EP4187031A1 - Jet regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for removing an aerator (1) from a fitting outlet (2), an aerator (1) and a set of an aerator (1) and a tool (6), the aerator (1) having a housing (3 ) and a detent element (4) movably mounted on the housing (3), the detent element (4) being actuated by a force transmission from a spring element (5) arranged within a recess in the housing (3) and accessible from outside the fitting outlet (2). can be adjusted onto the latching element (4), with the latching element (4) protruding in its rest position beyond the housing (3) in order to hold the aerator (1) in the fitting outlet (2), with a tool (6) for removing in is inserted into the fitting outlet (2) in an insertion direction (7), the spring element (5) being acted upon by the tool (6) during insertion until the latching element (4) releases the jet regulator (1).

Description

The invention relates to a method for removing a jet regulator from a faucet outlet, the jet regulator having a housing and a latching element which is movably arranged on the housing, the latching element being acted upon by a spring element which is accessible from outside the faucet outlet and protruding beyond the housing in its rest position, to retain the aerator in the faucet spout, wherein a removal tool is inserted into the faucet spout in an insertion direction.

The invention also relates to an aerator, the aerator having a housing and a latching element arranged movably on the housing, the latching element being acted upon by a spring element accessible from outside the faucet outlet and protruding beyond the housing in its rest position in order to hold the aerator in the faucet outlet to hold, wherein a tool for removal is inserted in an insertion direction in the faucet outlet. The locking element can be disengaged by inserting the tool, for example, into a gap provided for this purpose between the fitting and the aerator, which is formed, for example, by a recess on the aerator that forms a gap in the position of use.

Jet regulators of the type mentioned at the outset are therefore not held in a fitting by means of a threaded connection between an outlet mouthpiece and the fitting outlet, but rather exclusively by means of a locking mechanism formed by the locking and spring element on the fitting fixed. Thus, for example, a spout protruding from the faucet can be dispensed with, as a result of which a more aesthetic overall impression can be achieved.

The invention further relates to an aerator with an outlet structure that has lamellae.

For example, the aforementioned jet regulators can be rectangular jet regulators (rectangular jet regulators).

The invention also relates to the use of an aerator receptacle of a fitting to close off a laterally open area of an aerator.

Finally, the invention relates to a set consisting of an aerator and a tool.

The removal of an aerator from a fitting by means of a method of the type mentioned at the outset has hitherto had the disadvantage that when the aerator is in the inserted position, the latching element spread apart from the housing of the aerator can only be moved from its rest position (in the position of use, this corresponds to a fixing position) into a removal position with difficulty can be. To do this, a tool must be inserted into a gap between the faucet and the aerator in such a way that it grips the spring element on its side facing away from the housing in order to be able to move the spring element against the direction of insertion by applying force, so that it can then be moved in the direction of the housing. Locking elements of a known type therefore usually lead to an axial fixation by being supported on an application surface of the fitting outlet, which runs transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of insertion. This also has the disadvantage that a buffer space is kept ready in the fitting outlet must be in order to lift the locking element from the loading surface in the insertion direction and then to be able to move towards the housing. However, if the buffer space becomes soiled after the aerator has been used for a long time, it is often extremely difficult to remove.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method and a jet regulator of the type mentioned at the outset, the problems mentioned being eliminated by improving the performance properties.

According to the invention, the stated object is achieved by the features according to claim 1 . In order to solve the problem, a method of the type mentioned at the outset is proposed in particular, in which the spring element is acted upon by the tool during insertion until the latching element releases the jet regulator. A new type of unlatching mechanism is thus designed in order to be able to release an aerator held in a faucet outlet more easily.

Advantageous configurations of the invention are described below, which can optionally be combined with the characteristics of claim 1 alone or in combination with the characteristics of other configurations.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the tool engages in an undercut on the jet regulator oriented in the direction of insertion, in order to be able to pull the jet regulator out of the faucet outlet. By locking, a force can be transmitted to the jet regulator by means of the tool. In order to be able to achieve a non-positive and/or positive latching, the tool can have at least one projection, preferably at least two projections, which engage in the undercut(s) on the jet regulator in the position of use.

