EP2148015B1 - Sanitary fitting with light conducting discharge tube - Google Patents

Description

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

Such a sanitary fitting is from the EP 1 705 297 A known. It has a water-bearing spout, which is made of a translucent material. It has an exposed light exit surface at a downstream end and an entrance surface upstream thereof. The light from a light source enters the outflow tube at the coupling surface and from the light exit surface at the outflow pipe.

Thus, when the light source is switched on, the surroundings of the outflowing water and / or the outflowing water itself, depending on the design of the end face, can be illuminated. By illuminating the environment of the outflowing water, it can be ensured that even in bad ambient lighting, an object to be cleaned is optimally illuminated.

The DE 196 54 359 C1 discloses a water outlet fitting in which light is fed into a water jet leaked from an outlet opening of a fitting head, with a water pipe leading to the outlet opening and a light pipe separating the light from a light source located outside the water outlet fitting to the outlet from at least one light exit opening the water pipe leads. A plurality of water outlet openings surround the at least one centrally arranged light exit opening in an annular manner and are connected to the water line via an annular space surrounding the light pipe in the region of the fitting head. The centrally and centrally leaked light is shielded outwards by the water jets that surround the light in a ring, which reduces glare effects.

The WO 2004/063478 A1 discloses a showerhead for classifying water supplied through the water line into original, untreated and purified water. The shower allows the user to choose between shower water and foam water. The shower improves the application, increases the life of the filter and saves costs while maintaining the filter. The shower further has a unit that allows the uncleaned or purified water to be converted into a shower water and foam water jet.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a generic sanitary fitting, which allows a wider application area with a simple structure. This is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the outflow tube has a first outflow tube piece with the coupling-in surface for the light and a second outflow tube piece with the light-emitting surface. Although, for switching purposes, the second spout is relative to the first Outflow pipe piece from a first position to a second position and is moved back again, the light-conducting function is ensured in addition to the water-bearing function of the spout, since the first and the second Ausflussrohrstück are made of translucent material.

The two Ausflußrohrstücke are designed and arranged relative to each other, that the light pipe is ensured by the coupling surface to the light exit surface.

According to the invention, the second discharge pipe piece is rotatably mounted on the first discharge pipe piece. On the one hand, this relative movement requires little space or space and, on the other hand, a uniform optical conductivity can be ensured in a simple manner independently of the relative position of the two outlet pipe pieces relative to one another.

In the sanitary fitting according to the invention, the first discharge pipe piece has a wall with a passage and the second discharge pipe piece has a first opening and a second opening. In the first position of the second effluent tube piece, the first opening is in flow communication with the passage while in the second position, the second opening is flow connected with the passage. As a result, a flow switch can be achieved in a simple manner.

In this case, the first opening with a central water outlet and the second opening with a arranged around the first water outlet around second water outlet of the second Ausflussrohrstücks fluidly connected. This allows, preferably axisymmetric, produce different water jets.

In a particularly preferred manner, the first water outlet is provided with a jet regulator. This can be in the corresponding position of the second Ausflussrohrstücks produce a soft water jet. Jet regulators of this type are well known.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment, the second water outlet has a number of nozzles. By means of this, a wreath, with respect to the soft water jet, can produce hard water jets. This is particularly advantageous if the sanitary fitting is a kitchen fitting in order to remove stubborn food residues from the crockery or cutlery. However, the sanitary fitting can also be a shower spray, which can be switched in a manner according to the invention between a soft and a hard jet of water.

Further preferred embodiments of the sanitary fitting according to the invention are specified in the further dependent claims.

