EP2529056A1

EP2529056A1 - Jet regulator

Info

Publication number: EP2529056A1
Application number: EP11701622A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eckhard Gransow; Werner Buschey
Original assignee: Grohe AG
Current assignee: Grohe AG
Priority date: 2010-01-29
Filing date: 2011-01-27
Publication date: 2012-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2031-01-27
Also published as: DE102010006376A1; US20120325928A1; EP2529056B1; WO2011092008A1; US9068329B2

Abstract

In a jet regulator for the outlet of a sanitary fitting or for a shower, which has at least two flow chambers or flow ducts (12, 13), each of which has an inlet opening and one or more water outlet openings (121, 131), the control of the flow to each flow chamber or flow duct (12, 13) is carried out by means of a valve having a resilient valve body (15) which is arranged upstream of the flow chambers or flow ducts (12, 13) and optionally closes or opens the inlet openings thereof using the resilient valve body (15), wherein a deformation of the resilient valve body (15) and thus a change in the valve position is carried out by a change in the applied water pressure or by mechanical actuation by means of an actuating element (17).

Description

aerator

The invention relates to a jet regulator for the outlet of a sanitary fitting or for a shower according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Jet regulators, also called aerators or mixing nozzles, are often located at the water outlet of a sanitary fitting and influence the shape and type of the water jet. Depending on the various country-specific conditions and different water pressures, the best possible beam is to be guaranteed. Usually, a soft non-squirting jet is generated and water and energy costs are saved. There are aerator with aerated jet, laminar jet and spray jet.

With a small amount of water can be wetted by a shower jet consisting of several individual beams, a larger area with water than by a laminar beam. At higher water pressure and larger amount of water is a shower jet on a sink less suitable because it causes many splashes when hitting the pool.

From DE 44 36 193 a jet regulator with a perforated plate is known, by means of which the water jet can be adapted to changing water pressure conditions or water pressure fluctuations by opening or blocking openings in the perforated plate by means of a biased in the closed position valve for the flow of water become.

Against this background, the object of the invention is to improve the function of sanitary fittings and showers with different spray types.

The object is achieved by a jet regulator with the features of patent claim 1 and a method for beam changeover. Advantageous developments are the subject of dependent claims. With the invention, a jet regulator for the outlet of a sanitary fitting or a shower is provided which comprises at least two flow chambers or flow channels, each having an inflow opening and one or more water outlet openings. The control of the inflow per flow chamber or flow channel is effected by a single valve with an elastic valve body which is upstream of the flow chamber or flow channels and selectively closes or releases the inflow openings, wherein a deformation of the elastic valve body and thus a change in the valve position by a change of pending water pressure or by mechanical actuation by means of an actuating element. A closing of the inflow opening of the flow chamber or of the flow channel is provided by abutment of a part of the elastic valve body on a sealing surface.

A jet regulator usually has a housing with an external thread, which can be screwed into the outlet of a sanitary fitting. The flow chambers or flow channels are formed by the housing and partitions, wherein the partitions can optionally be formed by releasable inserts or inserts in the housing. The flow chambers or flow channels have at their terminal end, for example in the housing bottom, water outlet openings of various kinds or in turn inserts in the form of screens or jet formers, which provide the shape of the exiting water jet.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the flow chambers or flow channels are arranged concentrically. Advantageously, the elastic valve body is positioned and shaped to form part of the flow chambers or flow channels. For this purpose, a circular ring shape is particularly suitable. The elastic valve body may also be positively connected to an insert or insert which is part of the flow chambers or flow channels or includes a flow channel.

In addition, the elastic valve body may have at least one lip or flap. As a material for the valve body elastomers, which may also be used according to the drinking water guidelines, particularly suitable.

Depending on which upcoming water pressure, the change of the water from one to the other type of jet to take place, the shape of the valve body and thus the shape of the lips or flaps, which are to be moved by the upcoming water pressure, be shaped differently. The cross-sections and the stiffness of the lip or flap may be constant as needed or have a jump over the length thereof, from the clamping point on the annulus to the sealing surface. An embodiment of the invention provides, for example, that on the valve body two lips or flaps with each provided different stiffness. The circular ring of the valve body forms a partition wall between the flow channels.