Thus, a pulling mechanism can be formed. In contrast to previously known solutions, the invention has made it possible for the first time to decouple an unlatching mechanism from a pulling mechanism. This makes it much easier to pull the aerator out of the tap spout.

The at least one undercut can protrude into a gap-forming recess on the housing of the jet regulator provided for inserting the tool. In particular, the undercut can protrude from the housing transversely or perpendicularly to the insertion direction. The at least one projection can have a contact surface which is inclined in the direction of the aerator and which acts on the at least one undercut during insertion, so that the projection is deflected before it snaps into place after the undercut in the insertion direction. The at least one projection can be arranged, for example, on a spring means of the tool.

The undercut itself can have a corresponding counter-contact surface, preferably aligned parallel to the contact surface of the projection, in order to be able to displace the counter-contact surface on the contact surface when the tool is inserted.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved according to the invention by the features according to independent claim 3 . In particular, a jet regulator of the type mentioned at the outset is proposed to solve the task, with the spring element being designed and/or arranged in such a way that it can be acted upon by a tool inserted in an insertion direction into the fitting outlet until the latching element releases the jet regulator.

The spring element can, for example, in a recess, for example the previously mentioned recess, which is provided for inserting the tool, can be arranged on the housing.

In order to be able to further simplify the pulling out of the aerator from the faucet outlet, it can be provided that the spring element does not protrude beyond the housing in the rest position.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the spring element can have at least two legs connected to one another, in particular connected to one another at an apex. When the spring element is acted upon by the tool, for example by two rigid arms of the tool, the two legs are moved towards one another or away from one another until the latching element or the latching elements connected to one leg no longer protrude beyond the housing. The two legs are preferably moved toward one another by the tool in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the direction of insertion in order to move the latching element or latching elements from the rest position into the release position. The tool thus presses the two legs of the spring element together, for example, in order to be able to remove the aerator.

The spring element is connected to the latching element or latching elements, with the latching element or latching elements also being moved when the spring element is adjusted.

The latching element or the latching elements of the jet regulator protrude beyond the housing in the rest position in a direction at an angle or perpendicular to the direction of insertion. The at least one locking element thus forms a radial locking mechanism on the fitting outlet. The holding force exerted by the latching element (can correspond to the clamping force of the spring element) acts perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the inner wall of the faucet outlet.

Another independent solution is achieved by the features of independent claim 4. In particular, a jet regulator with an outlet structure that has lamellae is proposed according to the invention, with the lamellae being positioned outwards at least in one area of the outlet structure in order to generate a diverging water flow. A particularly appealing exit image can thus be generated. In particular, an almost rectangular water jet can thus be generated, for example, with a rectangular jet shaper.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the aforementioned area is arranged in an edge area of the outlet structure and/or that the area is arranged in a central area of the outlet structure.

With a further advantageous embodiment of the jet regulator, it can be provided that the outwardly positioned lamellae have a cross-section oriented transversely to their extension, which has a curved outer contour. This has the advantage that a particularly good separation of individual water jets is possible, as a result of which a better jet shape can be achieved. For example, a better rectangular jet shape can be achieved in this way if the jet regulator is rectangular.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, lamellae with a cross-section oriented transversely to their extent and having an outer contour oriented in the direction of flow can be arranged outside of the aforementioned region. These lamellae can therefore extend in the direction of flow. In particular, these slats are outside of the previously mentioned area straight and lead to a straight outflowing water jet.

According to another independent solution, which can alternatively also be seen in combination with the aforementioned features, a jet regulator is proposed, in particular as described and claimed herein before, with a jet acceleration unit, which has a seal on the outside that runs around a direction of flow, and on the outflow side jet-shaping elements, in particular lamellae, are arranged, which extend transversely to the flow direction, the jet-shaping elements each having a free end with which they protrude from a support wall running along the flow direction. This has the advantage that the jet regulator can be produced using an injection molding process. In particular, the jet regulator has the advantage that a housing part and a jet shaper part are designed in one piece. In the case of previously known jet regulators with jet shaper parts for generating a diverging water flow, it was always necessary for the jet shaper parts to be designed separately from the housing. Thus, a simpler production of an aerator with the desired properties is now possible.

