EP1656518A1

EP1656518A1 - Modular valve and distribution system

Info

Publication number: EP1656518A1
Application number: EP04763847A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eckhard Gransow
Original assignee: Grohe Water Technology AG and Co KG
Current assignee: Grohe AG
Priority date: 2003-08-22
Filing date: 2004-08-06
Publication date: 2006-05-17
Also published as: WO2005022021A1; DE10339096A1; DE112004001335D2

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular valve and distribution system comprising at least two components that can be interconnected. According to the invention, the components have a parallelepipedal housing, provided at least with connection openings (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e) for supply and drainage. The system is also equipped with a connection module (1) for connection to a cold and hot water supply line network, in addition to at least one module (2a, 2b, 2c) comprising a water delivery valve.

Description

Modular valve and manifold system

The invention relates to a modular valve and distributor system with at least two components that can be joined together, the components having a cuboid housing in which at least connection openings for the inflow and outflow are provided.

Such a system is known, for example, from German utility model G 94 02 093.0. This valve and distributor system is particularly intended for air conditioning and heating systems and has a basic housing in which only one opening is formed on each connection side.

Sanitary water fittings, on the other hand, mostly have housings that are usually manufactured as cast brass parts. For flush-mounted or surface mounting, the housings are very different in terms of their structure and surface characteristics. The cast parts are usually specially designed for a mixing and control system and for a tap, so that a large number of cast housings is required for the different sanitary fittings. The well-known valve and distributor system is for sanitary water doors not very suitable, since each connection side of the basic housing has only one opening.

The object of the invention is therefore to reduce the number of special cast housings for water fittings and to propose a sanitary water fitting which can be variably assembled from basic elements.

This object is achieved in a modular valve and distributor system according to the preamble of claim 1 in that a connection module is provided for connection to a cold and hot water supply line network and at least one module with a valve for water delivery.

Embodiments of the invention are specified in claims 2 to 20.

The system according to the invention enables a modular construction of a sanitary water fitting. Only the individual components of the system have to be kept ready. The individual components or modules have connection openings arranged in the same way on the connection sides, so that the various modules can optionally be combined to form sanitary water fittings.

A fitting according to the invention consists at least of a connection module to which the supply line network for cold and hot water and a drain line is connected on the one hand, and a module which contains an engagement mixing and shut-off valve which is assigned to the connection module on the other hand. In a further embodiment of the invention, the water fitting can expediently be provided with an end module at the area opposite the connection module, the modules arranged between the end module and the connection module being held in the selected position in a sealed manner with the aid of clamping screws. Additional modules can be arranged in the sanitary water tap

- module with shut-off valve; - Module with one-handle mixing and shut-off valve; - Module with pressure compensation device for the incoming cold and hot water; - Module with changeover and / or shut-off valve.

For the tight connection of the connection openings of the different modules, whereby the opposite connection sides of a module each have at least four connection openings (arranged in the four corners of a rectangle), a sealing body can be used in each connection opening, in such a way that the individual modules are in their correct Position to the connection openings of the following module. For a water-bearing connection, the sealing body is designed as an elastic, tubular sealing ring. Alternatively, the sealing body can also be designed as an elastic cylindrical closure seal, with which the corresponding connection openings are blocked off. The individual modules are preferably made of metal, e.g. B. brass. Alternatively, however, the module, in particular the connection module, can also be provided with a body made of plastic. With the connection module, corresponding metal step sleeves can be used in stepped bores of the plastic body, which protrude from the connection module on the one hand and here form a connection part for the cold and hot water supply line network or for drain lines of the mixed water generated.

The end module is preferably formed from a connection plate and an end plate. The connection plate has connection openings arranged on its connection side corresponding to the other modules. Drain lines for the mixed water generated in the sanitary water fitting can be formed in the end plate, which can be connected to the connection plate by means of screws. In addition, a deflection or distribution of a first connection opening to further connection openings in the connection plate can also be provided. The end plate can be made of both metal and plastic.

