SANITARY INSERT PART AND OUTLET ASSEMBLY, AND USE OF A DISCHARGE OPENING WHICH LEADS TO A JET AERATION DEVICE

Abstract

A sanitary insert part (1), with an inlet side (2) and an outlet side (3), wherein a securing element (4) is formed between the inlet side (2) and the outlet side (3), wherein the securing element (4) is designed to be detachably secured to a counter securing element (6) on a water outlet (5) of a sanitary fitting, wherein a seal element (7) is formed between the securing element (4) and the inlet side (2), creating an at least partial seal; and with a jet aeration device (8) which has an aeration access point (9) that is open towards the outlet side (3) and a discharge opening (10) connecting an outer side of the sanitary insert part (1) to a ventilation chamber in the jet ventilation device (8) and formed between the seal element (7) and the securing element.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sanitary insert part with an inlet side and an outlet side, wherein a securing means is formed between the inlet side and the outlet side, wherein the securing means is designed to be detachably secured to a counter securing means on a water outlet of a sanitary fitting, wherein a seal element is formed between the securing means and the inlet side, creating an at least partial seal; and with a jet aeration device which has an aeration access point that is open towards the outlet side.

The invention further concerns an outlet assembly, comprising an insert part as described above, which is inserted into the water outlet of a sanitary fitting, wherein a seal element at least partially seals an aperture between the insert part and the water outlet.

The invention finally concerns the use of a discharge opening connected to a jet aeration device. The opening allows for a reduction in leachate escaping between the insert and a water outlet connected to it.

BACKGROUND

A sanitary insert of this kind, an outlet assembly of this kind, and their corresponding use as described above, have already been recorded, for example under EP3153633 A1.

SUMMARY

The invention instead concerns the development of a simplified solution that allows for the creation of an alternative method for sealing the aperture between a sanitary insert part and the water outlet of a sanitary fitting to which it is connected.

In addressing the above issue, one or more characteristics set out below have been devised for use in a sanitary insert part. In particular, to resolve the above issue affecting sanitary insert parts, the invention proposes that at least one discharge opening—approaching the jet aeration device from the outside—should be formed between the seal element and the securing means. Water escaping through the seal can thus be easily absorbed and returned to the main flow path, without requiring the attention of the user. This means that water leakage through the securing means on the outlet side can be significantly reduced or even avoided altogether. In achieving this effect, it is not necessary for the seal element to be developed or attached in such a way that it provides an absolute seat Instead, a certain amount of leakage is acceptable, as it can then be reabsorbed through the opening described above. This in turn simplifies assembly of the insert considerably, as it does not require assembly using significant force.

The seal element can achieve a complete seal using this method. However, its effect is already achieved if the seal element results in only a partial seal, as this generates a pressure difference across the seal element. This pressure difference can, for example, be set so that a substantial part of the water escaping through the seal element—or even all of the water escaping—is channelled into the discharge opening.

The securing means can be installed as a releasable connection with a counter securing means. For example, the securing means can be adapted for a screw connection, plug connection, swivel connection and/or a snap connection, as well as a combination of one or more of these connection types, either with connections of the same type or connections of other types.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of ensuring that a main flow path is formed between the inlet side and the outlet side. When combined with the insert, this enables leachate to be returned to the main flow via the discharge opening. As such, lateral leakage from the fitting can be avoided.

This in turn means that the jet aeration device acts as a flow barrier in the main flow path. The flow barrier can subsequently cause a drop in pressure relative to the inlet side, enabling any leakage to be returned to the main flow path.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of ensuring that the discharge opening leading into the main flow path is placed behind the flow barrier in the direction of flow. This helps to avoid the need for the leachate to build up significant pressure before the flow is able to reach the main flow path. This method could be used to relieve pressure on seals located further downstream of the discharge opening—with one such seal being formed by the securing means, for example.

It is particularly effective if several discharge openings—preferably of similar designs—are arranged around an outer circumference or if the discharge opening itself is circular in shape. In essence, this ensures discharge openings are available to service the entire outer circumference and that any leaks can be absorbed from all sides.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of attaching the securing means to a base structure. This results in the possibility of achieving a single stop function for the water outlet. This may be beneficial if, for example, the securing means is a thread connection or twist-and-lock joint.

Alternatively (or additionally), the invention can be configured so that the discharge opening is attached to a base structure. Here, the discharge opening (one minimum) could be formed, for example, using injection moulding technology.

