EP3394354B1 - Sanitary outlet unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary outlet unit which has a housing which can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting and which has a jet shaper on its outlet face, which is designed as a perforated plate and which has flow channels that are arranged on the outlet end face of the housing and that have the Divide the water flowing out of the jet former into visible individual jets.

Sanitary outlet units are known, for example, as so-called spray jet regulators. Such spray jet regulators usually have a housing that can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. The housing of this known spray jet regulator has on its outlet end face a jet shaper which has throughflow channels which are arranged on at least one circular path on the outlet end face. With the help of these flow-through channels, the water emerging from the jet shaper is divided into individual jets, so that a spray jet formed from visible individual jets emerges.

From the EP 2 620 224 A2 a sanitary outlet unit of the type mentioned is already known which has a housing that can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. In order to allow the water flowing through the known outlet unit to emerge at the outlet end face of the housing of this outlet unit in separately visually perceptible spray jets, which flow out in a laterally crossed outflow direction and generate an outlet jet pattern that has a cylindrical cross-section assumes a different outer contour, the known outlet unit has a jet shaper designed as a perforated plate, which has flow channels arranged on a circular path, which are arranged on the outlet end face of the housing and which split the water flowing out of the jet shaper into visible individual jets, with the at least one The throughflow channels arranged in a closed path each define an outflow direction, which is determined by a rotation of the throughflow channels both in a plane spanned by a housing longitudinal axis and a tangential direction to the closed path and in a plane spanned by the housing longitudinal axis and a complementary direction which is perpendicular to the housing longitudinal axis and the tangential direction , spanned plane emerges from the longitudinal axis of the housing. The outflow directions of the generated spray jets are given by the channel longitudinal axis of the respective throughflow channel, with an asymmetrical or at least one non-rotationally symmetrical outlet jet pattern being able to be generated. The known outlet unit generates an outlet jet image formed from visibly isolated individual jets, which is constricted at a distance from the outlet end face of the outlet unit formed by the jet shaper, the individual jets again expanding conically in the flow direction after this constriction. The known outlet unit can be used in particular with those outlet fittings that have a round water outlet from which the emerging water should initially flow out with a likewise round outlet cross-section.

From the EP 3 181 234 A1 an outlet unit is previously known which is intended to generate a comparable outlet jet image.

From EP 2 620 224 A2 and EP 3 181 234 A1 known outlet units are provided in particular as shower heads.

From the US 2002/0170984 A1 one already knows an outlet unit which can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting designed as a hand shower. In order to let the water exiting there emerge in spray jets which are arranged on a spreading circular path to one another, the known outlet unit has an insert housing which has outlet openings on its outlet end face, the longitudinal axis of which are arranged inclined outward in the radial direction and which are at least a circular path are provided on the outflow-side housing face of the insert housing.

From the US 6,775,865 B1 a sanitary outlet unit designed as a shower head is already known, which can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting designed as a ball joint. The outlet unit mounted on the ceiling has a housing that has a jet shaper on its outlet end face facing the floor, which consists of a central shower head and several shower arms evenly spaced around the circumference of the shower head, which shower arms protrude over the shower head in the radial direction. Since the housing is held rotatably or rotatably via the outlet fitting designed as a ball joint, the throughflow channels provided on the outlet face of the shower arms are arranged on closed paths coaxially around the central shower head. When the housing is rotated, these through-flow channels define an outflow direction which is spanned at an angle in two planes. The US 6,775,865 B1 emphasized that the spray pattern of the shower jet can be adjusted by rotating the shower arms on the one hand and by pivoting the ball joint carrying the housing on the other hand.

From the US 2006/0032945 A1 an outlet unit which is also designed as a shower head and has a housing which is rotatably held on an outlet fitting designed as a ball joint is known. The cup-shaped housing has on its outlet end face through-flow channels which are formed by tubes which are pivotably mounted in the housing and which are pivoted in a circular manner by means of the water flowing through the housing.

