EP3094413B1 - Shower having multi-channel jet outlet units - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a shower according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a shower has a shower jet-forming fluid outlet structure which has a plurality of jet outlet units, of which at least two are multi-channel jet outlet units each with at least one first outlet channel and at least one from the first fluid-separated second Exit channel are formed. Furthermore, the shower has a fluid guide, which is set up to guide a fluid supplied to the shower either to the first outlet channels or to the second outlet channels. This includes embodiments in which the fluid is only supplied to the first outlet channels in a first operating mode and only to the second outlet channels in a second operating mode or in which the fluid is only supplied to the first or only the second outlet channels and only in a second operating mode in a second operating mode is supplied to the first and second outlet channels or comprise the three operating modes in order to supply the fluid either only to the first or only to the second or to the first and second outlet channels. Showers of this type are used in particular as sanitary shower showers, such as overhead showers, hand showers and wall or side showers.

In a known sanitary hand shower of the type mentioned at the beginning, two-channel jet outlet elements are provided in a central area and are arranged at a uniform circumferential distance along a circular line around a longitudinal center axis of the shower. The shower center area is surrounded by an annular shower area in which single-channel jet outlet elements are provided. The two-channel jet exit elements are formed from a plastic material and have a conical-oval shape and contain two exit channels of different circular diameters arranged next to one another. The outlet channels of smaller diameter are located in the narrower oval end region of the jet outlet elements and are arranged along a radially inner circular line, and the outlet channels of larger diameter are located in the wider oval end region of the jet outlet elements and are arranged along a radially outer circular line of the central shower area. The distance between the smaller exit channels of two adjacent beam exit elements is smaller than the distance between these two Beam exit elements from each other and also smaller than the distance between the two exit channels of a respective beam exit element. In a first operating mode, shower water emerges as an unventilated jet only from the radially inner, smaller outlet channels; in a second operating mode, it emerges as an aerated jet only from the radially outer, larger outlet channels.

Shower heads are also known which have several groups of single-channel jet outlet units and in which the shower water supplied is optionally led to one or the other group in order to be able to achieve different shower jet characteristics in corresponding operating modes. Each group is in fluid communication with an associated exit chamber, the exit chambers being arranged next to one another or one behind the other in a fluid-separated manner with respect to a jet exit direction. Such shower heads are for example in the published documents US 2011/0121098 A1 , WO 2008/038315 A1 , EP 2 684 610 A1 and WO 2014/040208 A1 disclosed.

In the patent US 5,246,301 discloses a sanitary shower head of a brush type, which has a shower jet-forming water outlet structure with a plurality of two-channel jet outlet units in the form of brush-like projecting outlet nipples, each of which contains a first, axially opening outlet channel and a second, peripherally opening outlet channel. This is intended to enable an optional water outlet axially from the first outlet channels and / or radially from the second outlet channels, which should in particular facilitate the rinsing out of shampoo when washing hair, with a massage effect for the scalp being possible due to the brush-like jet outlet nipple.

The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a shower of the type mentioned at the outset, with which different shower jets can be set in a novel manner and which can be implemented and cleaned comparatively easily.

The invention solves this problem by providing a shower with the features of claim 1. According to one aspect of the invention, a minimum distance between the outlet channels of a respective multi-channel jet outlet unit is less than one minimum distance between the exit channels of two multi-channel jet exit units and, in a corresponding development of the invention, also smaller than a minimum distance between two multi-channel jet exit units themselves. In advantageous configurations, the minimum distance between the exit channels concerned can be a factor of two or an even higher factor, for example, about Factor five or ten or more, smaller than the minimum distance between two jet exit units.

According to a further aspect of the invention, in the case of at least one multi-channel jet outlet unit, a second outlet channel or a group of several second outlet channels is arranged in such a way that he / she at least partially surrounds a first outlet channel of this jet outlet unit, ie along part of its circumference or along its entire circumference.

With the shower according to the invention, it is possible to set different shower jets or shower jet images, by routing the supplied fluid, such as shower water, either to the first outlet channels or to the second outlet channels of the respective multichannel jet outlet unit through a corresponding fluid guide of the shower. In corresponding embodiments of the invention, shower jets can be set using only the first or only the second outlet channels or both the first and the second outlet channels. In addition, the shower according to the invention can be cleaned comparatively easily or lime deposits can be removed, since the outlet channels used for the different shower jet images are combined to form the multichannel jet outlet units and can flow in parallel in terms of flow technology, the outlet channels of each multichannel jet outlet unit being relatively closely spaced apart , in particular narrower than the multi-channel jet outlet units themselves, and / or wherein the second outlet channels are arranged around the first outlet channels. In addition, this combination of the first and second outlet channels in the respective jet outlet units can facilitate the manufacture of the shower and increase its functional reliability.

