EP2599925A2 - Remote control unit and latching mechanism for a remote control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The controller unit has a force transmission element transferring a pressing force exerted on a control element to a valve. A latch mechanism (3) is arranged between the control element and the force transmission element. The latch mechanism is detachably connected with the force transmission element and the control element. The latch mechanism and the control element are formed as an expandable module (29). The latch mechanism is engaged in detent positions and provided with a housing (9). Pressure causes an opening of the valve.

Description

The invention relates to a remote control unit for opening and closing a valve of a drain fitting of a sink according to, the preamble of claim 1 and a latching mechanism for a remote control unit according to the preamble of claim 12.

In the prior art, it is known to provide drainage units for sinks, such as kitchen sinks, with a remote control unit, so that an operator can open and close the drain of the sink, without having to touch the closure arranged on the drain thereby. This is particularly advantageous when already dirty or very hot water is in the sink, because then the operator does not have to reach into the water with his hand to cause the opening of the closure.

As a remote control element, for example, a flexible Bowden cable comprehensive facilities are used in the art, being closed by pulling on the control valve of the drain fitting and the valve can then be opened again by pressing the control element.

A disadvantage of such configurations, however, is that the remote control unit moves back after pulling it creeping back into its depressed starting position, so that a safe closing of the valve is not always guaranteed.

To improve the reliability of such remote controls is off DE 10 2010 011 146 A1 a power transmission arrangement for actuators, which are for example in sinks, Spöltischen, bathtubs, shower drains, etc., are known, which is a force transmission element proposes that is formed with a switching device with latching mechanism as firmly connected to each other component.

Due to the fixed connection of the power transmission element with the switching device, however, a good maintainability is not guaranteed. If damaged, the entire remote control unit must be replaced, which is correspondingly expensive and costs. The same applies analogously with regard to retrofitting.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a remote control unit for opening and closing a valve of a waste fitting and a locking mechanism for such a remote control unit, which allow improved ease of maintenance or a simple Nachrüstbakeit in the known train-pressure mechanism.

According to the invention, a remote control unit is provided for opening and closing a valve of a waste fitting of a sink, in particular a kitchen sink, which has a force transmission element and an operating element, wherein the force transmission element transmits a pressure force exerted on the operating element to the valve, wherein between the operating element and the force transmission element a latching mechanism is arranged, wherein the latching mechanism is releasably connected at least to the power transmission element and preferably also to the operating element. The remote control unit according to the invention is particularly easy to maintain due to the releasable attachment and makes a quick replacement of the locking mechanism - if necessary, together with the control - in a simple manner possible. The fact that the locking mechanism in the event of a defect by the remote control unit can be easily removed and replaced by a new, costs can be saved, since in this case not the entire remote control unit, but in any case not the power transmission element must be replaced.

According to a preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism, in particular together with the operating element, designed as a retrofittable module. Thus, costs can also be saved, as to a remote control unit by the functional safety improving latching mechanism to expand, only the locking mechanism (possibly together with the operating element) must be used in the existing remote control unit.

According to yet a preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism can be latched in a first latching position and in a second latching position. By providing the detent positions, the reliability of the remote control unit can be further improved, since there are firmly defined positions by the engagement in the first and second detent position, so that it can not come to a creeping reset the valve or the closure of the drain. This principle is known, for example, from ballpoint pens ago and comes there for forward and backward movement or for locking the mine used.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the first detent position is adjustable by a first pressure on the control element and the second detent position by a second pressure on the control element. The operating element may accordingly be a pushbutton or the like.

Preferably, a first pressure causes the valve to close and a second pressure causes the valve to open. This allows a particularly simple operation of the remote control unit.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism has a housing, on the outer circumference of which at least one first latching lug and at least one second latching lug axially spaced from the first latching lug are provided.

It is particularly preferred if the housing has a first end, on which a sliding nut can be placed, which is designed for releasable connection with the Bedienetement and for cooperation with the at least one first latching lug, and a second end, on which a lid can be placed , which is designed for releasable connection with the Bedienelenient and for cooperation with the at least one second latching lug. Preferably, the latching mechanism comprises a first spring and a second spring.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism comprises a first gear, which acts as a controller, and a second gear, which is in engagement with the first gear and which acts as a jumper.

