EP1947252A2 - Shower device - Google Patents

Abstract

Shower arrangement comprises a fixed housing (1), a shower arm (8, 9, 10) with a shower head fixed to the housing and a drive unit for moving the shower arm from an inactive position into the active position. Preferred Features: The drive unit has a spring which is tensioned in the inactive position by pulling back the shower arm. The drive unit is activated by water pressure. A damping unit dampens the movement of the shower arm.

Description

The invention relates to a shower device with at least one shower head.

There is a shower system known ( DE 298 13 597 ), which has an elongated housing and a shower arm. The shower arm is articulated in the upper region of the housing about a horizontal axis and can be pivoted out of a vertical pivoted-off position into a horizontal position.

The invention is based on the object to provide a shower device that has no significant projecting parts in the unused state and can be put into a usable state with little effort.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a shower device with the features mentioned in claim 1. Further developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

The shower device thus contains a housing which is fastened, for example, to a wall in a shower cubicle. On the housing a shower arm is mounted, which, when the shower device is not to be used, has an inactive position in which it is substantially flush with the surface of the housing. So it does not form projecting parts. In order to also be able to use the shower device, it is provided that the shower arm is transferred by triggering a drive in a use position in which the jet disk is arranged so that a user can take a shower.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that the mentioned drive only serves to transfer the shower arm from the inactive to the use position. The reverse movement of the shower arm, so when the user is done with the shower, can be performed by the user by hand. He pushes or pivots or otherwise puts the shower arm back in its inactive position.

In particular, it can be provided that the drive for the shower arm has a spring which is stretched in the inactive position of the shower arm so far that it has stored the energy required for transferring the shower arm in the use position. For tensioning the spring is the backward movement, which is performed by the user of the shower device by hand.

In particular, it can be provided that the drive has a helical spring. This can be accommodated in a narrow but in one direction long space very cheap. Moreover, this is a standard component, which is constantly available in different sizes and features.

It is also possible and is proposed by the invention that the drive has a gas spring.

Another possibility for the drive lying within the scope of the invention is that it can be actuated by water pressure.

Especially with the movement of the shower arm by a spring could be the danger that the shower arm moves too suddenly out of the inactive position. To avoid this, can be provided according to the invention in a development that the drive has a damping device to slow the retraction of the shower arm in the use position.

According to the invention may be provided in a development that the drive can have a lever mechanism and / or a gear transmission.

In particular, it can be provided that the damping device has a rotary damper, which then, when the drive rotational movement occurs, allows damping in a small space.

This rotary damper can thus be connected in particular to the lever mechanism and / or to the gear transmission.

For example, the rotary damper can be connected to the housing via the toothed gearing.

It can be provided that the rotary damper performs a relative movement to the housing.

The drive is used to bring the shower arm in a use position. This use position can be previously set by setting stops or the like. The invention now suggests in training before that the user can still change the shower arm relative to the position of use in both directions by a certain amount, without this prevents the drive.

For the inactive position of the shower arm a detent can be provided, which ensures that the shower arm then actually flush with the surface of the housing, without influences of the drive can change this position.

To trigger the drive can be provided that this is triggered by actuation of the shower head of the shower arm associated shut-off valve. This can be either a special movement of this valve, for example, the fact that the user presses on the operating handle of this valve or pulls on him.

Another possibility is that simply by opening this shut-off valve, the drive is triggered.

If the shower device in addition to the shower arm mounted on the shower still another shower, such as a hand shower, so there is a diverter valve, which determines the soft shower is put into operation. Here, it can now be provided in a further development of the invention that the drive for extending the shower arm is triggered by the fact that the user switches the lever for the change-over valve to the arranged in the shower arm shower. Here it can also be provided that the switching lever of this change-over valve returns to use after use again in a neutral position. This can also be accomplished by manually returning the shower arm to the inactive position.

Another particularly preferred way to trigger the drive for the shower arm is that the user on the Pushing shower arm in its inactive position, whereby the locking is released, so that now the drive can act. Such push-push operations are common in electrical switches.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that the water supply to the arranged in the shower head shower head leads through the storage of the shower arm on the housing through or takes place. This storage can be designed so that no externally visible cable connections are available.

In particular, it can be provided in a development of the invention that the shower arm is pivotally mounted, preferably about a horizontal axis. In this case, the water supply without other facilities through the pivot axis passes.

In order to achieve the flush course of the surface of the shower arm in the surface of the housing under all possible conditions, can be provided according to the invention in a further development that the storage of the shower arm is formed at least on one side conceivable at least in height. Just when the shower arm has a certain length, even small deviations from a straight course can be visually disturbing. This can be prevented by the adjustability of the storage.

