WO2016155836A1

WO2016155836A1 - Water outlet device

Info

Publication number: WO2016155836A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/057355
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralf Claus; Thomas Renner
Original assignee: Husqvarna Ab
Priority date: 2015-04-02
Filing date: 2015-04-02
Publication date: 2016-10-06
Also published as: EP3277432A1; EP3277432B1; TW201636105A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water outlet device (10), in particular for connecting to a flexible tube. The water outlet device (10) comprises a first casing (12), a second casing (14) and a perforated disc (16). The first casing (12) and the second casing (14) are moveable to each other along an axis (28). The perforated disc (16) is arranged or arrangeable at a front side of the first casing (12). The border of the perforated disc (16) is attached or attachable at a front edge of the first casing (12). The centre of the perforated disc (16) is attached or attachable at a front portion of the second casing (14). The perforated disc (16) is made of a flexible sheet. The perforated disc (16) is adjustable between a concave shape and a convex shape, when the first casing (12) and the second casing (14) are moved to each other along the axis (28).

Description

Water outlet device

The present invention relates to a water outlet device, in par^¬ ticular for connecting to a flexible tube. More general, the present invention relates to a liquid outlet device. Ά water outlet device is used for irrigating, cleaning, cooling and further purposes. The irrigation of plants requires a weak water jet with a low pressure and a relative big sprinkle area. In contrast, for cleaning purposes a strong and focussed water jet with a high pressure is required. Known water outlet devices are switchable between a weak and broad water jet on the one hand and a strong and narrow water jet on the other hand. Howev^¬ er, such kinds of water outlet devices comprise a complex me^¬ chanic structure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water out^¬ let device adjustable for a weak and broad water jet on the one hand and for a strong and narrow water jet on the other hand, wherein said water outlet device is realized by low complexity and easy to handle by the user.

The object of the present invention is achieved by the water outlet device according to claim 1.

The present invention provides a water outlet device, in partic- ular for connecting to a flexible tube, wherein

the water outlet device comprises a first casing, a sec^¬ ond casing and a perforated disc,

- the first casing and the second casing are moveable to each other along an axis,

- the perforated disc is arranged or arrangeable at a front side of the first casing,

the border of the perforated disc is attached or attacha^¬ ble at a front edge of the first casing,

- the centre of the perforated disc is attached or attacha- ble at a front portion of the second casing, the perforated disc is made of a flexible sheet, and the perforated disc is adjustable between a concave shape and a convex shape, when the first casing and the second casing are moved to each other along the axis.

The core of the present invention is the flexible perforated disc, which centre and border are moveable relative to each oth^¬ er. The perforated disc is deformable and may have a plane, con^¬ cave and convex shape. The concave shape of the perforated disc provides a focussed entire water jet, while the convex shape of the perforated disc provides a plurality of diverging water jets. The plane shape of the perforated disc provides a plurali^¬ ty of parallel water jets. The border of the perforated disc is connected to the first casing, while the centre of the perforated disc is connected to the second casing. The deformation of the perforated disc is obtained by moving the first casing and the second casing relative to each other.

Preferably, the perforated disc is continuously adjustable between the concave shape and the convex shape, when the first casing and the second casing are moved to each other along the axis. This allows an arbitrary adjustment of the water outlet device . For example, the water outlet device comprises an adjusting nut for driving the movement of the first casing and the second cas^¬ ing to each other along the axis, wherein preferably the adjust^¬ ing nut is rotatable around the axis . The adjusting nut allows an exact and stable adjustment of the water outlet device.

Further, the movement of the first casing and the second casing may be limited by at least one stopper formed at the first cas^¬ ing, the second casing and/or the adjusting nut. The at least one stopper prevents a damage of the perforated disc or other components . In particular, the perforated disc has a wavelike shape, wherein the wave crests and the wave troughs form concentric circles around the centre of the perforated disc. The wavelike shape causes suitable curvatures of the concave and convex perforated disc .

For example, the nozzles are arranged in the wave troughs of the wavelike shape of the perforated disc. Preferably, the curvature of the concave or convex perforated disc increases from the centre to the border of said perforated disc. The outwardly increasing curvature allows a uniform dis^¬ tribution of the water jets. Further, the perforated disc may include a plurality of nozzles arranged on concentric circles .

In particular, the nozzles of one concentric circle are equally spaced along said concentric circle.

Moreover, the number of nozzles on one concentric circle may be proportional to a circular ring area sprinkled by the nozzles of said concentric circle. This contributes to the uniform distribution of the water jets .

