EP4372162A1 - Sanitary fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

A sanitary fitting has an outer pipe (26) for conducting tap water to be dispensed at a water outlet (32) of the sanitary fitting (14) arranged on a fitting head (30), and an inner pipe (28) which runs through at least a section of the outer pipe (26) and serves for conducting drinking water that has been treated with respect to at least one property and is to be dispensed at the water outlet (32). An adjustable compensator (34) is arranged in the fitting head (30) between the inner pipe (28) and the water outlet (32), by means of which the flow opening (62) of the treated drinking water flowing from the inner pipe (28) to the water outlet (32) can be changed.

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary fitting with an outer pipe for conducting tap water to be dispensed at a water outlet of the sanitary fitting arranged on a fitting head. The sanitary fitting also has an inner pipe which runs through at least a section of the outer pipe and serves to conduct drinking water that has been treated with respect to at least one property and is to be dispensed at the water outlet.

There are various sanitary fittings available on the market that can dispense drinking water that has been treated with at least one functional property. This particularly includes drinking water that has been mixed with carbon dioxide, i.e. carbonated, which is also known as sparkling water or sparkling water. These sanitary fittings are connected to a treatment unit for treating the drinking water. In addition to the option of adding carbon dioxide to the drinking water, these treatment units can also include water filters, cooling devices for cooling or heating devices for heating the drinking water.

Arrangements are known in which compensators are arranged between the sanitary fitting and the treatment unit. Alternatively, it is conceivable to arrange such compensators as a valve in the body of the sanitary fitting.

Carbonic acid is produced by a chemical reaction between carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) and water. Pressure is necessary for the carbon dioxide gas and the water particles to combine to form carbonic acid. This is built up by forcing the carbon dioxide into the water. This process is also known as carbonation. The more pressure and the lower the water temperature, the more "fizz" the drinking water absorbs, ie the more carbonic acid is in the drinking water.

In sanitary fittings with a sparkling water function, CO ₂ is fed into the water under high pressure in the treatment unit mentioned. However, the water thus carbonated loses its carbon dioxide quickly if it is not sealed airtight or kept under as high a pressure as possible. This is because carbon dioxide evaporates very quickly in the air.

Known sanitary fittings with a sparkling water function have the problem that a considerable amount of the carbon dioxide escapes from the treated drinking water in the outlet pipe of the fitting.

The object of the invention is to provide a sanitary fitting in which treated drinking water emerges from a water outlet of the fitting in the desired quality with regard to at least one property.

This object is achieved by a sanitary fitting having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

By means of a sanitary fitting with the features of claim 1, a relatively high pressure can be generated or maintained in the inner pipe through which the treated drinking water is passed until shortly before the water outlet, whereby with the aid of the compensator the flow velocity of the treated drinking water passed through the compensator sinks towards the compensator outlet and is then already in the fitting head, in which the water outlet is also located. The water outlet of the sanitary fitting comprises in particular a jet nozzle through which at least the tap water exits. In addition, the treated drinking water can also be passed through the jet nozzle or exit the fitting head through an opening provided in the mixing nozzle, preferably located in the middle of the mixing nozzle. A jet nozzle can also be used instead of the mixing nozzle.

The tap water can be drinking water or service water. The outer pipe and the inner pipe as well as the water outlet are components of a fitting outlet, which is arranged after at least one valve in the flow direction of the water exiting the fitting head.

By arranging the compensator in the faucet head, very little carbon dioxide evaporates from the drinking water containing CO ₂ or carbonic acid before it comes out of the water outlet of the sanitary faucet. In this case, less CO ₂ is therefore required to ensure the desired carbon dioxide content of the treated drinking water coming out of the faucet head.

The drinking water treated with respect to at least one property is, in particular, drinking water mixed with CO ₂ , so that the treated drinking water exiting the sanitary fitting contains carbon dioxide. This makes it easy to dispense so-called sparkling water directly from the sanitary fitting, whereby the arrangement of the compensator in the fitting head means that comparatively little CO ₂ is required to ensure the desired proportion of carbon dioxide when the treated drinking water exits the fitting head.

