EP0787864A1 - Sanitary security device - Google Patents

Abstract

There is a flow rate regulator (2), flow rate limiter or similar throttle valve. This and at least one backflow preventer (3) are combined to form a unit as a cartridge (1) which can be inserted as a sanitary safety device in a water line. The cartridge preferably has a screen (8) attached to it on the inflow side and the components may be mounted in a cartridge housing (9) having supports (10,11) in the form of stepwise displaced ring collars or shoulders on the inside wall for the safety device or backflow preventer or screen. A seal may be provided between the outer shell of the cartridge housing and the inside wall of the water line.

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary safety device which is interposed in a water pipe and can be inserted there in the area of a coupling or disconnection point on the mouth side.

A flexible water hose is already known from EP 0 566 813, the hose connection of which on the mouth side has a recess into which a flow limiter can be inserted. Since the known water hose already has a flow limiter in its hose connection, there is no need for such a limiter in the area of the water fittings and mixers, where it can influence the structure of these fittings and can lead to difficulties in their manufacture, assembly and use.

The known flow restrictor can also be used in connection with a backflow preventer. However, the adaptation of the recess provided in the hose connection to the longitudinal extent of the flow restrictor on the one hand and of the backflow preventer on the other hand defines the functions of the known water hose. In addition, the flow limiter and the backflow preventer have to be laboriously separate when installing the hose are inserted into the recess, which can be associated with incorrect assembly and a not inconsiderable additional effort.

There is therefore in particular the task of creating a sanitary safety device of the type mentioned at the outset, which can be interposed in a water pipe in a simple manner and with as little effort as possible.

The solution to this problem according to the invention in the sanitary safety device is, in particular, that the sanitary safety device has a flow rate regulator, flow limiter or similar throttle and at least one backflow preventer, which are combined in the sanitary safety device to form a unit designed as an insert cartridge.

In the safety device according to the invention, a flow regulator or the like with at least one backflow preventer is combined to form a unit which is designed as an insert cartridge or insert cartridge and can be inserted in a simple manner and with little effort at the coupling or separation point of a water line on the mouth side. Incorrect assembly can be counteracted by an appropriate design of the cartridge housing and / or by an appropriate marking on its peripheral jacket.

The cartridge not only combines the advantages of the components summarized in it, namely the water saving effect of the flow regulator and the backflow stop of dirty service water into the mains, especially in the area of flexible water hoses, by means of the backflow preventer. Rather, the insert cartridge can also be used advantageously where there is a dominant water pressure on the fitting and in particular on a single-lever mixer as a result of strongly fluctuating water pressures in the hot or cold water area. During the Flow controller in such a case, the flow rate per unit of time is equalized to a maximum value and the adjustment and mixing of the desired water temperature is facilitated, the backflow preventer prevents hot water from entering the cold water area of the supply network due to a dominant water pressure in the hot water area and causing further damage to the Part of non-heat-resistant plastic existing water consumer, such as a cistern, can lead.

The thus synergetic interaction of the components combined in the insert cartridge can be functionally secured if the insert cartridge has an attachment screen arranged on the inflow side.

An advantageous embodiment according to the invention provides that the backflow preventer of the cartridge in the flow direction of the flow rate controller and the flow rate controller may be preceded by the front screen. Since the flow regulator regulates high liter capacities, higher flow velocities often occur downstream of the flow regulator, which can be reduced in the flow-back check valve on the other hand in such a way that less noise-producing turbulence occurs here.

For reasons of noise minimization and in view of a design of the subject matter of the invention that is as simple as possible in terms of construction, it may also be expedient, however, if the attachment screen is connected upstream of the flow regulator of the cartridge in the direction of flow of the non-return valve and the non-return valve.

