DE102020102730A1 - Device for changing a flow path of a liquid in a sanitary shower head - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for changing over a flow path (2) of a liquid in a sanitary shower, at least comprising: - a housing (3) with at least one inlet (4) and a plurality of outlets (5, 6, 7); - a changeover element (8 ), which rests against a seal geometry (9) and is rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation (10) in order to switch the flow path (2) and can be moved away from the seal geometry (9); and a drive element (11), wherein the drive element (11) is at least partially adjustable in the direction of the changeover element (8), so that the changeover element (8) can be moved away from the sealing geometry (9) by the drive element (11), and wherein the Drive element (11) is rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation (12), so that the changeover element (8) can be rotated by the drive element (11) about the first axis of rotation (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for changing over a flow path of a liquid in a sanitary shower head. Such sanitary showers are used in particular on sanitary fittings that are used to provide a liquid as required, for example in showers, bathtubs, sinks or wash basins.

Sanitary showers for sanitary fittings are known, with which a liquid, in particular water, can be emitted in various types of jets, for example normal jets, full jets, massage jets, rain jets, etc. The shower heads regularly have different jet formers to create the different jet types. In order to form a certain type of jet, the liquid must be directed from an inlet of the sanitary shower via a line system of the sanitary shower to one of the jet formers of the sanitary shower. For this purpose, valves are arranged in the line system. High operating forces are regularly required to operate the valves. In addition, the actuation forces are regularly dependent on a liquid pressure of the liquid. This reduces the ease of use of the sanitary showers.

The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and, in particular, to provide a device with which the ease of use of a sanitary shower can be increased.

This object is achieved with a device according to the features of the independent patent claim. Further advantageous configurations of the device are specified in the dependent claims. It should be pointed out that the features listed individually in the dependent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful manner and define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the patent claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

• - ein Gehäuse mit zumindest einem Zulauf und einer Mehrzahl von Abläufen;
• - ein Umstellelement, das an einer Dichtungsgeometrie im Gehäuse anliegt und zum Umstellen des Strömungswegs um eine erste Drehachse drehbar gelagert und von der Dichtungsgeometrie wegbewegbar ist; und
• - ein Antriebselement, wobei das Antriebselement zumindest teilweise in Richtung des Umstellelements verstellbar ist, sodass das Umstellelement durch das Antriebselement von der Dichtungsgeometrie wegbewegbar ist, und wobei das Antriebselement um eine zweite Drehachse drehbar gelagert ist, sodass das Umstellelement durch das Antriebselement um die erste Drehachse drehbar ist.

A device for changing a flow path of a liquid in a sanitary shower, which has at least the following components, contributes to this:

• - A housing with at least one inlet and a plurality of outlets;
• a changeover element which rests against a seal geometry in the housing and is rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation for changing over the flow path and can be moved away from the seal geometry; and
• - A drive element, wherein the drive element is at least partially adjustable in the direction of the changeover element, so that the changeover element can be moved away from the sealing geometry by the drive element, and wherein the drive element is rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation, so that the changeover element is supported by the drive element about the first axis of rotation is rotatable.

The device can be connected to a sanitary fitting, for example, via a hose line and / or pipeline. Sanitary fittings are used to provide a liquid, in particular water, as required, for example in showers, bathtubs, sinks or wash basins. The device can in particular be arranged at least partially in a sanitary shower head. The sanitary shower head can be designed, for example, in the manner of a hand shower and / or in the manner of a shower head.

The device comprises a housing with at least one inlet, via which the device can be connected to a liquid source, for example a sanitary fitting. The liquid flowing in via the at least one inlet can be fed to a plurality of outlets through the housing, which can be, for example, a (one-piece or multi-piece) plastic injection-molded part. For this purpose, at least one flow path is formed in the housing, via which the liquid can be fed from the inlet of the plurality of outlets. The individual processes can in particular each lead to a jet generator for a specific jet type of the sanitary shower. Thus, by changing over the flow path to a specific sequence, a specific jet type of the sanitary shower can be activated. To switch the flow path, the device has a switchover element. The changeover element can be designed at least partially in the manner of a (essentially flat and / or circular) changeover disk. Furthermore, the changeover element rests, in particular with one of its flat surfaces, on a sealing geometry. The seal geometry can be, for example, a geometry of the housing and / or a seal, such as at least one O-ring or a goggle seal. In the area of the seal geometry, the individual drains each have, in particular, a drain inlet through which the liquid can enter the individual drains. The changeover element is mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation in the housing for changing over the flow path. In particular, the changeover element can be rotated about the first axis of rotation in such a way that an opening of the changeover element is aligned with the drain inlet of the drain to be opened. As a result, the liquid can flow through the opening of the changeover element into the respective drain. The outlet inlets of those outlets with which the opening of the changeover element is not aligned are closed by the changeover element resting against the seal geometry, so that no liquid can flow into the respective outlets. In particular, only a single drain can be opened by the switching element, the remaining drains being closed by the switching element.

