EP1944089A2 - Shower head with several function zones - Google Patents

Abstract

The sprinkler head (200, 300) with multiple functional zones and comprises a housing (210, 310) whose base (212, 312) in each functional zone has a number of nozzle openings (213, 313) with the water supply being manually selectable in the functional zones via at least one supply element (250, 350, 350?). The housing is built as a hollow body with separating walls (214, 215; 314, 315) extending from the base to the covering (211, 311) and creating several chambers (201, 202, 203; 301, 302, 303).

Description

The invention relates to a shower head with a plurality of functional zones, with a housing whose bottom is provided in each functional zone with a plurality of nozzle openings, wherein the water inlet is manually selectable in the functional zones via at least one inlet element.

From the DE 10 2005 002 424 A1 is such a shower head on a hand shower known. Although the user can set different types of Effervescent. However, the structure is very complex, as between an upper level in which the central water supply takes place, and a lower level, are introduced into the nozzle openings, nor an intermediate manifold level is provided, so that a relatively large height is required. The central water supply also involves complex cross-sectional shapes of the functional zones.

The object of the invention is therefore to improve a shower head so that a simpler and more compact design is possible.

This object is achieved according to a first embodiment according to claim 1 in a shower head of the type mentioned in that the housing is designed as a hollow body which is divided over itself between the bottom and a lid extending partitions into a plurality of chambers, of which at least one associated with a chamber, and whose lid has at least one inlet opening per chamber, and that the inlet element has at least one outlet opening which is to be brought into coincidence with at least one inlet opening of the shower head. The direct supply of water into one or more chambers through inlet openings in the lid and / or laterally on the outer edge allows due to the elimination of an intermediate manifold a particularly flat design, which are also still easy to produce.

A second solution is given by a shower head with the features of claim 5. In the second embodiment of the invention is different in comparison to the first that the inlet element is fixedly arranged on a support member, and the shower head is rotatably mounted thereon. The actuation thus takes place via a gripping of the shower head on the outer edge and rotation with respect to a fixed feed element. Carrier and inlet elements, which engage laterally and / or from above on the rotatable shower head, can also be concealed completely under a covering for aesthetic reasons. Only the bottom area and an outer ring of the shower head must protrude from such a panel.

If the shower head, for example, supplemented by a handle to form a complete hand shower, so handle, support element and inlet element can be formed in one piece in the form of a cover covering the shower head cover.

In the second embodiment, inlet openings and inlet element are preferably arranged on the outer circumference of the shower head, so that there is a radial flow path from the stem to the respective chamber.

The inflow element can basically be displaceable or rotatable. Common to all possible embodiments of the invention is that with the displacement or rotation of a liquid-conducting connection between a water feed on the shower head, which takes place for example via a hose, with at least one of the chambers produced. It can also be controlled by a common inlet element several chambers at the same time. Likewise, a separate element may be provided on each strand of water, which is indeed referred to as an inlet element in the context of the present invention, but rather fulfills a simple shut-off function.

Preferably, in at least one chamber, the inlet opening in the lid is placed directly above the respective chamber. Such an inlet opening is particularly easy to access. The inlet openings only need to be arranged on a common circular line - in the case of the rotatable distributor - or on a line - in the displaceable distributor - in order to control all the chambers with a common inlet element on top of the housing.

In order to arrange the inlet openings independently of the course of the chambers, it is advantageous to connect at least one of the chambers via a connecting channel with the inlet opening or to provide outgoing from the inlet opening connection channels to a feed element.

Such a connecting channel can be formed within the hollow housing of the shower head. He can also cross at least one chamber. Preferably, the connecting channel is integrally formed on the lid or on the bottom, wherein the height of the connecting channel is smaller than the cross-sectional height between the bottom and the lid. Thus, the connection channel does not completely block the crossed chamber, so that nozzle openings can still be arranged in the bottom of the chamber below the connection channel.

The connecting channel can also be arranged above the lid on the outside.

A rotatable feed element should be located above the lid where it is easily accessible to the user. An eccentric attachment of the inlet element on an arrangement concentric annular chambers allows the direct water pipe into the chambers without special connection channels.

An arrangement in which the inlet openings are arranged in a central region of the shower head and the inlet element is rotatably mounted in the center of the shower head, according to the invention functionally equally possible and may have design advantages.