The compensator serves to calm the flow of the treated drinking water. This prevents the drinking water mixed with _CO2 from separating. A turbulence-free, flow-calming flow can take place through the compensator and on to the water outlet, which is also located in the tap head.

It is also advantageous if the sanitary fitting comprises a first valve through which, when the first valve is open, tap water flows through the outer pipe to the water outlet of the sanitary fitting. Preferably, the sanitary fitting has a second valve through which, when the second valve is open, drinking water flows to a treatment unit for treating the drinking water with respect to at least one property of treated drinking water. The treated drinking water flows from the treatment unit to the inner pipe, then through the compensator and then out of the water outlet. The first and/or second valve can be a shut-off valve, a mixing valve and/or a dosing valve.

It is also advantageous if the compensator has a compensator base body with a frustoconical section. This compensator base body is also referred to as a throttle body. The compensator also comprises a compensator seat with a frustoconical opening complementary to the frustoconical section and an adjusting element arranged on the fitting head for adjusting the width of the gap between the frustoconical section of the compensator base body and the complementary frustoconical opening. The flow resistance of the compensator can be changed using the adjusting element. The diameter of the frustoconical section increases in the direction of flow, ie in the direction of the water outlet. This reduces the flow speed of the treated drinking water along the compensator. The pressure of the treated drinking water remains relatively high up to the compensator, so that the carbon dioxide or a relatively high proportion of carbon dioxide remains in the drinking water at least until the water exits the compensator. The compensator and the water outlet located immediately after the compensator prevent turbulence in the drinking water, which can lead to the carbon dioxide escaping from the water. The compensator also optimizes the flow of the treated drinking water before it exits the water outlet. At the end of the truncated cone-shaped section opposite the direction of flow, a convex surface with curves against the direction of flow or a cone is provided. If the outer and/or inner pipe has a rectangular cross-section, the compensator can also have a truncated pyramid-shaped area and the compensator seat has a corresponding complementary truncated pyramid-shaped opening.

The flow resistance, which can be changed using the adjustment element of the compensator, is preferably so finely adjustable that there is little or no separation of the treated drinking water in the inner pipe in front of the compensator and in the compensator. The water outlet is arranged immediately after the compensator, in particular at a distance in the range of 0 cm to 3 cm, preferably in a range of 0.5 cm to 2 cm.

It is particularly advantageous if the width of the gap between the frustoconical section of the compensator base body and the complementary frustoconical opening can be adjusted to a value in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.

The compensator is preferably designed in such a way that the compensator gap cannot be completely closed. This means that treated drinking water can always flow through the compensator to the water outlet, regardless of the setting of the compensator gap. The treated drinking water or the water to be treated is shut off by a shut-off valve in the sanitary fitting or outside the sanitary fitting that is independent of the compensator.

Tests have shown that with the help of the compensator arranged in the tap head, 30% to 40% more CO ₂ can be found in the treated drinking water coming out of the outlet. This is due to the reduced separation of CO ₂ and the drinking water.

It is particularly advantageous if the adjusting element is arranged so that it can rotate, with the compensator base body being movable along its longitudinal axis relative to the compensator seat with the aid of the adjusting element. It can be advantageous if the compensator base body has a cylindrical section after the frustoconical section or after the frustopyramidal section in the flow direction of the treated drinking water.

In particular, the adjustment element is connected to the compensator base body in a rotationally fixed manner, so that the compensator base body is rotated when the adjustment element is rotated. The compensator base body preferably has an external thread that is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical section, wherein the external thread engages in a complementary internal thread that is rotationally fixed to the outer tube. The internal thread is formed in particular on the inside of the outer tube or on the inside of a bushing that is rotationally fixed to the outer tube. This makes it particularly easy to adjust the gap between the compensator base body and the compensator seat.