It is particularly effective if a circular collection pocket—with the discharge opening branching off—is attached to the base structure. This allows for leakage to be collected along the entire outer circumference and led away to at least one discharge opening.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of attaching the seal element to a base structure, such as that mentioned in the examples above. This makes a simpler formation process possible, as other assembly steps may then be omitted.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of using a seal element that is circular in shape. This allows the seal element to seal an annular gap between the insert part and the water outlet in a straightforward way.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of using a seal element with a radial seal design. Due to radial material displacement, a radial seal has the advantage of generating contact pressure and therefore only a comparatively low level of force would be required when inserting the insert part into the water outlet.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of using an axial seal element. Therefore a radial construction dimension is not very durable.

It is particularly effective, however, if the seal element uses a design that features a radial and an axial seal. The seal element can therefore be used for a number of water outlets with different designs in which it seals either radially or axially or both radially and axially.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of attaching the jet aeration device to a base structure, such as that mentioned in the examples above. This allows for the formation of a compact insert part.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of designing the base structure as a single unit. This allows for a reduction in the effort required during the protection and/or assembly phases.

Alternatively, the base structure can be designed as several composite parts. The advantage here is that different materials can be used for each part. Another advantage is that more complex shapes can be achieved for use in the base structure.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of producing the base structure using plastic. This allows for the base structure to be produced at low cost, for example as a part created through injection-moulding technology. As a material, plastic may also work well as it can serve to avoid or reduce lime scale deposits.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of attaching the seal element to an upper part of the base structure and the securing means to a lower part of the case structure.

This allows for the possibility of connecting the upper part and lower part using a snap-fit connection. This in turn makes the base structure easy to assemble. Alternatively (or additionally), this can allow for the upper part to have a greater deformability than the lower part. In such cases, the securing means can be attached more securely than the seal element. The higher deformability of the seal element, meanwhile, can be used to improve the seal achieved. The greater deformability could be achieved through plastic or elastic, for example.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of positioning the discharge opening (one minimum) at a distance away from the securing means. The advantage of placing the discharge opening at a sufficient distance is that leakage water cannot overflow into the securing means.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of placing a collection chamber between the securing means and the outlet side, allowing for water seeping through the thread connection to be collected. This means that any remaining leachate which passes through the securing means can be collected, avoiding unwanted leakage at this point in the process.

It is preferable for the collection chamber to be designed as a ring-shaped circumferential groove. This allows for unwanted water leakage along the entire outer circumference of the insert to be reduced or avoided altogether.

Here, there is the option of designing the collection chamber with an overflow opening that leads into the aeration access point. This allows the contents of the collection chamber to be easily returned to the main flow path.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of using a lip seal on the outlet side, which provides the collection chamber with a seal to the outside. This acts as another means of avoiding, or at least reducing, unwanted water escaping other than through the water outlet itself.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of designing the securing means as a thread connection which would fit into a counter thread at the water outlet of a sanitary fitting. A thread connection provides a particularly straightforward means of attaching the insert part to the water outlet. Further, a thread connection may also act as a flow barrier where it meets the counter thread. As such it is particularly important to ensure that leachate is collected through the discharge opening rather than through the thread connection.

When configuring the invention, there is the possibility of providing a tool attachment on the outlet side—in particular, connected via a slot—to support the fastening and/or loosening of the connections. This could provide the sufficient force needed when inserting the insert part.

It is recommended that the invention be used with a sanitary fitting and using an outlet assembly suitable for the invention as described above and/or according to one or other of the embodiments relating to possible outlet assemblies.

In addressing the issue of simplification identified above, the features of this subsidiary claim relate to the formation of the outlet assembly for the invention. In particular, it is proposed that with the use of an outlet assembly of the type described above, the insert part should be designed according to this invention and/or in line with the requirements for such an insert part. As such, sealing the annular gap between the insert and the water outlet of the fitting should be straightforward and a sufficiently tight seal should result without excessive demands being made of the seal element.

When configuring the invention, there is the option of ensuring that the flow resistance between the discharge opening and the outlet side is lower than the flow resistance of the leachate path between the securing means and the counter securing means. This allows for at least one discharge opening to be designed as a preferred path for the leachate.

In addressing the issue of simplification identified above, the features of this subsidiary claims regarding use have been devised in line with the invention itself. In particular, when using an insert part of the type described above, it is proposed that the discharge opening for a leachate path is located upstream of the insert part's securing means and downstream of its seal element. The advantage of this is that as only the seal element can achieve a reduction in pressure sufficient to allow the leachate to pass, unwanted water leakage—i.e. other than that through the water outlet itself—can be avoided through coordinated draining by both the last of the discharge openings and the securing means.