A further advantageous embodiment can provide that the jet acceleration unit is formed at an inflow-side end of a jet ventilation area. For example, the beam acceleration unit can be designed as a perforated plate or as a diffuser/diffuser ring combination.

According to a development of the jet regulator, it can be characterized by an elongated, non-round outer contour transverse to the direction of flow. In particular, the free ends of the jet shaping elements can each be arranged on a long side of the outer contour in the position of use. Alternatively or additionally, the support wall can be in the position of use be arranged on a long side of the outer contour.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the free ends can form a laterally open area in a peripheral wall. In particular, the beam shaping elements can end at a uniform height.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the latching element can be guided in a guide formed through the housing. In particular, the guide can be designed as a plain bearing and/or the guide can specify that the latching element can be adjusted in one degree of freedom, in particular only in one degree, preferably in a straight line.

In order to be able to determine more precisely how far the locking element can be extended, it can be provided according to a further advantageous embodiment that at least one stop is formed on the housing, which is acted upon by a corresponding counter-stop on the locking element in a locking position. In particular, it can be defined by the stop how far the latching element protrudes at most from the housing. Stop and counter-stop are therefore spaced apart from one another in a release position and/or contact each other in a latched position.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the latching element and/or the spring element can be formed separately from the housing. Thus, the latching element and/or the spring element cannot be formed as part of the housing, but rather separately from it. The jet regulator can preferably have two latching elements, which are each connected to the spring element or to a spring element. A detent lug can be formed on a free end of the detent element, which is retracted into a release position when the spring element is actuated. By a central actuation of the Spring element can thus also be adjusted the locking element or the locking elements. The latching element and/or the spring element are therefore not formed on the housing and can therefore be adjusted relative to the housing.

The separate configuration of the latching element and/or the spring element from the housing has the advantage that the latching lugs on the ends of the latching elements can be adjusted at the same time. When the spring element or spring elements are actuated, the latching lugs are released at the same time. The simultaneous adjustment of the locking lugs is also possible, although they protrude from the housing on opposite sides of the jet regulator. In other words, far apart from each other on opposite sides of the jet regulator. As a result, a particularly good fixation of the jet regulator can be achieved in the inserted state, with the release being simplified by simply applying pressure to the central spring element. As a result of this configuration, the spring element is not acted upon at the location of the latching, but at a distance from it. This means that no space is required to insert the tool at the locking location.

The invention further relates to the use of an aerator receptacle of a fitting to close off a laterally open area of an aerator, as described and claimed herein, the laterally open area being provided by the free ends of the jet shaping elements and the aerator receptacle the laterally open area of the Aerator recording used aerator covers.

The invention further relates to a set of an aerator, in particular as described and claimed herein, and a tool for performing a method such as it is described and claimed herein.

The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments result from the combination of the features of one or more claims with one another and/or with one or more features of the exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

eine mögliche Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Strahlreglers mit mehreren als Lamellen ausgebildeten Strahlformerelementen in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

die Ausführungsvariante aus Fig. 1 in einer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des zuvor genannten Strahlreglers mit aufgesetztem Vorsatzsieb,

Fig. 4

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des zuvor genannten Strahlreglers mit abgenommenem Vorsatzsieb,

Fig. 5

Ein Längsschnitt durch eine Ausführungsform des Strahlreglers, wie in Fig. 6 mit den durch A gekennzeichneten Pfeilen hervorgehoben,

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf den Strahlregler mit eingefügten Schnittlinien A und B,

Fig. 7

ein Querschnitt durch die Ausführungsform des Strahlreglers, wie in Fig. 6 mit den durch B gekennzeichneten Pfeilen hervorgehoben,

Fig. 8

ein Satz aus einem Strahlregler und einem Werkzeug, wobei das Werkzeug nicht am Strahlregler verrastet ist (in einer Rückansicht),

Fig. 9

der Satz aus Fig. 8, wobei das Werkzeug am Strahlregler verrastet ist (in einer Rückansicht),

Fig. 10

eine axial geschnittene Darstellung einer Strahlregleraufnahme eines Armaturenauslaufs, in welche ein Strahlregler eingesetzt ist (Einbausituation),

Fig. 11

eine weitere axial geschnittene Darstellung einer Strahlregleraufnahme eines Armaturenauslaufs, in welche ein Strahlregler eingesetzt ist (Einbausituation), wobei das Rastelement die Innenwandung der Strahregleraufnahme senkrecht beaufschlagt.

