EP2409772B1 - Shower head element for a hand-held shower - Google Patents

Description

• welche in mehrere Teilkammern geteilt ist;
• welche an ihrem Außenumfang wenigstens eine Zulauföffnung je Teilkammer aufweist und
• welche an einem Boden in jeder Teilkammer mit wenigstens einer Düsenöffnungen versehen ist,

wobei der Wasserzulauf in die Kammern über wenigstens ein Verteilerelement manuell wählbar ist, welches Verteilerelement wenigstens eine Auslassöffnung aufweist, die mit wenigstens einer am Außenumfang des Gehäuses angeordneten Zulauföffnung in Deckung zu bringen ist.The invention relates to a shower head element for a hand shower, with a housing having a hollow chamber,

• which is divided into several sub-chambers;
• which has at least one inlet opening per partial chamber on its outer circumference and
• which is provided at a bottom in each sub-chamber with at least one nozzle openings,

wherein the water inlet into the chambers is manually selectable via at least one distributor element, which distributor element has at least one outlet opening which is to be brought into coincidence with at least one inlet opening arranged on the outer circumference of the housing.

A hand shower with such a shower head element is in the DE 10 2007 002 894 B3 disclosed. Has proven particularly useful the lateral flow of the inner sub-chambers via separate inlet openings from the outer periphery. As a result, a particularly flat design of the shower head is possible. The switching of the water inlet from one sub-chamber to the other is done by turning the shower head element. As a result, in each case a different inlet opening brought into coincidence with an outlet opening of the water inlet element. The only drawback is that the shower head element must be round so that it can be swung back and forth in front of the stationary inlet element. A design of possibly desired design of the shower head element in a non-round shape is not possible.

The US 5,690,282 discloses a nozzle assembly. By pivoting a nozzle head with a plurality of jet nozzles different types of jet images can be set, as they are known in the field of garden irrigation technology, where, for example, garden plots of different shapes to be watered specifically. A jet pattern formed by a dot nozzle contour can not even develop at distances of less than one meter, which are regularly given in showers. In addition, in addition to the pivoting of the button, the user must also actuate an additional valve element arranged therein in order to shut off or open individual jet nozzles. This handling is with one-handed operation and overhead, as regularly usual with shower heads, hardly feasible.

The object of the invention is thus to achieve a flat design and an easy-to-use and well-sealable switching of the water inlet into the respective sub-chambers, but also to allow other contours of the shower head element.

This object is achieved by a shower head element with the features of claim 1.

Here, the hollow chamber with its sub-chambers and their multiple inlet openings is not movable, but arranged in a stationary housing. Water is passed from the outside, for example via the handle of a hand shower, to a likewise stationary arranged on the housing support member. In between, a pivotable distributor element is arranged, whose distributor head sweeps when switching over the convex outwardly curved outer wall of the hollow chamber. The fact that the distributor element is clamped with its inner water channel between two stationary parts, a particularly accurate guidance and a secure seal can be achieved.

Characterized in that the distributor head is formed wider than the inlet region in the side wall with the inlet openings, in all positions in which the outlet opening is positioned in front of one of the inlet openings, the remaining inlet openings can be sealed.

For this purpose, the pivotable distributor head preferably extends over a more than twice as large angle as the arcuate region which leads from the left outer inlet opening to the right outer inlet opening.

In some of the embodiments described below, a single sealing element is provided which extends over the entire area to be covered by the distributor head and in which the outlet opening is arranged. When swiveling, the distributor head with its sealing element sweeps over the inlet area.

Conversely, it is also possible that the inlet openings to the inlet area individually or as a group of a sealing ring surrounded and the distributor head with a rigid convex front wall, which contains the outlet opening, strokes over the housing side fixedly installed seal.

In further embodiments, it is provided to provide each detent position with a separate sealing element. For this purpose, dummy plugs are inserted from the outside at the distributor head. Only in a central recess, a sealing element is provided, which contains the outlet opening. If, for example, three inlet openings are provided on the hollow chamber, then a total of five sealing elements are arranged on the distributor head, namely the sealing element with the inlet opening in the middle and on both sides thereof two additional sealing blind plugs.

However, it is also possible to dispense consciously with a seal of the respective unused outlet openings. As a result, the respectively associated chambers already empty, while only the active chamber is flooded. The dripping time on the shower head starting with the shut off of the water supply is thereby considerably reduced.

