EP0984093A1 - Flood preventing device with tiltable magnet - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flood protection device for washing machines, having a water supply pipe, a second pipe which surrounds the water supply pipe to form a cavity, a valve which has a water passage between a tap and the water supply pipe and a valve body which is used to close the valve is arranged in the water passage and is connected to a first magnet so as to be displaceable in the direction of flow and to open the valve counter to the direction of flow, with an actuating device for controlling the valve body, which has a second, movably mounted magnet which is opposite to the first magnet and has a movable holder, which holds the second magnet in a first position so that the second magnet is aligned with the first magnet when the valve is open and biases the valve body against the direction of flow via the first magnet, the actuation device for moving the holder has an element which reacts with leakage water supplied via the cavity. In order to increase the operational safety of such flood protection and to reduce the space requirement, the invention provides that the holder can be transferred into a second position by supplying leakage water, in which the second magnet is rotatably released and that a retaining device is provided in the second magnet is supported transversely to the direction of displacement of the valve body when the holder is transferred from the first to the second position to produce a relative movement between the holder and the second magnet. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to flood protection, preferably for washing machines, with a water inlet pipe, a second Tube which surrounds the water inlet tube to form a cavity, a valve that has a water passage between a tap and the water inlet pipe and a valve body, which can be closed of the valve in the direction of flow and to open the valve against the Flow direction slidably arranged in the water passage and with a first magnet is connected to an actuator for Control the valve body, the second, opposite the first magnet oppositely polarized, movably mounted magnets and a moveable Has holder which holds the second magnet in a first position, so that the second magnet with the valve open with the first magnet aligns and the valve body via the first magnet against the direction of flow biased, wherein the actuator for moving the Holder an element reacting with leakage water supplied via the cavity having.

Such flood protection is for example from the German patent application P19817208.7 known. With such a flood protection should be prevented in the event of a leak in the water supply pipe Water can escape freely. When operating the flood protection is the water emerging from the water supply pipe in the cavity caught between the second pipe and the water inlet pipe and sets the actuator for closing the valve in operation. At this Flood protection is slidable in a housing of the holder Flood protection stored. In a first position, the first and the second magnet with each other so that the two magnets are apart repel. This will counteract the first magnet with the valve body Flow direction biased to the valve in its open state to keep. The element that reacts with the leakage water is replaced by a Sponge section formed, which occurs when the leakage water enters the Expands cavity and thereby the holder transverse to the direction of movement Valve body moves. As a result, the first and the second magnet get except escape, so the repulsive force between these two magnets is reduced. The flow pressure then connects to the valve. At this Flood protection means that the two magnets can be so far out of alignment brought so that they attract each other again. However, this creates an asymmetrical force attack on the first magnet and thus also on the Valve body. This can lead to malfunctions. Also requires this flood protection a relatively large amount of space, since sufficient Space must be available to move the second magnet across the direction of movement to move the valve body. An attraction Generating between the two magnets is a large offset required between the two magnets.

In addition, it has proven problematic that there is an unintended Impact of flood protection to operational disruptions can come. The holder is in its first position by a compression spring biased. When attaching the flood protection to a tap it often happens that the flood protection falls to the ground. When striking, there may be a shock load, which is a shift of the holder against the force of the spring. Thereby the two magnets can also be offset from each other so far that they get dressed and close the valve. As no possibility for the fitter exists to influence the holder from the outside, the flood protection would have to first dismantled to put them into operation can.

The object of the invention is therefore to prevent flooding at the beginning mentioned type to develop in such a way that on the one hand it is made more compact can be and on the other hand has greater operational reliability. In addition, a random impact stress should be applied when attaching the Flood protection cannot cause malfunctions.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by preventing flooding at the beginning mentioned type solved in which the holder by supplying leak water can be transferred into a second position in which the second magnet can be rotated is released that a restraint is provided on which the second magnet when transferring the holder from the first to the second position to generate a relative movement between the holder and the second magnet is supported transversely to the direction of displacement of the valve body.

This solution is simple and has the advantage that it is no longer necessary is to move the two magnets so far from each other until they are mutually attract. Instead, the second magnet can move of the holder from the first to the second position on its own axis and then exert its attraction on the first magnet. The Both magnets can then be aligned with each other, so that a central force attack on the valve body. Because of the no longer required Offset between the two magnets can prevent flooding overall, can also be made significantly more compact. Through the restraint the operational safety of flood protection is additional clearly increased. The restraining device enables a targeted, relative movement between the holder and the second magnet when transferring the Holder caused from his first to the second position. This will move of the two magnets prevented. The two magnets are therefore in alignment essentially constantly with each other. The retention device also prevents accidental triggering of the flood protection. In the event of a lateral impact stress, which is unintentional during assembly can occur, the second magnet is supported on the restraint so that both magnets are not inadvertently put out of flight can be.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the holder can be transferred from its first to its second position transverse to the direction of displacement of the valve body be slidably mounted. In this way, the Design and store the holder particularly easily.