In addition, the changeover element can be moved away from the seal geometry, in particular parallel to the first axis of rotation. This can mean in particular that a contact between the sealing geometry and the changeover element or between the seal geometry and a (essentially) flat and / or circular section of the changeover element is at least partially prevented or reduced. The changeover element is thus not only rotatable about the first axis of rotation, but also linearly adjustable, in particular parallel to the first axis of rotation.

In addition, the device has a drive element for the changeover element. The drive element is rotatably mounted on the housing about a second axis of rotation. The drive element can be rotated about the second axis of rotation, in particular by a user of the sanitary shower, for example via an operating element of the device. The drive element drives the changeover element when it rotates, so that the changeover element is rotated about its first axis of rotation. The individual processes can thus be opened and / or closed by rotating the drive element. Furthermore, the drive element can have a (essentially) triangular base area orthogonal to the second axis of rotation. In addition, the drive element for moving the changeover element away from the sealing geometry is at least partially adjustable in the direction of the changeover element. For this purpose, the drive element can for example be at least partially adjustable by a user in the direction of the housing or in the direction of the switching element. This can mean in particular that a movement of the drive element in the direction of the housing or in the direction of the changeover element leads to a movement of the changeover element away from the seal geometry. Moving the changeover element away from the seal geometry has the effect that the changeover element is in less or no frictional contact with the seal geometry when it rotates about the first axis of rotation. As a result, the required actuation forces for changing the flow path of the liquid in the sanitary shower can be reduced.

The drive element can have a toothed ring which drives a gearwheel of the changeover element when the drive element rotates. The ring gear is designed in particular in the form of a segment of a toothed ring. Furthermore, the ring gear can have a multiplicity of teeth which are directed inwards, for example in a radial direction (with respect to the second axis of rotation). The ring gear meshes with the gearwheel of the changeover element. The gear wheel can, for example, be connected to an axis of the switching element in a rotationally fixed manner. Furthermore, the gear wheel can be fastened to the axis of the changeover element in an adjustable manner, for example, parallel to the first axis of rotation of the changeover element. A translation can be formed between the ring gear and the gearwheel, so that a rotation of the drive element about the second axis of rotation leads to a greater rotation of the changeover element about the first axis of rotation. As a result, a target position of the reversing disk can be achieved despite the ergonomic, small adjustment angle of the drive element.

In order to move the changeover element away from the sealing geometry, the drive element can adjust an axis of the changeover element parallel to the first axis of rotation. The axis can, for example, be at least partially cylindrical, tubular, pin-shaped or rod-shaped. Furthermore, the axis can in particular extend orthogonally from the (essentially) flat and / or circular section of the switching element. The changeover element can in particular be rotatably mounted on the housing via the axis. For this purpose, the housing can have a bearing, for example in the form of a plain bearing or in the form of a bore, for the axle. In order to move the changeover element away from the sealing geometry, the drive element can rest against a longitudinal end, for example opposite the (essentially) flat and / or circular section of the changeover element, of the axis.

The drive element can be at least partially elastically deformable in order to move the changeover element away from the sealing geometry. This can mean in particular that the drive element can be bent at least partially by a user in the direction of the housing or in the direction of the switching element.

In order to move the changeover element away from the sealing geometry, the drive element can have a lever arm which extends from a pivot point of the lever arm to an outer lever end of the lever arm. The lever arm can in particular be that region of the drive element which is elastically deformable and / or bendable in the direction of the housing or in the direction of the switching element. The fulcrum is in particular a point or an axis around which the Lever arm is deformable and / or bendable. The lever arm extends from the pivot point in a radial direction (with respect to the second pivot axis) to the outer lever end.