It is also advantageous if the compensator has a compensator outlet through which the drinking water passed through the compensator flows directly into the water outlet. The compensator outlet preferably has a larger cross-sectional area than the gap between the compensator base body and the compensator seat, so that the pressure in the compensator outlet is preferably lower than in the compensator gap or in front of the compensator.

It is also advantageous if the inner pipe is held in the outer pipe at least at one point using a perforated plate. The perforated plate preferably has a central opening through which the inner pipe is guided or through which the treated drinking water to be supplied to the compensator flows. This enables the sanitary fitting to be constructed in a simple and cost-effective manner.

In this case, it is advantageous if several through holes are arranged on a circular path around the central opening through which tap water flows through the fitting pipe.

The outlet for the treated drinking water to exit preferably has a circular cross-section. However, other cross-sectional geometries are also possible. The water outlet, the compensator base body and/or the compensator outlet and/or the compensator seat can be made of a metallic or organic material, in particular plastic. The compensator is arranged in the fitting head immediately in front of the outlet so that it is arranged immediately in front of the exit point of the treated drinking water from the sanitary fitting. The inner pipe can in particular, it can be a flexible or fixed pipe inside the outer pipe. The flow pressure and/or the flow rate of the treated drinking water can be adjusted using the adjustment element. This is done directly on the tap head, where the water outlet is also located.

Alternatively or additionally, the compensator base body can be subjected to a spring force in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the treated drinking water, which in particular results in an automatic pressure adjustment of the treated drinking water passed through the compensator.

Practical tests have shown that the smaller the gap between the compensator base body and the compensator seat, the smaller the gas bubbles are in carbonated drinking water flowing out of the compensator outlet.

Figur 1

ein Blockschaltbild einer mit einer Aufbereitungseinheit zum Aufbereiten von Trinkwasser verbundenen Sanitärarmatur;

Figur 2

einen Längsschnitt eines Armaturenauslaufs der Sanitärarmatur nach Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine Außenansicht des Armaturenauslaufs nach Figur 2 in einer 180° um dessen Längsachse gedrehten Wasserauslauf;

Figur 4

eine Ansicht des Armaturenauslaufs nach Figur 3 von rechts;

Figur 5

eine Ansicht es im Armaturenkopf des Armaturenauslaufs angeordneten Kompensators;

Figur 6

eine Seitenansicht des Kompensators nach Figur 5;

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht auf einen Kompensatorgrundkörper des Kompensators nach Figur 5;

Figur 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Kompensatorgrundkörpers nach Figur 7;

Figur 9

eine Seitenansicht einer Kompensatorbuchse zum Halten des Kompensators im Armaturenkopf;

Figur 10

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Kompensatorbuchse nach Figur 9;

Figur 11

eine Seitenansicht eines Einstellelements zum Einstellen eines Spalts zwischen dem Kompensatorgrundkörper und einer Kompensatoröffnung;

Figur 12

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Einstellelements nach Figur 11;

Figur 13

eine Seitenansicht eines Dichtelements zum Abdichten des Kompensators im Armaturenkopf;

Figur 14

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Dichtelements nach Figur 13;

Figur 15

eine Seitenansicht eines Innenrohrs und einer mit dem Innenrohr verbundenen Lochplatte; und

Figur 16

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Innenrohrs mit der Lochplatte nach Figur 15.

Examples of embodiments are explained in more detail below using the figures. They show:

Figure 1

a block diagram of a sanitary fitting connected to a treatment unit for treating drinking water;

Figure 2

a longitudinal section of a faucet outlet of the sanitary fitting according to Figure 1 ;

Figure 3

an external view of the faucet outlet after Figure 2 in a water outlet rotated 180° around its longitudinal axis;

Figure 4

a view of the faucet outlet after Figure 3 from the right;

Figure 5

a view of the compensator arranged in the faucet head of the faucet outlet;

Figure 6

a side view of the compensator after Figure 5 ;

Figure 7

a top view of a compensator base body of the compensator according to Figure 5 ;