Here, it is particularly effective if the sanitary insert part is designed in line with this invention and in particular as described above, and/or in line with the requirements for such an insert part. This will ensure that a synergy of the various advantages described above can be achieved.

When configuring the invention, it is intended that the seal element will result in pressure reduction in the leachate path. This in turn relieves the burden on the securing means.

Here, it is intended that flow resistance generated by the seal element should be greater than the flow resistance in the section of the main flow path running parallel to the seal element in the insert part. This serves to avoid any impairment of the function of the functional unit in the main flow path, e.g. its function as a jet aeration device. A volume flow of a leakage flow is not very durable compared to the main flow.

It is particularly efficient if the flow resistance between the discharge opening and the outlet side is lower than the flow resistance in the leachate path formed between the securing means and the counter securing means, as described above. This results in practically uninhibited drainage of the leachate through the discharge opening (one minimum) being easily achieved.

As such, the invention concerns a sanitary insert part with an inlet side and an outlet side, wherein a securing means is formed between the inlet side and the outlet side, wherein the securing means is designed to be detachably secured to a counter securing means on a water outlet of a sanitary fitting, wherein a seal element is formed between the securing means and the inlet side, creating an at least partial seal; and with a jet aeration device which has an aeration access point that is open towards the outlet side; and with a discharge opening formed between the seal element and the securing means which connects the outside of the sanitary insert to an aeration chamber on the aeration device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below in greater detail through a number of design examples, but is not limited to the examples given. A larger range of potential design templates can be achieved by combining the features one or more of the patent claims with each other, and/or with one or more of the features of the design examples below.

These are as follows:

FIG. 1 A partial, cross-section, perspective view of a design of a sanitary insert part in line with the invention, which is inserted into a water outlet of a sanitary fitting, with the seal element providing a radial seal for the aperture between the insert part and the water outlet;

FIG. 2 A detailed view of the first circled section of the sanitary insert part in FIG. 1, which shows an enlarged version of the discharge opening between the seal element and the securing means;

FIG. 3 An enlarged, detailed view of the second circled section in FIG. 1, which shows the collection chamber;

FIG. 4 A vertical cross-section view of another design example for the sanitary insert part, which is inserted into a water outlet of a sanitary fitting, with the seal element providing an axial seal for the aperture between the insert part and the water outlet; and

FIG. 5 An enlarged, detailed view of the circled section in FIG. 4 showing the axial seal between the insert and the water outlet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a sanitary insert part, the whole of which is marked as key term 1. The sanitary insert part 1 is designed to be attached to and detached from a water outlet 5 of a sanitary fitting, enabling straightforward replacement.

The sanitary insert part 1 has an inlet side 2 facing upwards on FIGS. 1 and 4 and an outlet side 3 facing downwards.

On the base structure 12 of the sanitary insert part 1 there is a securing means 4 provided between the inlet side 2 and the outlet side 3, which is designed to enable attachment of the sanitary insert part 1 to a counter securing means 6 of a sanitary fitting during assembly. The base structure 12 should be at last partly cylindrical in design. The securing means 4 is located on an outer surface of the base structure 12, while the counter securing means 6 is located on an inner surface of a water outlet 5 of the sanitary fitting.

A shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the securing means 4 can be designed as a thread connection and, in particular, as an external thread connection. As such, the counter securing means 6 can also be designed as a corresponding counter thread connection, i.e. an internal thread connection.

The sanitary insert part 1 also has a seal element 7, which, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, allows for a radial seal to form in the aperture 19 between the sanitary insert part 1 (and in particular, the outer side of the sanitary insert part) and the water outlet 5 of the sanitary fitting. The end stop 12, to which the seal element 7 is attached during assembly, is installed at an angle to the direction of flow of the water and/or the direction of insertion of the sanitary insert part 1. The seal does not have to provide a complete seal of the aperture 19, as any water that flows through the aperture 19 in spite of the seal will be returned to the main flow path through the downstream side of the seal element 7.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an additional use of the sanitary insert part 1 with a water outlet 5 using a different design. It features a water outlet 5 with an end stop 21 that is different from that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. An axial seal is formed using a seal element 7, which provides an at least partial seal preventing water from passing through the aperture 19. The end stop 21, to which the seal element 7 is attached during assembly, is installed perpendicularly, i.e. vertically, to the direction of insertion of the sanitary insert part 1.

