DE102021108028A1 - Aerator for a plumbing fixture, Plumbing fixture and use of an aerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a jet regulator (1) for a sanitary fitting (2), at least forming a first flow path (3) with a first flow rate (4) and a second flow path (5) with a second flow rate (6), the second flow rate ( 6) is greater than the first flow rate (4), and at least one adjusting element (7) which can selectively release the first flow path (3) or the second flow path (5), the at least one adjusting element (7) after each use of the Sanitary fitting (2) automatically releases the first flow path (3). A sanitary fitting (2) and a use of the jet regulator (1) are also specified.

Description

The present invention relates to a jet regulator for a sanitary fitting, a sanitary fitting and a use of a jet regulator, in particular in connection with a sanitary fitting.

Jet regulators or mousseurs are regularly provided to create an exiting jet of water in the area of the outlet of a (drinking water) sanitary fitting. In particular, it is possible in this way to influence the pearly character, an air intake and/or the jet pattern. A jet regulator can be characterized in particular by the fact that it has a large number of outlet openings through which the water provided passes. It is possible for such an aerator to be (detachably) attachable to the outlet of a sanitary fitting.

Especially when using sanitary fittings with which drinking water is dispensed, it should be possible to use water sparingly or to dose it as precisely as possible. It is known here to equip sanitary fittings with a so-called “eco” function, in which only a reduced amount of water can be released with the water fitting when the operating lever of the sanitary fitting is actuated. To do this, the operator can switch from "Normal" mode to "Eco" mode.

However, the known systems are limited in terms of user-friendliness and/or the ease of switching to the different modes. In addition, the known sanitary fittings are not yet set up in such a way that they are actually very water-saving.

Proceeding from this, it is the object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, an aerator or a sanitary fitting is to be specified with which easy handling, a compact design and/or particularly economical use is made possible.

These objects are solved with an aerator, a sanitary fitting and a use according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims. The features listed in the claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way. The features of the claims can be supplemented or specified by features of the description and/or the figures. The description, in particular in connection with the figures, illustrates the invention and specifies further exemplary embodiments.

A flow regulator for a sanitary fitting, as described below and used in particular in a kitchen or a bathroom, contributes to this. The jet regulator forms at least a first flow path with a first flow rate and a second flow path with a second flow rate. It is provided here that the second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate. At least one adjusting element is also provided, which can selectively release the first flow path or the second flow path. Furthermore, the at least one actuating element is designed or set up in such a way that it automatically releases the first flow path after each use of the sanitary fitting.

A so-called mousseur can in particular be provided in the aerator specified here. The jet regulator is particularly suitable for being arranged at the outlet of the sanitary fitting, for example by means of a screw or clamp connection. The jet regulator can have an essentially sleeve-like or cylindrical shape. At least two flow paths are realized inside the jet regulator, whereby these can partially overlap. The flow paths can be formed by channels, grooves, lines, etc. inside the jet regulator. In particular, the flow paths extend from an end face (upper end associated with the outlet of the sanitary fitting) through the jet regulator to the opposite end face, where the water is ultimately discharged. In principle, it is possible for more than two flow paths to be formed.

The flow paths are designed here with different (maximum) flow rates. In other words, this means in particular that if a predetermined amount of water is made available to the jet regulator via the sanitary fitting, the jet regulator is designed, for example, in such a way that, in the event that the water flows along the second flow path and is almost unimpeded/unbraked or flows through completely with maximum flow rate. If the water is guided along the first flow path, the flow path can have constrictions, screens or the like, for example, so that the flow is braked and slowed down. This means that the flow rate (amount of water per unit of time) is lower. Consequently, in this case the first flow path would be formed with a smaller (maximum) first flow rate.

The at least one actuating element is in particular integrated or designed in such a way that it selectively directs the flow arriving from the sanitary fitting towards the first flow path or (alternatively) towards the second flow path. In particular, it is provided that only either the first flow path or the second flow path is released with the actuator. For this purpose, the actuating element can be provided with (sealing) shaped elements which can (temporarily) close the first flow path and/or the second flow path. The actuating element or its effective surfaces towards the first flow path and/or the second flow path are arranged inside the jet regulator. In particular, it is possible to move (at least partially) the actuator within the jet regulator, rotate it or move it in a similar way.

