JET REGULATOR

- Neoperl GmbH

The invention relates to improvements in the technical field of jet regulators. Proposed as an improvement is inter alia a jet regulator (1) having two mutually separate ducts (2) and (3) which are disposed inside one another, in which a water guide (5) of an inner duct (3) is latched in a splitter unit (4) assigned to an outer duct (2) of the two ducts (2) and (3) and, as a result, is fixed in two axial directions.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 Nation Stage of PCT/EP2021/081120, filed Nov. 9, 2021, which claims the benefit of DE 20 2020 106 451.7, filed Nov. 10, 2020, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to jet regulators which are used on sanitary fittings, for example. Such jet regulators can configure two mutually separate ducts which are disposed inside one another, wherein a splitter unit, through which a water guide of an inner duct of the two ducts is inserted, is assigned to an outer duct of the two ducts.

BACKGROUND

Jet regulators of this type are already known from the prior art. They can be used on sanitary fittings, for example, which per se have two different water guides, one for cold water and a second one for warm water, hot water or boiling water, for example.

It is an object of the invention to provide jet regulators of the type mentioned at the outset, which are distinguished by a simple construction and simple assembling and handling associated therewith.

SUMMARY

In order for the object to be achieved, a jet regulator of the type mentioned at the outset is firstly proposed, which has the means and features of the first independent claim directed toward a jet regulator of this type. In order to achieve the object in a jet regulator of the type mentioned at the outset it is thus proposed in particular that the water guide of the inner duct is latched in the splitter unit of the outer duct and, as a result, is fixed in two axial directions.

In this way, the splitter unit of the outer duct is imparted a dual function:

On the one hand, the splitter unit ensures that water which flows through the outer duct is split and optionally mixed with air; on the other hand, the splitter unit functions as a fastening means which fixes the water guide of the inner duct of the two ducts in two axial directions relative to the other elements of the jet regulator.

The water guide of the inner duct can be a water guide sleeve. Furthermore, it is possible for the water guide to have a circumferential latching groove in which the splitter unit in the latched use position of the water guide is disposed. The latching groove may define a relative position of the water guide in relation to the splitter unit, and can more over have the effect of axially fixing the water guide on the splitter unit in two axial directions, in a manner which is simple in terms of construction and at the same time reliable.

The latching groove can be axially delimited by two shoulders of the water guide. In the use position, the splitter unit can be disposed between the two shoulders of the water guide and within the latching groove. In order to simplify assembling of the jet regulator, it can be expedient for one of the two shoulders of the water guide, in particular a downstream shoulder of the water guide, to have a lesser radial extent than the other shoulder of the water guide, the latching groove of the water guide potentially being delimited by the other shoulder. The shoulder of the water guide having the lesser radial extent can be assigned a, preferably downstream, sloped ramp, for example in the form of a conical ramp, by way of which the splitter unit is able to be introduced into the latching groove of the water guide.

Also proposed for achieving the object is a jet regulator of the type mentioned at the outset, which has the means and features of the second independent claim directed toward a jet regulator of this type. Proposed in this way for achieving the object is in particular also a jet regulator having a splitter unit and an attachment screen which by way of an anchoring element is fastened to the splitter unit and on the outflow side engages the splitter unit from the rear. The attachment screen can be fastened to the splitter unit with the aid of the anchoring element. This can simplify the construction of the jet regulator and the assembling of the latter, and render the jet regulator more robust.

In one embodiment of the jet regulators it is provided that the latter has the features of both independent claims which are each directed toward a jet regulator.

In one embodiment of the jet regulator it is provided that the anchoring element is a water guide of the jet regulator, for example the water guide already mentioned above. The water guide can be a water guide for the inner duct mentioned above. In this way, the anchoring element not only assumes the function as a means for fastening the attachment screen to the splitter unit, but also as a water guide. The anchoring element here can have a shoulder which on the outflow side engages the splitter unit from the rear. The splitter unit in the use position can bear on the preferably downstream shoulder of the anchoring element and provide a connection between the anchoring element and the splitter unit by way of which the attachment screen is then ultimately also fixed to the splitter unit.

In one embodiment of the jet regulator it is provided that the anchoring element penetrates the splitter unit and/or the attachment screen. For this purpose, the splitter unit and/or the attachment screen can in each case have a, preferably centric, opening through which the anchoring element, in particular the water guide, is inserted in the use position in order to fasten the attachment screen to the splitter unit.

