EP3450025B1 - Valve gun for a high-pressure cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a valve pistol with the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

With the aid of such valve pistols, the delivery of liquid that has been pressurized by a high-pressure cleaning device can be controlled. For example, a pressure hose can be connected to an inlet of the valve and a spray lance, for example, can be connected to an outlet of the valve. Liquid under pressure can be fed to the valve gun via the pressure hose, and the liquid can be directed at an object via the spray lance. To control the dispensing of the liquid, the user has the option of pivoting the release lever from a rest position into a release position. The release lever is mechanically coupled to a valve tappet. An opening force can be directed from the valve tappet onto the closing body of the valve, so that the closing body lifts off the valve seat against the pressure of the liquid acting on the closing body in the rest position and thereby releases a flow connection from the inlet of the valve to the outlet of the valve. In addition to the pressure of the liquid, the force of a return spring usually acts on the closing body, which ensures that the closing body automatically assumes its closed position again after the liquid has been dispensed, provided the user releases the release lever.

As already mentioned, the transition of the closing body from the closed position into the open position takes place against the pressure of the liquid. To open the valve, therefore, a considerable opening force must be exerted on the closing body, and a not inconsiderable holding force must be exerted on the closing body in order to hold the closing body in the open position. The actuating forces that the user has to exert on the release lever are correspondingly large. This complicates the handling of the valve gun.

In order to reduce the actuation forces, in particular for opening the valve, in the DE 35 18 492 proposed to pivot the release lever, starting from the rest position, first around a first pivot point and then around a second pivot point. The first pivot point is arranged at a smaller distance from the valve tappet than the second pivot point. The small distance between the first pivot point and the valve tappet means that when the valve is opened, a large opening force can be exerted on the valve tappet and then on the closing body of the valve, although only a relatively small displacement path of the valve tappet can be achieved. When the release lever is pivoted further, its pivot point changes. The second pivot point is at a greater distance from the valve tappet, so that the opening force that can be achieved by the user is lower, but a greater displacement path can now be achieved. The one from the DE 35 18 492 known valve pistol is thus characterized by improved handling, but the provision of two pivot points for the release lever requires considerable structural effort.

In order to reduce the design effort, the EP 0 408 865 A2 a valve pistol is proposed in which the pivoting movement of the release lever is superimposed on a sliding movement. The pivot axis of the release lever is held in an elongated hole and changes its position when the release lever is pivoted.

In the DE 196 14 663 A1 a valve pistol is described in which an actuating part is slidably mounted in the release lever and can be pivoted between the valve stem and a support roller. In the release position of the release lever, the actuating part is supported on the support roller.

In the DE 35 27 922 A valve pistol is described in which, in addition to a release lever, a locking lever is used which supports the release lever in the release position of the release lever and thereby reduces the actuating force to be exerted by the user to hold the closing body in the open position.

Valve pistols have also been proposed in which the release lever is coupled to the valve stem via a toggle lever ( GB 513 013 A ) or a multi-part lever mechanism ( EP 2 165 768 B1 ) to simplify the handling of the valve pistol. However, this requires a considerable design effort.

From the EP 1 389 495 A1 a valve pistol is known in which the actuating force required to open the valve is reduced in that a piston, on which the pressure of the liquid prevailing upstream of the valve seat acts, rests on the release lever. The piston is slidable and sealed in a channel.

From the EP 2 165 767 A1 a valve pistol with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known. In this valve pistol, a release lever is coupled to a valve tappet via a coupling lever. The coupling lever has an actuating element via which the valve tappet can be acted upon with an opening force. In addition, the coupling lever has a first and a second force absorbing element. The first force receiving element is formed by a first elbow and the second force receiving element is formed by a second elbow. The two knee pieces are each pivotably mounted on the coupling lever. With their ends facing away from the coupling lever, the two knee pieces are each movably supported in a slot in the release lever. When swiveling the Release lever from the rest position to the release position, the first elbow rests stationary on a first end of the first slot and a first release force is transmitted via the first elbow to the coupling lever, while at the same time the second elbow is moved within the second slot. As the release lever continues to move, the second elbow comes to rest on one end of the associated second slot, so that a second release force is transmitted to the coupling lever via the second elbow, and at the same time the first elbow moves within the associated first slot.

The object of the present invention is to develop a valve pistol of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it has a simple structural design, simple handling and low susceptibility to failure.

This object is achieved by a valve pistol with the features of patent claim 1.