In a development of the invention, not only the minimum, but also a maximum distance between the outlet channels of a respective multichannel beam outlet unit is smaller than a minimum distance between the outlet channels for each two multichannel beam outlet units and, in a further embodiment, also smaller than a minimum distance between two multichannel jet outlet units themselves represents an advantageously close arrangement of the first and second exit channels relative to one another, compared to the distance between two jet exit units. In advantageous configurations, the maximum distance between the outlet channels in question can be increased by a factor of two or an even higher factor, e.g. be about a factor of five or ten or more, smaller than the minimum distance between two jet exit units.

In a further development of the invention, an outlet of the at least one second outlet channel is at the same level with respect to a beam outlet direction as an outlet of the at least one first outlet channel or has a predetermined offset with respect to the latter. Both alternative measures can be tailored have advantages for the respective application, for example with regard to spray characteristics and cleanability.

In a further development of the invention, in the case of at least one multi-channel jet outlet unit, a second outlet channel surrounds a first outlet channel in an annular manner, or a group of several second outlet channels surrounds a first outlet channel along a closed curve, e.g. along a circular or elliptical or oval curve. This makes it possible to achieve advantageous jet images in which the various individual jets that are provided by the first outlet channel or by the second or one or two outlet channels of a respective jet outlet unit hardly differ in their position at the shower outlet due to their closely adjacent arrangement, but they do have different jet characteristics can have, for example an aerated jet on the one hand and an unventilated jet on the other.

In a further development of the invention, the fluid outlet structure of the shower includes a jet disk which has an associated jet disk opening for each jet outlet unit. This means that only one opening is required in the jet disc for each multi-channel jet outlet unit. In one embodiment of this measure, the respective jet outlet unit is formed by a jet outlet element which extends through the associated jet disk opening. The beam exit unit can be provided as a multi-channel beam exit unit by correspondingly realizing the beam exit element. As an alternative to this realization of the jet outlet unit by means of a separate jet outlet element which is additionally provided for the jet disk, the respective jet outlet unit can also be formed directly on the jet disk itself by an appropriate design of the jet disk.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the fluid exit structure includes a jet formation structure arranged on an inside of the jet disc, on which the jet exit elements are arranged, the jet exit elements being made of an elastic material. This has an advantageous effect on the manufacturing costs, the functional reliability and the cleanability of the shower.

It can be particularly advantageous here if, in a further embodiment of the invention, the jet outlet elements extend on the outlet side with an overhang of at least a quarter of an opening width of the jet disk openings beyond an outside of the jet disk. In particular, the projection in corresponding embodiments of the invention can correspond to at least one third or at least half the opening width of the jet disc openings. This contributes to easier cleaning.

In a further development of the invention, the first outlet channels, on the one hand, and the second outlet channels, on the other hand, are assigned respective fluid-separated outlet chambers from which the outlet channels in question open, the outlet chambers being arranged next to or behind one another with respect to a jet outlet direction, usually an axial direction of the shower or a shower longitudinal direction . This represents an advantageous possibility of optionally leading the supplied fluid to the first or second outlet channels.

In a development of the invention, at least one of the multi-channel jet outlet units has at least one third outlet channel in a fluid-separated manner from the at least one first and the at least one second outlet channel. With this embodiment variant, different shower jet images can consequently be realized using optionally one or more of the at least three outlet channels of each multi-channel jet outlet unit. In one embodiment of this measure, the respective beam outlet unit has a first, second and third outlet channel, and the three outlet channels are arranged next to one another in a linear or triangular configuration. Different shower spray patterns can thus advantageously be set.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Strahlaustrittsseite einer Brause mit zweikanaligen Strahlaustrittselementen,

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Viertelkreisansicht von Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Einzeldarstellung eines der in der Brause von Fig. 1 verwendeten Strahlaustrittselemente,

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht längs einer Linie IV-IV von Fig. 2,