From the WO 2013/077030 A1 one already knows a shower unit designed as a shower head, which on its concavely formed outlet end face has flow channels projecting in the shape of a nozzle, which are oriented approximately in the direction of a common central area.

From the DE 41 08 521 A1 a jet shower with a shower head is known which has a plurality of water outlet openings to form a shower jet, which are guided in an axial plane and positioned radially outward. A soft shower jet is intended to be generated by deflecting the flow of the water flowing through the housing of the known jet shower head.

Efforts are being made today to give sanitary outlet fittings an aesthetically pleasing shape that goes beyond the intended use. In doing so, possibilities are constantly being sought to also make the water jet emerging from the outlet fitting, for example as a surge of water, aesthetically pleasing shape.

There is therefore the task of creating a sanitary outlet unit of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is characterized by an aesthetically particularly appealing outlet jet pattern.

The inventive solution to the above object provides for the outlet unit of the type mentioned at the outset that the flow channels are arranged on the outlet face of the housing on at least two spaced lines, and that the flow channels arranged on at least one line have a channel longitudinal axis that both inclined relative to the housing longitudinal axis in the direction of the adjacent line of throughflow channels and, based on the plane of the outlet end face, in relation to the line in which the throughflow channels are arranged, angled deviating from the right angle. The outlet unit according to the invention designed according to this proposal for the invention has through-flow channels which are arranged on the outlet end face of the housing on at least two lines spaced apart from one another. Of these flow channels, at least the flow channels arranged on one of these lines have a channel longitudinal axis which is inclined both in relation to the housing longitudinal axis in the direction of the adjacent line of flow channels and, based on the plane of the outlet end face of this sanitary outlet unit, in relation to this of its line is angled differently from the right angle. The throughflow channels arranged on at least one line thus have angles that deviate from the right angle with respect to the axes of an XY and Z coordinate system, these throughflow channels in the direction of the on the adjacent line arranged through-flow channels are inclined. The individual jets flowing out of the through-flow channels appear to cross each other several times in a line, so that a grid-like or network-like interwoven structure of these jets is visible in a side view.

It can be useful if the at least two spaced-apart lines together form a rectangular closed path.

In order to further improve this aesthetically pleasing outlet jet pattern of the individual jets exiting line by line, it is advantageous if all flow channels have the same angle of inclination line by line.

It is possible, in one embodiment, for the through-flow channels arranged on a line to have a longitudinal channel axis which runs approximately axially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, while the through-flow channels arranged on at least one other line have a longitudinal axis that is angled in comparison. However, an embodiment is preferred in which the flow channels arranged on lines assigned to one another in pairs are arranged point-symmetrically to one another.

Although it is conceivable to arrange the flow channels arranged on the outlet end face of a circular housing in line with one another, the linear arrangement of the flow channels is particularly advantageous if the housing has a rectangular housing cross-section and if the housing is narrower in cross-section than the longitudinal sides of the housing Has housing narrow sides.

It is advantageous if the outlet end face forming the jet shaper is held immovable relative to the housing of the outlet unit, in particular in the circumferential direction. For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if the perforated plate forming the outlet end face of the housing is connected in one piece to the housing.

In order to limit the water consumption in a simple manner, it can be advantageous if the jet shaper is preceded by a throttle that narrows the clear flow cross-section in the direction of flow.

So that homogeneous and non-spraying individual jets can be formed in the jet shaper, which also form a homogeneous outlet jet pattern, it is advantageous if the jet shaper is preceded by a jet splitter that divides the flowing water into a number of individual jets and / or a flow rate regulator in the direction of flow, which flow rate regulator regulates and limits the water flowing through to a maximum flow volume independent of pressure.

It is possible that the jet shaper of the outlet unit according to the invention is only preceded by a jet splitter and, if necessary, an attachment or filter screen. In particular at high water pressures, which can lead to high energy and strong turbulence in the exiting water, it is advantageous if the jet shaper has a throttle or a flow rate regulator in the direction of flow is connected upstream and if a jet splitter is provided between the flow rate regulator or the throttle on the one hand and the jet shaper on the other hand.