In the valve gun according to the invention, the release lever is coupled to the valve tappet via a coupling lever which is pivotably mounted about a second pivot axis. The coupling lever has an actuating element via which the valve tappet can be subjected to the opening force. In order to pivot the coupling lever about the second pivot axis, it can be acted upon with a release force. For this purpose, the coupling lever has a first force receiving element and a second force receiving element. The first force receiving element is arranged at a greater distance from the second pivot axis than the second force receiving element. If the release lever is pivoted from its rest position into its release position, the coupling lever is first subjected to a release force via the first force receiving element and when the release lever is pivoted further, the coupling lever is subjected to a release force via the second force receiving element. During the transition from the rest position to the release position of the release lever, the lever ratios of the coupling lever change. In a first phase Due to the favorable lever ratio resulting from the large distance between the first force-absorbing element and the second pivot axis, a large opening force can be exerted on the valve tappet even if the user only applies a relatively low actuating force to the release lever. The large distance between the first force-absorbing element and the second pivot axis means that only a small stroke of the valve tappet, i.e. only a relatively small displacement path of the valve tappet, can be achieved during the first phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever. However, this relatively small stroke is sufficient to lift the closing body from the valve seat of the valve to such an extent that the pressure of the liquid is reduced considerably upstream of the valve seat. In a second phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever, the coupling lever is then acted on via the second force receiving element, which is at a smaller distance from the second pivot axis than the first force receiving element. The smaller distance between the second force-absorbing element has the consequence that a greater displacement path of the valve tappet can be achieved, so that the closing body of the valve can be moved at a relatively large distance from the valve seat.

The distance between the closing body and the valve seat in the open position of the closing body is advantageously at least 1 mm. As a result, flow losses of the liquid can be kept low.

The valve pistol according to the invention is characterized by simple handling, since the user only has to exert a relatively low actuating force on the release lever and a high opening force can still be applied to the valve stem. The force relationships are determined in a structurally simple manner by the design of the coupling lever via which the release lever is coupled to the valve tappet. The opening force is applied to the valve tappet by the coupling lever via its actuating element. The distance between the actuating element and the second pivot axis can be small. In particular, it can be provided that the distance between the actuating element and the second Has pivot axis, is about a tenth of the distance that the first force receiving element has to the second pivot axis.

The distance between the second force receiving element and the second pivot axis is advantageously approximately 40% to 80%, in particular approximately 65% to 75%, of the distance between the first force receiving element and the second pivot axis.

The release lever has a first and a second force application element, wherein the first force absorption element of the coupling lever can be applied to the first force application element of the release lever and wherein the second force absorption element of the coupling lever can be applied to the second force application element of the release lever. If the release lever is pivoted from its rest position into its release position, the first force-absorbing element of the coupling lever first contacts the first force application element of the release lever, so that the coupling lever is pivoted about the second pivot axis, thereby applying a large opening force to the valve tappet. After completion of the first phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever, the second force-absorbing element of the coupling lever contacts the second force-applying element of the release lever, so that the pivoting movement of the coupling lever is continued, with the actuating element of the coupling lever now exerting a lower opening force on the valve tappet, but this by a considerable one Can be moved away.

The first force receiving element and the first force applying element form a first guide surface and a first contact element contacting the first guide surface and movable along the first guide surface, and the second force receiving element and the second force applying element form a second guide surface and one contacting the second guide surface and along the second Guide surface movable second contact element.