The arrangement of the flow regulator and the backflow preventer in an insert cartridge allows only the flow regulator or only the one for certain areas of application To accommodate backflow preventer in the cartridge without, for example, another water hose or a different hose connection would have to be used. For this purpose, it can be advantageous if the flow regulator, the backflow preventer and, if appropriate, also the front screen are designed as separate, possibly also interchangeable functional inserts which are arranged in a common cartridge housing.

With regard to the front screen, however, it is also possible for it to be releasably connected or connected to the functional insert arranged in the cartridge housing on the inflow side.

A preferred embodiment according to the invention, which is associated with low manufacturing outlay, provides that the inflow-side end face of the cartridge housing is designed as a front screen. In this embodiment, the front screen is integrally connected to the cartridge housing and can be produced together with this, for example, as a plastic injection molded part.

It is expedient if a support is provided on the inner wall of the cartridge housing for the flow rate regulator and / or the backflow preventer and, if appropriate, also for the front screen. A preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that the supports are arranged offset from one another and are preferably designed as ring collars arranged offset from one another in steps. In particular when the supports are staggered in the direction of flow, the functional inserts are seated sufficiently firmly in the cartridge housing to withstand high water pressure.

In order to promote good functioning of the subject matter of the invention, it is advantageous if the space remaining between the outer jacket of the cartridge housing on the one hand and the inner wall of the water pipe on the other hand at least one ring seal is sealed. This ring seal prevents a partial flow past the cartridge from flowing through the gap.

The ring seal can be designed, for example, as a sealing ring which is arranged and underlaid between a stop flange of the cartridge housing on the one hand and an orifice-side end face of a coupling part. However, in order to keep the longitudinal extent of the insert cartridge as small as possible, it is advantageous if a sealing ring is provided as an annular seal on the downstream end region of the cartridge housing, the sealing ring being able to be arranged, for example, in an annular groove in the outer cartridge housing shell.

The cartridge housing can be designed with a housing diameter that also allows the cartridge to be installed in the existing corner valves or similar coupling points. However, a further development according to the invention is preferred in which a coupling part, in particular on the outflow side opposite the corner valve, has a recess designed as a cartridge receptacle on the mouth side.

So that the cartridge can withstand high water pressures, it is advantageous if an insertion stop is provided on the inflow-side end region of the cartridge housing, which acts on the muzzle-side end face of the coupling part. The cartridge can thus be inserted into the recess of the coupling part up to its insertion stop, in order to then close the water pipe again by screwing the coupling parts provided at the coupling or separation point.

The simple handling and in particular the easy removal of the insert cartridge is favored if, on the circumferential edge or circumferential surface of the insertion stop, which is preferably designed as a ring flange, there is a point of attack for a tool A fingernail or the like is provided and if the point of attack, which is designed in particular as an annular groove-shaped shoulder, is expediently limited by the end face of a coupling part on the mouth side. To disassemble the cartridge from the water pipe, it can be easily gripped behind at the point of attack designed as an annular groove and, for example, pulled out of the recess of the hose connection.

It is particularly advantageous if the insert cartridge is provided in the area of a flexible water pipe, such as is connected upstream of a shower head or similar flexible water outlet.

A preferred development according to the invention provides that the cartridge housing is detachably but captively held in the recess of the coupling part which is designed as a cartridge receptacle. Since the cartridge housing is detachably held in the cartridge holder, it can be removed or replaced if necessary. The captive hold of the cartridge housing in the cartridge receptacle also ensures that the insert cartridge is not accidentally lost during assembly and cannot perform the intended functions.