It shows:

1

a possible embodiment of a jet regulator according to the invention with a plurality of jet shaping elements designed as lamellae in a perspective view,

2

the execution variant 1 in a side view,

3

another perspective view of the aerator mentioned above with attached attachment sieve,

4

another perspective view of the aerator mentioned above with the attachment sieve removed,

figure 5

A longitudinal section through an embodiment of the aerator as in 6 highlighted with the arrows marked by A,

6

a top view of the aerator with inserted section lines A and B,

7

a cross section through the embodiment of the aerator as in 6 highlighted with the arrows marked by B,

8

a set of an aerator and tool, with the tool not snapped onto the aerator (in a rear view),

9

the sentence out 8 , with the tool snapped onto the aerator (in a rear view),

10

an axial section view of an aerator mount of a faucet outlet, in which an aerator is inserted (installation situation),

11

another axially sectioned view of an aerator receptacle of a faucet outlet, in which an aerator is inserted (installation situation), with the latching element acting vertically on the inner wall of the aerator receptacle.

In the Figures 1-7 several views of an aerator designated as a whole as 1 are shown.

The jet regulator 1 is designed to be inserted into a jet regulator receptacle 25 provided for this purpose on a fitting outlet 2 in the position of use and fixed therein.

In the Figures 1-7 a rectangular embodiment of a jet regulator 1 is shown in each case, which has a non-round outer contour 23 .

In order to be able to achieve a jet shape that is as rectangular as possible, the jet regulator 1 has a special outlet structure 9 . The outlet structure 9 comprises a large number of steel form elements 17 arranged at a distance from one another.

The beam-shaping elements 17 include slats 10, side by side are arranged in at least one row on an outlet side of the jet regulator 1. The lamellae 10 form an exit pattern of the overall jet of a fluid flowing through. Since they are arranged in the flow path of the jet regulator 1, they are surrounded by the entire jet.

The outlet structure 9 comprises an area 11 in which the slats 10 are turned outwards in order to generate a diverging water flow. For example, the lamellae can be bent outwards and/or arranged at an angle compared to the direction of flow 18 . In the embodiment variant shown, said area 11 is formed in the edge areas 12 . The lamellae 10 in the aforementioned area 11 have, for example, a cross section 14 with a curved outer contour. They therefore deflect the flow of fluid.

The lamellae 10 in the central region 13, on the other hand, are straight and form a straight fluid flow. This means that the lamellae 10, which are arranged outside of the area 11, have a cross-section which has an outer contour aligned in the direction of flow. Furthermore, the two outermost slats 10 in the row of slats 10 are also straight.

The lamellae 10 each extend perpendicularly or transversely to the direction of flow 18 . The shaped steel elements 17 are formed on a support wall 20 of the housing 3 . The jet shaping elements 17 and the housing 3 are therefore in one piece. The steel form elements 17, in particular the slats 10, have a free end 19, via which they are not arranged on a support wall 20, but are exposed. The free ends 19 of the shaped steel elements 17 and the support wall 20 each form a long side of the outer contour 23 of the jet regulator 1 . The steel form elements 17, in particular the lamellae 10 protrude transversely or perpendicularly from the support wall 20 into the flow path.

In the area of the free ends 19 of the jet-shaping elements 17, a peripheral wall of the housing 3 has an area 24 that is open, in particular, at the side. The beam-shaping elements 17 have a uniform length or at least a majority of the beam-shaping elements 17 have a uniform length. Thus, they end at a uniform height.

A jet acceleration unit 15 is arranged upstream of the outlet structure 9 in the flow safeguard 18 . The jet acceleration unit 15 is in turn upstream of a jet ventilation area 21 in the direction of flow 18 .

