EP2632603A1

EP2632603A1 - Device for spraying a liquid under pressure

Info

Publication number: EP2632603A1
Application number: EP11764459.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Werner Egli
Original assignee: Neoperl International AG
Current assignee: Neoperl AG
Priority date: 2010-10-28
Filing date: 2011-09-23
Publication date: 2013-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-23
Also published as: WO2012055051A1; CN103249492A; TW201242669A; EP2632603B1; US8967498B2; CN103249492B; US20130221132A1; TWI520784B

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for spraying a liquid under pressure, in particular water, wherein said device produces good cleaning action despite a low volumetric flow rate. The device has a plurality of swirl chambers (14), wherein each of the swirl chambers has at least one inlet for feeding the liquid into the respective swirl chamber and an outlet nozzle (18) for a liquid jet to exit the swirl chamber. An arrangement of inlet channels distributes a liquid flow entering the device among the inlets of the swirl chambers. The outlets are angled relative to each other in such a way that the exiting liquid jets hit each other at a predetermined distance from the outlet nozzles. Improved cleaning action is thus achieved. The device can be designed, for example, as an end piece for a sanitary outlet fitting or as a showerhead.

Description

TITLE

Device for spraying a pressurized fluid

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a device for spraying a pressurized liquid, in particular water, with which a very good cleaning effect can be achieved despite a very low flow rate. Such a device can be designed in particular as a mouthpiece for sanitary outlet fittings or as an insert for a shower head or the like.

STATE OF THE ART

In many parts of the world, water is a precious commodity that needs to be used sparingly. Devices that limit the flow of water through the flow in outlet fittings, showerheads or the like, can make an important contribution here. Also in airplanes, camping vehicles, etc. it can be important to handle the available water economically. Today, mouthpieces are usually used on sanitary outlet fittings, which add air to the escaping water. As a result, on the one hand, the outflowing jet is pleasantly soft. On the other hand, the volume flow of the water can be significantly reduced. Typical values for the volume flow (the flow rate) are at washbasins in the household today at about 12 1 / min (liters per minute). With so-called economy nozzles this value can be reduced to approx. 6-8 1 / min. Desirable but are still much lower flow rates.

In the prior art was proposed to the water in a vortex chamber initiate, in which the water is put into a swirling motion. Subsequent axial acceleration through a nozzle opening produces a finely divided jet which produces a good cleaning effect even at a low volume flow.

Such a vortex chamber is e.g. in RU 2 196,205. The vortex chamber shown there has a conical shape. The water is supplied to the vortex chamber in the region of the largest cross section of the cone through a tangential inlet channel and leaves the vortex chamber through an axial outlet channel.

A vortex chamber is also disclosed in WO 2008/073062. This document discloses a mouthpiece for a sanitary outlet fitting, which is switchable between a economy mode and a normal mode. In economy mode, the incoming water is introduced tangentially through two channels from opposite sides into a short, cylindrical vortex chamber from which it exits axially through a central outlet opening. In the normal mode, however, the water passes bypassing the vortex chamber to the central outlet opening and also to several other, decentralized outlet openings, so that a much larger volume flow is achieved. While the use of a vortex chamber can contribute to a considerable reduction of the volume flow, the cleaning effect achievable with it can still be improved.

A completely different approach was followed in WO 2007/062536. There, among other things, it has been proposed to collide two water jets at high speed and a relatively large angle, so forms a thin water disk. This dissolves at a certain distance from the point of impact, forming fine droplets. A disadvantage of this device is that the water requires a very high pressure in order to ensure sufficient atomization. The document mentions a preferred pressure range of 15 to 25 bar, while the normal line pressure is only about 2-5 bar. This usually requires the use of a separate pump. The high pressure and the resulting extremely high exit velocity of the water jets also require special measures, to prevent the jets of water from striking the user's skin or eyes directly without first being atomized.

