DE9016641U1 - Device for treating a water flow in a pipe - Google Patents

Description

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The innovation relates to a device for treating a water flow in a pipe, in particular for adding antibacterial agents, disinfectants and care products or the like to a water flow that is led from a mixer tap or from another shower or bath fitting in a pipe, in particular a hose line, to a shower head or the like and exits there.

However, the device should also be suitable for filtering the water flow.

Devices are already known with which a water

!5 liquid agents can be mixed into the water and can also be used in a pipe between a shower or bath fitting and a shower head or the like. With these devices, the main water flow is mixed with a quantity of care products or disinfectants or the like, which can also be dosed in some cases, so that water that has been treated accordingly or has an additive comes out of the shower head or other outlet. The known devices are either open systems in which air, especially ambient air, is

or the container containing the additive, so that germs, bacteria etc. can enter the water flow via the container and the additive. Or the devices are structurally complicated, or it is not possible to ensure a perfect, particularly dosable, admixture of agents.

„0 to ensure the water flow.

In order to overcome the above disadvantages, it is proposed that - based on a known device of the type mentioned above - a mixer that can be inserted in a sealing manner between the mixer tap or the respective valve and the shower head or the respective pipe outlet.

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Device comprises a main channel through which the water flow flows, a jet nozzle arranged in the main channel and cooperating with a constriction, in the annular surrounding space of which a negative pressure can be generated when water flows through, and at least one mixing chamber arranged next to the main channel and through which a partial flow branched off from the water flow can flow, a first section of which is connected via a first line to the annular surrounding space and a second section via a second line to a channel section located downstream at a distance from the annular surrounding space, and that in the mixing chamber inserts through which the partial water flow can flow can be accommodated, which contain or represent liquids to be mixed in and/or filter elements or the like.

The innovative solution allows for simple production and reliable functioning of the mixing device. The mixing chamber extends directly next to the main channel and is connected to the main channel via two lines, namely a first and a second line. This arrangement ensures that, as soon as water is requested in the line, a partial water flow is diverted from the main water flow, and this diverted partial flow is led through the mixing chamber and connected to the main flow via the first line.

added again, but now moved from the mixing chamber using appropriate means. The branching of the partial flow and its return to the main flow is caused by the negative pressure generated in the ring-shaped surrounding area of the jet nozzle and also acting on the interior of the mixing chamber via the first line. This negative pressure causes water to be sucked in via the second line and thus reaches the mixing chamber as a partial flow, flows through it and returns to the main channel via the second line and the ring-shaped surrounding area, where the mixing between the now treated partial flow and the main flow takes place.

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The mixing device, which is preferably made of plastic or a comparable material, consists of the main channel, which is surrounded by a housing, and the mixing chamber, which runs as parallel as possible to this. It is therefore a relatively simple device to manufacture. The main channel is equipped with appropriate connections at the inlet and outlet for sealing insertion into the respective line.

Preferably, the partial water flow can be dosed by continuously controlling the flow cross-section of the first and/or second line or the mixing chamber itself. In this way, the addition of antibacterial agents or care products or the like to the main water flow can also be dosed. This is because a reduction in the partial water flow results in a correspondingly lower flow through the mixing chamber and thus a reduced entrainment of the agent to be added. The concentration of the antibacterial agent in the main water flow can therefore be easily and precisely specified and adjusted.

The inserts, which can be inserted into the mixing chamber and through which the partial water flow can flow, either contain the liquid to be mixed in or they contain or form filter elements through which the partial water flow can flow.

The mixing chamber or the insert in the mixing chamber is preferably closed by a removable lid. When the lid is removed, the insert or the mixing chamber is freely accessible for refilling the agent or the filter elements or for cleaning the mixing chamber and the lines leading from it.

According to a new development, it is intended that the agent-containing and refillable insert by

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an opening can be inserted into the mixing chamber and secured there, has openings for the inflow and outflow of water and is surrounded by the partial water flow. Depending on how the insert for the agent to be carried along by the partial water flow must flow through, two or more openings or even a large number of openings are provided in the insert. The resulting possibilities are explained later with reference to the drawings.

It is also advisable to have two mixing chambers arranged opposite one another with a corresponding connection to the main flow via first and second lines. Such a twin arrangement allows different agents to be added to the main water flow. For example, an antibacterial additive can be provided in one of the two mixing chambers and a care agent in the second mixing chamber, both of which are mixed into the main water flow, preferably in metered amounts. However, it is also possible to add either just the antibacterial agent or disinfectant or the care agent.

Finally, it is advantageous if the mixing chamber has an intermediate floor with flow openings in the lower area for accommodating filter elements or the like. The intermediate floor arranged above the second line should ensure a uniform flow through the mixing chamber and thus intensive filtering of the partial water flow.