Fig. 1

in einem Längsschnitt einen ausziehbaren Wasserauslaufkopf einer Sanitärarmatur mit einem lichtdurchlässigen wasserführenden Ausflussrohr, dessen zweites Ausflussrohrstück sich relativ zu einem ersten Ausflussrohrstück in einer ersten Stellung befindet;

Fig. 2

in derselben Darstellung wie Fig. 1 jedoch verkleinert dargestellt den Wasserausflusskopf;

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt durch den in den Fig. 1 und 2 gezeigten Wasserausflusskopf entlang der Linie III - III der Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt durch den in den Fig. 1 und 2 gezeigten Wasserausflusskopf entlang der Linie IV - IV der Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

in gleichem Längsschnitt wie die Fig. 1 und 2 den dort gezeigten Wasserauslaufkopf, wobei das zweite Ausflussrohrstück bezüglich des ersten Ausflussrohrstücks in eine zweite Stellung gedreht ist;

Fig. 6

einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie VI - VI der Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie VII - VII der Fig. 5.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. It shows purely schematically:

Fig. 1

in a longitudinal section of an extendable water outlet head of a sanitary fitting with a translucent water-bearing discharge pipe, the second Ausflussrohrstück relative to a first effluent tube in a first position;

Fig. 2

in the same representation as Fig. 1 however, shown in reduced size the water outflow head;

Fig. 3

a cross section through the in the Fig. 1 and 2 shown Wasserausflusskopf along the line III - III of Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a cross section through the in the Fig. 1 and 2 shown Wasserausflusskopf along the line IV - IV of Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 5

in the same longitudinal section as the Fig. 1 and 2 the water outlet head shown there, the second effluent tube piece being rotated with respect to the first effluent tube piece to a second position;

Fig. 6

a cross section along the line VI - VI of Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 7

a cross section along the line VII - VII of Fig. 5 ,

The in the Fig. 1-7 shown Wasserausflusskopf 10 a sanitary fitting 12 may instead of the Wasserausflusskopfs in the Fig. 1-3 Sanitary fitting shown EP 1 705 297 A to step. With regard to the structure and operation of the sanitary fitting is expressly made to the disclosure of this EP document.

The water outlet head is attached to a Ausziehschlauch 14 which passes through a guide tube of the sanitary fitting 12 through in a well-known manner and is connected to a control cartridge. In a known manner by means of this the flow as the temperature of the water flowing out of the water outlet head 10 is usually adjustable. The Ausziehschlauch 14 has a bendable, usually made of metal, outer jacket tube 16 and a running inside the jacket tube 16, usually made of plastic or rubber water hose 18. Between the jacket tube 16 and the water hose 18 extends an electrical line 20, preferably in the form of a multi-core stranded wire.

A housing 22 of the Wasserausflusskopfs 10 is bell-shaped and adapted to the shape of a receptacle of the spout. For ease of handling, the housing 22 is provided with a pin-like extension aid 24 projecting in the radial direction. From the pull-out aid 24 for, in the flow direction S downstream, annular housing end face 26, the otherwise at least approximately a constant thickness having wall 28 of the housing 22 has a bead-like thickening 30. This is intended, together with the pull-out aid 24, when moving back the water outlet head 10 in the receptacle of the guide tube to engage in a guide slot of this guide tube and thereby set the rotational position of the Wasserausflusskopfs 10 with respect to the guide tube.

The Wasserausflusskopf 10 has a water-conducting, translucent, photoconductive and with the Water hose 18 flow connected outflow pipe 32 on. It is for example made of acrylic glass or of another transparent or translucent material, such as a polyamide, in particular Grilamid®. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it consists of an upstream first outflow tube piece 34 and a second outflow tube piece 36 downstream thereof. The second outflow tube piece 36 is arranged around the first outflow tube piece 34, which is fixed to the housing in the housing 22 and connected to it, for example, by gluing Longitudinal axis 38 of the Wasserausflusskopfs 10 between a first position 40 and a second position 42 rotatably supported back and forth. In the Fig. 1 - 4th is the second Ausflußrohrstück 36 in the first position 40 and in the Fig. 5-7 in the second position 42.

The first outflow tube piece 34 is formed in two parts, comprising a connection part 44 and a control part 46 arranged downstream thereof, these two parts being connected to one another at their common annular contact surface 48, which preferably lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 38 are, for example by ultrasonic welding or gluing. Also, a one-piece embodiment of the first Ausflußrohrstücks 34 is conceivable.