In one embodiment of the jet regulator it is provided that the splitter unit has an upstream step. The attachment screen can bear on this upstream step. As a result of the step of the splitter unit, the attachment screen on the outflow side can in this instance be fixed axially in terms of the position thereof relative to the splitter unit and the anchoring element, in particular relative to the water guide of an inner duct, for example the inner duct already mentioned.

In one embodiment of the jet regulator it is provided that the anchoring element has an in particular upstream detent. The attachment screen can bear on this detent and on the inflow side be axially secured and fixed in terms of position. In this embodiment of the jet regulator the attachment screen can thus be disposed between the splitter unit and the anchoring element and by said splitter unit and said anchoring element in terms of its position be fixed in two axial directions. In this way, the attachment screen in this instance is established between the splitter unit and the anchoring element fastened to the splitter unit.

In one embodiment of the above-mentioned jet regulators it is provided that the anchoring element is releasably connected to the attachment screen. In this way, the anchoring element can be made separately from the attachment screen.

In one embodiment of the above-mentioned jet regulators it is provided that the splitter unit has a splitter plate, or is configured as a splitter plate.

In one embodiment of the jet regulator it is provided that the water guide terminates above a discharge structure of the jet regulator. In another embodiment of the jet regulator it is provided that the water guide is routed through a discharge structure of the jet regulator. The water guide can optionally protrude from the discharge structure, in particular a discharge structure into which the outer duct of the two ducts opens.

The jet regulator in the region of the water guide can have at least one attachment screen and/order at least one screen insert. The at least one attachment screen and/or the at least one screen insert can have cut-outs through which the water guide of the inner duct is routed. The cut-outs here can be spaced apart from the water guide. This is favorable in order to achieve that already existing attachment screens and/or screen inserts can be used together with the water guide without any constructive modifications. The spacing enables a sufficient residual wall thickness in the components, which facilitates economical production, for example by plastics injection-molding.

A screen element can be disposed and/or configured in the water guide. The screen element can be integrally molded on the water guide.

It can be provided that the splitter unit and the attachment screen are releasably or non-releasably connected to one another. The respective connection can be implemented by a corresponding snap-fit connection, for example. It can be prevented by a non-releasable snap-fit connection that the attachment screen is washed away.

The anchoring element can be releasably or non-releasably connected to the splitter unit. The respective connection can be implemented by way of a corresponding snap-fit connection, for example.

A releasable snap-fit connection can be characterized in that, for example, said snap-fit connection becomes softer under load, while a non-releasable snap-fit connection increasingly interlocks under load. A non-releasable snap-fit connection can be established, for example, by an enclosed angle of equal to or less than 90° at the foot of an undercut.

A releasable snap-fit connection can be easier to produce when the demolding direction is identical to the plug-in direction of the snap-fit connection. This is because in this instance the demolding is typically carried out as a forced demolding by way of the undercut, which is difficult if the snap-fit connection is to be non-releasable, thus self-fixing. In this case, multiple-part or movable cores would have to be used, which is very expensive.

In one embodiment of the jet regulator it is provided that the two ducts on the inflow side have inlets which are mutually separate. In this way, each duct of the jet regulator can have a dedicated inlet which is separate from the inlet of the other duct and can be supplied with liquid independently of the other duct and the inlet of the latter. In this way, it is possible for each duct to be connected separately to a liquid source assigned to the respective duct. In this way, one of the two ducts can be connected to a hot water source, and the other of the two ducts can be connected to a cold-water source, for example. Potentially undesirable mixing of the liquids within the jet regulator can thus be avoided.

Furthermore, it is possible for the two ducts of the jet regulator on the outflow side to have outlets which are mutually separate. It can be ensured in this way that liquid which flows through the respective duct always flows only out of that outlet that is assigned to the respective duct. This also prevents any potentially undesirable mixing of liquids within the jet regulator.

The jet regulator can be configured such that the two ducts are able to be simultaneously utilized. It is thus possible for both ducts to be simultaneously supplied with liquid. The jet regulator can furthermore be configured such that no switching on the jet regulator is required for the operation of the ducts.

