EP3079835B1 - Water fountain - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for ejecting a liquid, in particular a water feature. The invention further relates to a pivoting unit for such a device.

It is known in the art, for example. For water features on lakes and fountains to produce water jets or fountains with different orientation. A nozzle, which serves to eject the water, is thereby pivoted about at least one pivot axis, whereby different outlet directions of the water can be specified. There are also known in the art corresponding devices in which a nozzle can be pivoted independently about two normally perpendicular axes. In this way, the water jet, at least within a certain solid angle segment, leave in any direction. In these devices with two-dimensional pivoting a supply line is guided from a liquid reservoir to the nozzle, wherein the supply line is normally pressurized by a pump. The resulting pressures are typically in the range of 5 - 10 bar, which causes significant forces within the line.

While basically a tightness of the lines at these pressures can be well ensured, it comes due to the leadership of the supply line to uneven force. These are due to the fact that it is not static storage of a pressurized medium, but that this is dynamically guided through the conduit, with each change in direction of the liquid generates a corresponding counterforce on the line. The resulting forces on the line and with These connected components can lead to deformation. This can be short-term and, for example, cause the liquid jet to deviate from the intended direction. However, there may also be a permanent bending of components or even a fracture resulting from material fatigue. This can of course be counteracted by the fact that more stable components are used, but this leads to an increased cost of materials and higher costs.

Against this background, it is the object of the present invention to propose measures by which, in a device for spraying a liquid, negative effects of forces acting back on the device are reduced.

The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and by a pivoting unit with the features of claim 11.

According to the invention, a device for ejecting a liquid, in particular a water feature, is provided. In this case, in particular water may be provided as liquid, but also, for example, for fire effects, a combustible substance such as isopropanol. Priority is a use for optical effects, for example. Water features or fountains, provided, however, a use of extinguishing systems or vehicles is conceivable. In order to allow alignment of the liquid jet in different directions, the device comprises three segments. First, a base segment is provided that, for example, can be arranged stationary on the ground. However, it is also conceivable that the base segment in turn is arranged on a kind of turntable or the like. Furthermore, a middle segment is provided, which is pivotally mounted on the base segment about a first pivot axis. Finally, the device comprises an end segment which is pivotally mounted on the central segment about a second pivot axis arranged at an angle to the first pivot axis. The first and second pivot axes are thus not parallel to one another. Each of the mentioned segments is preferably rigid in itself. The end segment includes a nozzle portion for dispensing the liquid, wherein the nozzle portion is radially spaced from the second pivot axis. In this case, the nozzle section either comprises a nozzle which is provided directly for ejecting the liquid and, if appropriate, can be configured very simply, or at least one connection for such a nozzle. Furthermore, the device comprises a supply system for the liquid to which the nozzle section is connected. "Connected" here means, of course, that liquid from the supply system can get into the nozzle section. In this case, the supply system does not have to extend completely to a liquid reservoir; for this purpose, additional line components may be provided which are not considered in this sense as part of the device according to the invention. At least parts of the supply system can in this case run within the above-mentioned segments or be part of the same.

According to the invention, the supply system comprises two end lines which open out of different directions into the nozzle section. The said end lines thus form the part of the supply system which is directly upstream of the nozzle section. They initially run separately from each other and nozzle section are merged. This can be done, for example, in the manner of a T-piece or a Y-piece. That is, unlike in the prior art, where the nozzle ultimately passes through a single lead is fed, are used in the invention at least in the area in front of the actual nozzle two supply pieces, which open out from different directions. This results in various advantages. First, it is possible to position the nozzle portion in a suitable manner to the second pivot axis, so that the actual recoil of the exiting water jet can be well absorbed. In the prior art, it is sometimes the case that the actual outlet nozzle is arranged in an end region of a pivot axis, whereby the recoil generates undesirable bending moments. In contrast, in the solution according to the invention, the nozzle section can to a certain extent be arranged between said end conduits, as a result of which resulting repulsion forces can be absorbed much better. In addition, forces that arise within the end lines due to the deflection of the liquid, can compensate each other, so that while possibly the end lines are charged as such, but the forces are not passed on to other components of the device.

The orientation of the first and second pivot axes can be chosen differently. A typical orientation, which of course depends on the mounting of the base segment, is that the first pivot axis is aligned horizontally. With regard to the orientation of the pivot axes relative to one another, it is preferred that the first and second pivot axes are arranged perpendicular to one another. As a result, an alignment of the liquid jet in different solid angle directions can be achieved in a particularly simple manner.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and second pivot axis intersect. this means So that the first and second pivot axis extend in a plane. They intersect at a point that lies within the middle segment. An advantage with this configuration is that forces occurring at the second pivot axis normally can not lead to any torques with respect to the first pivot axis and vice versa. This further contributes to the stabilization of the set position of the nozzle portion.

