DE102020107262A1 - Sanitary fitting with plastic inner part - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sanitary fitting (1), comprising a fitting housing (2) and a plastic inner part (3) which is at least partially inserted into the fitting housing (2), the plastic inner part (3) having at least one waterway (4) in the fitting housing ( 2), with at least part of a thermostat device (5) of the sanitary fitting (1) being formed in the plastic inner part (3), and with a housing element (6) of the thermostat device (5) arranged at least partially in the plastic inner part (3), its A regulating gap (7) of the thermostat device (5) is defined relative to the plastic inner part (3) and is firmly connected to the plastic inner part (3).

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary fitting and a method for assembling a corresponding sanitary fitting.

Sanitary fittings are used in particular for the needs-based provision of mixed water at a washbasin, a sink, a shower or a bathtub. For the provision of mixed water as required, the sanitary fitting generally has a flow valve for setting the flow rate of mixed water and a thermostatic valve for setting the mixed water temperature. As a rule, cold water and hot water are mixed to form the mixed water in the area of the thermostatic valve. Such sanitary fittings can also be referred to as thermostatic faucets. The invention relates in particular to elongated, at least partially cylindrical sanitary fittings, in which the flow valve and the thermostatic valve are arranged in end regions of the sanitary fitting that are opposite one another and facing away from one another. In this context, the invention is particularly concerned with the design of the thermostatic valve.

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

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

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

Contributing to this is a sanitary fitting, having a fitting housing and a plastic inner part which is at least partially inserted into the fitting housing, the plastic inner part forming at least one waterway in the fitting housing, with at least part of a thermostat device of the sanitary fitting being formed in the plastic inner part, and wherein a Housing element of the thermostat device, at least partially arranged in the plastic inner part, whose position relative to the plastic inner part defines a regulating gap of the thermostat device, is firmly connected to the plastic inner part.

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

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

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

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

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

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the plastic inner part is locked in the fitting housing by means of a water connection element which is at least partially introduced into the fitting housing. In this context, it is particularly preferred that the water connection element (partially) penetrates a housing wall of the fitting housing. The water connection element can form a (cold) water inlet of the sanitary fitting, for example. In this context, for example, a (cold) water inlet hose can be connected to the water connection element. A water path extending through the water connection element is preferably oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the plastic inner part.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 1: eine Thermostatkartusche gemäß dem Stand der Technik, und
• 2: eine hier vorgeschlagene Sanitärarmatur.

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

• 1 : a thermostatic cartridge according to the prior art, and
• 2 : a plumbing fixture proposed here.

1 shows an example and schematically a thermostat cartridge 24 according to the state of the art. In known sanitary fittings (thermostatic batteries) this cartridge 24 installed as a single component or complete assembly in the water-bearing body (not shown here). A cartridge housing can be used for this purpose 25th the cartridge 24 , which is usually made of brass, can be screwed into a cartridge holder in the brass fitting housing (not shown here). The standard gap 7th is used when assembling the known cartridge 24 As a pre-assembly group by adjusting the screw-in depth of the hot water seat 26th into the cartridge housing 25th set. The corresponding screw connection is made via the thread 27 . The hot water seat 26th and the cartridge housing 25th (also called "head piece") are welded together in this (fully set) position.

2 shows by way of example and schematically a sanitary fitting proposed here 1 . The sanitary fitting 1 has a valve body 2 and a plastic inner part 3 on that at least partially in the Valve body 2 is used. The plastic inner part 3 forms at least one waterway 4th in the valve body 2 . In addition, is in the plastic inner part 3 at least part of a thermostat device 5 the sanitary fitting 1 educated. Furthermore, one is at least partially in the plastic inner part 3 arranged housing element 6th the thermostat device 5 , its relative position to the plastic inner part 3 a rule gap 7th the thermostat device 5 defined, firmly with the plastic inner part 3 tied together.

The faucet body exists as an example 2 made of metal, such as die-cast zinc and the housing element 6th made of plastic. Through the plastic inner part 3 can assemble the thermostat device 5 in the fitting body 2 can be simplified in an advantageous manner. In particular, the “thermostat cartridge” assembly is broken down into individual components. The individual components are in the plastic inner part 3 built in and thus at least partially (directly) in the waterway 4th integrated. In other words, this can also be described in such a way that the individual parts of the cartridge are made by means of the plastic inner part 3 (directly) into the fitting body 2 or in the waterway (formed with the waterway 4th through the plastic inner part 3 ) can be inserted. To with such a realization of the thermostat device 5 in the plastic inner part 3 the control gap can be used to achieve the desired control behavior in an advantageous manner, in particular as easily as possible 7th after installing the individual parts of the thermostat device 5 in the plastic inner part 3 or in the waterway (formed with the waterway 4th through the plastic inner part 3 ) can be set.