An inventive shower head can be permanently installed, for. B. below a ceiling or on a fixed wall bracket. But it can also be supplemented with a handle, whereby a hand shower is formed, which can then be accommodated in a conventional manner in brackets.

Housing and chambers of the shower head can be round. Due to the simple structure of the housing according to the invention, it is also possible to form the housing and the chambers rectangular, since within the shower head no parts need to be rotated against each other.

A simple production can be effected in that the housing is formed in two parts, wherein the bottom with an outer wall and with the partitions, a lower part and the lid forms an upper part. Such parts are easy to manufacture as a plastic injection molded part. In order to facilitate a watertight welding, the upper edges of the partition walls and / or the outer wall can engage in receiving grooves on the underside of the lid.

The sealing of the inlet element relative to the surface of the lid is improved in that a sealing ring element is arranged axially displaceable at the outlet opening of the inlet element, which is pressed by means of a spring element on the outside of the lid. This applies equally to the variant with the fixed shower head and a movable inlet element as for the reverse embodiment with the rotatable shower head on a fixed support member.

Further manufacturing advantages can be found in that in at least one nozzle opening in the ground a nozzle element is used. Such nozzle elements can be prefabricated and selected depending on a function assigned to the respective chamber. An assembly is possible via automatic assembly machines.

To allow even easier installation, a plurality of nozzle elements can be connected via an elastomeric mat element or molded onto an elastomeric mat element, so that only one mat element per chamber needs to be inserted.

Fig. 1

ein Unterteil eines Brausekopfes in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

einen Brausekopf im Schnitt,

Fig. 3

eine Handbrause im Schnitt,

Fig. 4

ein Detail des Gehäuseunterteils aus Fig. 1,:

Fig. 5

eine Handbrause in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 6

eine zweite Ausführungsform eines Brausekopfes in Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 7

eine dritte Ausführungsform eines Brausekopfes von oben,

Fig. 8

eine Abwandlung der dritten Ausführungsform eines Brausekopfes, ebenfalls in Ansicht von oben,

Fig. 9a

ein Gehäuse einer vierten Ausführungsform eines Brausekopfes in geschnittener perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 9b, 9d und 9e

eine Handbrause gemäß der vierten Ausführungsform im Schnitt von oben mit verschiedenen Stellungen des Brausekopfes; und

Fig. 9c

die Handbrause gemäß Figur 9b in einer teilweise geschnittenen perspektivischen Darstellung.

The invention will be explained in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings. The figures show:

Fig. 1

a lower part of a shower head in perspective view,

Fig. 2

a shower head on average,

Fig. 3

a hand shower on average,

Fig. 4

a detail of the lower housing part Fig. 1 :

Fig. 5

a hand shower in perspective view,

Fig. 6

a second embodiment of a shower head in top view,

Fig. 7

a third embodiment of a shower head from above,

Fig. 8

a modification of the third embodiment of a shower head, also in top view,

Fig. 9a

a housing of a fourth embodiment of a shower head in a sectional perspective view,

Fig. 9b, 9d and 9e

a hand shower according to the fourth embodiment in section from above with different positions of the shower head; and

Fig. 9c

the hand shower according to FIG. 9b in a partially sectioned perspective view.

Fig. 1 shows a lower part of a housing 110 for a shower head. From a bottom 112, a plurality of partition walls 114, 115 and an outer wall 116 extend, so that through the walls 114, 115, 116, a central chamber 101 and therefore annular chambers 102, 103 are formed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 110 and the chambers are round; the chambers 101, 102, 103 are arranged concentrically with each other. Through each of the chambers 101, 102, 103, a function zone is formed, in which different nozzle openings 113 are provided in the bottom 112 to allow different types of water discharge, for example a needle jet through a small nozzle opening 113 in the outer chamber 103, a soft jet in the middle chamber by there provided micro-aerators and a pulsating massage jet in the central chamber 101st

Fig. 2 shows the lower housing part 110 with attached lid 111 in a slightly perspective, sectional view. In the central chamber 101, a rotor element 190 is arranged to effect the pulsation of the massage jet. At each of the chambers 101, 102, 103 found in the lid 111 a feed opening 121, 122, 123.