A liquid flowing through the jet regulator 1 thus first flows through the passage openings of the jet acceleration unit 15, then through the jet aeration area 21, in which the liquid is mixed with air before the jet is formed in the outlet structure 9 and the jet regulator or the fitting outlet 2 leaves at the outlet side.

The jet ventilation portion 21 is formed inside the casing 3 in the liquid flow path. In the jet ventilation area 21, several jet shaping elements 17 are arranged, as in FIGS Figures 1 to 7 is shown, for example, can be designed as distributor elements 36 in order to be able to divide the water jet and mix it better with air sucked in from the outside through at least one air duct 37 . At least one air duct 37 is formed on the housing 3 and breaks through at least one wall of the housing 3 in order to be able to suck in air from the outside into the jet ventilation area 21 through the negative pressure that occurs here.

The at least one air duct 37 is preferably formed after the seal 16 in the direction of flow 18 . More preferably, the at least one air duct 37 can be arranged on a narrow side of the housing 3 .

The air duct 37 is at least partially formed by a boundary wall 39 which extends in the direction of flow 18 and laterally bounds the flow path. The boundary wall 39 extends in the direction of flow 18 over the entire area in which the jet ventilation area 21 and/or the outlet structure 9 is/are arranged. The air duct 39 can therefore run between an outer wall of the housing 3 and the boundary wall 39 . An outer end of the air duct 39 can be on the outlet side of the jet regulator 1, for example.

The jet regulator 1 preferably has at least two air ducts 37 . In particular, these can be formed on opposite sides, for example narrow sides of the housing 3 .

The distribution elements 36 can be designed in one piece with the housing 3--similar to the lamellae 10 described above. A cross section of the distributor elements 36 can, for example, have rounded corners, in particular it can be round. The rounded corners make it easier to avoid noise development. However, other shapes are also possible. The decisive factor here is that the distributor elements 36 represent a flow obstacle within the flow path, which can be achieved, for example, by the distributor elements 36 having an impact surface which, in particular, runs at least partially transversely to the direction of flow 18 . The manifold elements 36 of the embodiment shown are in two rows, respectively arranged next to one another, the distributor elements 36 of the first and second rows being arranged offset from one another in order to be able to achieve the best possible division of a fluid flow and mixing with air.

The distributor elements 36 are formed on one or the aforementioned support wall 20 of the housing 3 and protrude, in particular transversely or vertically, into the flow path. Furthermore, the distributor elements 36 each have free ends 19 which form the open area 24 in the peripheral wall of the housing 3, in particular together with the lamellae 10. As in the Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the manifold members 36 are of uniform height with the vanes 10. As shown in FIG. Downstream from the distributor elements 36 are the lamellae 10.

The laterally open area 24 extends over at least 10%, in particular at least 20%, in particular at least 25%, in particular at least 33%, in particular at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, preferably at least 65%, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 90% %, one side of the aerator 1, in particular the long side of the aerator 1.

The jet regulator 1 has a peripheral seal 16 on the outside of the jet acceleration unit 15 . By means of the seal 16 it is possible to seal off an external transition from the jet acceleration unit 15 to the downstream outlet structure 9 in the position of use, in that the seal 16 bears against the inside of the fitting outlet 2 .

The aerator receptacle 25 of the faucet outlet 2 has a stepped structure. This has the advantage that the seal 16 is not pushed with friction over an entire length of the jet regulator receptacle 25 when installing and removing the jet regulator 1 must become. When inserted, the seal is pressed against the wall of the fitting outlet 2 and pressed. Provision can be made for the jet regulator receptacle 25 to have a groove into which the seal 16 is inserted when inserted, with the seal 16 not completely filling the groove in order to enable better sealing.

The jet acceleration unit 15 can be designed, for example, as a perforated plate 26 and/or as a diffuser/diffuser ring combination (not shown). Here, the diffuser-diffuser ring combination can have, in a manner known per se, a diffuser acting as a baffle plate, followed by an annular nozzle delimited by a rectangular diffuser ring.