Preferably, the force transmission element is flexible, in particular as a Bowden cable formed. The provision of a flexible power transmission element allows a greater degree of freedom in the installation of the remote control unit.

According to the invention, a locking mechanism for a remote control unit for opening and closing a valve of a waste set of a sink, in particular a kitchen sink, is also provided, wherein the latching mechanism is designed as a retrofittable module. This makes it possible to improve an existing remote control unit in terms of their reliability without having to replace the entire remote control unit, which brings a significant cost savings. Also, the maintenance friendliness is improved by the configuration according to the invention, as already described above.

According to a preferred embodiment, the module comprises a housing having at least one first latching lug and at least one second latching lug which is axially spaced from the at least one latching lug, a sliding nut which can be placed on an upper end of the housing and which has a threaded portion and at least one opening for co-operating is provided with the at least one latching lug, and a lid can be placed on a lower end of the housing, which is provided with a threaded portion and at least one opening for cooperation with the at least one second latching lug.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the module further comprises a first spring and a second spring.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the module further comprises a first gear, which acts as a controller, and a second gear, which acts as a jumper and which is in engagement with the first gear, on.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Fernbedienungseinheit gemäß dem Stand der Technik;

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Rastmechanismus gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Fernbedienungseinheit, welche mit dem in Fig. 2 dargestellten Rastmechanismus nachgerüstet wird;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Fernbedienungseinheit gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 5

eine schnittansicht durch einen Rastmechanismus gemäß einer Ausführungsform in einer ersten Rastposition; und

Fig. 6

eine Schnittansicht durch den in Fig. 5 dargestellten Rastmechanismus gemäß einer Ausführungsform in einer zweiten Rastposition.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a remote control unit according to the prior art;

Fig. 2

an exploded view of a latching mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of in Fig. 1 shown remote control unit, which with the in Fig. 2 retrofitted locking mechanism is retrofitted;

Fig. 4

a perspective view of a remote control unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5

a sectional view through a locking mechanism according to an embodiment in a first detent position; and

Fig. 6

a sectional view through the in Fig. 5 shown locking mechanism according to one embodiment in a second detent position.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a remote control unit 1 for a kitchen sink according to the prior art. The remote control unit 1 has an operating element 2, which is connected via an intermediate piece 4 to a first end 5 of a flexible power transmission element 6, which is designed as a Bowden cable 7. In the embodiment shown here, the force transmission element 5 is screwed to the intermediate piece 4 via not visible here threaded portions. Furthermore, the power transmission element 6 is connected at a second end 8 with a valve designed as an eccentric valve 30 a waste set. By pulling control element 2 is the valve of the drain fitting 30 is closed via the Bowden cable 7, while a subsequent pressing of the operating element 2 ensures opening of the valve, so that, for example, water can flow out of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a latching mechanism 3 according to an embodiment, which for retrofitting the in Fig. 1 illustrated remote control unit 1 is formed. The latching mechanism 3 comprises a housing 9, on the outer circumference 10 of which two radially opposite first latching lugs 11, 11 'are arranged. Furthermore, 9 two second locking lugs 12, 12 'are provided on the outer circumference 10 of the housing, which are also opposite in the radial direction and are spaced from the first latching lugs 11, 11' in the axial direction. Furthermore, the latching mechanism 3 has a sliding nut 13 which can be placed on a first, upper end 14 of the housing 9. The sliding nut 13 has an internally threaded threaded portion 15, which with a threaded portion of the in Fig. 1 represented intermediate piece 4 can be screwed. Furthermore, the sliding nut 13 openings 16, 16 ', in which engage the first latching lugs 11, 11' in the assembled state of the latching mechanism 3. In addition, the latching mechanism 3, a first gear 17, which acts as a pusher or pressure sleeve, and a second gear 18, which is in engagement with the first gear 17 in the assembled state of the latching mechanism 3, and which as a spring or feed sleeve analog acts to a locking mechanism of a ballpoint pen. Furthermore, the latching mechanism 3 comprises a first spring 19 and a second spring 20, a Kabelzugaufnahme 21 and a cover 22 which is placed on a second, lower end 23 of the housing 9. The cover 22 has openings 24, 24 ', in which engage the second latching lugs 12, 12' in the assembled state of the latching mechanism 3. Furthermore, the cover 22 has a threaded portion 28, via which it with a power transmission element 6 (see Fig. 1 ) is connectable. The housing 9 is formed at its inner periphery with a plurality of not visible here different long grooves, which serve as locking grooves, in which the second gear 18 and the feed sleeve in a first detent position, in which the valve of a drain assembly 30, as they in Fig. 1 is shown closed, and a second detent position in which the valve is open, can be latched.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 Pictured remote control unit 1, which with the in Fig. 2 retrofitted locking mechanism 3 is retrofitted. The locking mechanism 3 is formed as a module 29 and can be easily screwed to the intermediate piece 4 and connected to the first end 5 of the Bowden cable 7 to make a detachable connection by the Bowden cable 7 hooked at its end 5 at reference numeral 21 is and then by the connection is secured by means of a kind of screw sleeve 31 which is screwed onto the threaded portion 28.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a remote control unit 1 according to an embodiment, which with the formed as a module 29 locking mechanism 3 in connection with Fig. 3 has been retrofitted manner described.

