WO2010085152A1

WO2010085152A1 - Insert for water outlet

Info

Publication number: WO2010085152A1
Application number: PCT/NO2009/000028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Finn Thorvald Larsen
Original assignee: Frankfurt Malta Holding Ltd.
Priority date: 2009-01-23
Filing date: 2009-01-23
Publication date: 2010-07-29
Also published as: RU2011135073A; EP2389254A1; EP2389254A4; SG172882A1; BRPI0924117A2; AU2009338233A1

Abstract

Insert to be used with different types of water outlets, such as shower heads, water taps, hoses for watering and so on. The insert has a mouthpiece (1) with a central axial channel (8) for through flow, and a rotationally symmetrical deflector element (6) for the water is situated in the vicinity of the outer mouth of the channel. The deflector element (6) is held in place by a stem (3) with radial clearance to the channel, and surrounded by a conical surface (7). The mouthpiece (1) delimits a cavity (9) around and axially outside the deflector element (6), and the conical surface (7) converges axially outwards. The end of the stem (3) opposite of the deflector element (6) is connected to a head (10), which head has at least one bore which supplies water to the channel (8). A regulator (1 1, 21, 23) to achieve a substantially constant flow of water independent of the supply water pressure, is integrated in the head (10). The regulator comprises substantially axial grooves (1 1 ) on the outside end of the head (10) and an O-ring (21) which is placed around the grooves (11 ) and is influenced by the water pressure, and successively is being pressed into the grooves with increasing water pressure.

Description

Insert for water outlet

The present invention relates to an insert which can be inserted in or mounted on different types of water outlet, such as shower heads, water taps, fittings for sink units, hoses for watering or washing, etc. For use on taps for washstands and on fittings for sink units, various inserts are known for regulating the water flow and filtering the water. As a rule these inserts have the effect of dispersing the water as a spray or collecting dirt in the water.

Norwegian patent no. 177256 discloses a shower head comprising a mouthpiece with a central, axial, through-going channel for water through-flow, where a rotationally symmetrical deflector element for the water is situated in the vicinity of the outer mouth of the channel, the deflector element being held in place by a stem which with radial clearance projects axially in the channel, while being surrounded by a conical surface which projects in a convergent manner outwards, the mouthpiece delimiting a cavity around and axially outside the deflector element. The mouthpiece disclosed in the patent can be regulated axially relative to a holder, for altering the flow conditions. The shower head is specially designed internally for mounting the stem and for directing water to the channel.

For many years devices have been developed for water outlet, particularly shower heads, with a view to low water consumption in the range 6 - 10 1/min. This consumption is usually based on normal water pressure which is approximately 200 - 500 kPa. Since the water consumption is therefore already at "economy level" at this normal pressure, lower pressure will cause the consumption to be lower than desirable. The water consumption is reduced to below the "comfort limit", creating negative attitudes towards such shower heads. At higher pressure than normal the flow amount per unit of time increases to above the economy limit.

Shower heads which can provide pulsating showers have been known for some time. These are based on the use of a propeller-like rotor inside the shower head. Such shower heads can usually be adjusted between a normal state for a steady shower and the pulsating shower. Such shower heads are usually designed for high water consumption and normal water pressure, and they are complicated.

In some cases shower heads for low water consumption have been developed with the one-sided aim of achieving the low consumption without taking into account the consequences with regard to effect, comfort and the structure of the water flowing out of the shower head. In most cases this has resulted on the one hand in low water velocities and an unfavourable water structure, and on the other hand designs which may causfe/C^'logging on account of impurities or lime in the water or which are based on the jet/air stream principle. The shower head described in Norwegian patent no. 177256 gives low water consumption at normal water pressure, and reduces the shower comfort at low water pressure to a lesser extent than some other "economy showers", in addition to which it can be adjusted between a normal state for showering and a state for pulsating showering ("massage showering"), where the latter state is achieved without any rotating element in the shower head.

The design of the shower head permits the water in all phases to be emitted in pulses with a frequency of 20 - 40 per second, depending on the pressure.

This is achieved by the water emerging in a pulsating manner from the outermost portion of the converging stem, near the deflector element. Thus over a period of time a smaller amount of water flows out than is the case with a continuous water flow, thereby achieving "economical" consumption.

The patent discloses a mouthpiece which can be screwed axially relative to the holder for altering the flow conditions. The stem moreover is conical and converges towards the deflector element. When the mouthpiece is screwed to an approximately maximum extent into the holder, and the deflector element is consequently approximately at its greatest distance from the channel mouth, relatively large water drops are created at a relatively great distance apart and at great velocity, leaving the deflector element in a conical surface. Some of the water hits the wall in the cavity, and the water is reflected from the wall, leaving the mouthpiece and forming a fairly homogeneous structure.