The lever arm can have a pressure point for an axis of the switching element between the pivot point and the outer lever end. The pressure point is in particular an area in which the lever arm contacts the axis or the longitudinal end of the axis of the changeover element. The pressure point can in particular be located exactly between the pivot point and the outer lever end or closer to the pivot point than to the outer lever end. As a result, the actuating force for adjusting the changeover element away from the seal geometry can be reduced.

The drive element can be rotatable about the second axis of rotation into a plurality of switching positions. In particular, the drive element has a (single) switchover position for each sequence. If the drive element is in one of the switching positions, the associated process is open and the other processes are closed.

In particular, the changeover element can only rest against the seal geometry in the changeover positions of the drive element. This can mean in particular that the changeover element cannot rest against the seal geometry when the drive element is between two changeover positions.

For each switchover position, the housing can have a latching geometry into which a latching pin of the drive element engages when the respective switchover position is reached. The latching geometry can be designed, for example, in the manner of a notch in a guide geometry, for example a groove, of the housing. The latching pin extends outward in particular in the radial direction (with respect to the second axis of rotation). When the drive element is rotated, the locking pin is guided in particular in the guide geometry and engages in the locking geometry when a switchover position is reached. If the locking pin is locked in a locking geometry, the drive element can in particular only be rotated again about the second axis of rotation after the locking pin has been disengaged from the locking geometry. The latching pin can be disengaged from the latching geometry, for example, by adjusting the drive element in the direction of the housing or in the direction of the switching element.

The changeover element can be pressed against the seal geometry by a spring. The spring can for example be designed in the manner of a helical spring.

• 1: eine Vorrichtung zum Umschalten eines Strömungswegs in einer Explosionsdarstellung;
• 2: die Vorrichtung in einer ersten Betriebsstellung in einem Längsschnitt;
• 3: die Vorrichtung in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung in dem Längsschnitt;
• 4: die Vorrichtung in einer Seitenansicht;
• 5: die Vorrichtung in einer Schnittdarstellung; und
• 6: die Vorrichtung in einer perspektivischen Darstellung.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be pointed out that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, but this is not limited thereto. The same components are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. It shows by way of example and schematically:

• 1 : a device for switching a flow path in an exploded view;
• 2 : the device in a first operating position in a longitudinal section;
• 3 : the device in a second operating position in the longitudinal section;
• 4th : the device in a side view;
• 5 : the device in a sectional view; and
• 6th : the device in a perspective view.

the 1 shows an apparatus 1 to switch one (in the 2 shown) flow path 2 in an exploded view. The device 1 is in the 1 on the left side of the top and on the right side of the 1 shown from below. the 1 has a housing 3 with an inlet 4th , a first sequence 5 , second sequence 6th and third sequence 7th on. The sequence 4th is about the (in the 2 shown) flow path 2 with the first expiration 5 , second sequence 6th and third sequence 7th connected. In a changing room 33 of the housing 3 is a changeover element 8th arranged in the manner of a (circular) reversing disk. The changeover element 8th includes an axis 15th , which is designed in the manner of a wave and with which the changeover element 8th in a warehouse 32 of the housing 3 around a first axis of rotation 10 is rotatably mounted. The warehouse 32 is designed here like a plain bearing in the form of a bore. The changeover element 8th is by a spring 31 against a seal geometry 9 of the housing 3 pressed and is between three switching positions around the first axis of rotation 10 rotatable. The spring 31 is based on a housing cover 19th of the housing 3 from through which the changeover chamber 33 is lockable. In a first switching position of the switching element 8th aligns an opening 34 of the changeover element 8th with a first drain inlet 26th of the first sequence 5 , in a (in the 2 shown) second switching positions 21 of the changeover element 8th aligns the opening 34 of the changeover element 8th with a second drain inlet 27 of the second sequence 6th and in a third switching position of the switching element 8th aligns the opening 34 of the changeover element 8th with a third drain inlet 28 of the third sequence 7th . Align the opening 34 with the first drain inlet 26th , is the inflow 4th with the first expiration 5 connected and the rest of the processes 6th , 7th through the changeover element 8th closed, leaving a liquid from the inlet 4th only about the first expiration 5 can drain. Align the opening 34 with the second drain inlet 27 , is the inflow 4th with the second sequence 6th connected and the rest of the processes 5 , 7th through the changeover element 8th closed, leaving a liquid from the inlet 4th only about the second sequence 6th can drain. Align the opening 34 with the third drain inlet 28 , is the inflow 4th with the third expiration 7th connected and the rest of the processes 5 , 6th through the changeover element 8th closed, leaving a liquid from the inlet 4th only about the third expiration 7th can drain.