The modules assembled according to the different requirements can expediently be arranged in a flush-mounted housing or a surface-mounted housing or also directly in a sanitary object, the actuating devices protruding from the individual modules penetrating the housing or the sanitary object in such a way that the corresponding operating handles are accessible on the outside are. Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. It shows in the drawing

Figure 1 shows a connection module in perspective view;

Figure 2 shows the connection module shown in Figure 1 in side view;

Figure 3 shows the connection module shown in Figure 2 rotated by 90 ° in side view;

Figure 4 shows the connection module shown in Figure 2 in a view from below;

Figure 5 shows the connection module shown in Figure 2 in a view from above;

Figure 6 shows the connection module shown in Figure 4 in the section plane VI;

Figure 7 shows the connection module shown in Figure 4 in the section plane VII;

Figure 8 is an elastic tubular sealing ring in perspective view;

Figure 9 is a cylindrical closure seal in perspective view;

Figure 10 shows an end module in perspective view;

Figure 11 shows the end module shown in Figure 10 in side view; FIG. 12 the end module shown in FIG. 11 rotated through 90 °, in a side view;

Figure 13 shows the end module shown in Figure 11 in a view from below;

Figure 14 shows the end module shown in Figure 11 in a view from above;

FIG. 15 the end module shown in FIG. 13 in the section plane XV;

FIG. 16 the end module shown in FIG. 13 in the section plane XVI;

FIG. 17 the end module shown in FIG. 13 in the section plane XVII;

Figure 18 shows a module with a shut-off valve in perspective view;

Figure 19 is a side view of the module shown in Figure 18;

Figure 20 shows the module shown in Figure 19 from below;

Figure 21 shows the module shown in Figure 19 in top view; Figure 22 shows a module with a valve for changeover and shut-off in perspective view;

Figure 23 shows the module shown in Figure 22 in side view;

FIG. 24 shows the module shown in FIG. 23 in a view from below;

FIG. 25 the module shown in FIG. 23 in a view from above;

FIG. 26 shows a module with a thermostatically controlled mixing valve in perspective view;

Figure 27 shows the module shown in Figure 26 in side view;

FIG. 28 shows the module shown in FIG. 27 rotated through 90 ° in a side view;

FIG. 29 shows the module shown in FIG. 27 in a view from above;

FIG. 30 shows the module shown in FIG. 27 in a view from below;

FIG. 31 shows a water fitting made up of individual modules and connected to the supply line network for cold and hot water and to drain lines, without housing in view of the actuators of the individual valves;

FIG. 32 shows the water fitting shown in FIG. 31 rotated through 90 ° in a side view;

FIG. 33 shows the water fitting shown in FIG. 31 in a view from below; FIG. 34 the water fitting shown in FIG. 31 in a view from above;

FIG. 35 another water fitting without a housing connected to the supply line network for cold and hot water and to drain lines and formed from individual modules, with a view of the actuating elements of the individual valves; Figure 36 shows the water fitting shown in Figure 35 rotated 90 ° in side view;

FIG. 37 the water fitting shown in FIG. 35 in a view from above;

Figure 38 shows the water fitting shown in Figure 35 from below.

For the sake of simplicity, the same or corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the exemplary embodiments in the drawing. The connection module 1 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 of the drawing contains a cuboid body 15. The body 15 is made of plastic, but of course it can also consist of metal, for example brass. 4 step bores 10 are formed in the body 15 from a connection side. Here, a stepped bore 10 is arranged in the area of each of the four corners, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawing. A metal stepped bushing 11 is arranged in each of the four stepped bores 10, each stepped bushing 11 with a connecting part 110 in the plug-in position protruding from the end face of the connecting module 1 opposite the connecting side 4.

In the case of the connection module 1 assembled from the body 15 and the four stepped bushing 11, the stepped bushings 11 form the connection openings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. The step bushing 11 has an enlarged bore part 111 in the area of the connection side 4. An elastic tubular sealing ring 5 (see FIG. 8 of the drawing) or an elastic cylindrical sealing seal 50 (see FIG. 9 of the drawing) can be used in each of these enlarged bore parts 111, with each of which an outwardly sealed connection to a further connection opening 4a , 4b, 4c, 4d or a corresponding connection opening can be blocked. The sealing ring 5 or the sealing seal 50 also have the effect that a further module attached to the connection module 1 has the required position relative to the connection openings. The sealing ring 5 or the sealing seal 50 is supported on the side wall in the enlarged bore part 111 of the stepped bore 10.

A module 2c, as shown in FIGS. 26 to 30 of the drawing, can be connected to the connection module 1 on the connection side 4. The module 2c has two connection sides 4 arranged opposite one another, in which corresponding connection openings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are formed. In addition, a further connection opening 4e is provided between the two connection openings 4a and 4b.

An opening 420, in which a thermostatically controlled mixing valve 7 is arranged, is formed on an end face 42 arranged perpendicular to the two connection sides 4. The mixing valve 7 projects out of the module 2c with an actuating device, so that an actuating handle in this regard - not shown in the drawing - can be attached to the mixing valve 7 during assembly.