In this case, the actuating element is designed in particular in such a way that after each use of the sanitary fitting it automatically returns to a starting position in which the first flow path with the lower flow throughput is set. This ensures that the next time the sanitary fitting is used, the "Eco" mode is automatically selected again. This can be achieved, for example, by keeping the control element open while the sanitary fitting is in use, in particular by allowing the water to flow through the jet regulator, with this holding force of the water flow for the control element then being reduced to such an extent when the sanitary fitting is switched off that the Actuating element moved back to the desired starting position.

For this purpose, at least one restoring element providing kinetic energy can be provided, which automatically resets the at least one actuating element after each use of the sanitary fitting. Such a restoring element that provides kinetic energy is designed in particular in such a way that when the actuating element is actuated or displaced from the starting position, it absorbs energy or then continuously stores it and, when the water flow ceases, this kinetic energy is then returned to the actuating element, causing it to be reset . A suitable restoring element can be a spring element.

An external actuating element can be assigned to the at least one actuating element, with which the at least one actuating element can be transferred into a (second) position in which the second flow path is released. “External” means in particular that a user has access to a part (directly or indirectly) of the actuating element from the outside. The actuating part can be set up in such a way that, by pressing, sliding, twisting, etc., it causes a corresponding adjustment movement of the actuating element inside the jet regulator. It is particularly preferred that the external actuating part can only be moved in one direction. In particular, after the actuation part has been actuated, it is increasingly or predominantly or completely accommodated in the aerator, so that it can no longer be actuated from the outside. It is also possible that the actuating part only re-emerges when the sanitary fitting has been used and the actuating element has automatically been moved back into its initial position.

It is particularly preferred that the external actuating part is arranged in the area of a flow exit surface. It is preferred that the external actuating part is located approximately centrally in the area of the flow outlet surface. The actuating part can then be designed in particular in the manner of a pressure slide which essentially disappears in its receptacle when it is pressed in. This has the particular advantage that it does not impede or negatively influence the formation of the water jet.

With a further aspect, a sanitary fitting is proposed which has an aerator of the type mentioned here. The sanitary fitting can include a mixing cartridge with which water of different temperatures can be mixed and then made available via the outlet. For this purpose, the sanitary fitting can be designed with a (single-lever) operating element. With such an operating element, it is also possible to regulate the amount of water to be dispensed, with a valve being able to be actuated in particular, with which further development of the flow can be interrupted.

The sanitary fitting can be set up in such a way that when the flow stops (for example via the valve), the at least one actuating element is automatically reset. For this purpose, the actuating element can be moved back (independently) back into the starting position, in particular by blocking further flow to the jet regulator.

According to a further aspect, the use of an aerator of the type disclosed here is proposed, namely for easier and more economical operation of a sanitary fitting.

The explanations on the aerator can be used to characterize the sanitary fitting and the use mentioned here can be used as a supplement and vice versa.

In other words, the following can be achieved in particular: Before the sanitary fitting is actuated, the aerator is always set in such a way that it implements the "Eco" mode, ie the reduced delivery of water. If the user needs more water, he has to press the "Boost" button on the front (the external actuating part of the control element) with the sanitary fitting closed. It can generally be provided that the actuating element (temporarily engages) in this position. A larger throughput of water is then permitted/set after opening the sanitary fitting. If the sanitary fitting is closed again, the "Boost" button (or the control element) jumps back into its initial position, so that the "Eco" mode is implemented again.

In particular, the solution proposed here offers the advantages of a water-saving system, a simplified reset to "Eco" mode and a slim design of an aerator.

• 1: eine Sanitärarmatur,
• 2: ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Strahlreglers in einer ersten Situation, und
• 3: den Strahlregler aus 2 in einer zweiten Stellung.

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 particularly preferred exemplary embodiments which, however, are not intended to restrict the invention. Unless explicitly stated otherwise here, details or features from one figure can be combined with other features in other figures and/or further explanations from the description. Elements of the same type are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures, so that their explanation can apply to all figures. They show schematically:

• 1 : a plumbing fixture,
• 2 : an embodiment of an aerator in a first situation, and
• 3 : the aerator off 2 in a second position.

