CN112423892A

CN112423892A - Spray head for a sanitary fitting with an adjusting element for a plurality of valves

Info

Publication number: CN112423892A
Application number: CN201980047586.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·迈因卡; T·沃雷尔
Original assignee: Grohe AG
Current assignee: Grohe AG
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2019-07-10
Publication date: 2021-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-10
Also published as: CN112423892B; DE102018117231A1; EP3823762A1; WO2020015845A1; EP3823762B1

Abstract

A spray head (1) for sanitary equipment, the spray head having: -a housing (2) having at least one inflow channel (3) and a plurality of outflow channels (4.1, 4.2, 4.3), -at least one actuating element (5) that can be actuated by a user, -an adjusting element (6) that can be moved in the housing (2) in an actuating plane (7) by the at least one actuating element (5), -a plurality of valves (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) by means of which the plurality of outflow channels (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) can be closed, wherein each valve (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) of the plurality of valves (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) has a valve body (9.1, 9.2, 9.3), wherein the valve bodies (9) of the plurality of valves (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) can be adjusted by the adjusting element (6) parallel to the actuating plane (7) of the adjusting element (6) from a closed position (10) into an open position (11), wherein the plurality of valves (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) can be adjusted by the adjusting element (6) into an open position, The valve bodies (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) of 8.2, 8.3) are coupled to the actuating element (6) in such a way that the actuating element (6) actuates the valve body (9) in the direction of the open position (11) to effect a closing movement of at least one further valve body (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) in the direction of the closed position (10), and the actuating element (6) always moves at least one valve body (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) at least partially in the direction of the open position (11).

Description

Spray head for a sanitary fitting with an adjusting element for a plurality of valves

Technical Field

The invention relates to a spray head for bathroom equipment. Sanitary installations are used in particular for supplying liquids, such as in particular water, to sinks, washing basins, showers or baths as required.

Background

The spray heads for the sanitary arrangement can be configured, for example, in the form of shower heads, overhead fixed spray heads and/or hand-held spray heads and/or for large-area distribution of the liquid output through the sanitary arrangement. Furthermore, spray heads are known with which liquids can be output in the form of different jets, for example in the form of rain, water jets, massage jets or pearl jets. Switching between the individual jet forms can be effected by an actuating element on the spray head, by means of which the valve in the outflow channel can be controlled for a single jet form. The disadvantage here is that the actuating element and the valve require a large installation space, so that the housing of the spray head must be made correspondingly large. Another disadvantage of the known spray head is that the valves can become stuck in the intermediate position closing all the valves when the actuating element is incorrectly or incompletely actuated by the user. As a result, an inadmissibly high pressure load can be generated by the inflowing liquid, which can damage the spray head.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to solve at least partially the technical problems explained with reference to the prior art and in particular to provide a spray head whose valve is distinguished by a low installation space requirement and can prevent impermissible high pressures in the spray head.

This object is achieved by a spray head according to the features of the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features which are set forth individually in the dependent claims can be combined with one another in any technically expedient manner and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features specified in the claims are specified and explained in the description, in which further preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

To this end, a shower head for a sanitary installation is proposed, which has at least the following components:

a housing with at least one inflow channel and a plurality of outflow channels,

at least one operating element which can be operated by a user,

an adjusting element which can be moved in an actuating plane in the housing by means of at least one actuating element,

a plurality of valves, by means of which a plurality of outflow channels can be closed, wherein each valve of the plurality of valves has a valve body, wherein the valve bodies of the plurality of valves can be moved by an adjusting element parallel to an actuating plane of the adjusting element from a closed position into an open position, wherein the valve bodies of the plurality of valves are coupled to the adjusting element in such a way that a closing movement of at least one further valve body in the direction of the closed position is achieved by the adjusting of the valve bodies in the direction of the open position by the adjusting element, and the adjusting element always moves/displaces at least one valve body at least partially in the direction of the open position.

Sanitary installations are used in particular for supplying liquids, such as in particular water, to sinks, washing basins, showers or baths as required. For this purpose, the sanitary installation can be supplied with cold water having a cold water temperature and with hot water having a hot water temperature, the cold water and the hot water being mixable by the sanitary installation, for example by means of a mixing valve or a hot thermostatic mixing drum, to form mixed water having a desired mixed water temperature. The cold water temperature is in particular at most 25 ℃ (celsius), preferably 1 ℃ to 25 ℃, particularly preferably 5 ℃ to 20 ℃, and/or the hot water temperature is in particular at most 90 ℃, preferably 25 ℃ to 90 ℃, particularly preferably 55 ℃ to 65 ℃. The mixed water is then fed, for example, via a liquid line or a liquid hose to a spray head, which is embodied, for example, in the form of an overhead stationary spray head or a hand-held spray head. The spray head may be fixedly connected to a carrier, for example a wall, or may be moved by a user. By means of the spray head, in particular, liquids having a plurality of different spray forms can be sprayed.