Furthermore, the nozzles of neighboured concentric circles may be displaced relating to a radial axis of the perforated disc. Also this property contributes to the uniform distribution of the water jets .

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the border of the perforated disc is fixed or fixable at the front edge of the first casing by a mounting ring, while the centre of the perforated disc is fixed or fixable at the front portion of the second casing by a screw, wherein the thread lengths of the mounting ring and the screw are big enough that the perforated disc may be dismantled In each position of the first casing relating to the second casing.

Further, a closing device may be provided for closing the nozzles of the perforated disc, wherein said closing device is biased and lies against the perforated disc without any water pressure, and wherein said closing device is opened against the flow direction by the water pressure.

Additionally, a number of cage bars may be provided for limiting the opening of the closing device.

At last, the water outlet device may comprise a valve unit for controlling a water flow through said water outlet device.

Novel and inventive feature of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims .

The present invention will be described in further details with reference to the accompanied drawings, in which

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of a outlet device according to the present inven in a first adjustment,

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the outlet device according to the present inven in a second adjustment,

Figure 3 illustrates a sectional side view of the water out^¬ let device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 4 illustrates a detailed sectional side view of the water outlet device according to the preferred em^¬ bodiment of the present invention,

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the water outlet device according to the preferred embodiment of the pre sent invention, Figure 6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a clos ing device of the water outlet device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 7 illustrates a schematic side view of the closing device of the water outlet device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 8 illustrates a schematic rear view of the closing device of the water outlet device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 9 illustrates a schematic front view of the closing device of the water outlet device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of a water outlet device 10 according to the present invention in a first adjustment .

The water outlet device 10 comprises a first casing 12, a second casing 14 and a perforated disc 16. The perforated disc 16 is arranged at an open front side of the first casing 12. The border of the perforated disc 16 is attached at the edge of said open front side of the first casing 12. The perforated disc 16 is formed as a flexible sheet. The second casing 14 is arranged at a rear portion of the first casing 12. The second casing 14 is moveably connected to the first casing 12. The first casing 12 and the second casing 14 are moveable to each other along an axis 28. A first arrow 24 represents the possible movement of the second casing 14 relative to the first casing 12. The centre of the perforated disc 16 is connected to the second casing 14 via a rod 20. The perforated disc 16 includes a plurality of holes or nozzles. Each hole or nozzle forms the origin of a wa^¬ ter jet 22. Thus, a plurality of water jets 22 leaves the water outlet device 10 through the perforated disc 16. In this example, the first casing 12 and the second casing 14 form an overall casing of the water outlet device 10. Further, the second casing 14 includes a connector 18 at its rear por- tion. The connector 18 is provided for connecting a flexible tube to the water outlet device 10. The water flows from the connector 18 via the second casing 14 to the first casing 12 and passes through the perforated disc 16. The terms "forward", "rearward", "front" and "rear" refer to the flow direction of the water. For example, a front portion of the water outlet device 10 is arranged downstream of the rear portion of said water outlet device 10. The border of the perforated disc 16 is connected to the edge of the open front side of the first casing 12, while the centre of the perforated disc 16 is connected to the second casing 14. Further, the first casing 12 and the second casing 14 are movea^¬ ble to each other on the one hand and the perforated disc 16 is formed as a flexible sheet on the other hand. Thus, the movement of the first casing 12 and the second casing 14 relative to each other causes a deformation of the perforated disc 16. In Figure 1 the perforated disc 16 has a concave shape, i.e. the front side or outer side of the perforated disc 16 is concave. The movement of the second casing 14 relative to the first casing 12 according to the first arrow 24 would move the centre of the perforated disc 16 along the axis 28 to the front of the first casing 12, so that the perforated disc 16 would get a convex shape, i.e. the front side or outer side of the perforated disc 16 would become convex.

The concave shape of the perforated disc 16 in Figure 1 causes that the plurality of water jets 22 discharging through the holes or nozzles of said perforated disc 16 are focused. Thus, the plurality of water jets 22 forms a strong entire water jet. In particular, said strong entire water jet may be used for cleaning purposes.

In this example, the first casing 12 and the second casing 14 have substantially round cross-sections. Accordingly, the perforated disc 16 is a circular disc. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the water outlet device 10 according to the present invention in a second adjustment. Figure 2 differs from Figure 1 in that the perforated disc 16 has a convex shape, i.e. the front side or outer side of the perforated disc 16 is convex.

