DE102013016061B4 - Mixed water cartridge with signaling of a parking position - Google Patents

Abstract

Cartridge (1) for mixing cold water and hot water to a mixed water, comprising at least: a housing (2) in which an adjusting lever (3) is at least partially disposed, wherein the adjusting lever (3) about an axis of rotation (4) rotatable and to a pivot axis (5) is pivotable; a locking ring (6), wherein the locking ring (6) at least partially on an outer surface (7) of the housing (2) and by the adjusting lever (3) is rotatable relative to the housing (2), and the locking ring (6) on at least one first notch (9) on an inner surface (8), which is elastically adjustable upon rotation of the locking ring (6) and can be latched into at least one first detent element (10) on the outer surface (7) of the housing (2); at least one second latching element (13) which is rotatable with the adjusting lever (3) about the axis of rotation (4); at least one second detent (11), which is provided on an element (12) arranged on the adjusting lever (3) and can be latched into the at least one second detent element (13) about the pivot axis (5) when the actuating lever (3) is pivoted; wherein on the element (12) a hold-down (14) is arranged and the locking ring (6) by the hold-down (14) on the outer surface (7) of the housing (2) is held; wherein the at least one second latching element (13) is at least partially disposed between the adjusting lever (3) and the housing (2).

Description

The present invention relates to a cartridge for mixing cold water and hot water to a mixed water and a sanitary fitting with a corresponding cartridge. The cartridge is particularly suitable for sanitary fittings for showers, bathtubs, sink taps or sinks.

Among other things, sanitary fittings in the form of mixer taps are known from the prior art. Such sanitary fittings have the task to mix a cold water and a hot water to a mixed water with a desired temperature and to provide the mixed water in a desired amount. For this purpose, the sanitary fittings regularly a cartridge with a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet and a mixed water drain. To mix the hot water and the cold water and to regulate the volume of mixed water such cartridges regularly two flat ceramic discs, which are mutually displaceable and / or rotated. The displacement and rotation of the ceramic discs via an adjusting lever which is fastened to a user operable by a handle of the sanitary fitting. By turning the control lever about its longitudinal axis is a temperature of the mixed water and by pivoting or tilting the control lever forward and backward about a pivot axis is a tapped volume of the mixed water adjustable.

From the JP 2004-092217 A a cartridge for mixing cold and hot water to a mixed water is known, in which an adjusting lever is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation and pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis, wherein two independently acting locking devices are provided. Both locking devices have parallel to the axis of rotation of the cartridge increased locking elements.

Furthermore, from the JP 2008-248540 A a cartridge with locking known whose effective direction act radially to the cartridge rotation axis. This cartridge is also provided for use in a single-lever mixer, wherein the radially outwardly directed locking means are actuated in a movement of the single-lever mixer about the axis of rotation of the cartridge and perform the locking function.

Furthermore, cartridges are known from the prior art, in which a travel of the lever when setting the temperature of the mixed water or when setting the tapped volume of the mixed water has resistive resistances. By such insurmountable resistors over-rotation of the control lever can be prevented, so that unnecessary water consumption and / or energy consumption is avoidable. A disadvantage of such cartridges is among other things that they have a complex structure with a plurality of components, which result in high production costs.

The object of the invention is therefore to solve the problems described with reference to the prior art at least partially and in particular to provide a cartridge for mixing cold water and hot water to a mixed water, with the over-rotation of the control lever can be prevented and beyond a reduced Has production costs. In addition, a sanitary fitting with a cartridge should be specified, with the cartridge over-rotation of a control lever can be prevented and the cartridge has a reduced production cost. In addition, a clearly visible to the user signaling the parking position of the control lever should be achieved.

These objects are achieved with a cartridge and a sanitary fitting according to the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with each other in any technologically meaningful manner and define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the claims are explained in more detail in the description, wherein further preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

The cartridge is used for mixing cold water and hot water to a mixed water and has a housing in which a lever is at least partially arranged. The adjusting lever for adjusting a temperature of the mixed water is rotatable about an axis of rotation and pivoting about a pivot axis for adjusting a quantity of the mixed water.