It is further preferred that the nozzle portion is arranged so that the central segment is located in the rearward extension of a discharge direction of the liquid predetermined by the nozzle portion. Upon delivery, i. during the ejection of the liquid, a force acts on the nozzle portion according to the recoil principle. Their direction results from the rearward extension of the dispensing direction, which in turn is predetermined by the geometry of the nozzle section. If, as described, the nozzle section is arranged such that the middle segment is in the direction of this recoil force, this recoil force does not cause any or at most a slight torque in the region of the middle segment. Since the middle segment can be regarded as a kind of "core" of the device and is connected to both pivot axis, the repulsive force is normally absorbed in such a configuration that it does not or hardly comes to unwanted loads by torques.

Advantageously, the device comprises a first motor unit for pivoting the middle segment and a second motor unit for pivoting the end segment. It is particularly advantageous if the first and second motor unit with respect to the first pivot axis are arranged opposite one another on the central segment. That is, the one motor units are at the middle segment are arranged and typically form part of the same or are firmly connected thereto. When pivoting the middle segment about the first pivot axis, this results in a change in position of the motor units, which could potentially lead to undesirable torques due to the weight of the motor units. The fact that the motor units are arranged on opposite sides of the first pivot axis, however, the resulting torques cancel (at least partially), which in turn the support of the first axis of rotation can be designed by the base element simpler or weaker.

Preferably, at least one of the axes of rotation is formed as a hollow axis, which serves as a conduit for the liquid. This z. B. end of the second axis of rotation each end connections may be provided, to which the two end lines are connected. The said end connections are coaxial with the second axis of rotation. In a typical embodiment, the end lines initially extend in the axial extension of the second axis of rotation, then extend radially away from the second axis of rotation and then again in the axial direction toward each other, in order to open in the nozzle section.

According to one embodiment, in this case two base lines of the supply system can open at the end into the first pivot axis designed as a hollow axis, wherein the first pivot axis within the central segment is in connection with the second pivot axis designed as a hollow axis and the two end lines are connected at the end to the second pivot axis. Here, the base segment may have two base terminals, which are aligned coaxially with the first pivot axis and which serve to connect the base lines. In this embodiment can in particular, the first and second pivot axes intersect, so that the two hollow axes form an overall cross-type structure. Here, a diagonal partition wall may be provided in the intersection region, whereby in each case one half of the line given by the first pivot axis is in communication with exactly one half of the line given by the second pivot axis. In other words, in this case, a base line would be in communication with exactly one end line. However, such an assignment is not necessary.

The end lines inevitably have a distance from each other in areas. Advantageously, it is possible that the motor unit is arranged between the end lines. Accordingly, in the presence of two spaced base lines, the first motor unit may be arranged between the base lines. By the measures mentioned, the device can be made more compact overall. It is understood that the arrangement is as described possibly only given in a specific pivot state about the first and second pivot axis. In any case, this means that the respective motor unit does not collide with the respective lines in a pivoting operation, but can be passed between them.

The already described above compensation of occurring forces can be improved by the end lines are formed symmetrically to a plane passing through the first pivot axis level. Due to the symmetrical design with respect to the first pivot axis no undesirable torques can act on them, since corresponding forces cancel each other within the end lines. Similarly, an improvement can be achieved in that the end lines along a formed by the second pivot axis extending plane. Of course, this statement is not to be understood in the strictly geometrical sense, since the end lines must have a certain extent, which is not limited to one plane. What is meant here is that the direction of the course of the end lines remains in a plane which encloses the second pivot axis. In this case, it goes without saying that no torques can also arise on the second pivot axis.

In a corresponding manner, it is preferred that the base lines are formed symmetrically to a plane passing through the second pivot axis and / or are formed along a plane passing through the first pivot axis. The resulting positive effects with respect to the torques occurring in accordance with the above description with respect to the end lines.

Furthermore, the invention provides a pivoting unit for a device for spraying a liquid. The pivoting unit comprises a base segment, a middle segment and an end segment. The middle segment is pivotally mounted on the base segment about a first pivot axis. The end segment is pivotally mounted on the central segment about a second pivot axis arranged at an angle to the first pivot axis. It has two end connections, which are provided for the connection of two leading to a nozzle portion end lines of a supply system. The pivoting unit also has at least one further connection for connection to a liquid reservoir, which is connected to the end connections. In particular, two base connections may be provided, which are provided for connection to the liquid reservoir via two base lines.

The two end connections are preferably arranged coaxially to the second pivot axis and the two base connections are arranged coaxially to the first pivot axis. In this case, the two pivot axes are formed as hollow axes and the end connections are in communication with the base terminals in the interior of the middle segment.