For this purpose, the spray head has a housing with at least one inflow channel and a plurality of outflow channels. The housing may be at least partially made of metal and/or plastic. The liquid can be supplied to the spray head via at least one inflow channel. For this purpose, the inflow channel can be connected in particular to a liquid line or a liquid hose of the sanitary fitting. By means of a plurality of outflow channels, the liquid can be supplied to at least one jet former, by means of which different jet forms can be generated. In this case, each outflow channel is in particular associated with a further jet pattern, so that the jet pattern associated with the outflow channel from which the liquid flows out is formed in each case by the spray head. The housing has in particular three outflow channels for three different jet forms.

Furthermore, the spray head has at least one actuating element which can be actuated by a user. This means, in particular, that the at least one actuating element is arranged such that the user can use the actuating element when using the sanitary fitting. The desired spray pattern of the spray head can be set by means of the at least one actuating element. For this purpose, the at least one actuating element can have, for example, a plurality of pressure points, with the actuation of which the respective jet pattern can be set. The at least one actuating element can be designed in particular in the form of a plate or a (circular) disk and/or can be mounted pivotably (for example on a central point).

The spray head furthermore has an adjusting element, which can be moved in the housing in an actuating plane by means of at least one actuating element. This means that, when the at least one actuating element is actuated by the user to set the desired jet pattern, the setting element is moved in the actuating plane by the at least one actuating element. The setting element may have a central axis, for example an annular section or region of the setting element may be configured to be (substantially) rotationally symmetrical about the central axis. The central axis extends in particular orthogonally to the actuating plane of the actuating element.

Furthermore, the spray head has a plurality of valves which can close a plurality of outflow channels. For this purpose, a plurality of valves are arranged in particular in a plurality of outflow channels. Furthermore, the spray head has in particular one valve for each outflow channel. Furthermore, each valve of the plurality of valves has a valve body, which may comprise, for example, a valve head and a piston section, wherein the valve head and the piston section are arranged in a T-shape relative to one another. In this case, the valve head can extend perpendicularly to the actuating plane of the actuating element and/or the piston section can extend parallel to the actuating plane of the actuating element. The valve body is thereby arranged in particular horizontally and/or can be adjusted by the adjusting element parallel to the actuating plane of the adjusting element from the closed position into the open position. In this way, the plurality of valves can be configured particularly compactly in the housing. In the closed position, the respective valve is closed, so that liquid cannot (substantially) flow out through the respective outflow channel. Furthermore, in the closed position, the valve head of the valve body rests against the sealing surface. If the user actuates at least one actuating element to set the desired jet pattern, the valve body of the valve of the outflow channel associated with the desired jet pattern is adjusted by means of an adjusting element in the direction of the open position of the valve body along a valve body adjustment path (which extends in particular linearly and/or parallel to an actuating plane of the adjusting element). Thereby, the respective valve is at least partially opened, so that liquid can flow out through the respective fluid channel.

The valve bodies of the plurality of valves are (mechanically) coupled to the actuating element in such a way that a movement of the valve body in the direction of the open position by the actuating element effects a closing movement of at least one further valve body in the direction of the closed position. In other words, this means that when the valve body is moved/adjusted in the direction of the open position, the closing element simultaneously at least partially releases the valve body adjustment path of at least one further valve body in the direction of the closed position, so that a return movement or closing movement of the at least one further valve body is achieved. For example, a return movement or closing movement of the at least one further valve body in the direction of the closed position can be effected by the liquid pressure prevailing in the spray head, in particular until the valve head of the valve body contacts the sealing surface in the closed position, or the adjusting element blocks further movement of the valve body in the direction of the closed position.

The valve bodies of the valves are coupled to the actuating element in such a way that the actuating element always displaces at least one valve body at least partially in the direction of the open position. This ensures that the at least one valve is always at least partially open, so that the liquid can flow out through the at least one outflow channel in each position of the actuating element in the actuating plane. Even when the at least one actuating element is actuated incorrectly or completely by the user to select the jet form, so that the valve is set into an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, it is ensured that no (automatic) closing of all valves can occur. If such an intermediate position occurs, it is ensured by the design of the components and the coupling of the valve body by the adjusting element that all valves open to a certain extent. The valve bodies of the plurality of valves are interconnected by an adjusting element and their movements along the respective valve body adjustment paths are correlated to each other. This prevents damage to the spray head due to an inadmissibly high liquid pressure.