It is advantageous if a holding device is provided on the outer circumferential casing of the cartridge housing, preferably on both sides at a distance from the housing ends, which holding device interacts with a counter-holder on the inner wall of the recess and if the connection caused between the holding device and the counter-holder by a rotary movement and / or traction can be overcome. The holding device can, for example, be designed as an external thread section provided on the peripheral jacket of the cartridge housing, which cooperates with an internal thread section on the inner wall of the recess. A particularly simple and advantageous embodiment according to the invention, however, provides that the holding device or the counter-holder is formed by at least one holding cam, which cooperates with at least one holding lug and that the holding cam and / or the holding lug is formed in a circular manner. Since the holding device is provided at a distance from the housing ends on the cartridge housing, the cartridge housing can first be pushed out of the recess until the holding device strikes the counter-holder. The detachable connection between these parts can then be overcome and the cartridge housing can finally be removed from the cartridge holder by a preferably defined tensile force and / or by a rotary movement of the cartridge housing relative to the coupling part. Although the cartridge is held captive in the cartridge housing, it can be removed and replaced easily and without great effort if required.

In this embodiment, an annular seal provided between the outer casing of the cartridge housing on the one hand and the inner wall of the water line on the other hand could possibly hinder the easy displacement of the cartridge housing in the cartridge receptacle. It can therefore be advantageous here if the cartridge housing can be inserted into the recess as far as a stop and if the cartridge housing preferably has a particularly annular sealing edge which seals the sealing edge in approximately one plane with the upstream end face of the coupling part. In this embodiment, the space provided between the cartridge housing and the cartridge receptacle can be sealed, for example, by a sealing ring which lies against the inflow-side mouth edge of the coupling part and extends in the radial direction up to the sealing edge of the cartridge housing.

In order to achieve double functional reliability, in particular in the case of the reflux stop function of the cartridge according to the invention, it may be expedient if at least two reflux preventers are provided in the cartridge housing, between which a flow rate regulator is arranged.

Further features of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments according to the invention in conjunction with the claims and the drawing. The individual features can be implemented individually or in groups in one embodiment according to the invention.

Fig. 1

eine sanitäre Sicherungseinrichtung in einem Teil-Querschnitt, die einen Durchflußmengenregler sowie einen Rückflußverhinderer mit einem zuströmseitigen Vorsatzsieb zu einer als Einsatzpatrone ausgebildeten Baueinheit zusammenfaßt,

Fig. 2

eine Einsatzpatrone, ähnlich der aus Figur 1, wobei hier jedoch der Rückflußverhinderer dem Durchflußmengenregler zuströmseitig vorgeschaltet ist,

Fig. 3

die Einsatzpatrone aus Figur 1 oder 2 in der als Patronenaufnahme ausgebildeten Ausnehmung eines an einem flexiblen Wasserschlauch vorgesehenen Schlauchanschlusses,

Fig. 4

eine Einsatzpatrone, ähnlich der aus Fig. 1, in einer Querschnittsdarstellung,

Fig. 5

die Einsatzpatrone aus Fig. 4 in der als Patronenaufnahme ausgebildeten Ausnehmung eines an einem flexiblen Wasserschlauch vorgesehenen Schlauchanschlusses,

Fig. 6

eine Einsatzpatrone in einer Querschnittsdarstellung, die in ihrem Patronengehäuse zwei Rückflußverhinderer hat, zwischen denen ein Durchflußmengenregler angeordnet ist und

Fig. 7

die Einsatzpatrone aus Fig. 6 in der Patronenaufnahme eines an einem flexiblen Wasserschlauch vorgesehenen Schlauchanschlusses.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a sanitary safety device in a partial cross section, which combines a flow regulator and a backflow preventer with an inflow-side attachment screen to form a unit designed as an insert cartridge,

Fig. 2

an insert cartridge, similar to that of Figure 1, but here the backflow preventer is connected upstream of the flow regulator,

Fig. 3

2 the insert cartridge from FIG. 1 or 2 in the recess in the form of a cartridge receptacle of a hose connection provided on a flexible water hose,

Fig. 4

an insert cartridge, similar to that of FIG. 1, in a cross-sectional view,

Fig. 5

4 in the recess designed as a cartridge receptacle of a hose connection provided on a flexible water hose,

Fig. 6

a cartridge in a cross-sectional view, the two check valves in their cartridge housing has between which a flow regulator is arranged and

Fig. 7

6 in the cartridge receptacle of a hose connection provided on a flexible water hose.

