EP3882406B1 - Sanitary mixer having a plastic interior - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary fitting according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 8 for assembling a corresponding sanitary fitting.

Sanitary fittings are used in particular to provide mixed water as needed at a washbasin, sink, shower or bathtub. To provide mixed water as needed, the sanitary fitting usually has a flow valve for adjusting the flow rate of mixed water and a thermostatic valve for adjusting the mixed water temperature. As a rule, cold water and hot water are mixed into the mixed water in the area of the thermostatic valve. Such plumbing fixtures can also be called a thermostatic battery. The invention relates in particular to elongated, at least partially cylindrical sanitary fittings, in which the flow valve and the thermostatic valve are arranged in end regions of the sanitary fitting that are opposite one another and facing away from one another. In this context, the invention is particularly concerned with the design of the thermostat valve.

They are sanitary fittings with a plastic inner part FR 3 072 751 A1 , EP 3 444 509 A1 , FR 3 076 918 A1 and EP 2 182 122 B1 known.

In order to control the mixed water temperature in a known thermostat battery (cf. Fig. 1 ), the thermostatic valve is provided as a pre-assembled cartridge that is screwed into the valve housing. This cartridge usually has a cartridge housing made of brass, which is usually very complex and expensive. Cartridges with a brass body are typically screwed directly into a high-torque metal fitting body. Installation in a plastic housing is not intended because the material properties reduce the loosening torque of the screw connection. In particular, it was observed that a plastic fitting housing is located with a high torque Screwed cartridge housing can be loosened again after a short time or after a few temperature changes.

Proceeding from this, it is the object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a sanitary fitting and a method are to be specified which simplify the assembly of the sanitary fitting. In addition, the number of parts, the complexity and/or the manufacturing costs of the sanitary fitting should be reduced. Furthermore, in particular, the components of the sanitary fitting that form the waterways should be able to be pre-assembled in the fitting housing before they are installed.

These tasks are solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the solution proposed here are specified in the dependent patent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the dependent patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically sensible manner and define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the patent claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

A sanitary fitting contributes to this, having a fitting housing and a plastic inner part which is at least partially inserted into the fitting housing, the plastic inner part forming at least one water path in the fitting housing, at least part of a thermostat device of the sanitary fitting being formed in the plastic inner part, and wherein a at least partially arranged in the plastic inner part housing element of the thermostat device, the relative position of which defines a control gap of the thermostat device to the plastic inner part, is firmly connected to the plastic inner part.

The fitting housing can be formed with or consist of plastic. It can also be provided that the fitting housing is formed with or made of metal, such as die-cast zinc. If the faucet housing is formed with plastic, the faucet housing and the plastic inner part may be formed with the same plastic. The housing element can be formed with or consist of plastic. In this context, the housing element and the fitting housing and/or the housing element and the plastic inner part can be formed with the same plastic. The plastic inner part can be inserted into the fitting housing at least partially, preferably at least half of its longitudinal extent. The longitudinal extension direction refers to the direction of the longest extension or the main extension of the plastic inner part. This longitudinal extension direction is generally parallel to an axial direction of the thermostat device. Furthermore, the plastic inner part can have an outer contour and the fitting housing can have an inner contour, which are shaped to correspond to one another. In particular, the water path extends through the plastic inner part. The water path in the plastic inner part can run with a bend of, in particular, approximately 90°.

For example, one or more of the following parts of the thermostat device (to form the thermostat device in the plastic inner part) can be arranged at least partially or in sections in the plastic inner part: a housing element, an adjusting element for specifying a mixed water temperature, mixing chamber for mixing cold water and hot water, control slide for regulating the quantity of cold water and/or hot water, control element for actuating the control slide depending on the mixed water temperature, screw element for the effective connection of the control element to the actuating element. A thermostat receptacle, which is open in particular at the front, can be formed in the plastic inner part, into which the thermostat device or one or more of the (mentioned) parts of the thermostat device are at least partially inserted, in particular (in the axial direction or longitudinal extension direction of the plastic inner part and / or from the open one front side). or can be. As a rule, at least part of the thermostat device is formed essentially rotationally symmetrical about the axis to which the axial direction relates.