At least one locking ring is provided, wherein the locking ring is at least partially disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The locking ring is rotatable by the adjusting lever relative to the housing. Next, the locking ring on an inner surface at least a first notch, which is elastically adjustable upon rotation of the locking ring and in at least a first locking element on the outer surface of the housing can be latched.

Furthermore, the cartridge has a second latching element, which is rotatable with the adjusting lever about the axis of rotation.

At least one second catch is provided, which is provided on an element arranged on the adjusting lever. The at least one second catch is latched when pivoting the adjusting lever about the pivot axis in the at least one second locking element.

It is further provided that a hold-down is arranged on the element, wherein the locking ring is held by the hold-down on the outer surface of the housing.

The cartridge proposed here is used for mixing cold water and hot water to a mixed water. For this purpose, the cartridge has a hot water supply for the hot water and a cold water supply for the cold water. The cold water has a cold water temperature of preferably 6 ° C to 25 ° C and the hot water to a hot water temperature of preferably 50 ° C to 80 ° C. The cartridge is preferably used in sanitary fittings, which in particular in the manner of a one-hand fitting only have an operating element for setting a temperature of a mixed water and for setting a tapping amount of the mixed water. The cartridge has a housing in which an adjusting lever is arranged at least or only partially. The housing is preferably at least partially made of plastic and / or metal, such as. Brass. In addition, the housing is at least partially tubular and has a length along a longitudinal axis of the housing and an outer diameter transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The length is preferably 2 cm (centimeters) to 10 cm and most preferably 3 cm to 5 cm. The outer diameter is preferably 1 cm to 10 cm and most preferably 2 cm to 5 cm. The adjusting lever is rotatable about an axis of rotation for setting a temperature of the mixed water and pivotable about a pivot axis for adjusting a quantity of the mixed water. The axis of rotation preferably runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and / or the pivot axis preferably runs orthogonal to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, the adjusting lever preferably has a round, square or square cross-section.

Furthermore, the cartridge has a latching ring, wherein the latching ring is at least partially disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The locking ring is also preferably arranged at a front end of the housing. Furthermore, the locking ring is designed in particular in the manner of a (round) lid or a (round) cap with in particular a (central) opening and in particular attached to a tubular portion of the housing. The locking ring also preferably consists at least partially of plastic and / or metal and preferably has a tubular portion which at least partially surrounds an outer surface of the housing or a peripheral surface of the housing. Furthermore, the locking ring is rotatable by the adjusting lever relative to the housing when the adjusting lever is rotated about the axis of rotation for adjusting the temperature of the mixed water.

The locking ring has at least one first notch on an inner surface of the tubular portion of the locking ring. This at least one first catch may be, for example, a projection, a nose, a hook, a snap leg or the like. The at least one first catch is elastically adjustable when turning the locking ring about the axis of rotation, in particular radially outward. When the adjusting lever is rotated about the axis of rotation, the at least one first detent can be latched into at least one first detent element and / or in the outer surface of the housing. For this purpose, an inner diameter of the tubular portion of the locking ring substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the housing.

The at least one first latching element may be, for example, at least one groove in the outer surface of the housing. The at least one first detent and the at least one first detent element are formed outside the housing. The latching of the at least one first detent into the at least one first detent element preferably causes an acoustic signal (eg a (mechanical) "click") that is perceptible by a user, so that the user can reach an optionally undesired overturning range of the user Lever is signaled. In addition to the acoustic signal, the engagement of the at least one first detent can also result in an insurmountable resistance, which can be overcome by a user through increased operating forces of the actuating lever. However, it is preferred that the at least one first detent and the at least one first detent element make substantially no increased operating forces necessary.

In addition, the cartridge has at least one second catch. The at least one second detent may likewise preferably be a projection, a nose, a hook, a snap leg or the like. The at least one second catch is preferably oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing. Moreover, the at least one second detent is arranged on an element arranged on the adjusting lever or is formed on an element arranged on the adjusting lever. This element is preferably designed in the manner of a sleeve and attached and attached to the adjusting lever. Furthermore, the cartridge has at least one second latching element, wherein the at least one second latching element Locking element is rotatable about the axis of rotation with the adjusting lever.