In Figures 1 and 2, a flow controller 2 is shown in two different versions, which has a rubber ring 4 or the like elastomeric component, which regulates the clear cross section of the flow controller 2 and thus its liter output per unit of time depending on the water pressure to a defined maximum value. As can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2 on the one hand and FIG. 3 on the other hand, the flow regulator 2 is combined with a backflow preventer 3 to form a unit designed as an insert cartridge or insert cartridge 1, which in a recess 5 designed as a cartridge holder is attached to a flexible water hose 6 provided hose connection 7 can be inserted on the mouth side and forms a sanitary safety device. The hose connection 7 serves as a coupling part for coupling the water hose 6 to a coupling or disconnection point interposed in the water line.

The cartridge 1 has on the inflow side a cross section which is approximately W-shaped, which keeps the dirt particles possibly contained in the water flow away from the flow regulator 2 and the backflow preventer 3 and is intended to ensure their undisturbed function.

It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the flow regulator 2, the backflow preventer 3 and the front screen 8 are each designed as separate functional inserts and adapted to the shape can be used in a common cartridge housing 9 of the cartridge 1.

For this purpose, the cartridge housings 9 in FIGS. 1 and 2 each have at least one support 10 designed as an annular collar or ring shoulder, which is provided on the inner wall of the housing in the region of the downstream end region.

While the functional inserts 2, 3, 8 resting on one another are supported on the support 10 in FIG. 1, in the cartridge housing 9 according to FIG. While the flow regulator 2 is arranged on the downstream ring collar 10 in FIG. 2, the backflow preventer 3 is held by an annular collar 11 spaced apart from it on the inflow side. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the front screen sits on the inflow-side functional insert 2 or 3, whereby it could possibly also be preferably releasably latched or the like attached to this functional insert.

The flow rate controller 2, the backflow preventer 3 and the front screen 8 are of conventional design, although they can also be designed differently from the embodiments shown here.

In Figure 1, the backflow preventer 3 of the cartridge 1 in the flow direction Pf1, the flow rate controller 2 and the flow rate controller 2, the front screen 8. Since the flow rate controller 2 may also have to cope with high liter capacities, higher flow velocities often occur downstream of the flow rate controller 2, which in contrast can be reduced in the check valve 3 on the outflow side, in such a way that the cartridge 1 according to FIG. 1 is characterized by less noise-generating turbulence.

In the cartridge shown in Figure 2, the flow rate controller 2 is connected upstream of the backflow preventer 3 and the backflow preventer 3 in the flow direction. This embodiment according to FIG. 2 can be particularly useful if the design and production effort associated with the cartridge 1 is to be kept as low as possible. As is clear from FIG. 2, the guide pin 13 provided on the valve cone 12 of the non-return valve 3 can, if appropriate, be immersed in a control core of the volume regulator 2 encompassed by the rubber ring 4.

On the cartridge housing 9 according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the intermediate space 15 remaining between the outer jacket of the cartridge housing 9 on the one hand and the inner wall of the water line on the other hand is sealed by means of at least one ring seal, which is designed here as a sealing ring 16 provided on the downstream end region of the cartridge housing 9, which is located in an outer annular groove 17 of the cartridge housing 9.

As is clear from FIGS. 1 and 2, a plug-in stop 18 designed here as an annular flange is provided on the inflow-side end region of the cartridge housing 9 and acts on the mouth-side end face of the coupling part provided on the inflow-side hose connection of the water hose 6. The insert cartridge 1 can thus be inserted into the recess 5 provided on the hose connection 7 or the like coupling part of the water hose 6 up to the insertion stop 18 on the mouth side. At the circumferential edge of the insertion stop 18 there is provided an engagement point 19 which is designed as an annular groove-shaped shoulder and which can be easily gripped behind with a fingernail or a tool in order to remove and pull out the insert cartridge 1 from the hose connection 7.