So that the comparatively fine clear opening cross-sections in the jet splitter and in the jet shaper cannot be unintentionally closed by dirt particles carried along in the water, it is advisable if an attachment or filter screen is arranged in the direction of flow in front of the throttle, the flow rate regulator and / or the jet splitter.

The outlet unit according to the invention can be designed with a comparatively small axial longitudinal extension if the jet splitter is designed as a cup-shaped diffuser which has splitter openings on the peripheral wall of its cup shape and whose base serves as a baffle that deflects the water flowing through to the splitter openings.

It can be advantageous if the splitting openings open into an annular gap which tapers in the direction of flow. If this annular gap tapers in the direction of flow, the water exiting the splitting openings in individual jets experiences a significant increase in speed, which leads to a negative pressure on the outflow side of the annular gap according to Bernoulli's equation. With the help of this negative pressure, if necessary and with a corresponding design of the outlet unit according to the invention, ambient air can also be sucked into the interior of the housing, which air is mixed there with the water flowing through.

In one embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the throughflow channels are designed to taper in the throughflow direction. This makes it easy to achieve that a desired outlet jet image is retained over a longer distance.

It is particularly favorable if the flow channels each form a cone, the central axis of which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A double inclined or tilted alignment of the outflow directions can thus be easily achieved. The outflow direction can result, for example, from an angle bisecting an opening cone.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that an opening angle of the throughflow channels is selected to be so large that the throughflow channels are designed without undercuts in relation to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The advantage here is that simple demolding can be achieved without multi-part molding tools.

Developments according to the invention emerge from the following description in conjunction with the claims and the drawing. The invention is described in more detail below using a preferred exemplary embodiment:

It shows:

Fig. 1

an outlet unit, shown in perspective, with a jet shaper provided on the outlet end face, which has through-flow channels which are arranged on two spaced-apart lines,

Fig. 2

the outlet unit off Figure 1 with its outlet jet image in a side view,

Fig. 3

the outlet unit and its outlet jet image in one opposite Figure 2 90 ° rotated side view, and

Fig. 4

the outlet unit off Figure 1 and its outlet jet image in a perspective side view.

In the Figures 1 to 4 a sanitary outlet unit 100 is shown. The sanitary outlet unit 100 shown here has a housing 2 which can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting not shown here. The housing 2 has on its outlet end face a jet shaper 3 which has throughflow channels which are arranged on the outlet end face of the outlet unit 100. These through-flow channels 4 divide the water flowing out of the jet shaper 3 into visible individual jets.

The flow channels 4 in the Figures 1 to 4 The outlet unit 100 shown are arranged on two lines L, L 'which are spaced apart from one another and preferably arranged parallel to one another.

The flow channels 4 are in the Figures 1 to 4 outlet unit 100 shown is provided on at least two spaced-apart lines L, L '. This perforated plate, which forms the outlet end face of the housing 2, can also be connected to the housing 2 in one piece.

The ones in the Figures 1 to 4 The outlet unit 100 shown has a jet shaper 3 with through-flow channels which are arranged on lines L, L 'which are spaced apart from one another and preferably arranged parallel to one another. The throughflow channels 4 arranged on at least one line and provided here on both lines L, L 'each have a channel longitudinal axis which is inclined both in relation to the housing longitudinal axis in the direction of the adjacent line of throughflow channels 4 and in relation to the plane of the The outlet end face of this sanitary outlet unit is angled in relation to this its line deviating from a right angle. In this case, all through-flow channels have the same angle of inclination line-wise, the through-flow channels 4 arranged on the lines L, L 'which are assigned to one another in pairs, being arranged point-symmetrically to one another. From the Figures 2 to 4 it can be seen that the individual jets emerging from the jet former 3 of the outlet unit 100 here form an outlet jet pattern that appears to be bent like a braided or woven fabric in a side view, whereby the cutting plane of the individual jets crossing each other in lines should be arranged at a distance above a wash basin or collecting basin. The ones in the Figures 1 to 4 The outlet unit 100 shown is characterized by an aesthetically particularly appealing outlet jet pattern.