In order to keep the actuation force required to lift the closing body off the valve seat of the valve, which the user must exert on the release lever, particularly low, the angle of inclination of the tangent of the first guide surface at the current contact point of the first contact element is based on a perpendicular to a connecting line between The first reference line aligned with the current contact point of the first contact element and the first pivot axis is less than the angle of inclination of the tangent of the second guide surface at the current contact point of the second contact element relative to a second reference line aligned perpendicular to a connecting line between the current contact point of the second contact element and the first pivot axis . When the release lever is pivoted from the rest position into the release position, the first contact element first moves along the first guide surface, the first contact element making contact with the first guide surface, and then the second contact element moves along the second guide surface, the second contact element making contact with the second guide surface . The first guide surface is designed such that the tangent of the first guide surface at the current contact point at which the first contact element contacts the first guide surface when it moves along the first guide surface is inclined to a first reference line. The second guide surface is designed such that the tangent of the second guide surface is inclined to a second reference line at the current contact point at which the second contact element contacts the second guide surface when it moves along the second guide surface. The angle of inclination between the tangent of the first guide surface and the first reference line is less than the angle of inclination between the tangent of the second guide surface and the second reference line. The first reference line is aligned perpendicular to a connecting line which connects the current contact point of the first contact element with the first pivot axis. The second reference line is aligned perpendicular to a connecting line which connects the current contact point of the second contact element with the first pivot axis. During the first phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever, the first contact element moves along the first guide surface and over the first guide surface and the first contact element a first release force is transmitted from the release lever to the coupling lever. During the second phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever, the second contact element moves along the second guide surface and over the second guide surface, and the second contact element transmits a second release force from the release lever to the coupling lever. The smaller angle of inclination of the tangent of the first guide surface has the consequence that the coupling lever is only slightly moved during the first phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever. The release lever can therefore be pivoted against the coupling lever with relatively little force during the first phase of its pivoting movement. During the second phase of the pivoting movement, the coupling lever is moved more strongly due to the greater angle of inclination of the tangent of the second guide surface, so that a considerable stroke of the closing body can be achieved. The angle of inclination between the tangent of the first guide surface at the momentary contact point of the first contact element and the first reference line is decisive for the extent of the movement of the coupling lever in the first phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever. At an angle of inclination of 0 °, a pivoting movement of the release lever would not result in any movement of the coupling lever. The larger the angle of inclination, the greater the amount of movement of the coupling lever.

The inclination of the tangent of the first guide surface at the instantaneous contact point of the first contact element with respect to the first reference line can be, for example, approximately 10 ° to 40 °, in particular approximately 15 ° to 30 °.

The inclination of the tangent of the second guide surface at the current contact point of the second contact element in relation to the second reference line can be, for example, 40 ° to 70 °, in particular 45 ° to 65 °.

The first guide surface and / or the second guide surface can be curved, in particular curved in an arc shape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first guide surface and the second guide surface are flat. In such an embodiment, the two guide surfaces each form an inclined plane along which the first contact element and the second contact element move when the release lever is pivoted. The first guide surface forms a first wedge gear in combination with the first contact element and the second guide surface forms a second wedge gear in combination with the second contact element. The release lever is mechanically connected to the coupling lever via the two wedge gears.

The first guide surface and / or the second guide surface are preferably aligned parallel to the second pivot axis.

It is favorable if the first guide surface and the second guide surface are arranged on the release lever and the first contact element and the second contact element are arranged on the coupling lever.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the first guide surface and the second guide surface are arranged on the coupling lever and the first contact element and the second contact element are arranged on the release lever.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first contact element and / or the second contact element are designed as freely rotatable contact rollers.

The contact rollers can, for example, be rotatably mounted on the coupling lever.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first guide surface and the second guide surface are arranged on a side of the release lever facing the coupling lever.

The first and the second guide surface are advantageously arranged on an end face of the release lever facing away from the first pivot axis.

If the closing body of the valve is in its open position, pressurized fluid flows around it and a closing force is advantageously also applied to it by a closing spring of the valve. The user must therefore apply a certain holding force to the release lever in order to hold the closing body in its open position. This can lead to user fatigue. To achieve improved handling of the valve gun, it is desirable to reduce the holding force required. To this end, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the second contact element rests against a support surface in the release position of the release lever, the angle of inclination of the tangent of the support surface being smaller relative to a third reference line oriented perpendicular to a connecting line between the support surface and the first pivot axis as the angle of inclination of the tangent of the second guide surface at the current contact point of the second contact element in relation to the second reference line. As already mentioned, by providing the second guide surface and the second contact element during the second phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever, a relatively large displacement path of the valve tappet can be achieved. The angle of inclination of the tangent of the second guide surface preferably has a relatively large value in relation to the second reference line, in particular a value of at least approximately 45 °. If the closing body reaches its open position at the end of the pivoting movement of the release lever, a further displacement movement of the valve stem is no longer necessary and the closing body can then be held in its open position. For this purpose, the second contact element can assume a position on a support surface in the release position of the release lever. The inclination of the support surface to a third reference line is less than the inclination of the tangent of the second guide surface to the second reference line. The third reference line is aligned perpendicular to a connection line that connects the support surface with the first pivot axis. The smaller the angle of inclination of the tangent of the support surface in relation to the third reference line, the lower the holding force that the user has to exert on the release lever. If the angle of inclination is 0 °, the support surface is aligned perpendicular to the connecting line between the support surface and the first pivot axis, so that the coupling lever can be supported on the release lever via the second contact element, the force exerted by the coupling lever on the release lever being directed to the first pivot axis and is absorbed by it. With an inclination angle of the tangent of the support surface in relation to the third reference line of 0 °, the user does not have to exert any force on the release lever in order to hold the closing body of the valve in its open position. However, this then has the consequence that the closing body remains in its open position even if the user unintentionally puts the valve pistol down. In order to prevent the closing body from remaining in its open position in such a case, it is advantageous if the angle of inclination of the tangent of the support surface with respect to the third reference line is approximately 1 ° to approximately 20 °, in particular approximately 5 ° to 15 °.

