EP2227337A1

EP2227337A1 - Shower head for the selective operation in at least two operating modes

Info

Publication number: EP2227337A1
Application number: EP08854997A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benjamin Hodel; Paul BÖSCH
Original assignee: Weidman Plastics Technology AG
Current assignee: Weidman Plastics Technology AG
Priority date: 2007-11-27
Filing date: 2008-11-06
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-06
Also published as: ATE523258T1; EP2227337B1; US20100257670A1; WO2009067829A1; CN101878068A; CN101878068B; ES2372334T3

Abstract

The shower head comprises a housing (2) and a valve (V) disposed therein, said valve having a valve body (14) that is disposed in a water channel (33). The valve body is connected to an actuating body (3) and interacts with at least one valve seat (24, 25) for closing and/or opening or switching the water channel (33). A pulsator wheel (38) can be connected to the water channel (33) and is detachably locked to a switching body (40) that is operatively connected to the actuating body (3). The actuating body (3) is supported on the housing (2) rotatably about a longitudinal axis (45) of the valve body (14) and thus connected to the switching body (40) such that it can be adjusted with a rotational movement of the actuating body (3) about the longitudinal axis (45) in order to lock or release the pulsator wheel (38).

Description

Shower head for optional operation in at least two modes

The invention relates to a shower head for selectively operating in at least two modes, with a housing and a valve disposed therein, which has a arranged in a water channel valve member which is connected to an actuator and for opening or closing or switching the water channel with at least cooperates with a valve seat and with a Pulsatorrad, which is connectable to the water channel and releasably lockable with a operatively connected to the actuator Umstellorgan.

A showerhead of this type has become known in the art from EP-A-0 732 148. In this shower head, an operating mode is possible in which a shower jet is interrupted periodically. To interrupt the shower spray, a pulsator wheel is provided, which is rotatably mounted in an annular space. The Pulsatorrad is equipped with a variety of a kind of turbine blades. By appropriate inflow of water, the Pulsatorrad can be rotated so that it interrupts the shower jet periodically. The Pulsatorrad can be locked with a diverter. This changeover member is rod-shaped and arranged coaxially within a hollow valve body. The Umstellorgan is operatively connected to a rocker, which also forms the actuator. By pivoting the rocker, the Umstellorgan be moved within the valve body and thus fixed the Pulsatorrad or released.

A shower head with a Pulsatorrad that can be locked, is also known from US-A-4,010,899. For locking a laterally arranged on the housing button is provided. If this is shifted inwards, then the Pulsatorrad is locked. To release this, this button must be moved outwards.

The invention has for its object to provide a shower head of the type mentioned, which allows an even easier operation and yet structurally easier to produce.

The object is achieved according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating member rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis of the valve member, for example, on the housing, valve housing or on an insert and is connected to the Umstellorgan that this is adjustable with a rotational movement of the actuator about said longitudinal axis, in order to lock or release the pulsator wheel mounted in a water space and, in particular, an annular channel, which water space or annular channel can be connected to the water channel. When shower head according to the invention, the Pulsatorrad can be switched on or locked with a rotational movement of the actuator about the longitudinal axis of the valve member. This allows in particular the production of the actuator as a button, which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the valve member. This allows on the one hand a simple one-hand operation and on the other hand a much simpler structural design. In particular, by a movement of the button in the longitudinal direction of the valve member, the valve can be closed and opened. The valve is in particular a diverter valve. In principle, however, the valve can also be a shut-off valve. The shower head according to the invention is preferably designed such that it is actuated or switched by pressing and rotating the actuating member.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that a rotational movement of the actuating member for locking the Pulsatorrads counter to a rotational movement to release the locking of the Pulsatorrads. In one direction of rotation thus the Pulsatorrad is switched on and in another direction of rotation it is locked. This allows a particularly simple operation of the inventive shower head.

According to a development of the invention it is provided that the Umstellorgan is arranged at a distance and parallel to the closure member. This allows independent storage of the valve body and the closure member and allows a simple and very reliable construction. In this case, it is provided in particular that the Umstellorgan has a pin which engages in a locked state with a lower end in the Pulsatorrad. An actuation of the Umstellorgans is then particularly simple and reliable, if said pin engages with an upper end in the actuator and is controlled at this. In particular, it is provided that the Umstellorgan can be raised by rotating the actuator against the retroactive force of a spring to give the Pulsatorrad free.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that by moving the actuator along the longitudinal axis of the valve body and by a rotational movement of the actuating member about the longitudinal axis of the valve body, the actuating member can be locked. By moving the actuator and a subsequent rotational movement, the shower head according to the invention can be converted into a second mode and in this the Pulsatorrad be switched on.

According to a development of the invention, the actuating member is in particular a key which is arranged on an outlet of an opposite side of the shower head. This allows the production of the shower head in a particularly compact, for example cylindrical shape.