The at least one second latching element preferably comprises at least one groove and is preferably spring-mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. When the actuating lever is pivoted about the pivot axis, the at least one second locking element is tensioned by the at least one second detent until the at least one detent engages in the at least one second detent element when the actuating lever is pivoted about the pivot axis, so that a user locks in by the engagement Reaching a Überschwenkposition by an acoustic signal, in particular in the form of a click, can be signaled. In addition, the engagement of the at least one second detent into the at least one second detent element can also represent a surmountable resistance by means of which the user can also be signaled that an overswing region has been reached. This surmountable resistance can be overcome by increased operating forces by the user. However, it is preferred that no increased operating forces are required by the engagement of the at least one second detent into the at least one second detent element.

In addition, a hold-down is arranged on the element, wherein the locking ring is held by the hold-down on the outer surface of the housing, in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. It should be clarified at this point that the locking ring is preferably held parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing by no other means on the housing. Thus, the locking ring can be constructed comparatively simple, because no further holding elements, for example, thread and / or retaining lugs must be formed on the locking ring. The element thus fulfills several functions. On the one hand, the at least one second detent is formed or held on the element and, on the other hand, the element serves as a hold-down for the detent ring. By this configuration, the number of components and thus the production costs of the cartridge can be reduced.

Preferably, upon engagement of the at least one first detent into the at least one first detent element or when the at least one second detent engages in the at least one second detent element, an audible signal is perceptible. The acoustic signal is, in particular, a (mechanical) "click" of the at least one first detent when it engages in the at least one first detent element and / or a (mechanical) "click" of the at least one second detent when engaged in the at least a second locking element.

It is also advantageous if the at least one second latching element is arranged at least partially between the adjusting lever and the housing.

Further, it is advantageous if the at least one second latching element is resiliently mounted and is adjustable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing during pivoting of the adjusting lever about the pivot axis through the at least one second catch.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the hold-down cooperates with a convex portion of the locking ring. The convex portion of the locking ring is preferably designed so that the hold-down slides when pivoting the actuating lever over the convex portion of the locking ring. A center of a convex portion or arc is located in the center of the pivot axis of the control lever. This ensures that the distance between hold-down and locking ring remains constant even when pivoting the control lever.

Moreover, it is also advantageous if the holding-down device is arranged on a first side of the setting lever and the at least one second catch is arranged on a second side of the setting lever. The first side and the second side are preferably located on opposite sides of the adjusting lever or are arranged offset by 180 ° about a longitudinal axis of the adjusting lever.

According to another aspect of the invention, a sanitary fitting with a fitting housing and a control element is proposed, wherein in the fitting housing a cartridge according to the invention is arranged at least partially.

The fitting housing is preferably made of plastic or metal and preferably attachable to a shower, bath, sink or sink. The operating element is connected to a control lever of the cartridge, so that a user can set a temperature of a mixed water and a tap quantity of the mixed water via the control element of the sanitary fitting. Incidentally, reference is made to the description of the cartridge according to the invention.

The invention and the technical environment will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the figures show particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but this is not limited thereto. The same components are provided in the figures with the same reference numerals. They show schematically:

1 : a sanitary fitting;

2 : a cartridge according to the invention in a perspective view;

3 a top view of the cartridge with a lever in a first rotational position;

4 Fig. 10 is a plan view of the cartridge with the adjusting lever in a second rotational position;

5 Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cartridge with the lever in a third position;

6 a partial view of the cartridge with the lever in a first pivot position;

7 a partial view of the cartridge with a lever in a second position;

8th a partial view of the cartridge with the lever in a third position; and

9 : another partial view of the cartouche.