Further preferred embodiments of the pivoting unit correspond to the abovementioned embodiments of the device according to the invention and will therefore not be explained again.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Schwenkeinheit einer Vorrichtung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Figur 3:

eine erste Seitenansicht der Schwenkeinheit aus Figur 2; sowie

Figur 4:

eine zweite Seitenansicht der Schwenkeinheit aus Figur 2.

Details of the invention are explained below with reference to two embodiments with reference to the figures. Hereby shows:

FIG. 1:

a perspective view of a device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2:

a perspective view of a pivoting unit of a device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 3:

a first side view of the pivot unit FIG. 2 ; such as

FIG. 4:

a second side view of the pivoting unit FIG. 2 ,

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention, which is provided for generating water fountains. The device 1 comprises a base segment 2, a middle segment 3 and an end segment 4. The base element 2 comprises two base lines 7.1, 7.2 of a feed system which is connected to a (not shown here) water reservoir and there via a (also not shown) pump is pressurized.

The base lines extend initially perpendicular and then bend at an angle of 90 ° in the horizontal, where they are connected to base terminals 12. The base connections 12 are part of a first pivot axis X designed as a hollow axis, by means of which the central segment 3 can be pivoted relative to the base element 2. The pivoting process can be controlled by a motor unit 14 with a gear 15, wherein the gear 15 meshes with a gear 13 which is coaxially mounted on a base terminal 12 and is rotatably connected thereto. The end segment 4 is mounted pivotably relative to the middle segment 3 via a second pivot axis Y. The second pivot axis Y is offset by 90 ° with respect to the first pivot axis X and intersects this within the central segment 3. The pivoting of the end segment 4 relative to the middle segment 3 is in turn controlled by a motor unit 10 having a gear 11. The latter meshes with a gear wheel 9, which is non-rotatably mounted on an end terminal 8, which runs coaxially to the second pivot axis Y.

From the end terminal 8, a first end line 6.1 goes out, which initially extends horizontally in the direction of the second pivot axis Y, then turns upwards by 90 ° and finally turns again by 90 ° and is guided in a direction parallel to the pivot axis Y. is. On the opposite side of the middle segment 3, a symmetrically designed second end line 6.2 is arranged, which also starts from an end connection. The two end lines 6.1, 6.2 are brought together from opposite directions on a nozzle section 5, which is designed as a T-piece. The nozzle portion 5, through which the water is discharged in the operating state in an ejection direction A, is shown here without a special nozzle. Of course, such may be provided.

The middle segment 3 with the base connections 12 and end connections 8 arranged thereon forms a pivoting unit 20, which can be regarded as the centerpiece of the device 1. The basic lines 7.1, 7.2, end lines 6.1, 6.2 and the nozzle section 5 connected thereto can in principle be formed from commercially available elements known in the prior art.

How out FIG. 1 becomes clear, run the two base lines 7.1, 7.2 in a plane with the first pivot axis X and are symmetrical to a plane which includes the second pivot axis Y. Furthermore, the two end lines run 6 1, 6.2 in a plane with the second pivot axis Y and are symmetrical to a plane which includes the pivot axis X. If, during operation of the device 1, the said lines 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2 are flowed through by water at high pressure, counterforces occur at the points where the water flow is deflected. Due to the described symmetrical arrangement of the various lines, however, no resulting torques arise on the pivot axes X, Y. In addition, the two motor units 10, 14 are arranged on opposite sides of the first pivot axis X, so that during pivoting the torques caused by their weight substantially cancel each other out. The entire device 1 is thus both static and dynamic (nearly) in equilibrium, which is why their components can be designed comparatively easily and only slight deformation occur during operation. It is also advantageous that the middle segment 3, in which the pivot axes X, Y intersect, is located in the rearward extension of the ejection direction A. Thus, the repulsive force of the ejected water acts in the direction of the middle segment 3, which is why this is optimally absorbed and leads to no torques on the pivot axis X, Y.

The pivoting about each of the axes X, Y is basically 180 °, ie 90 ° in each direction from the in FIG. 1 shown center position, which, depending on the pivot state about the respective other axis of the full pivot range may not be fully exploited, since the end lines 6.1, 6.2 to the base lines 7.1, 7.2 abut. Otherwise, however, it is possible with the illustrated device 1 to achieve virtually any (two-dimensional) angular range within a half-space.

The Figures 2-4 show a pivot unit 120 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a side view from FIG FIG. 2 with III marked direction and FIG. 4 a side view of the marked with IV viewing direction. The illustrated pivoting unit 120 may be used with base conduits and end conduits of a delivery system and a nozzle section corresponding to those in FIG FIG. 1 correspond to shown elements. The pivot unit 120 comprises a middle segment 103, which is pivotable relative to a base segment 102 about a first pivot axis X and on the one end segment 104 is pivotable about a second pivot axis Y. The middle segment 103 has the same way as in FIG FIG. 1 shown embodiment, two motor units 110, 114, which are arranged opposite to the second pivot axis Y. Here, too, the motor unit 110 used for the pivoting with respect to the second pivot axis Y acts via two toothed wheels on an end connection 108.2, to which an end line of the supply system can be connected. Another end connection 108.1 is provided on an opposite side of the middle segment 103.