The sanitary fitting 1 can deliver mixed water with a specified mixed water temperature. Here is the thermostat device 5 provided and set up for regulating the mixed water temperature by setting or adapting a mixing ratio between hot water and cold water. To set the mixed water temperature, the thermostat device 5 an actuator 11 on, by means of a screw connection with a screw element 15th connected is. By turning the adjusting element 11 becomes the screw element 15th through the screw connection in an axial direction 16 , here so for example parallel to the longitudinal extension of the plastic inner part 3 , adjusted. The movement of the screw element 15th in the axial direction 16 is on a (temperature-dependent) control element 17th transferred, which in turn is a control slide 18th in the axial direction 16 can move. Depending on the position of the control slide 18th in the axial direction 16 can this have a hot water gap 19th and a cold water gap 20th alternately open and close. The hot water gap 19th is with a hot water connection element (not shown here) and the cold water gap 20th with the cold water connection element 8th fluidically connected. The corresponding fluidic connections generally comprise at least some of the waterways 4th who have favourited the plastic inner part 3 in the valve body 2 forms.

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

Depending on the position of the control slide 18th a corresponding amount of hot water or cold water is fed into the thermostat device 5 through the hot water gap 19th or the cold water gap 20th from which the mixed water is mixed with a corresponding mixed water temperature. In the present variant of the thermostat device 5 the hot water gap extend 19th and the cold water regulating gap 20th in the circumferential direction around the thermostat device 5 . The rule element 17th can at least partially consist of a thermal expansion material. This causes the control element to expand 17th especially in the axial direction 16 off when it is heated and, in particular, pulls in the axial direction 16 together when it is cooled. This allows the control element 17th keep the mixed water at a (essentially) constant mixed water temperature.

For example, if too much hot water or too little cold water flows into the thermostat device 5 , the control element heats up and expands 17th which makes it the control slide 18th in the axial direction 16 adjusted so that the hot water gap 19th and the cold water gap 20th is enlarged. This means that less hot water and more cold water flows into the mixing chamber 21 . For example, if too much cold water or too little hot water flows into the mixing chamber 21 , pulls the control element 17th together, making it the control slide 18th so moved that the hot water gap 19th enlarged and the cold water gap 20th is reduced.

This means that more hot water and less cold water flows into the mixing chamber 21 . the Mixing chamber 21 is fluidically connected to a mixed water outlet (not shown here).

Furthermore, in 2 exemplifies that the plastic inner part ( 3 ) is tubular overall. In addition, the plastic inner part is 3 here for example by means of an at least partially in the fitting housing 2 introduced (cold) water connection element 8 in the fitting housing 2 locked. For example, the water connection element penetrates 8th for this purpose a housing wall 9 of the valve body 2 .

In 2 is also shown as an example that the standard gap 7th via a thread 10 between the housing element 6th and the plastic inner part 3 is adjustable. In particular, the standard gap 7th about the screw-in depth in the thread 10 can be set. In particular, the standard gap is or will be here 7th by the screw-in depth of the housing element 6th in the plastic inner part 3 or in a thermostat holder open at the front 23 of the plastic inner part 3 (from the cold water side). The thread 10 includes here, for example, an internal thread and a corresponding external thread. In this case, the (axial) distance between that in the plastic inner part is usually 3 formed internal thread and the (formed with the radially inwardly pointing collar, axial) contact surface of the plastic inner part 3 for the control slide 18th (pre-) defined and constant or fixed. In addition, this is usually the (axial) distance between the one on the housing element 6th formed external thread and the (axial) contact surface of the housing element 6th for the control slide 18th (pre-) defined and constant or fixed.

The housing element is also here, for example 6th and the plastic inner part 3 firmly connected to each other. The fixed connection between the housing element 6th and plastic inner part 3 is provided and set up around the housing element 6th and thus the standard gap 7th to protect against adjustment. The two components, ie the housing element, are or are exemplary 6th and the plastic inner part 3 , here (from the outside) welded together.

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

Furthermore, in 2 for example that depicted an ending 13th of the plastic inner part 3 from the valve body 2 protrudes and from a pot-shaped knob 14th the sanitary fitting 1 is at least partially covered. The knob 14th is here for example non-rotatably with the adjusting element 11 tied together. The knob 14th serves to rotate the adjusting element 11 in order to be able to set the temperature of the mixed water manually.