According to the innovation, it is also possible that several different

Mixing chambers are connected to a common main channel. These multiple arrangements can also be easily implemented in terms of production technology. As with the simple arrangements, a common housing can be provided for the main channel and the mixing chambers. On the other hand,

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The mixing chambers and the main channel can consist of elements that can be manufactured separately but are easy to connect to each other.
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Examples of the innovation are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a simple

arrangement of a main channel and a mixing chamber provided with an insert of a mixing device integrated in a common housing;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a mixing device as in Fig. 1, but in the form of a twin arrangement;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment

design of a mixing device comprising a main channel and a mixing chamber, with an intermediate floor provided with openings in the mixing chamber;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a mixing device, again in the form of a twin arrangement, but with two differently designed mixing chambers, which are connected together to a

QQ main channel are connected.

A mixing device, generally designated 1, consists of a housing 2, which mainly comprises a main channel 3 for the main water flow and a mixing chamber 4 (Fig. 1).

In the mixing chamber 4 there is an insert 5 which is provided with a

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Flange 6 on the upper edge can be inserted into an opening 7 in the upper part of the mixing chamber 4 and secured there. The insert 5 preferably has a circular cross-section, as does the opening 7 and possibly the mixing chamber 4 itself. The mixing chamber 4 can, however, also have a square cross-section. The insert 5 can, as the drawing shows, be closed with a removable cover 8, which is inserted into a corresponding opening in the insert 5 by means of a seal 9 and is given a firm fit.

In the upper part of the main channel 3 there is a jet nozzle 10, which is known per se and is inserted into an annular surrounding space 11 in the manner shown in the drawing in order to generate negative pressure in the surrounding space 11 in conjunction with an adjoining constriction 12 when water flows through the main channel 3. The constriction 12 is followed in the main channel 3 by a lower section 13 which is wider than the constriction 12.

Depending on the type of design, the material used to manufacture the mixing device 1 can be plastics as well as metallic materials, e.g. aluminum alloys, etc. In order to observe the contents of the insert 5, it may be expedient to use a transparent material.

The annular surrounding space 11 of the main channel 3 is connected to the mixing chamber 4 via a first line 14, and the lower section 13 of the main channel 3 is connected to the oQ mixing chamber 4 in the manner shown in the drawing via a second line 15.

A dosing device (not shown in Fig. 1) can be attached via a hole 16 in the wall of the mixing chamber 4 that can be closed by a plug 17. This device consists of a dosing needle that, in the position shown in this case,

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for example, in the form of a threaded opening, and extends into the opposite free cross-section of the second line 15 (see Fig. 4). By screwing the dosing needle in or out, the cross-section of the second line 15 can be varied and adjusted accordingly, and if necessary also closed if no water is to pass from section 13 of the main channel 3 into the mixing chamber 4. In any case, the hole 16 can also be used to drill out the second line 15 in the wall of the main channel 3.

In the insert 5 there are two openings 18, 19 located opposite one another, which are aligned with the first line 14 and with a hole generally designated 22. A metering device can also be used at this point if required, with which the cross-section of the first line 14 can be adjusted, and if necessary also the cross-sections of the two openings 18, 19 in addition or as a substitute.

The main channel 3 has a connection 20, preferably a screw connection, for the inlet on its top side and a corresponding connection 21 for the outlet on the lower end, as shown in the drawing. With these connections 20, 21, the mixing device 1 can either be connected directly to a mixer tap, with the hose line leading to a shower head, for example, being attached to the lower connection 21. However, this is only one possible arrangement of many. Means of the various

QQ various types of substances can be introduced, which are to be mixed with the main water flowing through the main channel 3. These can be, for example, antibacterial agents, but also care products or the like.

₃ g The agent is added automatically when water is requested and the main channel 3 is consequently supplied by a water

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main water stream flows through from top to bottom. In this case, a negative pressure is created in the annular surrounding space due to the function of the jet nozzle 10, which consequently also acts on the interior of the mixing chamber 4 via the first line 14. Due to this negative pressure in the mixing chamber 4, a partial flow is branched off from the main water stream in section 13 of the main channel 3 via the second line 15 and is led into the mixing chamber 4 via the line 15, as the arrows shown in Fig. 1 illustrate. From here, the water rises in the mixing chamber 4, reaches the insert and from there, taking parts of the agent with it, finally returns to the main channel via the first line 14, namely into the annular surrounding space 11, where a corresponding mixture with the water of the main water stream takes place, so that water mixed with the agent finally leaves the outlet 21.

The path of the partial flow branched off by negative pressure in the mixing chamber 4 can be influenced in various ways, so that the interior of the insert 5 is included in this flow path. By means of flow guide elements (not shown), which can also be arranged in the insert, a very precisely specified partial flow can be achieved with regard to the flow path if necessary.

Due to the effect of the jet nozzle 10, an intensive mixing of the partial flow returned to the main channel 3 or its annular surrounding space 11 with the main water flow takes place at the narrow point 12 and in the following section 13, so that the mixed agent, for example the antibacterial additive, completely penetrates and captures the water flowing through the main channel 3.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 makes it clear that the innovation enables a doubling of the possibilities in a simple way.