Fig. 5

eine Schnittansicht entsprechend Fig. 4 für eine Ausführungsvariante mit nebeneinander statt hintereinander liegenden Austrittskammern,

Fig. 6

eine Viertelkreisansicht entsprechend Fig. 2 für eine Ausführungsvariante mit dreikanaligen Strahlaustrittselementen,

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf eines der dreikanaligen Strahlaustrittselemente von Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

eine Schnittansicht längs einer Linie VIII-VIII von Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

in Teilbildern 9.1 bis 9.11 Draufsichten auf verschiedene, erfindungsgemäß verwendbare zweikanalige Strahlaustrittselemente,

Fig. 10

in Teilbildern 10.1 bis 10.8 Draufsichten auf verschiedene, erfindungsgemäß verwendbare dreikanalige und vierkanalige Strahlaustrittselemente,

Fig. 11

eine Viertelkreisansicht entsprechend Fig. 2 für eine Ausführungsvariante mit Strahlaustrittselementen, die einen mittigen ersten und einen dazu koaxialen zweiten Austrittskanal aufweisen,

Fig. 12

eine Schnittansicht längs einer Linie XII-XII von Fig. 11,

Fig. 13

eine Draufsicht auf den Bereich eines der Strahlaustrittselemente der Brause von Fig. 11,

Fig. 14

eine Viertelkreisansicht entsprechend Fig. 2 für eine Ausführungsvariante mit Strahlaustrittselementen, bei denen ein mittiger Austrittskanal von einer Mehrzahl zweiter Austrittskanäle umgeben ist,

Fig. 15

eine Schnittansicht längs einer Linie XV-XV von Fig. 14,

Fig. 16

eine Draufsicht auf den Bereich eines der Strahlaustrittselemente der Brause von Fig. 14 und

Fig. 17

eine Viertelkreisansicht entsprechend Fig. 2 für eine Ausführungsvariante mit zwei verschiedenen Typen mehrkanaliger Strahlaustrittselemente.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described below. Here show:

Fig. 1

1 shows a plan view of a jet outlet side of a shower with two-channel jet outlet elements,

Fig. 2

an enlarged quarter circle view of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of one of the in the shower of Fig. 1 beam exit elements used,

Fig. 4

a sectional view taken along a line IV-IV of Fig. 2 ,

Fig. 5

a sectional view accordingly Fig. 4 for a variant with outlet chambers next to one another instead of one behind the other,

Fig. 6

a quarter circle view accordingly Fig. 2 for a variant with three-channel beam exit elements,

Fig. 7

a plan view of one of the three-channel beam outlet elements of Fig. 6 ,

Fig. 8

a sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7 ,

Fig. 9

in partial images 9.1 to 9.11 top views of various two-channel beam outlet elements that can be used according to the invention,

Fig. 10

in sub-images 10.1 to 10.8 top views of various three-channel and four-channel beam exit elements that can be used according to the invention,

Fig. 11

a quarter circle view accordingly Fig. 2 for an embodiment variant with jet outlet elements which have a central first and a second outlet channel coaxial therewith,

Fig. 12

a sectional view taken along a line XII-XII of Fig. 11 ,

Fig. 13

a plan view of the area of one of the jet outlet elements of the shower of Fig. 11 ,

Fig. 14

a quarter circle view accordingly Fig. 2 for an embodiment variant with jet outlet elements in which a central outlet channel is surrounded by a plurality of second outlet channels,

Fig. 15

a sectional view taken along a line XV-XV of Fig. 14 ,

Fig. 16

a plan view of the area of one of the jet outlet elements of the shower of Fig. 14 and

Fig. 17

a quarter circle view accordingly Fig. 2 for a variant with two different types of multi-channel jet outlet elements.

Various embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the corresponding figures, the same reference numerals being used for easier understanding of identical and functionally equivalent elements. The 1 to 4 illustrate a shower which can be used, for example, as a sanitary shower head, such as a hand shower, overhead shower or wall or side shower, only the part of the shower which is of interest here being shown in the figures. In addition, the shower can have any conventional structure.