US Pat. No. 5,358,179 discloses a spray head for spraying highly viscous liquids, which has vortex chambers in one embodiment. The liquid jets emerging from the vortex chambers then meet one another.

EP 1 277 516 and WO 93/23174 each disclose a spray head with two nozzles which have swirl ducts and are directed toward one another in such a way that the resulting jets meet.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for spraying a pressurized liquid, which is operable at normal line pressure of about 2-5 bar and produces an improved cleaning effect despite a low volume flow. In addition, the device should be simple and inexpensive to produce in large quantities. This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

The device according to the invention thus has:

a plurality of swirl chambers, each of the swirl chambers having at least one inlet for supplying the liquid into the respective swirl chamber and an outlet nozzle for exiting a liquid jet from the swirl chamber; and an array of inlet channels to distribute a fluid stream entering the device to the inlets of the vortex chambers.

In this case, each of the outlet nozzles defines a nozzle longitudinal axis (in the case of an at least sectionally cylindrical outlet nozzle, the nozzle longitudinal axis is identical to the cylinder axis). The nozzle longitudinal axes are inclined relative to each other such that liquid jets emerging from the outlet nozzles meet at a predetermined distance from the outlet nozzles. This can be achieved in particular by the fact that the nozzle longitudinal axes outside the device substantially intersect at the intersection having the mentioned distance from the outlet nozzles.

In this way, a device is provided which produces a significantly improved cleaning effect at the same time low volume flow compared to a single vortex chamber. If e.g. three vortex chambers are used, it is possible to achieve an excellent cleaning effect for washing hands at a normal line pressure of about 3 bar and a total flow of only 0.6 1 / min. Since the liquid jets leave the outlet nozzles in finely divided form thanks to the vortex chambers, it is completely unproblematic if these rays impinge on the skin of a user before the rays meet with each other.

The device can be used in a variety of ways. Thus, the device may e.g. as a mouthpiece for a sanitary outlet fitting for cold or hot tap water, e.g. be formed on a washbasin or bidet. However, the device may e.g. also as a spray head of a shower toilet, as a normal shower head shower head, as a replaceable use of such a shower head, as a spray head in a spa, etc. are used. Also, use is e.g. in the camping area possible, for example in a motor home or caravan, or on vanities or even showers in aircraft. The liquid to be sprayed does not necessarily have to be water, but may e.g. also be a detergent solution provided with detergents. Finally, the invention can be used to advantage in all applications in which a good cleaning performance is desired at a low flow rate.

Preferably, the device has at least three vortex chambers with associated outlet nozzles whose liquid jets meet. A reasonable upper limit for the number of vortex chambers seems to be around ten. The vortex chambers and outlet nozzles are preferably arranged annularly around a central device longitudinal axis. In this case, the outlet nozzles are preferably distributed uniformly along the circumferential direction of the ring. However, other arrangements can be selected. The axial distance from the outlet nozzles, at which the liquid jets meet, is preferably between 40 mm and 150 mm, but may also take on larger values depending on the application. For use in sanitary outlet fittings, a distance of about 80 mm is preferred. For typical dimensions of mouthpieces for sanitary outlet fittings and an annular arrangement of the outlet nozzles, this distance corresponds to an angle of inclination of the nozzle longitudinal axes relative to the central device longitudinal axis of about 3 °. Depending on the dimensions of the device and the intended application, however, this angle of inclination may also be greater or smaller and, in particular, may be approximately 1.degree. To 10.degree., Preferably approximately 2.degree.

