on the underside 61A of the disc 61 are indicated therein in thick dotted lines.

As clearly visible in Figure 6, in other words when the disc 61 is in the fully closed position, the connection passage 65F is, at the level of the joining interface 62, separated from the admission passage 63F, in the direction that the connection passage 65F does not cover the inlet passage 63F at all, so that the cold water present in the inlet passage 63F is prevented from reaching the return passage 64F by the disc 61, which returns that is to say that the flow rate of the cold fluid circulating from the inlet passage 63F to the return passage 64F via the connecting passage 65F is zero. Similarly, the connection passage 65C is, at the abutment interface 62, separated from the inlet passage 63C so that the flow of hot water circulating from the inlet passage 63C to the return passage 64C via the connection passage 65C is zero.

As clearly visible in Figure 10, in other words when the disc 61 is in the partially open position, the connection passage 65F is, at the level of the joining interface 62, in partial overlap with both the passage 63F inlet and 64F return passage, thus allowing the circulation of cold water from the 63F inlet passage to the 64F return passage via the 65F connection passage. Similarly, the connection passage 65C is, at the level of the adjoining interface 62, in partial overlap with both the admission passage 63C and the return passage 64C, thus authorizing the circulation of water hot from the inlet passage 63C to the return passage 64C via the connection passage 65C.

As clearly visible in Figure 14, in other words when the disc 61 is in the fully open position, the connection passage 65F covers, at the level of the joining interface 62, both the admission passage 63F and the return passage 64F, and this with a greater extent of overlap than when the disc 61 is in the partially open position, the overlap between the connection passage 65F and the inlet 63F and return 64F passages being provided so that the flow section for cold water, at the adjoining interface 62, is maximum. Similarly, connection passage 65C spans, at mating interface 62, both inlet passage 63C and return passage 64C, forming a flow section for hot water which is maximum.

Thus, it is understood that by modifying the position of the disc 61 with respect to the disc 60 between the two extreme positions which are the fully closed position and the fully open position, the flow of cold water reaching the inlet 16 and the hot water flow reaching the inlet 17, due to a more or less extensive overlap between the connection passage 65F and the inlet and return passages 63F and 64F and a more or less overlap extended between the connecting passage 65C and the inlet 63C and return 64C passages. It will also be noted that the geometric specificities of the passages for admission, return and connection of the discs 60 and 61 are not limiting of the invention as long as the aforementioned covers ensure the variation of the flow rates of hot water and cold water depending on the position of the disc 61 relative to the disc 60. In particular, each of the inlet, return and connection passages may have other profiles than those shown schematically in Figures 6, 10 and 14 , in particular in connection with the movement kinematics provided for the disc 61 with respect to the disc 60. Similarly, both for hot water and for cold water, several inlet passages and/or several return passages can be provided in disc 60 and/or several connecting passages may be provided in disc 61.

Returning now to FIG. 4, this clearly shows that, in particular at the level of the upper face 61B of the disc 61, the cartridge 1 has specific arrangements which will now be described in more detail. Thus, as clearly visible in Figure 4, but also as shown in Figure 2, the cartridge 1 includes two separate compartments 70 and 71, respectively for cold water and for hot water. These compartments 70 and 71 are arranged on the upper face 61B of the disc 61, respectively occupying distinct regions of this upper face 61B, and are respectively supplied with cold water and hot water through the disc 61, as detailed below. .

According to a practical embodiment, which is implemented in the embodiment considered in the figures, the compartments 70 and 71 are, transversely to the axis XX, separated from each other by a trim of sealing 72 arranged on the upper face 61B of the disc 61: this sealing gasket 72 seals off the compartments 70 and 71 from each other, thus avoiding any mixing between the hot water and cold water at the level of the upper face 61B of the disc 61. Advantageously, the sealing gasket 72 also seals the compartments 70 and 71 vis-à-vis the rest of the cartridge 1 at the level of the upper face 61B of the disc 61, in particular by avoiding leaks both towards the periphery of this upper face 61B, and towards the central region of this face 61B, it being noted that, for the cartridge 1 considered here, this central region of the upper face 61B of the disc 61 is traversed by part of the mechanism of co nsign 50, more precisely the connecting rod 53. In the embodiment considered here, the seal 72 is made in the form of a single piece, as clearly visible in Figure 4. This being so, other embodiments are conceivable for the seal 72, in particular several separate seals, distributed around each of the compartments 70 and 71.