Like from the 1 to 4 As can be seen, the shower head contains a shower head which terminates on the fluid outlet side with a shower jet-forming fluid outlet structure 1 which has a plurality of jet outlet units 2. The fluid outlet structure 1 closes to the outside with a jet disk 4 which is circular in the example shown and which has an associated jet disk opening 3 for each jet outlet unit 2. How special from the 1 and 2 As can be seen, the jet disk openings 3 and consequently the jet outlet elements 2 are arranged substantially uniformly distributed over the jet disk surface, in the example shown along five different radii. In the example shown the 1 to 4 All jet outlet units 2 are designed in _two channels, each with a first outlet channel 2 ₁ and a second outlet channel 2 ₂ that is fluid-separated therefrom. Alternatively, only a part of all of the jet exit units can be designed with two channels and the rest with one channel.

In the example shown, the two-channel jet exit units 2 are arranged in such a way that their two exit channels 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ lie on different radii of the jet disk 4, essentially on radial lines that start from a center M of the jet disk 4. One perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 1 through this disc center M continuous axis forms a longitudinal center axis of the Shower which corresponds to a jet exit direction, ie a direction in which a fluid jet with a main directional component emerges from the shower during operation. In the example shown, in the case of the jet exit units 2 lying on the innermost radius, the first exit channels 2 _{1 are} closer to the center of the pane M than the second exit channels 2 ₂ , while the other four radii are reversed, ie the second exit channel 2 _{2 is} closer to the center of the pane M as the first outlet channel 2 _{1 of} the respective jet outlet unit 2. It goes without saying that any other arrangement pattern and orientations for the positioning of the jet outlet units 2 across the surface of the jet disk 4 are alternatively possible within the scope of the invention.

The two outlet channels 2 ₁ , 2 _{2 of} a respective jet outlet unit 2 are arranged at a distance A ₁₂ from one another. The jet exit units 2 are arranged at distances A _S1 , A _S2 , A _S3 ,... From one another on the jet disk 4, wherein these distances A _S1 , A _S2 , A _S3 can be different from one another. How out Fig. 2 can be seen, however, the distance A _{12 between} the two outlet channels 2 ₁ , 2 _{2 of} each two-channel jet outlet unit 2 is smaller than even a minimum value of the distances A _S1 , A _S2 , A _S3 , ... each of two two-channel jet outlet units 2 and thus also smaller than a minimum distance between the exit channels 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ of two two-channel jet exit units 2, that is, smaller than a minimum distance of any exit channel 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ of any multi-channel jet exit unit 2 from any exit channel 2 ₁ , 2 _{2 of} any other jet exit unit 2.

In the example shown, the mutual distance A _{12 of} the two outlet channels 2 ₁ , 2 _{2 of} each jet outlet unit 2 is smaller by more than a factor of five than the minimum distance between two jet outlet units 2. It goes without saying that the invention also includes embodiments in which there is not only a single, constant distance between the first and second exit channels of each jet exit unit, but this distance varies, for example from the jet exit unit to the jet exit unit. However, it is also ensured in such cases that the minimum distance between the exit channels of the respective multichannel beam exit unit remains smaller than a minimum distance between the exit channels of every two multichannel beam exit units. In addition, it is preferably ensured that there is also a maximum distance between the outlet channels of a respective multi-channel jet outlet unit remains even smaller than the minimum distance between the exit channels of two multi-channel jet exit units.

How more precise Fig. 4 To recognize, in the example shown, the respective jet outlet unit 2 is formed by a jet outlet element 5, which extends through the associated jet disk opening 3 and is made of an elastic material. The jet outlet elements 5 are formed integrally with an outlet plate 6 formed from the elastic material, wherein they project as a nipple from the latter and the outlet plate 6 is placed against the jet disk 4 from the inside such that the nipple or jet outlet elements 5 pass through the jet disk openings 3 extend. The jet exit elements 5 protrude beyond the outside of the jet disk 4 with an overhang U. This projection U is preferably at least a quarter of a maximum opening width O of the jet disc openings, ie 4U≥O. In the example shown, the protrusion U is more than half the opening width O. The protrusion U contributes to good cleaning ability of the jet outlet elements 5, in particular with regard to limescale deposits in their outlet channels 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ .

In the example shown, the two outlet channels 2 ₁ , 2 _{2 of} the two-channel jet outlet unit 2 have different, circular opening diameters, in alternative embodiments of the invention they can also have the same diameter. Typical diameters of the jet outlet channels 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ are between approximately 0.3 mm and approximately 2 mm. In the example shown, the jet outlet elements or jet outlet nipples 5 have an elliptical cross-sectional shape, as in FIG Fig. 3 to recognize, with their two outlet channels 2 ₁ , 2 _{2 are provided} in the opposite oval end regions.