The connecting part 44 has a sleeve section 52 provided with an internal thread 50, from which a light coupling flange 54 projects in the radial direction towards the outside in the downstream end area. In the internal thread 50, a connection piece 56 is threaded, which on the other hand in a known manner, for example as in the EP 1 705 297 A1 discloses, is firmly connected to the Ausziehschlauch 14. The fitting 56 has a radial passage through which the electrical lead 20 exits upstream of the sleeve portion 52.

Between a front-side sealing surface 58 of the connecting piece 56 and an integrally formed on the connecting part 44 annular shoulder 60 is a sealing ring 62, preferably in the form of a quadrant to prevent leakage of water supplied through the Ausziehschlauch 14.

The Lichteinkopplungsflansch 54 has an upstream open, around the sleeve portion 52 extending around annular groove 64, the bottom of which forms a coupling surface 66 for the emitted light from a light source 68. As the light source 68, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) 68 'are preferably used, which are arranged in the circumferential direction at regular intervals and whose light cone axis preferably extends at right angles through the coupling surface 66 and parallel to the longitudinal axis 38. In addition to white light, it is also possible that the light source emits 68 colored light.

The light source 68 or the LEDs 68 'are arranged on an annular printed circuit board 70 which is connected to the electrical line 20 for feeding the light source 68. In a preferred manner, the LEDs 68 'are in contact with the coupling-in surface 66. The attachment of the light guide plate 70 and the light source 68 am Connector 56 can be done for example by gluing or pouring.

The control part 46 is cup-shaped, wherein the bottom, forming a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 38 extending wall 72, abuts the connection part 44 and with this, as mentioned above, is firmly connected. The projecting from the wall 72 in the downstream direction jacket wall 74 is thick-walled and aligned in the axial direction with the coupling surface 66 to forward the coupled into the connector 56 light parallel to the longitudinal axis 38.

The wall 72 has two with respect to the longitudinal axis 38 diametrically opposed passages 76, in each of which a sealing sleeve 78, in the axial direction displaceable but circumferentially sealing, is arranged. The sealing sleeve 78 is held by means of a coil spring designed as a compression spring 80, which is supported on the one hand on the wall 72 and on the other hand on the sealing sleeve 78 in sealing contact with this side end face 82 of the second Ausflussrohrstücks 36.

The control part 46 and thus the first Ausflußrohrstück 36 is disposed in the interior of the housing 22 and fixedly connected thereto, for example by means of adhesive 84, wherein the free end of the jacket wall 74 is aligned with the housing end face 26.

The second outflow tube piece 36 is also formed like a cup, wherein the bottom 86, the end face 82 forms, against which the sealing sleeves 78. Further, the bottom 86 with respect to the longitudinal axis 38 has two diametrically opposed first openings 88, which in the first position 40 of the first Ausflußrohrstücks 34th are aligned with the passages 76 and flow-connected with these and thus the Ausziehschlauch 34. As in the Fig. 3 and 5 - 7 shown and further described below, the bottom 86 further has two with respect to the longitudinal axis 38 also diametrically opposite second openings 90, but offset by an angle which corresponds to the rotation angle between the first position 40 and the second position 42 of the second Ausflussrohrstücks 36 are arranged so that they are arranged offset in the first position 40 with respect to the passages 76 and are not fluidly connected thereto.

The first openings 88 extend through the bottom 86 and open into a defined by the bottom 86 and the circumferential side wall 92 of the second Ausflussrohrstücks 36 Ausflussraum 94. In these is a jet regulator 96, for example, a well-known Neoperl® jet regulator, for generating a by a central first water outlet 94 'emerging, "soft" water jet used.

