EP0208958B1 - Flow-restricting device for a jet regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A flow-restricting device (20) for a jet regulator (1) which belongs to sanitary draw-off taps or the like and is provided with at least one builtin part (3, 4), said flow-restricting device taking the form of an exchangeable insert (6) which is disposed with its flow-restricting passages (7) at least approximately in front of the further built-in parts (3, 4) of the jet regulator (1) in the direction of flow, engages over said built-in parts in a hat-shaped manner and is adapted to be supported against the dynamic pressure, characterized in that the insert (6) thereof has an annular wall (9) and a cover part (10) pointing towards the direction of flow (Pf 1) and that the flow-restricting passages thereof take the form of channels (7) disposed in the region of the annular wall and are bevelled at their outlet faces (8).

Description

The invention relates to a throttle device for a jet regulator of sanitary outlet fittings or the like provided with at least one built-in part Insert part is formed.

Jet regulators with different flow classes are already known and are selected for a desired flow rate per unit of time depending on the pressure conditions prevailing in a line network. A subsequent change in the flow rate per unit of time is practically not possible and is also not provided.

In order to achieve economical water output, the use of jet regulators with a low or with the lowest flow rate (e.g. flow rate class Z) is often sought. However, it is not guaranteed from the outset whether such a jet regulator is suitable for the particular application at all, since with jet regulators with a large throttling effect and at the same time low line pressure, faults in the associated outlet fitting, e.g. B. can occur in a water heater, which may then no longer start. In such a case, the entire aerator must then be replaced.

Jet regulators are also already known with a throttle insert part designed as a disc, which, depending on the desired throttling effect, has a more or less large bore. The disadvantage here is that there is practically a single sharp jet of passage and increased valve noise. In addition, the throttle disk can be replaced only with difficulty and with an auxiliary tool, which also requires appropriate knowledge and skill.

A throttle insert is known from EP-A-0 033 313, which consists of a cap-like plastic part with several longitudinal slots. The clear cross-section of the longitudinal slots here also determines the degree of throttling, and by designing the cross-sections of these longitudinal slots differently and exchanging corresponding parts of the app, it can be varied accordingly. But here, too, valve noises occur beyond the permissible level after the installation of this insert.

Finally, a jet regulator is known from US Pat. No. 3,417,924, in which disk-shaped throttle insert parts with different passage openings can be used. Even with these throttle inserts, the noise generated cannot be kept within the desired limits.

The object of the present invention is to provide a throttle device which, on the one hand, causes only small, practically insignificant additional valve noises when used in jet regulators with a simultaneous reduction in the flow rate, the permissible range of noise generation not being exceeded. In addition, this throttle device should be constructed in such a way that it can be used practically universally, even retrospectively, in connection with different jet regulators, whereby assembly and disassembly should be possible in a simple manner.

To solve this problem it is proposed that the insert part of the throttle device has an annular wall and a cover part opposite to the flow direction and that its throttle passages are designed as passage channels arranged in the region of the annular wall and are cut obliquely at their mouth surfaces.

It has been found that this formation of the passageways with obliquely cut mouths and the resulting, comparatively large outlet cross sections with a good throttling effect can keep the noise formation particularly low. This applies in particular to the interaction with jet regulators. It is namely particularly advantageous if the jet can atomize when it emerges from mouths which are larger than the passage channels of the insert part, inter alia because of these area enlargements, and not as a closed jet. B. is guided in the area of a jet regulator pre-screen on its beam circumference. The insert can also be easily replaced and is easy to manufacture.

From DE-U-81 33 875 a jet regulator is already known, in which a cover part of its jet splitter has disassembly holes oriented in the direction of flow, which open into the inflow-side surface of an essentially annular cone-shaped guide channel delimited by two conical surface areas, which in turn is in the flow direction somewhat expanded in terms of its cross section. Due to the conical design of the top of the adjoining guide channel, the splitting holes of this jet splitter have diagonally to the splitting holes. Outlet cross sections, which are thus also larger than the cutting hole cross sections, but they are located in the jet splitter of the known jet regulator itself and therefore do not belong to a throttle device which is to be connected upstream of such a jet splitter. In addition, the guide channel, into which the disassembly holes open and the lower, frustoconical side of which is an uninterrupted baffle surface, is an annular, all-round closed guide channel which, seen in the direction of flow, only has a circular mouth at the air intake device of the jet regulator. Done there then with this known jet regulator, suction of air and mixing of the split jets with it.