In addition to the jet disk 4 and the outlet plate 6, the fluid outlet structure 1 has a chamber-forming plate 7 and a chamber end plate 8, which adjoin the outlet plate 6 on the inside thereof facing the jet disk 4. Between the chamber end plate 8 and the outlet plate 6, a free space is formed, which is divided by the chamber-forming plate 7 into a first outlet chamber 9 ₁ and a second outlet chamber 9 ₂ fluid-separated therefrom, the two outlet chambers 9 ₁ , 9 ₂ with respect to the aforementioned jet exit direction or shower longitudinal direction are arranged one behind the other. The second outlet channels 2 _{2 of} the jet outlet elements 5 are in fluid communication with the second outlet chamber 9 ₂ formed between the outlet plate 6 and the chamber-forming plate 7, and the first outlet channels 2 ₁ are in fluid communication with the first one formed between the chamber-forming plate 7 and the chamber end plate 8 Outlet chamber 9 ₁ .

For this purpose, the chamber-forming plate 7 in the area of the first outlet channels 2 _{1 has} associated, aligned through-channels 7 ₁ and sealing spigots 7 ₂ , the respective passage channel 7 ₁ with the sealing spigot 7 ₂ surrounding it on the outlet side entering a conical inlet area of the assigned first outlet channel 2 ₁ extends into it and the sealing connector 7 ₂ with a correspondingly conical outer surface seals against this mouth region of the outlet plate 6 and thereby seals the first outlet channel 2 _{1 together} with its through channel 7 ₁ with respect to the second outlet chamber 9 ₂ .

Fig. 5 shows a variant that differs from the shower of the 1 to 4 in the fluid outlet structure and in particular in the formation of the outlet chambers 9 ₁ , 9 ₂ which are connected to the two fluid outlet chambers 2 ₁ , 2 _{2 of} the respective jet outlet element 5. In the example of Fig. 5 the two outlet chambers 9 ₁ , 9 ₂ are arranged next to one another with respect to the beam exit direction. For this purpose, in the fluid outlet structure modified to this extent, a modified chamber-forming plate 7 'adjoins the outlet plate 6 on its side facing away from the jet disk 4, forming a free space which is divided into the two fluid-separated outlet chambers 9 ₁ , 9 ₂ by a suitable separating web structure 7' _T . For this purpose, the separator web structure 7 ′ _{T runs} in the region of the respective two-channel beam outlet element 5 along a zone between the first outlet channel 2 ₁ and the second outlet channel 2 ₂ , the separator web structure 7 ′ _T sealingly resting against the outlet plate 6. In this way, it is ensured that the first outlet channel 2 ₁ from the first outlet chamber 9 ₁ and the second outlet channel 2 _{2 of} the respective jet outlet element 5 discharge therefrom from the second outlet chamber 9 _{2 in a} fluid-separated manner.

In a conventional manner, the shower head according to the 1 to 4 just like the shower head Fig. 5 a fluid guide that is set up for one of the showers to supply the supplied fluid either to the first outlet channels 2 ₁ or to the second outlet channels 2 ₂ . This includes the fluid outlet structure 1 and suitable upstream components, such as a changeover valve or the like, in order to selectively guide the fluid into the first outlet chamber 9 ₁ and / or into the second outlet chamber 9 ₂ . Appropriate system design can then be used to implement two or more operating modes for these shower variants, for example an operating mode in which the fluid only exits from the first outlet channels 2 ₁ , an operating mode in which the fluid only exits from the second outlet channels 2 ₂ , and / or an operating mode in which the fluid exits both from the first and from the second outlet channels 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ .

As an alternative to the provision of the jet outlet units 2 shown by the jet outlet elements 5 made of elastic material, the jet outlet units 2 can also be provided directly on the jet disk 4, in that the jet disk 4 is designed accordingly in these areas. This also applies to the other exemplary embodiments shown and can be implemented in corresponding design variants e.g. Realize that the jet disc is manufactured as a one-piece elastic element structured in this way or as a two-component plastic element with elastically designed jet outlet nipples or as a jet disk made of a hard material that is provided with a coating of elastic material from which the jet outlet nipples protrude.