FIGS. 18 to 21 of the drawing show a module 2a with a shut-off and quantity regulating valve 6. Here, too, the connection openings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e are formed on the two connection sides. The shut-off and quantity regulating valve 6 is arranged in an opening 420 on the end face 42 arranged perpendicular to the connection sides 4. It protrudes from the module 2a with an actuating spindle, so that when assembled, a corresponding adjusting handle - not shown in the drawing - can be attached to the spindle. 22 to 25 of the drawing, a module 2b is also shown with a valve for switching and shut-off 8. This module 2b also has the connection openings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e on the opposite connection sides 4. On the end face 42 arranged perpendicular to the connection sides 4, an opening 420 is provided, in which the changeover and shut-off valve 8 is arranged. Here, the valve is designed such that from a shut-off position during a first rotation, for example a left turn, the inflowing water is fed to a first consumer, while from the shut-off position during another turn, for example a right turn, the inflowing water is increasingly fed to a second consumer can be.

An end module 3 is provided on the end region opposite the connection module 1, as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 10 to 17 of the drawing. The end module 3 consists of a connection plate 30 and an end plate 31. The end plate 31 can be fastened to the connection plate 30 with four screws 32 arranged in the corners. The connection plate

30 has a configuration of the connection openings 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e corresponding to the previous modules.

The end plate 31 can be made of metal or also inexpensively of plastic. The end plate

31 has a connection 33 for the mixed water discharge of the connection opening 4d. In addition, the end plate 31 has an overflow channel 34, with which the connection opening 4a can be connected to the connection opening 4c. For sealing between the connection plate 30 and the end plate 31, a sealing ring 35 is arranged around the overflow channel 34 and the connection opening 4b.

In addition to the modules 2a, 2b, 2c described above, additional distribution modules 2d can be provided, with which the water can be deflected from at least one connection opening to at least one other connection opening. In addition, as an alternative to module 2b, a module with a single-action mixing and flow control valve can also be provided. To improve the feeding of cold and hot water into the mixing valve, a module with a pressure compensation device, with which the pressures in the cold water inflow and in the hot water inflow can be adjusted, can be connected upstream. All modules 1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3 have parallel to the connection openings 4a and 4c, 4b and 4d two holes 41 arranged opposite each other, in each of which a clamping screw 410 can be inserted, so that the modules that are optionally joined together with the Sealing rings 5 and the sealing seals 50 are kept sealed in the selected combination.

A preferred combination of modules is shown in the drawing FIGS. 31 to 34. The connection module 1 is in this case connected to a cold water line 12 of a hot water line 13 of the supply line system and to a drain line 14, e.g. B. for a hand shower connected. Module 2c is connected to connection module 1 with a thermostatically controlled mixing valve 7. The cold water is here via the connection opening 4a and the hot water via the closing opening 4b fed to module 2c. Temperature-controlled mixed water is generated in the module 2c, which is fed to the module 2b with a valve for switching over and shut-off 8 via the connection opening 4e. Depending on the position of the changeover and shut-off valve 8, the discharge of mixed water can be shut off or fed to a first consumer via the connection opening 4b, the connection 33 and the drain line 14. Alternatively, the mixed water can be supplied to a second consumer via the connection opening 4a by means of a corresponding actuating movement. Here, the mixed water passes through the connection opening 4a into the end module 3 and into the overflow channel 34, from which it is led into the connection opening 4c, which is continuously connected to the connection module 1, so that the mixed water then flows into the drain line connected to the connection part 110 14 is delivered.

A further preferred combination of modules is shown in the drawing, FIGS. 35 to 38, a cold water line 12 and a hot water line 13 of the supply line network being connected to the connection module 1. In addition, a drain line 14 is connected. A module 2a with a shut-off valve 6 is connected to the connection side 4 of the connection module 1. A distribution module 2d is connected to the opposite connection side 4 of the module 2a. A module 2c with a thermostatically controlled mixing valve 7 is arranged on the distribution module 2d on the opposite connection side 4, followed by a module 2b with a changeover and shut-off valve 8 and finally the end module 3 is provided, on which two drain lines 14 are connected. The incoming cold and hot water is supplied via the connection openings 4a, 4b from the connection module 1 via the module 2a, the distributor module 2d, the module 2c and the thermostatically controlled mixing valve 7 arranged therein. Temperature-controlled mixed water is generated in the mixing valve 7 and supplied to the module 2b and the module 2a via the distributor module 2d via the connection opening 4e. The mixed water that can be dispensed by the shut-off valve 6 is deflected via the distributor module 2d from the connection opening 4e via the connection opening 4d and passes through the through connection opening 4d into the drain line 14 connected to the connection module 1 at the connection part 110.