In this document, a vortex chamber is understood to mean a chamber which, by virtue of its geometry, causes a vortex about a vortex axis due to its geometry (ie generates a vortex around the vortex axis) and which has an outlet nozzle such that the water is substantially axial exits to the vortex axis. The vortex chamber is preferably designed as follows. The vortex chamber defines a chamber longitudinal axis. The inlet of the vortex chamber is formed in an inlet region of the vortex chamber such that the supply of the liquid into the vortex chamber takes place essentially tangentially with respect to the chamber longitudinal axis. By contrast, the outlet nozzle is arranged essentially centrally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chamber. The nozzle longitudinal axis and the chamber longitudinal axis extend either coaxially or include an angle of at most 15 ° to each other, preferably at most 10 °, more preferably at most 5 °. In a production-technically particularly preferred embodiment, the chamber longitudinal axes of the vortex chambers are substantially parallel to each other, and in particular parallel to a common longitudinal axis device, while the nozzle longitudinal axes are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the chamber or the device longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the outlet nozzle is arranged axially spaced from the inlet region with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chamber. In this case, the vortex chamber preferably tapers in a funnel shape between the inlet region and the outlet nozzle. For this purpose, each of the vortex chambers preferably has a substantially conical region in which the cross section of the vortex chamber tapers continuously along the chamber longitudinal axis as far as the outlet nozzle. This conical area can be a substantially cylindrical Axial and upstream upstream region, which is arranged between the inlet region and the conical region. As a result, liquid initially enters the inlet region tangentially, describes a spiral movement through the cylindrical region, and is further accelerated in the conically tapered region before the resulting vortex enters the outlet nozzle. When leaving the outlet nozzle, this leads to a particularly efficient division of the liquid jet. As "substantially cylindrical" are also to consider shapes that deviate to a small degree from a purely cylindrical shape, without significantly changing the function of this area, eg frusto-conical shapes with a small Öffhungswinkel, especially if the opening angle (angle between diametrically opposed lateral surface areas ) is less than 2 10 ° or even less than 2 x 5 °.

In order to improve the Vortexbildung, in each of the vortex chambers, a cam may be arranged, which extends centrally along the chamber longitudinal axis in the inlet region of the vortex chamber, so that the inlet region of the vortex chamber forms an annular cavity. The cam is preferably cylindrical in shape, but may e.g. also assume a truncated cone shape.

The outlet nozzles are preferably formed by cylindrical bores. However, even if the outlet nozzles should have a different shape, preferably each outlet nozzle has at its end a cylindrical outlet region, which is adjoined externally by a substantially flat outlet surface which is orthogonal to the cylinder axis. In particular, the outlet nozzle preferably does not expand outwardly at its exterior end. Between the exit region and the associated exit surface, a sharp edge is preferably formed in order to facilitate the detachment of the liquid jet from the outlet nozzle. Overall, this results in a clean spray pattern.

Preferably, the vortex chambers, but at least the outlet nozzles are formed in a common (preferably one-piece) vortex chamber element. In this case, it is preferred in terms of production engineering if, in the swirl chamber element, a flat, preferably frustoconical depression is formed on the outside in the region of each outlet nozzle, the conical axis of which coincides with the nozzle axis and which Exit surface forms.

For supplying the liquid, the apparatus preferably comprises a liquid central supply channel extending along a device axis, which may optionally taper in the axial direction to achieve a first acceleration of the incoming liquid stream. The vortex chambers are then preferably arranged decentralized to the device axis, e.g. annular around the device axis, and the inlet channels connect the feed channel to the vortex chambers substantially transverse to the device axis. An improved vortex formation can be achieved if each of the inlet channels from the feed channel describes an arc with an angle of at least 90 °. However, it is also possible to provide inlet channels of a different shape, e.g. straight or fan-shaped inlet channels, as described in more detail below. In order to achieve a clean spray pattern, it is preferred if each of the inlet channels has a rectangular cross-section. It is preferred if the cross section is substantially constant over the length of the inlet channel.

It should be noted that the cross-sectional area of the inlet channels has a significant influence on the volume flow at a given operating pressure. By suitable choice of the cross-sectional area of the inlet channels, the volume flow can thus be adjusted for a given operating pressure. This eliminates the use of a separate flow restrictor.