The support surface is expediently designed to be flat.

The second coupling element is preferably arranged on the coupling lever and the support surface is arranged on the release lever.

It is favorable if the support surface is arranged on the side of the release lever facing the coupling lever.

It is advantageous if the support surface is arranged between the first guide surface and the second guide surface. In such a configuration, both the first and the second guide surface and the support surface are arranged on the side of the release lever that faces the coupling lever. The support surface here assumes a position between the first guide surface and the second guide surface.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the coupling lever is designed in a straight line.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the coupling lever is L-shaped.

Another simplification of the handling of the valve pistol is achieved in an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the valve has a valve inlet and a valve outlet, the valve outlet protruding from a front side of the housing of the valve pistol, and that the housing can be grasped by the user with the hand Has handle, wherein the release lever protrudes in its rest position from a back of the handle facing away from the valve outlet. In such a configuration of the valve pistol according to the invention, the user can actuate the release lever with his palm. If liquid under pressure is dispensed from the valve gun, the liquid exerts a recoil on the valve gun. The positioning of the trigger lever on the rear of the handle facing away from the valve outlet has the consequence that the valve pistol is pressed against the ball of the hand of the user under the influence of the recoil of the liquid. The ball of the hand of the user thus acts in the manner of an abutment on which the valve pistol is supported. The user's fingers are thus relieved.

It is favorable if the handle protrudes from a central or rear region of the housing of the valve pistol and the first pivot axis in one the end region of the handle facing away from the central or rear region of the housing is arranged.

The central housing area favorably at least partially accommodates the coupling lever via which the release lever is coupled to the valve tappet.

The housing of the valve pistol is advantageously formed by two housing shells on which the coupling lever and / or the release lever are pivotably mounted.

It is particularly advantageous if the coupling lever is pivotably mounted on a valve housing of the valve.

In order to prevent unintentional pivoting of the release lever from the rest position into the release position, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the valve pistol has at least one locking member that can be moved back and forth between a first position and a second position, the release lever of the at least one locking member in can be locked in the first position and released in the second position.

The valve pistol preferably has a first and a second locking element, which can each be moved back and forth between a first position and a second position.

It is favorable if at least one locking member is movably mounted, in particular displaceably or pivotably, on a handle of the housing that can be grasped by the user with his hand.

It is particularly advantageous if a locking member in the first position protrudes from a front side of the handle facing the valve outlet. If the user grasps the handle of the housing with his hand, so can he intuitively move the locking member located on the front of the handle from the first position to the second position, so that the user can then pivot the release lever from the rest position into the release position in order to dispense pressurized liquid via the valve outlet.

Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that a locking member is movably, in particular displaceably, mounted on a region of the release lever protruding from the handle in the rest position of the release lever, the locking member protruding in its first position from the release lever and completely in the second position Release lever dips. In its first position, the locking member blocks a movement of the release lever in the direction of the handle and in the second position of the locking member, the release lever can be moved in the direction of the handle. The locking member can for example be mounted on the release lever so as to be displaceable parallel to the first pivot axis. In its area protruding from the handle in the rest position, the release lever preferably has an opening in which the locking member is displaceably mounted.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform einer Ventilpistole;

Figur 2:

eine Schnittansicht der Ventilpistole längs der Linie 2-2 in Figur 1, wobei ein Arretierungsglied eine erste Stellung einnimmt;

Figur 3:

eine Schnittansicht entsprechend Figur 2, wobei das Arretierungsglied eine zweite Stellung einnimmt;

Figur 4:

eine schematische Schnittansicht der Ventilpistole aus Figur 1, wobei ein Auslösehebel eine Ruhestellung einnimmt;

Figur 5:

eine schematische Schnittansicht der Ventilpistole aus Figur 1, wobei der Auslösehebel eine Zwischenstellung einnimmt;

Figur 6:

eine schematische Schnittansicht der Ventilpistole aus Figur 1, wobei der Auslösehebel eine Freigabestellung einnimmt;