The valve is in particular a diverter valve, which allows a changeover between two spray modes. In a first mode of operation, the jet type is, for example, a centrally arranged aerator. In the other mode, the water passes through peripherally arranged Düsenöffhungen to the outside. Preferably, in this second mode, the Pulsatorrad be switched on, whereby a third mode is possible. In principle, however, the valve may also be a shut-off valve which, in a first position of the valve body, closes off the water channel and, in a second position, no longer closes off this water channel. In the second position, the pulsator wheel can then be activated.

Preferably, movements for locking the actuator and for releasing the locking of the Pulsatorrads are in opposite directions. Preferably, the rotational movement of the actuator, in order to solve this opposite to the rotational movement to lock it.

Preferably, the actuating member has a preferably middle basic position in which the actuating member is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the valve member. Preferably, in the end position, the water passes through a perforator to the outside and in the working position by Düsenöfrhungen to the outside, wherein in the working position the Pulsatorrad is switchable. Further advantageous features emerge from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 shows a section through an inventive shower head, the handle is broken off,

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the shower head according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a further section through the shower head, wherein the pulsator wheel is switched on,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial view of the shower head according to the invention,

5 shows a section along the line V-V of Fig. 4,

FIG. 6 schematically shows a partial view of the pulsator wheel and the guide surfaces for the drive of the pulsator wheel,

Figure 7 is a view according to FIG. 4, but here is the Umstellorgan in a position arresting the Pulsatorrad and

8 shows a section along the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7.

1 shows a section through the shower head 1, which has a housing 2 in the usual way. From the housing 2 here the handle 53 is broken off, which is preferably a handle and which is hollow in a known manner and serves to supply water to a water channel 33. In this water channel 33, a valve V is arranged, which is a diverter valve and by hand, and in particular with the thumb, the handle 53 grasping hand, is operable. By pressing the key 3, water can optionally be dispensed through an aerator 35 or through nozzle openings 39 arranged coaxially with the aerator 35. In the depressed position of the button 3 shown in Figure 3 can also be switched by pivoting the key 3 about a longitudinal axis 45, a Pulsatorrad 38 or the key 3 are fixed in the depressed position. So that the button 3 can be pivoted, this has on a top 5 a recessed grip 4, which gives the operating thumbs hold. In the plan view of the key 3 according to Figure 2 is the pivot position with switched Pulsatorrad 38 with C and the position in which the key 3 is fixed in the depressed position, denoted by B. The shower head 1 thus allows three modes. In the first mode, water is discharged through the aerator 35. In the second mode, water flows outwardly through the nozzle ports 39, with the pulsator wheel 38 not active. In the third operating mode, water also flows outwardly through nozzle openings 39, in which case, however, the pulsator wheel 38 is switched on. This third mode of operation is also referred to as "pulsator beam operation".

In the housing 2, a valve housing 18 is arranged, which is sealed with seals 21 and 31 and 20 relative to the housing 2. In the valve housing 18, an upper insert 23 and a lower insert 29 are installed, which form an upper valve seat 24 and a lower valve seat 25. With a sealing element 26, the lower insert 29 is sealed relative to the upper insert 23.

The valve V has a rod-shaped valve member 14 which has a longitudinal axis 45, in the longitudinal axis of this valve member 14 is adjustable so that either a double poppet 15 rests on the upper valve seat 24 or the lower valve seat 25. About the shuttle 15, the valve member 14 has a pin 16 which is sealed with a sealing sleeve 22 relative to the valve housing 18 and which is connected at an upper end fixed to the key 3. With a sealing element 19, the valve housing 18 is sealed relative to the housing 2. Another pin 17 of the valve member 14 is located below the double valve cone 15 and this is slidably mounted in the lower insert 29. If the shuttle valve 15 according to FIG. 1 lies against the upper valve seat 24, then an upper passage opening 55 is closed. A lower passage opening 56, however, is open. The water can flow in this position of the valve member 14 from the water channel 33 through the passage opening 56 to the aerator 35 and through this outwards. If the shuttle valve 15 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the lower passage opening 56 is closed, while the upper passage opening 55 is open. In this position, water from the water channel 33 through the passage opening 55 to the Düsenöffhungen 39 and through this flow outwards.

In the position of the shuttle 15 shown in Figure 1, the key 3 is raised. This position is determined by the stop of the shuttle valve 15 at the upper valve seat 24. With a spring element 13, which is formed for example as a spiral spring, the key 3 is held in the position shown in Figure 1. This spring element 13 is supported on the one hand on the housing 2 and on the other hand on a connecting part 8 which is inserted from below into the key 3. With Latching cam 7, which are engaged in recesses 9 of the connecting part 8, the key 3 is connected to the connecting part 8. The locking cams 7 are formed on a cylindrical projection 6 of the key 3. If the key 3 is pressed down against the retroactive force of the spring element 13, the shuttle valve 15 is displaced into the position shown in FIG. With sufficient water pressure, this position is held against the force of the spring element 13. If the water pressure falls below a certain value, then the valve member 14 is brought into the position shown in FIG. 1 by the tension of the spring element 13.