It may be advantageous to form the distributor element as a module, in which the mutually movable parts are arranged completely functional to each other, so that they are a perfect fit. The module can be locked into a recording frame of a superordinate construction group. The jet-forming parts of the showerhead elements can also be of modular design, so that a hand shower first has only an empty receiving frame, in which then the modules are used, so that a completely closed at the bottom and functional hand shower is formed. Thus, the installation and Vorrasthaltung the manufacturer is facilitated, because depending on the desired comfort and price range of the hand shower can easily more or less complex modules are used in the same outer housing or the user is even given the opportunity by supplying different types of modules, the spray pattern after his To put together wishes.

Fig. 1a, 1b

ein Brausekopfelement gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2a, 2b

ein Brausekopfelement gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3

ein Brausekopfelement gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4a, 4b

ein Brausekopfelement gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform und

Fig. 5

ein Brausekopfelement gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform und

Fig. 6, 7

ein Brausekopfelement gemäß einer sechsten Ausführungsform.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to several embodiments with reference to the drawings. The figures each show in an at least partially cut, perspective view:

Fig. 1a, 1b

a shower head element according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2a, 2b

a shower head element according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 3

a shower head element according to a third embodiment;

Fig. 4a, 4b

a shower head element according to a fourth embodiment and

Fig. 5

a shower head element according to a fifth embodiment and

Fig. 6, 7

a shower head element according to a sixth embodiment.

All illustrations have in common that they show shower head elements that represent the functionally essential assembly of a hand shower. They can be integrated into a housing which i.a. a handle portion, with which the hand shower can be held and through which the water supply from the shower hose to the distributor head takes place.

• einem Gehäuse 110, das in Figur 1a teilweise und in Figur 1b vollständig geschnitten dargestellt ist,
• einem Verteilerelement 120 und
• einem Trägerelement 130.

FIG. 1a shows a shower head element 100 according to a first embodiment. This consists essentially of

• a housing 110 which is in FIG. 1a partly and in FIG. 1b is shown completely cut,
• a distributor element 120 and
• a carrier element 130.

The housing 110 comprises a hollow chamber 111 which is delimited by a side wall 115, which has a small height in relation to its extent in the area equipped with nozzle elements. So it is a flat design allows.

In an inlet region 116, the side wall 115 is bent so that it has on its outer surface a concave shape in the manner of a portion of a cylinder jacket. In the inlet region 116 a plurality of inlet openings 112 are provided in the side wall 115. These serve to flow into individual chambers within the hollow chamber 111.

The subdivision of the shower head element 100 into individual chambers, which are each equipped in particular at their bottom with different nozzles and thus produce different jet patterns and form different functional zones, is from the above-mentioned prior art Technique known in principle, so that the subdivision into sub-chambers is indicated here only by dashed lines. Also, the contour of the hollow chamber 115 in all areas except in the inlet region 116, designed differently than shown here by way of example.

The housing 110 continues outside the hollow chamber 111 and there provides a receptacle 118 for the support member 130, in which the distributor element 120 is guided pivotably.

Towards the rear, the housing 110 terminates on a flange plate 117. About this, the shower head element 100 may have attached, for example, to a handle housing. A water hose passing through the handle can be plugged directly onto the rear end of the support member 130.

From outside the hollow chamber 111, a distributor element 120 with its curved, convex distributor head 123 lies in front of the concave outer wall in the inlet region 116.

The carrier element 130 widens at its front, the hollow chamber 111 facing the end to a spherical cap 131. In it is mounted a ball body 122, which forms the end of the distributor element 120. The distributor head 123 and the ball body 122 are connected to each other in the embodiment shown via a pipe section 121.

The FIG. 1b shows the shower head element 100 in a fully cut representation. It can be seen here that the distributor head 123 to the inlet region 116 the hollow chamber 111 is formed open and has a cavity 128. Inserted therein is an elastomeric sealing element 126, which has the convex contour and is designed precisely matching the concave shape of the housing wall 115 in the inlet region 116.

In the sealing element 126 and the outlet opening 127 of the distributor head 123 is arranged. Trained as a bore outlet opening 127 is to bring depending on the angular position of the distributor element 120 relative to the housing 110 with one of the three inlet openings 112 to cover the respective sub-chamber, which is associated with the inlet opening targeted.

The sealing element 126 is axially displaceably mounted in the cavity 128 of the distributor head, so that it can be pressed against the inlet region 116 due to a water pressure present in a water conduit 129.