The following description of an advantageous embodiment of the invention is used in conjunction with the drawing for a more detailed explanation. Show it:

Figure 1:

a schematic side view of an advantageous embodiment of a valve gun;

Figure 2:

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the valve gun taken along line 2-2 in FIG Figure 1 wherein a locking member assumes a first position;

Figure 3:

a sectional view accordingly Figure 2 wherein the locking member is in a second position;

Figure 4:

a schematic sectional view of the valve gun from Figure 1 , wherein a release lever is in a rest position;

Figure 5:

a schematic sectional view of the valve gun from Figure 1 , wherein the release lever occupies an intermediate position;

Figure 6:

a schematic sectional view of the valve gun from Figure 1 , wherein the release lever assumes a release position;

In the Figures 1 to 6 an advantageous embodiment of a valve pistol according to the invention is shown schematically and denoted overall by the reference numeral 10. The valve gun 10 comprises a housing 12 which is formed by a first housing shell 14 and a second housing shell 15. The housing 12 has a central housing area 16 which is arranged between a front housing area 18 and a rear housing area 22. The front housing area 18 accommodates a valve 20 and a handle 24 projects from the rear housing area 22, from the free end area 26 of which a protective bracket 28 extends to the front housing area 18. The protective bracket 28, the central housing area 16 and the handle 24 surround a handle opening 30 into which the user can reach with his fingers when grasping the handle 24.

The central housing area 16 receives a substantially straight coupling lever 32 and a release lever 34 is arranged in the handle 24. The release lever 34 is mounted on the two housing shells so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis 36 and can be moved into the Figures 1 to 4 shown rest position via an in Figure 5 intermediate position shown in an in Figure 6 shown release position are pivoted. The first pivot axis 36 is arranged in the free end region 26 of the handle 24. In its rest position, the release lever 34 protrudes with a rear lever area 37 from the rear side of the handle 24 facing away from the valve 20.

The release lever 34 is acted upon by a first return spring 38 with a resilient return force.

The release lever 34 can in its in the Figures 1 to 4 are locked in the rest position shown. For this purpose, a substantially L-shaped first locking member 40 is pivotably mounted on the handle 24 and a bolt-like second locking member 41 is mounted in the rear lever area 37 so as to be displaceable parallel to the first pivot axis 36.

A first leg 42 of the first locking member 40 protrudes into the Figures 1 to 4 shown first position of the first locking member 40 out of the valve 20 facing front of the handle 24 and a free end 44 of a second leg 46 of the first locking member 40 is in the first position of the first locking member 40 on the release lever 34 and prevents this from pivoting .

If the user grasps the handle 24 with his hand, he intuitively swivels the first locking member 40 with his fingers against the resilient restoring force of a second restoring spring 48 into a Figures 5 and 6 Second position shown, in which the second leg 46 of the first locking member 40 dips into a recess 50 of the release lever 34, so that the release lever 34 from its rest position into its release position can be pivoted. If the user releases the handle 24 again, the release lever 34 is automatically pivoted into its rest position by the first return spring 38 and the first locking member 40 is automatically pivoted into its first position by the second return spring 48, so that the release lever 34 is locked again .

The second locking member 41 is in a through opening 43 parallel to the first pivot axis 36 between a in Figure 2 first position shown and one in Figure 3 second position shown supported back and forth displaceable. The through opening 43 is arranged in the rear lever area 37 of the release lever 34 and thus protrudes from the rear of the handle 24 in the rest position of the release lever 34. In this position, the second locking member 41, which is designed in the manner of a bolt, can be moved into the first position, in which a partial area 45 protrudes from the through opening 43 and rests against a rear edge 47 of the handle 24. As a result, the release lever 34 is blocked and cannot be pivoted from its rest position into its release position. To release the release lever 34, the second locking member 41 has to be pushed completely into the through opening 43 so that the second locking member 41 releases the rear edge 47 of the handle 24. In this second position, the release lever 34 can then be pivoted into the release position without being hindered by the second locking member 41.

The release lever 34 has, on its end face 52 facing away from the first pivot axis 36 and facing the coupling lever 32, a first force application element in the form of a first flat guide surface 54 and a second force application element in the form of a second flat guide surface 56, and between the first guide surface 54 and a flat support surface 58 is arranged on the end face 52 of the release lever 34 on the second guide surface 56.