Like this from the Fig. 1 - 4th Thus, in the first position 40 of the second outflow pipe piece 36, the water supplied to the water outflow pipe piece 36 through the water hose 18 flows out of the water outflow head 10 exclusively through the jet regulator 96 on the exposed end face 98 of the second outflow pipe piece 36 and thus outflow pipe 32. It should also be mentioned at this point that the side wall 92 is also thick-walled and aligned with the shell wall 74 to direct the light emitted from the light source 68 to the end face 98, which faces the coupling surface 66.

As this particular from the Fig. 5 shows, the second openings 90 are formed like a blind hole, wherein from them in the radial direction through the bottom 86 through to the radially lateral end of a flow gap 100 extends. In the second position 42, only the second openings 90 and thus the flow gaps 100 are flow-connected to the passages 76.

The side wall 92 has a circumferential flow groove 102 which opens in the direction of the control part 46 and which communicates with the flow gaps 100 and from which a ring of nozzles 104 extends. Their nozzle outlet openings 106 are - forming a second water outlet 104 '- in the end face 98 and are arranged in the circumferential direction equidistant around the jet regulator 96 around. The nozzles 104 are intended to produce in the second position 42 of the second effluent tube 36 a ring of "hard" water jets as compared to the "soft" water jet.

From the bottom 86 is formed on the second Ausflussrohrstück 36, sleeve-shaped ring 108 from which engages in a circumferential sealing groove 110 of the wall 72 of the control part 46, in the radial direction outside of the passages 76. The ring 108 has a circumferential groove 112, in which a sealing ring 114 cooperating with the control part 46, for example an O-ring or a quadring, is inserted. This prevents water leakage from the passages 76 into the flow groove 102 when the second spout 36 is in the first position 40 and correspondingly from the flow groove 102 into the first openings 88 if the second spout 36 is in the second position 42 ,

Next engages the side wall 92 with a radially projecting and a bearing shoulder 116 forming, circumferential bead 118 in an undercut 120 in the wall 72 of the control part 46, which forms a cooperating with the bearing shoulder 116 counter-shoulder 122. By means of this snap connection, the second outflow pipe piece 36 in the control part 46 is fixed in the axial direction, but rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis 38. The flow portion 102 radially outwardly delimiting wall portion on which the bead 118 is formed, engages with its upstream annular end portion 124 in a further sealing groove 126 of the control part 46, in the lateral wall 74, a further sealing ring 128 a water leakage between the Control part 46 and the second Ausflussrohrstück 36 to the housing end face 26 toward prevented. For receiving the further sealing ring 128, the end region 124 is provided with an inner step-like enlargement.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned here that the control part 46 has a truncated cone-shaped deflection surface 130 in order to divert the water coming from the second openings 90 and the flow gaps 100 to the flow groove 102.

The second outflow pipe piece 36 projects, in the flow direction S, over the housing 22, wherein the projecting end region of the side wall 92, in the radial direction towards the outside, is thickened and forms an exposed circumferential surface 132 on the circumference, which is preferably equidistant from the longitudinal axis 38 spaced as the radially outer surface of the thickening 30; see in particular FIG. 3, 4 . 6 and 7 , Preferably, the second effluent tube 36 has a radially projecting drive lug 134 in its end region protruding beyond the housing 22 - it may also be a plurality of catch lugs or one or more entrainment grooves - to facilitate turning of the second effusion tube 36 by hand ,

In the example shown, the first position 40 and the second position 42 and thus the first openings 88 and second openings 90 are arranged offset relative to each other by approximately 60 °. The corresponding angle of rotation of the second Ausflußrohrstücks 36 with respect to the first Ausflußrohrstücks 34 is - as the Fig. 3 and 6 is removable - bounded by stop pins 136 of the second Ausflussrohrstücks 36, which cooperate with corresponding counter-attacks 138 of the control part 46. However, said angle can also be chosen smaller or larger, in particular 90 °.

Light generated by the light source 68 enters the first effluent tube 34 at the light incident surface 66, is guided therethrough to the second effusion tube 36, which exits the light through the face 98 and the cladding surface 132 forming an exposed light exit surface 98 '.