Such a mode of operation is neither aimed at nor achieved with the insert part of the throttle device according to the invention.

According to an advantageous further development of the throttle device, an insert part sieve which can be plugged onto the insert part is provided on the inlet side to cover the passage channels of this insert part. DE-U-8436202 already discloses a coarse sieve which can be fixed in an undercut in an aerator for faucet mouthpieces and which is there to protect the free holes in a plate base against blockage. The insert screen, on the other hand, is intended to protect the passage channels on the throttle device from clogging and thereby indirectly help to promote the most uniform possible jet supply to the actual jet regulator even when a throttle device is installed. In addition, its assembly should be simple. Additional developments of the invention are listed in the further subclaims. The invention is described in more detail below using a preferred exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawing.

• Fig. 1 eine Teillängsschnitt-Darstellung einer Drosselvorrichtung, die in einem in teilweise aufgebrochener Seitenansicht dargestellten Strahlregier untergebracht ist,
• Fig. 2 eine Drosselvorrichtung in Teillängsdarstellung, die sich im oberen Bereich eines gegenüber Fig. 1 abgewandelten Strahlreglers befindet, wobei diese Drosselvorrichtung mit einem Einsatzteil-Sieb versehen ist,
• Fig. 3 bis Fig. 6 Teillängsschnitte von unterschiedlichen Drosselvorrichtungen,
• Fig. 7 einen Längsschnitt durch eine Drosselvorrichtung und
• Fig. 8 eine Aufsicht auf die in Fig. 7 gezeigte Drosselvorrichtung.

It shows :

• 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a throttle device, which is housed in a jet regulator shown in a partially broken side view,
• 2 shows a throttle device in partial longitudinal representation, which is located in the upper region of a jet regulator modified compared to FIG. 1, this throttle device being provided with an insert screen,
• 3 to FIG. 6 partial longitudinal sections of different throttle devices,
• Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal section through a throttle device and
• Fig. 8 is a plan view of the throttle device shown in Fig. 7.

In Fig. 1 a generally designated 1 jet regulator is connected to the end of an outlet fitting 2. As is known, such jet regulators 1 are used, in particular, to let water coming from a sanitary outlet fitting 2 flow out in a uniform water jet, often with mixing the water with air. 1 shows a necessary air intake and jet disassembly device belonging to the jet regulator 1, which is combined there as an assembly 3 and is only shown schematically. On the flow inlet side one can see a regulator screen 4, which closes the assembly 3 and belongs to the jet regulator 1, as well as air slots 5 provided in the side wall of this assembly 3.

Such or similar jet regulators, depending on their construction and design, exert a throttling effect on the water jet flowing through, which often does not match the throttling effect that is desired in the individual case at the given application point. The throttle device designated as a whole by 20 can be easily assembled or disassembled by non-specialists without special auxiliary tools as required. 7 and 8 show the throttle device 20 on its own and FIG. 2 in the installed state and provided with an insert screen 21.

The throttle device 20 is designed with its throttle cross-sections (passage channels 7) at least approximately in the direction of flow (Pf 1) in front of the further built-in parts (3, 4, etc.) of the jet regulator, which interchangeable insert part 6 extends over a hat shape and can be supported against the dynamic pressure. It can, as a comparison of Figures 7 u. 8 on the one hand with FIG. 2 and 1 on the other hand shows that even less trained persons can particularly easily insert or remove or replace them in an existing jet regulator 1. By introducing an insert 6 into a jet regulator 1 as an additional throttling device, the flow rate can be reduced in the existing jet regulator with a fixed flow class so that the effect of the flow regulator 1 is a different flow class. You can e.g. B. the total cross section, all through channels 7 of the insert part 6 so dimensioned that in the jet regulator 1 equipped with such an insert part 6 a flow class z. B. «Z results in a very economical water consumption can be achieved.