The valve body is positively connected to the insert, so that the lip forms a defined gap.

The sealing surface, against which a part of the valve body, one of its lips or its flaps for closing the inflow opening of a flow chamber or a flow channel, is advantageously formed by a housing wall or from the inside of a housing wall of the jet regulator. However, the sealing surface can also be formed by a centrally arranged insert element, which has, for example, a cylindrical or stamp-like shape. The lips or flaps of the valve body are each arranged or fixed such that in the open position of the valve, a defined gap between the sealing surface and lip or flap is formed. In the closed valve position, the valve body or a part of it can lie flat against a sealing surface or only by an edge to bear against the sealing surface and thus close the defined gap.

Depending on the desired jet type, a jet former or a screen for producing a laminar or mousseur beam may be provided in the water outlet opening of a flow chamber or a flow channel. Alternatively, individual spaced water outlet openings may be provided in a flow chamber or a flow channel, so that a shower jet is formed with a plurality of individual beams. If inserts or inserts with water passage openings or bores are used to produce the flow chambers or the flow channels, it is advantageous if an elastic sealing element is provided between the insert, which forms or includes a flow channel and the housing bottom of the jet regulator, the tubular projections has, which penetrate the water outlet openings on the housing bottom. The tubular projections act as water outlet nozzles, which generate the individual jets for a shower spray. The sealing elements usually also consist of an elastomer. In addition to the function of shaping and dispensing the shower jets, they also have a descaling function. Although deposits of lime from the escaping water on the sealing element or the water outlet nozzles are possible, but can be removed by slight mechanical action on the tubular projections.

According to the invention, it should be possible for different pending water pressures, either from the position of the shut-off valve or from the domestic technical result in automatically generating different jet patterns or spray types, so that, for example, for washing hands the most efficient jet can be used.

At low water pressure, however, a large area should be wetted, at high water pressure spraying should be avoided when hitting the beam.

Therefore, with the invention, a method for beam change in a sanitary fitting with a jet regulator, which is provided in the outlet of the sanitary fitting, or a jet regulator for a shower provided at least two Strömungskammem or flow channels, each having an inflow opening and one or more water outlet openings and in which a valve is arranged with an elastic valve body. When the shut-off valve is closed and / or at a water pressure of less than 2 l / min, an elastic valve body or a part of it obstructs a first inflow opening of a first flow chamber or of a first flow channel and at the same time gives an inflow opening to a second flow chamber or a second flow channel for the inflowing one Amount of water free, so that is formed by the existing water outlet openings a first jet, for example, a shower jet with single jets. When the water pressure is increased or increased, the valve body is deformed in such a way that it comes into contact with a sealing surface of the jet regulator and obstructs the opened inflow opening of the second flow chamber or of the second flow channel. Upon reaching a defined limit pressure thus both inflow openings are blocked by the valve body. After further increase of the water pressure occurs a further deformation of the valve body, such that the inflow opening of the first flow chamber or the first flow channel is released and the inflowing water through the existing water outlet opening or the water outlet openings the sanitary fitting or the shower leaves and a second beam shape having, for example, can be shaped as a laminar or Mousseurstrahl.

A further development of the invention provides that, in addition to the automatic or water pressure-dependent jet changeover, a mechanical jet changeover is possible. Here, in the method for beam change in a sanitary fitting with a jet regulator, which is provided in the outlet of the sanitary fitting and which comprises at least two flow chambers or flow channels, each having an inflow opening and one or more water outlet openings and in which a valve with an elastic valve body is arranged, provided that the inflowing water is introduced due to a first open and a second closed lip of the valve body through a first inflow opening in the first flow chamber or flow channel and through the existing water outlet openings to a first jet, for example as a shower jet with individual beams is formed. To change the jet type, a deformation of the first opened lip of the valve body is caused by means of a mechanical adjusting element, so that it comes into contact with a sealing surface of the jet regulator and obstructs the opened first inflow opening. Simultaneously or subsequently, a deformation of the second closed lip of the valve body is caused by movement of the mechanical actuator, such that the inflow opening of the second flow chamber or the second flow channel is released and the incoming water flows through the existing water outlet or water outlet openings and, for example, to a laminar or Mousseurstrahl is formed.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be described in more detail below. In the drawing documents, like reference numerals designate like functional parts. It shows in the drawing the