The adjusting element can be designed in the form of a ring. The adjusting element can have an L-shaped cross section. The valve body of the valve or valves is/are arranged in particular within an annular adjusting element.

The adjustment element can be designed in the form of a regular polygon.

The manipulation plane may be circular.

The plurality of valve bodies can be moved in the direction of the open position by the inner circumferential surface of the adjustment element. The inner circumferential surface of the adjusting element extends in particular in the circumferential direction of the adjusting element and is orthogonal to the actuating plane of the adjusting element and/or in particular contacts a longitudinal end of the valve body or a piston section of the valve body.

The valve body can be guided between the closed position and the open position by the carrier. In this case, the valve body is guided between the closed position and the open position, in particular by a common carrier. The carrier is preferably at least partially made of plastic and/or is at least partially arranged in the housing. Furthermore, a plurality of outflow channels may be formed by the carrier.

The valve body is displaceable along a valve body adjustment path between a closed position and an open position, wherein the valve body adjustment path extends orthogonally to the central axis of the adjustment element. The closed position and the open position are in particular at the respective longitudinal side ends of the valve body adjustment path. The valve body adjustment path is in particular linear. The valve body adjustment path of the individual valve body extends in particular in a star-shaped manner in the direction of the center axis of the adjustment element.

An inlet chamber can be formed between the valve bodies. In particular, at least one inflow channel of the housing opens into the inlet chamber.

The valve body can be moved in the direction of the closed position by the pressure of the liquid in the inlet chamber.

Between the valve bodies, a pressure element can be arranged, by means of which the valve bodies can be moved in the direction of the closed position. The pressure element is in particular annular and/or can be arranged in the inlet chamber. Furthermore, the pressure element can be moved in the inlet chamber, in particular by a movement of the valve body in the direction of the open position, whereby the pressure element displaces at least one further valve body in the direction of the closed position.

Between the at least one actuating element and the adjusting element, a locking disk having a conical actuating surface can be formed, wherein the conical actuating surface contacts an end face of the adjusting element, so that the conical actuating surface moves the adjusting element in an actuating plane when the position of the locking disk changes (for example, during pivoting). The "conical" design of the control surfaces can comprise inclined outer contact surfaces, wherein "conical" is not to be understood in a precise mathematical sense. The "locking disk" in this sense need not only have a flat shape.

The locking disk may comprise, for example, a flat or planar central region and an outer flange bent out of the central region and/or extending obliquely to the central region. It is possible to provide the locking disk with projections, depressions and/or indentations.

The locking disk can be designed in multiple parts. For example, 2, 3 or 4, in particular pivotable locking plate elements can be provided, which are movable separately from one another. The locking disk element can be fixed in the center, specifically in the vicinity of the central axis, for example, by means of a joint and can be moved or pivoted together with the radially outer element region, if necessary. The locking plate elements can have profiles or lateral edges which fit into one another, so that the locking plate elements together have a substantially disk-shaped outer shape (optionally with a narrow gap).

Drawings

The present invention and the technical field are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the figures show particularly preferred embodiment variants of the invention, to which, however, the invention is not restricted. Here, like components are provided with like reference numerals in the figures. Wherein exemplarily and schematically:

figure 1 shows a spray head in longitudinal section;

FIG. 2 shows the spray head in a neutral position in a first perspective sectional view;

FIG. 3 shows the spray head in a first perspective cross-sectional view after activation of the second spray pattern;

FIG. 4 shows the spray head in a second perspective cross-sectional view;

FIG. 5 shows the spray head in a third perspective cross-sectional view; and

fig. 6 shows a spray head with a further embodiment of a locking disk.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a spray head 1 in a longitudinal sectional view. The spray head 1 has a housing 2, wherein in the embodiment variant shown here the housing 2 comprises a base plate 22 and a casing 21. The liquid is supplied to the spray head 1 via an inflow channel 3 of the housing 2, wherein the inflow channel 3 opens into an inlet chamber 16. The spray head 1 furthermore has a disk-shaped actuating element 5, by means of which a desired spray pattern can be selected by a user of the spray head 1. By means of the actuating element 5, the adjusting element 6 arranged in the housing 2 can be moved in an actuating plane 7, which extends in the direction of the arrow 25 and perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. The spray head 1 furthermore has three valves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, of which only the first valve 8.1 and the third valve 8.3 can be seen in fig. 1. The first outlet channel 4.1 can be closed by a first valve 8.1 and the third outlet channel 4.3 of the housing 2 can be closed by a third valve 8.3.

