JET REGULATOR AND CORRESPONDING USE

Abstract

In the case of a jet regulator, it is thus provided to effect in the outlet structure (14) a division into a core region (17) and a ring region (18) enclosing this core region (17), wherein the core region (17) determines the emerging jet (21) into a core jet (23), while the ring region (18) defines an outside of the jet (21), and outwardly extending separating elements (19, 20) in the ring region (18) are dimensioned such that the jet (21) is divided on the outside into jet arms (22).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. 20 2022 105 014.7, filed Sep. 6, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a jet regulator with an outlet structure through which a jet emerges in use, wherein the outlet structure has an outer ring region and an inner core region through which water of the jet emerges simultaneously in use, wherein the outlet structure has separating elements by which the outlet structure is divided into a multiplicity of cells, each with one exit opening.

Such jet regulators are known in practice and have proven themselves.

The invention further relates to the use of an outlet structure of a jet regulator.

BACKGROUND

It is known to use outlet structures of a jet regulator for designing an emerging jet, for example with regard to a cross-sectional shape.

SUMMARY

The invention is based on the object of creating a new design option for the emerging jet of a jet regulator.

One or more of the features according to the invention are provided in order to achieve the stated object. In particular, to achieve the stated object in a jet regulator of the type described in the introductory part, it is therefore provided according to the invention that at least a part of outwardly running separating elements in the outer ring region be made thicker than at least a part of separating elements in the core region. Thus, an emerging jet into a core region and an outer region, which surrounds the core region in a ring region, can be achieved. The thicker separating elements in the ring region of the outlet structure can cause interruptions in the circumferential direction in the ring region of the emerging jet which lead to local concentrations in the water path, which appear to run—in the form of jet arms—on the core jet of the jet along an exit direction of the jet.

The invention has found that a division of the (two-dimensional) outlet structure into a (two-dimensional) core region and a (two-dimensional) outer ring region can be used to create, by way of designing these (two-dimensional) regions differently, an emerging (three-dimensional) jet in a (three-dimensional) core region of the jet, which forms a core jet, and a (three-dimensional) ring region of the jet surrounding this core region. With the design of the separating elements according to the invention, an additional design clearance can be achieved, which affects a structuring of the ring region of the jet in the circumferential direction and leads to the division into components which appear like jet arms on the core jet.

If the core region of the outlet structure is circular, a cylindrical core jet of the emerging jet can be achieved.

The thickness of the separating elements should be measured transversely to the jet direction and/or along an exit surface of the outlet structure through which the jet emerges.

Preferably, the part of outwardly running separating elements in the outer ring region is made thicker than at least a part of the outwardly running separating elements of the core region.

The separating elements can be flexible, for example in the case of braided or woven outlet structures, or rigid, for example in the case of grid-shaped outlet structures.

A preferred configuration makes provision for at least the separating elements of the outer ring region to be in the form of webs.

In one advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the core region to define a cylindrical core jet of the jet. A particularly regular basic shape can be achieved in this way. The term cylindrical core jet may include expansions that arise for physical reasons in the jet path behind the outlet structure.

In an advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the ring region in the circumferential direction to define in each case delimited jet arms of the jet. Thus, a structuring of the external component of the jet in the circumferential direction can be achieved, which leads to a design in which the jet arms appear on the core jet.

In an advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the jet arms to be connected to a, for example the already mentioned, core jet of the jet. Thus, it is further possible to create a jet which does not diverge but is perceivable as a whole. In this case or alternatively, it can be ensured that the jet arms run on a, for example the aforementioned, core jet of the jet.

In an advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the thicker, outwardly running separating elements of the ring region to be at least twice as thick as the thinnest separating element of the core region. Thus, separating elements of different thicknesses can also be used in the core region.

For example, provision may be made for the thicker, outwardly running separating elements to be at least three or at least five times as thick as the thinnest separating element. For example, a reference point for the thickness of the separating elements can be a medium thickness, the thickest point, or the thinnest point of the separating element. It has been found that such differences in size enable an optically special clearly perceivable formation of jet arms that appear as individual structures without being detached from an overall structure.