1 shows a section through a jet regulator according to the invention in a

first embodiment with closed shut-off valve or

low water pressure;

2 shows a section through the jet regulator of Figure 1 at a defined

forthcoming limit pressure;

3 shows a section through the jet regulator of Figure 1 and 2 at elevated

Water pressure;

4 shows a section through a jet regulator according to the invention in a

second embodiment with closed shut-off valve or low water pressure;

5 shows a section through the jet regulator of Figure 4 at elevated

Water pressure;

FIG. 6 shows a section through a jet regulator according to the invention

the first embodiment with additional mechanical actuator;

7 shows a section through the jet regulator of Figure 6 with deformed

Valve body and changed position of the actuating element;

FIG. 8 shows a section through the jet regulator from FIGS. 6 and 7 with deformed valve body and changed position of the adjusting element;

9 shows a section through a jet regulator in a third embodiment. Figures 1 to 3 show a section through a jet regulator 1 according to the invention, with a housing 11 whose outer contour is adapted to the outlet of a sanitary fitting and whose inner contour defines a part of a flow chamber or a flow channel 12. The present jet regulator 1 has two flow channels 12, 13, which are arranged concentrically to one another. In the jet regulator 1, a valve with an annular elastic valve body 15 is provided, the opening and closing positions of which are achieved by a deformation of the valve body 15 and its interaction with different sealing surfaces 111, 161. The elastic valve body 15 has two differently shaped lips 151, 152, which protrude to both sides of the valve body. The valve body 15 is inserted through the lower opening of the housing 11 in the jet regulator 1 and at the same time forms an extension of a flow channel wall. Subsequently, a stem-shaped insert 16 is also inserted through the lower opening of the housing in the jet regulator 1, to which a lip 152 of the valve body conforms, is thus biased and forms a tight seal of the resulting flow channel 13 at the inlet opening. Following the stem-shaped insert 16 downstream of a sieve or a jet former 14 is inserted or screwed into the water outlet opening 131 of the flow channel 13, with the support of a laminar jet or a Mousseurstrahl can be generated.

It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the lip 152 protrudes freely and releases the inflow opening to the flow channel 12. With a small amount of water, the water flows through this inflow opening and is formed by the water outlet openings 121 in total to a shower jet with a plurality of individual jets.

Figure 2 shows the jet regulator of Figure 1 at elevated water pressure. With the geometry of the elastic valve body 15 and the associated material properties, the system is set so that at the illustrated defined limit pressure, the lip 151 closes by abutting a sealing surface 1 of the housing 1, while the lip 52 is still closed.

FIG. 3 shows the jet regulator from FIG. 2 after a defined increase in the water pressure. The lip 152 is deformed and slides along the sealing surface 161 of the stem-shaped insert 16 and releases the inflow opening of the flow channel 13. The water thus flows to the water outlet opening 131, in which the jet former 14 is used and thus serves as a jet former for a Mousseurstrahl.

Figures 4 and 5 show a further embodiment of a jet regulator 1 according to the invention, whose elastic valve body 15 has a different geometry, but whose mode of operation corresponds to the basic principle described above. However, Figures 6 and 7 show the jet regulator 1 with the elastic valve body 15 of Figures 1 to 3, the automatic function of the jet change due to an increase or decrease of the upcoming water pressure are extended by an additional element for blocking the openings in the region of the elastic valve body 15 can. In this case, the deformation of the valve body 15 is effected by a mechanical adjusting element 17. FIGS. 6 to 8 show the mechanical adjusting element 17 in the form of an annular slide, which can be actuated from the outside by displacement along the housing. In FIG. 6, the annular slide is in a middle neutral position, so that it has no effect on the elastic valve body 15. The lip 152 of the valve body 15 is biased, abuts against the sealing surface 161 of the stem-shaped insert 16 and closes the inflow opening to the flow channel 13. However, it releases the inflow opening to the flow channel 12. In this position of the mechanical control element 17, the operation of the jet regulator 1 is identical to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3.