The device can be made particularly simple if it has a (preferably one-piece) supply element and a (preferably also one-piece) swirl chamber element which are connected to each other (in particular rest on each other) that they together define at least a portion of each inlet channel, wherein the vortex chambers at least partially formed by depressions (eg holes) in the swirl chamber element. It is preferred that the vortex chamber element and the feed element with respect to the longitudinal axis of the device rest on the front side, ie substantially along a common plane which is perpendicular to the device longitudinal axis, rest on each other. In particular, it is preferred if the inlet channels through depressions (eg grooves) in Feed element are formed, while the swirl chamber element has a supply element facing end surface, which is substantially flat in the region of the inlet channels, so as to limit the inlet channels together with the feed element. In particular, in this embodiment, the device can also be adapted very easily to different pressure ranges by merely exchanging the feed element for another feed element with a different cross-sectional area of the inlet channels, while the vortex chamber element can remain unchanged independently of the pressure range. In order to correctly position the feed element and the swirl chamber element relative to each other and to secure each other against rotation, at least one decentralized positioning cam can be formed on the feed element or swirl chamber element, which engages in a complementary positioning groove on the other element. However, such a positioning can also be achieved in other ways, for example by the provision of laterally perforated hollow pins, which are formed on the feed element and protrude in a region surrounding the inlet region of the vortex chambers in recesses of the vortex chamber element.

The feed element and the swirl chamber element can be jointly held in a receiving sleeve such that the feed element, the swirl chamber element and the receiving sleeve together form an exchangeable unit ("service unit") with a gasket disposed therebetween) while the feed element rests on the swirl chamber element and is held on the receiving sleeve, eg by a snap connection, for this purpose one or more snap arms may be formed on the feed element which engage in corresponding inner recesses of the receiving sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be interpreted as limiting. In the drawings show: 1 shows a mouthpiece according to a first embodiment of the invention in a central longitudinal section.

Fig. 2 shows the mouthpiece of Fig. 1 in a cross section in the plane A-A of FIG.

1 ;

FIG. 3 shows the housing insert of the mouthpiece of FIG. 1 in a view from below; FIG.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the housing insert of FIG. 3 in one

Longitudinal section in the plane B- B of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the housing insert of FIG. 3 in one

Longitudinal section in the plane C- C of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal section of the housing insert of Fig. 3 in the plane

D-D of Fig. 3;

7 shows a mouthpiece according to a second embodiment of the invention in a central longitudinal section;

Fig. 8 shows the housing insert of the mouthpiece of Fig. 7 in a perspective

View;

9 shows a mouthpiece according to a third embodiment of the invention in a central longitudinal section;

FIG. 10 shows the mouthpiece of FIG. 9 in a cross-section in the plane E-E of FIG.

9;

11 shows a mouthpiece according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in a central longitudinal section;

12 is a detailed view of a mouthpiece according to a fifth

Embodiment of the invention in a longitudinal section in the plane F-F of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a vertebral disc for a mouthpiece according to a sixth

Embodiment of the invention in perspective view;

Fig. 14, the vertebral disk of Fig. 13 in a central longitudinal section in the plane

G-G of Fig. 15; and

FIG. 15 the swirl disk of FIG. 13 in cross section in the plane H-H of FIG.

14th DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the figures 1 and 2, a mouthpiece 1 of a sanitary outlet fitting according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. An outer sleeve 2, has a connection thread 3, which fits in commercial washbasin taps. In the outer sleeve, a receiving sleeve, which is referred to below as the inner sleeve 4, a feed element, which is referred to below as the housing insert 5, and a swirl chamber element, which is referred to below as a swirl disk 6, added. These parts are preferably made of a dirt and lime repellent material. In particular, the housing insert 5 and / or the swirl disk 6 can be manufactured by injection molding of plastic. The housing insert 5 is additionally shown in Figures 3 to 6 in different views alone. A snapped in the housing insert 5 particulate filter 7 prevents the ingress of dirt or sand particles in the mouthpiece. A seal 8 in the form of a sealing ring with a square or rectangular cross section establishes a seal between the outlet fitting and the interior of the inner sleeve 4. A further seal 9 in the form of an O-ring establishes a seal between the inner sleeve 4 and the swirl disk 6. In the housing insert 5, a central bore 10 is formed, which tapers stepwise down to a cylindrical feed channel 11. The bore 10 defines with its cylinder axis a central device longitudinal axis 21.