For the function of the shower head 100 according to the invention, a feed element is still necessary, which feeds water into at least one of the inlet openings 121, 122, 123, so that the respective chamber 101, 102 or 103 is filled and can deliver water through the nozzle openings 113 in the ground.

Fig. 3 shows a complete hand shower 180, the shower head 100 is supplemented by a handle 181. Here, it is provided to arrange the feed element 150 stationary, in particular to form an extension of the handle 181 and thus just to create a complete hand shower. Opposite the unit of stem 181 and distributor 150, the housing 110 of the shower head is rotatable about an axis 104.

In the illustrated embodiment, a hood 185 is formed, which is provided in the lower edge region with a groove 186. The shower head 100 is surrounded by an outer ring 117 which has a resilient leg 118 which can be engaged with a projection 118 in the groove 186.

By turning the housing 110 can each one of in Fig. 2 recognizable inlet openings 121, 122, 123 are brought into coincidence with one of the outlet openings 151 on the inlet element 150.

In the presentation of the Fig. 3 the connection is made via the inlet opening 222 to the middle chamber 102, so that via the water inlet 182 in the stem 181 inflowing Water is introduced into the middle chamber 102. The inlet openings 121, 123 of the other two chambers 101, 103 are open, so that in one of the chambers possibly still existing water can drip.

In order to effect a tight connection between the fixed inlet element 150 and the surface of the lid 111 of the rotatable housing 110, sealing rings 152 are provided, which are arranged axially displaceably in bores in the inlet element 150 and which are acted upon by a spring element 153, whereby they are connected to the Surface of the lid 111 are pressed.

Fig. 4 shows a detail of the housing base. In the inner chamber 101, water can flow out directly through nozzle openings 113 in the bottom 112. In the outer chambers 102, 103 are adapted to the respective function nozzle inserts 171, 172 are provided, which are inserted into the nozzle openings 113 in the bottom 112. They are in particular formed of an elastomeric material, so that lime residues are deposited on the standing on the bottom bottom part and there can be easily stripped off, as is known.

It is particularly advantageous to grasp a plurality of nozzle inserts 171, 172 via mat elements 170, 170 'or to form mat elements with molded nozzle inserts 171, 172. The annular mat members 170, 170 'have the advantage that they can be manufactured separately. For assembly then only a mat element needs to be inserted into the respective annular chamber 102, 103 in order to position all nozzle inserts 171, 172 in the correct position at one time.

A further detail results from the upper edge of the partitions 114, 115 and the outer wall 116, which are pointed profiled. On the lid member 111 are opposite grooves with a complementary profile, so that in particular a tight welding of the lower part and lid is easily possible.

Fig. 5 already showing in Fig. 4 sectional hand shower 180 in a perspective view. At the stem 181, the hood 185 connects. The actual shower head 100, namely the housing 110 with lid 111 and optionally nozzle inserts 171, 172 is rotatable as an entire unit about the axis of rotation 104. Profiles on the outer ring 117 facilitate the gripping of the rotatable shower head.

A second embodiment of a shower head according to the invention is in Fig. 6 shown. In the shower head 200 depicted there, in turn, a housing 210 is divided by a plurality of partitions 214, 215 and an outer wall 216 into three annular chambers 201, 202, 203. At the bottom 212 nozzle openings 213 are introduced.

For better illustration, in the view from above in Fig. 6 a lid member 211 shown broken, which is placed on top of the housing 210 and by welding with the partitions 214, 215, 216 forms a waterproof hollow body. Dashed lines indicate inlet openings 221, 222, 223 in the cover element 211. Put on it is a feed element 250 which is rotatably mounted. It has in the illustrated embodiment in the center of a feed opening 251, from which a channel 252 extends radially outward. The channel 252 opens at an outlet opening 253, which can be brought into coincidence by turning the inlet element 250 with each of the inlet openings 221, 222, 223, so that water can flow into the respective user-selected chamber 201, 202, 203,

Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment of a shower head 300 and a hand shower 380. In this embodiment, a feed element 350 is disposed on the lid 311 of the housing 310 and fixedly connected thereto. In the cover 311, in turn, inlet openings 321, 322 and 323 are introduced, in which channels 352, 353, 354 of the inlet element 350 open. The channels 351, 352, 353 extend into a handle 381 of the hand shower 380. A slide element 355 can be placed there in three different positions to the water flowing from a water inlet 382 into one of the channels 351, 352, 353 and on the Inlet openings 351, 352, 353 to lead into the chambers 301, 302, 303.