The Pulsatorrad 38 is mounted in an annular space 37, which is formed by a bearing part 36, the lower insert 29 and the upper insert 23. The bearing part 36 also forms with a shower tray 34, the Durchgangsöffiiungen 39. The bearing part 36 and the shower base 34 also surround the aerator 35. This is sealed with a sealing element 32 against the lower insert 29, which forms an outwardly projecting flange 30. The Pulsatorrad 38 is known per se and has a plurality of upwardly directed wings 44, which can be flowed through Düsenöffhungen 49, as the figure 6 reveals. When the valve member 14 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, water can thus flow through the through-opening 55 to the nozzle openings 49 and through them into the annular space 37. The Düsenöffhungen 49 are located in a lower wall 58, in which the bore 41 is arranged. With a changeover member 40, the Pulsatorrad 38 can be locked so that it does not rotate even when acted upon by inflowing water and thus this water flows continuously without interruption through the Düsenöffhungen 39 to the outside. If the Pulsatorrad 38 is locked, so it is aligned by an engagement of the Umstellorgans 40 that Durchgangsöffiiungen 61 in the Pulsatorrad 38 with the Düsenöffhungen 39 are aligned. As described below, the changeover member 40 can be operated so that the Pulsatorrad 38 can either rotate freely and thus a pulsating beam is generated or locked.

The Umstellorgan 40 has a pin 52 which is mounted at a distance from the axis of rotation 45 and parallel to this in a bore of the valve housing 18 and in the upper insert 23 limited displaceable. With a lower end 40b, the pin 52 engages in a bore 41 of the upper insert 23. Above this lower end 40b, a support ring 43 is mounted on the pin 52, on which a spring element 42, for example a spiral spring, is supported. On the other hand, this coil spring 42 is supported on the valve housing 18. An upper end 40a is located outside or above the housing 2 within an integrally formed on the collar collar 46. With a Seal member 28, the pin 52 is sealed relative to the housing 2 and the valve housing 18. At this upper end 40a, a head 47 is integrally formed on the pin 52, which protrudes laterally, for example according to Figures 4 and 5 and has a wedge surface 48 and a locking groove 57 on the underside. Ln distance from the head 47, a web 50 is integrally formed on the valve housing 2, which also has a wedge surface 51 on the underside. Between the head 47 and the web 50, a slider 10 is arranged, which is fixedly connected to the button 3 and the upper side has a locking cam 7, which cooperates with the locking groove 57. The slider 10 also has two opposite wedge surfaces 11 and 12.

hi the position of the button 3 shown in Figure 1 engages the lower end 40b of the pin 52 in the Pulsatorrad 38 and locks it. The Pulsatorrad 38 can not rotate thus, since wings 44 are present at this lower end 40b. The lower end 40b can now be raised to release the Pulsatorrads 38 in the position shown in Figure 3, in which the lower end 40b does not protrude down from the bore 41, and thus does not protrude into the path of the Pulsatorrads 38. For this purpose, the key 3 is pressed in the direction of the axis of rotation 45 and thus in the axis of the valve V down into the position shown in Figure 3. The grip 4 remains here in the position A shown in Figure 2. At this recessed grip 4, the key 3 is now pivoted into the position C shown in dashed lines in Figure 2. By this pivotal movement of the slider 10 is pushed under the head 47 until finally the locking cam 7 releasably engages in the locking groove 57. By the slider 10 thus the head 47 and thus the pin 52 is raised by the stroke H indicated in Figure 5. The Pulsatorrad 38 is thus no longer locked and can be freely rotated by the water pressure on the wings 44 and thus interrupt the water jet periodically. The spring element 42 is hereby tensioned. The force of the spring element 42 is greater than the force of the spring element 13, so that the changeover member 40 holds the key 4 in the position shown in FIG. Even without water pressure on the shuttle 15, this position is maintained.