It can also prove to be advantageous if at least one sponge section is provided, which expands through the leakage water and thereby transferred the holder from its first to its second position. With such a Sponge section can be operated easily and reliably of the holder.

It can also prove to be advantageous if a pretensioning device is provided, the holder transverse to the direction of displacement of the valve body biased into its first position. Such a bias should unwanted triggering of the flood protection essentially prevented become.

The pretensioning device can be realized particularly cheaply if it is formed by a spring.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the holder can have a receiving section have on which in the first position of the holder second magnet is supported in the direction of displacement of the holder, being in the first Position of the second magnet between the receiving section and a housing-fixed Support section of the flood protection is held, can the second magnet is particularly easy to set in the first position of the holder.

It can also prove to be advantageous if the receiving section has a Has bottom portion on which the second magnet in the first position of the holder in the direction of displacement of the valve body. Then you can the second magnet in the first position of the holder in a simple manner.

It can also be advantageous if the receiving section is the cylindrical second magnet on its circumference at least in sections, preferably by 180 °. This makes the second magnet particularly special simply in a plane perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the valve body establish.

It can prove to be advantageous if the two magnets are cylindrical are formed and in the first position the axes of symmetry of both magnets swear.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the bottom section can be designed as one extending in the first position of the holder under the second magnet Be formed edge portion with the second magnet when transferring the holder from its first to its second position Intervention. This makes the flood protection particularly compact shape. Due to the design as an edge, the second magnet passes relatively quickly disengages from the holder and can rotate about its axis.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it can prove to be advantageous if the receiving section the two magnets in one direction only partially surrounds parallel to the direction of displacement of the valve body. This makes it easier to hold the restraint in with the second magnet Engage and attack the peripheral surface of the second magnet.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the restraint device have a housing-fixed contact section on which the second Transverse magnet when transferring the holder from the first to the second position supports for the direction of displacement of the valve body. In this way realize the restraint very easily.

It can also be advantageous if the retaining device through the housing the flood protection itself is formed.

It can also prove to be advantageous if the contact section of the Restraint device with the half of the magnet facing the first second magnet engages. This allows the rotary movement of the second magnet when transferring the holder from its first to his additionally support second position.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment explains:

Fig. 1

Die erfindungsgemäße Überflutungsvorrichtung in einer Schnittansicht entlang der Linie I-I aus Fig. 2, wobei sich der Halter in seiner ersten Stellung befindet;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittansicht der Überflutungssicherung aus Fig. 1 entlang der Linie II-II aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

die erfindungsgemäße Überflutungsvorrichtung aus Fig. 2 in einer Schnittansicht entlang der Linie III-III aus Fig. 2, wobei sich der Halter in seiner zweiten Stellung befindet.

Show it:

Fig. 1

The flooding device according to the invention in a sectional view along the line II from FIG. 2, the holder being in its first position;

Fig. 2

a sectional view of the flood protection of Figure 1 along the line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3

2 in a sectional view along the line III-III from FIG. 2, the holder being in its second position.

1 shows the flood protection 1 according to the invention in a sectional view. The flood protection 1 has a valve 2 and an actuating device 3 on. The valve 2 and the actuator 3 are in one common housing 4 housed. At the top of the housing 4 is a connection 5 is provided for a tap, not shown. This Terminal 5 has a connecting nut 6 in a known manner, which on a Thread of the tap can be screwed on. The connecting nut 6 is for this rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis on the housing 4.

In the housing 4, a water passage 7 is provided, through which the Faucet escaping water passed through the flood protection 1 and is passed into a water inlet pipe 8. The water inlet pipe 8 is designed as a flexible hose and is shaped by a cone Outlet 9 with scale-like profile attached in a known manner. With the outlet 9 ends the water passage 7 through the flood protection.

The water inlet pipe 8 leads to a washing machine, not shown. In addition, a second pipe 10 is provided, which is the water inlet pipe 8 surrounds to form a cylindrical annular cavity 11. The second tube 10 is also a flexible hose, preferably made of plastic.