In Fig. 8 is a modified form of the inlet element Fig. 7 shown. In the otherwise opposite Fig. 7 unchanged hand shower 380, a feed element 350 'is arranged, on which each of the channels 351', 352 ', 353' by pressing a key-shaped slide 355 ', 356', 357 'closed or opened.

This not only an alternative selection of one of the three chambers 301, 302, 303 is possible, but it can also be applied depending on the choice of the user and two or even three chambers simultaneously with water.

The slides 355 ', 356', 357 'are suitably guided from the top of the stem 381 to the bottom, to allow the return movement by the user and to provide no reset mechanisms on springs or the like.

In the FIGS. 9a to 9e a hand shower 480 is shown, similar to that in the Fig. 1 to 5 shown hand shower 180 is constructed with shower head 100, which, however, causes the water supply not from above, but from the outer periphery.

Fig. 9a shows a housing 410 of a shower head 400 in perspective from behind, with a lid is not shown to give the view in chambers 401, 402, 403 free.

The shower head 400 again has three concentric chambers 401, 402, 403, which are each equipped with various types of nozzle elements. From the chamber 401, a connecting channel 451 extends approximately in the radial direction to the outer periphery of the shower head 400 to the outside, where the connecting channel 451 opens into an inlet opening 421. In addition to this further inlet openings 422, 423 are arranged. The central inlet opening 422 is connected to the middle chamber 402 via a further connecting channel 452. The inlet opening 423 forms a direct access to the outer chamber 403.

Fig. 9b shows a sectional view from above, in which again a cover of a shower head 400 of the hand shower 480 is removed and a handle portion 481 is cut. In the central chamber 401, a turbine 404 for generating a massage jet is arranged.

The handle 481 of the hand shower 480 is hollow. A water supply 482 guided therein opens at a feed element 483, in which a spring-loaded sealing element 484 is mounted, which presses against the outer circumference of the shower head 400. In this case, the sealing element encloses in each case one of the inlet openings 421, 422, 423, so that a sealed connection is made from the water supply line 482 to the chamber 401, 402, 403 connected to the respective inlet opening. By turning the shower head 400 in defined angular steps, the desired inlet opening can then be moved in front of the inlet element 483, so that the desired functional zone is activated.

In FIG. 9b a position is shown in which water is passed directly into the outer chamber 403. This position is in Fig. 9c shown again in a partially sectioned perspective, where in particular the direct access from the stem 481 into the chamber 403 is clearly visible. The hand shower 480 also includes a hood portion 485 on which the showerhead 400 is suspended and rotatably supported. Thus, only a single outer part needs to be produced, which comprises the handle 481 with the inlet element 483 and the hood area 485 with an integrally formed central journal on which the shower head 400 is plugged. As a further component, only the spring-loaded sealing element 484 for the inlet element 483 is then necessary to completely assemble the hand shower 480 according to the invention from only three components.

In Fig. 9d the central inlet opening 421 is engaged and thus the central chamber 401 in function. In Fig. 9e Finally, the water is supplied via the connecting channel 452 of the central annular chamber 402.

Claims (24)