Fig. 5 shows a sectional view through a locking mechanism 3 according to an embodiment in a first detent position, in which the valve of a drain assembly 30, as shown for example in FIG Fig. 1 is shown, is open, so that z. As water, which is embedded in a flattened out with a remote control unit 1 sink, can run off again directly. As can be seen here, the first latching lugs 11, 11 'at a lower end 25, 25' of the openings 16, 16 'of the sliding nut 13 at. The respective teeth of the first, upper gear 17 and the second, lower gear 18 are in maximum engagement over their entire surfaces.

Fig. 6 shows a sectional view through the in Fig. 5 illustrated locking mechanism 3 according to one embodiment in a second detent position, in which the valve of a pop-up 30 (see Fig. 1 ) is closed, so that the water, which is embedded in the equipped with a remote control unit 1 sink, can not run off and is collected. As can be seen here, the second spring 20 of the latching mechanism 3 is compressed in this position and the first latching lugs 11, 11 'are at an upper end 26, 26' of the openings 16, 16 'of the sliding nut 13 at. The respective teeth of the first gear 17 and the second gear 18 are not engaged with their entire surfaces or are only in a minimal engagement. The Kabelzugaufnahme 21 projects with an end portion 27 of the housing 9 surrounding cover 22 out.

The latching mechanism 3 according to the embodiment of the invention causes opening and closing of the valve of the pop-up waste 30 (see Fig. 1 ) each by pressing the control knob 2 (see Fig. 1 ). Upon a first pressure of an operator on the control knob 2 towards the teeth of the first gear 17 while running on the tapered surfaces of the teeth of the second gear 18, whereby a rotational movement is generated and the second gear 18 rotatably moves down. The downwardly acting force component is transmitted via the first spring 19 to the Kabelzugaufnahme 21 and also pushes them down, which in turn causes the connected to the Kabetzugaufnahme 21 power transmission element 6 opens the valve 30 of the drain. Due to the rotational movement, the second gear 18 also reaches a position in which it engages in a provided on an inner side of the housing 9 first locking groove. Thus, a fixation is achieved in a first detent position in which the valve is closed (see Fig. 6 ). Upon a second pressure of the operator on the control knob 2 out the compressive force is in turn exerted on the second gear 18, which in turn causes a rotational movement of the second gear 18, which moves the second gear 18 in a position in which it in a further the second inside of the housing 9 engages the second detent groove, which has a different length to the first detent groove, and causes a fixation in a second detent position, in which the Kabelzugaufnahme 21 is in a retracted position, whereby the valve via the force transmission element 6 is opened again , The second spring 20, which acts on the Kabelzugaufnahme 21 so that it is pushed upwards, ensures that the second gear 18 remains in its respective Rastpositon and on the first spring 19, the Kabelzugaufnahme 21 in the corresponding upper or lower position remains.