The 1 shows a sanitary fitting 18 in a perspective view. The sanitary fitting 18 has a fitting housing 19 in which a cartouche 1 for mixing cold water and hot water to a mixed water is arranged. For this purpose, the cartridge 1 the hot water via a hot water inlet 21 and the cold water via a cold water inlet 22 fed and in the cartridge 1 mixed to the mixed water. For this purpose, the cartridge 1 a lever 3 on, for adjusting the temperature of the hot water around a rotation axis 4 rotatable and for adjusting a quantity of the mixed water about a pivot axis 5 is pivotable. The rotation axis 4 is identical to a longitudinal axis in this embodiment 20 a housing 2 the cartouche 1 , The lever 3 is on a control 27 attached in the manner of a handle over which the user can set the temperature of the mixed water and / or a tap quantity of the mixed water. The mixed water leaves the cartridge 1 via a mixed water drain 23 over which the mixed water through an outlet 24 flows.

The 2 shows the cartouche 1 in a perspective view. At a front end of the housing 2 the cartouche 1 is on an outer surface 7 of the housing 2 a snap ring 6 attached. The locking ring 6 is through the lever 3 together with a swivel sleeve 29 relative to the housing 2 rotatable. The locking ring 6 points to an inner surface 8th two opposing first notches 9 on, in the 2 but only a first catch 9 is visible. In this embodiment, the first notches 9 designed as snap legs. In the in the 2 shown rotational position of the actuating lever 3 are the first notches 9 engaged with one each in an outer surface 7 of the housing 2 formed first locking element 10 , which is formed in this embodiment as a groove. These first locking elements 10 are in the range of a tubular section 25 of the housing 2 educated. In addition, the cartridge points 1 an element 12 on, that on the lever 3 is attached. On a first page 16 of the control lever 3 assigns the element 12 one in the 2 hidden second catch 11 and on a second page 17 of the control lever 3 a hold-down 14 on. The locking ring 6 gets through the hold down 14 on the outside surface 7 of the housing 2 parallel to the longitudinal axis 20 of the housing 2 held.

The 3 shows a plan view of the cartridge 1 , where the locking ring 6 in a first rotational position relative to the housing 2 located. In this first rotational position of the locking ring 6 they are on the inside surface 8th of the detention ring 6 trained first rest 9 in first locking elements 10 in the outer surface 7 of the housing 2 engaged. The locking ring 6 is through the lever 3 around the axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane of the drawing 4 rotatable.

The 4 shows a plan view of the cartridge 1 after the locking ring 6 through the adjusting lever 3 clockwise about 10 ° about the axis of rotation 4 relative to the housing 2 was filmed. By the rotation of the locking ring 6 were the first rest 9 through the housing 2 radially outwardly adjusted elastically, so that the first notches 9 no longer with the first locking elements 10 engage.

The 5 shows the cartridge in a plan view after the locking ring 6 continue clockwise through the control lever 3 around the axis of rotation 4 relative to the housing 2 was filmed. In this third position are the first notches 9 in further first locking elements 10 in the outer surface 9 of the housing 2 Snapped, where by the engagement of the first notches 9 in the first locking elements 10 a noticeable acoustic signal is caused.

The 6 shows a partial view of the cartridge 1 in which the first page 16 of the control lever 3 is visible. To recognize here is a second locking element 13 that is between the lever 3 and the housing 2 is arranged and out of the housing 2 protrudes. The second locking element 13 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 2 adjustable and by a spring 28 against the second catch 11 of the element 12 biased. The lever 3 is about the pivot axis extending perpendicular to the plane of the drawing 5 for adjusting a quantity of the mixed water pivoted, wherein in the 6 the adjusting lever 3 is in a first pivot position.

The 7 also shows a partial view of the cartridge 1 , where the adjusting lever 3 here in a second pivot position, after the adjusting lever 3 around the pivot axis 5 was adjusted clockwise. By this pivoting was the second locking element 13 parallel to the longitudinal axis 20 continue against the force of the spring 28 biased.

