EP2896760B1 - Shower WC with movable function arm - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a shower toilet, so a known per se water closet with a Unterduscheinrichtung for cleaning the user after using the toilet.

Shower toilets have been known for some time and have become increasingly popular in recent years. In many cases, in addition to a movable shower arm, they have a hair dryer arm for drying the user's air after showering. Both arms can be moved in most cases in the toilet bowl of the toilet and out of her back to a retracted movement position. As a rule, an electric motor or a hydraulic cylinder actuated by the tap water pressure is used, the latter especially for shower toilets without a movable hair dryer arm. The state of the art is largely concerned with the type, position, cleaning and construction of the shower arm and the Föhnarms and of course with other technical elements for hot water, hot air generation, etc.

In the following, the term functional arm is to be used as a generic term for Duscharme, Föhnarme and conceivable further arms of a shower toilet, which can be moved to their use in the toilet bowl and then moved back.

Reference is made to the prior art on the US 4,987,617 on which the preamble of claim 1 is based. There are two adjacent Duscharme provided, which can be moved in each case in a cylinder, wherein at an end remote from the toilet bowl an electric motor is mounted laterally offset, which moves via a gear transmission and a spindle rod the respective shower arm against the respective cylinder , The cylinders in turn are alternatively by a partially toothed drive pinion of an intermediate moved them and something mounted under them another electric motor. Its drive pinion engages outside mounted on the cylinders racks.

The invention has for its object to provide a respect to the movement mechanism for a functional arm improved shower toilet.

The object is achieved by a shower toilet with a toilet body, which has a toilet bowl, a movable into the toilet bowl into a functional arm, a rotary motor for driving the movement of the Funktionsarms between two movement positions and a coupling element for transmitting one of the rotary motor derived driving force on the functional arm, wherein the coupling element is coupled in the functional arm, the functional arm with respect to its movement relative to the coupling element is movable and the coupling element is at least partially integrated in the retracted from the toilet bowl movement position in the functional arm, wherein the rotary motor with respect to an axis its output shaft is offset from the axis to a central longitudinal axis of the functional arm and a central longitudinal axis of the coupling element and wherein the functional arm is mounted in the shower toilet tilted so as to be with respect to a direction of movement of the functional arm in the toilet bowl into the front end is slightly lower than its rear end in this sense, characterized in that the rotary motor is arranged under the rear end of the functional arm in its retracted from the toilet bowl movement position.

In addition, the invention is also directed to a shower toilet attachment and its use, with or according to the from a toilet without shower function, a shower toilet can be created.

The invention is based on a rotary motor for driving the functional arm, that is to say a motor which provides torque for driving on an output shaft, in particular an electric motor. This expressly shower arm drives are not meant in the form of actuated by the tap water pressure hydraulic cylinders, which are subject to their laws and limitations in terms of their structural design and arrangement and in today's shower toilets, especially those with a hairdryer, are less and less in use. The rotary motor serves to drive at least one direction of movement during a movement of the functional arm between two movement positions, namely a maximum in the toilet bowl and a maximum retracted therefrom position. The other direction of movement may be actuated, for example, by spring action or the like. In most cases, the rotary motor is responsible for both directions of movement.

The functional arm carries out in its toilet bowl-side movement position a specific function, in particular in connection with the transport of a fluid, such as shower water in the case of a shower arm or hot air in the case of a Föhnarms.

The coupling element is defined in this invention firstly in that it is driven by the rotary motor, secondly by its coupling to the functional arm and thirdly by the fact that the functional arm is movable in its movements relative to the coupling element, so the relative position between the coupling element and the functional arm in the two directions of movement changed. Preferably, the coupling element remains immobile with respect to the rest of the shower toilet, based on the two directions of movement. The Funktionsarmbewegung thus takes place not only relative to the shower toilet, but also relative to the coupling element.

To transmit the driving force, the coupling element is coupled to the functional arm. This is done according to the invention "in" that, that is not "outside" on the lateral surface of the usually cylindrical or cylinder-like functional arm. Rather, the coupling element should engage within an outer circumferential surface of the functional arm. Furthermore, the coupling and the overall construction should be designed so that the coupling element is integrated in the retracted movement position of the functional arm in this, that is arranged to a considerable part (approximately at least half) of the longitudinal extent of the coupling element along the direction of movement within the Funktionsarms and of this is covered.

The cover must not be completely given in all directions lying in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement, but only to a large extent.