In the position of use of the aerator 1 - ie when inserted into the fitting outlet 2 in an aerator receptacle 25 adapted for the aerator 1 - the aerator receptacle 25 covers the laterally open area 24 . The opened area 24 is thus covered by an inner wall of the jet regulator receptacle 25. The cover does not lead to a complete seal, but rather a play is provided in order to allow certain tolerances. This has the advantage that the outlet structure 9 can be formed from jet shaping elements 17 - such as lamellae 10 and distributor elements 36 - as a part molded onto the housing 3, in particular monolithically connected to the housing 3. For example, the production can take place by means of an injection molding process.

In the Figures 8 to 11 a further embodiment variant of a jet regulator 1 is shown as a set with a tool 6, which can be formed alone or in combination with the features of the embodiment variant mentioned above.

The aerator 1 has a movable housing 3 guided latching element 4, which can be acted upon by a spring element 5 accessible from outside the fitting outlet 2 and/or wherein a force transmission from the spring element 5 to the latching element 4 is possible. In the embodiment shown, the latching element 4 is connected to the spring element. In particular, the latching element 4 and the spring element 5 can be designed in one piece, in particular monolithically.

When the latching element 4 and/or the spring element 5 is in the rest position, the latching element 4 protrudes beyond an outside of a wall of the housing 3 . When the jet regulator 1 is in place, the rest position corresponds to the latched position in which the jet regulator 1 is held in the fitting outlet 2 .

The spring element 5 has two legs 34 which are connected to one another in particular at an apex. The two legs 34 spread out in two opposite directions, particularly in the rest position, so that an angle is enclosed between the two legs 34 . About the two distant ends of the two legs 34 of the spring element 5, a power transmission from the spring element 5 to a respective latching element 4 is possible, since the distant ends are each connected to a latching element 4 and / or act on this. In the present case, the latching elements 4 are connected to the spring element 5 at the remote ends of the spring element 5 .

A novel unlocking mechanism 29 is thus created by the locking element 4 and the spring element 5 . In the rest position, a force acts through the locking element 4, in particular a clamping force generated by the spring element 5, in the radial direction and/or perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly on an inner wall of the fitting outlet 2.

For removing the aerator 1 from the fitting spout 2 a special tool 6 is required to enable unlocking. To do this, the tool 6 must be inserted into the fitting outlet 2 in an insertion direction 7 , whereby it acts on the spring element 5 arranged outside the housing 3 during insertion until the locking element 4 releases the aerator 1 .

That in the Figures 8 and 9 The tool 6 shown has two rigid arms 35 which protrude from a base body 40 designed as a handle part. The rigid arms 35 have a distance between them that is smaller than a distance between the two distant ends of the legs 34 .

During the insertion of the tool 6 into the fitting outlet 2, the two legs 34 are pressed together so that the distance between the spread ends of the two legs 34 is reduced. The latching elements 4, which protrude beyond the housing 3 in the rest position, are pulled back as a result, so that the latching is released. The at least one latching element 4 is pulled back in a direction running perpendicularly or transversely to the insertion direction 7 , in particular in a straight line.

The at least one latching element 4 is supported by a guide 41 which is formed on the housing 3 and which can be formed, for example, as a slide bearing 38 . Furthermore, latching elements 4 and spring element 5 are held on housing 3 by guide 41, in particular by plain bearing 38. The locking element 4 can be adjusted in one degree of freedom by the guide 41, preferably in a straight line.

There are two stops 42 on the housing 3 and two on the locking element 4 to corresponding counter-stops 43 are formed. In a locking position, a stop 42 and a counter-stop 43 act on each other, which defines the maximum extent to which the locking element 4 protrudes from the housing in the locking position. In the release position, the stops 42 and the counter-stops 43 do not contact each other, but are each arranged at a distance from one another.

Furthermore, the tool 6 has at least one projection 30, in particular two projections 30, which/which projects transversely to the insertion direction 7 from a spring means 33. A contact surface 31 oriented obliquely to the direction of insertion 7 is formed on the upper side of the projection 30 , with which it is inserted ahead in the direction of insertion 7 .

The tool 6 is flat, so that it can be inserted in particular on the back of the jet regulator 1 . The spring elements 33 therefore do not have to be detached from undercuts or locking lugs 44 when they are removed.