The relative position of the housing element to the plastic inner part defines the control gap of the thermostat device. This applies in particular to the relative position in the axial direction of the thermostat device (which is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the plastic inner part). In other words, this can also be described as a relative displacement of the housing element and the plastic inner part to one another along the axial direction of the thermostat device. The control gap usually defines or limits the maximum movement or the maximum stroke of the control slide of the thermostat device in the axial direction of the thermostat device (which is usually parallel to the longitudinal direction of the plastic inner part). The control gap can be between 0.2 and 1.2 mm [millimeters] (in the axial direction of the thermostat device), preferably between 0.5 and 0.8 mm. Furthermore, the control gap can be approx. 0.65 mm.

The plastic inner part and the housing element of the thermostat device, which is at least partially arranged in the plastic inner part, are firmly connected to one another, in particular in a rotationally fixed manner. The plastic inner part and the housing element of the thermostat device, which is at least partially arranged in the plastic inner part, can, for example, be connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. The fixed connection advantageously prevents unwanted relative movement between the housing element and the plastic inner part, whereby the control gap can be kept constant. The housing element and the plastic inner part can be firmly connected to one another before they are inserted together into the fitting housing.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the plastic inner part is tubular overall. In other words, this can be described in particular in such a way that the plastic inner part extends in a ring shape around its longitudinal direction. Thus is a cross section of the plastic inner part that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, usually annular. As a result, the plastic inner part can be introduced, in particular inserted, particularly easily into the fitting housing or a correspondingly shaped recess in the fitting housing. In this context, it is particularly preferred if the fitting housing is also tubular, at least in sections.

In accordance with the invention, the plastic inner part is locked in the fitting housing by means of a water connection element which is at least partially inserted into the fitting housing. In this context, it is particularly preferred that the water connection element (partially) penetrates a housing wall of the fitting housing. The water connection element can, for example, form a (cold) water inlet of the sanitary fitting. In this context, for example, a (cold) water inlet hose can be connected to the water connection element. Preferably, a water path extending through the water connection element is aligned perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the plastic inner part.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the control gap can be adjusted via a thread between the housing element and the plastic inner part. The control gap can be adjusted by the screwing depth of the housing element into the plastic inner part, in particular into a thermostat receptacle of the plastic inner part. For example, the thread is formed with an internal thread of the plastic inner part and a corresponding external thread of the housing element. The thread advantageously allows the control gap to be set as precisely as possible.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the housing element and the plastic inner part are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner. The plastic inner part and the housing element can, for example, be connected to one another in a materially bonded manner from the outside. For example, at least partially around an inner circumference of the plastic inner part and / or a weld seam surrounding an outer circumference of the housing element can be provided for a material connection.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that at least part of an adjusting element of the thermostat device is arranged in an annular gap between the housing element and the plastic inner part. The adjusting element can be cup-shaped and its open end can protrude into the annular gap. The annular gap can be open on one end face of the plastic inner part.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that one end of the plastic inner part protrudes from the fitting housing and is at least partially covered by a cup-shaped rotary knob of the sanitary fitting. The rotary knob usually represents an actuating element of the sanitary fitting for manually specifying the mixed water temperature. For this purpose, the rotary knob is usually operatively connected to an actuating element of the thermostat device.

According to a further aspect, a method for assembling a sanitary fitting described here is proposed, in which at least part of the thermostat device is pre-assembled in the plastic inner part before the plastic inner part is inserted into the fitting housing. For example, the pre-assembly can take place immediately before the plastic inner part is inserted into the fitting housing. This can be done, for example, at an installation location of the sanitary fitting. Furthermore, the annular gap can be adjusted before the plastic inner part is inserted into the fitting housing. In particular, the control gap of the thermostat cartridge is adjusted via a thread between the housing element and the plastic inner part (inner water guide). The control gap can be adjusted by the screwing depth of the housing element into the plastic inner part (from the cold water side).

The plastic inner part can define an insertion direction and/or screw-in direction in which the housing element can be inserted into the plastic inner part. The plastic inner part can define the insertion direction and/or screw-in direction, for example, by its inner contour and/or the design of its end face. At least part of the thermostat device can be inserted through an open end face into a thermostat receptacle of the plastic inner part. Furthermore, the plastic inner part can be inserted into the fitting housing in a direction that is parallel to this insertion direction.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the housing element and the plastic inner part be firmly connected to one another after the control gap has been set. For example, the housing element and the plastic inner part can be welded together (from the outside). The housing element and the plastic inner part can be firmly connected to one another before they are inserted together into the fitting housing.

The details, features and advantageous configurations discussed in connection with the sanitary fitting can also occur in the method presented here and vice versa. In this respect, full reference is made to the statements there regarding the more detailed characterization of the features.