1 1 shows a sanitary fitting 2 comprising an aerator 1. The sanitary fitting 2 can, for example, be arranged (fixed) on a washbasin or in the kitchen and, for example, have a valve 12 or a mixer cartridge in its base. Also provided on the sanitary fitting 2 is an operating element 11 which can be pivoted. The water temperature and the water flow in the flow direction 13 through the sanitary fitting 2 can be set via the operating element 11 and the valve 12 . The water provided in this way flows towards the aerator 1, where it is discharged via its flow outlet surface 10.

2 shows an example and in a section of a possible embodiment of an aerator 1, as z. B. in the sanitary fitting 2 after 1 can be used. The jet regulator 1 is designed in such a way that it can be arranged on a sanitary fitting 2 . In the present case, the aerator 1 is designed in four parts with an upper part 18, a lower part 19 and a mousseur 20, with a (multi-part) actuating element 7 in the manner of a piston also being provided on the inside.

This representation shows a position of the actuating element 7 , with the flow flowing along a first flow path 3 with a first (lower) flow throughput 4 . For this purpose, the water flows along the indicated arrows through different channel sections along the first flow path 3. This first flow path 3 includes a throttle 17, which includes narrow bores or micro-channels, for example, so that the first flow rate is kept small.

In this initial position, a section of the actuating element 7 protrudes beyond the flow outlet surface 10 (projection 14), which is also referred to here as an external actuating part 9 or a “boost” button. Opposite and inside the jet regulator 1 (in the area of the upper part 18), the adjusting element 7 has a plate 16 with an external sealing surface. Centrally, this plate 16 accommodates a spring (return element 8) with which the throttle 17 is pressed against an opposing abutment in the jet regulator 1 or in the upper part 18, so that a flow gap for the water is set between the plate 16 and the throttle 17. The water can enter the throttle 17 via this flow gap and thus flow along the first flow path.

If the user now wants more intensive water delivery instead of the usual "Eco" mode, he presses the external actuating part 9 in so far that it practically disappears in the flow outlet surface 10 - a (second) position that 3 is illustrated. By pressing in this way, the plate 16 is displaced inside by a stroke 15 and the spring or the restoring element 8 is compressed. In this position of the adjusting element 7 or its plate 16 , the first flow path 3 is sealed or closed towards the throttle 17 , so that the water now flows along the second flow path 5 to the mousseur 20 along a section between the adjusting element 7 and the lower part 19 . Larger flow cross sections are now realized here, so that water is discharged with a larger second flow throughput 6 .

When the water flows along the second flow path 5, the water also flows under the plate 16—that is, presses it against the restoring element 8 and thus keeps this second flow path 5 open itself. If this flow breaks off or is significantly reduced, this counter-holding force ceases and the restoring element 8 presses the plate 16 back into its original seat, so that an automatic return to “Eco” mode is ensured.

Reference List

1

aerator

2

sanitary fitting

3

first flow path

4

first flow rate

5

second flow path

6

second flow rate

7

actuator

8th

return element

9

operating part

10

flow exit surface

11

control element

12

Valve

13

flow direction

14

Got over

15

hub

16

Plate

17

throttle

18

top

19

lower part

20

mousseur

Claims (7)

Jet regulator (1) for a sanitary fitting (2), at least forming a first flow path (3) with a first flow rate (4) and a second flow path (5) with a second flow rate (6), the second flow rate (6) being greater than is the first flow rate (4), and at least one adjusting element (7) which can selectively release the first flow path (3) or the second flow path (5), the at least one adjusting element (7) after each use of the sanitary fitting (2) automatically releases the first flow path (3). Aerator (1) after claim 1 wherein at least one restoring element (8) providing kinetic energy is provided, which automatically resets the at least one actuating element (7) after each use of the sanitary fitting (2). Aerator (1) after claim 1 or 2 , wherein the at least one actuating element (7) is assigned an external actuating part (9) with which the at least one actuating element (7) can be transferred into a position in which the second flow path (5) is released. Aerator (1) after claim 3 , wherein the external actuating part (9) is arranged in the area of a flow outlet surface (10). Sanitary fitting (2) comprising a jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Sanitary fitting (2) after claim 5 , set up for automatic resetting of the at least one actuating element (7) when the flow stops. Use of an aerator (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 for easier and economical operation of a sanitary fitting (2).

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