SANITARY OUTFLOW UNIT
A sanitary outflow unit 1 is provided having a thread 2 and a gripping surface 3, and the thread 2 is formed at least partially from a hard component 4 and the gripping surface 3 from a soft component 5.
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This application is a 371 National Phase of PCT/EP2023/056820, filed Mar. 16, 2023, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 20 2022 101 392.6, filed Mar. 16, 2022, both of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe invention relates to a sanitary outflow unit having a thread and a gripping surface.
The invention also relates to a sanitary fitting having a sanitary outflow unit.
The invention also relates to the use of a soft component to form a gripping surface on a sanitary outflow unit.
BACKGROUNDSanitary outflow units of the type mentioned at the beginning are used at the water outlet of sanitary fittings and serve to shape the water jet flowing through the sanitary fitting into the desired form. The outflow units can be designed to shape the water jet, for example by using a jet regulator. The outflow units can also be designed to aerate the water jet, for example using a splitter unit, and/or to limit or reduce the flow rate. The basic structure of a sanitary outflow unit is known from practice. The outflow units can therefore have other components, such as housings, threads, seals and components that shape the water jet, such as perforated plates, diffusers and outflow structures. Shaping the water jet can mean, in particular, determining its diameter and/or its spatial orientation and/or its quality, for example aerated or non-aerated.
The assembly of sanitary outflow units of the type mentioned above generally requires the outflow unit to be screwed onto the water outlet of a sanitary fitting using a tool, for example-in the case of a formed external thread-by screwing it in or—in the case of a formed internal thread-by screwing it on. For this purpose, the outflow units can be shaped in such a way that they can interact with a specific tool in such a way that they can be screwed in. Screwing on and/or unscrewing without a tool is usually difficult, for example in the case of high breakaway torques due to limescale deposits or when access is difficult.
SUMMARYIt is therefore the object of the invention to improve the usage properties of sanitary outflow units.
To solve the said object, one or more of the features disclosed herein are provided according to the invention. In particular, it is thus proposed in accordance with the invention for solving the said object in sanitary outflow units of the type described at the beginning that the thread is formed at least partially from a hard component and the gripping surface is formed from a soft component.
The gripping surface can therefore be used to screw the outflow unit into the water outlet of a sanitary fitting. A user can grip or hold the gripping surface with their hands or fingers. The gripping surface can be used to drive a rotary movement of the sanitary outflow unit. There is no need for a specific tool.
A component can, for example, be understood as the material from which the respective parts, which are formed from the respective component, are made. The component as a material can, for example, have a specific shape, such as that of a thread. The component can thus be understood, for example, as a component or part of a component. In particular, a component can be understood as a mixed constituent of a material. The hard component may, for example, be a metal, an alloy and/or a plastic. The soft component can be, for example, a plastic and/or rubber that has a lower hardness, in particular Shore hardness, than the material of the hard component.
In particular, the gripping surface can be provided on the outer circumference of the sanitary outflow unit. In particular, the gripping surface can be arranged in such a way that it can be gripped when the sanitary outflow unit is in use, preferably when it is screwed into the outlet of a sanitary fitting. In this way, damage resulting from the improper use of unsuitable tools can be avoided. The soft design of the gripping surface makes it easier to find without visual inspection by the user using their fingers and enables the correct assembly and/or disassembly of the outflow unit to be intuitively grasped. In addition, the gripping surface can give way when screwing in and enable a firmer grip with the user's fingers. Compared to a gripping surface made of a hard component, the soft design of the gripping surface can enable the additional transmission of force and/or torque to achieve a firm screwing-in of the sanitary fitting without tools. In addition, soft materials can achieve higher coefficients of friction, which makes manual assembly easier.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the hard component is connected to the soft component by a materially bonded and/or form-fit connection. The varying degrees of use of a form-fit and materially bonded connection allow an optimum choice of material for the hard and soft components in terms of mechanics, durability and approvals, in particular without having to make too many compromises when connecting the two components. For example, a combination of materials can be used that does not allow a sufficient materially bonded connection by additionally forming a form-fit connection, and vice versa.
This means that the outflow unit does not have to be assembled from the hard and soft components before screwing it in. This makes assembly easier. It also ensures that the force exerted on the soft component via the gripping surface is transferred to the hard component.
In addition, it may be provided that a section of one component penetrates the other component.
This ensures a particularly strong connection between the hard and soft components. In addition, other forms of hard and/or soft components can be realized without impairing the stability of the connection between the components.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the gripping surface is firmly connected to the thread. This means that a screwing and/or unscrewing movement of the sanitary outflow unit can be driven via the gripping surface.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the soft component forms a sealing element.
This means that a separate sealing element can be dispensed with. The outflow unit can consist of fewer individual parts, which simplifies manufacture and/or assembly.