Fig. 1:

eine Thermostatkartusche gemäß dem Stand der Technik, und

Fig. 2:

eine hier vorgeschlagene Sanitärarmatur.

The solution presented here and its technical environment are explained in more detail below using the figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited by the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in or in connection with the figures and to combine them with other components and/or findings from other figures and/or the present description. They show by way of example and schematically:

Fig. 1:

a thermostat cartridge according to the prior art, and

Fig. 2:

a plumbing fitting suggested here.

Fig. 1 shows an example and schematic of a thermostat cartridge 24 according to the prior art. In known sanitary fittings (thermostatic batteries), this cartridge 24 is installed as an individual component or complete assembly in the water-carrying body (not shown here). For this purpose, a cartridge housing 25 of the cartridge 24, which is usually made of brass, can be screwed into a cartridge holder in the brass fitting housing (not shown here). The control gap 7 is adjusted when assembling the known cartridge 24 as a pre-assembly assembly by adjusting the screwing depth of the hot water seat 26 into the cartridge housing 25. The corresponding screw connection takes place via the thread 27. The hot water seat 26 and the cartridge housing 25 (also called "head piece") are welded together in this (completely adjusted) position.

Fig. 2 shows an example and schematic of a sanitary fitting 1 proposed here. The sanitary fitting 1 has a fitting housing 2 and a plastic inner part 3, which is at least partially inserted into the fitting housing 2. The plastic inner part 3 forms at least one water path 4 in the fitting housing 2. In addition, at least part of a thermostat device 5 of the sanitary fitting 1 is formed in the plastic inner part 3. Furthermore, a housing element 6 of the thermostat device 5, which is arranged at least partially in the plastic inner part 3 and whose position relative to the plastic inner part 3 defines a control gap 7 of the thermostat device 5, is firmly connected to the plastic inner part 3.

For example, the fitting body 2 is made of metal, such as die-cast zinc, and the housing element 6 is made of plastic. The plastic inner part 3 can advantageously simplify the assembly of the thermostat device 5 into the fitting body 2. In particular, the “thermostat cartridge” assembly is broken down into individual components here. The Individual components are installed in the plastic inner part 3 and thus at least partially (directly) integrated into the waterway 4. In other words, this can also be described in such a way that the individual parts of the cartridge are inserted (directly) into the fitting body 2 or into the water guide (formed with the water path 4 through the plastic inner part 3) by means of the plastic inner part 3. In order to achieve the desired control behavior in an advantageous manner, in particular as simply as possible, with such an implementation of the thermostat device 5 in the plastic inner part 3, the control gap 7 can be installed after installing the individual parts of the thermostat device 5 in the plastic inner part 3 or in the water guide (formed with the water path 4 can be adjusted through the plastic inner part 3).

The sanitary fitting 1 can deliver mixed water with a predetermined mixed water temperature. The thermostat device 5 is provided and set up to control the mixed water temperature by setting or adjusting a mixing ratio between hot water and cold water. To adjust the mixed water temperature, the thermostat device 5 has an adjusting element 11, which is connected to a screw element 15 by means of a screw connection. By rotating the adjusting element 11, the screw element 15 is adjusted by the screw connection in an axial direction 16, here for example parallel to the longitudinal extent of the plastic inner part 3. The movement of the screw element 15 in the axial direction 16 is transmitted to a (temperature-dependent) control element 17, which in turn can move a control slide 18 in the axial direction 16. Depending on the position of the control slide 18 in the axial direction 16, it can alternately open and close a hot water gap 19 and a cold water gap 20. The hot water gap 19 is fluidly connected to a hot water connection element (not shown here) and the cold water gap 20 to the cold water connection element 8. The corresponding fluidic connections generally include at least some waterways 4, which the plastic inner part 3 forms in the fitting housing 2.

For example, the hot water gap 19 is formed between an axial contact surface of the plastic inner part 3 (formed with a collar pointing radially inwards) and the control slide 18. Furthermore, by way of example, the cold water gap 20 is formed between an (axial) contact surface of the housing element 6 and the control slide 18. The control gap 7 usually defines the maximum movement or the maximum stroke of the control slide 18 in the axial direction 16. The control gap 7 therefore also defines the hot water gap 19 and the cold water gap 20 or their relationship to one another, in particular by the sum of the hot water gap 19 and cold water gap 20 always corresponds to control column 7.