From the cavity 128 of the distributor head 123, the water conduit 129 leads through the ball body 122 into the carrier element 130.

In FIG. 1b is also seen that the ball body 122, an annular groove is introduced, which surrounds the water-carrying line 121 and in which a sealing ring 125 is inserted. Furthermore, a water supply line 135, which opens into the spherical cap 131 of the carrier element 130, can be seen.

FIG. 2a shows a second embodiment of a trained according to the invention shower head element 200th

This in turn has a housing 210 with a hollow chamber 211 in the front region, which is surrounded by a housing wall 215 with a concave inlet region 216. In the inlet region 216 inlet openings 112 are introduced, in order to be able to flow targeted the again only indicated sub-chambers.

Before the inlet region 216 again lies a distributor head 223 of a distributor element 220. This has a cavity 228 with an inserted sealing element 226, which has an outlet opening 227. In the illustrated position, the outlet opening 127 is located in front of a central inlet opening 212 of the inlet region 216. The distributor element 220 also has a spherical body 222.

Different in comparison to the first embodiment according to the FIGS. 1a and 1b Here is the storage and sealing of the spherical body 222:

In the shower head element 200, a spherical cap-shaped carrier element 230 is integrated into the housing 210. In a water supply line 231, a sealing member 232 is inserted, which is slidably disposed therein. It lies with a spherical cap-shaped funnel mouth 234 against the spherical body 222 of the distributor head 220, in the same area in which the water conduit 224 opens.

With a sealing collar 233, the sealing member 232 seals against the water inlet bore 231. At the same time, the elastic sealing collar 233 in the axial direction within the water inlet bore 231 cause a spring force. Possible is the contact pressure of the Seal member 232 to cause the ball body 222 via a pressure spring inserted into the water inlet hole 231 or increase.

As FIG. 2b shows, the ball body 222 has at the top and bottom of the pivot axis in each case a pin 229, which engages in each case in a bearing recess in the housing 210.

• ein Gehäuse 310 mit wenigstens einer Hohlkammer 311, einer Seitenwand 315 und einem Zulaufbereich 316 mit den dort eingebrachten Zulauföffnungen 312;
• einen Verteilerkopf 323 an einem Verteilerelement 320 und
• ein fest am Gehäuse 310 gelagertes Trägerelement 330.

A third embodiment of a showerhead element 300 shows FIG. 3 , The following parts again have similar functions as in the aforementioned embodiments:

• a housing 310 having at least one hollow chamber 311, a side wall 315 and an inlet region 316 with the inlet openings 312 introduced there;
• a distributor head 323 on a distributor element 320 and
• a fixedly mounted on the housing 310 support member 330th

Different from the aforementioned embodiments, in this embodiment, 300 are the shapes of the pivotally interconnected portions of the support member 330 and the manifold 320.

The distributor element 320 is formed at its rear end as a cheese-shaped body 322, and the carrier element 330 has a shell 322 compatible therewith.

The outer contour of the body 322 thus corresponds to a torus 321 with upper and lower flattened, closed surfaces. Due to the flattening the distributor element 320 is held in a pivot plane and - unlike a ball in a spherical cap - not pivot up or down, so that a high plane parallelism of the outer contour of the distributor head 320 with the inlet region 316 can be maintained and thereby a particularly good sealing of the water passage is achieved.

The rounded portions 321 in this shape can be better sealed against the associated shell 331 than would be the case with a cylindrical shape of the body 322 and the shell 331, as viewed in cross section no right angles occur in the gap to be sealed.

• ein Gehäuse 410 mit einer Hohlkammer 411, einer Seitenwand 415 und einem Zulaufbereich 416 mit den dort eingebrachten Zulauföffnungen 412 und
• einen Verteilerkopf 423 eines Verteilerelements 420 mit wenigstens einem Hohlraum 428 und darin eingesetztem Dichtungselement 426 mit Auslauföffnung 427.

A fourth embodiment of a showerhead element 400 shows FIG. 4 , The following parts again have similar functions as in the aforementioned embodiments:

• a housing 410 with a hollow chamber 411, a side wall 415 and an inlet region 416 with the inlet openings 412 and 4 introduced therein
• a distributor head 423 of a distributor element 420 having at least one cavity 428 and sealing element 426 with outlet opening 427 inserted therein.