According to the invention it can be provided that the shower head is arranged on or in the shower arm so that its jet surface is directed into the interior of the housing, so in the inactive position is not visible. The surface of the housing may extend smoothly, including the surface of the shower arm.

In a pivotal mounting can be provided in a development that the drive on the side facing away from the shower head of the Swivel axle forming pivot bearing attacks, so that neither in the extended state nor during the extension of the drive is visible.

According to the invention proposes to arrange the shower arm so that the shower head arranged in it can serve as overhead shower.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that a second slightly lower arranged shower arm is present, which also has a drive, moreover, to transfer it from the inactive to the use position. This second shower arm may be a shower arm that may be used when, for example, a user only wants to shower down from the shoulder to keep his hair from getting wet.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that in the lower part of the housing, a footrest is present, which can be folded out of the housing in a similar or the same way as the shower arm in the middle and upper area.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that also in the lower part of the housing, a shower arm is present, in which then in the use position, the jet surface of the shower head is directed upwards, for example. However, it is also conceivable here that the jet surface is directed downwards. It may be provided in this lower shower arm, that the jet surface of the shower head mounted on this shower head can be directed either upwards or downwards. This can be done for example by a different movement of this shower arm from the housing. So it is conceivable, for example, by the mentioned pressure on the shower arm in its upper part fold out down with the jet surface facing upwards and by pushing down on the shower arm in the lower area, unfold a flap upwards with the jet face downwards.

In a further development of the invention can be provided to form this shower arm as a footrest.

In a further development of the invention can be provided that the Duscharme are free of actuators for the shower itself, so that all actuators including switching valves are arranged on the housing.

Figur 1

eine Seitenansicht eines Gehäuses einer von der Erfindung vorgeschlagenen Duscheinrichtung in dem inaktiven Zustand;

Figur 2

die Ansicht der Duscheinrichtung der Figur 1 mit ausgefahrenen Duscharmen;

Figur 3

eine Ansicht der Duscheinrichtung der Figur 1 von links in Figur 1.

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Duscheinrichtung von hinten;

Figur 5

eine Einzeleinsicht des Antriebs in der inaktiven Position;

Figur 6

den Antrieb in der geöffneten Stellung des Duscharms;

Figur 7

einen Schnitt durch die Schwenklagerung eines Duscharms;

Figur 8

eine Einzelansicht der Lagerung;

Figur 9

die Ansicht der Figur 8 im verschwenkten Zustand;

Figur 10

einen Schnitt durch die Lagerung des Duscharms;

Figur 11

eine der Figur 5 entsprechende Darstellung mit einer Gasdruckfeder und

Figur 12

die der Figur 6 entsprechende Darstellung mit der Gasdruckfeder als Antrieb.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the abstract, the wording of which is incorporated by reference into the content of the description, the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and with reference to the drawing. Hereby show:

FIG. 1

a side view of a housing proposed by the invention shower device in the inactive state;

FIG. 2

the view of the shower facility the FIG. 1 with extended shower arms;

FIG. 3

a view of the shower facility the FIG. 1 from the left in FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 4

a perspective view of the shower device from behind;

FIG. 5

a single view of the drive in the inactive position;

FIG. 6

the drive in the open position of the shower arm;

FIG. 7

a section through the pivotal mounting of a shower arm;

FIG. 8

a single view of the storage;

FIG. 9

the view of FIG. 8 in the pivoted state;

FIG. 10

a section through the storage of the shower arm;

FIG. 11

one of the FIG. 5 corresponding representation with a gas spring and

FIG. 12

the the FIG. 6 corresponding representation with the gas spring as drive.

FIG. 1 shows the side view of a shower device according to the invention. This shower device includes a housing 1, whose one side wall in FIG. 1 you can see. Left in FIG. 1 is the front 2, which is thus directed into the interior of the shower cubicle. Right in FIG. 1 is the back 3, which is covered by the wall of the shower cubicle or the bathroom after mounting the housing 1. On the illustrated side wall of the housing 1, a connection 4 for a shower hose 5 is arranged, which leads to a in FIGS. 1 and 2 not to be seen hand shower leads. Above the terminal 4 for the shower hose 5 actuator 6, 7 are arranged for sanitary fittings, which are housed within the housing 1. These are both shut-off valves and change-over valves. How to get the FIG. 1 can refer, there are no projections that protrude beyond the end face 2 of the housing 1 in the shower cubicle.