As such, the sanitary insert part 1 can be inserted into a number of water outlets with different designs without the need for additional structural changes. More specifically, it functions equally well in use with water outlets whose stop surfaces—against which the seal element 7 is placed—are aligned transversely and/or perpendicularly to the direction of insertion of the sanitary insert part 1 and/or the direction of flow of the water.

The seal element 7 is therefore able to accommodate two types of stop surface 22 arranged apart from one another, which are then adapted to form two different types of seal with an end stop 21 for the sanitary fitting.

The seal element 7, as shown in the design examples, is annular and attached as a component to the multi-part base structure 12. It is, however, conceivable that the seal element 7 could be created as part of the base structure 12 itself, for example as an element of a single-unit base structure 12 or as an element of one part of a multi-part base structure 12, i.e. the upper part.

To aerate jets of water, the sanitary insert part 1 has a jet aeration device 8 attached to the base structure 12, which itself features an aeration access point 9 that opens towards the outlet side 3. Through the insert part, water leads into the aeration chamber and can be combined with air from outside the structure through the outlet side 3. The jet aeration device 8 contains a flow barrier 11, which can serve a range of functions, for example, as an impact surface with nozzle openings. When water comes into contact with the impact surface and subsequently enters the aeration chamber 25, it is combined with external air from the aeration access point 9. As such, the insert provides the possibility to aerate jets of water which are then released through the outlet side 3.

In order to return water that escapes through the aperture 19 to the main flow path—i.e. due to an incomplete seal—the sanitary insert part 1 is fitted with at least one discharge opening 10 between the seal element 7 and the securing means 4, leading ultimately to the jet aeration device 8. The discharge opening 10, which is formed as part of the base structure 12, is connected to an opening on the sanitary insert 1, allowing water that escapes through the aperture 19 to be redirected through the discharge opening 10 and preventing this water from impairing the jet pattern. In the direction of flow of water, the discharge opening 10 is located downstream of the flow barrier 11, but at a distance behind the securing means 4. In the design example shown above, for instance, a number of similar discharge openings 10 have been created, which together cover a large portion of the outer circumference.

The discharge openings 10 are arranged above the collection pocket 26, which is created on the base structure in the form of a circular groove. As such, this collection pocket 26 carries water that escapes past the seal element 7 and transports it to the discharge openings 10.

In the designs illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the sanitary insert part 1 has a multi-part base structure 12, comprising three respective parts. The base body 12 shown above, for example, is comprised of the seal element 7, an upper part 13 and a lower part 14. The flow barrier 11 can be designed as part of the upper part 13. The aeration chamber 25 can be formed by the lower part 14. The upper part 13 and or the lower part 14 and/or the seal element 8 can be locked via a mechanical connection, as illustrated here with a snap-fit connection. The parts that fit together have snap connectors 23 and/or corresponding counter snap connectors 24. The seal element 7 can also be designed together with the upper part 13 as a single unit. Here, it is advisable if the upper part 13 has a greater deformability (preferably elastic) than the lower part 14.

FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate a collection chamber 15 that has been adapted to collect water passing through the leachate path between the securing means 4 and the counter securing means 6 to prevent unwanted leaking.

The collection chamber 15 is located before the aeration access point 9 in the direction of the flow being drawn in. The collection chamber 15 has a lip seal 17 which is used to seal it to the outside of the lower part of the water outlet 5. The collection chamber 15 also has an overflow opening 16 through which the excess water that can no longer be held by the collection chamber 15 is released. As part of the flow of water through the sanitary insert part 1, this water is carried into the aeration chamber of the jet aeration device 8 through the aeration access 9 alongside the air that is also being drawn in. This works to prevent the loss of leaking water via the leachate path 20, which would otherwise have an adverse effect on the overall jet pattern. Here, the flow resistance between the discharge opening 10 and the outlet side 3 must also be lower than the flow resistance in the leachate path 20, which comprises the area between the securing means 4 and the counter securing means 6. This is due to the fact that the water will always choose the path of least resistance, draining through the thin discharge opening 10 rather than traveling along the leachate path 20 between the securing means 4 and the counter securing means 6. The seal element 7 also causes a reduction in pressure along the leachate path 20, as the flow resistance generated by the seal element 7 is greater than a flow resistance across the section of the main flow path that runs parallel to the seal element 7 in the sanitary insert part 1.