In an advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the ring region to be separated from the core region by a circumferential separating web. Thus, a particularly clearly perceivable division of the jet into a core jet and outer jet arms aligned along the jet is achievable.

Provision may be made for the circumferential separating web to have a greater thickness than at least one further circumferential separating web in the core region. It has been found that a clearly perceivable structuring on the core jet can be achieved by a dedicated design of separating structures, which are larger or more pronounced than structures in the core region. This could be caused by the fact that the small variations in the core region leave the homogeneous character of the core jet unchanged, while the more pronounced structuring at the transition to the ring region and/or in the ring region leads to a clearly separately perceivable difference in the jet pattern. This further circumferential separating web in the core region can be, for example, the thickest circumferential separating web. Thus, a structure change to the ring region can be more prominent than structure variations within the ring region.

In general, it can be said that the circumferential separating webs do not have to be circular. Depending on the basic pattern or type of pattern of the outlet structure, polygonal profiles of the separating webs can also be formed, for example.

In an advantageous configuration, provision may be made for a distribution region to be connected upstream of the outlet structure, which distribution region guides flowing water both to the ring region and to the core region. This makes it easy to ensure that the core jet and the jet arms are present at the same time and complement each other.

In one advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the distribution region to be designed as a chamber. Thus, a particularly easy-to-form distribution region is described.

In one advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the distribution region to be designed as a flow obstacle. Thus, a balanced distribution over a wide work region (for example characterized by pressure and/or flow rate) is achievable. Good results could be achieved with a distribution region made of a porous material, such as a felt, foam or plastics fabric.

In one advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the thicker, radially outwardly extending separating elements of the ring region to have an inclined section, resulting in an associated exit opening tapering in the direction of the jet. It has been found that these inclined sections result in an attractive jet shape. It is assumed that the inclined sections contribute to the effect that the jet arms do not run exactly in the direction of the jet, but—similar to water parts in a mountain stream on a boulder bed—meander on the core jet and penetrate each other.

Provision may be made for the taper to be stronger in the ring region than (at a comparable point) in the core region. Thus, the jet arms can be more clearly distinguished from each other than jet components in the core jet.

Alternatively or additionally, provision may be made for the taper in the ring region to be formed with an opposite sign to that in the core region. From an injection molding point of view, this can mean that the ring region and core region must be demolded in opposite directions. By reversing the sign, structures that are particularly well perceivable can be formed.

In one advantageous configuration, provision may be made for a circumferential, for example the already mentioned circumferential, separating web between the ring region and the core region to be at most as thick as a radial extent of a smallest exit opening in the ring region. Thus, it is possible to ensure that a separation between the core jet and the jet arms is smaller than a size of the jet arms, with the result that they can adhere to the core jet. Preferably, the separating web is at most half as thick as the radial extent.

In one advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the exit openings in the ring region to be formed in the shape of a ring segment. This has proven to be favorable for the design.

In one advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the exit openings in the ring region to be arranged symmetrically and/or evenly distributed. Thus, a regular arrangement of a plurality of jet arms can be achieved.

In one advantageous configuration, provision may be made for at least the thicker, outwardly running separating elements of the ring region to be radially aligned. It is assumed that this leads to a particularly pronounced division into jet arms.

In one advantageous configuration, provision may be made for the thicker, outwardly running separating elements of the ring region to radially extend through the ring region. A complete division of the ring region can be achieved in this way. This can lead to a particularly pronounced formation of the jet arms and/or help with the optical separation of the core jet.

Alternatively or in addition, one or more of the features for the use are provided to achieve the aforementioned object. In order to achieve the stated object for the use in the way described above, the invention thus proposes to use the outlet structure of the jet regulator for a division of an emerging jet into a preferably cylindrical core jet and jet arms running on the core jet. A new type of jet shape is thus formed, which can be characterized in particular by a non-constant cross-sectional shape in its course and at the same time an outflow pattern that is practically constant over time.