Figure 8

a perspective view of the compensator body according to Figure 7 ;

Figure 9

a side view of a compensator bushing for holding the compensator in the valve head;

Figure 10

a perspective view of the compensator bushing after Figure 9 ;

Figure 11

a side view of an adjusting element for adjusting a gap between the compensator base body and a compensator opening;

Figure 12

a perspective view of the adjustment element after Figure 11 ;

Figure 13

a side view of a sealing element for sealing the compensator in the valve head;

Figure 14

a perspective view of the sealing element according to Figure 13 ;

Figure 15

a side view of an inner tube and a perforated plate connected to the inner tube; and

Figure 16

a perspective view of the inner tube with the perforated plate after Figure 15 .

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system 10 with a treatment unit 12 for treating drinking water and a sanitary fitting 14 connected to the treatment unit 12. The sanitary fitting 14 is connected to a hot water supply line 16 and a cold water supply line 18. The hot water supply line 16 and the cold water supply line 18 are connected to a mixing valve 20. With the help of the mixing valve 20, an outer pipe 26 of a fitting outlet 24 of the sanitary fitting 14 can be supplied with either cold or hot water or cold and hot water in any mixing ratio. Furthermore, a shut-off and dosing valve 22 is connected to the cold water line 18, the valve outlet of which is connected to the treatment unit 12. In the treatment unit 12, carbonic acid is added to the cold water with the help of CO ₂ , with the carbonated cold water being supplied to an inner pipe 28 of the fitting outlet 24. In alternative embodiments, the treatment unit 12 could also filter and/or disinfect and/or heat and/or cool the supplied drinking water.

To produce carbonated drinking water, which is also referred to as treated drinking water in this application, cold water is fed to the treatment unit 12 using the shut-off and metering valve 22. After the drinking water has been enriched with carbonic acid, the treated drinking water is fed via an internal pipe through a fitting body in which the valves 20, 22 are arranged to the fitting outlet. 24.

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the fitting outlet 24 of the sanitary fitting 14 according to Figure 1 The fitting outlet 24 has a fitting head 30 in which a water outlet 32 is arranged both for the outlet of the mixed water fed into the outer pipe 26 via the mixing valve 20 and for the outlet of the drinking water treated with the aid of the treatment unit 12. The inner pipe 28 is arranged in at least one section of the outer pipe 26, ie arranged in the outer pipe 28.

A compensator 34 is also arranged in the fitting head 30. The compensator 34 has a compensator housing 36 and a compensator base body 38 which has a frustoconical section 40. The cross section of the frustoconical section 40 increases in the flow direction P1 of the treated drinking water. The frustoconical section 40 is arranged in a complementary frustoconical opening 42. The frustoconical opening 42 serves as a compensator seat 42 and has the same conical shape as the frustoconical section 40 of the compensator base body 38. In the flow direction P1, a cylindrical section 44 is arranged after the frustoconical section 40, the diameter of which is smaller than the largest diameter of the frustoconical section 40, so that a circumferential cavity is formed between the compensator housing 36 and the cylindrical section 44, in which the treated drinking water collects after passing through the frustoconical section 40 and flows from there via a compensator outlet 48 out of the water outlet 32.

A mixing nozzle can be provided in the tubular water outlet 32 for jet formation. The mixing nozzle can in particular have a central opening such that the treated drinking water flowing out of the compensator outlet 48 can exit the water outlet 32 unhindered. An external thread 52 is provided on the outside of the cylindrical section 44 of the compensator base body 38, which engages in an internal thread 56 formed in a bushing 54. The bushing 54 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the outer tube 26 or in a rotationally fixed manner to the fitting head 30. An adjusting element 46 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the compensator base body 38, so that the compensator base body 38 can be rotated when the adjusting element 46 is rotated and via the external thread 52 and Internal thread 56 can be moved in the flow direction P1 or against the flow direction P1, so that a gap 62 can be set between the frustoconical section 40 of the compensator base body 38 and the frustoconical opening 42 of the compensator housing 36. In particular, the intensity and bubble size of the treated drinking water emerging from the compensator outlet 48 can be influenced via this gap 62.

