EP1851388B1 - Sanitary fitting comprising a replaceable unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary fitting with a base body comprising a water inlet and a valve unit, as well as with a permanently connected to the main body water outlet, which at its end facing away from the main body has an outlet head through which in operation with open valve unit in the water inlet of the body incoming water from the sanitary fitting expires again, wherein the water outlet comprises a connecting member, which is connected at its one end via an inlet part, through which the water flowing in the open valve unit through the water inlet water enters the water outlet, fixed to the body, and which whose other end carries the outlet head, and wherein between the inlet part and the outlet head a replaceable unit is releasably connected to the connecting member, the waterproof on the inlet part on the one hand and the outlet head on the other hand, and by the au from the inlet part water is directed completely into the outlet head.

Such a device is known from US 6 220 298 B ,

CH 633 059 A shows a device in which a provided with a filter water outlet is to be connected to a body.

In DE 44 45 321 A1 is a sanitary fitting with replaceable water outlet described. In this case, the entire water outlet with outlet head functionally or else for taste reasons can be changed. To change the external appearance, however, it is usually not necessary to change the complete outlet with outlet head, which is associated with unnecessarily high costs. For the sole replacement of the water outlet this would have to be separated from the main body and from the outlet head individually, which is technically complicated montagetechnisch.

DE 199 13 234 C2 describes a sanitary water outlet fitting whose design can be changed via externally attached to the outlet fitting, cup-shaped elements with clip connections. The disadvantage here is that only limited changes are possible because the outlet fitting is fixed.

EP 0 872 600 A1 takes into account that part of the outlet is provided with a water treatment unit. Here, the complete treatment cartridge is disposed within the body or within the spout, which makes a cartridge change difficult and no possibility to change the appearance of the fitting.

DE 295 02 861 U1 Finally, describes a built-in an outlet of a sanitary fitting water filter. Here, although the treatment unit can be changed and the overall design of the valve can be changed by the housing shape of the water filter, but for the change of the housing this at the water inlet for water to be filtered and at the outlet for filtered water individually dissolved and then be sealed again, which is awkward. In addition, in this invention, the possibilities to shapely change the design of a change of the filter housing, limited.
Object of the present invention is in contrast to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages and to present a sanitary fitting of the type mentioned, can be installed and / or changed by simply replacing a part of the water outlet means for water treatment and at the same time the shape of the sanitary fitting without disassembly and assembly a complete water outlet can be designed and changed as desired.
This object is achieved in a surprisingly simple, but effective manner according to the characterizing part of claim 1. Due to the mechanical connection of the inlet part of the water outlet with the outlet head via a non-continuous water-conducting link, it is possible to exchange easily accessible from the outside, water exchange unit cost without great installation effort, without the sanitary fitting must be dismantled as a whole in several places , Replacement may be necessary if, for example, filter media such as activated carbon are used to treat water or if the type of treatment has to be adapted to the respective water situation. By replacing a part of the water spout, it is also possible to vary the design of the sanitary fitting in a wide range and thus adapt to the current taste without having to change the expensive plumbing fixtures completely.

By the connecting member is designed in the form of a half-shell, it becomes possible to accommodate water-sensitive functional elements such as control electronics or sensors.

In one variant, the connecting member consists of a metal or plastic carrier and is preferably designed as a rigid body. Metal or plastic carriers are simple and inexpensive to manufacture. In addition, especially plastic parts in many mold variants can be produced and allow numerous design variants.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the replaceable unit is connected via a plug waterproof connection with the stationary part of the sanitary fitting. Plug connections are particularly easy in their application and also allow the non-specialist quick and easy replacement of the exchange unit.

In another variant, the replaceable unit is connected via a bayonet connection with the sanitary fitting. Again, a simple and quick change is possible.

In an advantageous embodiment, the replaceable unit is positively connected to the stationary part of the sanitary fitting. As a result, a compact and stylish design can be realized.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the replaceable unit contains means for water treatment. This can be dispensed with an additional water treatment plant.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the water treatment unit contains a filter element, for example of activated carbon, ceramic, sand and / or cellulose. Thus, an additional purification of the water, but also the elimination of unwanted odors such as chlorine is possible.

In a further variant, the replaceable water treatment unit contains an ion exchanger material. This allows targeted removal of unwanted ions. By exchanging calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions, hard water can be softened.

In principle, it is also possible that the water treatment unit contains a disinfection and / or germ protection device. This can be for example a UV lamp, silvered activated carbon or a chemical disinfection. Also useful is the use of a membrane for micro-, ultra- or nanofiltration.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the exchangeable unit contains a bed of gemstones and / or semi-precious stones or combinations of different gemstones and / or semi-precious stones. From the stone healing is known that gemstones can affect the properties of the water positively.

It is also possible to integrate several of the mentioned water treatment options in combination.

In a further variant, it is advantageous to make the housing of the exchangeable unit at least partially made of a transparent material such as break-resistant glass, trogamide or plexiglass. As a result, the state of the means for water treatment is visible, so that the water treatment unit can be changed in good time. Furthermore The transparent material leads to a visual enhancement of the overall fitting, especially if there is a bed of precious stones in the exchange unit.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a light source is integrated in the connecting member. As a result, aesthetically pleasing lighting effects can be achieved.