FIG. 1 shows the inactive position of the shower device. The shower unit contains in its housing 1 more from the front side 2 of the Housing 1 movable shower charms 8, 9, 10. These shower charms are in the representation of FIG. 2 from the inactive position, in which their outer side is flush with the front side 2 of the housing 1, moved into its use position. A shower arm 8 is pivotally mounted in the upper end region of the housing 1 at an indicated axis of rotation 11. The axis of rotation 11 is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, ie horizontally and parallel to the rear wall of the housing 1. In the illustrated position of use, the shower arm 8 is at an angle of about 15 to 20 ° relative to a horizontal, so is out of the housing by about 105th panned out to 110 °. In the shower arm 8 a shower head is arranged, the jet exit surface 12 is disposed on the now downwardly directed inside 13 of the shower arm 8. When water flows through the shower head and its jet disk 12, a jet emerging from this jet disk 12 is directed obliquely downward.

Below the just mentioned pivoted shower arm 8, a second shower arm 9 is arranged, which runs somewhat steeper than the upper shower arm 8. He also has on its inner side 13, the jet exit surface 12 of a shower head.

In the region of the lower end of the third shower arm 10 is provided, the jet disk 12 is directed upward. This shower arm 10 is pivotable about an axis 14, which is arranged in the inactive position at the lower end of the shower arm 10. In the upper shower arms 8, 9 this is different, where the pivot axis at the upper end of the shower arm 8, 9 is arranged.

The lower shower arm 10 may serve to shower the soles of the feet, while the central shower arm 9 serves to shower, for example, from the shoulders down. To control the different Shower heads in the various shower arms 8, 9, 10 serve the already mentioned switching valves and shut-off valves 6, 7.

The lower shower arm 10 is formed in the illustrated embodiment at the same time as a footrest. It is also possible and within the scope of the invention to arrange such a footrest as a shower arm movable out of the housing without providing it with a shower head.

The FIG. 3 now shows a front view of the housing of the shower device, so from the left in FIG. 2 , It can be seen here that the back sides 15 of all the shower arms 8, 9, 10 form rectangular surfaces which are formed smoothly without any interruption. Their side edges are parallel to the side walls of the housing 1. In the front surface 2 of the housing 1, a plurality of side showers 16 are additionally provided, which can also be controlled via the valves 6, 7 mentioned several times. The end of the shower hose 5 connected at 4 is provided with a hand shower 17, which is mounted in a holder on the side opposite the terminal 4 side wall of the housing 1.

FIG. 4 shows in a perspective view of the housing with the swung Duscharmen 8, 9 from behind. For pivoting each shower arm 8, 9, a drive 18 is provided which is housed in the housing 1 of the shower device. Each drive 18 includes a helical tension spring 19 which engages with a lever gear 20 on the shower arm 8, 9. Both Duscharme 8, 9 are mounted in the illustrated embodiment, each with a pivot bearing 21 in rails of the housing 1. The drive 18 engages on the shower head facing away from the shower arm 8, 9.

In the housing, a respective toothed disc 22 are housed stationary, along which a toothed wheel meshing with this gear 23 is moved. With the gear 23, a rotary damper 24 is operatively connected. When opening the Duscharme the gear 23 rolls on the sprocket 22 and thereby offset the rotary damper in rotational movement, said rotational movement leads to the deceleration of the movement.

Right in FIG. 4 It can be seen that a feed line 25 leads to the pivot bearing 21. Through this supply line and through the pivot bearing 21, the water enters the interior of the shower arm 8 and from there through the shower head to the outside.

Details of this arrangement go from the FIGS. 5 and 6 to which reference is now made. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the arrangement of the middle shower arm 9, in FIG. 5 in the inactive position and in FIG. 6 in the use position. The pivot bearing of the shower arm 9 is given in point 21. At the upper end of the shower arm 9, a lever linkage 27 is articulated at 26, whose other end is connected to the free end 28 of the helical compression spring 19. On the lever 27, the gear 23 is mounted, which rolls along the ring gear 22. It is guided via a link 29 which is mounted on the housing at 30. After the rolling of the gear 23 along the ring gear 22 of the shower arm 9 reaches the upper end positions, in FIG. 6 is shown.

In the aborted depiction of FIG. 7 is the pivot bearing for the Duscharme 8, 9, 10 shown. An angle element 31 is seated at the upper end of the line 25. This angle element 31 projects with its one leg into the interior of the shower arm 8. There, a part of the water guide 32 is arranged for the shower head within the shower arm 8 and fluidly connected to this inner leg of the elbow 31.

On the opposite side of the shower arm a nozzle 33 is fixed in a rail of the housing 1, in which a projection 34 is inserted from the inside. This approach 34 has an eccentric pin 35 which engages in the socket 33. It can be rotated by inserting a key into the key recess 36, so that the eccentricity relative to the nozzle 33 changes in position. In this way, the left end of the bearing shaft for the shower arm 8 can be displaced upwards or downwards, forwards or backwards. This is useful to make the parallelism of the edges of the visible outside 15 of the Duscharme with the side walls of the housing.