Depending on the position of the control slide 18, a corresponding amount of hot water or cold water is passed into the thermostat device 5 through the hot water gap 19 or the cold water gap 20, from which the mixed water is mixed with a corresponding mixed water temperature. In the present embodiment variant of the thermostat device 5, the hot water gap 19 and the cold water control gap 20 extend in the circumferential direction around the thermostat device 5. The control element 17 can at least partially consist of a thermal expansion material. As a result, the control element 17 expands in particular in the axial direction 16 when it is heated and contracts in particular in the axial direction 16 when it is cooled. This allows the control element 17 to keep the mixed water at a (substantially) constant mixed water temperature.

For example, if too much hot water or too little cold water flows into the thermostat device 5, the control element 17 heats up and expands, whereby it adjusts the control slide 18 in the axial direction 16 so that the hot water gap 19 is reduced and the cold water gap 20 is enlarged. Thus, less hot water and more cold water flows into the mixing chamber 21. If, for example, too much cold water or too little hot water flows into the mixing chamber 21, the control element 17 contracts, whereby it moves the control slide 18 in such a way that the hot water gap 19 increases and the cold water gap 20 is reduced in size.

Thus, more hot water and less cold water flows into the mixing chamber 21. The mixing chamber 21 is fluidly connected to a mixed water outlet (not shown here).

Furthermore, in Fig. 2 exemplified that the plastic inner part (3) is tubular overall. In addition, the plastic inner part 3 is locked here in the fitting housing 2, for example by means of a (cold) water connection element 8 which is at least partially inserted into the fitting housing 2. For example, the water connection element 8 penetrates a housing wall 9 of the fitting housing 2.

In Fig. 2 is also shown by way of example that the control gap 7 can be adjusted via a thread 10 between the housing element 6 and the plastic inner part 3. In particular, the control gap 7 can be adjusted via the screwing depth into the thread 10. In particular, the control gap 7 is or is adjusted here by the screwing depth of the housing element 6 into the plastic inner part 3 or into a thermostat receptacle 23 of the plastic inner part 3 that is open at the end (from the cold water side). The thread 10 here includes, for example, an internal thread and a corresponding external thread. The (axial) distance between the internal thread formed in the plastic inner part 3 and the axial contact surface (formed with the radially inwardly facing collar) of the plastic inner part 3 for the control slide 18 is usually (pre-)defined and constant or fixed. In addition, the (axial) distance between the external thread formed on the housing element 6 and the (axial) contact surface of the housing element 6 for the control slide 18 is usually (pre-)defined and constant or fixed.

Furthermore, here, for example, the housing element 6 and the plastic inner part 3 are materially connected to one another. The fixed connection between the housing element 6 and the plastic inner part 3 is intended and set up to protect the housing element 6 and thus the control gap 7 against adjustment. As an example, the two components are or are ie the housing element 6 and the plastic inner part 3, here welded together (from the outside).

In Fig. 2 is also shown by way of example that at least part of the adjusting element 11 of the thermostat device 5 is arranged in an annular gap 12 between the housing element 6 and the plastic inner part 3. The annular gap 12 is here, for example, part of the thermostat receptacle 23, which is open at the front. The annular gap 12 is also open at the front, for example.

Furthermore, in Fig. 2 For example, shown that one end 13 of the plastic inner part 3 protrudes from the fitting housing 2 and is at least partially covered by a cup-shaped rotary knob 14 of the sanitary fitting 1. The rotary knob 14 is here, for example, connected to the adjusting element 11 in a rotationally fixed manner. The rotary knob 14 is used to turn the adjusting element 11 in order to be able to manually adjust the temperature of the mixed water.

To assemble the in Fig. 2 In the sanitary fitting 1 shown, at least part of the thermostat device 5 can be pre-assembled in the plastic inner part 3 before the plastic inner part 3 is inserted into the fitting housing 2. The control gap 7 can be adjusted via the thread 10 between the housing element 6 and the plastic inner part 3. Furthermore, the housing element 6 and the plastic inner part 3 can be firmly connected to one another after the control gap 7 has been adjusted, in particular after the plastic inner part 3 has been inserted into the fitting housing 2.