The two ducts can provide mutually separate flow paths and/or flow paths through the jet regulator which are able to be utilized in a mutually independent manner, in particular when said ducts have separate inlets and separate outlets. It is thus possible, for example, for the flow paths provided through the ducts to be used simultaneously. This can improve the use properties of the jet regulator and widen the field of potential uses of the latter.

A splitter unit in terms of function can be characterized as follows, for example: said splitter unit can force a flow onto a defined path so as to decouple downstream flow conditions from upstream factors.

A diffusor in terms of function can be characterized as follows, for example: said diffusor can force a flow onto a radial flow with downstream turbulence.

A screen element in terms of function can be characterized as follows, for example: said screen element can have a rectifying effect on a water flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter by means of an exemplary embodiment, but is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. Further exemplary embodiments are derived by combining with one another the features of individual or a plurality of patent claims and/or by combining individual or a plurality of features of the exemplary embodiment.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a jet regulator according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of the jet regulator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a view of the lower side of the jet regulator shown in the previous figures;

FIG. 4 shows a view from above onto the jet regulator shown in the previous figures;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded illustration of the jet regulator shown in the previous figures;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional perspective view of the jet regulator shown in the previous figures, along the section line designated as VI-VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional lateral view of the jet regulator fastened to a sanitary fitting; and

FIG. 8 shows the detail marked by the circle VIII in FIG. 7 in an enlarged illustration.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The figures show a jet regulator which in its entity is identified by the reference sign 1, which configures two mutually separate ducts 2 and 3 which are disposed inside one another. An outer duct 2 of the two ducts 2 and 3 is assigned a splitter unit 4. A water guide 5 of an inner duct 3 of the two ducts 2 and 3 is inserted through the splitter unit 4.

The sectional illustrations of FIGS. 6 and 7 highlight in particular that the water guide 5 of the inner duct 3 is latched in the splitter unit 4 and, as a result, is fixed in two axial directions.

The water guide 5 of the jet regulator 1 is configured as a water guide sleeve. The latter has a circumferential latching groove 6 in which the splitter unit 4 in the latched use position of the water guide 5 is disposed.

The latching groove 6 is axially delimited by two shoulders 7 and 8 of the water guide 5. A downstream shoulder 7 here has a lesser radial extent than the other, upstream shoulder 8 of the water guide 5. This makes it easier for the splitter unit 4 to be introduced into the latching groove 6 by way of the downstream shoulder 7 of the water guide 5, and in this way too for the water guide 5 to be fixed to the splitter unit 4 of the jet regulator 1.

The downstream shoulder 7, having the lesser radial extent, is furthermore assigned a downstream sloped ramp 9. The sloped ramp 9 in the exemplary embodiment shown is configured as a conical ramp. When assembling the jet regulator 1, the splitter unit 4 by way of this sloped ramp 9 can be introduced in a comparatively simple manner into the latching groove 6 of the water guide 5.

The jet regulator 1 furthermore has an attachment screen 10 for the outer duct 2, which attachment screen is fastened to the splitter unit 4 and to the water guide 5.

The attachment screen 10 for the outer duct is fastened to the splitter unit 4 by way of an anchoring element 11. In the jet regulator 1 shown in the figures, the water guide 5 for the inner duct 3 simultaneously also serves as an anchoring element 11 for fastening the attachment screen 10 to the splitter unit 4. The anchoring element 11 on the outflow side engages the splitter unit 4 from the rear in the process. This can be particularly readily seen in the sectional illustrations of the jet regulator 1 according to FIGS. 6 and 7.

In the exemplary embodiment of the jet regulator 1 shown in the figures, the downstream shoulder 7 of the water guide 5, which has already been mentioned above and on the outflow side delimits the latching groove 6 of the water guide 5, engages the splitter unit 4 from the rear.

The splitter unit 4 has an upstream step 12 by way of which the attachment screen 10 is axially fixed on the outflow side. The attachment screen 10 thus bears on the splitter unit 4 on the upstream step 12 of the splitter unit 4. The upstream step 12 of the splitter unit 4 on the outflow side engages the attachment screen 10 from the rear in the process.

On the inflow side, the attachment screen 10 is axially secured by an upstream detent 13 of the water guide 5. In this way, the attachment screen 10 in terms of the position thereof relative to the splitter unit 4 and the water guide 5 is axially secured by the upstream step 12 of the splitter unit 4, on the one hand, and is axially secured by the upstream detent 13 of the water guide 5, on the other hand.