The end face 98 may be flat and formed at right angles to the longitudinal axis 38. However, it is also possible, as in the Fig. 1 . 2 and 5 shown to form the front side 98 convex. It should also be mentioned that there is a gap 140 between the housing end face 26 and the radially outwardly thickened end region of the second outflow pipe piece 36, to prevent damage. In this gap, a sliding ring may be arranged, as in Fig. 1 is recognizable.

The exposed light exit surface 98 'may also include only the front side 98, for example, when the lateral surface 132 does not allow the leakage of light; the lateral surface 132 may be treated or covered accordingly. It should also be mentioned that in the embodiment shown, light from the outflow pipe 32 is coupled into the water, in particular the "hard" water jets.

It is also possible to provide only a single passage 76 and only a single first opening 88 and second opening 90, wherein these are arranged eccentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis 38.

It is further possible to form the passage 76 and the first and second openings 88, 90 in, for example, the longitudinal axis 38 concentric walls.

It is also conceivable to use the second outflow pipe piece 36 for switching the light source 68 on and off or switching over.

Furthermore, it is also possible to use the inventive discharge pipe 32 on other types of sanitary fittings 12.

Claims (8)

1. Sanitary fitting having a water-channelling outflow tube (32) which is made from a translucent material and, at a downstream end, has an exposed light-exit surface (98') and, upstream of the latter, has a coupling surface (66), and having a light source (68), of which the light - when the light source is activated - enters into the outflow tube (32) at the coupling surface (66) and exits at the light-exit surface (98'),
   characterized in that
   the outflow tube (32) has a first outflow-tube component (34), having the coupling surface (66), and a second outflow-tube component (36), having the light-exit surface (98'), and the second outflow-tube component (36) can be moved in relation to the first outflow-tube component (34) from a first position (40) into a second position (42), and back again, and in that the first outflow-tube component (34) has a wall (72) with a through-passage (76), and the second outflow-tube component (36) has a first opening (88) and a second opening (90), wherein in the first position (40) the first opening (88), and in the second position (42) the second opening (90), is flow-connected to the through-passage (76), and in that the first opening (88) is flow-connected to a central water outlet (94'), and the second opening (90) is flow-connected to a second water outlet (104'), arranged around the first water outlet (94'), of the second outflow-tube component (36),
   wherein the second outflow-tube component (36) has an encircling side wall (92) with a radially projecting, encircling bead (118) forming a bearing shoulder (116), wherein the bead (118) engages in an undercut (120) which is located in the wall (72) of the first outflow-tube component (34) and forms an abutment shoulder (122), 1 interacting with the bearing shoulder (116), thus forming a snap-fit connection such that the second outflow-tube component (36) is mounted in the first outflow-tube component (34) such that it is fixed in the axial direction, but can be rotated about the longitudinal axis.
2. Sanitary fitting according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first water outlet (94') has a jet regulator (96) which is inserted into the second outflow-tube component (36) and is intended for generating a "soft" water jet.
3. Sanitary fitting according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second water outlet (104') has number of nozzles (104) formed on the second outflow-tube component (36) in order to generate a ring of "hard" water jets.
4. Sanitary fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light-exit surface (98') is formed by an end surface (98) and/or a, possibly adjoining, outer lateral surface (132) of the second outflow-tube component (36).
5. Sanitary fitting according to Claim 4, characterized in that the coupling surface (66) is located opposite the end surface (98).
6. Sanitary fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light source (68) has one or more light-emitting diodes (LED), each designed preferably as a surface-mounted device (SMD).
7. Sanitary fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized by a water-discharging head (10) which has the outflow tube (32) and the light source (68), wherein the first outflow-tube component (34) is fixed in relation to the water-discharging head (10).
8. Sanitary fitting according to Claim 7, characterized in that the water-discharging head (10) is arranged on a pull-out hose (14), through which runs an electric supply line (20) for the light source (68).

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