EP2599925B1 - Remote control unit - Google Patents

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.

In the prior art it is known to provide drain fittings 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. This is particularly advantageous if there is already dirty or very hot water in the sink, because then the operator does not have to reach into the water with his hand in order to open the closure.

In the prior art, for example, a flexible Bowden cable is used as a remote control element, whereby a valve of the drain fitting can be closed by pulling on the control element and the valve can then be opened again by pressing the control element.

However, it is disadvantageous in such configurations that the remote control unit moves slowly back into its depressed starting position after it has been pulled, so that reliable closing of the valve is not always guaranteed.

To improve the functional reliability of such remote control elements is off DE 10 2010 011 146 A1 a power transmission arrangement for actuating devices, which are used, for example, in wash basins, sinks, bathtubs, shower drains, etc., is known, which proposes a power transmission element which is designed as a firmly connected component with a switching device with a locking mechanism.

However, due to the fixed connection of the force transmission element with the switching device, good maintenance friendliness is not guaranteed. In the event of damage, the entire remote control unit has to be replaced, which is correspondingly complex and costs. The same applies analogously to retrofitting.

From the US 2009/015822 A1 a generic remote control unit is known in which a cable serving as a force transmission element is connected in a manner not explained in detail to a push rod which cooperates with the control element.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a remote control unit for opening and closing a valve of a drain fitting as well as a latching mechanism for such a remote control unit, which enable improved maintenance friendliness or simple retrofitting in the known push-pull mechanism.

According to the invention, a remote control unit for opening and closing a valve of a drain fitting of a sink, in particular a kitchen sink, is provided, which has a force transmission element and an operating element, the force transmission element transmitting a pressure force exerted on the operating element to the valve, with between the operating element and the force transmission element a latching mechanism is arranged, the latching mechanism being releasably connected at least to the force transmission element and also to the operating element. The remote control unit according to the invention is particularly easy to maintain due to the detachable fastening and makes a quick exchange of the locking mechanism - possibly together with the control element - possible in a simple manner. The fact that the locking mechanism can simply be removed from the remote control unit in the event of a defect and replaced by a new one means that costs can be saved, since in this case not the entire remote control unit, but in any case not the power transmission element, has to be replaced.

According to a preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism, in particular together with the operating element, is designed as a module that can be retrofitted. In this way, costs can also be saved, since in order to expand a remote control unit with the locking mechanism which improves the functional reliability, only the locking mechanism (possibly together with the operating element) has to be inserted into the existing remote control unit.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism can be locked in a first locking position and in a second locking position. By providing the locking positions, the functional reliability of the remote control unit can be further improved, since there are fixed positions due to the locking in the first or second locking position so that the valve or the closure of the drain fitting cannot be slowly reset. This principle is known from ballpoint pens, for example, and is used there for moving back and forth or for locking the mine.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the first detent position can be set by a first pressure on the operating element and the second detent position by a second pressure on the operating element. The operating element can accordingly be a push button or the like.

A first pressure preferably causes the valve to close and a second pressure to open the valve. This enables 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 used for the detachable connection with the operating element and for cooperation with the at least one first Latch is formed, and a second end on which a cover can be placed, which is designed for releasable connection with the operating element and for cooperation with the at least one second latch.

The latching mechanism preferably has a first spring and a second spring.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism comprises a first gear, which acts as an actuator, and a second gear, which meshes with the first gear and which acts as a jumper.

The force transmission element is preferably designed to be flexible, in particular as a Bowden cable. The provision of a flexible force transmission element enables a greater degree of freedom when installing the remote control unit.

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.