Since at the inner circumference of the housing 9 alternately first detent grooves of a first length and second detent grooves of a second length are provided, a successive pressing the control knob always causes an opening and subsequent closing of the valve by the rotational movement of the second gear 18 and thereby caused Engaging in a respective first and second locking groove.

reference numeral

1

remote Control unit

2

operating element

3

detent mechanism

4

connecting piece

5

first end of the power transmission element

6

Power transmission element

7

Bowden

8th

second end of the power transmission element

9

casing

10

outer circumference of the housing

11, 11 '

first locking lugs

12, 12 '

second locking lugs

13

slide nut

14

first end of the housing

15

Threaded section of the sliding nut

16, 16 '

Openings of the sliding nut

17

first gear

18

second gear

19

first spring

20

second spring

21

Kabetzugaufnahme

22

cover

23

second end of the housing

24, 24 '

Openings of the lid

25, 25 '

lower end of the openings of the sliding nut

26, 26 '

Upper end of the openings of the sliding nut

27

End section of the cable pull receiver

28

Threaded portion of the lid

29

module

30

waste

31

threaded

Claims (15)

Remote control unit (1) for opening and closing a valve of a waste fitting (30) of a sink, in particular a kitchen sink, which has a force transmission element (6) and an operating element (2), wherein the force transmission element (6) exerted on the operating element (2) Compressive force on the valve transmits, wherein between the operating element (2) and the force transmission element (6) a latching mechanism (3) is arranged,
characterized in that
the latching mechanism (3) is detachably connected at least to the power transmission element (6) and preferably also to the bed element (2) and the power transmission element (6). Remote control unit (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the latching mechanism (3) and preferably also the operating element (2) is designed as a retrofittable module (29). Remote control unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the latching mechanism (3) can be latched in a first latching position and in a second latching position. Remote control unit (1) according to claim 3,
characterized in that
the first detent position by a first pressure on the control element (2) and the second detent position by a second pressure on the control element (2) is adjustable. Remote control unit (1) according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the first pressure causes the valve to close. Remote control unit (1) according to claim 4 or 5,
characterized in that
the zwelte pressure causes an opening of the valve. Remote control unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that
the latching mechanism (3) has a housing (9), on whose outer circumference (10) at least one first latching lug (11, 11 ') and at least one second latching lug (12, 12) spaced axially from the first latching lug (11, 11') ') are provided. Remote control unit (1) according to claim 7,
characterized in that
the housing (9) has a first end (14) on which a sliding nut (13) can be placed, which is designed for detachable connection to the operating element (2) and for cooperation with the first latching lug (11, 11 '), and second end (23) on which a cover (22) can be placed, which is for releasable connection to the operating element (2) and for cooperation with the second latching lug (12, 12 ') is formed. Remote control unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that
the latching mechanism (3) has a first spring (19) and a second spring (20). Remote control unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that
the detent mechanism (3) has a first gear (17) which acts as an actuator, and a second gear (18) which engages with the first gear (17) and which acts as a jumper. Remote control unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that
in that the force transmission element (6) is flexible, in particular as a Bowden cable (7). Latching mechanism (3) for a remote control unit (1) for opening and closing a valve of a waste fitting (30) of a sink, in particular a kitchen sink,
characterized in that
the latching mechanism (3) is designed as a retrofittable module (29). Latching mechanism (3) according to claim 12,
characterized in that
the module (29) comprises: a housing (9) with at least one first latching lug (11, 11 ') and at least one second latching lug (12, 12'), which is axially spaced from the first latching lug (11, 11 '), a sliding nut (13) which can be placed on a first end (14) of the housing (9) and which is provided with a threaded portion (15) and at least one opening (16, 16 ') for cooperation with the first latching lug (11, 11') , and a cover (22) which can be placed on a second end (23) of the housing (9) and which is provided with a threaded portion and at least one opening for cooperation with the second latching lug (12, 12 '). Latching mechanism (3) according to claim 12 or 13,
characterized in that
the module (29) further comprises a first spring (19) and a second spring (20). Latching mechanism (3) according to one of claims 12 to 14,
characterized in that
the module (29) further comprises a first gear (17), which acts as a controller, and a second gear (18) which acts as a jumper and which is in engagement with the first gear (17).

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