EP1794377B1 - Concealed sanitary fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a concealed sanitary fitting (1), comprising a housing (40) with connectors (9, 10, 11), for connection to at least one domestic water supply, with a bath outlet and a shower head. A valve is arranged in a first housing chamber of the housing (40), controlling at least one water flow. A switching device is arranged in a second housing chamber (41) of the housing (40), by means of which water exiting the valve may be selectively run to the connector (10), for connection to the bath outlet, or to the connector, for connection to the shower head. Said housing chamber (41) is arranged axially (with relation to the housing chamber for the valve) behind the housing chamber for the valve when viewed from outside. The valve shaft (12) for the switching device extends radially out of the housing (40) and the operating mechanism for the switching device is embodied such that the same can connect a manual operating body (23), arranged in the vicinity of a cover rosette (6), to the valve shaft (12) of the switching device with differing separations between the cover rosette (6) and the switching device. The cover rosette (6) can thus be kept small, which is desirable on aesthetic grounds.

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary concealed fitting according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

In the present case, the terms "axial" and "radial" are used to designate directions. By "axial" is meant a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of extension of the building wall in which the concealed fitting is to be installed. This direction is generally coincident with the axis of the receiving opening for the water flow controlling valve. Each direction perpendicular thereto, which thus runs parallel to the plane of extension of the building wall in the installed state of the concealed fitting, is here called "radial".

In known sanitary concealed fittings similar to those of the type mentioned above, the second receiving space, which contains the switching device, laterally from the first receiving space in which the water-controlling valve is located. The axes of both receiving spaces run in the above sense "axially" and parallel to each other. The manual actuator is a pull knob, which is connected via a serving as an actuating mechanism in this case rod with the valve stem of the switching device. To change the water flow, the pull knob is pulled away from the rosette in the axial direction; in the position in which the water flows to the shower head, the pull knob has a clear distance from the outside of the covering rosette.

The fact that in these known sanitary concealed fittings, the two receiving spaces are offset in the lateral (radial) direction against each other, the concealed fitting builds in this direction also relatively large. This inevitably has the consequence that the covering wall cover rosette is large. However, this is not always desirable for aesthetic reasons.

Side by side arranged parallel actuators also looks from the US 6 637 048 B1 known sanitary device, which also has the use of a large covering rosette result. There, however, the conversion of the water flow does not take place by means of a pull button, but via a knob.

A sanitary concealed fitting of the type mentioned, which is also used as a surface-mounted fitting and having a thermostatic valve, was from the US 2003/01010510 A1 known. There, too, the conversion of the water flow from tub operation to shower operation and vice versa by means of a rotary knob; this also serves to set the desired water flow. When switching to the other mode must always go through the "stop" position, which is so uncomfortable, as then the desired flow rate must be set again each time. In addition, it is easily possible for visually impaired users who are not used to this fitting, to direct the flow of water first in the undesirable direction, for example, effervescent operation. Depending on the installation depth, this fitting is more or less over the covering rosette, which may be undesirable for several reasons.

Object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary concealed fitting of the type mentioned in such a way that it is easy to use and the inspection and replaceability of the operating mechanism of the changeover is facilitated.

This object is achieved by the means specified in claim 1.

According to the invention, therefore, apart from using a single actuator for the choice of water flow and for the changeover of the mode. Rather, a separate manual actuator is provided for the switching device. To connect the changeover device with the manual actuating member, this has a valve stem, which is led out radially from the housing.

Here, the concept mentioned above is left to offset the two receiving spaces for the water-controlling valve and the switching device laterally (radially) against each other. Instead, the "depth" of the installation niche of the building wall is used, in which direction generally enough space is available. The use of the "depth" happens because the two receiving spaces in the axial direction more or less in alignment, at least "one behind the other" (seen in built-in concealed fitting from the outside) are arranged. This has the consequence that the valve stem for the switching device can no longer run in the axial direction in the above sense, but must be led out in the radial direction of the housing of the flush valve. Another consequence is that the actuating mechanism corresponding to the prevailing locally "installation depths", ie the distances between the house lines and the respective outer surface of the building wall present, must be variably adjustable.

In general, the changeover device comprises a shuttle, which is linearly reciprocally movable by means of the valve stem between two valve seats. In this case, the flush valve according to the invention is preferably designed so that the receiving space for the switching device extends radially and the valve stem of the switching device is movable in the radial direction.