In the following, an embodiment of the invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

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

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 remote control unit shown, which is connected to the in Fig. 2 locking mechanism shown 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 locking position; and

Fig. 6

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

Figure 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 force transmission element 6 which is designed as a Bowden cable 7. In the embodiment shown here, the force transmission element 6 is screwed to the intermediate piece 4 via threaded sections that are not visible here. Furthermore, the force transmission element 6 is connected at a second end 8 to a valve of a drain fitting 30 which is designed as an eccentric valve. By pulling the operating element 2, the valve of the drain fitting 30 is closed via the Bowden cable 7, while a subsequent pushing of the operating element 2 opens the valve so that, for example, water can flow out of a kitchen sink.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a latching mechanism 3 according to an embodiment, which is used for retrofitting the in Fig. 1 shown remote control unit 1 is formed. The latching mechanism 3 comprises a housing 9, on the outer circumference 10 of which two first latching lugs 11, 11 ′ opposite one another in the radial direction are arranged. Furthermore, two second locking lugs 12, 12 'are provided on the outer circumference 10 of the housing 9, which are also opposite one another in the radial direction and are spaced apart from the first locking lugs 11, 11' in the axial direction. The locking mechanism 3 also 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 section 15 which is connected to a threaded section of the in Fig. 1 intermediate piece 4 shown is screwable. Furthermore, the sliding nut 13 has openings 16, 16 ′ into which the first latching lugs 11, 11 ′ engage when the latching mechanism 3 is assembled. In addition, the latching mechanism 3 has a first gear 17, which acts as an actuator 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 acts as a jumper or feed sleeve acts to a locking mechanism of a ballpoint pen. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 3 comprises a first spring 19 and a second spring 20, a cable pull receptacle 21 and a cover 22 which can be placed on a second, lower end 23 of the housing 9. The cover 22 has openings 24, 24 'into which the second latching lugs 12, 12' engage when the latching mechanism 3 is assembled. Furthermore, the cover 22 has a threaded section 28 via which it can be connected to a force transmission element 6 (see FIG Fig. 1 ) is connectable. The housing 9 is formed on its inner circumference with a large number of grooves of different lengths, not visible here, which serve as locking grooves in which the second gear 18 or the advancing sleeve is in a first locking position in which the valve of a drain fitting 30, like them in Fig. 1 is shown, is closed, and a second latching position, in which the valve is open, can be latched.

Figure 3 FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the FIG Fig. 1 shown remote control unit 1, which with the in Fig. 2 locking mechanism 3 shown is retrofitted. The locking mechanism 3 is designed as a module 29 and can be screwed onto the intermediate piece 4 in a simple manner and connected to the first end 5 of the Bowden cable 7 in order to establish a detachable connection in that the Bowden cable 7 is hooked with its end 5 at reference number 21 and in that the connection is then secured by means of a type of screw sleeve 31 which is screwed onto the threaded section 28.

Figure 4 FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a remote control unit 1 according to an embodiment, which is connected to the latching mechanism 3 designed as a module 29 in connection with Fig. 3 described way has been retrofitted.

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

Fig. 6 shows a sectional view through the in Fig. 5 locking mechanism 3 shown according to one embodiment in a second locking position in which the valve of a drain fitting 30 (see Fig. 1 ) is closed, so that the water that is let into the sink equipped with a remote control unit 1 cannot 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 'rest on an upper end 26, 26' of the openings 16, 16 'of the sliding nut 13. The respective teeth of the first gear 17 and of the second gear 18 are not in engagement with their entire surfaces or are only in minimal engagement. The cable pull receptacle 21 protrudes with an end section 27 from the cover 22 surrounding the housing 9.

The locking mechanism 3 according to the embodiment of the invention causes the valve of the drain fitting 30 to open and close (see FIG Fig. 1 ) by pressing the control button 2 (see Fig. 1 ). When an operator presses the control button 2 for the first time, the teeth of the first gear 17 run on the beveled surfaces of the teeth of the second gear 18, causing a rotational movement and the second gear 18 rotating downwards. The force component acting downward is transmitted via the first spring 19 to the cable retainer 21 and also presses it downward, which in turn causes the force transmission element 6 connected to the cable retainer 21 to open the valve of the drain fitting 30. As a result of the rotational movement, the second gear wheel 18 also reaches a position in which it engages in a first locking groove provided on an inner side of the housing 9. Thus, a fixation is achieved in a first latching position in which the valve is closed (see Fig. 6 ). When the operator presses the control button 2 a second time, the pressure force is again exerted on the second gear 18, which in turn causes a rotational movement of the second gear 18, which moves the second gear 18 into a position in which it is in another position the inside of the housing 9 engages the second locking groove provided, which has a different length than the first locking groove, and causes a fixation in a second locking position in which the cable retainer 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 cable retainer 21 in such a way that it is pressed upwards, ensures that the second gear 18 remains in its respective latching position and, via the first spring 19, the cable retainer 21 in the corresponding upper or lower position remains.