It can be seen that the inner waterways 4 of this sanitary fitting 1 can be formed by means of plastic inner parts 3, 22, which can be subsequently introduced into the fitting housing 2, in particular inserted. This makes it advantageously possible to pre-assemble the water-carrying components and thereby assemble them the sanitary fitting 1 to make it easier. At least the plastic inner part 3 is preferably mechanically secured against slipping out of the fitting housing 2 by means of the (cold) water connection element 8 (cold water inlet nipple).

The entire (pre-assembled) assembly, comprising at least the plastic inner part 3 and possibly also the further plastic inner part 22, can be inserted into the fitting housing 2 in the axial direction 16. The water connection element 8 can then contribute to locking the assembly. As a result, assembling the sanitary fitting 1 can be simplified even further. By loosening the water connection element 8, the entire assembly, comprising at least the plastic inner part 3 and possibly also the further plastic inner part 22, can be removed from the fitting housing 2, for example for replacement purposes, in a particularly advantageous manner.

By advantageously integrating the thermostat valve function into the plastic inner part 3, the complexity and manufacturing costs of the sanitary fitting 1 can also be reduced. This is particularly due to the fact that the brass housing 25 (cf. Fig. 1 ) and/or the hot water seat 16 (and the associated thread 27) can be omitted. In addition, the water path 4 is not changed in particular by screwing in a housing.

Compared to the state of the art Fig. 1 The ring channels, which are usually provided there for the flow around the cartridge, can also advantageously be omitted. This means that any mechanical rework that may need to be carried out on the receiving body (made of brass/plastic) can be advantageously reduced or even eliminated. Furthermore, a foldable slider for plastic bodies can advantageously be dispensed with. Another advantage can be seen in a better supply of water. In addition, compared to the prior art Fig. 1 the inlet gaps there are no longer necessary. This can also contribute to a better supply of water. In addition, the sieves on the cartridge can advantageously be omitted. This enables cheaper production.

A sanitary fitting and a method are thus specified which at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a sanitary fitting and a method will be provided which simplify the assembly of the sanitary fitting. In addition, the number of parts, the complexity and/or the manufacturing costs of the sanitary fitting can be reduced. Furthermore, in particular, the components of the sanitary fitting that form the waterways can be pre-assembled in the fitting housing before they are installed.

Reference symbol list

1

Sanitary fitting

2

Fitting housing

3

Plastic inner part

4

waterway

5

Thermostat device

6

Housing element

7

Rule gap

8th

Water connection element

9

housing wall

10

thread

11

Control element

12

Annular gap

13

End

14

Rotary knob

15

screw element

16

Direction

17

Rule element

18

Rule slider

19

Hot water gap

20

Cold water gap

21

Mixing chamber

22

Plastic inner part

23

Recording

24

cartridge

25

Cartridge housing

26

Hot water seat

27

thread

Claims (9)

1. A sanitary fitting (1), comprising a fitting housing (2) and a plastic inner part (3) which is at least partially inserted into the fitting housing (2), wherein the plastic inner part (3) forms at least one water path (4) in the fitting housing (2), wherein at least part of a thermostat device (5) of the sanitary fitting (1) is formed in the plastic inner part (3), and wherein a housing element (6) of the thermostat device (5), which is arranged at least partially in the plastic inner part (3) and whose position relative to the plastic inner part (3) in the axial direction of the thermostat device (5) defines a control gap (7) of the thermostat device (5), is fixedly connected to the plastic inner part (3), wherein the plastic inner part (3) is locked in the fitting housing (2) by means of a water connection element (8) inserted at least partially into the fitting housing (2).
2. The sanitary fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plastic inner part (3) is tubular as a whole.
3. The sanitary fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water connection element (8) penetrates a housing wall (9) of the fitting housing (2).
4. The sanitary fitting (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the control gap (7) is adjustable via a thread (10) between the housing element (6) and the plastic inner part (3).
5. The sanitary fitting (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the housing element (6) and the plastic inner part (3) are connected to one another in a firmly bonded manner.
6. The sanitary fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of an adjusting element (11) of the thermostat device (5) is arranged in an annular gap (12) between the housing element (6) and the plastic inner part (3).
7. The sanitary fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one end (13) of the plastic inner part (3) protrudes from the fitting housing (2) and is at least partially covered by a pot-shaped rotary knob (14) of the sanitary fitting (1).
8. A method for assembling a sanitary fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the thermostat device (5) is pre-assembled in the plastic inner part (3) before the plastic inner part (3) is inserted into the fitting housing (2).
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the housing element (6) and the plastic inner part (3) are firmly connected to each other after the control gap (7) has been set.

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