Different in this embodiment are the shapes of the pivotably interconnected portions of the support member 430 and the manifold 420.

The distributor element 420 has an annular body with an annular channel 424. The central axis of the annular body at the same time forms the pivot axis of the distributor element 420. In the housing 410 arcuate guides 418 are formed, which guide the annular body.

From just engages a cylinder 431 of the support member 430 in the ring body, in particular FIG. 4b shows. Water is introduced at an inlet opening 435 outside the cylinder 431 and passes from there into the annular channel of the annular body. A sealing ring in a groove 433 on an outer cylindrical wall 432 of the support member 430 causes the seal to the distributor element 430.

A knob 429 is fixedly connected to the distributor element 430, and is in particular formed on the lower side of the distributor head 423. The knob 429 protrudes at the bottom of a finished hand shower, so that the user can grab it and cause the adjustment of the spray pattern.

FIG. 5 shows a shower head element 500. A hollow chamber 511 with inlet openings 512 in the inlet region 516 on a side wall 515 is identical in construction with all previously described embodiments completely.

A manifold 520 is similar in construction to the embodiment of the showerhead 400 of FIGS FIGS. 4a and 4b , It has a substantially cylindrical annular body, which is guided on webs of a housing 510. From above, a support member 530 engages in the annular body as he also in the embodiment according to FIG. 4 is described.

Unlike the previous embodiment, only the formation of the distributor head 523. This has, in contrast to all the embodiments described above, not a continuous cavity with a sealing element inserted therein, but it has a plurality of recesses into each of which a separate sealing element is inserted and which are positionable in front of the inlet openings 512 of the hollow chamber 511.

The outer chambers are provided with blind plugs 527, while the central chamber of the distributor head 523 includes a sealing element 526, which is also formed of a soft plastic, to conform to the outer contour of the inlet region 516, but inside a through hole 528th via which the connection with the water-conducting annular channel 524 is produced.

FIG. 6 shows in a slightly perspective view from the bottom forth a shower head element 600 of a hand shower, which is formed from a plurality of separate showerhead modules 640, 650, 660.

To a handle 670, which also contains a water supply in its interior, the actual shower head connects, which includes a receiving frame 610, which opens to the bottom. At the top not visible here, the shower head 600 and its mounting frame 610 are provided in the usual way with a closed lid surface.

In the receiving frame 610 a total of three showerhead modules 640, 30 are used in the illustrated embodiment. The external showerhead modules 640 have a plurality of small nozzles 641, while the central showerhead module 650 is equipped with three microperlators 651. In addition, a distributor element 620 is inserted into the receiving frame 610 between the water inlet and the showerhead modules 640, 650. About a knob 622 can the switching of the water supply between the showerhead modules 640, 650 are made.

On the underside of the shower head, a diaphragm 611 may be provided, which covers the actual mounting frame 610 and the edge regions of the shower head modules 640 used. The contour of the receiving frame 610 located below the panel 611 is indicated by the dashed lines.

The distributor element 640 is almost completely covered by the diaphragm 611. Only the knob 622 protrudes out of the aperture 611 at a slot recess.

Above the shower head 610 is in FIG. 1 a single showerhead module 640 shown by way of example, which has a substantially trapezoidal contour. It is a simple, box-shaped hollow body, which may be formed from two half-shells, for example by laser beam welding.

FIG. 7 shows the shower head, in which the diaphragm 611 is removed from the mounting frame 610. The shower head modules 640, 650 and the distributor element 640 inserted therein are shown cut at approximately half the height. The distributor element 620 is formed in this example as in the embodiments shown in FIG FIG. 1 are shown. It has an inlet pipe 632, via which water is fed. From there, a water conduit 624 leads to a carrier element 630 with a spherical cap 631, in which a pivotable distributor finger 621 of the distributor element 620 is mounted with its ball body 622. With a seal on his Distributor head 623 sweeps the dispenser finger 621 along a concave wall 616, in which flow channels 612 lead, leading to the individual showerhead modules 640, 650.

The distributor element 620 in this embodiment is a completely functional module which contains the relatively movable parts. With the snap into the receiving frame 610 connections to the water supply in the handle 660 and to the individual showerhead modules 640, 650 are made.