Provision may be made for the jet regulator to be designed according to the invention, in particular as described above and/or claimed below. Thus, the described jet shapes can be easily achieved in terms of design.

In one configuration of the invention, provision may be made for the jet arms to adhere to the core jet at least over a longitudinal section of the jet. Thus, the jet is still perceivable as a unit.

In one configuration of the invention, provision may be made for the jet arms to meander at least over the or a longitudinal section on the core jet and/or to penetrate each other. Interesting optical designs can thus be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments, but is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments emerge from combining the features of individual or multiple claims with one another and/or with individual or multiple features of the exemplary embodiment.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a jet regulator according to the invention in an axial section,

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional oblique view of the incidence side of the outlet structure of the jet regulator according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the incidence side of the outlet structure from FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a front view (left) of the incidence side and an oblique view (right) of an outlet structure of a further jet regulator according to the invention,

FIG. 5 shows a front view (left) of the incidence side and an oblique view (right) of an outlet structure of a third jet regulator according to the invention,

FIG. 6 shows a front view (left) of the incidence side and an oblique view (right) of an outlet structure of a fourth jet regulator according to the invention,

FIG. 7 shows an axial section (left) and a radial section along the section line (right) shown on the left of a fifth jet regulator according to the invention,

FIG. 8 shows an axial section (left) and an associated radial section along the section line (right) shown in the left depiction, of a sixth jet regulator according to the invention,

FIG. 9 shows the jet pattern of the jet regulator according to FIG. 1, and

FIG. 10 shows the jet pattern of the jet regulator according to FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 will be described together below.

A jet regulator 1 according to the invention is inserted in a manner known per se in a mouthpiece 2, which is screwed to a fitting 3, so that water is passed through a fitting outlet 4 through the jet regulator 1 to form an emerging jet.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a thread is formed on a jet regulator 1, which means that the mouthpiece 2 is dispensable. In further exemplary embodiments, the mouthpiece 2 is equipped with an internal thread to be screwed to a suitable external thread of a fitting 3.

The jet regulator 1 in FIG. 1 consists, as an example, of the following functional units in the flow direction: attachment screen 5, flow control stage 6, splitter stage 7, mixing stage 8, outlet stage 9, and sleeve 11.

Some of the functional units 5-8 may be omitted in further exemplary embodiments. Additional functional stages can be implemented.

The flow control stage 6 is shown in FIG. 1 as a flow limiter, which sets a constant flow rate independent of a specific operating pressure. In further exemplary embodiments, instead of the flow limiter, a flow reducer, for example, a throttle, is implemented.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the splitter stage 7 is in the form of a splitter plate with holes 10. In further exemplary embodiments, a different splitter stage 7 is realized, for example, a diffuser.

Generally, it can be said that the splitter stage 7 serves to divide an incoming water jet into a multiplicity of individual jets in order to decouple the flow behavior in and downstream of the jet regulator 1 from a flow behavior in the fitting 3 and thus to achieve a desired defined jet pattern and a desired defined jet quality.

The holes 10 are nozzle-shaped in order to achieve an acceleration of the individual jets such that negative pressure is generated downstream of the splitter stage 7.

The mixing stage 8 is in the shape of a chamber. To enhance the mixing effect, different mesh-like or fabric-like insert parts 13 are placed in the mixing stage 8.

FIG. 1 shows a specific selection of two grid-shaped insert parts 13, which are followed by a fabric-like screen, for example a plastics round plate, as insert part 13. In another configuration, the fabric-like screen can also be a metal screen. In further exemplary embodiments, a different configuration of insert parts 13 may be formed and provided.

The outlet stage 9 is connected to the mixing stage 8 and has an outlet structure 14. This outlet structure 14 has exit openings 15, 16, which can have a greater length than the thickness of the insert parts 13, in particular grid bars of the insert parts 13, in each case taken by itself. Each exit opening 15, 16 defines a cell 32 of the outlet structure 14.

