EP0590228B1 - Water bath tub with air spray device - Google Patents

Abstract

A water bathtub with air spray device comprises at least one pressure generator (55), medium feed lines (24) which can be circulated and at least one spray nozzle (7) for spraying in one or more media. In such a water bathtub it is proposed that the feed line (24) conveying the other medium be blown out with a gaseous medium or a mixture and that residual water be discharged to the drain by blowing-out, preferably disinfected by addition of suitable agents. <IMAGE>

Description

State of the art

The invention is based on a water basin, in the peripheral walls of which jet nozzles for water and / or air are provided and the jet nozzle mouths are closable and whose feed system can be flushed through circulation of the circulating water.

Closable jet nozzles are known from EP-A-0 209 646, EP 0215514, DE-U-8631764.4. By the U.S. 4,563,781 circulable supply systems are disclosed. The preamble of claim 1 is based on DE-A-2 940 269. These known devices have the disadvantage that the nozzle orifices open in the direction of flow of the jet medium towards the inner basin and close either by hydrostatic forces or with the aid of spring force. The valve seats do not close forcefully and are always subject to an unknown and changing locking force. With the slightest contamination of the valve seats with lime, hair, etc., a reliable seal is no longer

ben. When flushing under pressure, the valve seats lift off and the flushing water disadvantageously gets into the inner basin. A pressure-dependent and powerful flushing and cleaning, as is required for such inaccessible supply systems, is therefore not possible with the known nozzle closure devices. These disadvantages also lead to problems when removing residual water from the supply systems. The compressed air blown in to expel residual water escapes at the nozzle closures, which open the nozzle openings towards the inner pool under the pressure of the air.

Diaphragm valves flutter in a depressurized state and in particular allow bathing water to enter the supply system when the diaphragm is not pressurized.

Advantages of the invention

The features described by the characterizing part of the main claim exclude the disadvantages of known whirlpools.

Residual amounts of water can be blown out of the supply system with the aid of compressed air without splashing water getting into the indoor pool. The closure and / or opening process can be effected both by a gaseous as well as by a liquid medium or in combination. Auxiliary energy, such as the power of an additional hydraulic or pneumatic pressure generator, is also possible.

The closure and / or opening process is advantageously effected by the transport medium. The transport medium can be: bathing water, circulation medium, compressed air or a mixture or an additional medium that is brought in by another pressure generator, for example fresh water from the domestic water supply, which also serves as a flushing agent.

The design of the nozzle housing with several inputs / outputs has the advantage that they can be used mutually, so that the valve body can be moved from different directions through the flowing medium and the nozzle housing itself is designed as a multi-way valve and the various valve movements, according to the desired Functions between inlet openings and outlet opening change their function.

Further advantages can be found in the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment, the drawings and the claims.

• Fig. 1 einfache schematische Darstellung des Zuleitungssystemes, in das Einstrahldüsen für kombinierte Wasser- /Lufteinstrahlung eingesetzt sind.
• Fig. 2 Schematische Darstellung des Zuleitungssystems wie vor, jedoch mit Vorratsbehälter für Spülwasser und separatem Druckerzeuger.
• Fig. 3 Detail einer Einstrahldüse für Wasser-und Lufteinstrahlung, mit kolbenartigem Ventilkörper, mit Ansicht vom Innenbecken aus.
• Fig. 4 Detail einer Einstrahldüse für ein Medium, in Seitenansicht und Teilschnitt.
• Fig. 5 schematische Darstellung eines Zuleitungssystemes in das Einstrahldüsen gemäß Fig. 5 eingesetzt sind.
• Fig. 6 Detail einer Einstrahldüse für ein Medium, mit einer Kugel als Ventilkörper in Seitenansicht und Teilschnitt.

It shows:

• Fig. 1 is a simple schematic representation of the supply system, are used in the jet nozzles for combined water / air radiation.
• Fig. 2 Schematic representation of the supply system as before, but with a reservoir for rinse water and a separate pressure generator.
• Fig. 3 Detail of a single jet nozzle for water and air radiation, with a piston-like valve body, with a view from the inner pool.
• Fig. 4 Detail of a single jet nozzle for a medium, in side view and partial section.
• FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a feed line system in which single-jet nozzles according to FIG. 5 are used.
• Fig. 6 Detail of a single jet nozzle for a medium, with a ball as a valve body in side view and partial section.

The invention enables the design of closable single-jet nozzles which are used to feed two different media, the feeds for each medium being able to be closed or opened individually.

According to the invention, it is also possible to close nozzles for two different media at their common nozzle mouth. According to the invention, the closure of the nozzle mouth is connected to the opening of a further connection, the nozzle housing itself being designed as a multi-way valve. However, the invention also enables single-jet nozzles which serve to irradiate only one medium and which are opened and closed like a multi-way valve. The illustrations in the drawings are therefore to be seen as examples that can be combined, each of which, viewed individually or in combination, represents a separate invention. Features which are illustrated, for example, by the representation of the jet nozzle for a medium can be seen in detail in their own right, and can also be used for jet nozzles which serve to irradiate two media.
Fig.1 1
The circulation pump 1 and the feed system are preferably arranged in a ring around the water basin 2. The pressure side of the pump 1 is connected to at least one valve, preferably a multi-way valve 4. At the connection 5, the pressure line 6 is connected, which leads to at least one jet nozzle 7 in its course. The multi-way valve 4 is preferably designed as a four-way valve.