In addition, the sealing element may preferably protrude beyond the hard component in a radial direction.
This allows the hard component to be sealed on the outside. It is therefore possible for the soft component to be squeezed between the hard component and the sanitary fitting when the outflow unit is screwed in. This creates a particularly tight seal. For example, it can ensure that the thread is sealed from both sides, protecting the thread from deposits such as limescale. This means that the unit can be easily dismantled even under harsh operating conditions after a long time.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the soft component forms at least two sealing elements.
This can increase the sealing effect. For example, the sealing elements can be arranged in the thread in such a way that one thread turn is optimally sealed. For example, in multi-start threads, one sealing element can be formed per thread turn.
It may also be provided that two sealing elements are positioned opposite each other. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the sealing elements are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction.
This means that the resulting compression forces balance each other out when the outflow unit is screwed in. This minimizes or prevents the outflow unit from tilting during screwing in. The risk of water penetrating the thread with subsequent deposition of inorganic salts such as lime can be reduced or avoided. The risk that the outflow unit can no longer be unscrewed due to the aforementioned deposits can therefore be reduced or avoided.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the sealing element is of circumferential design. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided the sealing element can be designed to at least partially cover the thread.
This allows a sealing effect to be achieved over the entire circumferential area of the outflow unit. The sealing effect can extend to parts of the thread. The sealing effect can also be used at a distance from the thread. The overlap of the thread with the sealing element can be used to create a force-fit and/or form-fit connection between the hard and soft components. The sealing element can, for example, extend in an axial and/or radial direction. The sealing element can also be designed at a distance from the thread below or above the thread. The sealing element can also be designed on the thread.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the sealing element is limited to a circumferential section.
Depending on the design of the outflow unit, the sealing effect can therefore be used at different points. If the sealing element is designed in a thread turn, a restriction of the sealing element can achieve a sufficient sealing effect. Material savings are therefore possible.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that a surface area of the outflow unit, in which water droplets or water deposits can collect, is provided with a water-repellent (soft and/or hard) component. In this way, limescale deposits can be avoided or reduced. The water-repellent component can, for example, be a hydrophobic, in particular fluorinated, polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The water-repellent component can, for example, be designed as a coating of another (soft and/or hard) component.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the soft component comprises an outflow structure.
This allows the water jet to be shaped advantageously. A separate component with an outflow structure can be dispensed with. The sealing element and outflow structure can be made in one piece. The outflow structure can therefore be made of a soft material. This makes it possible to remove limescale residue from the outflow structure by shaping it with the fingers.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the hard component has a channel in its interior which contains at least one section of the soft component.
This allows the strength of the bond between the hard and soft components to be increased. It is also possible to simplify production by first producing the hard component in a mold and then adding the soft component in the same mold. For example, it is possible to connect several sections of the soft component presented on the outside of the hard component to each other on the inside. This allows for an advantageous visual design. In addition, the stability of the connection between the sections of the soft component presented on the outside and the hard component, which may be located behind the soft component, for example, can be increased.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the hard component reinforces at least one section of the soft component.
This means that the strength of sections of the soft component can be adjusted depending on the design of the hard and soft components. For example, it is possible to reinforce the gripping surface in relation to the sealing elements. In this way, an advantageous feel and force transmission can be achieved during screwing in.
In one design of the invention, it may be provided that the soft component is arranged in a surface area on the hard component, wherein height differences of a profile of the hard component are changed, in particular increased or reduced, by the soft component. This allows smooth surfaces to be combined with easy-to-grip profiles, for example. In this way, hard and/or soft zones can be formed at various points, which can be recognized and/or felt on the component surface. Differences in the height of a profile can be understood as differences in the radial extension of a component in relation to the longitudinal central axis of the sanitary outflow unit. For example, in a polar coordinate system whose pole is the longitudinal central axis of the sanitary outflow unit, a component can have an inner surface that is at the same radius for all polar angles. Alternatively or additionally, the component can have an outer surface that lies at different radii for different polar angles, so that the component has different extensions in the radial direction.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that a jet regulator cartridge is inserted into a fastening sleeve carrying the thread and/or the gripping surface. In this way, the mouthpiece of a jet regulator can be designed with a hard and a soft component.
In an advantageous design, it may be provided that the thread is arranged axially between the gripping surface and the or a sealing element, in particular wherein the soft component at least partially forms the sealing element and the gripping surface. In this way, a mouthpiece with seal can be formed in one piece.
Alternatively or additionally, the features of the alternative independent claim directed to a sanitary fitting are provided according to the invention for solving the said problem. In particular, it is thus proposed in accordance with the invention, in order to solve the said object in the case of sanitary fittings of the type described at the beginning, that the latter is equipped with a sanitary outflow unit in accordance with the invention.