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possibilities for adding agents to the main water flow of a mixing device 1 by arranging two mixing chambers 4 opposite one another, both of which are connected to the same main channel 3 and are connected to corresponding first and second lines 14, 15. Each of these two units can be manufactured, designed and used in the same way as already stated above in the description of the embodiment according to Fig. 1. Therefore, a further description is omitted and the reference symbols shown in Figs. 1 and 2 underline the similarity of the parts and effects.

The twin arrangement according to Fig. 2 allows for many possibilities.

You can optionally mix an antibacterial agent in one mixing chamber and a care product, such as a soap additive or the like, in the other mixing chamber, so that the main water flow is permeated by both different types of agent. You can just as easily mix two different care products in different doses by arranging them in the two separate mixing chambers 4. It is obvious that many other variants are conceivable and feasible.

The further embodiment shown in Fig. 3 primarily illustrates the possibility of arranging an intermediate floor 23 with a plurality of openings 24 in the mixing chamber 4, which can be used, for example, to accommodate filter elements such as carbon filter elements or the like in

₃ q of the mixing chamber 4. A repeated description of the parts of the mixing device 1 of Fig. 3, insofar as they are the same or have a similar effect to the corresponding parts of the mixing device according to Fig. 1, is omitted.

The insert 5 in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 has a plurality of openings 25 which, as the drawing shows,

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can penetrate the entire wall of the insert 5, and this is intended to ensure that the agent introduced into the insert 5 or the filter elements arranged there are easily accessible for the partial flow. The possibilities for adjustable dosing exist here just as in the previously described embodiments, without this being shown in the drawing. Whether only the intermediate floor 23 or simultaneously an insert like the one shown or a similar insert 5 is used depends on the intended use of the mixing device. Both are possible, and just the intermediate floor 23 or just the insert 5 with openings 25 can also be used. In any case, a good distribution of the partial flow in the mixing chamber 4 is achieved by the arrangement of the intermediate floor 23, and all areas of the insert 5 are also covered by the partial flow.

From the embodiment according to Fig. 4 it is clear that not only similar mixing chambers 4 as in embodiment 2, but also differently designed mixing chambers 4 in a twin arrangement can be connected to a common main channel 3. The dosing device is illustrated here in the right mixing chamber 4 by drawing a dosing needle 26 for controlling and presetting the cross-section of the second line 15. The dosing needle 26 can be axially adjusted for cross-section control using a knurled wheel and a corresponding thread engagement of the dosing needle 26 in the wall of the mixing chamber 4.

Furthermore, in the embodiment according to Fig.

4 the same reference numerals again refer to the same parts from the previously described embodiments. The insert 5 of the right mixing chamber 4 here has additional openings 27, through which the partial flow can penetrate into the interior of the insert 5.

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It is obvious and therefore requires no special explanation that the twin arrangement shown in Fig. 4 allows many different possibilities for the use and admixture of agents or the filtering of the partial flow.

Finally, it should be noted that the new device can be installed between the shower head and the shower hose. People are not exposed to harmful bacteria that can occur at temperatures of 50°C or below if the new device is used in conjunction with suitable additives.

Claims (7)

PROTECTION CLAIMS 1. Device for treating a water flow in a pipe, in particular for adding antibacterial agents, disinfectants and care products or the like to a water flow which is led from a mixer tap or from another shower or bath fitting in a pipe, in particular a hose pipe, to a shower head or the like and exits there, characterized in that a mixing device (1) which can be inserted in a sealing manner between the mixer tap or the respective valve and the shower head or the respective pipe outlet has a main channel (3) through which the water flow flows, a jet nozzle (10) arranged in the main channel (3) and cooperating with a constriction (12), in the annular surrounding space (11) of which a negative pressure can be generated when water flows through, and at least one mixing chamber (4) arranged next to the main channel (3) and through which a partial flow which can be branched off from the main water flow can flow, a first section of which is connected via a first line (14) is connected to the annular surrounding space (11) and a second section (13) is connected via a second line (15) to a channel section located downstream at a distance from the annular surrounding space (11), and that in the mixing chamber (4) the partial water flow passes through ₃ Q flowable inserts (5) can be accommodated, which contain or represent liquids and/or filter elements to be added. 2. Device according to claim 1, _{characterized} in that the partial flow can be dosed by a stepless control of the flow cross-section of the 2614.2 \...*\.. - &iacgr;&idiagr;~ ,," |"\. ^: 03.12.1990 first and/or second line (14), (15) or the mixing chamber (4) itself. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mixing chamber (4) or the insert (5) in the mixing chamber (4) is closed by a removable cover (8). 4. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that the refillable insert (5) containing an agent can be inserted through an opening (7) into the mixing chamber (4) and secured there, has openings (18), (19); (25) for the inflow and outflow of water and is washed around and traversed or flushed by the partial water flow. 5. Device according to one or more of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that two mixing chambers (4) with corresponding connection via first and second lines (14), (15) to the main channel (3) are provided in an opposite arrangement. 6. Device according to one or more of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the mixing chamber (4) in the lower region has a through-flow opening (24) provided with an intermediate floor (23) for receiving filter elements or the like. ₃ q 7. Device according to one or more of claims 1-6, characterized in that several different mixing chambers (4) are connected to a common main channel (3).