It goes without saying that the invention also comprises showers with jet outlet units which have more than two fluid-separated outlet channels. In the 6 to 8 For this purpose, an exemplary embodiment with three-channel jet exit units 2a is shown. In this example, the three-channel jet outlet units 2a are realized by jet outlet elements 5a in cross-section in the form of a cloverleaf made of elastic material, which in turn are integrally formed as a protruding nipple on and with an outlet plate 6 'modified to this extent. Each jet outlet element 5a has three fluid-separated outlet channels 2 ' ₁ , 2' ₂ , 2 ' ₃ , which are provided in a triangular configuration in the area of one of the three cloverleaf curves. In this example too, it's like Fig. 6 It can be seen that the minimum distance between the outlet channels 2 ' ₁ , 2' ₂ , 2 ' _{3 of} the respective jet outlet unit 2a is significantly smaller than the minimum distance between two jet outlet units 2a.

As part of a fluid guide suitable for this purpose, a fluid outlet structure 1 'modified to this extent has a first chamber-forming plate 7' ₁ , a second chamber-forming plate 7 ' ₂ and a chamber end plate 8' on its side facing away from the jet disk 4 in such a way that three in succession in the beam exit direction lying fluid separate outlet chambers 9 _'1, 9 _2', 9 _'3 are formed, a first outlet chamber 9' ₁ between the two chamber-forming plates 7 _'1, 7' _2, with the first outlet ducts 2 _'1 in fluid communication stands, a second outlet chamber 9 ' _{2 is in} fluid communication between the second chamber-forming plate 7' ₂ and the chamber end plate 8 'with the second outlet channels 2' ₂ and a third outlet chamber 9 ' ₃ between the outlet plate 6' and the first chamber-forming plate 7 ' _{1 is} in fluid communication with the third outlet channels 2 ' ₃ . The first chamber-forming plate 7 ' _{1 has} conical through openings 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ , which are associated with the first and second outlet channels 2' ₁ , 2 ' ₂ , and on their side facing the outlet plate 6' projecting sealing sockets 11 ₁ , 11 ₂ , with which the through openings 10 ₁ , 10 _{2 are} sealed and thus fluid-separated from the third outlet chamber 9 ₃ through which they open into the first and second outlet channels 2 ' ₁ , 2' _{2 of} the jet outlet elements 5a. The second chamber-forming plate 7 ' ₂ has through openings 12, corresponding to the second outlet channels 2' _2, and corresponding sealing connections 13, by means of which the through openings 12 are sealed off through the first outlet chamber 9 ' ₁ and into the through openings 10 _{2 of} the first chamber-forming plate 7 below ' ₁ flow. For this purpose, the through openings 10 ₂ and the sealing connections 13 opening into them are of a correspondingly conical shape.

It goes without saying that, as an alternative to arranging the outlet chambers 9 ' ₁ , 9' ₂ , 9 ' _{3 one} behind the other, the same can also be arranged in only one or in two instead of three levels, for which purpose a correspondingly modified fluid outlet structure is used. In this case, all three outlet chambers are then arranged next to one another, or two outlet chambers are arranged next to one another and a third outlet chamber is arranged in front of or behind them.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the previously mentioned specific designs and implementations of multi-channel beam exit units, but rather comprises further variants. The show 9 and 10 in respective Top views of beam exit units or beam exit elements forming them, each with two, three or four exit channels. Specifically, the drawing shows 9.1 in Fig. 9 a two-channel jet outlet element with an eight-shaped cross section. Sub-picture 9.2 shows a two-channel beam outlet element similar to sub-picture 9.1 with a narrowed central area. Sub-picture 9.3 shows a two-channel jet outlet element similar to that of Fig. 3 , but with the same size outlet channels. Part 9.4 shows a jet outlet element with an oval-pointed cross-sectional shape, sub-image 9.5 shows a jet outlet element with a flattened oval cross-sectional shape. Figure 9.6 shows a two-channel jet outlet element with a square cross-sectional shape. Part 9.7 shows a two-channel jet outlet element similar to part 9.1, but with an uneven eight-shaped cross section. Figure 9.8 shows a two-channel jet outlet element with a rounded, conical cross-sectional shape. Part 9.9 shows a beam exit element similar to part 9.8, but with an elongated conical cross-sectional shape. Figure 9.10 shows a two-channel jet outlet element with a heart-shaped cross-section. Figure 9.11 shows a two-channel jet outlet element with a keyhole-shaped cross section.