The coupling lever 32 can be pivoted about a second pivot axis 60 in the housing 12. The second pivot axis 60 is aligned parallel to the first pivot axis 36 and is mounted on a valve housing 62 of the valve 20. At a small distance from the second pivot axis 60, the coupling lever 32 has an adjustable actuating element 64 which rests on a valve tappet 66. The valve tappet 66 is slidably mounted in the valve housing 62 and its end facing away from the actuating element 64 rests on a spherical closing body 68 of the valve 20, which is acted upon by a third return spring 70 with a resilient closing force in the direction of a valve seat 72.

The valve housing 62 has a valve inlet 74 and a valve outlet 76. The valve inlet 74 protrudes from an underside 78 of the front housing area 18 and the valve outlet 76 protrudes from a front side 80 of the front housing area 18. A liquid supply line, for example a pressure hose, can be connected to the valve inlet 74, via which liquid under pressure can be supplied to the valve gun 10. A spray lance, for example, via which the pressurized liquid can be dispensed, can be connected to the valve outlet 76.

The valve seat 72 is arranged in the flow path between the valve inlet 74 and the valve outlet 76. The closing body 68 is in its in Figure 1 In the closed position shown, it rests tightly on the valve seat 72, so that the flow connection between the valve inlet 74 and the valve outlet 76 is interrupted. In its closed position, the closing body 68 is acted upon by the pressure of the liquid prevailing upstream of the valve seat 72. By means of the valve tappet 66, the closing body 68 can be lifted from the valve seat 72 against the restoring force of the third restoring spring 70 and against the pressure of the liquid acting on it, so that it releases the flow connection between the valve inlet 74 and the valve outlet 76. This builds up in the closed position of the closing body 68 upstream of the valve seat 72 from the prevailing liquid pressure.

At its end facing away from the actuating element 64, the coupling lever 32 has a first force-absorbing element in the form of a first contact element 82 which, in the embodiment shown, is designed as a first contact roller 84 freely rotatably mounted on the coupling lever 32.

At a distance from the first contact element 82, the coupling lever 32 has, on its underside facing the handle 24, a second force-absorbing element in the form of a second contact element 86, which in the embodiment shown is designed as a second contact roller 88 freely rotatably mounted on the coupling lever 32. The distance between the second contact roller 88 and the second pivot axis 60 is smaller than the distance between the first contact roller 84 and the second pivot axis 60. The distance between the second contact roller 88 and the second pivot axis 60 is advantageously approximately 40% to 80% of the distance between the first contact roller 84 and the second pivot axis 60.

The distance between the actuating element 64 and the second pivot axis 60 is preferably approximately 10% of the distance between the first contact roller 84 and the second pivot axis 60.

In the rest position of the release lever 34, the first contact roller 84 can rest against the first guide surface 54 of the release lever 34. The region of the first guide surface 54 in which the first contact roller 84 momentarily contacts the first guide surface 54 forms a momentary first contact point 90.

If the release lever 34 is pivoted about the first pivot axis 36 starting from its rest position, the first contact roller 84 rolls along the first guide surface 54 until the first contact roller 84 reaches the rear end of the first guide surface 54 facing away from the support surface 58. With the Changing the position of the first contact roller 84 also changes the position of the current first contact point 90. During this first phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever 34, the coupling lever 32 is pivoted about the second pivot axis 60 so far that the closing body 68 lifts off the valve seat 72 and moves as a result, the pressure of the liquid prevailing upstream of the valve seat 72 is reduced.

If the first contact roller 84 reaches the rear end of the first guide surface 54 facing away from the valve 20, as shown in FIG Figure 2 is shown, the second contact roller 88 makes contact with the front end of the second guide surface 56 facing the valve 20. The region of the second guide surface 56 in which the second contact roller 88 momentarily contacts the second guide surface 56 forms a momentary second contact point 92 Pivoting the release lever 34 into its release position, the second contact roller 88 rolls along the second guide surface 56, the coupling lever 32 being pivoted further about the second pivot axis 60 and thereby displacing the valve tappet 66, so that the closing body 68 finally has a significant distance from the valve seat 72 occupies.

When the release lever 34 reaches its in Figure 3 As shown in the release position, the second contact roller 88 assumes a position on the support surface 58. This is in Figure 3 shown.