From the supply channel 11, three inlet channels 13 extend transversely to the device longitudinal axis 21 to three decentralized, circumferentially about the device longitudinal axis arranged vortex chambers 14. Each of the inlet channels 13 initially extends radially in a radial portion 12 substantially radially outwards and then describes an arc of something more than 180 °, before it opens tangentially into the respective vortex chamber 14. The inlet channels are formed as recesses with a rectangular cross section in that end face of the housing insert 5, which is opposite to the vortex disc 6. By contrast, the opposite end face of the swirl disk 6 is flat and smooth in the region of the inlet channels 13. In this way, the housing insert 5 and the swirl disk 6 together define the inlet channels 13. Each of the vortex chambers 14 has an inlet region 29, into which the associated inlet channel 13 opens substantially tangentially. The inlet region 29 is formed in the housing insert 5 as an annular cavity with a rectangular cross-section. In the center of the inlet region 29, a cylindrical pin 27 is arranged, which is formed on the housing insert 5 and extends from above into the inlet region. The length of the pin substantially corresponds to the height of the inlet channels, so that the pin axially ends in the common plane which separates the housing insert 5 and the swirl disk 6. A cylindrical region 15 (transition region) in the form of a cylindrical bore in the swirl disk 6 adjoins the inlet region 29 in an axial direction, which in turn is followed by a conically tapered region 16. The tapered region 16 opens into a centrally disposed, axially extending, cylindrical outlet nozzle 18. The outlet nozzle 18 terminates at a right angle to the cylinder axis of the nozzle extending exit surface 17, wherein between the cylindrical nozzle bore and the exit surface is formed a sharp edge. The exit surface is formed by a flat, frusto-conical recess 19 in the outer side end face of the vertebral disc 6 and thereby has a ring shape. The cylinder axis of each swirl chamber 14 defines a chamber longitudinal axis 32. Likewise, the cylinder axis of the associated outlet nozzle 18 defines a nozzle longitudinal axis 20. In the present example, the chamber longitudinal axis 32 and the nozzle longitudinal axis 20 coincide and are tilted together by approximately 3 ° to the device longitudinal axis 21. As a result, the nozzle longitudinal axes 20 meet in a common intersection at a distance of about 80 mm from the Austrirtsflächen the nozzles. However, the chamber longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of the nozzle may alternatively assume a small angle to one another. This will be explained in more detail below in connection with FIG. 12. On the housing insert 5, three axially projecting in the direction of the swirl disk 6 cams 22 are formed along its outer circumference, which engage in complementary grooves on the outside of the swirl disk 6 to correctly position the swirl disk 6 and the housing insert 5 to each other and secure against rotation , Of the Housing insert 5 and the swirl disk 6 are held together in the inner sleeve 4. For this purpose, an inwardly offset, pointing in the outlet direction step is formed on the swirl disk 6, which rests on the seal 9; this seal is in turn on an inwardly facing annular flange at the outlet end of the inner sleeve 4. On the swirl disk 6 of the housing insert 5 is pushed. This is fixed to the inner sleeve 4 via snap arms 23 which are described in more detail below and which engage in a corresponding recess on the inside of the inner sleeve 4. As a result, the inner sleeve 4, the housing insert 5 and the swirl disk 6 together with the seal 9 and the particle filter 7 form a service unit 30, which can be easily replaced.