The sub-images 10.1 to 10.6 show different three-channel beam exit elements with a triangular cross-section (sub-image 10.1), crescent-shaped cross-section (sub-image 10.2), weakly crescent-shaped cross-sectional shape (sub-image 10.3), oval-pointed cross-section (sub-image 10.4), heart-shaped cross-section (sub-image 10.5) or octagonal cross-section (drawing 10.6). Partial image 10.7 shows a four-channel jet outlet element with a cloverleaf-shaped cross section, and partial image 10.8 shows a four-channel jet outlet element with a square cross section.

The 11 to 13 illustrate a further embodiment of a shower with two-channel jet discharge units 2, which are formed in this case of jet outlet elements 5, which have a central first outlet duct 2 ₁ and a coaxially surrounding along its entire circumference the second outlet duct 2. ₂ For this purpose, in this example only an outer edge of the respective jet outlet element 5 is formed as an integral extension on an outlet plate 6a made of elastic material and modified to this extent. A cavity extension 7a ₁ engages in an opening space formed by this outer edge of the beam exit element 5, which is aligned on the facing side of a channel-forming plate 7a modified to this extent and has a central channel which forms the first exit channel 2 ₁ . An between this cavity extension 7a ₁ and the outer edge of the beam outlet element 5 remaining ring channel forms the second outlet channel 2 ₂ . The cavity extension 7a ₁ extends forward to approximately the same height as the outer edge of the jet outlet element 5, so that both outlet channels 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ open out at approximately the same height. Support webs 14, which are formed on the outside of the cavity extension 7a ₁ , ensure that the cavity connector 7a ₁ remains centered in the opening space surrounded by the outer edge of the jet outlet element 5.

Again, for example, from the 11 and 12 It can be seen that the distance between the first and the second exit channels 2 ₁ , 2 _{2 of} each jet exit unit 2 is significantly smaller than the minimum distance between two jet exit units 2.

Otherwise, the shower corresponds to the 11 to 13 essentially that of 1 to 4 . In both cases, if desired, individual jets with different characteristics can be provided for the exit from the first exit channels 2 ₁ or the second exit channels 2 ₂ , for example a harder, unventilated jet from the central, first exit channels 2 ₁ and a softer, ventilated jet the annular second outlet channels 2 ₂ . In alternative embodiments, the second outlet channel 2 ₂ does not surround the first outlet channel 2 ₁ along its entire circumference, but only over a partial circumference, ie over an angular range of less than 360 °.

The 14 to 16 illustrate a shower variant with multi-channel jet outlet elements and in particular a plurality of second outlet channels per jet outlet unit. The shower is special 14 to 16 a plurality of jet outlet units 2 "are provided, each of which is formed by a jet outlet element 5" which has a central first outlet channel 2 ₁ and a plurality of second outlet channels 2 ₂ , which surround the first outlet channel 2 ₁ in a coaxial or concentric arrangement. In the example shown, the second outlet channels 2 _{2 of} each jet outlet element 5 ″ are arranged equidistantly along two circular lines with different radius around the first outlet channel 2 ₁ .

For this purpose, a modified outlet plate 6b is provided, on which in turn the jet outlet elements 5 ″ are integrally formed as corresponding extensions or outlet nipples, both the first outlet channel 2 ₁ and the central hollow channel being in this nipple structure as well as the plurality of second outlet channels 2 _{2 are designed} as corresponding, narrower hollow channels axially in the nipple ring wall surrounding the first outlet channel 2 ₁ . The second outlet channels 2 ₂ extend backwards into the associated second outlet chamber 9 ₂ between the outlet plate 6b and a modified channel-forming plate 7b, which is similar to the channel-forming plate 7 of the showerhead 1 to 4 is provided with through openings 7b ₁ which are aligned with the first outlet channels 2 ₁ , corresponding sealing connections 7b ₂ sealing the connection of the through openings 7b ₁ with the first outlet channels 2 _{1 of} the jet outlet elements 5 ″ with respect to the second outlet chamber 9 ₂ .

Here too, for example, is off Fig. 14 it can be seen that the minimum distance between the first and second exit channels 2 ₁ , 2 _{2 of} the respective jet exit unit 2 "is significantly smaller than the minimum distance from each two jet exit units 2".