The first guide surface 54, like the second guide surface 56, forms an inclined plane. The first guide surface 54 has a first tangent 94 at the first contact point 90 and the second guide surface 56 has a second tangent 96 at the second contact point 92. In relation to a first reference line 98 which is oriented perpendicular to a first connecting line 100 which connects the first contact point 90 to the first pivot axis 36, the first tangent 94 is inclined by a first angle of inclination 102. The second tangent 96 is related to a second reference line 104, which is oriented perpendicular to a second connecting line 106 connecting the second contact point 92 to the first pivot axis 36, inclined by a second angle of inclination 108. The first angle of inclination 102 is significantly smaller than the second angle of inclination 108. For example, it can be provided that the first angle of inclination is 10 ° to 40 °, in particular 15 ° to 30 °, whereas the second angle of inclination is, for example, 40 ° to 70 °, in particular 45 ° up to 65 °.

Since the first angle of inclination 102 is selected to be smaller than the second angle of inclination 108, the coupling lever 32 is pivoted by a relatively small pivot angle during a first phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever 34 as long as the first contact roller 84 rolls on the first guide surface 54, and then the Coupling lever 32 is pivoted by a larger pivot angle during a second phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever 34 as long as the second contact roller 88 rolls on the second guide surface 56. The greater distance between the first contact roller 84 and the second pivot axis 60, in combination with the smaller angle of inclination 102, means that the user only has to exert a relatively small actuating force on the release lever 34 to open the valve 20. This facilitates the handling of the valve pistol 10. During the first phase of the pivoting movement of the release lever 34, the closing body 68 lifts so far from the valve seat 72 that the pressure of the liquid upstream of the valve seat 72 is reduced considerably and then the closing body 68 continues with a lower opening force can be moved into its open position by the second contact roller 88 rolling on the second guide surface 56.

When the release lever 34 reaches its in Figure 3 The release position shown, in which the closing body 68 assumes its open position, the coupling lever 32 is supported on the support surface 58 via the second contact roller 88. The flat support surface 58 has a third tangent 110, which has a third angle of inclination 114 in relation to a third reference line 112, which is smaller than the second angle of inclination 108 connects to the first pivot axis 36. The third angle of inclination 114 is preferably smaller than the first angle of inclination 102. It is favorable if the third angle of inclination 114 is approximately 1 ° to approximately 20 °, in particular approximately 5 ° to 15 °.

Due to the relatively small inclination of the support surface 58 to the third reference line 112, the user only needs to exert a relatively small holding force on the release lever 34 in order to hold the closing body 68 in its open position. The handling of the valve pistol 10 is thus very simple; in particular, the valve pistol 10 can be actuated by the user with little force.

Fatigue-free actuation of the valve pistol 10 is also supported by the fact that the release lever 34 is arranged on the rear side of the handle 24 facing away from the valve 20, because the valve pistol 10 is thereby pushed into the palm of the hand under the influence of the recoil of the liquid released via the valve outlet 76 User pressed, which grips around the handle 24.

Claims (22)