In operation, water passes axially through the particulate filter 7 (whose mesh is less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of the inlet channels 13 and the outlet nozzles 18) into the central bore 10 and from there into the feed channel 11. Due to the tapered shape of the central bore 10 of the water flow is thereby accelerated a first time. In the feed channel 11, the water is distributed to the inlet channels 13 and thereby deflected. Through the inlet channels 13, the water is fed to the vortex chambers 14. The water enters tangentially into the inlet region 29 of each vortex chamber 14 and begins to describe a spiral movement there. The central cam 27 in the inlet region additionally supports the formation of a vortex movement. The resulting vortex now moves down the cylindrical portion 15 and is further accelerated in the tapered portion 16 before entering the outlet nozzle 18. The water leaves the outlet nozzle 18 at high speed and is thereby broken up into fine droplets. The sharp-edged design of the transition between the cylindrical nozzle bore and the exit surface 17 supports a clean detachment of the water jet. In this way, a finely divided, directed beam without excessive formation of non-directional spray. These previously divided water jets meet each other approx. 80 mm below the exit surface at the intersection of the longitudinal axis of the nozzles and ensure optimum cleaning performance in this area. Thus, for example, the hands can be completely moistened for washing, and also soap or other cleaning agents can easily be rinsed off again by the hands. For a mouthpiece for household use on washstands, the dimensions of the mouthpiece, for example, be selected as follows: Outer diameter of the mouthpiece about 24 mm; Distance of the nozzle outlets from the central longitudinal axis of the device approx. 4.2 mm; Inclination angle of the nozzle longitudinal axis and the chamber longitudinal axis to the device longitudinal axis about 3 °; Cross section of the inlet channels rectangular, approx. 1 mm wide, 0.5 mm deep; resulting volume flow at a flow pressure of 3 bar is approx. 0.2 1 / min per outlet nozzle (total volume flow approx. 0.6 1 / min). Of course, these parameters can be varied within wide ranges. In particular, can be adjusted by a suitable choice of the cross-sectional area of the inlet channels, a larger or smaller volume flow at a given flow pressure, or the mouthpiece can be adapted to different pressure conditions at a given volume flow. A mouthpiece according to a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. The structure of this mouthpiece largely corresponds to the first embodiment, and like-acting parts are provided with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. In particular, from Fig. 8, the snap arms 23 are clearly visible on the housing insert 5, which enter into the already mentioned snap connection together with the inner sleeve.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly by the manner in which the housing insert 5 and the swirl disk 6 are secured relative to each other against rotation. Hollow pins 25 on the housing insert 5, which project axially beyond the end face of the housing insert 5 and surround the inlet areas of the swirl chambers, serve as positioning aids here. These hollow pins protrude into short blind holes 26, which are formed in the swirl disk 6. In order to enable the tangential feeding of the water into the vortex chamber, each hollow pin 25 is interrupted by an opening 31. In this embodiment also eliminates the central pin 27, which projects axially into the inlet region 29 of the vortex chamber 14 in the first embodiment.

A mouthpiece according to a third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrated. Again, like-acting parts are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the inlet channels 13 have a different shape than in the first two embodiments; In addition, the inlet channels are not formed as depressions in the housing insert 5, but as depressions in the end face of the vertebral disk 6. Instead of an arcuate shape with a constant cross section, the inlet channels here have a fan-shaped shape with a strongly tapering cross-section. As a result, an acceleration of the water flow takes place here in the inlet channels. A mouthpiece according to a fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. Again, like-acting parts are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. The cross section of the inlet channels 13 is here semicircular instead of rectangular. In the central bore 10 also a commercially available flow restrictor 28 is used. As a result, the mouthpiece can be adapted to higher flow pressures in a very simple manner, without changing the dimensions.