Inside the housing of the jet nozzle 7 there is a hollow cylindrical opening, into which a valve body 10, preferably in a cylindrical or piston-like shape, is inserted, which is movably mounted, serves transverse valve openings and which is in contact with the flowing medium, which preferably acts against its end faces an opening and a closing position is movable. On the face side, preferably coaxially, the valve body 10 is guided against a valve seat 11. The valve body is preferably sealed in the radial area by two O-rings 12. The medium is radiated into the inner basin through the opening 13.

• Absaugen aus dem Wasserbecken, Beschleunigen des Umlaufwassers durch Pumpe 1 und Einstrahlung in das Innenbecken 14, mit oder ohne Luftbeimischung. Das Mehrwegeventil 4 führt das Medium dabei von A nach B.

The circulation pump 1 is connected to the water basin 2 through the suction line 15. Normal bathing is characterized by the mode of operation:

• Suction from the water basin, accelerating the circulating water by pump 1 and radiation into the inner basin 14, with or without the addition of air. The multi-way valve 4 guides the medium from A to B.

At the connection 16, the pressure line 17 is connected, which in its further course leads to the connection 18 of the jet nozzle 7. By adjusting the multi-way valve 4 to the position A-D, the pressure line 17 is flooded and the pressure line 6 is released via the connection 5 in the direction B-C. The line 20 leads from the connection 19 to the suction line 15.

The medium located within the supply system is accelerated by the pump 1, it pushes the valve body 10 out of its seat 11. The valve body 10 closes the radiation port 13 radially or transversely. The medium flow now leads via the pressure line 6 back to the multi-way valve 4 , passes position BC there and reaches the circulation pump 1 or the closed circulation circuit via the suction line 15. The circulation can detect one or more jet nozzles I, 11, 111, etc. The jet nozzles are preferably arranged parallel to one another.

The line section 20 is cut off from the circulation during normal bathing. An addition point 22 is arranged within this route, via which chemicals, for example, chemicals can be added to the circulation circuit. In the simplest embodiment, the circulation medium is emptied into the inner pool 14 through the suction line 15 after the circulation operation. In the simplest mode of operation, the circulation takes place when the water pool is full, the inner pool itself being cut off from the circulation. However, it is also possible to choose a controlled circulation medium drain device or a valve that can be closed by pump pressure, as will be described below.

For a circulation medium operation which is independent of the tank content, the suction line 15 preferably carries a holding valve 30 which can be a check valve which opens during normal bathing operation due to the suction power of the pump 1, but is cut off during the circulation operation through the line section 20, so that the pump suction power does not open the holding valve can It is also conceivable to use a piston valve which, by moving the detergent pressure from line 20, blocks line 15 to the inner basin. The resetting can take place by spring force or by the pump suction power as soon as the flow direction is changed by changing over the multi-way valve 4.

In an embodiment according to the invention, it is proposed that in the case of single-jet nozzles for two different media, the supply line carrying the other medium is also subjected to cleaning and rinsing and the circulation medium is also passed through this line.

According to FIG. 3, it is proposed either to close the radiation opening separately for each medium or, according to FIG. 4, to only close the common radiation opening before entering the inner pool 14. In the latter possibility, the circulation medium is transferred directly into the air-carrying supply line 24, it only needs to be flooded there or returned to the line 6.

The jet opening of the nozzle 26 for the second medium is preferably also closed by a cylindrical valve body 27, which can be a piston. It is proposed to effect the opening process by means of auxiliary energy, preferably by means of a spring 37. The closing process can be effected by the circulation means. However, it is also possible to use the valve body 27 to move by a pressure from a control line 42. In this case, the means of transport from line 6 can be used or an independent pressure generator can be connected via control line 42. The control pressure acts on the valve body via the space 39. The spring 37 can also be accommodated in the space 39 or act against the valve body 27 in the opposite part of the nozzle housing. The control line 42 can, however, also be provided as a bore which transfers the transport medium from the lower part of the nozzle housing with the feed line connection 6 into the upper housing part with the space 39.

The valve body 27 is preferably sealed again by O-rings 12. When the piston moves axially, the inlet or outlet opening 13, 26, 36 is radially closed or opened. According to the invention, line 24 is flooded via an opening 36 which is either opened and closed by valve body 27 or via an additional valve 40 which opens under pressure from line 24 and closes automatically. The valve can have a free outlet to the channel or can open into line 6. In connection with the opening 36, the nozzle housing in turn becomes a multi-way valve, which on the one hand serves to irradiate the interior 14 of the water basin, and on the other hand serves to continue or flood at least one medium. The closure of the nozzle mouth can of course also be provided by some other device serving for the closure, such as for example caps or balls. The jet nozzles 7 are preferably designed such that the valve bodies for closing or opening orifices and / or drains are built directly into the jet nozzle housing.