In FIG. 7, the annular slide is located at an upper stop point. He presses with its inner cam, the lip 151 to a sealing surface 111 of the housing 11, so that the inflow opening of the flow chamber 12 is closed and the inflow opening to the flow chamber 13 is opened. Thus, the function of the shower spray on the jet regulator 1 is blocked.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows the mechanical actuating element 17 in the position in which it deforms the valve body 15 such that its lip 152 comes into contact with the sealing surface 161 of the stem-shaped insert 16 and thus blocks the inflow opening to the flow chamber 13.

Finally, FIG. 9 shows a section through a jet regulator 1 according to the invention in a further embodiment. The housing 11 of the jet regulator 1 is also adapted to the outlet of a sanitary fitting. However, the flow chamber 13 and the flow channels 12 are defined by another insert 18. The annular insert 18 includes the flow channels 12. In this embodiment, the elastic valve body 15 is positively connected to the insert 18. The opening and closing positions are also achieved here by a deformation of the valve body 15 and its interaction with different sealing surfaces 161 and 181. In order to close the opening of the flow chamber 13, one edge of the lip 152 cooperates with the sealing surface 161 of the stem-shaped insert 16. The second lip 151 of the elastic valve body 15 forms a defined gap with the sealing surface 181 on the insert 18. In the open state, the opening to the flow channel 12 in the insert 18 is released. With increased water pressure, the lip 152 lowers and closes the opening of the flow channel 12 surface. The defined gap is closed and the lip 151 lies flat on the sealing surface 181.

In the case of this jet regulator, the insert 18 with the valve body 15 is inserted through the lower opening of the housing 11 into the jet regulator 1 during assembly and at the same time forms the flow channels 12. Subsequently, the stem-shaped insert 16 is likewise inserted into the jet regulator 1 through the lower opening of the housing used, to which the lip 152 of the valve body 15 conforms. Following the stem-shaped insert 16 downstream of a sieve or a jet former 14 is inserted or screwed into the water outlet opening 131 of the flow channel 13, with the support of a laminar or a Mousseurstrahl can be generated.

Before the housing bottom of the jet regulator 1 is screwed to the housing, a sealing element 19 is inserted, which penetrates with its tubular lugs 191, the water outlet openings 121 in the housing bottom. In addition to the sealing of the insert 18 relative to the housing of the jet regulator 1, the sealing element 19 with its tubular projections 191 forms water outlet nozzles, with which the individual jets of a spray jet are formed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

aerator

casing

sealing surface

Flow channel / flow chamber

Wassera u pt a tio n

Flow channel / flow chamber

Water outlet

Jet former, sieve insert

elastic valve body

lip

Stem-shaped insert element

sealing surface

actuator

commitment

sealing surface

positive-locking connection

sealing element

tubular approaches

Claims

claims

1. jet regulator (1)

- for the outlet of a sanitary fitting or for a shower,

- The at least two flow chambers or flow channels (12, 13), which

- - Each an inflow opening and

- - Each one or more water outlet openings (121, 31), characterized in that

a valve having an elastic valve body (15) for controlling the inflow per flow chamber or flow channel (12, 13) is provided,

- - The upstream of the flow chambers or flow channels (12, 13) is arranged

- Wherein the closing or releasing of the inlet openings of the respective flow chamber or the respective flow channel (12, 13) by a deformation of the elastic valve body (15) is provided and the deformation of the elastic valve body (15) and thus a change in the valve position a change in the pending water pressure or by mechanical actuation by means of an actuating element (17).

2. jet regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow chambers or flow channels (12, 13) are arranged concentrically.