When the mouthpiece is screwed further out axially relative to the holder, so that the deflector element is closer to the channel mouth, an increase in throttling will occur at the deflector element, but this position is suitable for low water pressure, as greater water velocity is achieved which feels comfortable and effective.

When the mouthpiece is screwed out from the holder approximately to its end position, and the deflector element is consequently at maximum proximity to the mouthpiece, the water is collected into a homogeneous mass, and full efficiency of the "splitting" of the water is attained, thereby achieving the massage function with "impact effect" of the water.

The fact that the surface surrounding the deflector element is substantially conical and converges outwards from the bottom surface of the mouthpiece is important for the course of the water outflow around the deflector element.

The fact that the stem is conical has a direct effect on the water's through-flow cross section at the top of the channel. This cross section will be least when the mouthpiece is screwed to a maximum extent into the holder. The deflector element is simultaneously at its greatest distance from the channel's mouth. Consequently, most of the throttling will take place at the top of the channel. The result is the above-mentioned relatively large water drops. On the other hand when the mouthpiece is screwed out to the maximum extent relative to the holder, this cross section is at its largest. The deflector element is simultaneously at its least distance from the channel. Consequently, most of the throttling will occur at the deflector element. This permits an acceptable water velocity and improved comfort even when the water supplied is at low pressure.

A solution which permits manufacture of rather different shower heads is described in Norwegian patent no. 313409. The patent describes substantially the same principle as patent no. 177256, in addition to which it describes how the stem is attached in an insert member which is mounted in the holder, which insert member has at least one axially through-going opening for directing water to the channel. The opening or each opening may be in the form of a groove in the outer surface of the insert member or a hole through the insert member. Thus solely by manufacturing different insert members with different openings or holes, shower heads can be manufactured with different properties with regard to the water flow. The grooves or holes cause a stabilisation of the water before it arrives in the channel.

In this known solution the stabilisation unit is not adjustable, and the amount of water flowing through the shower head will vary with the water pressure in such a manner that the amount of water increases with increasing pressure.

Under some circumstances it is desirable for the amount of water flowing through the shower head to remain as constant as possible, regardless of pressure, when this is within reasonable limits. For conventional shower heads a regulator has been employed which causes a throttling of the water in such a manner that the throttling increases with increasing water pressure.

The regulator has been mounted at the inlet to the shower head, i.e. where the hose or a supply pipe for fixed shower heads is connected to the shower head. For example, use has been made of a sleeve, in which the regulator is mounted and which is inserted as a transition between the hose or the water supply pipe and the shower head. The actual regulator has been designed as a ring element with axial openings and a cylindrical or conical portion with axial grooves, in combination with an O-ring which encompasses the grooves and is held in position by a retaining ring, and which acts in such a manner that the O-ring is progressively deformed with increasing water pressure and increasingly penetrates into the grooves in the ring element, causing a reduction in the through-flow area. An approximately constant amount of water per unit of time can thereby be achieved at water pressure in the range from about 50 to about 1000 kPa. The amount of water will naturally be dependent on the geometry of the regulator, such as the cross section of the grooves and the dimensions of the O-ring, and tests will have to be carried out to find out which geometry gives a desired amount of water per unit of time.

Placing the regulator at the inlet to a shower head, i.e. at the end of the handle thereon or at the bottom of a wall-mounted shower head means that the regulator will normally be under water when the shower head is not in use. If the water runs away, water will still remain in the holes in the regulator on account of the surface tension of the water. With time, lime in the water will be deposited and gradually block the holes. The small holes also reduce the supply of light and oxygen in towards the centre of the shower head, thereby reinforcing the formation of "hard" lime, as opposed to "pulverised" lime which is formed by the supply of light and oxygen and is easily washed off. It is therefore possible that the amount of water per unit of time may be reduced to below what the users find acceptable.

In some places maximum limits have been introduced for water consumption when showering. Many flow limiters that have been used, however, do not provide a substantially constant flow per unit of time when the pressure varies, thus reducing the flow per unit of time at low pressure to under an acceptable level. The above- mentioned regulators improve this situation, but are encumbered with the said shortcomings with regard to furring and formation of "hard" lime. With the present invention an insert has been achieved which combines the characteristics of the solution seen in patent no. 177256 and the said regulator which provides a substantially constant amount of water in the event of varying pressure, and which can be adapted for use in many different water outlets, such as showers, water taps, fittings on sink units and hoses for watering, thereby enabling a substantially constant amount of water per unit of time to be achieved and largely avoiding the problems of lime deposits. Regulation of the water outflow, as described in patent no. 177256 may also be achieved. The regulator provides a constant amount of water immediately before the water is subjected to a "booster effect" in the form of a pulsation 20 - 40 times per second. This gives a feeling of increased pressure and comfort.