Also according to a practical embodiment, which is implemented in the cartridge 1, the compartments 70 and 71 are delimited along the X-X axis:

- downwards, directly by the upper face 61B of the disc 61, and

- upwards, by a wall 73, which is arranged opposite, along the axis XX, the upper face 61B of the disc 61, while being axially distant from this face 61B, the axial spacing between the upper face 61B of the disk 61 and the underside of the wall 73 defining the axial dimension of the compartments 70 and 71.

In practice, as in the example considered here, the seal 72 is found axially interposed between the disc 61 and the wall 73, being advantageously compressed along the X-X axis to improve the sealing it provides. Moreover, according to an advantageous arrangement which is implemented in the embodiment considered here, the wall 73 is kinematically linked to the disc 61, and this by means of arrangements, the embodiment of which is not limiting. of the invention and which will be detailed a little later. Thus, the compartments 70 and 71 are, in a way, boarded by the sub-assembly consisting of the disc 61, the seal 72 and the wall 73. In this way, when the disc 61 is moved relative to the disc 60, the compartments 70 and 71 as well as the gasket 72 and the wall 73 are moved in a corresponding manner, which avoids relative movements, transversely to the axis XX, between the disc 61, the gasket 72 and the wall 73.

As mentioned previously, the compartments 70 and 71 are respectively supplied with hot water and cold water through the disc 61. More specifically, the compartment 70 is in communication, through the disc 61, with the lower face 61A of the disc 61, in other words with the adjoining interface 62, so that this compartment 70 is supplied with cold water coming from the supply passage 63F whatever the position of the disc 61 with respect to the disc 60. Similarly, the compartment 71 is in communication, through the disc 61, with the lower face 61A of the disc 61, in other words with the adjoining interface 62, so as to be supplied with hot water coming from the supply passage 64F whatever the position of the disc 61 compared to disc 60.

To this end, according to a practical and effective embodiment, which is implemented in the example considered in the figures, the disc 61 is provided:

- a channel 74F, which crosses the disc 61 by connecting its lower 61A and upper 61B faces to one another, and which, at the level of the upper face 61B of the disc 61, opens into the compartment 70, while that, at the level of the lower face 61A of the disc 61, in other words at the level of the joining interface 62, this channel 74F opens into the admission passage 63F at least when the disc 61 is in the fully closed position , as clearly visible in Figure 7, and

- a channel 74C, which passes through the disc 61 by connecting its lower 61A and upper 61B faces to each other, which opens into the compartment 71 at the level of the upper face 61B of the disc 61, and which, at the level of the adjoining interface 62, opens into the inlet passage 63C at least when the disc 61 is in the fully closed position, also as clearly visible in Figure 7.

Channel 74C is distinct from channel 74F, for example being diametrically opposed to the latter.

Thus, when the disc 61 is in the fully closed position, and also when the disc 61 is moved relative to the disc 60 from the fully closed position to the fully open position, in particular when the disc 61 is in the partial opening position of Figures 9 to 12, the cold water present in the inlet passage 63F joins the compartment 70 through the disc 61 via the channel 74F and, at the same time, the hot water present in the inlet passage 63C joins compartment 71 through disk 61 via channel 74C.

In addition, disc 61 is also provided with:

- a channel 75F, which crosses the disc 61 by connecting its lower 61A and upper 61B faces to one another, which is separate from the channel 74F, and which opens, at the level of the upper face 61B of the disc 61 , in the compartment 70, while, at the level of the lower face 61A of the disc 61, in other words at the level of the adjoining interface 62, this channel 75F opens into the return passage 64F at least when the disc 61 is in the fully open position, as clearly visible in Figure 16, and

- a channel 75C, which passes through the disc 61 by connecting its lower 61A and upper 61B faces to one another, which is distinct from the channel 74C, and which opens, at the level of the upper face 61B of the disc 61, into the compartment 71 while, at the joining interface 62, this channel 75C opens into the return passage 64C at least when the disc 61 is in the fully open position, also as clearly visible in Figure 16 .

Channels 75F and 75C are distinct from each other, for example being diametrically opposed to each other.

Thus, when the disc 61 is in the fully open position, but also when the disc 61 is moved relative to the disc 60 from the fully open position to the fully closed position, the cold water having reached the passage return 64F via connecting passage 65F from inlet passage 63F joins compartment 70 via channel 75F. In the same way, the hot water having reached the return passage 64C via the connection passage 65C from the admission passage 63C joins the compartment 71 via the channel 75C.