3. jet regulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic valve body (15) is part of the flow chambers or flow channels (12, 13).

4. Flow regulator according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic valve body (15) is positively connected to an insert (18) which is part of the flow chambers or flow channels or includes a flow channel.

5. jet regulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic valve body (15) has a circular ring shape.

6. jet regulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic valve body (15) has at least one lip (151, 152) or flap.

7. jet regulator according to claim 5, characterized in that the rigidity of the lip or flap is constant or over the length of which has a jump.

8. jet regulator according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that on the elastic valve body (15) two lips or flaps are provided with different stiffness.

9. jet regulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a closure of the inflow opening by abutment of a portion of the elastic valve body (15) on a sealing surface (111, 161, 181) is provided.

10. jet regulator according to claim 9, characterized in that the sealing surface (1 11) by a housing wall (11) of the jet regulator (1) is formed.

11. jet regulator according to claim 9, characterized in that the sealing surface (181) by an end face of the insert (18) is formed.

12. jet regulator according to claim 9, characterized in that the sealing surface (161) by a centrally arranged further insert element (16) in the jet regulator (1) is formed.

13. Flow regulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the water outlet opening (131) of a flow chamber or a flow channel (13) a jet former or a sieve (14) is provided for producing a laminar or Mousseurstrahls.

14. jet regulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a housing bottom of the jet regulator water outlet openings (121) are provided for generating a shower jet with a plurality of individual beams.

15. jet regulator according to claim 14, characterized in that between the housing bottom and the insert (18), which forms a flow channel (12) or includes an elastic sealing element is provided which has tubular lugs, the water outlet openings (121) for generating a Shower spray penetrate.

16. jet regulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as mechanical adjusting element (17) an annular slide is provided which is rotatably or along a housing (11) of the jet regulator (1) slidably disposed.

17. A method for beam change in a sanitary fitting with a jet regulator (1), which is provided in the outlet of the sanitary fitting, or a jet regulator for a shower, said jet regulator (1) at least two flow chambers or flow channels (12, 13), respectively an inlet opening and in each case one or more water outlet openings (121, 131) and in which a valve with an elastic valve body (15) is arranged, characterized

- That the elastic valve body (15) at a water pressure less than 2 l / min blocks a first inflow opening of a first flow chamber or a first flow channel (13) and at the same time an inflow opening of a second flow chamber or a second flow channel (12) releases the inflowing water quantity and this is formed by the existing water outlet openings (121) to a shower jet with individual jets,

that deformation of the valve body (15) takes place with increasing water pressure, such that it comes into contact with a sealing surface (111) of the jet regulator and obstructs the opened inflow opening of the second flow chamber or the second flow channel (12),

that after reaching a defined limit pressure both inflow openings are blocked by the valve body,

- That after further increasing the water pressure, a further deformation of the valve body (15) occurs, such that the inflow opening of the first flow chamber or the first flow channel (13) is released and the inflowing water through the existing water outlet opening (131) to a laminar or Mousse is formed.

18. A method for beam changeover in a sanitary fitting with a jet regulator, which is provided in the outlet of the sanitary fitting, said jet regulator comprises at least two flow chambers or flow channels (12, 13), each having an inflow opening and one or more water outlet openings (121, 131) and in which a valve with an elastic valve body (15) is arranged, characterized

- That the inflowing water due to a first open (151) and a second closed lip (152) of the valve body (15) is introduced through a first inflow opening in the first flow chamber or flow channel (12) and through the existing water outlet openings (121) a spray jet is shaped with individual beams,

- That by means of a mechanical adjusting element (17) a deformation of the first opened lip (151) of the valve body (15) takes place, such that it comes to a sealing surface (111) of the jet regulator (1) for conditioning and the opened first inlet opening blocks and

- That by movement of the mechanical actuating element (17) simultaneously or subsequently a deformation of the second closed lip (152) of the valve body (15) enters, such that the inflow opening of the second flow chamber or the second flow channel (13) is released and the inflowing water is formed by the existing water outlet opening (131) to a laminar or Mousseurstrahl.