One of the particular problems of such additional insert parts 6 is that, on the one hand, it should be usable in terms of its dimensions without structural changes to the jet regulator 1 and, in particular, without changing its overall height, and on the other hand the additional noise (fitting noise) should be kept as low as possible, that the overall noise level of the jet regulator 1 equipped with an insert part 6 is still within the permissible values. As particularly well from Fig. 7, 8 u. 2 recognizable, the insert part 6 of the throttle device 20 is provided with an annular wall 9 and a cover part 10 opposite the flow direction Pf 1. The throttle cross sections are provided by the clear widths of the passage channels 7 arranged in the area of the ring wall 9, which are cut obliquely at their mouths 8. The orifices 8 thus extend laterally on the jet over a longer flow area. A liquid flow passing through the channels 7 is therefore not released at the mouths 8 simultaneously over the entire channel cross-section, but instead takes place through the inclined mouth surfaces 8 with the passage channel 7 or liquid stream partially released, and its regionally guidance over a circumferential section. Experiments have shown that a considerable reduction in noise can be achieved thereby, so that such insert parts 6 only slightly increase the overall noise level of a jet regulator 1 and there allow for a subsequent installation without exceeding the permissible noise level. As can be seen particularly well from FIGS. 7, 1 and 2, the diagonally arranged orifices 8, which release the respective beams obliquely into the center of the jet regulator 1 or in the direction of its regulator screen 4, also promote a more uniform inflow from the insert part 6 to the actual jet regulator 1.

The passage cross section of the channels 7 in the flow direction Pf 1 has the same dimensions and shape. Usually they are round bores. The area 8 of the mouths of these channels 7 is larger than the channel cross section, so that the projection of the mouth area on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes L of the channels 7 corresponds to the channel cross section. The mouths 8 of the channels 7 lie on an inside region 11 of the insert part 6, which is oriented obliquely downwards and outwards. The cylindrical ring wall 9 of the insert part 6 is arranged at least approximately parallel to its longitudinal axis A and the passage channels 7 are likewise arranged at least substantially parallel to this longitudinal axis and at equal distances from one another. Although the annular wall 9 and these channels 7 could also be designed with inclinations with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the jet regulator 1 or its insert part 6, the aforementioned preferred configurations with an axially parallel annular wall 9, axially parallel channels 7 and through channels 7 arranged at equal distances from one another do the advantages of particularly easy to manufacture. This also applies to the same cross sections of the passage channels 7, which also favors a uniform water distribution in the outlet area of the insert part 6. The aforementioned oblique arrangement of the inside 11 of the annular wall 9, at least in its lower region, gives the relatively large cross-sectional areas at the orifices 8 in a simple manner. In a desired manner, throttling, that is to say a deliberate reduction in the flow rate in the unit of time, and one are obtained relatively uniform inflow to the regulator sieve 4 without there being any noticeable increase in the noise generated by the unit composed of the jet regulator and throttle device.

7 that the insert part 6 is essentially hat-shaped in the longitudinal cross section with the ring wall 9 and the cover part 10 pointing counter to the flow direction according to the arrow Pf 1. The passage channels 7, also referred to here briefly as “channels 7”, are located in the outer peripheral region of the cover part 10 and continue along the ring wall 9. The orifices 8 of these channels 7 lie on the inside 11 of the annular wall 9. In the exemplary embodiment, this is arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis A of the throttle device 20, so that there is an oblique cut and thus the desired shape of the orifice 8 on the inside 11 of the annular wall 9 . If necessary, the passage channels 7 can also deviate somewhat from the parallel position to the longitudinal axis A, although the opening area which is enlarged compared to a vertical cross section is still present. The intersection angle S (see FIGS. 3 to 5) between the longitudinal axis L of the channel can, for. B. are approximately in the range between 10 and 45 °, preferably 20 ° are provided. However, the design with channels 7 oriented to the longitudinal axis A of the throttling device 20 is preferred, as already mentioned, because of its ease of manufacture, especially if the insert 6 of the throttling device designated as a whole by 20 is preferably made of plastic, expediently by an injection molding process is.