To assemble the in 2 shown plumbing fixture 1 can at least part of the thermostat device 5 in the plastic inner part 3 be pre-assembled before the plastic inner part 3 in the valve body 2 is used. The standard gap can be 7th about the thread 10 between the housing element 6th and the plastic inner part 3 can be set. Furthermore, the housing element 6th and the plastic inner part 3 be firmly connected after the standard gap 7th has been set, especially after the plastic inner part 3 in the valve body 2 was used.

It can be seen that the internal waterways 4th this sanitary fitting 1 by means of plastic inner parts 3 , 22nd can be formed afterwards in the valve body 2 introduced, in particular can be inserted. This makes it possible in an advantageous manner to pre-assemble the water-carrying components and thereby the assembly of the sanitary fitting 1 to facilitate. In this case, at least the plastic inner part is preferably 3 by means of the (cold) water connection element 8 (cold water inlet nipple) against slipping out of the fitting housing 2 mechanically secured.

The entire (pre-assembled) assembly, including at least the plastic inner part 3 and possibly also the further plastic inner part 22nd can in the axial direction 16 in the valve body 2 be inserted. The water connection element 8th can then contribute to locking the assembly. This allows the assembly of the plumbing fixture 1 can be further simplified. By loosening the water connection element 8th can in a particularly advantageous manner the entire assembly, including at least a plastic inner part 3 and possibly also the further plastic inner part 22nd from the valve body 2 for example, can be removed for exchange purposes.

Thanks to the advantageous integration of the thermostatic valve function in the plastic inner part 3 can also reduce the complexity and manufacturing costs of the sanitary fitting 1 be lowered. This is particularly due to the fact that the brass housing 25th (see. 1 ) and / or the hot water seat 16 (as well as the associated thread 27 ) can be omitted. In addition, the waterway 4th in particular not changed during the screwing-in process of a housing.

Compared to the state of the art 1 the annular channels, which are usually provided there for flow around the cartridge, can also advantageously be dispensed with. As a result, the mechanical reworking that may have to be carried out on the receiving body (made of brass / plastic) can advantageously be reduced or even omitted. Furthermore, a foldable slide for plastic bodies can advantageously be dispensed with. Another advantage can be seen in a better supply of water. In addition, compared to the state of the art 1 the inlet gaps there are omitted. This can also contribute to a better supply of water. In addition, the sieves on the cartridge can advantageously be dispensed with. This enables cheaper production.

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

List of reference symbols

1

Plumbing fixture

2

Valve body

3

Plastic inner part

4th

Waterway

5

Thermostat device

6th

Housing element

7th

Standard gap

8th

Water connection element

9

Housing wall

10

thread

11

Control element

12th

Annular gap

13th

end

14th

Knob

15th

Screw element

16

direction

17th

Control element

18th

Control slide

19th

Hot water gap

20th

Cold water gap

21

Mixing chamber

22nd

Plastic inner part

23

recording

24

cartridge

25th

Cartridge housing

26th

Hot water seat

27

thread

Claims (10)

Sanitary fitting (1), comprising a fitting housing (2) and a plastic inner part (3) which is at least partially inserted into the fitting housing (2), the plastic inner part (3) forming at least one waterway (4) in the fitting housing (2), wherein at least part of a thermostat device (5) of the sanitary fitting (1) is formed in the plastic inner part (3), and wherein a housing element (6) of the thermostat device (5) arranged at least partially in the plastic inner part (3), its position relative to the plastic inner part (3) defines a regulating gap (7) of the thermostat device (5), is firmly connected to the plastic inner part (3). Sanitary fitting (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the plastic inner part (3) is tubular overall. Sanitary fitting (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the plastic inner part (3) is locked in the fitting housing (2) by means of a water connection element (8) which is at least partially introduced into the fitting housing (2). Sanitary fitting (1) according to Claim 3 , wherein the water connection element (8) penetrates a housing wall (9) of the fitting housing (2). Sanitary fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the regulating gap (7) can be adjusted via a thread (10) between the housing element (6) and the plastic inner part (3). Sanitary fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing element (6) and the plastic inner part (3) are materially connected to one another. Sanitary fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of an adjusting element (11) of the thermostat device (5) is arranged in an annular gap (12) between the housing element (6) and the plastic inner part (3). Sanitary fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one end (13) of the plastic inner part (3) protrudes from the fitting housing (2) and is at least partially covered by a pot-shaped rotary knob (14) of the sanitary fitting (1). Method for assembling a sanitary fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least part of the thermostat device (5) is preassembled in the plastic inner part (3) before the plastic inner part (3) is inserted into the fitting housing (2). Procedure according to Claim 9 , the housing element (6) and the plastic inner part (3) being firmly connected to one another after the regulating gap (7) has been set.

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