Of course, the various channels 74F, 74C, 75F and 75C are distinct from the connection passages 65F and 65C, in particular in the sense that the connection passages 65F and 65C do not open onto the upper face 61B of the disk 61.

It will be noted that, due to the relative arrangement of the channels 74F, 74C, 75F and 75C vis-à-vis the passages of admission 63F and 63C and return 64F and 64C, according to the position of the disc 61 with respect to the disc 60, channels 75F and 75C are closed by disc 60 when disc 61 is in the fully closed position, as clearly visible in Figure 8, while channels 74F and 74C are closed by disc 60 when disc 61 is in the fully open position, as clearly visible in figure 15. In other words:

- at least when the disc 61 is in the fully closed position, the channel 75F is separated, at the level of the joining interface 62, from the return passage 64F and the channel 75C is separated, at the level of the interface adjoining 62, the return passage 64C as clearly visible in Figure 8, and

- at least when the disk 61 is in the fully open position, the channel 74F is separated, at the level of the adjoining interface 62, from the admission passage 63F and the channel 74C is separated, at the level of the adjoining interface 62, of the admission passage 63C, as clearly visible in Figure 15.

Moreover, whatever the position of the disc 61 with respect to the disc 60 between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the supply of the compartment 70 with cold water is guaranteed by one or other of the channels 74F and 75F, or even simultaneously via these two channels, while the supply of hot water to compartment 71 is ensured by one or the other of the channels 74C and 75C, or even via these two channels. For example, in the partially open position illustrated by FIGS. 9 to 12, the power supply to compartment 70 is ensured solely by channel 74F and the power supply to compartment 71 is ensured solely by channel 74C, as clearly visible on Figure 11, while the channels 75F and 75C are closed by the disc 60, as clearly visible in Figure 12. More generally, it is understood that whatever the position of the disc 61 between the fully closed position and the position of completely open, the channel 74F opens, at the level of the joining interface 62, into the admission passage 63F and/or the channel 75F opens, at the level of the joining interface 62, into the passage of return 64F. Similarly, whatever the position of the disc 61 between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the channel 74C opens, on the joining interface 62, into the inlet passage 63C and/or the channel 75C leads, on the adjoining interface 62, into the return passage 64C.

In all cases, whatever the position of the disc 61 with respect to the disc 60, the cold water contained in the compartment 70 applies, on the upper face 61B of the disc 61, the same pressure as the cold water, present at the level of the coupling interface 62, applies to the lower face 61A of the disc 60. Similarly, whatever the position of the disc 61 with respect to the disc 60, the hot water present in the compartment 71 applies to the face upper 61B of disk 61 a pressure which is the same as that which the hot water, present at the level of the adjoining interface 62, applies to the lower face 61A of disk 61. In other words, disk 61 is balanced in pressure between its upper 61B and lower 61A faces. As no pressure differential can appear between the lower 61A and upper 61B faces of the disc 61, the risks of the disc 61 detaching from the disc 60 under the effect of the hot water and the cold water present at the level of the abutment interface 62 are limited. In other words, leaks at the abutment interface 62 are avoided.

According to an advantageous optional arrangement of the cartridge 1, which is implemented in the embodiment considered in the figures, the disc 61 is drivable in displacement relative to the disc 60 from outside the housing 40. To this end, the cartridge 1 comprises an adjustment member 80, which is arranged outside the casing 40 and which is mounted on the casing 40 in a movable manner. In addition, the cartridge also includes a connecting member 90, which connects, through the housing 40, the adjusting member 80 to the disc 61 so that the adjusting member 80 controls the displacement of the disc 61. In the example of embodiment considered here, the adjustment member 80 consists of a ring, which is centered on the axis XX and which is mounted in rotation around the axis XX with respect to the housing 40. As for the connecting member 90, it comprises, as clearly visible in Figure 2, a discoidal body 91, which is arranged inside the housing 40. This discoidal body 91 is connected in rotation, around the axis XX, to the ring forming the adjustment member 80, and this through the shouldered part 43 of the housing 40. In addition, the discoidal body 91 covers the disc 61, being linked kinematically to the latter by ad hoc arrangements, such as one or more lugs which extend axially downward from disc body 91 and which are received axially in recesses comp elements of the disc 61. The specificities of the production of these adjusting members 80 and link 90 are not limiting of the invention and are moreover dependent on the kinematics of movement that the disc 61 must follow with respect to the disc 60 to control the cold and hot water flows.