In Figure 2 the second casing 14 has been moved relative to the first casing 12 according to the first arrow 24 of Figure 1. The convex shape of the perforated disc 16 causes that the water jets 22 discharging through the holes of said perforated disc 16 diverge. Thus, a relative large area may be irrigated by the water jets 22. In particular, the diverging water jets 22 are provided for irrigating plants. A second arrow 26 represents the possible movement of the second casing 14 relative to the first casing 12, so that the water outlet device 10 is switch over from the second adjustment to the first adjustment. The first casing 12 and the second casing 14 are continuously moveable to each other along the axis 28. Thus, the angles between the water jets 22 are also continuously adjustable. The area of the cross-section of the entire water jet is continuously adjustable.

For example, the movement of the first casing 12 and the second casing 14 relative to each other may be caused by a rotation of the second casing 14 relative to the first casing 12 around the axis 28. In this case, the first casing 12 and the second casing 14 may be coupled via a thread.

Figure 3 illustrates a sectional side view of the water outlet device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The water outlet device 10 comprises the first casing 12, the second casing 14 and the perforated disc 16. In FIG 3 the water outlet device 10 is in a neutral adjustment, so that the perforated disc 16 is formed as a plane sheet and the water jets 22 are ordered in parallel to each other.

In this embodiment the first casing 12 and the second casing 14 are moveable to each other by rotating an adjusting nut 30. Said adjusting nut 30 is coupled to the first casing 12 via a thread 32, wherein an inner thread is formed in the adjusting nut 30, while an outer thread is formed at the first casing 12. The cen^¬ tre of the perforated disc 16 is connected to the second casing 14 by a screw 34. The border of the perforated disc 16 is connected to the front edge of the first casing 12 by a mounting ring 36. The first casing 12 and the second casing 14 are con^¬ tinuously moveable to each other along the axis 28. The first casing 12 and the second casing 14 are substantially rotation- symmetric relating to the axis 28.

An elongated handle 38 is attached at the rear portion of the second casing 14. The handle 38 is angled relating to the axis 28 of the second casing 14. In this example, the handle 38 is angled about 60 degrees relating to the axis 28. A valve unit 40 is arranged inside the handle 36. The connector is arranged at the rear end of the handle 38. Thus, the water from the flexible tube passes the connector 18, the valve unit 40 inside the handle 36, the second casing 18, the first casing 12 and the perfo- rated disc 16.

If the adjusting nut 30 is rotated into the one direction, then the first casing 12 is moved forwards relating to the second casing 14. A first stopper 42 protruding from the second casing 14 limits the forward moving of the first casing 12. From the neutral adjustment the first casing 12 is movable forwards about a first distance a. The border of the perforated disc 16 is pushed forwards, while the centre of said perforated disc 16 is held by the second casing 14. Thus, the perforated disc 16 be- comes a concave shape and the plurality of water jets 22 passing through said perforated disc 16 are focused. The cross-section of the entire water jet becomes smaller, while the pressure of said entire water jet increases . In particular, the strong entire water jet is suitable for cleaning purposes.

If the adjusting nut 30 is rotated into the opposite direction, then the first casing 12 is moved rearwards relating to the second casing 14. A second stopper 44 protruding inside the adjusting nut 30 limits the rearward moving of the first casing 12. From the neutral adjustment the first casing 12 is movable rear^¬ wards about a second distance b. The border of the perforated disc 16 is pulled rearwards, while the centre of said perforated disc 16 is held by the second casing 14. Thus, the perforated disc 16 becomes a convex shape and the plurality of water jets 22 passing through said perforated disc 16 diverge. The cross- section of the entire water jet becomes bigger, while the pres- sure of said entire water jet decreases. In particular, the weak entire water jet is suitable for irrigating plants. The first distance a and the second distance b may have the same length or different length. Further, the water outlet device 10 comprises an automatic closing device 56 arranged behind the perforated disc 16. The closing device 56 is provided for closing the nozzles of the perfo^¬ rated disc 16. Preferably, the closing device 56 is made of an elastomer. The closing device 56 is biased and lies against the nozzles in order to close them. The closing device 56 is activated by the pressure of the water, wherein said closing device 56 is pushed rearwards and opens the nozzles. When the pressure of the water is switched off, then the biased closing device 56 lies against the nozzles again. Moreover, the water outlet de- vice 10 comprises cage bars 58 arranged behind the closing device 56. Said cage bares 58 limit the way of the closing device 56, when the pressure of the water pushes the closing device 56 rearwards. The closing device 56 and the cage bars 58 are deformed, when the position of the adjusting nut 30 is changed. The closing device 56 and the cage bars 58 work in every position of the adjusting nut 30. Furthermore, the closing device 56 prevents the filling of the inner space of the first casing 12. The first casing 12 is not stressed by high pressure of the water and may be designed as a simple casing. Any sealing elements between the first casing 12 and the second casing 14 are not required.