The angle information shown in the figures only serves to illustrate the preferred exemplary embodiments and can be implemented differently in other exemplary embodiments.

List of reference symbols

2

casing

3

Beam shaper

4th

Flow channels

15th

Tangential direction

16

Complementary direction

17th

Perforated plate

100

Outlet unit (according to Fig. 13 to 16)

L.

line

L '

line

Claims (14)

1. Sanitary outlet unit (100) which has a housing (2) which can be installed on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting and, on its outlet end side, has a jet former (3), which is designed in the form of a perforated plate and which has throughflow channels (4) which are arranged on the outlet end side of the housing (2) and which divide up the water flowing out of the jet former (3) into visibly separated, individual jets, characterized in that the throughflow channels (4) on the outlet end side of the housing (2) are arranged on at least two spaced-apart lines (L, L'), and in that the throughflow channels (4) arranged on at least one of the lines (L, L') have a longitudinal axis which is both inclined, in relation to the longitudinal housing axis, in the direction of the adjacent line of throughflow channels (4) and is angled, in respect of the plane of the outlet end side, in relation to the line (L, L') in which the throughflow channels (4) are arranged, by an angle other than 90°.
2. Sanitary outlet unit (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least two spaced-apart lines (L, L') together form a closed rectangular path.
3. Sanitary outlet unit (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that all the throughflow channels (4) along the line have the same angle of inclination.
4. Sanitary outlet unit (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the throughflow channels (4), which are arranged on lines (L, L') assigned to one another in pairs, are arranged with point symmetry in relation to one another.
5. Sanitary outlet unit (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the housing (2) has a rectangular cross section, and in that the housing (2) has narrow sides which are narrower in cross section than the longitudinal sides.
6. Sanitary outlet unit according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the perforated plate (17), which forms the outlet end side of the housing (2), is connected integrally to the housing (2).
7. Sanitary outlet unit according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the jet former (3) has arranged upstream of it, as seen in the flow direction, a flow restrictor, which narrows the clear throughflow cross section.
8. Sanitary outlet unit according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the jet former (3) has arranged upstream of it, as seen in the flow direction, a jet divider, by means of which the water flowing through is divided up into a multiplicity of individual jets, and/or a throughflow-quantity regulator, by means of which the water flowing through is adjusted, and limited, to a maximum throughflow volume in a pressure-independent manner.
9. Sanitary outlet unit according to Claim 7 and 8, characterized in that the jet former (3) has the throughflow-quantity regulator or the flow restrictor arranged upstream of it, as seen in the flow direction, and in that the jet divider is provided between the throughflow-quantity regulator or the flow restrictor, on the one hand, and the jet former (3), on the other hand.
10. Sanitary outlet unit according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that an attachment screen or filter screen is arranged upstream of the throughflow-quantity regulator, the flow restrictor and/or the jet divider, as seen in the flow direction.
11. Sanitary outlet unit according to one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the jet divider is designed in the form of a cup-like diffuser or has a cup-like diffuser, which diffuser, on the circumferential wall of its cup shape, has divider openings and the cup base of which serves as a baffle plate, by means of which the water flowing through is deflected to the divider openings.
12. Sanitary outlet unit according to Claim 11, characterized in that the divider openings open out in an annular gap which tapers in the throughflow direction.
13. Sanitary outlet unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throughflow channels (4) are designed to taper in the throughflow direction.
14. Sanitary outlet unit according to Claim 13, characterized in that the throughflow channels (4) each form a cone of which the center axis is inclined in relation to the longitudinal housing axis, and/or an opening angle of the throughflow channels (4) is selected to be of such a size that the throughflow channels (4) are designed to be free of undercuts in relation to the longitudinal housing axis.

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