Shower head (200, 300) with a plurality of functional zones, with a housing (210, 310), the bottom (212, 312) is provided in each functional zone with a plurality of nozzle openings (213, 313), wherein the water supply to the functional zones over at least a feed element (250, 350, 350 ') is manually selectable,
characterized in that the housing (21.0, 310) is formed as a hollow body, the above between the bottom (212, 312) and a lid (211, 311) extending partitions (214, 215; 314, 315) into a plurality of chambers (201, 202, 203; 301, 302, 303), of which at least one is assigned to a respective functional zone,
and in that the housing (210, 310) has at least one inlet opening (221, 222, 223, 321, 322, 323) per chamber (201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 303), and that the inlet element (250, 350 , 350 ') has at least one outlet opening (253; 351) which is to be brought into coincidence with at least one inlet opening (221, 222, 223; 321, 322, 323) of the shower head. Shower head (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed element (350 ') is arranged displaceably. Shower head (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that the inlet element (250) is rotatably disposed above the lid (211). Shower head according to claim 3, characterized in that the inlet openings are arranged in a central region of the shower head and the inlet element is rotatably mounted in the center of the shower head. Shower head (100; 400) with a plurality of functional zones, the bottom (122) of which is provided with a plurality of nozzle openings (113) in each functional zone, the water inlet being manually selectable into the functional zones via at least one inlet element (150; 483),
characterized in that the shower head (100; 400) is formed as a hollow body, the separating walls (114, 115) extending over between the floor (212) and ceiling (211) into a plurality of chambers (101, 102, 103, 401, 402 , 403), of which in each case at least one of the functional zones is assigned, and whose housing (110; 410) has at least one inlet opening (121, 122, 123; 421, 422, 423) per chamber (101, 102, 103; 401, 402, 403), and
in that the inlet element (150; 483) has at least one outlet opening (151) which is to be brought into coincidence with at least one inlet opening (121, 122, 123; 421, 422, 423) of the shower head (100; 400), wherein the inlet element (150; 483) is arranged on a support element (185; 485) on which the shower head (100; 400) is rotatably mounted. Shower head (400) according to claim 5, characterized in that the inlet openings (421; 422, 423) and the inlet element (483) on the outer circumference of the housing (410) are arranged. Shower head (100; 200; 300) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in at least one chamber (101, 102, 103; 201, 202, 203; 301, 302, 303) the inlet opening (121, 122, 123, 221, 222, 223, 321, 322, 323) in the cover (111, 211, 311) above the respective chamber (101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 303). Shower head (100; 200; 300) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the inlet openings (121, 122, 123; 221, 222, 223; 321, 322, 323) in an upper side of the lid (111; 211 311) are arranged. Shower head (300; 400) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one chamber (301, 302, 303; 401, 402, 403) via a connecting channel (352, 353, 354; 452, 453) with the Inlet opening (321, 322, 323, 422, 423) is connected. Shower head (400) according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one connecting channel (452, 453) within the housing (410) of the shower head (400) is formed. Shower head (300) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the connecting channel (352, 353, 354) above the lid (311) is arranged. Shower head (400) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that at least one chamber (401, 402) of a connecting channel (452, 453) is crossed. Shower head according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that at least one connecting channel is integrally formed on the lid or on the bottom, wherein the height of the connecting channel is smaller than the cross-sectional height between the bottom and lid. Shower head (100; 200; 300; 400) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (110; 210; 310; 410) and the chambers (101,102,103; 201,202,203; 301,302,303 401, 402, 403) are round. Shower head according to one of the preceding claims, that the housing and the chambers are rectangular. Shower head (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (210) is formed in two parts, wherein the bottom (212) with an outer wall (216) and the partitions (214, 115) has a lower part and the lid (211 ) forms a shell. Shower head (200) according to claim 16, characterized in that the upper edges of the partition walls (214, 115) and / or the outer wall (216) engage in receiving grooves (218) on the underside of the lid (211). Shower head (200; 400) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the outlet opening (251) of the inlet element (250; 483) a sealing ring element (252; 484) is arranged axially displaceable, which by means of a spring element (253) on the Outside of the housing (210, 410) is pressed. Shower head (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one nozzle opening (113) in the bottom (112), a nozzle member (171, 172) is inserted. Shower head according to claim 19, characterized in that a plurality of nozzle elements (171, 172) via an elastomeric mat member (170, 170 ') are connected or to an elastomeric mat member (170, 170') are integrally formed. A hand shower (180; 380; 480) having a handle (181; 381; 481) and an associated shower head (100; 300; 400) according to one of claims 1 to 20. A hand shower (100; 400) according to claim 21, characterized in that at least one water supply line (182; 482) leads through the stem area (181; 481) to the inlet element (150; 483) of the shower head (100; 400). Hand shower (100; 400) according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the carrier element by a the shower head (100; 400) covering cover (185; 485) are formed. Hand shower (100; 400) according to claim 23, characterized in that the handle (181; 481) and the cover (185; 485) are integrally formed.

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