An undercut 8 is formed on the jet regulator 1 , in particular on the housing 3 of the jet regulator 1 , which is oriented in the direction of insertion 7 and protrudes transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of insertion 7 .

The undercut also has a counter-contact surface 32 oriented obliquely to the insertion direction 7 and/or at least almost parallel to the contact surface 31 of the projection 30 . When the tool 6 is inserted into the fitting outlet 2, the projection 30 is displaced and/or deflected against a restoring force generated by the spring means 33 on the undercut 8 until the projection 30 snaps into the undercut 8 and the tool 6 is locked with the jet regulator 1 .

A pulling mechanism 28 is thus formed, which is decoupled from the unlocking mechanism 29 described above. However, a decoupling of the aerator 1 from the faucet outlet 2 and a coupling of the aerator 1 with the tool 6 is possible solely by inserting the tool 6 , in particular only in the insertion direction 7 into the faucet outlet 2 .

Coupling and unlocking thus take place almost simultaneously with the same movement. After the tool 6 has been coupled to the aerator 1 , a tensile force can be applied to the aerator 1 in order to be able to pull the detached aerator 1 out of the fitting outlet 2 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 7 .

The jet regulator 1 can have a latching element 4 or a plurality of latching elements 4 which are connected to a spring element 5 or to a spring element 5 in each case. However, it is advantageous if a plurality of latching elements 4 are connected to a common spring element 5 or if the latching elements 4 are each connected to a spring element 5 and the two spring elements 5 are in turn connected to one another.

The latching element 4 and/or the spring element 5 are formed separately from the housing 3 in the embodiment variant of the jet regulator 1 shown. Thus, the latching element 4 and/or the spring element 5 is/are not formed as part of the housing 3, but rather separately from it. The jet regulator 1 can preferably have two latching elements 4 which are each connected to the spring element 5 or to a spring element 5 each. At the free ends of the locking elements 4, a locking lug 44 are each formed, which are simultaneously retracted into a release position when the spring element 5 is actuated. By a central actuation of the The spring element 5 can thus also be the locking element 4 or the locking elements 4 are adjusted. The latching element 4 and/or the spring element 5 are therefore not formed on the housing 3 and can therefore be adjusted relative to the housing 3 .

The separate configuration of the latching element 4 and/or the spring element 5 from the housing 3 has the advantage that the latching lugs 44 on the ends of the latching elements 4 can be adjusted at the same time. When the spring element 5 or the spring elements 5 are actuated, the latching lugs 44 are thus released at the same time. The simultaneous adjustment of the locking lugs 44 is also possible, although they protrude from the housing 3 on opposite sides of the jet regulator 1 . It is released by simply applying pressure to the central spring element 5. With this configuration, the spring element 5 is not acted upon at the location of the latching, but at a distance from it. This means that no space is required to insert the tool at the locking location.

The invention thus relates in particular to a method for removing an aerator 1 from a fitting outlet 2, an aerator 1 and a set of an aerator 1 and a tool 6, the aerator 1 having a housing 3 and a locking element 4 movably mounted on the housing 3 , wherein the locking element 4 can be adjusted to the locking element 4 by means of a force transmission from a spring element 5, which is arranged within a recess in the housing 3 and is accessible from outside the fitting outlet 2, wherein the locking element 4 projects beyond the housing 3 in its rest position in order to press the aerator 1 in the faucet outlet 2, with a tool 6 for removal being inserted into the faucet outlet 2 in an insertion direction 7, with the spring element 5 being acted upon by the tool 6 during insertion until the locking element 4 presses the aerator 1 releases.