A mouthpiece according to a fifth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. The structure of this mouthpiece largely corresponds to the first embodiment, and like-acting parts are again provided with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the chamber longitudinal axis 32 of each vortex chamber does not coincide with the nozzle longitudinal axis 20 of the respective vortex chamber. Instead, here the chamber longitudinal axes 32 extend parallel to the device longitudinal axis 21, while only the nozzle longitudinal axes 20 are inclined by an angle of approximately 3 ° to the device longitudinal axis 21. This considerably simplifies the production of the swirl disk 6: The swirl chambers 14 can be machined from above parallel to the device longitudinal axis 21 (or, in the case of injection molding production, removed from the mold in parallel). Only the outlet nozzles 18 need to be processed or demoulded from below at an angle to the device longitudinal axis 21.

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate a further embodiment of a swirl disk 6. This vortex disc is in itself very similar to the vertebral disc of the first, fourth or formed fifth embodiment. However, it differs in some aspects, which are explained below.

Thus, the intervertebral disk of FIGS. 13-15 has transition regions 15 'in the vortex chambers which tap slightly conically towards the bottom (see FIG. 14). Each transition region 15 'forms a transition between the corresponding inlet region, which is formed in the housing insert 5 as in the first, fourth or fifth exemplary embodiment, and the conical region 16, to which the outlet nozzle 18 adjoins. While in the above first to fifth embodiments, the respective transition regions are exactly cylindrical, the transition regions in the present embodiment are slightly conical in order to facilitate demolding in a production by injection molding. Due to the small opening angle of the thus formed truncated cone of less than 2 × 5 °, these transitional areas are otherwise otherwise functionally equivalent to purely cylindrical transition areas.

Further differences exist on the outlet side of the vortex disc. While the vortex disc in the above embodiments is made substantially solid on the outlet side, the vortex disc of this embodiment has a plurality of depressions, in particular a central blind hole 33 and three depressions 34 between the exit surfaces 17. In the circumferential direction, the depressions 34 directly adjoin the exit surfaces 17 , so that the exit surfaces 17 themselves, unlike in the preceding examples, are no longer formed by frusto-conical recesses in the surrounding material. Rather, the surrounding material now only forms an inner ring 35 and an outer ring 36, which bound the exit surfaces in the radial direction. This design with blind hole 33 and recesses 34 is preferred for manufacturing reasons, since in this way the material thickness is nowhere excessively large, so that the vortex disc cools evenly during production by injection molding and cures.

Finally, the vortex disc of this embodiment also has three positioning cams 37 on its outer circumference, which make it possible for the vortex disc 6 to be independent of the housing insert 5 in a fixed orientation in the inner sleeve 4 hold by corresponding guide grooves are provided in the inner sleeve. Although the housing insert is provided with corresponding cams, a mutual intervention of the intervertebral disk and the housing insert can be omitted. From the foregoing description, it can be seen that a large number of modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it is particularly possible to form the device not only as a mouthpiece of an outlet fitting, but also as a shower head or as an insert for a shower head. Depending on the field of application and dimensions, it is possible to arrange more or less than three vortex chambers around the central longitudinal axis of the device. In the case of a larger number of vortex chambers, it may be advantageous for different outlet nozzles to have a different inclination to the device longitudinal axis in order to distribute the exiting rays over a larger area. This may be desirable for shower heads, for example. The inlet channels may also be formed in a different manner than shown above and be formed, for example, as a straight running channels with a constant or variable cross-section.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Mouthpiece 18 outlet nozzle

Outer sleeve 19 recess

Connection thread 20 nozzle longitudinal axis

Inner sleeve (receiving sleeve) 21 Device longitudinal axis

Housing insert 22 cams

(Feed element) 23 snap arm

Wirbelscheibe 25 hollow pin

(Swirl chamber element) 26 bore

Particle filter 27 central cam

Seal 28 flow restrictor

Seal 29 inlet area central bore 30 service unit

Feed channel 31 breakthrough

radial section 32 of the chamber longitudinal axis

Inlet channel 33 blind hole

Swirl chamber 34 depression

cylindrical portion 35 inner ring conical portion 36 outer ring

Exit surface 37 positioning cams

Claims

A device for spraying a pressurized fluid, comprising:

a central supply channel (11) for the liquid running along a device axis (21),

a plurality of swirl chambers (14) arranged at a dislocation to the device axis (21), each of the swirl chambers having at least one inlet for feeding the liquid into the respective swirl chamber and an outlet nozzle (18) for exiting a liquid jet from the swirl chamber; such as

an array of inlet channels (13) connecting the feed channel (11) substantially transverse to the device axis (21) with the swirl chambers (14) to distribute a liquid stream entering the device to the inlets of the swirl chambers (14), each one of the