The insert according to the invention will become apparent in the following patent claim 1.

With the present invention an insert has been achieved which can be used on different types of water outlet. The water outlets must be adapted to suit the insert with regard to securing thereof. For example, shower heads may be provided with an opening into which the insert can be introduced, with threads, e.g., being provided into which an end of the insert can be screwed. On taps or hose mouthpieces which have external threads on the outlet end, as is fairly normal, the insert may comprise a sleeve portion with corresponding, internal threads. The insert achieves the desired functions with regard to regulation of the water outflow, independently of the rest of the equipment.

According to the invention, therefore, both the elements for providing the desired type of water outflow and the regulator controlling the water flow in the event of increasing water pressure are integrated in the insert. Thus the effect is independent of what type of water outlet the insert is used together with, and it will be the producer of the insert who fully determines the effect by the design of the insert's main components. The adaptation to different water outlets with regard to mounting in or on these does not influence the effect with regard to water outflow and water consumption.

To a great extent, therefore, the insert can be produced independently of where it has to be mounted, provided only that mounting of the insert is possible or is made possible by the producer of the insert and the producers of the water outlets ensuring that these can be mounted together. After a water outlet has been in use, the water therein will normally run towards the hose or the water supply pipe. Oxygen in the air which enters the water outlet causes lime which is deposited to be of the "pulverised" type which is easily washed off next time it is used.

The mouthpiece and the stem may be fixed relative to each other, thereby preventing the insert from being regulated with regard to the interaction between the mouthpiece, the stem and the deflector element. In a preferred embodiment, however, the stem is conical at least in the portion located furthest from the deflector element, with the result that the surface of the stem converges towards the deflector element, causing the through-flow cross section for the water between the stem and the mouthpiece to be altered due to the fact that the mouthpiece can be moved axially relative to the holder, e.g. by being screwed in a similar manner to that disclosed in patent no. 177256. Alternatively, the stem may be moved axially relative to the mouthpiece without being screwed, or the mouthpiece may be immovable, while the stem may be moved or screwed axially relative thereto. The invention will now be explained in greater detail by means of embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates, in side projection on the left of a centre plane and in axial section on the right of the centre plane, an insert according to the invention, specially intended for screwing into shower heads, and with the possibility of regulating the flow of water.

Fig. 2 illustrates, in side projection on the left of a centre plane and in axial section on the right of the centre plane, an insert according to the invention, specially intended for screwing into shower heads, and with the possibility of regulating the flow of water, but in a different way to that illustrated in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates, in side projection on the left of a centre plane and in axial section on the right of the centre plane, an insert according to the invention, specially intended for screwing on to taps and hoses, without the possibility of regulating the flow of water.

Fig. 4 illustrates, in side projection on the left of a centre plane and in axial section on the right of the centre plane, an insert according to the invention, specially intended for screwing on to taps and hoses, and with the possibility of regulating the flow of water.

Fig. 5 illustrates how two elements in the insert can be joined.

The insert illustrated in figs. 1 and 2 is described here partly as a whole. The insert comprises a housing 2. The housing contains a mouthpiece 1 , which has an internal cavity 9, which is open for water outflow, and which is substantially cylindrical. Via an axial channel 8 and hole 23 in a disc 16, the cavity 9 communicates with a non-illustrated water outlet, to which the insert is assumed to be connected during use, via threads 15 in the illustrated example. In fig. 1 the threads 15 are located on the housing 2, while in fig. 2 the threads are located on an external muff 17.

In the illustrated examples a conical surface 7 is formed axially inside the cavity 9 in the mouthpiece 1. The surface 7 is shown provided on the mouthpiece 1 , but it may be located on a ring, which may be of plastic, and may be attached in a press fit, but it is also possible to weld on the ring, e.g. by means of ultrasonic welding when the mouthpiece 1 is also made of plastic. The ring may also be screwed into threads. The disc 16 may be an integrated part on an end 3' of a stem 3. The disc 16 may be connected to the stem 3 after the stem has been passed through the channel 8.