In other words, the coupling element engages with respect to the retracted movement position of the functional arm within the same centrally and is therefore largely integrated in this position in the functional arm.

Thus, particularly compact and simple solutions can be achieved because the force is applied at a relatively central point without significant overturning moments - unlike, for example, lying outside the Funktionsarms coupling elements such as parallel racks or spindles. At the same time, the coupling element can, if necessary, be protected against contamination and at least accommodated in a space-economical manner. In comparison, arranged next to a functional arm coupling elements such as just mentioned racks or spindles extra space and require depending on the situation of additional protection against contamination. As already stated, the functional arm may in particular be a shower arm and / or a foehn arm. In the combined case shower arm and Föhnarm can be combined and executed integrated, so as an arm, but also present separately and each correspond to the invention.

Preferably, the coupling element is rotatable about an axis of rotation and driven in rotation by the motor, wherein the axis of rotation of the coupling element is parallel to the directions of movement of the functional arm. Furthermore, the coupling element is preferably elongated in the directions of movement and rigid, which is advantageous especially in a drive function of the motor in two directions of movement and saves the expense of a winding drum or a similar solution for a flexible coupling element. A preferred solution is a spindle rod, so oriented in the direction of movement elongated rod with a screw thread.

According to the invention, the rotary motor is arranged offset in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the functional arm and optionally also the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod, taking up an offset position. The engine is located under the functional arm in its retracted position, the functional arm in the mounted position in the shower toilet is inclined with respect to the toilet bowl-remote end lower lying toilet bowl-side end, in other words with respect the movement into the toilet bowl in front of the rear end deeper lying front end. This is of particular advantage when it comes to the overall height, because the mentioned tilted position of the functional arm is predetermined by the desired distance of movement in the toilet bowl and thus below the toilet bowl-remote end of the functional arm space available and accordingly this arrangement with a small or no additional volume of construction in height is linked.

In the described embodiment, a gear can be connected to a toilet bowl-remote end of the coupling element, for example, on a pinion on a spindle rod end, and extend down from there, to also use the available due to the tilted position of the Funktionsarms space. Then offers in terms of overall length advantageous to arrange the engine toilet bowl side of the transmission, to which reference is made to the embodiment.

In a preferred embodiment, a chamber for the coupling element is provided in the functional arm, in particular for a spindle rod, and the coupling element is housed in the chamber in the retracted movement position at least 50% and preferably 60%, 70% or even 80% of its length. Again, reference is made to the illustrative embodiment. If, as in the embodiment, the coupling element is made in one piece with, for example, a pinion for driving, this statement is preferably true even for its total length including this additional one-piece element, such as the pinion.

In connection therewith, according to the invention, an arrangement of a functional fluid line over the chamber, for example a shower water duct or a föhn air duct, is suitable.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment, wherein the individual features may be essential to the invention in other combinations.

• Figur 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Duscheinrichtung;
• Figur 2 eine Längsschnittansicht der Duscheinrichtung;
• Figur 3 eine Seitenansicht in Einbaulage in einem Dusch-WC;
• Figur 4 eine Darstellung eines Getriebes der Duscheinrichtung;
• Figur 5 eine Längsschnittdarstellung einer Spindelstange und eines Teils des Duscharms der Duscheinrichtung;
• Figur 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht zu Figur 5;
• Figur 7 eine Ansicht eines Dusch-WCs mit der Duscheinrichtung.

In detail shows:

• FIG. 1 a perspective view of a shower device according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 a longitudinal sectional view of the shower device;
• FIG. 3 a side view in installation position in a shower toilet;
• FIG. 4 a representation of a transmission of the shower device;
• FIG. 5 a longitudinal sectional view of a spindle rod and a part of the shower arm of the shower device;
• FIG. 6 a perspective view FIG. 5 ;
• FIG. 7 a view of a shower toilet with the shower facility.

In the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shown shower device has a shower arm 1, a rotary electric motor 2 and a transmission 3. The shower arm 1 has a (in relation to the engine 2 and the transmission 3) distal shower head 4 with an in FIG. 2 only indicated shower nozzle for abdominal cleaning of a user of the shower toilet, in which the shower device is mounted. To this shower nozzle 5 also leads in FIG. 2 recognizable water pipe 6 in the shower arm 1, which has a proximal connection piece 7 for a not shown flexible hose for preheated shower water.