A particularly convenient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the manual actuating member is movable in the radial direction. This type of movement is not only perceived by the user as particularly pleasant; It is also characterized by the fact that the manual operation process has the same distance from the covering rosette in both positions of the changeover device in the axial direction.

It is preferred if the manual actuating element is arranged on the edge of the covering rosette. The manual actuator thus projects in the radial direction over the covering rosette, which in turn allows particularly small dimensions of the cover rosette.

When the manual actuator slides at least with an area on the outer surface of the Abdeckrosette, it is particularly well managed. Compressive forces applied by the user in the axial direction are absorbed by the covering rosette.

1. a) einen Führungsbügel, der an der Innenseite der Abdeckrosette linear verschiebbar geführt ist;
2. b) einen Kupplungsbügel, der an einem Endbereich mit dem Führungsbügel gelenkig verbunden ist und am gegenüberliegenden Endbereich mit dem Ventilschaft der Umstellvorrichtung zusammenwirkt.

A particularly preferred actuating mechanism that meets the above requirements includes

1. a) a guide bracket which is guided linearly displaceably on the inside of the covering rosette;
2. b) a coupling bracket, which is hingedly connected at one end region with the guide bracket and cooperates at the opposite end region with the valve stem of the changeover device.

This actuating mechanism bridges different "installation depths" in that the angle between the guide bracket and the coupling bracket changes.

Figur 1

eine sanitäre Unterputzarmatur in der Seitenansicht, teilweise aufgebrochen, bei maximaler Einbautiefe und in der Position der Umstellvorrichtung, in welcher das Wasser zur Wanne fließt;

Figur 2

die Unterputzarmatur von Figur 1, jedoch in der Position der Umstellvorrichtung, in welcher das Wasser zur Brause fließt;

Figur 3

die Unterputzarmatur der Figuren 1 und 2 bei minimaler Einbautiefe in der Position der Umstellvorrichtung, in welcher das Wasser zur Wanne fließt;

Figur 4

die Unterputzarmatur der Figur 3 in der Position der Umstellvorrichtung, in welcher das Wasser zur Brause fließt;

Figur 5

in isometrischer Darstellung, von unten gesehen, die Abdeckrosette der Unterputzarmatur der Figuren 1 bis 4 mit daran befestigter Betätigungseinrichtung für die Umstellvorrichtung;

Figur 6

in isometrischer Darstellung, von oben gesehen, eine Trägerplatte, die Teil der Abdeckrosette der Figur 5 ist.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing; show it

FIG. 1

a sanitary concealed fitting in the side view, partially broken, at maximum installation depth and in the position of the switching device, in which the water flows to the tub;

FIG. 2

the concealed fitting of FIG. 1 but in the position of the changeover device in which the water flows to the shower;

FIG. 3

the concealed fitting of FIGS. 1 and 2 with minimal installation depth in the position of the changeover device, in which the water flows to the tub;

FIG. 4

the concealed fitting of FIG. 3 in the position of the changeover device, in which the water flows to the shower;

FIG. 5

in isometric view, seen from below, the covering rosette of the flush-mounted fitting of Figures 1 to 4 with attached actuating device for the changeover;

FIG. 6

in isometric view, seen from above, a support plate, the part of the covering rosette of FIG. 5 is.

First, on the FIGS. 1 . 5 and 6 With reference to the construction of a generally designated by the reference numeral 1 sanitary flush-mounted fitting is described. In the present case, it is a single lever mixer; In principle, however, it could be any other type of sanitary flush-mounted fitting, in particular also a thermostatic mixer.

The concealed fitting 1 comprises a cup-shaped, upwardly open installation box 2 made of plastic, in the interior of which from bottom to top a connection body 3, an intermediate housing 4 with a switching device and - partially - a cartridge housing 5 are housed. The connection body 3, the intermediate housing 4 and the cartridge housing 5 can each be understood as parts of a fitting housing 40 of the flush-mounted fitting 1 become. On the upper edge of the installation box 2 is a Abdeckrosette 6, which has a relatively large, central passage opening 7. Through the passage opening 7, a region of the cartridge housing 5 extends through the outside, on the upper end side in a known manner, a spherical ring-shaped cover 8 is placed.

The connecting body 3 has four by 90 ° to each other angularly offset, radially penetrating the mounting box 2 connecting piece, of which in FIG. 1 three, namely the connecting pieces 9, 10 and 11, can be seen. The connecting piece 9 is connected to the installation of the concealed fitting 1 with the cold water house line; the diametrically opposite connecting piece 11 is connected to the domestic hot water line. At the connecting piece 10 a leading to the tub water pipe and diametrically opposite, not shown, a connecting pipe leading to the shower water pipe is connected.