Fig. 2 shows the spray head 1 in a first perspective sectional view. The actuating element 5 has a first pressure point 23.1 for selecting a first fluidic form or for actuating the first valve 8.1, a second pressure point 23.2 for selecting a second fluidic form or for actuating the second valve 8.2, and a third pressure point 23.3 for selecting a third fluidic form or for actuating the third valve 8.3 (shown in fig. 1). The valves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 are of identical design. When the pressing points 23.1, 23.2, 23.3 are pressed, the actuating element 5 pivots in the corresponding direction. For this purpose, the actuating element 5 is supported at its center on the carrier 13 by a spring 24. In the operating position of the spray head 1 shown in fig. 2, the valves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 are in a neutral position, in which the valves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 are partially open, so that liquid can flow out of the inlet chamber 16 via all of the outflow channels 4.1, 4.2, 4.3. In the neutral position, three different jet forms can thus be produced simultaneously by the spray head 1. The outflow channels 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 lead to a jet former, not shown here, for generating a jet pattern. By pivoting the actuating element 5, the adjusting element 6 can be moved in the housing 2 in an actuating plane 7 shown in fig. 1. The adjusting element 6 is annular and has an L-shaped cross section 26 and a central axis 15. In the neutral position, the actuating element 5, the carrier 13, the inlet chamber 16, the pressure element 17, the locking disk 18 and the spring 24 are oriented coaxially with respect to the central axis 15 of the adjusting element 6. The valves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 are arranged within the adjusting element 6. The first valve 8.1 has a first valve body 9.1 with a first valve head 27.1 and a first piston section 29.1. Correspondingly, the second valve 8.2 has a second valve body 9.2 with a second valve head 27.2 and a second piston section 29.2. The first valve 8.1 with its first piston section 29.1 and the second valve 8.2 with its second piston section 29.2 contact the inner circumferential surface 12 of the adjusting element 6. In the closed state of the first valve 8.1, the first valve head 27.1 contacts the first sealing surface 28.1 of the carrier 13, so that no liquid can flow out of the inlet chamber 16 through the first outflow channel 4.1. In the closed state of the second valve 8.2, the second valve head 27.2 contacts the second sealing surface 28.2, so that no liquid can flow out of the inlet chamber 16 through the second outflow channel 4.2.

Fig. 3 shows the spray head 1 in a first perspective view after activation of the second spray pattern. For this purpose, the second pressing point 23.2 of the actuating element 5 is pressed by the user, so that the actuating element 5 together with the locking disk 18 is pivoted in the housing 2 and the spring 24 is tensioned. The locking disk 18 has a plurality of control surfaces 19 (see also fig. 4) which are inclined or conical relative to the central axis 15 and which contact an end face 20 of the adjusting element 6. By pivoting the locking disk 18, the end face 20 of the adjusting element 6 slides along the actuating surface 19 of the locking disk 18, so that the adjusting element 6 is moved in the region of the second valve 8.2 in the actuating plane 7 shown in fig. 1. By moving the adjusting element 6 in the actuating plane 7, the second valve body 9.2 of the second valve 8.2 is adjusted along the second valve body adjustment path 14.2 from the neutral position shown in fig. 2 into the open position 11. In the open position 11, the second valve 8.2 is fully open, so that liquid can flow out of the inlet chamber 16 through the second outflow channel 4.2. By moving the adjusting element 6 in the actuating plane 7, a movement of the first valve body 9.1 into the closed position 10 is simultaneously effected. As a result, the first valve body 9.1 is displaced along the first valve body displacement path 14.1 by the pressure of the fluid in the inlet chamber 16 from the neutral position shown in fig. 2 into the closed position 10. If the hydraulic pressure in the inlet chamber 16 is not sufficient for adjusting the valves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 in the direction of the closed position 10, an annular pressure element 17 is arranged in the inlet chamber 16, by means of which pressure element the valve bodies 9.1, 9.2 of the valves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 can likewise be adjusted in the direction of the closed position 10. In this case, the pressure element 17 is displaced in the inlet chamber 16 in the direction of the first valve body 9.1 by means of the second valve head 27.2 of the second valve body 9.2, so that the first valve body 9.1 is set in the closed position 10. In the closed position 10, the first valve head 27.1 of the first valve body 9.1 bears against the first sealing surface 28.1, so that no liquid can flow out of the inlet chamber 16 through the first outflow channel 4.1.