The shower arm 1 is in the Figures 1 and 2 held on a support rail 8, with respect to which it is longitudinally displaceable, with respect to FIG. 2 in the horizontal direction. For this purpose, the shower arm 1 at its proximal end a here designed in one piece with the connecting piece 7 sleeve 9 with an internal thread as Duscharmbestandteil on, in the Figures 5 (analogous in longitudinal section) FIG. 2 ) and 6 (Seen in perspective view obliquely from behind, so on the end of the shower device with the gear 3) is better visible. In this cuff engages an elongated spindle rod 10, which also in the FIGS. 5 and 6 , but also in FIG. 2 can be clearly seen and according to FIG. 2 is recorded in the state shown there with its entire thread in a corresponding chamber 11 of the shower arm. The spindle rod 10 is thus coupled in the shower arm 1 to this, namely on the internal thread.

Specifically, the spindle rod 10 is housed in this case in the shown retracted movement position to about 90% of its total length including the pinion 12 in the chamber 11 and after all even about 94%, if you do not include the pinion 12. It is therefore optimally protected and arranged compact.

The FIGS. 1, 2 . 5 and 6 show further that the spindle rod at its proximal end has a drive pinion 12 and is inserted with a directly adjacent groove 13 in a bracket 14 of the support rail 8 and rotatably supported.

The pinion 12 meshes according to the internal representation of the transmission 3 in FIG. 4 via an intermediate gear 15 with an output gear 16 of the engine 2, wherein the intermediate gear 15 and the output gear 16 in a in the FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 recognizable housing are housed, which connects directly proximal to the motor 2 in the longitudinal direction of the shower arm 1 and in the figures is arranged under the pinion. The intermediate gear 15 lies in the sectional view FIG. 2 outside the cutting plane and is therefore not visible. The motor 2 is located in the figures under the pinion 12, more precisely below the proximal end of the spindle rod 10, in particular while its output shaft axis offset down parallel to a non-illustrated central longitudinal axis of the shower arm 1 and the spindle rod 10. The exact installation position is in FIG. 3 shown in a side elevational view and corresponds to the fact that the shower arm in its by the motor 2, the gear 3 and the spindle rod 10 in conjunction with the sleeve 9 driven extension not only in a toilet bowl inside but in the toilet bowl also in a slightly lower position should be driven. You can understand this FIG. 7 imagine, in which the shower head 4 is located and occupies a relatively high position with respect to the toilet bowl.

In view of this oblique installation position FIG. 3 is the relative to the longitudinal direction of the shower arm 1 under the shower arm or the pinion 12 arranged position of the motor 2 and the transmission 3 advantageous because below the proximal end of the shower arm or under the pinion 12 in a sense anyway available space, at least if the installation situation in the rear area of the shower toilet is also characterized by horizontally extending boundaries or walls.

At the distal end of the shower arm 1 is also in the FIGS. 1 to 3 shown washing device 17 for the shower head 4 and the shower arm 1 for laundry (during the entry and exit movement) to see a connection piece 18 for the associated washing water connection line. FIG. 1 shows that this washing device 17 is pushed onto the mounting rail 8 in the longitudinal direction of the shower arm 1 and held by latching detents.

FIG. 7 shows a complete inventive shower toilet 19, in which the shower device from the FIGS. 1 to 6 is installed in a shower attachment in the rear area on the toilet seat 21. Therefore, the shower attachment 20 is slightly raised relative to the lavatory body 21 to provide sufficient space. This elevated shower attachment goes forward right (in FIG. 7 ) in a classic toilet glasses on a bowl edge over. In the back part of the bowl edge is a passage 22 for the shower arm 1 can be seen in FIG. 7 is shown only symbolically. In addition, a Föhnarm 23 is located, which is based on quite similar criteria as in the FIGS. 1 to 6 shown shower arm 1 can be designed to be drivable in accordance with the invention, in particular so may have a chamber for an integrated spindle rod with an analog motor drive. Both arms are shown in the extended state, in particular, the shower arm 1 extends relatively far to achieve a favorable to achieve the anatomically predetermined body parts positions of the shower head 4. This also includes that the shower arm 1 moves obliquely downwards, including in the FIGS. 1 to 6 shown retracted position (in this case existing rectilinear movement) is arranged obliquely. On the resulting mounting position has already been based FIG. 3 received. It allows a total of a cheap housing of the drive components a flat design, so that the shower attachment 20 of the toilet seat body 21 does not have to be too high.