The axis 15th of the changeover element 8th extends through the housing 3 . On one of the seal geometry 9 opposite side of the case 3 is a gear 14th torsion-proof with the axis 15th connected. The gear 14th stands with a ring gear 13th a drive element 11 for the changeover element 8th in engagement. The drive element 11 is on a peg 30th of the housing 3 around a second axis of rotation 12th rotatably mounted. On the drive element 11 is a control element 35 (here in the form of a control slide) attached over which the drive element 11 by a user of a sanitary shower, not shown here, about the second axis of rotation 12th is rotatable. When turning the drive element 11 is the driving element 11 by a locking pin 25th in a guide geometry 29 of the housing 3 guided. The Rastpin 25th extends with respect to the second axis of rotation 12th in a radial direction. The guide geometry 29 is designed in the manner of a groove which is located on the housing 3 ring segment around the second axis of rotation 12th extends. The guide geometry 29 comprises a first locking geometry 22nd , second locking geometry 23 and third locking geometry 24 . The locking geometries 22nd , 23 , 24 are designed here in the manner of notches, which are parallel to the second axis of rotation 12th on the seal geometry 9 stretch away. The Rastpin 25th of the drive element 11 engages in the first locking geometry 22nd one when the drive element 11 is in a first switching position. The first sequence is in the first switchover position 5 opened so that the liquid only drains through the first 5 can drain. The Rastpin 25th of the drive element 11 engages in the second locking geometry 23 one when the drive element 11 is in a second switching position. The second sequence is in the second switchover position 6th opened so that the liquid only flows through the second drain 6th can drain. The Rastpin 25th of the drive element 11 engages in the third locking geometry 24 one when the drive element 11 is in a third switching position. The third sequence is in the third switchover position 7th opened so that the liquid only passes through the third drain 7th can drain. When turning the drive element 11 around the second axis of rotation 12th becomes the changeover element 8th about the ring gear 13th and the gear 14th rotated. With a suitable translation between the ring gear 13th and the gear 14th can the changeover element 8th with a larger angle around the first axis of rotation 10 be rotated as the drive element 11 around the second axis of rotation 12th . This makes it possible to achieve a target position for the reversing disk 8th despite the ergonomic, small adjustment angle of the drive element 11 around the second axis of rotation 12th is achieved.

the 2 shows the device 1 in a first operating position in a longitudinal section. The drive element 11 is here about the control element 35 around the second axis of rotation 12th to the second switching position 21 adjusted. For turning the drive element 11 around the second axis of rotation 12th must be the drive element 11 by a user via the control element 35 towards the housing 3 are pressed, creating a lever arm 16 of the drive element 11 is elastically biased. The locking pin engages due to this bias 25th of the drive element 11 automatically into the respective latching geometries when the switchover position is reached 22nd , 23 , 24 (see. 1 ) the guide geometry 29 of the housing 3 on. In the second switching position shown here 21 of the drive element 11 the locking pin is located 25th in the second locking geometry 23 . For turning the drive element 11 around the second axis of rotation 12th must be the drive element 11 by a user initially via the control element 35 towards the housing 3 be pressed so that the locking pin 25th from the respective locking geometry 22nd , 23 , 24 freaks out. In the second switching position shown here 21 is the changeover element 8th such about the first axis of rotation 10 rotated that opening 34 of the changeover element 8th with the second drain inlet 27 of the second sequence 6th aligns so that the inlet 4th with the second sequence 6th connected is. This allows the liquid to flow through the flow path 2 and the changeover chamber 33 through the second sequence 6th flow away. The switching element 8th is here by the pen 31 against the seal geometry 9 adjusted.