The outlet structure 14 acts as a rectifier owing to these exit openings 15, 16, which are often longer than their inner diameter or their inner width, in order to eliminate the swirling of the mixing stage 8 there.

The length of the exit openings 15, 16 may be measured perpendicular or transversely to the or an inner diameter of the exit openings.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the exit openings 15, 16 in the core region 17 are partially closed, in particular in the vicinity of the radially extending separating elements 20.

This serves to increase the flow resistance in the core region 17 in order to achieve a balanced distribution of the water over the core region 17 and the ring region 18.

It can also be seen that the thicker, radially outwardly extending separating elements 20 of the ring region 18 have an inclined section 28, resulting in an associated exit opening 16 tapering in the direction of the jet.

The exit openings 15 in the core region 17 are designed to run in opposite directions and widen (slightly) in the flow direction.

FIG. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention, wherein the functional stages 5-8 are omitted in order to simplify the illustration. Constructively and/or functionally corresponding or identical components and functional units are denoted by the same reference signs and are not described separately. The explanations relating to the preceding exemplary embodiments therefore apply accordingly.

This jet regulator is used to provide a higher flow class (2.2 gpm instead of 1.5 gpm in FIG. 1), and so closure of exit openings 15, 16 is not necessary to a large extent.

FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment analogous to the illustration in FIG. 4. Again, constructively and/or functionally corresponding or identical components and functional units are denoted by the same reference signs and are not described separately. The explanations relating to the preceding exemplary embodiments therefore apply accordingly.

The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5 differs from the preceding exemplary embodiments in that a radial symmetry is also realized in the core region 17.

The separating elements 19 here extend radially, and there are circular or circumferential separating webs 24 and 26, wherein a first separating web 24 delimits or separates the core region 17 from the ring region 18 and a second separating web 26 lies in the interior of the core region 17. The first separating web 24 is thicker than the second separating web 26.

Radially extending, non-thickened separating elements 29 which continue selected separating elements 19 from the core region 17 outwardly are also located between the thick separating elements 20 of the ring region 18.

FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an illustration similar to FIG. 5. Again, corresponding and/or identical components are denoted as units by the same reference signs and are not described again separately. The explanations relating to the preceding exemplary embodiments also apply accordingly here.

The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6 differs from the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5 in that inclined sections 28 are additionally provided, which have already been discussed in relation to FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention. Again, corresponding and/or identical components are denoted as units by the same reference signs and are not described again separately. The explanations relating to the preceding exemplary embodiments also apply accordingly here.

The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7 differs from the preceding exemplary embodiments in that ventilation windows 12 are formed, which can provide for an intake of air in the mixing stage 8 via ventilation ducts 31 during normal operation.

However, a porous material, for example in the form of a felt, foam or a plastics fabric, is arranged behind the splitter stage 7 in the mixing stage 8, through which a part of the water is guided outwardly via the ventilation windows 12.

The original ventilation ducts 31, which lead to the front side, now form the ring region 18 according to the invention, with the result that a similar jet pattern as in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 manifests here.

FIG. 8 shows a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention, in which the outlet stage 9 has an outlet structure 14, which is formed substantially from a large exit opening 15, wherein insertion parts 13 are arranged upstream of the exit opening 15.

As can be seen from FIG. 8, the separating elements 19 in the core region 17 can extend linearly (radially or non-radially). The separating elements 19 in the core region 17 are encompassed by the distribution region 27, in particular the porous material 30, in the example shown. The separating elements 19 can represent (grid) webs of a (plastics) fabric or metal structure, in particular separating webs, wires or threads.