The outlet side 3 of the sanitary insert part 1 also features a grooved tool attachment 18. The sanitary insert part 1 can be inserted, i.e. screwed, into the water outlet 5 or detached, i.e. unscrewed, from the water outlet 5 by attaching a tool the tool attachment 18 and using an opening motion, preferably a rotary movement.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

1 Sanitary insert part

2 Inlet side

3 Outlet side

4 Securing means

5 Water outlet of a sanitary fitting

6 Counter securing means

7 Seal element

8 Jet aeration device

9 Aeration access

10 Discharge opening

11 Flow barrier

12 Base structure

13 Upper part of the base structure

14 Lower part of the base structure

15 Collection chamber

16 Overflow opening

17 Lip seal

18 Tool attachment

19 Aperture

20 Leachate path

21 End stop

22 Stop surface

23 Snap connector

24 Counter snap connector

25 Aeration chamber

26 Collection pocket

Claims

1. A sanitary insert part (1), comprising:

an inlet side (2);

an outlet side (3);

a securing means (4) formed between the inlet side (2) and the outlet side (3), the securing means (4) is configured to be detachably secured to a counter securing means (6) on a water outlet (5) of a sanitary fitting;

a seal element (7) formed between the securing means (4) and the inlet side (2), creating an at least partial seal; and

a jet aeration device (8) which has an aeration access point (9) that is open towards the outlet side (3) and includes by at least one discharge opening (10) connecting an outer side of the sanitary insert part (1) to an aeration chamber in the jet aeration device (8) and being formed between the seal element (7) and the securing means (4).

2. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a main flow path is formed between the inlet side (2) and the outlet side (3), and the jet aeration device (8) forms a flow barrier (11) in the main flow path.

3. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the use of a discharge opening (10) is located in a flow direction behind the flow barrier (11) in the main flow path.

4. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the securing means (4) or the discharge opening (10) are part of a base structure (12).

5. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a seal element (7) that is part of a base structure (12) and has an annular, circumferential form.

6. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a seal element (7) that forms at least one of a radial or axial seal.

7. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jet aeration device (8) forms at least a part of a base structure (12).

8. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base structure (12) is formed as a single unit or as multiple components.

9. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base structure is comprised of plastic.

10. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base structure comprises an upper part (13) and a lower part (14), and a seal element (7) is provided on the upper part (13) of the base structure (12) and the securing means (4) is provided on the lower part (14) of the base structure (12), and a snap-in connection connects the upper part (13) with the lower part (14).

11. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one discharge opening (10) located at a distance from the securing means (4).

12. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a collection chamber (15) formed between the securing means (4) and the outlet side (3), through which excess water escaping through a leachate path (20) between the securing means (4) and the counter securing means (6) is collected.

13. The sanitary insert part (1) as in claim 12, further comprising a lip seal (17) on the outlet side (3), that seals the collection chamber (15) in the water outlet (5) to the outside.

14. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means (4) comprises a thread connection, and the counter securing means is adapted to be a counter thread connection that is adapted to allow the insert part to be attached to a water outlet (5) on a sanitary fitting.

15. The sanitary insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tool attachment (18) formed in the outlet side (3) that is adapted to assist in at least one of an attachment or detachment process.

16. An outlet assembly, comprising an insert part (1) as claimed in claim 1 that is inserted into a water outlet (5) of a sanitary fitting, and the seal element (7) in the sanitary insert part (1) provides an at least partial seal of an aperture (19) between the sanitary insert part (1) and the water outlet (5).

17. The outlet assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein a flow resistance between the discharge opening (10) and the outlet side (3) is lower than the flower resistance in a leachate path (20) that extends from the securing means (4) to the counter securing means (6).

18. A method of minimizing a loss of water between sanitary insert part (1) and a water outlet (5) receiving the sanitary insert part (1), the method comprising:

providing the sanitary installation part according to claim 1; in which the discharge opening (10) is located in a leachate path (20) of excess water, before the securing means (4) of the sanitary insert part (1) and after the seal element (7) of the sanitary insert part (1) in the direction of the flow of water; and

drawing the excess water into the aeration chamber for discharge with the flow of water.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the seal element (7) reduces pressure in the leachate path (20) to ensure a flow resistance produced by the seal element (7) is greater than a flow resistance in a section of the main flow path running parallel to the seal element within the sanitary insert part (1).

20. The sanitary insert part as claimed in claim 10, wherein the upper part (13) has a greater elastic deformability than the lower part (14).

21. The sanitary insert part as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an overflow opening (16) within the collection chamber (15) that leads into the aeration access point (9).