The end of the compensator 34 directed in the direction of the shut-off and metering valve 22 is received in a central opening of a perforated plate 50 and extends into the interior of the inner pipe 28, so that the treated drinking water flowing in the flow direction P1 passes through the inner pipe 28 and the opening and the end of the compensator 34 protruding into the inner pipe 28 into the compensator 34. A sealing element 58 is arranged between the compensator housing 36 and the cylindrical section 44 of the compensator base body 38. The sealing element is preferably designed as an O-ring. At the end of the frustoconical section 40 opposite the flow direction P1, a section 60 with a concave curvature is formed. Alternatively, this section 60 can have a truncated cone shape, a cone shape, a pyramid shape or another tapered shape. The concave curvature or the truncated cone or curved design of this area 60 serves to reduce turbulence in the treated drinking water in the compensator 34. The compensator 34 serves overall to calm the flow of the treated drinking water. The distance in the flow direction P1 between the truncated cone section 44 and the center of the compensator outlet 48 has a value in the range of between 1 cm and 3 cm. The compensator 34 achieves a high pressure in the inner pipe 28 so that the carbon dioxide remains in the treated drinking water and cannot outgas. At the compensator outlet 48, the water pressure of the treated drinking water is lower than in the inner pipe 28, whereby turbulence in the treated drinking water is significantly reduced due to the short distance between the compensator outlet 48 and the relevant frustoconical section 40 of the comparator 34 compared to known sanitary fittings with dispensing of treated drinking water, so that more carbon dioxide remains in the treated drinking water and exits the sanitary fitting 14 via the compensator outlet 48.

Figure 3 shows an external view of the faucet outlet 24 after Figure 2 in a water outlet 32 rotated by 180° around its longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the fitting outlet 24 extends in the direction of arrow P1 to Figure 2 .

Figure 4 shows a view of the faucet outlet 24 after Figure 3 from the right. The perforated plate 50 has a central opening through which the treated drinking water passed through the inner pipe 28 enters the compensator 34. Several circular passage openings are arranged at equal angular intervals on a circular path around the central opening, through which the mixed water flows past the outside of the compensator 34 to the water outlet 32 of the sanitary fitting 14.

Figure 5 shows a view of the compensator 34 arranged in the fitting head 30 of the fitting outlet 24.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the compensator 34 after Figure 5 .

Figure 7 shows a top view and Figure 8 a perspective view of the compensator base body 38 of the compensator 34.

Figure 9 shows a side view and Figure 10 a perspective view of the compensator bushing 54 for holding the compensator 34 in the valve head 30.

Figure 11 shows a side view and Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the adjustment element 46 for adjusting the gap 62 between the compensator base body 38 and the frustoconical opening 42 of the compensator housing 36.

Figure 13 shows a side view and Figure 14 a perspective view of the sealing element 58 for sealing the compensator 34 in the valve head 30.

Figure 15 shows a side view and Figure 16 a perspective view of the inner tube 28 with the perforated plate 50.

The valves 20, 22 can be manually operated valves 20, 22 or valves 20, 22 that can be operated with the aid of electrical drives. It is then advantageous to control the electrically operated valves 20, 22 with the aid of a remote control, which can be provided as a separate device or can be integrated in the fitting head 30. With the aid of such a remote control, further functions can be controlled, such as setting the water temperature of the treated drinking water and/or the mixed water.