Reference List

1

aerator

2

faucet outlet

3

Housing

4

locking element

5

spring element

6

Tool

7

insertion direction

8th

undercut

9

discontinuation structure

10

slats

11

Area of the outwardly positioned slats

12

edge area

13

central area

14

cross-section

15

beam acceleration unit

16

poetry

17

beam shaping element

18

flow direction

19

free end

20

support wall

21

jet ventilation area

22

attachment sieve

23

outer contour

24

side open area

25

aerator mount

26

perforated plate

28

pulling mechanism

29

unlocking mechanism

30

head Start

31

contact surface

32

mating contact surface

33

spring means

34

leg

35

rigid arms

36

distribution element

37

air duct

38

bearings

39

boundary wall

40

body

41

guide

42

attack

43

counterattack

44

detent

Claims (16)

Method for removing an aerator (1) from a fitting outlet (2), the aerator (1) having a housing (3) and a locking element (4) movably arranged on the housing (3), the locking element (4) being supported by a is acted upon by a spring element (5) accessible outside the fitting outlet (2) and in its rest position protrudes beyond the housing (3) in order to hold the aerator (1) in the fitting outlet (2), a tool (6) for removing it in an insertion direction (7) into the fitting outlet (2), characterized in that the spring element (5) is acted upon by the tool (6) during insertion until the latching element (4) releases the jet regulator (1). Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the tool (6) engages in an undercut (8) on the jet regulator (1) oriented in the insertion direction (7) in order to be able to pull the jet regulator (1) out of the fitting outlet (2). Jet regulator (1), in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the jet regulator (1) has a housing (3) and a latching element (4) which is movably arranged on the housing (3), the latching element (4) being a spring element (5) accessible from outside the faucet outlet (2) and protrudes beyond the housing (3) in its rest position in order to hold the aerator (1) in the faucet outlet (2), with a tool (6) for removal is inserted in an insertion direction (7) in the fitting outlet (2), characterized in that the spring element (5) is designed and / or arranged so that it is in an insertion direction (7) in the Fitting outlet (2) inserted tool (6) can be acted upon upon insertion until the locking element (4) releases the jet regulator (1). Jet regulator (1), in particular according to Claim 3, with an outlet structure (9) which has lamellae (10), characterized in that the lamellae (10) are positioned outwards at least in a region (11) of the outlet structure (9), to create a diverging flow of water. Aerator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the area (11) is arranged in an edge area (12) of the outlet structure (9) and/or that the area (11) is in a central area (13) of the outlet structure (9 ) is arranged. Jet regulator (1) according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the outwardly positioned lamellae (10) have a cross-section (14) which is oriented transversely to their extension and has a curved outer contour. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 6, characterized in that outside of the area (11) there are lamellae (10) with a cross-section (14) oriented transversely to their extension, which has an outer contour oriented in the direction of flow (18). has. Jet regulator (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, with a jet acceleration unit (15) which has a seal (16) running around a direction of flow (18) on the outside, and on the outflow side jet shaping elements (17), in particular lamellae ( 10), which extend transversely to the direction of flow (18), characterized in that that the jet shaping elements (17) each have a free end (19) with which they protrude from a support wall (20) running along the direction of flow (18). Jet regulator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the jet acceleration unit (15) is formed at an inflow end of a jet ventilation area (21), in particular as a perforated plate (26) and/or as a diffuser-diffuser ring combination. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an elongated, non-round outer contour transverse to the direction of flow (18), in particular wherein the free ends (19) of the jet shaping elements (17) and/or the support wall (20) are each on a long side of the Outer contour is arranged / are. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free ends (19) form a laterally open area (24) in a peripheral wall, in particular the jet shaping elements (17) ending at a uniform height. Aerator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (4) is guided in a guide (41) formed through the housing (3), in particular the guide (41) being formed as a sliding bearing (38). and/or the latching element (4) being adjustable in one degree of freedom by the guide (41), preferably being adjustable in a straight line. Aerator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one stop (42) is formed on the housing (3), which is acted upon by a corresponding counter-stop (43) on the latching element (4) in a latching position, in particular the stop (42) defining how far the locking element (4) protrudes maximally from the housing (3). Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (4) and/or the spring element (5) is/are formed separately from the housing (3). Use of a jet regulator receptacle (25) of a fitting to close off a laterally open area (24) of a jet regulator (1) according to one of Claims 8 to 10, the laterally open area (24) being surrounded by the free ends (19) of the jet shaping elements (17) is given and the aerator receptacle (25) covers the laterally open area (24) of the aerator (1) inserted into the aerator receptacle (25). Set of a jet regulator (1), in particular according to one of Claims 3 to 14, and a tool (6) for carrying out a method according to one of Claims 1 or 2.

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