The splitter unit 4 and the attachment screen 10 here are connected to one another by a releasable snap-fit connection. The anchoring element 11 and the attachment screen 10 are likewise connected to one another by a non-releasable snap-fit connection. It is prevented by these non-releasable snap-fit connections that the attachment screen 10 is washed away.

The anchoring element 11 is non-releasably connected to the splitter unit 4. This also prevents that the attachment screen 10 is washed away conjointly with the anchoring element 11.

The splitter unit 4 of the jet regulator 1 comprises a splitter plate 14. In one embodiment of the jet regulator not shown in the figures, the splitter unit 4 can alternatively have a diffuser.

In the jet regulator shown in the figures the water guide 5 is configured such that the water guide 5 is routed through a discharge structure 22 of the jet regulator 1 for the outer duct 2.

FIG. 7 shows the jet regulator 1 in the use position thereof on a fitting 15. The fitting 15 has a first supply line 16 which opens into the outer duct 2 of the jet regulator 1. A second supply line 17 of the fitting 15 is connected to the inner duct 3 of the jet regulator 1.

The fitting 15 has an external thread 18 to which is screwed a threaded sleeve 19 of the jet regulator 1 for fastening the jet regulator 1 to the fitting 15.

A screen element 23 is configured within the water guide 5.

The screen element 23 is spaced apart from the discharge end of the water guide 5 so that a water jet can be recombined and then does not have any gaps, for example on webs. Furthermore, in this way a mold during demolding has to be moved only twice for half the distance rather than once over a full distance. The screen element 23 here is integrally molded on the water guide 5 and conjointly with the latter forms a materially homogenous, monolithic unit.

On the outflow side of the splitter unit 4, the jet regulator 1 in the region of the water guide 5 has further screen inserts 20 which radially surround the water guide 5. The water guide 5 here is routed through openings 21 of the screen inserts 20, wherein peripheries of the openings 21 are disposed so as to be spaced apart from the water guide 5.

The splitter unit 4 and the attachment screen 10 also have openings 21 through which the water guide 5 is inserted.

The figures highlight that the two ducts 2 and 3 on the inflow side have mutually separate inlets 24 and 25 by way of which said two ducts 2 and 3 can be connected to dissimilar liquid sources. Furthermore, the two ducts 2 and 3 on the outflow side have mutually separate outlets 26 and 27.

The two ducts 2 and 3 are able to be operated simultaneously. In this way it is possible for both ducts 2 and 3 to be simultaneously supplied with liquid when required. The jet regulator 1 is configured such that no switching is required for the simultaneous operation of the ducts 2 and 3.

The two ducts 2 and 3 provide mutually separate flow paths 28 and 29 through the jet regulator 1, which are able to be utilized in a mutually independent manner when required.

The invention relates to improvements in the technical field of jet regulators. Proposed as an improvement is inter alia a jet regulator 1 having two mutually separate ducts 2 and 3 which are disposed inside one another, in which a water guide 5 of an inner duct 3 is latched in a splitter unit 4 assigned to an outer duct 2 of the two ducts 2 and 3 and, as a result, is fixed in two axial directions.

List of reference signs

    • 1 Jet regulator
    • 2 Outer duct
    • 3 Inner duct
    • 4 Splitter unit
    • 5 Water guide
    • 6 Latching groove
    • 7 Downstream shoulder of 5
    • 8 Upstream shoulder of 5
    • 9 Downstream sloped ramp of 5
    • 10 Attachment screen
    • 11 Anchoring element
    • 12 Upstream step of 4
    • 13 Upstream detent of 11
    • 14 Splitter plate
    • 15 Fitting
    • 16 Supply line
    • 17 Supply line
    • 18 External thread of 15
    • 19 Threaded sleeve of 1
    • Screen insert in 2
    • 21 Opening
    • 22 Discharge structure
    • 23 Screen element in 3
    • 24 Inlet of 2
    • 25 Inlet of 3
    • 26 Outlet of 2
    • 27 Outlet of 3
    • 28 Flow path through 2
    • 29 Flow path through 3

Claims

1. A jet regulator (1) comprising two mutually separate ducts (2, 3) which are disposed inside one another, wherein an outer duct (2) of the two ducts (2, 3) is assigned a splitter unit (4) through which a water guide (5) of an inner duct (3) of the two ducts (2, 3) is inserted, and wherein the water guide (5) of the inner duct (3) is latched in the splitter unit (4) and, as a result, is fixed in two axial directions.

2. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water guide (5) is a water guide sleeve having a circumferential latching groove (6) in which the splitter unit (4), in a latched use position of the water guide (5), is disposed.

3. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the latching groove (6) is axially delimited by two shoulders (7, 8) of the water guide (5), wherein one of the two shoulders (7) has a lesser radial extent than the other shoulder (8), wherein the shoulder (7) with a lesser radial extent is assigned a downstream sloped ramp (9), by way of which the splitter unit (4) is able to be introduced into the latching groove (6).

4. The jet regulator (1), as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an attachment screen (10) which by way of an anchoring element (11) is fastened to the splitter unit (4), wherein the anchoring element (11), on [[the]] an outflow side, engages the splitter unit (4) from a rear portion thereof.

5. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the anchoring element (11) is the water guide (5) for the inner duct (3) of the jet regulator (1), or the anchoring element (11) has a downstream shoulder (7) by way of which the anchoring element (11) on the outflow side engages the splitter unit (4) from the rear.

6. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the anchoring element (11) penetrates at least one of the splitter unit (4) or the attachment screen (10).

7. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the splitter unit (4) has an upstream step (12) by way of which the attachment screen (10) is axially fixed on the outflow side.

8. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the anchoring element (11) has a detent (13) by way of which the attachment screen (10) is axially secured on the inflow side, or the anchoring element (11) is releasably connected to the attachment screen (10).

9. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in, claim 1, wherein the splitter unit (4) has a splitter plate (14) or a diffusor, or is configured as a splitter plate (14) or diffusor.

10. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in, claim 1, wherein the water guide (5) terminates above a discharge structure (22) of the jet regulator (1), or is routed through a discharge structure (22) of the jet regulator (1), or an integrally molded, screen element (23) is at least one of: disposed or configured in the water guide (5).

11. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jet regulator (1) in the region of the water guide (5) has at least one of: at least one attachment screen (10) or at least one screen insert (20).

12. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the splitter unit (4) and the attachment screen (10) are releasably or non-releasably connected to one another, by way of a snap-fit connection, or the anchoring element (11) is releasably or non-releasably connected to the splitter unit (4), by way of a snap-fit connection.

13. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the two ducts (2, 3) on an inflow side have inlets (24, 25) which are mutually separate, or the two ducts (2, 3) on an outflow side have outlets (26, 27) which are mutually separate.

14. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two ducts (2, 3) are able to at least one of: be simultaneously operated or provide separate flow paths (28, 29) or provide flow paths (28, 29) which are able to be utilized in a mutually independent manner.

15. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the anchoring element (11) is the water guide (5) for the inner duct (3) of the jet regulator (1), and wherein the anchoring element (11) has a downstream shoulder (7) by way of which the anchoring element (11) on the outflow side engages the splitter unit (4) from the rear.

16. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the anchoring element (11) has a detent (13) by way of which the attachment screen (10) is axially secured on the inflow side, and wherein the anchoring element (11) is releasably connected to the attachment screen (10).

17. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water guide (5) terminates above a discharge structure (22) of the jet regulator (1), or is routed through a discharge structure (22) of the jet regulator (1), and wherein an integrally molded, screen element (23) is disposed and/or configured in the water guide (5).

18. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the splitter unit (4) and the attachment screen (10) are releasably or non-releasably connected to one another, by way of a snap-fit connection, and wherein the anchoring element (11) is releasably or non-releasably connected to the splitter unit (4), by way of a snap-fit connection.

19. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two ducts (2, 3) on an inflow side have inlets (24, 25) which are mutually separate, and wherein the two ducts (2, 3) on an outflow side have outlets (26, 27) which are mutually separate.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240018764
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 9, 2021
Publication Date: Jan 18, 2024
Applicant: Neoperl GmbH (Müllheim)
Inventor: Alexander STEIN (Ihringen)
Application Number: 18/036,104
Classifications
International Classification: E03C 1/084 (20060101);