The end connection 108.2 is in the Figures 2-4 to see only slightly, since it is arranged together with the above-mentioned gears in a transmission housing 116. The transmission housing 116 serves to protect the internal components from water, since the present pivot unit 120 is intended for underwater use. In order to allow better access to the end connection 108.2, a shutter 118 is provided on the transmission housing 116, which can be removed by loosening screw. In a corresponding manner, a base connection 112.1 of the base segment 102, together with corresponding toothed wheels, is arranged in a gear housing 117, which has a corresponding shutter 119. Here, too, a further base connection 112.2 is provided on an opposite side of the middle segment 103. Through the connections 112.1, 112.2 can, in the same way as in FIG. 1 shown, basic lines of a supply system to be connected. The inner structure of the middle segment 103 corresponds to the in FIG. 1 that is, that the terminals 112.1, 112.2 of the base member 102 are in communication with the terminals 108.1, 108.2 of the end segment 104.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2, 102

base segment

3, 103

middle segment

4, 104

end segment

5

nozzle section

6. 1, 6.2

end line

7.1, 7.2

base line

8, 108.1, 108.2

End Connection

9, 11, 13, 15

gear

10, 14, 110, 114

motor unit

12, 112.1, 112.2

basic Rate Interface

20, 120

swivel unit

116, 117

gearbox

118, 119

shutter

A

ejection direction

X

first pivot axis

Y

second pivot axis

Claims (11)

1. Device (1) for spraying a liquid, comprising

   - a base segment (2, 102),

   - a central segment (3, 103) which is mounted on the base segment (2, 102) in a pivotal manner about a first pivot axis (X),

   - an end segment (4, 104) which is mounted on the central segment (3, 103) in a pivotal manner about a second pivot axis (X) that is arranged at an angle to the first pivot axis (X) and which comprises a nozzle portion (5) for dispensing the liquid, said nozzle portion (5) being radially spaced from the second pivot axis (Y), and

   - a feed system (6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2) for the liquid, said feed system being connected to the nozzle portion (5),

   wherein the feed system (6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2) comprises two end lines (6.1, 6.2) which open into the nozzle portion (5) from different directions.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the first (X) and second (Y) pivot axes are perpendicular to one another.
3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first (X) and second (Y) pivot axes intersect one another.
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the nozzle portion (5) is arranged such that the central segment (3, 103) is located in a backward extension of an emission direction (A) of the liquid, which is predetermined by the nozzle portion (5).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by

   - a first motor unit (14, 114) for pivoting the centre segment (3, 103) as well as

   - a second motor unit (10, 110) for pivoting the end segment (4, 104),

   the first (14, 114) and second (10, 110) motor units being disposed opposite one another with respect to the first pivot axis (X) on the central segment (3, 103).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the rotational axes (X, Y) is designed as a hollow axis, which serves as a line for the liquid.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that two basic lines (7.1, 7.2) of the feed system open at their ends into the first pivot axis (X), which is designed as a hollow axis, the first pivot axis connecting within the centre segment (3, 103) with the second pivot axis (Y), which is designed as a hollow axis, and the two end lines (6.1, 6.2) being connected at their ends to the second pivot axis (Y).
8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the first motor unit (14, 114) is disposed between the base lines (7.1, 7.2) and the second motor unit (10, 110) is disposed between the end lines (6.1, 6.2).
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end lines (6.1, 6.2) are designed so as to be symmetrical to a plane that runs through the first pivot axis (X) and along a plane that runs through the second pivot axis (Y).
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the basic lines (to 7.1, 7.2) are designed so as to be symmetrical to a plane that runs through the second pivot axis (Y) and along a plane that runs through the first pivot axis (X).
11. Pivoting unit (20, 120) for a device for (1) spraying a liquid, comprising

    - a basic segment (2, 102),

    - a central segment (3, 103) which is mounted on the basic segment (2, 102) in a pivotal manner about a first pivot axis (X),

    - an end segment (4, 104) which is mounted on the central segment (3, 103) such that it is pivotal about a second pivot axis (Y) that is arranged at an angle to the first pivot axis (X) and which comprises two end connections (8, 108.1, 108.2, which are intended for connection of two end lines (6.1, 6.2) of a feed system, which lead to a nozzle portion (5)

    wherein the pivoting unit (20, 120) is additionally connected to at least one further connection (12, 112.1, 112.2) for connection to a liquid reservoir, which is connected to the end connections (8, 108.1, 108.2).

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