The mixed water supplied to the module 2b via the connection opening 4e is optionally switched into a respective consumer by the changeover and shut-off valve 8 via the connection opening 4a and the connection 33 or a second consumer via the connection opening 4b and the connection 33 of the end module 3. flow line 14 delivered.

In addition to the preferred arrangements of the modules described above, a large number of other combinations of the individual modules for sanitary water fittings are conceivable.

Claims

claims

1. Modular valve and distributor system with at least two components which can be joined together, the components having a cuboid housing in which at least connection openings (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e) are provided for the inflow and outflow, characterized in that a connection module (1) for connection to a cold and hot water supply line network and at least one module (2a, 2b, 2c) with a valve for water delivery is provided.

2. Valve and distribution system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one module (2a, 2b, 2c) with a valve is arranged between the connection module (1) and an end module (3).

3. Valve and distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each module (1, 2a, 2c, 3) has at least four connection openings (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) on a connection side (4), each connection opening (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is arranged in the area of a corner of a rectangle.

4. Valve and distribution system according to claim 3, characterized in that the modules (2a, 2b, 2c) with one valve each and the end module (3) at least five connection openings (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e) in has a connection side (4), the fifth connection opening (4e) being arranged symmetrically in the area of a long side of the rectangle between two connection openings (4a, 4b) provided at the corner areas.

5. Valve and distributor system according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one distributor module (2d) is provided, with which at least one channel can be deflected from a first connection opening to a second connection opening.

6. Valve and distributor system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules (1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3) each have a bore parallel to the connection openings at least in the region of the two narrow end faces of the rectangle (41) for connecting the selected modules.

7. Valve and distributor system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the connection module (1) in each case a stepped bore (10), the extended area of which faces the next module (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), a step bushing (11) is arranged, which protrudes from the connection module (1) with a connecting part (110) and is used to connect a pipeline, while on the opposite side of the stepped bushing (11) there is an enlarged bore part (111) for an elastic tubular sealing ring (5) for connection to a subsequent module (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) is provided.

8. Valve and distributor system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end module (3) consists of a connection plate (30) and an end plate (31) which can be connected with screws arranged in the outer region, the end plate (31 ) optionally has one or two connections (33) for one or two drain lines (14), while the connection plate (30) has five connection openings (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e), with individual connection openings (4d, 4e) being closed could be.

9. Valve and distributor system according to claim 8, characterized in that in the end plate (31) at least one overflow channel (34) is formed, which connects two connection openings (4a, 4c) with each other.

10. Valve and distributor system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in the end plate (31) in each case the connection opening (4b) and / or the overflow channel (34) surrounding sealing rings (35) are provided, which are screwed together from the connection plate (30) with the end plate (31) to seal outwards.

11. Valve and manifold system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the arranged in a row three connection openings (4a, 4b, 4e) rotated by 90 ° end face (42) at least one opening (420) for the inclusion of a valve device is provided.

12. Valve and distribution system according to claim 11, characterized in that a mixing and flow regulating valve is provided as the valve device.

13. Valve and distribution system according to claim 11, characterized in that a thermostatically controlled mixing valve (7) is provided as the valve device.

14. Valve and distributor system according to claim 11, characterized in that a switching valve (8) is provided as the valve device, with which from a shut-off position by rotation of the valve member in a first direction of rotation to a first consumer and by rotation of the valve member in a second direction of rotation water can increasingly be supplied to a second consumer in accordance with the angle of rotation.

15. Valve and distribution system according to claim 11, characterized in that as a valve device a shut-off and flow control valve (6) is provided.

16. Valve and distribution system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists of a connection module (1), a module (2c) with a thermostatically controlled mixing valve (7), a module (2b) with a changeover and shut-off valve (8 ) and an end module (3), a cold water and a hot water pipe (12, 13) and a drain pipe (14) being connected to the connection module (1), while a further drain pipe (14) is connected to the end module (3) is.

17. Valve and distributor system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it consists of a connection module (1), a module (2a) with a shut-off and flow control valve (6), a distributor module (2d), a module (2c) with a thermostatically controlled mixing valve (7), a module (2b) with a changeover and shut-off valve (8) and an end module (3), with a cold and hot water pipe (12, 13) and one drain line (14) is connected, while two end lines (14) are connected to the end module (3).

18. Valve and distributor system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules are made of metal, preferably of brass.

19. Valve and distribution system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules (1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3) which are combined to form a water fitting are arranged in a flush-mounted housing or in a surface-mounted housing.

20. Valve and distributor system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules (1, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3) joined together to form a water fitting are arranged in a sanitary object.