Figure 4 illustrates a detailed sectional side view of the water outlet device 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 4 an outer front portion of the first casing 12 and a part of the perforated disc 16 are shown.

An inner sealing element 46 is arranged between the second cas^¬ ing 14 and the centre of the perforated disc 16. An outer seal^¬ ing element 48 is arranged between the first casing 12 and the border of the perforated disc 16. The closing device 56 and the inner sealing element 46 and/or the outer sealing element 48 may be formed as a single-piece part. Preferably, the outer sealing element 48 and/or the inner sealing element 46 lie against the first casing 12 and/or the second casing 14, respectively, by the pressure of the water.

The perforated disc 16 has a wavelike structure, wherein the wave crests 50 and the wave troughs 52 form concentric circles around the centre of the perforated disc 16. The wavelike struc- ture of the perforated disc 16 causes that the curvature increases from the centre to the border of the perforated disc 16. Said increasing curvature allows a uniform distribution of the water jets 22, if the perforated disc 16 has a convex shape. Preferably, the holes or nozzles of the perforated disc 16 are arranged in the wave troughs 52 of the wavelike structure of said perforated disc 16. This simplifies the closing of the noz^¬ zles by the automatic closing device 56. Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the water outlet device 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The water outlet device 10 comprises the perforated disc 16, the handle 38 and the connector 18.

The holes or nozzles 54 of the perforated disc 16 are arranged according to the following scheme. The nozzles 54 are arranged in circular rings 60 on the perforated disc 16. The distances d between two neighboured nozzles 54 within each circular ring 60 are egual . The number of nozzles 54 on a certain circular ring 60 is proportional to a circular ring area sprinkled by the noz- zles 54 of said circular ring 60. The angles a of the nozzles 54 of each circular ring are selected in such a way that none of the nozzles 54 is arranged besides a nozzle 54 of the neigh^¬ boured circular ring 60 along the radial direction. This allows the uniform distribution of the water jets 22 and prevents the collision of the water jets 22.

The screw 34 and the mounting ring 36 allow that the perforated disc 16 may be dismantled from the water outlet device 10 in each arbitrary adjustment, e.g. for cleaning purposes. The screw 34 may be released from the second casing 14 by a usual screwdriver. The mounting ring 36 may be removed from the first casing 12 by throwing. Thus, the perforated disc 16 may be disman^¬ tled by the user in an easy way. Since the adjusting nut 30 is arranged in a distance behind the perforated disc 16 the user may adjust said adjusting nut 30 during water flows without getting wet.

Figure 6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the closing device 56 of the water outlet device 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The closing device 56 includes a base plate 64 and a number of concentric cylindrical walls 62 arranged on one side of said base plate 64. When the closing device 56 is arranged inside the water outlet device 10 and behind the perforated disc 16, then the base plate 64 lies against the perforated disc 16 and the cylindrical walls 62 are arranged at the opposite side of said the perforated disc 16. The cylindrical walls 62 extend away from the perforated disc 16. Preferably, the elastic closing de^¬ vice 56 is biased and lies against the nozzles 54 of the perfo- rated disc 16.

Figure 7 illustrates a schematic side view of the closing device 56 of the water outlet device 10 according to the preferred em^¬ bodiment of the present invention. The base plate 64 lies against the perforated disc 16, while the cylindrical walls 62 extend away from the perforated disc 16, when the closing device 56 is arranged inside the water outlet device 10.

Figure 8 illustrates a schematic rear view of the closing device 56 of the water outlet device 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG 8 clarifies the arrangement of the concentric cylindrical walls 62 at the rear side of the closing device 56. Figure 9 illustrates a schematic front view of the closing device 56 of the water outlet device 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The front side of the clos^¬ ing device 56 and its base plate 64, respectively, is substantially smooth. Said front side lies against the perforated disc 16, when the closing device 56 is arranged inside the water outlet device 10.