In the case of a jet regulator, it is thus provided to effect in the outlet structure 14 a division into a core region 17 and a ring region 18 enclosing this core region 17, wherein the core region 17 determines the emerging jet 21 into a core jet 23, while the ring region 18 defines an outside of the jet 21, wherein outwardly extending separating elements 19, 20 in the ring region 18 are dimensioned such that the jet 21 is divided on the outside into jet arms 22.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 1 Jet regulator
  • 2 Mouthpiece
  • 3 Fitting
  • 4 Fitting outlet
  • 5 Attachment screen
  • 6 Flow control stage
  • 7 Splitter stage
  • 8 Mixing stage
  • 9 Outlet stage
  • 10 Hole
  • 11 Sleeve
  • 12 Ventilation window
  • 13 Insert part
  • 14 Outlet structure
  • 15 Exit opening
  • 16 Exit opening
  • 17 Core region
  • 18 Ring region
  • 19 Separating element
  • 20 Separating element
  • 21 Jet
  • 22 Jet arm
  • 23 Core jet
  • 24 First separating web
  • 25 Center
  • 26 Second separating web
  • 27 Distribution region
  • 28 Inclined section
  • 29 Separating elements
  • 30 Porous material
  • 31 Ventilation duct
  • 32 Cell

Claims

1. A jet regulator (1), comprising:

an outlet structure (14) through which a jet (21) is adapted to emerge;

the outlet structure (14) includes an outer ring region (18) and an inner core region (17) through which water of the jet (21) is adapted to emerge simultaneously in use;

the outlet structure (14) includes separating elements (19, 20) by which the outlet structure (14) is divided into a multiplicity of cells (32), each said cell including one exit opening (15, 16);

at least a part of the separating elements (19, 20) which are outwardly running in the ring region (18) are thicker than at least a part of the separating elements (19, 20) in the inner core region (17).

2. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core region (17) is adapted to define a cylindrical core jet (23) of the jet (21).

3. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ring region (18) in the circumferential direction defines in each case delimited jet arms (22) of the jet (21).

4. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the jet arms (22) are at least one of connected to the core jet (23) of the jet (21) or run on the core jet (23) of the jet (21).

5. The jet regulator (1) as claimed claim 1, wherein the part of the outwardly running separating elements (19, 20) of the ring region (18) are at least twice as thick as a thinnest one of the separating webs (24) of the core region (17).

6. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring region (18) is separated from the core region (17) by a circumferential separating web (24).

7. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the circumferential separating web (24) has a greater thickness than at least one further circumferential separating web (26) in the core region (17).

8. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a distribution region (27) connected upstream of the outlet structure (14), said distribution region is adapted to guide flowing water both to the ring region (18) and to the core region (17).

9. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in 8, wherein the distribution region (27) comprises a chamber.

10. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the distribution region (27) comprises a flow obstacle.

11. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flow obstacle is made of a porous material (30).

12. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radially outwardly extending separating elements (19, 20) of the ring region (18) that are thicker have an inclined section (28) such that an associated one of the exit openings tapers in a direction of the jet.

13. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the taper is greater than a taper in the core region (17).

14. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a circumferential separating web (24) between the ring region (18) and the core region (17) that is at most as thick, as a radial extent of a smallest one of the exit openings (15, 16) in the ring region (18).

15. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exit openings (15, 16) in the ring region (18) have a ring segment shape.

16. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exit openings (15, 16) in the ring region (18) are arranged at least one of symmetrically or evenly distributed.

17. The jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the outwardly running separating elements (19, 20) of the ring region that are thicker are radially aligned.

18. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outwardly running separating elements (19, 20) of the ring region (18) that are thicker extend radially through the ring region (18).

19. The method for dividing an emerging jet from a jet regulator, the method comprising:

providing the jet regulator (1) as claimed in claim 1; and

dividing an emerging jet (21) of water that is discharged through the jet regulator into a core jet (23) and jet arms (22) running on the core jet (23).

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the jet arms (22) at least one of a) adhere to the core jet (23) at least over a longitudinal section of the jet (21), b) meander at least over the longitudinal section on the core jet (23), or intersect one another.