Fig. 4 shows a second perspective sectional view of the spray head 1 without the housing 21 shown in fig. 1 and without the actuating element 5 shown in fig. 1 to 3. In this case, the locking disk 18 with the spring 24 is visible in particular. The locking disk 18 is supported on the carrier 13 and is centered by the stop blocks 30.1, 30.2, 30.3 of the carrier 13. Furthermore, the position of the valve body 9.3 is also indicated. The locking disk 18 furthermore has radially outer arms 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, on which the actuating surfaces 19 for the adjusting element 6 are formed. By pivoting the locking disk 18, the actuating element 6 can be adjusted on the base plate 22 of the housing 2, so that the valves 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 can be actuated.

Fig. 5 shows the spray head 1 in a third perspective view. The outflow channels 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 are visible in particular here.

Fig. 6 shows a spray head 1 with a further embodiment of the locking disk 18, wherein, for the sake of clarity, a top view without the housing and the actuating element is shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the locking disk 18 is embodied in multiple parts and comprises three locking disk elements 32.1, 32.2, 32.3. The three locking disk elements 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 are mounted in an articulated manner in the vicinity of the central axis 15 and can pivot in this way. The operating principle of the individual locking disk elements 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 corresponds essentially to the operating principle of the locking disk 18 explained above, wherein the locking disk elements 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 can be moved independently here.

The invention enables a compact design of the spray head and reliably prevents high liquid pressures which could lead to damage on the spray head.

List of reference numerals

1 spray head

2 casing

3 inflow channel

4.1, 4.2, 4.3 outflow channel

5 operating element

6 adjusting element

7 plane of operation

8.1, 8.2, 8.3 valves

9.1, 9.2, 9.3 valve body

10 closed position

11 open position

12 inner peripheral surface

13 bearing element

14.1, 14.2 valve body adjustment path

15 center line

16 entry chamber

17 pressure element

18 locking disc

19 control surface

20 end face

21 outer cover

22 substrate

23.1, 23.2, 23.3 pressing points

24 spring

25 arrow head

26 cross section

27.1, 27.2 valve head

28.1, 28.2 sealing faces

29.1, 29.2 piston rod

30.1, 30.2 and 30.3 limiting blocks

31.1, 31.2, 31.3 arms

32.1, 32.2, 32.3 locking disk element

Claims

1. A spray head (1) for sanitary equipment, the spray head having:

a housing (2) having at least one inflow channel (3) and a plurality of outflow channels (4.1, 4.2, 4.3),

at least one operating element (5) that can be operated by a user,

an adjusting element (6) which can be moved in a housing (2) in an actuating plane (7) by means of at least one actuating element (5),

-a plurality of valves (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) by means of which a plurality of outflow ducts (4.1, 4.2, 4.3) can be closed, wherein each valve (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) of the plurality of valves (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) has a valve body (9.1, 9.2, 9.3), wherein the valve body (9) of the plurality of valves (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) can be moved from a closed position (10) into an open position (11) by means of an adjusting element (6) parallel to an actuating plane (7) of the adjusting element (6), wherein the valve bodies (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) of the plurality of valves (8.1, 8.2, 8.3) are coupled to the adjusting element (6) in such a way that moving the valve body (9) in the direction of the open position (11) by means of the adjusting element (6) enables at least one further valve body (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) to be moved in the direction of the closing position (9.1, 9.3) and always to move the adjusting element (6) in the direction of the closed position (10, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3.3, 9.2, 9.3) is at least partially displaced in the direction of the open position (11).

2. Spray head (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment element (6) is configured in the shape of a ring.

3. Spray head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating element (5) is circular.

4. Spray head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of valve bodies (9) can be moved in the direction of the open position (11) by means of an inner circumferential surface (12) of the adjusting element (6).

5. Spray head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (9) is guided between the closed position (10) and the open position (11) by means of a carrier (13).

6. Spray head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (9) is movable between the closed position (10) and the open position (11) along a valve body adjustment path (14.1, 14.2), wherein the valve body adjustment path (14.1, 14.2) extends orthogonally to a central axis (15) of the adjustment element (6).

7. Spray head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an inlet chamber (16) is formed between the valve bodies (9).

8. Spray head (1) according to claim 6, wherein the valve body (9) can be moved in the direction of the closed position (10) by means of the pressure of the liquid entering the chamber (16).

9. Spray head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a pressure element (17) is arranged between the valve bodies (9), by means of which pressure element the valve bodies (9) can be moved in the direction of the closed position (10).

10. Spray head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a locking disk (18) having a conical actuating surface (19) is formed between the at least one actuating element (5) and the adjusting element (6), wherein the conical actuating surface (19) contacts an end face (20) of the adjusting element (6) such that the conical actuating surface (19) moves the adjusting element (6) in the actuating plane (7) when the position of the locking disk (18) changes.