Whatever the embodiment of the connecting member 90, it advantageously incorporates the wall 73 described above. In the embodiment considered in the figures, this wall 73 is thus integrated, or even constitutes the discoidal body 91.

In all cases, it will be noted that the discs 60 and 61, the adjustment member 80 and the connecting member 90 together form a flow rate adjustment system for the cartridge 1, which makes it possible to adjust the flow rate of the mixture, and this advantageously from outside the housing 40.

Finally, various arrangements and variants of the cartridge 1 described so far are also possible. By way of example, within the thermostatic regulation system, the thermostatic element 30 can be replaced by a shape memory element depending on the temperature, in particular a shape memory spring; more generally, such a shape memory element and the thermostatic element 30 are only possible embodiments for a thermostatic actuator, which performs the function of moving the drawer 20 inside the chamber 15 according to the temperature and of which a dedicated part defines, by its axial position, the setpoint temperature at which the drawer 20 regulates the temperature of the mixture.

Claims (10)

Thermostatic cartridge (1), comprising:
- a base (10), which defines an axis (XX) and which contains a chamber (15) for mixing a cold fluid and a hot fluid, this chamber being connected to the outside of the base by, at the same time, a first inlet (16) for the cold fluid, a second inlet (17) for the hot fluid, and an outlet (18) for a mixture of cold and hot fluids,
- a thermostatic regulation system (20, 30, 34), which is at least partially disposed in the chamber (15) and which is adapted to regulate the temperature of the mixture to a set temperature, by varying the sections inversely respective flow paths of a first regulating passage (F3), provided between the first inlet (16) and the chamber, and a second regulating passage (C3), provided between the second inlet (17) and the chamber, and
- a flow rate adjustment system (60, 61, 80, 90), which is adapted to adjust the flow rate of the mixture,
which flow control system comprises a fixed part (60), which:
- has a first face (60A) and a second face (60B), opposite to each other along the axis (XX),
- is provided with at least a first inlet passage (63F) and at least a first return passage (64F), which pass through the fixed part by connecting the first and second faces of the the fixed part,
- is also provided with at least one second inlet passage (63C) and at least one second return passage (64C), which pass through the fixed part by connecting the first and second faces to each other of the fixed part, and
- is fixedly assembled to the base (10) so that the first face of the fixed part faces axially towards the base, connecting the first inlet (16) with the outlet of the first return passage (64F) on the first face of the fixed part and by connecting the second inlet (17) with the outlet of the second return passage (64C) on the first face of the fixed part,
which flow control system also comprises a moving part (61), which:
- has a first face (61A) and a second face (61B), opposite to each other along the axis (XX),
- is assembled in a movable manner to the fixed part (60), the first face of the movable part being joined axially against the second face (60B) of the fixed part, forming an joining interface (62),
- is provided with at least a first connection passage (65F), which opens onto the first face of the moving part and which is adapted to put the first inlet passage (63F) into communication with the first return passage ( 64F) by varying the flow rate of the cold fluid circulating from the first inlet passage to the first return passage via the first connection passage as a function of the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part, and
- is also provided with at least one second connection passage (65C), which opens onto the first face of the moving part and which is adapted to place the second inlet passage (63C) in communication with the second return passage (64C) by varying the flow rate of the hot fluid circulating from the second inlet passage to the second return passage via the second connection passage as a function of the position of the moving part relative to the fixed part,
characterized in that the thermostatic cartridge (1) includes:
- a first compartment (70), which is arranged on the second face (61B) of the moving part (61) and which is in communication, through the moving part, with the joining interface (62) in such a way to be supplied with cold fluid coming from the first inlet passage (63F) regardless of the position of the movable part relative to the fixed part (60), and
- a second compartment (71), which is arranged on the second face (61B) of the moving part (61) and which is in communication, through the moving part, with the joining interface (62) in such a way to be supplied with hot fluid from the second inlet passage (63C) regardless of the position of the movable part relative to the fixed part (60). Thermostatic cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the movable part (61) is movable relative to the fixed part (60) between two extreme positions, namely:
- a fully closed position, in which the first connection passage (65F) is, at the level of the adjoining interface (62), separated from the first inlet passage (63F) so that the flow of cold fluid flowing from the first inlet passage to the first return passage (64F) via the first connection passage (65F) is zero, and in which the second connection passage (65C) is, at the level of the abutment interface ( 62), separated from the second inlet passage (63C) so that the flow rate of the hot fluid circulating from the second inlet passage to the second return passage (64C) via the second connection passage (65C) is zero, and