Finally, it is advantageous if different replaceable units can have different geometric shapes. Thus, an assortment of interchangeable units can be provided, which have different colors and / or geometric shapes, but can be connected in the same way to the water outlet. This makes it possible to reshape their appearance by replacing a small part of the sanitary fitting. Expensive, functional sanitary fittings do not have to be completely replaced if the design is to be adapted to the zeitgeist.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawings. Likewise, the features mentioned above and those listed further in accordance with the invention can each be used individually for themselves or for several in any desired combinations. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as exhaustive enumeration, but rather have exemplary character for the description of the invention.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Sanitärarmatur beim Wechsel der Tauscheinheit;

Fig. 2 und 3:

weitere Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Armatur.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing and is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an embodiment of the sanitary fitting according to the invention when changing the exchange unit;

2 and 3:

further embodiments of the fitting according to the invention.

The sanitary fitting 1; 1'; 1 " comprises a main body 2, 2 ' with a valve unit (not shown in the drawing) and an adjusting lever 3, 3', 3" for adjusting the temperature and the flow rate of water to be tapped, a replaceable unit 4; 4 '; 4 ", an inlet part 5, 5 ', 5" to this exchange unit 4; 4 '; 4 "and an outlet head 6, 6 ', 6", in which additionally an aerator 7; "May be integrated with the inlet part. 5; 5 ';5" 7 is part of a non-continuous water-bearing, rigid connecting member 8; 8th'; 8 ", which serves as a holder for the replaceable unit 4, 4 ', 4" and the inlet part 5; 5 '; 5 "with the outlet head 6, 6 ', 6" mechanically connects.

The water flows over the inlet part 5; 5 '; 5 "in the interchangeable unit 4, 4 ', 4" and from there into the outlet head 6; 6 '; The unit 4, 4 ', 4 "may be filled as a treatment unit with activated charcoal, ion exchange material or gemstones.

For replacement, the unit 4; 4 '; 4 "by means of connectors 9, 9 ', 9" can be solved and mounted easily and quickly. To facilitate the exchange, for example, the outlet head 6; 6 '; 6 "folded over a hinge 10. The unit 4, 4 ', 4" is positively connected to the stationary part of the sanitary fitting 1; 1'; 1 "connected.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1; 1'; 1"

plumbing fixture

2; 2 '

Basic body with valve unit

3; 3 '; 3 '

lever

4; 4 '; 4 '

interchangeable unit

5; 5 '; 5 '

inlet part

6; 6 '; 6 "

outlet head

7; 7 "

aerator

8th; 8th'; 8th"

link

9; 9 '; 9 "

connectors

10

joint

Claims (16)

1. Sanitary fitting (1; 1'; 1") with a base body (2; 2') comprising a water inlet and a valve unit, and with a water outlet which is fixedly connected to the base body (2; 2') and comprises at its end facing away from the base body (2; 2') an outlet head (6; 6'; 6") through which, during operation and with open valve unit, the water entering the water inlet of the base body (2; 2') exits again the sanitary fitting (1; 1'; 1"), wherein the water outlet comprises a connecting element (8; 8'; 8"), which is fixedly connected at its one end to the base body (2; 2') via an inlet part (5; 5'; 5"), through which the water that flows through the water inlet when the valve unit is open enters the water outlet, and at its other end bears the outlet head (6; 6'; 6"), and wherein between the inlet part (5; 5'; 5") and the outlet head (6; 6'; 6") a replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") is releasably connected to the connecting element (8; 8'; 8") which abuts in a watertight manner the inlet part (5; 5'; 5") on the one hand and the outlet head (6; 6'; 6") on the other hand, and through which the water exiting the inlet part (5; 5'; 5") is completely guided into the outlet head (6; 6'; 6"),
   characterized in that
   the connecting element (8; 8'; 8") connects the inlet part (5; 5'; 5") to the outlet head (6; 6'; 6") in a mechanical and discontinuously water-carrying manner, wherein the connecting element (8; 8'; 8") is designed in the form of a half shell.
2. Sanitary fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (8; 8'; 8") is a one-piece, preferably rigid metal or plastic body.
3. Sanitary fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") is connected in a watertight manner to the water outlet via one or more plug connections (9; 9'; 9").
4. Sanitary fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") is positively connected to the water outlet.
5. Sanitary fitting according to claim 4, characterized in that the replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") is connected to the water outlet via a bayonet connection.
6. Sanitary fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") contains means for water treatment.
7. Sanitary fitting according to claim 6, characterized in that the replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") contains a filter unit.
8. Sanitary fitting according to claim 7, characterized in that the filter unit contains an adsorbent, in particular activated carbon.
9. Sanitary fitting according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the filter unit comprises a ceramic, sand and/or cellulose filter.
10. Sanitary fitting according to any one of the claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") contains ion exchange material.
11. Sanitary fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") comprises a disinfecting and/or germ protection device.
12. Sanitary fitting according to claim 11, characterized in that the germ protection device contains a membrane for micro-, ultra- or nano-filtration.
13. Sanitary fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") is at least partially transparent.
14. Sanitary fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the replaceable unit (4; 4'; 4") contains precious stones and/or semi-precious stones or combinations of various precious stones and/or semi-precious stones.
15. Sanitary fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a light source is integrated in the connecting element (8; 8'; 8").
16. Sanitary fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a selection of replaceable units (4; 4'; 4") is provided which comprise different colours and/or geometric shapes but can be connected to the water outlet in the same manner.

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