Since first locking grooves of a first length and second locking grooves of a second length are alternately provided on the inner circumference of the housing 9, successive pressing of the control button always opens and then closes the valve through the rotational movement of the second gear 18 and the resultant Snap into a respective first or second locking groove.

Reference number

1

Remote control unit

2

Control element

3

Locking mechanism

4th

Intermediate piece

5

first end of the power transmission element

6th

Power transmission element

7th

Bowden cable

8th

second end of the power transmission element

9

casing

10

outer circumference of the case

11, 11 '

first locking lugs

12, 12 '

second locking lugs

13

Sliding nut

14th

first end of the housing

15th

Threaded section of the sliding nut

16, 16 '

Openings of the sliding nut

17th

first gear

18th

second gear

19th

first spring

20th

second spring

21st

Cable pull holder

22nd

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 retainer

28

Threaded section of the lid

29

module

30th

Waste set

31

Screw sleeve

Claims (12)

1. Remote operation unit (1) for opening and closing a valve of a drain fitting (30) of a sink, especially a kitchen sink, which has a force-transmission element (6) and an operating element (2), the force-transmission element (6) transmitting a pressing force exerted on the operating element (2) to the valve, wherein a locking mechanism (3) is arranged between the operating element (2) and the force-transmission element (6),
   characterised in that
   the locking mechanism (3) is releasably connected at least to the force-transmission element (6) and also to the operating element (2).
2. Remote operation unit (1) according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the locking mechanism (3) and preferably also the operating element (2) is configured as a retrofittable module (29).
3. Remote operation unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the locking mechanism (3) is engageable in a first locking position and in a second locking position.
4. Remote operation unit (1) according to claim 3,
   characterised in that
   the first locking position is arranged to be set by a first press on the operating element (2) and the second locking position by a second press on the operating element (2).
5. Remote operation unit (1) according to claim 4,
   characterised in that
   the first press effects closure of the valve.
6. Remote operation unit (1) according to claim 4 or 5,
   characterised in that
   the second press effects opening of the valve.
7. Remote operation unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the locking mechanism (3) has a housing (9) on the outer circumference (10) of which there are provided at least one first locking lug (11, 11') and at least one second locking lug (12, 12') spaced apart axially from the first locking lug (11, 11').
8. Remote operation unit (1) according to claim 7,
   characterised in that
   the housing (9) has a first end (14) on which a sliding nut (13) is mountable, which sliding nut is configured for releasable connection to the operating element (2) and for co-operation with the first locking lug (11, 11'), and a second end (23) on which a cover (22) is mountable, which cover is configured for releasable connection to the force-transmission element (6) and for co-operation with the second locking lug (12, 12').
9. Remote operation unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in that
   the locking mechanism (3) has a first spring (19) and a second spring (20).
10. Remote operation unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in that
    the locking mechanism (3) has a first gear wheel (17), which acts as actuator, and a second gear wheel (18), which is in engagement with the first gear wheel (17) and which acts as reacting driver.
11. Remote operation unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
    characterised in that
    the force-transmission element (6) is flexible, especially being in the form of a Bowden cable (7).
12. Remote operation unit (1) according to claim 11,
    characterised in that
    the locking mechanism (3) comprises a housing (9) in which a cable receiver (21) is arranged and on the lower end (23) of which a cover (22) is mountable, which cover (22) has a threaded portion (28) by means of which it is connected or connectible to a first end (5) of the Bowden cable (7) in order to form a releasable connection, the Bowden cable (7) being mounted by its end (5) in the cable receiver (21) and the connection then being secured or securable by means of a kind of threaded sleeve (31) which is screwed or screwable onto the threaded portion (28).

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