The housing 4 is divided into two sections, namely a valve housing section 12 and a housing section 13 for receiving the actuating device. Both housing sections are separated from each other. In the valve body section 12 the valve 2 is arranged. The valve 2 has a valve body 14 on. This valve body 14 is in the flow direction in the water passage 7 movable. The direction of flow runs in the illustration 1 from top to bottom. The valve body 14 is essentially cylindrical with a cup-shaped magnetic receptacle 15 on its in the direction of flow lower end. There is a first one in the magnetic receptacle 15 Magnet 16 arranged and firmly connected to the valve body 14. The valve body 17 has at its other end a valve section 17 which can be brought into contact with a constriction 18 of the water passage 7 to close the valve. By lifting the valve body 14 against the The direction of flow becomes the valve section 17 and the constriction 18 from each other spaced so that water can pass through the valve. By lowering the valve body in the direction of flow, the valve section lies 17 and the constriction 18 on each other and close the valve. Then no more water can pass through the water passage 7. The water pressure keeps the valve closed.

The changes along the course in the flow direction after the valve 2 Cross section of the water passage 7 such that below the valve body 14 an extending essentially transversely to the direction of flow Wall section 19 is provided and the water passage 7 relative to the Valve body flows laterally offset down and exits through the outlet 9.

Below the wall section 19 there is a second magnet opposite the first oppositely polarized magnet 20 arranged. This magnet is as well as the first magnet, essentially cylindrical, wherein in FIG. 1 shown position of the two magnets align their axes of symmetry. The second magnet is shown by a holder 21 in FIG Position held. The holder 21 has a circumferential direction of the cylindrical magnet in a substantially U-shaped receiving section, the surrounds the second magnet on its circumference by approximately 180 °. The receiving section extends along the outer peripheral surface of the second magnet only about a third from the bottom edge of the second magnet, 1, upwards.

In addition, the holder 21 has a bottom section 23, which acts as an edge section 24 is formed. This edge section 24 runs in the illustration in FIG. 1 on the underside of the cylindrical second magnet along the receiving section 22.

In the illustration in FIG. 1, the second magnet is also supported on one Support section 25, which is fixed to the housing and the receiving section 22 with respect lies opposite the axis of symmetry of the second magnet. The support section 25 extends along the outer peripheral surface of the second Magnet and is essentially flat, so that a line contact between the Circumferential surface of the cylindrical second magnet 20 and the support portion 25 exists. This can be clearly seen in FIG. 2.

The holder 21 is slidably mounted in the housing section 13 and can of a first position, which is shown in Fig. 1, moved to a second position which is shown in Fig. 2. The tour takes place via Slideways 26, which are substantially transverse to the sliding direction of the Extend valve body. Through these sliding guides, the holder 21 is transverse to Sliding direction of the valve body can be moved.

A compression spring 27 is supported between the housing or a housing-fixed Component and the holder 21 from to the holder 21 in its shown in Fig. 1 to bias the first position.

The holder 21 also has two sponge sections 28, each in one-sided open sponge section holders 29 are attached. The Sponge section holders 29 are on the side facing away from the compression spring 27 Side of the holder 21 open. This allows the sponge section holder are brought into contact with housing-fixed supporting walls 30. In the in Fig. 1st position shown, the sponge sections 28 are dry and compressed. These sponge sections swell when they come into contact with water on.

In the housing section 13 there is also a retaining device 31 arranged, which is fixed to the housing and on which the aforementioned compression spring 27th supports. The restraint device 31 has a contact surface with the outer peripheral surface of the second magnet is engageable. The illustration in Fig. 1 shows that the contact surface 32 has a slight Has distance from the outer peripheral surface of the second magnet. The Contact surface 32 is near the upper end of the cylindrical second Arranged magnets.

The mode of operation and functioning of the invention are explained in more detail below:

During normal operation of the washing machine, the flood protection 1 is not required and is in the position shown in FIG. 1. The Water flows from the tap, not shown, into the water passage 7, past the valve body 14 towards the outlet 9 and into the water inlet pipe 8, through which the water is fed to the washing machine becomes. The two magnets with opposite polarity collide from. Thereby, the valve body 14 against the flow direction of the Water biased so that the valve remains open.

The compression spring 27 tensions the holder 21 with the second magnet 20 transversely Direction of movement of the valve body 14 before, so that the holder 21 with the second magnet assumes the first position shown in FIG. 1. When connecting on conventional taps, the flood protection 1 takes the in Fig. 1 orientation shown. The water flow thus runs from the top below, i.e. in the vertical direction. The holder 21 is thereby horizontally displaceable. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the second magnet is supported thus in the vertical direction at the bottom section or edge section 24 from and also on the receiving section 22 and support section 25 of the housing section 13.

In this state, the sponge sections are dry and compressed.