Outlet nozzles (18) defining a nozzle longitudinal axis (20) extending at an angle of 1 ° -10 ° to the device longitudinal axis, and wherein the nozzle longitudinal axes (20) are inclined to each other so that liquid jets exiting the outlet nozzles are spaced apart a predetermined distance from the outlet nozzles (18 ) meet,

characterized,

in that the device has a feed element (5) in which the feed channel (11) is formed,

in that the device has a vortex chamber element (6), wherein the vortex chambers (14) are formed at least partially by depressions in the vortex chamber element (6),

and that the feed element (5) and the swirl chamber element (6) are connected to one another in such a way that together they delimit at least a portion of each inlet channel (13).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the feed element (5) on the

Swirl chamber element (6) rests.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which further comprises a Aufhahmehülse (4), wherein the feed element (5) and the swirl chamber element (6) are held together in the Aufhahmehülse (4) that the feed element (5), the swirl chamber element (6) and the receiving sleeve (4) together form an exchangeable unit.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the swirl chamber element (6) rests directly or via a seal on an inside axial stop of the Aufhahmehülse (4).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the feed element (5) on the

Whirl chamber element (6) rests and is held on the Aufhahmehülse (4).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein between the feed element (5) and the Aufhahmehülse (4) is formed a snap connection.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is designed as a mouthpiece of a sanitary outlet fitting.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the inlet channels (13) starting from the feed channel initially proceeds substantially radially outward.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the

Inlet channels (13) starting from the feed channel (11) describes an arc with an angle of at least 90 °.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the arc is at an angle of at least

180 ° describes.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises at least three vortex chambers (14) whose nozzle longitudinal axes are inclined to each other.

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the swirl chambers (14) are annularly disposed about the central device axis (21).

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein each of the vortex chambers (14) defines a chamber longitudinal axis (32), the inlet of each of the vortex chambers (14) being formed in an inlet region (29) of the vortex chamber (14) such that the supply of the liquid into the respective vortex chamber is substantially tangential with respect to the chamber longitudinal axis (32),

wherein the outlet nozzle (18) is arranged substantially centrally with respect to the chamber longitudinal axis (32), and

wherein the nozzle longitudinal axis (20) and the chamber longitudinal axis (32) occupy an angle of 0 ° to 15 ° to each other.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the chamber longitudinal axes (32) of the vortex chambers are substantially parallel to each other, while the nozzle longitudinal axes (20) to the chamber longitudinal axes (32) are inclined.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein each of the vortex chambers has a substantially conical region (16) in which the cross section of the vortex chamber along the chamber longitudinal axis (32) tapers continuously to the outlet nozzle (18).

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each vortex chamber has a substantially cylindrical portion (15) disposed between the inlet portion (29) and the conical portion (16).

17. Device according to one of claims 13-16, wherein in each of the vortex chambers (14), a cam (27) is arranged, which extends centrally into the inlet region (29) of the vortex chamber (14), so that the inlet region (29 ) of the Swirl chamber forms an annular cavity.

18. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the inlet channels (13) has a rectangular cross-section.

19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet channels (13) by depressions in the feed element (5) are formed, while the swirl chamber element (6) has a feed element (5) facing end face in the region of the inlet channels (13) in Essentially is just.

20. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Feed element (5) or vortex chamber element (6) at least one decentral positioning cam (22) is formed, which engages in a complementary positioning groove on the other element to position the feed element (5) and the swirl chamber element (6) relative to each other.