List of reference symbols

10

system

12

Processing unit

14

Sanitary fitting

16

Hot water supply

18

Cold water supply

20

Mixing valve

22

Shut-off and dosing valve

24

Faucet outlet

26

Outer tube

28

Inner tube

30

Faucet head

32

Water outlet

34

Compensator

36

Compensator housing

38

Compensator base body

40

truncated cone section

42

truncated cone-shaped opening/ compensator seat

44

cylindrical section

46

Adjustment element

48

Compensator outlet

50

Perforated plate

52

External thread

54

Compensator bushing

56

inner thread

58

Sealing element

60

convex section

62

Gap/ passage opening

Claims (15)

Sanitary fitting with an outer pipe (26) for conducting tap water to be dispensed from a water outlet (32) of the sanitary fitting (14) arranged on a fitting head (30), with an inner pipe (28) which runs through at least a section of the outer pipe (26) and serves to conduct drinking water which has been treated with respect to at least one property and is to be dispensed at the water outlet (32), characterized in that an adjustable compensator (34) is arranged in the fitting head (30) between the inner pipe (28) and the water outlet (32), by means of which the flow opening (62) of the treated drinking water flowing from the inner pipe (28) to the water outlet (32) can be changed. Sanitary fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the drinking water treated with respect to at least one property is drinking water mixed with CO ₂ . Sanitary fitting according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sanitary fitting comprises a first valve (20) through which, in the open state of the first valve (20), tap water flows through the outer pipe (26) to the water outlet (32), and
that the sanitary fitting (14) comprises a second valve (22) through which, in the open state of the second valve (22), drinking water flows to a treatment unit (12) for treating the drinking water with respect to at least one property, wherein the treated drinking water flows from the treatment unit (12) to the inner pipe (28), through the compensator (34) and out of the water outlet (32). Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensator (34) has a compensator base body (38) with a frustoconical section (40), a compensator seat (42) with a frustoconical opening (42) complementary to the frustoconical section and an adjusting element (46) arranged on the valve head (30) for adjusting the width of a gap (62) defining the passage opening (62) between the frustoconical section (40) of the compensator base body (38) and the complementary frustoconical opening (42). Sanitary fitting according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjusting element is arranged rotatably, wherein the compensator base body (38) is movable along its longitudinal axis relative to the compensator seat (42) with the aid of the adjusting element (46). Sanitary fitting according to claim 5, characterized in that the compensator base body (38) has a cylindrical section (44) after the frustoconical section (40) in the flow direction (P1) of the treated drinking water. Sanitary fitting according to claim 6, characterized in that the adjusting element (46) is connected to the compensator base body (38) in a rotationally fixed manner such that the compensator base body (38) is rotated when the adjusting element (46) is rotated, wherein the compensator base body (38) preferably has an external thread (52) which is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical section (44), wherein the external thread (52) engages in an internal thread (56) which is rotationally fixed to the outer tube (26). Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensator (34) has a compensator outlet (48) through which the drinking water passed through the compensator (34) flows directly into the water outlet (32). Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner pipe (28) is held in the outer pipe (26) at least at one point by means of a perforated plate (50), wherein the perforated plate (50) preferably has a central opening through which the inner pipe (28) is guided or through which the Treated drinking water to be supplied to the compensator (34) flows. Sanitary fitting according to claim 9, characterized in that a plurality of through holes are arranged on a circular path around the central opening, through which the tap water flowing through the outer pipe (26) flows. Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 10, characterized in that with the aid of the adjusting element (46) of the compensator (34), the flow resistance of the compensator (34) can be adjusted in such a way that no or only a slight demixing of the treated drinking water takes place in the inner pipe (28) in front of the compensator (34) and in the compensator (34). Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water outlet (32) is arranged immediately after the compensator (34), preferably at a distance in the range of 0 cm to 3 cm, for example in the range of 0.5 cm to 2 cm. Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the width of the gap (62) between the frustoconical section (40) of the compensator base body (38) and the complementary frustoconical opening (44) is adjustable to a value in the range from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm. Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensator (34) is designed such that the gap (62) cannot be completely closed, so that, in particular regardless of the setting of the gap (62), treated drinking water can always flow through the compensator (34) to the water outlet (32). Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a shut-off of the treated or to be treated drinking water is achieved by a shut-off valve in the sanitary fitting which is independent of the compensator (34). (14) or outside the sanitary fitting (14).

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