- a fully open position, in which the first connection passage (65F) covers, at the level of the adjoining interface (62), both the first admission passage (63F) and the first passage of return (64F), forming a flow section for the cold fluid which is maximal, and in which the second connection passage (65C) covers, at the level of the adjoining interface (62), both the second inlet passage (63C) and the second return passage (64C), forming a flow section for the hot fluid which is maximum,
and in that the moving part (61) is provided:
- a first channel (74F), which passes through the moving part (61) to connect the first and second faces of the moving part to each other, opening into the first compartment (70) at the level of the second face (61B) of the moving part, and opening into the first inlet passage (63F) at the level of the joining interface (62) at least when the moving part is in the fully closed position, and
- a second channel (74C), which crosses the moving part to connect the first and second faces of the moving part to each other, opening into the second compartment (71) at the level of the second face ( 61B) of the movable part, and opening into the second inlet passage (63C) at the level of the joining interface (62) at least when the movable part is in the fully closed position. Thermostatic cartridge according to Claim 2, characterized in that the moving part (61) is also provided with:
- a third channel (75F), which crosses the moving part to connect the first and second faces of the moving part to each other, opening into the first compartment (70) at the level of the second face ( 61B) of the moving part, and opening into the first return passage (64F) at the level of the joining interface (62) at least when the moving part is in the fully open position, and
- a fourth channel (75C), which crosses the moving part to connect the first and second faces of the moving part to each other, opening into the second compartment (71) at the level of the second face ( 61B) of the moving part, and opening into the second return passage (64C) at the level of the joining interface (62) at least when the moving part is in the fully open position. Thermostatic cartridge according to Claim 3, characterized in that, whatever the position of the moving part (61) between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the first channel (74F) opens out, at the level of the the adjoining interface (62), in the first admission passage (63F) and/or the third channel (75F) emerges, at the level of the adjoining interface (62), in the first return passage ( 64F),
and in that, whatever the position of the movable part (61) between the fully closed position and the fully open position, the second channel (74C) opens out, at the level of the joining interface (62 ), in the second inlet passage (63C) and/or the fourth channel (75C) emerges, at the level of the adjoining interface (62), in the second return passage (64C). Thermostatic cartridge according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that, at least when the movable part (61) is in the fully closed position, the third channel (75F) is separated, at the level of the interface of the joining (62) of the first return passage (64F) and the fourth channel (75C) is separated, at the joining interface (62), from the second return passage (64C),
and in that, at least when the movable part (61) is in the fully open position, the first channel (74F) is separated, at the level of the adjoining interface (62), from the first passage of intake (63F) and the second channel (74C) is separated, at the mating interface (62), from the second intake passage (63C). Thermostatic cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermostatic cartridge (1) comprises a seal (72), which is arranged on the second face (61B) of the moving part (61) and which isolates the first and second compartments (70, 71) from each other. Thermostatic cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermostatic cartridge (1) includes a wall (73), which is arranged facing, along the axis (XX), the second face (61B) of the moving part (61), and in that each of the first and second compartments (70, 71) is delimited by the said wall (73) and by the second face (61B) of the moving part (61). Thermostatic cartridge according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said wall (73) is kinematically linked to the moving part (61). Thermostatic cartridge according to Claim 8, characterized in that the thermostatic cartridge (1) comprises a casing (40), which is fixed to the base (10) and inside which are arranged the fixed part (60), the moving part (61) and said wall (73), and in that the flow rate adjustment system further comprises:
- an adjustment member (80), which is arranged outside the housing (40) and which is movably mounted on the housing, and
- a connecting member (90), which connects, through the housing (40), the adjusting member (80) to the movable part (61) so that the adjusting member controls the moving part,
and in that said wall (74) is integrated into the connecting member (90). Thermostatic cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable part (61) is movable in rotation around the axis (XX) relative to the fixed part (60), and in that the fixed part (60) and the moving part (61) are discs, in particular made of ceramic, each having a central geometric axis which is parallel or coincident with the axis (XX).