In a receiving space 41 of the intermediate housing 4 (see. FIG. 2 ), as already indicated above, housed a switching device, with which the water flow either to the connection piece 10, ie to the tub, or to the non-illustrated connection piece, so the shower, can be passed.

The switching device is basically built in a known manner and therefore not shown in the drawing. It comprises a shuttle which can be moved in the axial direction between two positions in the receiving space 41 designed in the manner of a cylinder bore. In one position he closes a valve seat in the waterway leading to the shower, and in the other position, a valve seat in the waterway that communicates with the tub spout. A special feature of the switching device of the flush-mounted fitting 1 is that the axis of the receiving space 41, in which the shuttle moves, extends radially.

The shuttle (not shown in the drawing) is actuated by a valve stem 12, which protrudes in the radial direction from the intermediate housing 4 and in FIG. 1 is recognizable. The valve stem 12 carries at its outermost end an enlarged head 13th

The cartridge case 5 has a receiving space in which a conventional control cartridge is housed. The controlling element of this control cartridge, generally a movable ceramic disc, is actuated by means of a stomping 14 projecting from the upper opening of the cap 8. In the assembled state, a control lever is placed on the stül 14 in a known manner, which overlaps the cap 8 with a cap-like section. By turning and pivoting this operating lever, the temperature and the amount of effluent mixed water can be adjusted.

To actuate the accommodated in the intermediate housing 4 changeover, the valve stem 12 must be moved in the radial direction. For this purpose, an actuating device which carries the reference numeral 15 in total. How the particular Figures 5 and 6 show, the actuating device 15 comprises an actuating mechanism with an approximately horseshoe-shaped, the through hole 7 on one side surrounding the guide bracket 16, in the manner described below on the underside of the Abdeckrosette 6 parallel to this slidably is guided. At the outer ends of the legs of the guide bracket 16, the outer ends of the legs of a likewise approximately horseshoe-shaped coupling bracket 17 are articulated by means of pins 18. The base of the coupling bracket 17 has a through opening 19a, through which the outer end portion of the valve stem 12 of the changeover device is guided. The head 13 of the valve stem 12 is slightly larger than the diameter of the through hole 19 a of the coupling bracket 17, so that it can not slip through this through hole 19 a.

Two legs of the two, the actuating mechanism forming bracket 16 and 17 are connected in their outer end regions by a tension spring 19 with each other.

The cover rosette 6 is composed of two parts, namely a support plate 6 a, the in FIG. 6 singled out on its own, as well as a decorative cover 6b covering the support plate 6a and attached thereto.

The base of the guide bracket 16 is integrally connected to a slide 20 which is guided laterally by two guide profiles 21, 22 integrally formed on the underside of the support plate 6a of the cover rosette 6. The slider 20 penetrates in the radial direction the provided in the edge region of the cover rosette 6 hollow cylindrical structures and projects radially beyond the outer edge of the covering rosette 6 over. Here, a serving as a manual operating knob 23 is attached to the corresponding profiled slide 20, which is provided with a in FIG. 1 recognizable region 23a slidably rests on the top of the cover rosette 6 and also part of the actuator 15 is. One in the FIG. 6 shown spring 50, which housed in a section of the support plate 6a and is clamped between the slider 20 and the edge of the cutout, searches the Betägigungsknopf 23 in the in FIG. 1 to draw shown position in which the water is passed from the changeover to the tub outlet.

The concealed fitting 1 described above is mounted in the following manner in a wall recess according to the local conditions:

The entire concealed fitting 1 is inserted into the wall recess until the connecting pieces 9, 10, 11 and the connecting piece, not shown, are aligned with the corresponding connections of the house lines and can be connected to them. Thus, the installation position of the flush-mounted fitting 1 is fixed. It will now be determined how far the cup-shaped installation box 2 projects beyond the outer surface, for example the tiling, of the building wall and the protruding area is cut off. Now the support plate 6a cover rosette 6 can be placed on the upper edge of the mounting box 2 and secured by means of screws to the mounting box 2. Then, the decorative hood 6b is snapped onto the support plate 6a. By placing the control handle on the Stütze 14 of the control cartridge, the assembly process is completed. The sanitary concealed fitting 1 is now ready for use.