Thus, the described advantages of sanitary outflow units according to the invention can be used with sanitary fittings.
Alternatively or additionally, the features of the alternative independent claim directed to the use of a soft component for forming a gripping surface on a sanitary outflow unit are provided according to the invention for solving the said object. In particular, it is thus proposed in accordance with the invention for solving the said object in uses of the type described at the beginning, that by holding on to the gripping surface and rotating the sanitary outflow unit, screwing the sanitary outflow unit into and/or out of a sanitary fitting can be driven.
This means that the described advantages of a gripping surface formed on a soft component can be used for sanitary outflow units. This means that a separate tool for mounting the outflow unit can be dispensed with.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments are obtained by combining the features of individual or several claims with one another and/or with individual or several features of the exemplary embodiment, wherein:
Depending on the choice of material for hard component 4 or soft component 5, the sanitary outflow unit 1 can be manufactured by injection molding and/or dipping, for example.
It is therefore proposed that in a sanitary outflow unit 1 having a thread 2 and a gripping surface 3, the thread 2 is formed at least partially from a hard component 4 and the gripping surface 3 from a soft component 5.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
-
- 1 Sanitary outflow unit
- 2 Thread
- 3 Gripping surface
- 4 Hard component
- 5 Soft component
- 6 Section
- 7 Sealing element
- 8 Radial direction
- 9 Circumferential section
- 10 Attachment strainer
- 11 Sealing element
- 12 Water outlet
- 13 Sanitary fitting
- 14 Rib
- 15 Fitting thread
- 16 Thread turn
- 17 Channel
- 18 Section
- 19 Section
- 20 Sealing ring
- 21 Recess
- 22 Aeration slot
- 23 Outflow structure
- 24 Jet regulator cartridge
- 25 Fastening sleeve
- 26 Surface area
- 27 Rib
- 28 Aeration window
- 29 Nub
Claims
1. A sanitary outflow unit (1), comprising:
- a thread (2) and a gripping surface (3), wherein the thread (2) is formed at least partially from a hard component (4) and the gripping surface (3) is formed at least partially from a softer component (5) than the thread (2) according to a Shore hardness scale.
2. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hard component (4) is connected to the soft component (5) in at least one of a materially bonded or form-fit connection.
3. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gripping surface (3) is firmly connected to the thread (2).
4. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the soft component (5) forms a sealing element (7, 11).
5. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the soft component (5) forms at least two sealing elements (7, 11), and at least one of a) in each case two of the sealing elements (7, 11) are positioned opposite each other or b) the sealing elements (7, 11) are evenly distributed in a circumferential direction.
6. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 4, wherein the sealing element (7, 11) is at least one of circumferential or at least partially cover the thread (2).
7. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 4, wherein the sealing element (7, 11) is limited to a circumferential section (9).
8. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein a surface area (26) of the outflow unit (1), in which water droplets or water deposits are adapted to collect, includes a water-repellent component (4, 5).
9. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the soft component (5) comprises an outflow structure (23).
10. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hard component (4) has a channel (17) in an interior thereof which contains at least one section (18) of the soft component (5).
11. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hard component (4) reinforces at least one section (19) of the soft component (5).
12. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the soft component is arranged in a surface area on the hard component, and height differences of a profile of the hard component are changed by the soft component.
13. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1 further comprising a jet regulator cartridge (24) inserted into a fastening sleeve (25) carrying at least one of the thread (2) or the gripping surface (3).
14. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the thread (2) is arranged axially between the gripping surface (3) and a sealing element (7, 11).
15. A sanitary fitting (13) comprising the sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 1.
16. A method of removing or installing a sanitary outflow unit (1) to a sanitary fitting (13), the method comprising:
- providing the sanitary outflow unit (1) with a gripping surface (3) made of a soft component (5) at least partially on an outer surface thereof; and
- by holding on to the gripping surface (3) and rotating the sanitary outflow unit (1), screwing the sanitary outflow unit (1) into and/or out of engagement with the sanitary fitting (13).
17. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 2, wherein a section (6) of one the soft component (5) or the hard component (4) penetrates the other of the soft component (5) or the hard component (4).
18. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 4, wherein the sealing element (7, 11) protrudes beyond the hard component (4) in a radial direction (8).
19. The sanitary outflow unit (1) according to claim 14, wherein the soft component (5) at least partially forms the sealing element (7, 11) and the gripping surface (3).
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 16, 2023
Publication Date: Jun 26, 2025
Applicant: Neoperl GmbH (Müllheim)
Inventors: Alexander STEIN (Ihringen), David BIRMELLIN (Müllheim), Holger SCHÜRLE (Müllheim), Georg STÄDTLER (Müllheim)
Application Number: 18/847,500