The disc 16 is shown provided with substantially axial grooves 1 1 inside the O-ring 21 , on an upper head 10 on the stem 3. The head 10 therefore resembles a cogwheel. The grooves 1 1 and the O-ring 21 together form a regulator which seeks to maintain a substantially constant water through-flow per unit of time. This is accomplished by the fact that increasing water pressure, which without the regulator would have resulted in an increased amount of water per unit of time, compresses the O-ring 21 partly into the grooves 1 1 , causing the through-flow cross section to decrease. Tests have shown that from and including a certain minimum pressure, a substantially constant amount of water per unit of time can be obtained, or at least that the amount of water does not increase proportionally with the pressure. At its outermost end, in the cavity 9, the stem 3 holds a substantially disc or dome- shaped deflector element 6, which on the axial side facing the channel 8 may be provided with a circumferential groove around the end of the stem 3. Between the circumference of the deflector element 6 and the conical surface 7 there is an annular gap 4. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig. 1 the annular gap 4 may be altered by the mouthpiece 1 being screwed axially relative to the stem 3. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig. 2 the annular gap 4 may be altered by the mouthpiece 1 being screwed without being moved axially relative to the stem 3. The mouthpiece 1 is in threaded connection with the housing 2, which is partly inserted in a muff 17. The housing 2 is connected to a holder 24 for the O- ring 21 and the disc 16, and when the mouthpiece 1 is screwed, the housing 2 is displaced axially, moving the head 10, the stem 3 and the deflector element 6 correspondingly.

The stem 3 has a smaller diameter than the wall defining the channel 8, with the result that the channel 8 forms an annulus between the stem 3 and the wall. The axially outer surface 6' on the deflector element 6 is illustrated with a domed shape, but this surface is assumed to have no significant influence on the flow of water.

Together with the deflector element 6, the surface 7 forms an annular chamber, which changes shape and size when the mouthpiece 1 is screwed axially relative to the stem 3, and the chamber influences the water in different ways, depending on its shape and size.

The conical surface 7 does not need to be conical along its entire axial length. The surface 7 may be cylindrical or approximately cylindrical on the outside, towards the cavity 9. The channel 8 may be essentially cylindrical, but closest to the chamber the channel 8 may have a conical portion 8'.

The stem 3 is conical, at least in the area located innermost in the channel 8 (closest to the disc 16), with the result that the cross section is largest towards the fixed end 3' of the stem 3. Assuming that the actual channel 8 has a constant cross section in this area, the object is achieved of altering the through-flow cross section for the water innermost in the channel 8 when the mouthpiece 1 is screwed axially relative to the stem 3.

In the embodiments illustrated in figs. 1 and 2 the channel 8 is formed in an inserted plug 22 (depicted as having a press-fit), with a sealing ring 12 between the plug 22 and the mouthpiece 1. The ring 12 prevents pressure drop on account of leakage, as well as preventing water from penetrating into the illustrated cavity between the housing 2 and the mouthpiece 1 and creating unhygienic conditions by allowing water to remain in the cavity for long periods. When the mouthpiece 1 is screwed into the insert to approximately the maximum extent (fig. 1 ), or when the housing 2 is in the maximum outer position relative to the mouthpiece 1 and the muff 17 (fig. 2), and the deflector element 6 is consequently approximately at its greatest distance from the outer mouth of the channel 8, relatively large water drops are created at a relatively great distance apart and great velocity, leaving the deflector element 6 in a conical surface. Some of the water hits the wall of the cavity 9, the water is reflected from the wall and leaves the mouthpiece 1 , forming a fairly homogeneous structure.

When the mouthpiece 1 is screwed further out relative to the housing 2, so that the deflector element 8 is closer to the channel mouth, an increase will take place in the throttling in the gap 4 at the deflector element 6. This position is suitable for low water pressures, as it results in a relatively greater water consumption and water velocity which feels comfortable.

When the mouthpiece 1 is screwed out from the housing 2 approximately to its end position, and the deflector element 6 is consequently at maximum proximity to the mouthpiece 1 , instability will arise in the water, which flows out in a pulsating manner, causing the shower to feel like a massage.

The fact that the surface 7 surrounding the deflector element 6 is substantially conical and converges outwards in the mouthpiece 1 influences the course of the water's outflow around the deflector element 6.

The inserts illustrated in figs. 3 and 4 are described here partly as a whole. The inserts are primarily intended for mounting on water outlets which have external threads, such as taps and hoses, and comprise a housing 2, which is illustrated in fig. 3 inserted in a sleeve-shaped portion of the mouthpiece. In fig. 4 the housing 2 is inserted in a separate sleeve 28, into which a mouthpiece 1 is also partly inserted. The mouthpiece 1 has an internal cavity 9, which is open for water outflow, and which is substantially cylindrical. Via an axial channel 8 and hole 23 in a disc 16, the cavity 9 communicates with a non-illustrated water outlet, to which the insert is assumed to be connected via internal threads 25. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 4 the channel 8 is formed in an inserted plug 22 (depicted as having a press-fit), with a sealing ring 14 between the plug 22 and the mouthpiece 1 and a sealing ring 12 between the plug 22 and the mouthpiece 1.