the 3 shows the device 1 in a second operating position in the longitudinal section. The drive element is in the second operating position 11 by a user via the control element 35 pressed down so that the locking pin 25th of the drive element 11 from the second locking geometry 23 into the guide geometry 29 is adjusted. The drive element is in this position 11 to change the flow path 2 rotatable about the second axis of rotation. The lever arm 16 of the drive element 11 extends in a radial direction (with respect to the second axis of rotation 12th ) from a fulcrum 17th to an outer end of the lever 18th . In the area of the pivot point 17th has the drive element 11 a smaller material thickness, so that the drive element 11 especially in the area of the pivot point 17th is elastically deformable. One longitudinal end of the axle 15th of the changeover element 5 contacts the lever arm 16 at a pressure point 20th of the lever arm 16 . By pressing or adjusting the drive element 11 in the direction of the changeover element 8th moves the drive element 11 the axis 15th parallel to the first axis of rotation 10 so that the changeover element 5 on the seal geometry 9 is moved away. The axis 15th of the changeover element 8th is for this purpose parallel to the first axis of rotation 10 opposite the gear 14th adjustable. Since the pressure point 20th closer to the fulcrum 17th than at the outer end of the lever 18th of the lever arm 16 is located, the counterforce of the spring to be overcome by the user 31 and / or the counterforce to be overcome by a liquid pressure of the liquid in the changeover chamber 33 significantly reduced. In that of the seal geometry 9 moved away position of the switching element 8th is the changeover element 8th with lower actuation forces around the first axis of rotation 10 rotatable into another rotational position because of friction between the changeover element 8th and the seal geometry 9 is eliminated.

the 4th shows the device 1 in a side view. The device 1 is located here in the in the 2 first operating position shown. the 5 shows the device 1 in a sectional view along the in the 4th shown section line BB. It can be seen here that the locking pin 25th of the drive element 11 in the second locking geometry 23 of the housing 3 is located. Only when the locking pin 25th in the first locking geometry 22nd , second locking geometry 23 or third locking geometry 24 can be found in the 3 shown changeover element 8th back against the seal geometry 9 adjusted. This means that the conversion of the 3 flow path shown 2 clearly defined and the user receives clear feedback during the changeover. The fixed point 6th shows the device 1 in a perspective view.

The present invention improves the ease of use of a sanitary shower head.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Flow path

3

casing

4th

Intake

5

first sequence

6th

second sequence

7th

third sequence

8th

Changeover element

9

Seal geometry

10

first axis of rotation

11

Drive element

12th

second axis of rotation

13th

Ring gear

14th

gear

15th

axis

16

Lever arm

17th

pivot point

18th

outer lever end

19th

Housing cover

20th

Pressure point

21

Switching position

22nd

first locking geometry

23

second locking geometry

24

third locking geometry

25th

Locking pin

26th

first drain inlet

27

second drain inlet

28

third drain inlet

29

Guide geometry

30th

Cones

31

feather

32

warehouse

33

Conversion chamber

34

opening

35

Control element

Claims (10)

Device (1) for changing a flow path (2) of a liquid in a sanitary shower, at least comprising: - A housing (3) with at least one inlet (4) and a plurality of outlets (5, 6, 7); - A changeover element (8) which rests against a seal geometry (9) in the housing (3) and, for changing over the flow path (2), is rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation (10) and can be moved away from the seal geometry (9); and - A drive element (11), wherein the drive element (11) is at least partially adjustable in the direction of the changeover element (8) so that the changeover element (8) can be moved away from the sealing geometry (9) by the drive element (11), and wherein the drive element (11) is mounted rotatably about a second axis of rotation (12), so that the changeover element (8) can be rotated about the first axis of rotation (10) by the drive element (11). Device (1) according to Claim 1 wherein the drive element (11) has a toothed ring (13) which drives a gear (14) of the changeover element (8) when the drive element (11) rotates. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive element (11) for moving the changeover element (8) away from the sealing geometry (9) adjusts an axis (15) of the changeover element (8) parallel to the first axis of rotation (10). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the drive element (11) being at least partially elastically deformable for moving the changeover element (8) away from the sealing geometry (9). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive element (11) for moving the switching element (8) away from the sealing geometry (9) has a lever arm (16) which extends from a pivot point (17) of the lever arm (16) to to an outer lever end (18) of the lever arm (16). Device (1) according to Claim 5 , wherein the lever arm (16) between the pivot point (17) and the outer lever end (18) has a pressure point (20) for an axis (15) of the switching element (8). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive element (11) can be rotated about the second axis of rotation (12) into a plurality of switching positions (21). Device (1) according to Claim 7 wherein the changeover element (8) only rests against the seal geometry (9) in the changeover positions (21) of the drive element (11). Device (1) according to Claim 7 or 8th , wherein the housing (3) has a latching geometry (22, 23, 24) for each switching position (21) into which a latching pin (25) of the drive element (11) engages when the respective switching position (21) is reached. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the changeover element (8) is pressed against the sealing geometry (9) by a spring (31).

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