Because of the constant water pressure and due to aging processes there may be leaks in the water inlet pipe 8. Leak water, which emerges from the water inlet pipe 8, enters the cavity 11, where it rises, until it floods the housing section 13. By flooding the Sponge sections 25 moistened and soak themselves with the leak water. Because of this soaking, the compressed one swells when dry Floated on and created a force equal to the preload force of the compression spring 27 counteracts. The swelling sponge sections are supported thereby on the support walls 30, so that the holder 21 in the illustration in Fig. 1 is moved to the left so that the compression spring 27 is compressed becomes.

During this transfer from the first position of the holder to the one in FIG. 3 shown second position reaches the receiving portion 22 and Edge section 24 with the second magnet 20 out of engagement. The second magnet 20 also no longer receives guidance through the support section 25 can the second magnet 20 about an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the valve body 14 rotate. This is shown schematically in FIG. 3. The second magnet 20 rotates through 180 °, so that the two magnets have mutually attractive polarity. Then the second magnet 20 is direct arranged below the first magnet and is supported on the wall section 19 from. In this way, a centrally acting force on the first magnet and thus the valve body 14 applied in the flow direction, so that a secure closing of the valve 2 is guaranteed.

During the transfer from the first to the second position, the second magnet engages with the contact surface 32 of the retaining device 31. The retainer 31 prevents the second magnet from the side offset to the first magnet. This makes a side Force attack of the two magnets to each other prevented. Also through the Contact surface 32 supports the rotation of the second magnet, since this in attacks the upper area of the second magnet.

When valve 2 is closed, another water pass is through prevents the flow channel and prevents flooding.

The retaining device 31 also ensures that during the Mounting to prevent flooding does not result in unwanted closing of valve 2 comes. The second magnet 20 points in relation to the holder 21 a relatively high weight. The bias shown in Fig. 1 Position is done only by the compression spring. Without the restraint 31 it can occur in the event of a side impact, e.g. when installing the flood protection can occur, shifted slightly. This can e.g. be when the flood protection 1 hits the ground unintentionally. The inertia of the second magnet 20 would cause the compression spring 27 is compressed and the holder 21 is moved. This would, however the guidance of the magnet 20 is no longer guaranteed and the magnets could be moved so far that they attract each other. For this reason the restraint device 31 is provided. Should it be a side Would come blow, the second magnet 20 with the contact surface 32 of the Retainer 31 come into contact, which thereby the inertia of the would hold second magnet 20. This also ensures that the second magnet 20 does not inadvertently lose its guidance and rotate, so that the valve 2 would close. Through the restraint 31 can thus significantly increase operational safety.

Claims (13)

Flood protection for washing machines, with a water supply pipe (8), a second pipe (10) which surrounds the water supply pipe to form a cavity (11), a valve (2) which has a water passage (7) between a tap and the water supply pipe and one Has valve body (14) which is arranged to close the valve in the flow direction and to open the valve against the flow direction in the water passage and connected to a first magnet (16), with an actuating device (3) for controlling the valve body, the second , with respect to the first oppositely polarized, movably mounted magnet (20), and has a movable holder (21) which holds the second magnet in a first position, so that the second magnet is aligned with the first magnet when the valve is open and over the valve body biases the first magnet against the direction of flow, the actuator ng for moving the holder has an element (28) which reacts with leakage water supplied via the cavity, characterized in that the holder can be transferred into a second position by supplying leakage water, in which the second magnet is rotatably released and that a retaining device (31 ) is provided, on which the second magnet is supported when the holder is transferred from the first to the second position to produce a relative movement between the holder and the second magnet transverse to the direction of displacement of the valve body. Flood protection according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder for transfer from its first to its second position is mounted transversely to the direction of displacement of the valve body. Flood protection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one sponge section (28) is provided which expands through the leakage water and thereby transfers the holder from its first to its second position. Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pretensioning device is provided which pretensions the holder transversely to the direction of displacement of the valve body into its first position. Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pretensioning device is formed by a compression spring (27). Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder has a receiving section, on which in the first position of the holder the second magnet is supported in the direction of displacement of the holder, and in the first position the second magnet between the receiving section and a support section fixed to the housing flood protection is maintained. Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving section has a bottom section (24) on which the second magnet is supported in the first position of the holder in the direction of displacement of the valve body. Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving section surrounds the cylindrical second magnet on its circumference at least in sections, preferably by 180 °. Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom section is designed as a wall section which extends under the second magnet in the first position of the holder and which disengages from the first magnet into its second position when the holder is transferred from its first position to the second magnet . Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving section surrounds the second magnet in sections parallel to the direction of displacement of the valve body. Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining device has a housing-fixed contact section (32), on which the second magnet is supported transversely to the displacement movement of the valve body when the holder is transferred from its first to its second position. Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining device is formed by the housing of the flood protection itself. Flood protection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact section can be brought into engagement with the half of the second magnet facing the first magnet.

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