This shower, for example, can be in a first mode a spray jet, wherein the fluid exits only from the first outlet passages 2 _1, or provide in a second mode a spray jet, wherein the fluid exits only from the second outlet channels 2 ₂ wherein the shower jet in this case is composed of a corresponding number of individual jets per jet outlet element 5 ″.

While showers which each have only one type of jet outlet element have been described so far, the invention also includes embodiments with several different types of jet outlet element. It goes without saying that any number of different types and shapes of jet outlet units can be used for a respective shower, depending on the needs and wishes. Fig. 17 illustrates a simple example in which two types of jet exit units are used, especially those in the shower of the 1 to 4 used two-channel jet outlet units 2 or jet outlet elements 5 and those in the shower of 14 to 16 used multi-channel jet outlet units 2 "or jet outlet elements 5". In the example of Fig. 17 the two types of jet exit units 2, 2 "alternate on five different jet disc radii, that is to say the multi-channel jet exit units 2" are arranged on an innermost, a middle and an outer radius at equidistant distances from one another, and the two-channel jet exit units 2 are on the two intermediate radii arranged at an equidistant distance. The associated fluid outlet structure is designed to correspond to how this can be easily done for the person skilled in the art on the basis of the illustrations of the showers of 1 to 4 or the 14 to 16 results.

Claims (10)

1. A shower device, preferably a sanitary shower device for a shower bath, comprising

   - a fluid outlet structure (1) forming a shower spray jet, including a plurality of jet outlet units, at least two thereof being formed as multichannel jet outlet units (2) each including at least one first outlet channel (2₁) leading out axially and at least one second outlet channel (2₂) leading out axially which is fluidicly separated from the first one, and

   - a fluid conduct configured to conduct a fluid supplied to the shower device selectively to the first outlet channels or to the second outlet channels,

   characterized in that

   - a minimum distance (A₁₂) of the outlet channels (2₁, 2₂) of a respective one of the multichannel jet outlet units (2) is smaller than a minimum distance of the outlet channels of in each case two multichannel jet outlet units, and/or

   - at at least one multichannel jet outlet unit (2, 2") a second outlet channel (2₂) or a group of a plurality of second outlet channels (2₂) is arranged to surround a first outlet channel (2₁) at least along a part of its circumference.
2. The shower device according to claim 1, further characterized in that

   - a maximum distance (A₁₂) of the outlet channels of a respective one of the multichannel jet outlet units is smaller than a minimum distance of the outlet channels of in each case two distinct multichannel jet outlet units, and/or

   - an orifice of the at least one second outlet channel is on a same level as an orifice of the at least one first outlet channel with respect to a jet outlet direction or has a predetermined offset relative to the latter orifice.
3. The shower device according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that at at least one of the multichannel jet outlet units a second outlet channel is disposed to surround a first outlet channel in an annular shape or a group of a plurality of second outlet channels is disposed to surround a first outlet channel along a closed curve and spaced at equal intervals from one another.
4. The shower device according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that the fluid outlet structure includes a jet disk (4) provided with an associated jet disk opening (3) for each jet outlet unit.
5. The shower device according to claim 4, further characterized in that the respective jet outlet unit is constituted by a jet outlet element (5) extending through the associated jet disk opening.
6. The shower device according to claim 5, further characterized in that the fluid outlet structure includes a jet forming structure (6, 7, 8) disposed on an interior side of the jet disk, where the jet outlet elements made of an elastic material are arranged.
7. The shower device according to claim 5 or 6, further characterized in that the jet outlet elements extend on an outlet side beyond an exterior side of the jet disk with a projecting length (U) of at least one quarter of an opening width (O) of the jet disk openings.
8. The shower device according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, further characterized in that the fluid outlet structure includes at least one first outlet chamber (9₁), out of which the first outlet channels discharge, and at least one second outlet chamber (9₂) fluidicly separated from the first one, out of which the second outlet channels discharge, wherein the first and the second outlet chambers are arranged side by side or consecutively with respect to a jet outlet direction.
9. The shower device according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, further characterized in that at least one of the multichannel jet outlet units has at least one third outlet channel fluidicly separated from the at least one first and the at least one second outlet channels.
10. The shower device according to claim 9, further characterized in that the jet outlet unit including the at least one third outlet channel has in each case one first, second and third outlet channel, arranged side by side in a linear or triangular configuration.

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