A conical surface 7 which together with the deflector element 6 forms an annular gap 4 is located in fig. 3 on a separate disc T. The insert illustrated in fig. 3 is not adjustable.

A conical surface 7 which together with the deflector element 6 forms an annular gap 4 is located in fig. 4 on the actual mouthpiece. This insert is adjustable as the mouthpiece 1 can be moved axially relative to the sleeve 28. In order to define two axial positions of the mouthpiece 1 , a check ring 27 may be fitted on the mouthpiece in a ring groove and slip into one of two ring grooves in the sleeve 28. Fig. 4 shows the mouthpiece in the axially outermost position relative to the sleeve 28.

A head 10 which holds the disc 16 is depicted provided with approximately axial grooves 1 1 inside the O-ring 21. The head 10 therefore resembles a cogwheel. The grooves 1 1 and the O-ring 21 together form a regulator which attempts to maintain substantially constant water through-flow per unit of time. This is accomplished due to the fact that an increase in water pressure, which without the regulator would have resulted in an increasing amount of water per unit of time, compresses the O- ring 21 partly into the grooves 1 1 , thereby causing a decrease in the through-flow cross section. Tests have shown that from and including a certain minimum pressure a substantially constant amount of water per unit of time can be obtained, or at least that the amount of water does not increase significantly with increasing pressure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a non-limiting example of how a stem 3 can be joined to a deflector element 6 by one stem having catch arms 26 and the deflector element 6 having corresponding cut-outs. In another non-illustrated example the stem 3 and the deflector element 6 may be permanently connected, while the stem 3 may be joined to the head 10, e.g. according to the same principle as that illustrated in fig. 5. The head 10, the stem 3 and the deflector element 6 cannot be permanently connected, since the stem 3 has to be able to be passed through the channel 8 or in the plug 22 (figs. 1 , 2 and 4) and in the housing 2 respectively (fig. 3).

Other types of joining methods than those illustrated may of course be employed. It will be understood that the individual components in the insert may consist of plastic or metal, except for the O-rings 12, 13, 14 and 21 , which may be made of synthetic rubber or natural rubber.

Claims

1. An insert which can be inserted in or mounted on different types of water outlet, such as shower heads, water taps, fittings for sink units, hoses for watering or washing, etc., characterised in that the insert contains a mouthpiece ( 1 ) with a central, axial, through-going channel (8) for water through-flow, where a rotationally symmetrical deflector element (6) for the water is situated in the vicinity of the outer mouth of the channel, which deflector element (6) is held in place by a stem (3) which with radial clearance protrudes axially in the channel, while being surrounded by a conical surface (7), where the mouthpiece (1) delimits a cavity (9) around and axially outside the deflector element (6), where the conical surface (7) projects in a convergent manner outwards, the end of the stem (3) which is opposite the deflector element (6) being attached or connected to a head (10) which has at least one through-going opening for directing water to the channel (8), and a regulator (1 1 , 21 , 23) for achieving a substantially constant flow of water per unit of time in the event of variation in the water pressure is integrated in the insert at the head ( 10), which regulator comprises substantially axial grooves (1 1 ) in the outside of the head ( 10) and an O-ring (21 ) which surrounds the grooves (1 1 ) and is influenced by the water pressure and is successively pressed into the grooves with increasing water pressure.

2. An insert as indicated in claim 1 , in which the O-ring (21 ) is located in an annular holder (24) inserted in the housing (2).

3. An insert as indicated in claim 1 or 2, in which the mouthpiece (1 ) is in threaded connection with the housing (2) and can be screwed axially relative to the housing (2) in order to alter the position of the stem (3) and the deflector element (6) relative to the mouthpiece (1).

4. An insert as indicated in claim 1 or 2, in which the mouthpiece (1 ) is in threaded connection with the housing (2) and can be screwed without being moved axially, in order thereby to move the housing (2) axially, in order to alter the position of the stem (3) and the deflector element (6) relative to the mouthpiece (1).

5. An insert as indicated in claim 1 , 2 or 3, in which the mouthpiece (1 ) is axially movable relative to a sleeve (28) surrounding the housing (2), in order to alter the position of the stem (3) and the deflector element (6) relative to the mouthpiece (1).