Claims (12)

1. Shower closet having
   a closet body (21) comprising a closet bowl,
   a functional arm (1, 23) movable into the closet bowl,
   a rotational motor (2) for driving the movement of the functional arm (1, 23) between two movement positions,
   and a coupling element (10) for transferring a driving force taken from the rotational motor (2) to the functional arm (1, 23),
   wherein the coupling element (10) is coupled in the functional arm (1, 23), the functional arm (1, 23) is movable with regard to its movability relative to the coupling element (10)
   and the coupling element (10) is integrated at least partially in the functional arm (1, 23) in a movement position driven back from the closet bowl, wherein the rotational motor (2) is offset with regard to an axis of its driving shaft relative to a middle longitudinal axis of the functional arm (1, 23) and to a middle longitudinal axis of the coupling element (10),
   and wherein the functional arm (1) is mounted in the shower closet in an inclined manner such that its front end (4) with regard to a direction of the movement of the functional arm (1) into the closet bowl is arranged somewhat lower than its rear end in this respect,
   characterized in that the rotational motor (2) is arranged below the rear end of the functional arm (1) in the movement position thereof driven back from the closet bowl.
2. Shower closet according to claim 1, wherein the functional arm (1, 23) is a shower arm (1) having an abdominal shower function.
3. Shower closet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the functional arm (1, 23) is a blow-dryer arm (23).
4. Shower closet according to one the preceding claims wherein the coupling element (10) is rotatable and rotationally driven around a rotational axis and the rotational axis of the coupling element (10) is parallel to the direction of the movement of the functional arm (1, 23).
5. Shower closet according to one the preceding claims wherein the coupling element (10) is longitudinally extended in the direction of the movement of the functional arm (1, 23).
6. Shower closet according to claim 4 and 5 wherein the coupling element (10) is a spindle (10).
7. Shower closet according to one the preceding claims wherein the rotational motor (2) is offset in a parallel manner with regard to the axis of its driven shaft relative to a middle longitudinal axis of the functional arm (1, 23) and to the middle longitudinal axis of the coupling element (10).
8. Shower closet according to one the preceding claims wherein a transmission gear (3) is adjacent from below to the rear end of the functional arm (1, 23) in the movement position thereof driven back from the closet bowl and the rotational motor (2) is mounted below the functional arm (1, 23) on a closet bowl side of the transmission gear (3) wherein, in the case of claim 6, the transmission gear (3) is coupled to the rear end of the spindle (10) via a pinion (12).
9. Shower closet according to one the preceding claims wherein the coupling element (10) is arranged within a chamber (11) of the functional arm (1, 23) for at least 50 % of its length in a direction of the movement of the functional arm (1, 23), when the functional arm (1, 23) is located in the movement position driven back from the closet bowl.
10. Shower closet according claim 9 wherein the functional arm (1, 23) comprises a functional-fluid conduit (6) above the chamber (11), in particular a shower water conduit in the case of claim 2 and a drying air conduit in the case of claim 3.
11. Shower closet top-mount (20) for a closet body (21) having an abdominal shower device integrated within the shower closet top-mount (20) which comprises
    a functional arm (1, 23) movable out of the shower closet top-mount (20) and thus, in a mounting position of the shower closet top-mount (20) on the closet body (21), into a closet bowl of the closet body (21),
    a rotational motor (2) for driving the movement of the functional arm (1, 23) between two movement positions,
    and a coupling element (10) for transferring a driving force taken from the rotational motor (2) to the functional arm (1, 23),
    wherein the coupling element (10) is coupled in the functional arm (1, 23), the functional arm (1, 23) is movable with regard to its movability relative to the coupling element (10)
    and the coupling element (10) is integrated at least partially in the functional arm (1, 23) in a movement position driven back from the closet bowl in a mounted position of the shower closet top-mount (20) on the closet body (21),
    wherein the rotational motor (2) is offset with regard to an axis of its driving shaft relative to a middle longitudinal axis of the functional arm (1, 23) and to a middle longitudinal axis of the coupling element (10),
    and wherein the functional arm (1) is mounted in the shower closet top-mount in a mounted position of the shower closet top-mount (20) in an inclined manner such that its front end (4) with regard to a direction of the movement of the functional arm (1) out from the shower closet top-mount (20) is arranged somewhat lower than its rear end in this respect, characterized in that the rotational motor (2) is arranged below the rear end of the functional arm (1) in the movement position thereof driven back from the closet bowl.
12. Use of a shower closet top-mount (20) according to claim 11 for providing a shower closet according to one of claims 1 to 10.

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