In order to interrupt the Pulsatorbetrieb, the key 3 is pivoted on the recessed grip 4 about the rotation axis 45 in the position A shown in Figure 2. The slide 10 in this case reaches the position shown in Figures 7 and 8. The slider 10 is thus located between the head 47 and the web 50. Since the pin 52 is no longer supported on the head 47, this pin 52 is moved by the spring element 42 back into the position shown in Figure 1. The lower end 40b is thus again in the range of Pulsatorrads 38. If the key 3 is released, the slider 10 moves between the head 47 and the web 50 upwards. Alternatively, the button 3 can be pivoted in the depressed position in the position B shown in Figure 2, so that the slider 10 is pushed with the wedge surface 60 below the web 50. The web 50 prevents the key 3 can be moved by the tension of the spring element 13 upwards. In this position B, the shuttle valve 15 thus remains in the position shown in Figure 3, regardless of the water pressure. By pivoting the button 3 on the Griffinulde 4 thus the Pulsatorrad 38 can be switched on and off with a simple pivoting movement, wherein the pivot angle according to Figure 2 is comparatively small and in particular less than 45 °. In the intermediate position A, the first operating mode can then be set again, in which water flows out through the aerator 35. The key 3, which forms the actuating member is rotatably mounted, but can otherwise be configured as desired. Preferably, the key 3 has an outer, preferably substantially cylindrical wall 59 which has a lateral surface 60 which is substantially flush with a lateral surface 54 of the housing 2.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Shower head 31 sealing element

Housing 32 sealing element

Button 33 water channel

Griffinulde 34 effervescent floor

Top 35 Perlator

Approach 36 bearing part

Locking cam 37 annular space

Connecting part 38 Pulsatorrad

Recess 39 nozzle openings

Slider 40 conversion organ

Wedge surface 40a upper end

Wedge surface 40b lower end

Spring element 41 bore spring element

Valve element 42 spring element

Shuttle valve 43 Support ring

Pin 44 wings

Pin 45 axis of rotation

Valve body 46 collar

Sealing element 47 head

Sealing element 48 wedge surface

Sealing element 49 nozzle openings

Sealing collar 50 bridge

Upper insert 51 Wedge surface

Upper valve seat 52 pin

Lower valve seat 53 handle

Sealing element 54 lateral surface

Bore 55 passage opening

Sealing element 56 passage opening

Lower insert 57 locking groove

Flange 58 wall 59 wall

60 lateral surface

61 passage opening

A swivel position

B swivel position

C swivel position

H stroke

V valve

Claims

claims

A shower head for selectively operating in at least two modes, comprising a housing (2) and a valve (V) disposed therein having a valve member (14) disposed in a water channel (33) connected to an actuator (3) is and for opening or closing or switching of the water channel (33) with at least one valve seat (24, 25) cooperates and with a Pulsatorrad (38) connected to the water channel (33) and operatively connected to the actuator (3) Switching member (40) is releasably lockable, characterized in that the actuating member (3) about a longitudinal axis (45) of the valve member (14) rotatably mounted and connected to the Umstellorgan (40), that this with a rotary movement of the actuating member (3 ) is adjustable about the longitudinal axis (45) to lock the Pulsatorrad (38) or release.

2. Shower head according to claim 1, characterized in that by displacement of the actuating member (3) along the longitudinal axis (45) of the valve member (14) and by a rotational movement of the actuating member (3) about the same longitudinal axis (45), the locking of Pulsatorrads (38 ) is solvable.

3. Shower head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotational movement of the actuating member (3) for locking the Pulsatorrads (38) is opposite to a rotational movement of the actuating member (3) for releasing the locking of Pulsatorrads (38).

4. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotational movement of the actuating member (3) for locking the Pulsatorrads (38) in the counterclockwise direction and the rotational movement for releasing the locking of Pulsatorrads (38) runs in the counterclockwise direction.

5. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the Umstellorgan (40) is arranged at a distance and substantially parallel to the valve member (14).

6. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the Umstellorgan (40) has a pin (52) which engages in a locked state in the Pulsatorrad (38).

7. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that by a rotational movement of the actuating member (3), this is lockable.

8. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuating member (3) is in particular a button which is arranged on an outlet (35, 39) opposite side of the shower head.

9. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the valve (V) is a changeover valve, wherein the valve member (14) in a basic position, a first passage (55) and in a working position, a second passage (56). closes.

10. Shower head according to claim 9, characterized in that the first passage (55) is connected to said water channel (33).

11. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that during a displacement of the actuating member (3) along the longitudinal axis (45) of the valve member (14), the valve member (14) is moved from a basic position to the working position.

12. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the valve (V) is a shut-off valve which closes a passage (55) in a first position and in a second position, the said passage (55) releases.

13. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the basic position of the valve member (14) the Pulsatorrad (38) is drivable.

14. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the actuating member (3) with a slide (10) is connected, which is operatively connected to the changeover member (40).

15. Shower head according to claim 14, characterized in that the Umstellorgan (40) with the slider (10) is displaceable and in particular raisable to release the Pulsatorrad (38).

16. Shower head according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that by moving the actuating member (3) along the longitudinal axis (45) of the valve member (14) and by a rotational movement of the actuating member (3) about said longitudinal axis (45), the actuating member (3) is lockable.

17. Shower head according to claim 9, characterized in that the second passage (56) is connected in the working position with said water channel (33).