The arrangement of the flow regulator 2 and the backflow preventer 3 in the cartridge 1 allows for certain Areas of application to accommodate only the flow regulator 2 or only the backflow preventer 3 in connection with the front screen 8 in the cartridge housing 9 without, for example, another flexible water hose 6 or hose connection 7 having to be used. The insert cartridge 1 can be interposed in a simple manner and with little effort into the water line also formed by the water hose 6, the insertion stop 18 being clamped between the end faces of the mouth of the coupling parts forming the coupling or separation point.

4 and 5 and 6 and 7 each show an insert cartridge 1, which - similar to FIGS. 1 to 3 - combine a flow regulator 2 and at least one backflow preventer 3 in a common cartridge housing 9 to form a structural unit. The upstream end face of the cartridge housing 9 in FIGS. 4 to 7 is designed as an attachment screen 8. The attachment screen 8 thus integrally connected to the cartridge housing 9 in FIGS. 4 to 7 can be produced together with this as a plastic injection-molded part.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the flow rate regulator 2 and the backflow preventer 3 of the insert cartridges 1 are inserted into the cartridge housing 9 from the open end facing away from the front screen 8 such that the flow rate regulator 2 is preceded by a backflow preventer 3 in the flow direction. In this case, a guide pin 13 is provided on the valve cone 12, which is adjustable against a restoring force, and can dip into a guide opening in the regulator core 14 of the downstream flow rate regulator 2. The insert cartridges 1 according to FIGS. 4 to 7 are therefore also distinguished by a compact and space-saving design.

While in the cartridge 1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the functional units 2, 3 frictionally in the cartridge housing 4, a circumferential locking cam 21 is provided in the cartridge 1 according to FIGS. 4 and 5 on the last functional unit 2 in the flow direction, which engages in a locking recess 22 on the inner circumference of the cartridge housing 9 for the positive anchoring of this functional unit.

The insert cartridges 1 in FIGS. 4 to 7 are also inserted in a recess 5 designed as a cartridge receptacle, which is provided on the mouth side on the hose connection 7 of a flexible water hose 6 serving as a coupling part.

A comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 makes it clear that the insert cartridges 1 shown there are detachable but non-detachable in the recess 5 serving as the cartridge receptacle. For this purpose, a holding cam 23 is provided on the cartridge housings 9 of the insert cartridges 1 shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, which rotates in a ring on the cartridge housing 9 and is arranged on both sides at a distance from the housing ends. This retaining cam 23 on the cartridge housing 9 interacts with a likewise annular retaining lug on the inner wall of the hose connection 7 delimiting the recess 5. Since the holding cam 23 is provided at a distance from the housing ends on the cartridge housing 9, the cartridge housing 9 shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 can be pushed out of the recess 5 until the holding cam 23 strikes the holding lug 24 arranged in the area of the recess 5 . By applying a manual tensile force of, for example, at least 36 Newtons, the releasable connection between the holding cam 23 of the cartridge housing 9 and the opposite retaining lug 24 of the coupling part 7 can be overcome and the cartridge housing 9 can finally be removed from the recess 5. This easily detachable but nevertheless captive hold of the cartridge housing 9 in the cartridge receptacle 5 ensures that the insert cartridges 1 shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 are not accidentally lost during assembly and the desired functions are not able to fulfill.

As is clear from FIGS. 5 and 7, the insert cartridges 1 shown there can be inserted into the cartridge receptacle up to the bottom of the recesses 5 serving as a stop. In this case, an annular sealing edge 25 is provided on the cartridge housing 9, which is formed by a projection 26 which protrudes on the inflow-side end face of the cartridge housing 9 and widens conically outward in the direction of flow. The sealing edge 25 is arranged in approximately one plane with the inflow-side end of the hose connection 7, so that a space 15 remaining between the cartridge housing 9 and the recess 5 can be sealed off by a sealing ring provided on the mouth side but not shown here.