The FIG. 8 shows that at the angle piece a locking lug 37 is formed with two wings, which in the position of the FIG. 8 can be used in the rail. By turning the elbow 31, the side wings enter the lateral grooves of the slot, so that now the elbow 31 is locked, see FIG. 9 , Now, from below, the line end of the line 25 can be used in the approach.

The location of the fins of the locking lug 37 goes from the section of FIG. 10 out. Here it can also be seen that the inwardly directed part 38 of the elbow 31 is provided with a seal 39 which seals the conduit 32 in the interior of the shower arm 8.

While in the previously described embodiment, in particular with reference to the FIGS. 4 to 6 , a the special circumstances of a coil spring corresponding gear has been shown, show the FIGS. 11 and 12 the use of a gas spring 40 for the same purpose. At the upper end of the middle shower arm 9 in the folded-in position, the one is in a joint 26 End of the gas spring 40 articulated, the other end is attached at 41 to the rear wall of the housing 1. The gas spring pulls the piston rod 42 inwards and thereby pivots the shower arm 9 in the clockwise direction FIGS. 11 and 12 outward.

To trigger the respective drives is not shown, but known in the art snap lock, which is opened by pressing and closed by a second press when returning.

In the illustrated embodiments, movement of the shower charm out of the housing is pivotal about a fixed axis. This has the advantage of a very simple water supply to the interior of the Duscharme. But it is also possible to provide as movement of the Duscharme a sliding movement optionally along a curved path, whereby the purpose would be to move the Duscharme from a non-disturbing inactive position into a projecting into the interior of the shower cubicle use position.

Claims (24)

Shower facility with 1.1 a housing intended for stationary installation (1), 1.2 a on the housing (1) mounted at least one shower head having shower arm (8, 9, 10), the 1.3 an inactive position in which it is flush with the surface of the housing (1), and 1.4 a shower position in which a jet disc (12) of the shower head is arranged in a use position, and with 1.5 a drive (18) for transferring the shower arm (8, 9, 10) from the inactive position to the use position. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the drive (18) only serves to transfer the shower arm (8, 9, 10) from the inactive to the use position. Shower device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive (18) has a particular as a helical spring (19) and / or as a gas spring (40) formed spring (19) by moving back the shower arm (8, 9, 10) in the inactive position is stretched. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive can be actuated by water pressure. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, with a damping device for damping the movement of the shower arm (8, 9, 10). Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive (18) comprises a lever mechanism and / or a gear transmission. Shower device according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the damping device comprises a rotary damper which is in particular the lever gear and / or connected to the gear transmission. Shower device according to claim 7, wherein the rotary damper is connected via the gear transmission with the housing (1) and in particular performs a relative movement to the housing (1). Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the use position corresponding to a specific position of the shower arm (8, 9, 10) relative to the housing (1), into which the drive (18) moves the shower arm (8, 9, 10), manually can be changed. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, in which a detent is provided for the inactive position of the shower arm (8, 9, 10). Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive (18) by actuation, in particular by opening, the shut-off valve associated with the shower head of the shower arm (8, 9, 10) can be triggered. Shower devices according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive can be triggered by switching a to the shower head of the shower arm (8, 9, 10) leading Umstellerventils. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive by manual pressure on the inactive shower arm (8, 9, 10) can be triggered. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the water supply to the shower head of the shower arm (8, 9, 10) by the storage of the shower arm (8, 9, 10) passes through the housing or takes place. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shower arm (8, 9, 10) is pivotally mounted. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting of the shower arm (8, 9, 10) is at least on one side at least in height adjustable. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shower head is directed in the inactive position of the shower arm (8, 9, 10) in the interior of the housing. Shower device according to one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the drive on the shower head (8, 9, 10) facing away from the pivot axis forming the pivot bearing engages. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shower arm (8, 9) is arranged such that the shower head can serve as overhead shower. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, arranged with a second below the first shower arm (8) Shower arm (9), in particular both Duscharme are provided in the same way with a drive. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, with a footrest (10) which can be folded out of the housing and is arranged in the lower region of the housing. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, with a arranged in the lower region of the housing shower arm (10), wherein the jet direction of the shower head of the shower arm (10) in its position of use either upwards or downwards. Shower device according to claims 21 or 22, wherein the footrest (10) is designed as a shower arm (10). Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating elements for the at least one shower head of the at least one shower arm (8, 9, 10) are arranged on the housing.

Images