1. Valve gun for a high-pressure cleaning appliance, comprising a housing (12) and a valve (20) which is arranged in the housing (12) and has a closing body (68) which in a closed position lies tight against a valve seat (72) and is adapted to be acted upon by a valve plunger (66) with an opening force for moving the closing body (68) into an open position at a distance from the valve seat (72), and comprising a triggering lever (34) mounted so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis (36), the triggering lever (34) being mechanically coupled to the valve plunger (66) and manually pivotable from a rest position in which the closing body (68) assumes its closed position to a release position in which the closing body (68) assumes its open position, wherein the triggering lever (34) is coupled to the valve plunger (66) via a coupling lever (32) mounted so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis (60), the coupling lever (32) having an actuating element (64) via which the valve plunger (66) is adapted to be acted upon with the opening force, and the coupling lever (32) having a first and a second force receiving element, the first force receiving element being adapted to be acted upon first and the second force receiving element subsequently with a triggering force when the triggering lever (34) is pivoted from the rest position to the release position, the first force receiving element being at a greater distance from the second pivot axis (60) than the second force receiving element, wherein the triggering lever (34) has a first and a second force application element, the first force receiving element being positionable on the first force application element, and the second force receiving element being positionable on the second force application element, wherein the first force receiving element and the first force application element form a first guide surface (54) and a first contact element (82) contacting the first guide surface (54) and movable along the first guide surface (54), and wherein the second force receiving element and the second force application element form a second guide surface (56) and a second contact element (86) contacting the second guide surface (56) and movable along the second guide surface (56), characterized in that the angle of inclination (102) of the tangent (94) of the first guide surface (54) at the momentary contact point (90) of the first contact element (82) in relation to a first reference line (98) oriented perpendicularly to a connecting line (100) between the momentary contact point (90) of the first contact element (82) and the first pivot axis (36) is smaller than the angle of inclination (108) of the tangent (96) of the second guide surface (56) at the momentary contact point (92) of the second contact element (86) in relation to a second reference line (104) oriented perpendicularly to a connecting line (106) between the momentary contact point (92) of the second contact element (86) and the first pivot axis (36), wherein when the triggering lever (34) is pivoted from the rest position to the release position, the first contact element (82) first moves along the first guide surface (54), with the first contact element (82) contacting the first guide surface (54), and via the first guide surface (54) and the first contact element (82), a first triggering force being transferred from the triggering lever (34) onto the coupling lever (32), and the second contact element (86) subsequently moves along the second guide surface (56), with the second contact element (86) contacting the second guide surface (56), and via the second guide surface (56) and the second contact element (86), a second triggering force being transferred onto the coupling lever (32).
2. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the first guide surface (54) and the second guide surface (56) are of flat configuration.
3. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 2, characterized in that the first guide surface (54) and/or the second guide surface (56) are aligned parallel to the second pivot axis (60).
4. Valve gun in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first guide surface (54) and the second guide surface (56) are arranged on the triggering lever (34), and in that the first contact element (82) and the second contact element (86) are arranged on the coupling lever (32).
5. Valve gun in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first contact element (82) and/or the second contact element (86) are configured as freely rotatable contact rollers (84, 88).
6. Valve gun in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first guide surface (54) and the second guide surface (56) are arranged at a side (52) of the triggering lever (34) that faces the coupling lever (32).
7. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 6, characterized in that the first guide surface (54) and the second guide surface (56) are arranged at a side (52) of the triggering lever (34) that faces away from the first pivot axis (36).
8. Valve gun in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second contact element (86), in the release position of the triggering lever (34), lies against a support surface (58), with the angle of inclination (114) of the tangent (110) of the support surface (58) in relation to a third reference line (112) oriented perpendicularly to a connecting line (116) between the support surface (58) and the first pivot axis (36) being smaller than the angle of inclination (108) of the tangent (96) of the second guide surface (56) at the momentary contact point of the second contact element (86) in relation to the second reference line (104).
9. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 8, characterized in that the angle of inclination (114) of the tangent (110) of the support surface (58) in relation to the third reference line (112) is 1° to 20°, in particular, 5° to 15°.
10. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the support surface (58) is of flat configuration.
11. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 8, 9, or 10, characterized in that the support surface (58) is arranged at the side (52) of the triggering lever (34) that faces the coupling lever (32).
12. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 11, characterized in that the support surface (58) is arranged between the first guide surface (54) and the second guide surface (56).
13. Valve gun in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the coupling lever (32) is of straight-lined or L-shaped configuration.
14. Valve gun in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the valve (20) has a valve inlet (74) and a valve outlet (76), the valve outlet (76) protruding from a front side (80) of the housing (12), and in that the housing (12) has a grip (24) graspable by the user with his hand, the triggering lever (34), in its rest position, protruding from a rear side of the grip (24) that faces away from the valve outlet (76).
15. Valve gun in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the housing (12) has a grip (24) graspable by the user with his hand, which protrudes from a central or rear region (16, 22) of the housing (12), and in that the first pivot axis (36) is arranged in an end region (26) of the grip (24) that faces away from the central or rear region (16, 22) of the housing (12).
16. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 15, characterized in that the coupling lever (32) is arranged at least partially in the central region (16) of the housing (12).
17. Valve gun in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the coupling lever (32) is pivotably mounted on a housing (62) of the valve (20).
18. Valve gun in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the valve gun (10) comprises at least one locking member (40, 41) which is movable back and forth between a first position and a second position, the triggering lever (34) being lockable in the first position and releasable in the second position by the at least one locking member (40, 41).
19. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 18, characterized in that the valve gun (10) comprises a first and a second locking member (40, 41) which are each movable back and forth between a first position and a second position.
20. Valve gun in accordance with Claim 18 or 19, characterized in that at least one locking member (40) is movably mounted on a grip (24), graspable by the user with his hand, of the housing (12).
21. Valve gun in accordance with any one of Claims 18 to 20, characterized in that a locking member (40), in the first position, protrudes from a front side of the grip (24) that faces an outlet (76) of the valve (20).
22. Valve gun in accordance with any one of Claims 18 to 21, characterized in that a locking member (41) is movably mounted on a region (37) of the triggering lever (34) which, in the rest position of the triggering lever (34), protrudes from the grip (24), the locking member (41), in its first position, protruding from the triggering lever (34), and, in its second position, extending fully into the triggering lever (34).

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