Deviations from the preferred embodiment shown in particular in FIGS. 7 and 8 are shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. 4, the inside 11a is aligned straight or parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the throttle device and the passage channels 7 run at an angle S thereto. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the inside 11b is curved, with the intersection angle S between the tangent in the mouth region of the longitudinal axis L of the channel. In the exemplary embodiments described above, the passage cross section of the channels 7 has constant dimensions in the flow direction. A preferably circular cross section is provided, which is easy to manufacture in terms of production technology. Such insert parts made of plastic can also be easily removed from the mold.

6 shows a modified embodiment of the throttle device 20, in which the cross section of the channels widens conically towards the mouth 8.

The various exemplary embodiments of the throttle device 20 according to FIGS. 3 to 6 can be used depending on the existing environmental conditions or also depending on the intended manufacturing method for the insert part 6. In addition to rounded or circular cross sections, the channels 7 can also polygonal, z. B. have square cross sections. To reduce a flow rate corresponding to the flow class Z with about 8 l per minute at three bar pressure, eighteen circular channels with a clear diameter of 0.9 mm are preferably provided in the insert part 6. With such a throttle device 20, a flow rate corresponding to the flow class Z can be achieved largely independently of the respectively predefined flow class of the jet regulator 1 in which this throttle device 20 is used.

7 and 8 show particularly well that the channels 7 are arranged with their inlet openings 12 in the inflow-side outer peripheral region and then continue in the ring wall 9. Experiments have shown that this arrangement of the channels 7 which is as far as possible in the outer region results in an improvement in the beam quality of the entire jet regulator. The In these exemplary embodiments, cover part 10 of insert part 6 is designed as a flat plate and is comparatively thick-walled and thus rigid. As a result, natural vibrations that could lead to noise are avoided even with different pressure ratios, if necessary. the cover part 10 can also be shaped conically against the direction of flow. The annular wall 9 with the inclined inner side 11 also provides good stability with comparatively small wall thicknesses, so that vibrations or the resulting noise generation are also avoided here.

The hat-shaped insert part 6 of the throttle device 20 has an outwardly facing, circumferential flange 13 at the outlet end (lower in the drawing). This serves in particular as a support and as a holding part and also for centering the insert part 6. In addition, this flange 13 stabilizes the ring wall 9 which is narrower in the transition region to the flange 13 and thereby stabilizes the entire insert part 6. The ring wall 9 of the insert part 6 has at its end facing away from the inflow direction Pf 1 there is a bevelled support, which is approximately matched to the shape of an adjacent installation part of the jet regulator 1, in particular to the shape of the regulator screen 4. Furthermore, the z. B. upward curved surface of the regulator sieve 4 or the like. Protective sieve of the jet regulator 1 is arranged approximately parallel and preferably at a distance from the mouths 8 of the channels 7 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2). Then there is a corresponding space between the mouths 8 on the one hand and the top of the regulator screen 4 on the other hand such that the distribution of the throttled medium flowing in takes place relatively evenly.

The ring wall 9 or the flange 13 have an inclined support slope. In the embodiment of the insert part 6 shown in FIG. 2, this is supported, as mentioned, on the upper side of the approximately conical regulator sieve 4 and results in i. d.R. a distance between the mouths 8 to the surface of the regulator screen, in which favorable flow conditions arise. Outwardly following the bevels 14 of the flange 13, the peripheral surface of the flange has a shoulder 15 with a centering bevel 16. Appropriately, the extension 15 is offset inwards relative to the outer circumference of the stop flange 13 and the centering bevel 16 adjoins this extension 15 on the outside. This edge formation of the flange 13 enables the insert part 6 to be held in an embodiment of a jet regulator 1 shown in FIG. 1. The insert part 6 is supported with the attachment 15 approximately radially on a press ring 17 belonging to the assembly 3, the centering bevel 16 Axial support and centering of the insert 6 results simultaneously. In this exemplary embodiment, a sealing ring 18 rests on the flange 13 and seals between the outlet fitting 2 and the jet regulator 1. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the outer edge of the flange 13 of the insert part 6 rests on the inside against the sealing ring 18. Although the insert part 6 is held either by friction or by positive locking in both applications, it is not necessary to fix it against the flow direction Pf 1 because of the back pressure occurring, at least in the case of outlet fittings 2 which are directed essentially downwards.