Normally, the operation knob 23 is in the in FIG. 1 shown position in which the switching device within the intermediate housing 4, the water to the tub outlet, ie to the in FIG. 1 forward facing connecting piece 10 passes. This position is preferred because of the different springs. If the user is changing the water flow desires on the shower, he presses with his finger, the actuating knob 23 radially outward and moves the slider 20 and the associated operating bracket 16 linearly along the underside of the covering rosette 6 along. Also, the clutch bracket 17 makes this movement.

It is now the in FIG. 2 achieved position shown in which the valve stem 12 of the switching device is pulled out radially in the intermediate housing 4 and the associated shuttle valve closes the valve seat leading to the tub, and on the other hand opens the valve seat, which leads to the shower. Due to the water pressure of the shuttle remains in a known manner in this position, even if the user takes the finger from the operating knob 23. Only when the water is turned off with the help of the control cartridge, the water pressure acting on the shuttle drops so far that under the action of the various springs, the shuttle is returned to the preferred position in which the tub is operated with water.

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown a situation in which the house lines are relocated relatively deep below the wall surface. In this situation, the guide bracket 16 and the clutch bracket 17 include a relatively large angle. The cartridge housing 5 protrudes only slightly over the top of the covering rosette 6. The operating knob 23 is located at the level of Abdeckrosette 6, wherein its area 23a, as described above, rests on the top of the cover rosette 6.

In the Figures 3 and 4 an installation situation is shown, in which the house lines are relocated relatively close to the surface of the building wall. One speaks of a "small installation depth". The cylinder wall of the installation box 2 is, as can be seen from the figures, cut relatively far, so that the depth of the installation box 2 compared with the FIGS. 1 and 2 is low. The guide bracket 16 and the coupling bracket 17 include a small, in the illustrated embodiment, even negative angle with each other. The cartridge housing 5 protrudes relatively far beyond the Abdeckrosette 6. The control knob 23, however, is in the same relative position relative to the Abdeckros rosette 6 as in the installation situation of FIGS. 1 and 2 ,

Due to the arrangement of the switching device in the intermediate housing 4 axially behind (in the drawing below) the cartridge housing 5 and before (in the drawing on) the connection housing 3, the flush-mounted fitting 1 described in the radial direction is relatively small. In this way it is possible to keep the cover rosette 6 small area, which is advantageous from an aesthetic point of view. Regardless of different installation depths, the actuation of the changeover device always takes place in the same way by a radial movement of the corresponding actuation button 23.

Claims (6)

1. Concealed sanitary fitting (1) having

   a) a housing (40) which comprises at least a connection (9) for connection to a domestic water pipe, a connection (10) for connection to a bath outlet and a connection for connection to a shower;

   b) a valve which is arranged in a first receiving space (41) of the housing (40) and controls at least one water flow;

   c) a switching device which is arranged in a second receiving space of the housing (40), by which the water emerging from the valve can be selectively directed to the connection (10) which is connectable to the bath outlet or to the connection which is connectable to the shower;

   d) a covering rosette (6) which, when the concealed fitting (1) is installed in a wall recess, outwardly closes the wall recess;

   e) an actuating device for the switching device, which comprises:

   ea) a manual actuating member (23) arranged in the vicinity of the covering rosette (6);

   eb) an actuating mechanism (16, 17) connecting the manual actuating member (23) to the switching device;

   wherein

   f) the receiving space (41) for the switching device lies, seen from the outside, axially behind the receiving space for the valve;

   g) the actuating mechanism (16, 17) is designed such that it can connect the manual actuating member (23), at different distances between the covering rosette (6) and the switching device, to the switching device.
   characterised in that

   h) the switching device comprises a valve stem (12), which establishes the connection to the manual actuating member (23);

   i) the valve stem (12) of the switching device is led radially out of the housing (40);
2. Concealed fitting according to Claim 1, in which the switching device comprises a double valve cone which is movable linearly to and fro between two valve seats by means of the valve stem, characterised in that the receiving space (41) for the switching device runs radially and the valve stem (12) of the switching device is movable in the radial direction.
3. Concealed fitting according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the manual actuating member (23) is movable in the radial direction.
4. Concealed fitting according to Claim 3, characterised in that the manual actuating member (23) is arranged at the edge of the covering rosette (6).
5. Concealed fitting according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the manual actuating member (23) slides, with at least one region (23a), on the outer surface of the covering rosette (6).
6. Concealed fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuating mechanism comprises:

   a) a guide bow (16) which is guided linearly displaceable on the inside of the covering rosette (6);

   b) a coupling bow (17) which is connected, at one end region, in an articulated manner to the guide bow (16) and cooperates, at the opposite end region, with the valve stem (12) of the switching device.

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