The 8th shows the partial view of the cartridge 1 after the adjusting lever 3 continue clockwise around the pivot axis 5 was panned. In this third position of the control lever 3 has the second rest 11 a groove 26 achieved, which by the spring 28 preloaded second locking element 13 with the groove 26 in the second catch 11 is taken.

The 9 shows a further partial view of the cartridge 1 , where in the 9 the second page 17 of the control lever 3 is shown. To recognize here is in particular the hold-down 14 of the element 12 that with a convex area 15 of the detention ring 6 interacts so that the locking ring 6 through the hold-down 14 on the housing 2 is held.

As a precaution, it should be noted that the combinations of technical features shown in the figures are not generally mandatory. Thus, technical features of a figure can be combined with other technical features of another figure and / or the general description. Something else should only apply if the combination of features was explicitly identified here and / or the person skilled in the art recognizes that otherwise the basic functions of the device can no longer be met.

With the present invention, an override of the cartridge is avoidable, wherein the cartridge is advantageously characterized at the same time by reduced manufacturing costs.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cartridge

2

casing

3

lever

4

axis of rotation

5

swivel axis

6

locking ring

7

outer surface

8th

palm

9

first catch

10

first locking element

11

second catch

12

element

13

second locking element

14

Stripper plate

15

convex area

16

first page

17

second page

18

plumbing fixture

19

fitting housing

20

longitudinal axis

21

Hot water supply

22

Cold water supply

23

Mixed water drain

24

outlet

25

tubular section

26

groove

27

operating element

28

feather

29

pivoting sleeve

Claims (6)

Cartridge ( 1 ) for mixing cold water and hot water into a mixed water, comprising at least: a housing ( 2 ), in which a lever ( 3 ) is at least partially arranged, wherein the adjusting lever ( 3 ) about a rotation axis ( 4 ) and about a pivot axis ( 5 ) is pivotable; a locking ring ( 6 ), wherein the locking ring ( 6 ) at least partially on an outer surface ( 7 ) of the housing ( 2 ) and by the adjusting lever ( 3 ) relative to the housing ( 2 ) is rotatable, and the locking ring ( 6 ) on an inner surface ( 8th ) at least a first catch ( 9 ), which when turning the locking ring ( 6 ) elastically adjustable and in at least a first latching element ( 10 ) on the outer surface ( 7 ) of the housing ( 2 ) is latched; at least one second latching element ( 13 ), with the adjusting lever ( 3 ) about the axis of rotation ( 4 ) is rotatable; at least a second catch ( 11 ) connected to one of the adjusting levers ( 3 ) arranged element ( 12 ) is provided and when pivoting the actuating lever ( 3 ) about the pivot axis ( 5 ) in the at least one second latching element ( 13 ) is latched; where on the element ( 12 ) a hold-down ( 14 ) is arranged and the locking ring ( 6 ) by the hold-down ( 14 ) on the outer surface ( 7 ) of the housing ( 2 ) is held; wherein the at least one second latching element ( 13 ) at least partially between the adjusting lever ( 3 ) and the housing ( 2 ) is arranged. Cartridge ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein upon latching of the at least one first catch ( 9 ) in the at least one first latching element ( 10 ) or when engaging the at least one second catch ( 11 ) in the at least one second latching element ( 13 ) an audible signal is perceptible. Cartridge ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second latching element ( 13 ) is resiliently mounted and when pivoting the actuating lever ( 3 ) about the pivot axis ( 5 ) by the at least one second catch ( 11 ) parallel to a longitudinal axis ( 20 ) of the housing ( 2 ) is adjustable. Cartridge ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hold-down ( 14 ) with a convex area ( 15 ) of the latching ring ( 6 ) cooperates. Cartridge ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hold-down ( 14 ) on a first page ( 16 ) of the adjusting lever ( 3 ) is arranged and the at least one second detent ( 11 ) on a second page ( 17 ) of the adjusting lever ( 3 ) is arranged. Sanitary fitting ( 18 ), comprising a valve housing ( 19 ) and a control element ( 27 ), wherein in the fitting housing ( 19 ) a cartridge ( 1 ) is arranged at least partially according to one of the preceding claims.

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