In the embodiment of the insert 6 described above, the distance from the cover part 10 and the distance of the mouths 8 of the channels 7 from the support slope can be dimensioned such that a dome-shaped part of the control screen 4 fits into the insert 6 or this insert 6 over the regulator screen can be put over, but a distance remains between the regulator screen 4 and the mouths 8 of the insert 6 in a desired manner. The hat-shaped insert part 6 can well be provided with such external dimensions that allow it to be inserted into the connection area of a jet regulator 1. The space available there, which is partly stipulated by standardization, is in itself cramped. Nevertheless, the throttle device can still be accommodated there without changes to the jet regulator. This also applies if, according to a further development, the throttle device 20 has an insertable insert sieve 21 on its inlet part 6 on the inlet side to cover the passage channels 7 of this insert part 6. Then the channels 7 of the insert part 6 are largely protected against contamination, which also contributes to a uniform and quiet operation of the throttle device 20.

The assembly of the throttle device 20 can be carried out particularly easily, since it can be placed as the first part in the flow direction Pf 1 on the subsequent installation parts 3 or 4 etc. The throttle device 20 is thus directly suitable for removal or for a change even after the jet regulator 1 has been unscrewed from the outlet fitting 2.

The special shape of the throttling device 20 results in a suitable throttling device for different applications, with a corresponding dimensional adjustment of the insert part 6 on the usually available free space in the jet regulator 1 and through the design of the fastening and supporting parts of the insert part 6 of the throttling device 20 universal usability in the case of jet regulators 1 on the market. It is possible to operate the jet regulator 1 in accordance with the regulations in terms of valve noise development, even if it is additionally equipped with a throttle device 20, in particular through the design of this throttle device 20.

Claims (8)

1. A flow-restricting device (20) for a jet regulator (1) which belongs to sanitary draw-off taps or the like and is provided with at least one built-in part (3, 4), said flow-restricting device taking the form of an exchangeable insert (6) which is disposed with its flow-restricting passages (7) at least approximately in front of the further built-in parts (3, 4) of the jet regulator (1) in the direction of flow, engages over said built-in parts in a hat- shaped manner and is adapted to be supported against the dynamic pressure, characterized in that the insert (6) thereof has an annular wall (9) and a cover part (10) pointing towards the direction of flow (Pf 1) and that the flow-restricting passages thereof take the form of channels (7) disposed in the region of the annular wall and are bevelled at their outlet faces (8).

2. The flow-restricting device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the section of passage of the channels has uniform dimensions and preferably a uniform shape in the direction of flow (Pf 1), that the outlet faces (8) of said channels (7) are larger than the channel cross section thereof, so that the projection of the outlet face on a plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the channels corresponds to the channel cross section.

3. The flow-restricting device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the outlet faces (8) lie on the inside (11) of an annular wall (9) of the insert (6), said inside being oriented preferably downwardly and outwardly at an angle.

4. The flow-restricting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the preferably cylindrical annular wall (9) of the insert (6) has channels (7) which are approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of said insert and are disposed preferably in equidistant relationship to one another.

5. The flow-restricting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the annular wall (9) of the insert (6) has at its end averted from the direction of inflow (Pf1) a supporting bevel (14) possibly provided with formed-on areas which is adapted approximately to the shape of an adjacent built-in part of the jet regulator (1), particularly to the shape of a mesh (4) or the like of a regulator and that preferably the surface, e. g. the convex surface, of the mesh (4) or the like of a regulator is disposed approximately parallel and preferably in spaced relationship to the outlet faces (8) of the channels (7).

6. The flow-restricting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the insert (6) has at the open end an outwardly pointing, preferably circumferential supporting flange (13) which in particular takes the form of a centring means.

7. The flow-restricting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the annular wall (9) which belongs to the insert (6) and features the outlet faces (8) has a supporting bevel (14) running outwardly at a slant into the region of the supporting flange (13) and preferably the circumferential surface of said supporting flange (13) has a shoulder (15) provided with a centring bevel (16) oriented radially outwardly, the shoulder (15) appropriately being inwardly offset relative to the outer circumference of the supporting flange (13) and said centring bevel outwardly joining said shoulder (15).

8. The flow restricting device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the insert (6) has on the supply side an attachable mesh (21) for the insert, in order to cover the channels (7) of said insert.

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