As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, the insert cartridge 1 shown there has two non-return valves 3, which provide double functional reliability of the reflux stop function. The flow regulator 2 is arranged between the non-return valves 3 which act counter to the direction of flow.

3, 5 and 7, the hose connections 7 serving as a coupling part each have an external thread onto which a union nut, not shown here and provided for example on a corner valve or preferably on a fitting outlet, can be screwed on as a counter-coupling part for sealing the water line.

Claims (19)

Sanitary safety device which is interposed in a water pipe and can be inserted there in the area of a coupling or separation point on the mouth side, characterized in that the sanitary safety device has a flow rate controller (2), flow limiter or similar throttle and at least one backflow preventer (3), which in the Sanitary safety device are combined to form a unit designed as an insert cartridge (1). Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the insert cartridge (1) has an attachment screen (8) arranged on the inflow side. Safety device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the backflow preventer (3) of the cartridge (1) in the flow direction (PF1) of the safety device (2) and the safety device (2) is optionally preceded by the front strainer (8) (cf. FIG. 1 ). Safety device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the safety device (2) of the insert cartridge (1) in the flow direction (Pf1) of the non-return valve (3) and the non-return valve (3) is optionally preceded by the front screen (8) (see FIG. 2 ). Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the safety device (2), the backflow preventer (3) and optionally also the front screen (8) are designed as separate functional inserts which are arranged in a common cartridge housing (9). Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a support (10, 11) is provided on the inner wall of the cartridge housing (9) for the safety device (2) and / or the backflow preventer (3) and optionally also the front screen (8). Securing device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the supports (10, 11) are arranged offset with respect to one another and are preferably designed as ring collars or ring shoulders which are offset in steps. Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the intermediate space (15) remaining between the outer casing of the cartridge housing (9) on the one hand and the inner wall of the water pipe on the other hand is sealed by means of at least one ring seal. Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a sealing ring (16) is provided as an annular seal on the downstream end region of the cartridge housing (9). Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a coupling part, in particular on the outflow side, has a recess (5) designed as a cartridge receptacle on the mouth side. Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a plug-in stop (18) is provided on the inflow end region of the cartridge housing (9) and acts on the mouth-side end face of the coupling part (7). Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that an engagement point (19) for a tool or the like is provided on the peripheral jacket of the insertion stop (18), which is preferably designed as an annular flange, and in that the engagement point, in particular in the form of a ring-shaped shoulder, is expediently provided by the end face (20) of a coupling part (7) is limited. Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the insert cartridge (1) is provided in the region of a flexible water pipe (6). Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the inflow-side end face of the cartridge housing (9) is designed as a front screen (8). Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the cartridge housing (9) is held detachably but captively in the recess (5) of the coupling part (7) which is designed as a cartridge receptacle. Securing device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that a holding device is provided on the outer circumferential casing of the cartridge housing (9), preferably on both sides at a distance from the housing ends, which holding device interacts with a counter-holder on the inner wall of the recess (5) and that the connection caused between the holding device and the counter-holder can be overcome by a rotary movement and / or a tensile force. Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the holding device or the counter-holder is formed by at least one holding cam (23) which interacts with at least one holding lug (24) and that the retaining cam (23) and / or the retaining lug (24) is formed in a circular manner. Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the cartridge housing (9) can be inserted into the recess (5) up to a stop and that the cartridge housing (9) preferably has an in particular annular sealing edge (25) which sealing edge ( 25) is arranged approximately in one plane with the end face of the coupling part (7) on the mouth side. Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a guide pin (13) is provided on the valve body (12) of a backflow preventer (3), which guide pin can dip into a guide opening arranged in the control core (14) of the safety device (2), and that at least two non-return valves (3) are optionally provided in the cartridge housing (9).

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