In this embodiment, the closing device 56, the inner sealing element 46 and the outer sealing element 48 are formed as separat- ed parts. Alternatively, the inner sealing element 46 and/or the outer sealing element 48 may be integrated parts of the closing device 56, so that the closing device 56, the inner sealing ele^¬ ment 46 and/or the outer sealing element 48 form a single-piece part .

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying draw- ings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims .

Reference Numerals

10 water outlet device

12 first casing

14 second casing

16 perforated disc

18 connector

20 rod

22 water jet

24 first arrow

26 second arrow

28 axis

30 adjusting nut

32 thread

34 screw

36 mounting ring

38 handle

40 valve unit

42 first stopper

44 second stopper

46 inner sealing element

48 outer sealing element

50 wave crest

52 wave trough

54 nozzle, hole

56 closing device

58 cage bar

60 circular ring

62 cylindrical wall

54 base plate a first distance b second distance d distance

a angle

Claims

1. Water outlet device (10), in particular for connecting to a flexible tube, wherein

- the water outlet device (10) comprises a first casing (12), a second casing (14) and a perforated disc (16),

- the first casing (12) and the second casing (14) are

moveable to each other along an axis (28),

- the perforated disc (16) is arranged or arrangeable at a front side of the first casing (12),

- the border of the perforated disc (16) is attached or attachable at a front edge of the first casing (12),

- the centre of the perforated disc (16) is attached or at^¬ tachable at a front portion of the second casing (14),

- the perforated disc (16) is made of a flexible sheet, and

- the perforated disc (16) is adjustable between a concave shape and a convex shape, when the first casing (12) and the second casing (14) are moved to each other along the axis (28) .

2. Water outlet device (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the perforated disc (16) is continuously adjustable between the concave shape and the convex shape, when the first casing (12) and the second casing (14) are moved to each other along the axis (28) .

3. Water outlet device (10) according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the water outlet device (10) comprises an adjusting nut (30) for driving the movement of the first casing (12) and the second casing (14) to each other along the axis (28), where^¬ in preferably the adjusting nut (30) is rotatable around the axis (28) .

4. Water outlet device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the movement of the first casing (12) and the second casing (14) is limited by at least one stopper (42, 44) formed at the first casing (12), the second casing (14) and/or the adjusting nut ( 30 ) .

5. Water outlet device (10) according to any one of the preced^¬ ing claims,

characterized in that

the perforated disc (16) has a wavelike shape, wherein the wave crests (50) and the wave troughs (52) form concentric circles around the centre of the perforated disc (16) .

6. Water outlet device (10) according to claim 5,

characterized in that

the nozzles (54) are arranged in the wave troughs (52) of the wavelike shape of the perforated disc (16) .

7. Water outlet device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the curvature of the concave or convex perforated disc (16) increases from the centre to the border of said perforated disc (16) .

8. Water outlet device (10) according to any one of the preced^¬ ing claims,

characterized in that

the perforated disc (16) includes a plurality of nozzles (54) arranged on concentric circles (60) .

9. Water outlet device (10) according to claim 8,

characterized in that

the nozzles (54) of one concentric circle (60) are equally spaced along said concentric circle (60) .

10. Water outlet device (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that

the number of nozzles (54) on one concentric circle (60) is proportional to a circular ring area sprinkled by the noz^¬ zles (54) of said concentric circle (60) .

11. Water outlet device (10) according to any one of the claims 8 to 10,

characterized in that

the nozzles (54) of neighboured concentric circles (60) are displaced relating to a radial axis of the perforated disc (16) .

12. Water outlet device (10) according to any one of the preced^¬ ing claims,

characterized in that

the border of the perforated disc (16) is fixed or fixable at the front edge of the first casing (12) by a mounting ring (36), while the centre of the perforated disc (16) is fixed or fixable at the front portion of the second casing (14) by a screw (34), wherein the thread lengths of the mounting ring (36) and the screw (34) are big enough that the perforated disc (16) may be dismantled in each position of the first casing (12) relating to the second casing (14) .

13. Water outlet device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

a closing device (56) is provided for closing the nozzles (54) of the perforated disc (16), wherein said closing device (56) is biased and lies against the perforated disc (16) without any water pressure, and wherein said closing device (56) is opened against the flow direction by the wa^¬ ter pressure .

14. Water outlet device (10) according to claim 13,

characterized in that a number of cage bars (58) is provided for limiting the opening of the closing device (56) .

Water outlet device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the water outlet device (10) comprises a valve unit (40) for controlling a water flow through said water outlet device (10) .