Claims (14)

1. Shower-head element (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) for a hand-held shower,
   having a housing (110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610), which has at least one hollow chamber (111, 211, 311, 411, 511),

   - which is divided into a plurality of sub-chambers,

   - has at least one inflow opening (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612) per sub-chamber on its outer circumference and

   - is provided with at least one nozzle opening on a base in each sub-chamber,

   wherein the inflow of water into the sub-chambers can be selected manually via at least one distributor element (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620), which has at least one outlet opening (127; 227; 327; 427; 527), which can be made to coincide with at least one inflow opening (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612) arranged on the outer circumference of the housing,
   wherein,

   - in an inflow region (116; 216; 316; 416; 516; 616) containing the inflow openings (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612) to the sub-chambers, the outer circumference of the housing (110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610) is of concave design, and

   - the distributor element (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620) is mounted in a pivotable manner on a carrier element (130; 230; 330; 430; 530) connected to the housing (110; 210; 310; 410; 510), characterized in that the distributor element comprises a convex distributor head (123; 223; 323; 423; 523; 623), which is arcuate in plan view, contains the outlet opening (127; 227; 327; 427; 527) and, during pivoting operation, sweeps over the inflow region (116; 216; 316; 416; 516), and

   - in that the distributor element (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620) has at least one inner water-directing channel (124; 224; 424; 524; 624), which extends from a carrier element (130; 230; 330; 430; 530; 630), arranged in a stationary manner on the housing, as far as the distributor head (123; 223; 323; 423; 523; 623), and

   - in that a boss (429) is fixed to the distributor element (430), and projects on the underside of the shower-head element (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600).
2. Shower-head element (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to Claim 1, characterized by the provision, in the distributor head (123; 223; 323; 423; 523; 623), of at least one sealing element (126; 226; 326; 426; 526), which positions itself against the inflow region (116; 216; 316; 416; 516; 616).
3. Shower-head element (100; 200; 600) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the water-directing channel (124; 224; 624) of the distributor element (120; 220; 620) opens out in a spherical body (122; 222; 622), wherein the pivot axis leads through the centre of the spherical body (122; 222; 622).
4. Shower-head element (100; 600) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the spherical body (122; 622) is inserted into a spherical-cap-shaped mount (131; 631) on the carrier element (130; 630), a water-supply line (135; 635) opening out into said mount, and in that the spherical body (122; 622) has at least one sealing ring (125), which encloses the mouth opening of the water-directing channel (129; 624) in the spherical body (122; 622).
5. Shower-head element (200) according to Claim 3, characterized in that a water-supply line (231) has inserted into it a sealing element (226), which has a spherical-cup-shaped funnel mouth opening (234) and butts against the spherical body (222).
6. Shower-head element (200) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the sealing element (226) can be displaced axially in the water-supply line (135) and is pushed onto the spherical body (222) by means of a spring element.
7. Shower-head element (300) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distributor element (320) opens out in a cheese-wheel-shaped body (322).
8. Shower-head element (200; 300) according to at least one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that, along the pivot axis, at least one stub (229) is formed on the spherical body (222) or the cheese-wheel-shaped body (322), said stub engaging in a bearing recess on the carrier element or on the housing (210).
9. Shower-head element according to at least one of Claims 3 to 8, characterized in that, along the pivot axis, at least one bearing recess is formed in the spherical body, a stub arranged on the carrier element or on the housing engaging in said bearing recess.
10. Shower-head element (400; 500) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the distributor element (420; 520) opens out in a cylindrical annular body (424; 524) with an annular channel, in the centre of which engages a carrier element (430; 530).
11. Shower-head element (100; 200; 300; 400) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the distributor element (120; 220; 320; 420) has a distributor head (123; 223; 323; 423) with a hollow chamber (128; 228; 428), in which is mounted a sealing element (126, 226; 426) with at least one outlet opening (127; 227; 427).
12. Shower-head element (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, in all the positions in which the outlet opening (127; 227; 327; 427; 527) is positioned in front of one of the inflow openings (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612), the rest of the inflow openings are sealed by the at least one sealing element (126; 226; 326; 426; 526).
13. Shower-head element (400) according to at least one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the inflow openings (412), in the inflow region, are surrounded individually or in groups by at least one sealing ring, and in that, during the pivoting operation of the distributor element (420), the distributor head (423) sweeps over the at least one sealing ring by way of a rigid, convexly curved front plate, which contains the at least one outlet opening (427).
14. Shower-head element (600) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (610) comprises an accommodating frame (610), into which at least one shower-head module (640, 650) and/or a distributor element (620) can be inserted.

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