The flushing mode of operation is characterized by the opposite medium flow direction to the bathing mode. The flow path via the multi-way valve 4 from A to D and from B to C is used. The start of the rinsing phase can be initiated as soon as the pump suction line 15 is supplied with liquid. When using a holding valve 30, the flushing operation can be extended. The liquid flushing phase can be followed by a compressed air operated flushing phase.
Fig. 2

In a further embodiment according to the invention, it is proposed to also create a rinse water supply within the supply system into which cleaning agents can be added directly or into which cleaning agents are metered.

The line 20 is preferably assigned a container 31 which serves as a collecting container for rinsing water both in the open, that is to say depressurized, and in the closed operating mode. The container 31 is connected to the circulation pump 1. The entire system can preferably be emptied via the container, with its own emptying connection 41, and any type of controlled valve can be used. In the device according to the invention, compressed air is supplied to the supply system, which (if necessary) can be supplied with additives for disinfection, etc.

For example, compressed air can reach the nozzles 1, 11, 111 via the line 24. When the valves 10, 27 are reversed, it is possible to flush the entire system with air. Compressed air can also be supplied via line 17, the functions described above being obtained analogously. It is advantageous to use the compressed air generator, which is part of the equipment for generating an air bubble without this in a large number of hydro massage pools. Only a cleaning solution can then be added to the air flow, which can be added, for example, by an atomizer.

The closure of the ventilation line 28 against the discharge of the flushing or circulating agent preferably serves a non-return valve 29, preferably a float ball is used for this purpose, which enables ventilation, but closes the valve in the return flow direction. According to the invention, it is proposed to create the supply system in such a way that residual water quantities are blown out by means of compressed air and residual water is discharged into the sewer. It is conceivable to arrange an air separator in front of the duct connection.

Fig. 4 shows a further variant of a closable jet nozzle according to the invention through which compressed air is blasted into the inner basin. The nozzle housing 44 is preferably clamped to the surrounding wall of the water basin by a lock nut 38. At least one nozzle mouth 47 points towards the inner basin 14, a multi-jet design and / or a nozzle cover is conceivable. On the back, the nozzle housing preferably carries 2 connecting pieces 57, 58 which serve for the supply and discharge of compressed air and / or residual water. In the interior of the nozzle housing, a valve body 10 is preferably arranged in a cylindrical shape and radial O-ring seal 12.

If compressed air is supplied to the connecting piece 58, the valve body opens the nozzle orifice 47 arranged radially to the valve body 10 in the direction of the inner basin 14 by movement in the direction from E to F. If compressed air is supplied to the connecting piece 57, the valve body closes the nozzle orifice 47 by moving in the direction from F to E and at the same time opens the radially arranged bypass 59. The compressed air leaves the nozzle housing through the connecting piece 58. Preferably, several such nozzles are connected in series. The compressed air supplied in the direction from F to E expels any type of residual water that has entered the supply system.

Of course, it is also possible to move this valve body on the one hand through the transport medium, for example to open it and on the other hand to close it by means of a compression spring.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, it is proposed to arrange a non-return valve 60 which closes by spring force in the space between valve body 10 and nozzle orifice 47. Such backflow safeguards are known as check valves. The opening is made by the flowing transport medium, the closure is made by spring force. This configuration has the advantage that the non-return valve closes immediately when the air pressure drops and larger amounts of water cannot penetrate the supply system, in particular it is ensured that in the time of delayed valve body 10 - Umschlatintervallen no larger amounts of water can penetrate. The switching of the valve body 10 can be effected by reversing the transport medium flow direction as described above, but it is also possible to work with two different pressure generators, one pressure generator generating the compressed air for the formation of air bubbles and the second pressure generator producing the compressed air for closing the Valve body and generated to expel residual water.

Of course, it is conceivable to generally operate the opening and / or closing process of the jet nozzle by means of an independent unit such as a hydraulic or pneumatic device with its own control lines. Such devices are known from hydraulic and / or pneumatic control technology.

The bypass 59 can be incorporated directly into the single-jet nozzle housing 44. However, it is also possible to create the bypass by additional connecting pieces and a connecting line. It is conceivable to connect all connections with simple hose lines accordingly. The end stop of the valve body 10 preferably takes place on the one hand through the cross-sectional constriction 61 towards the connecting piece 58 and on the other hand through the threaded connection 62 screwed in connection nipple 57 which serves as an end stop for the valve body 10 in position F on the inside of the nozzle housing. A check valve in the form of a backflow preventer, which blocks backflow in direction F, can preferably be inserted within the bypass line 59.

Fig. 5 The blower 63 generates compressed air for air bubbling operation, for switching the valve body 10 and for expelling residual water from the supply system. The nozzle housing 44 is clamped to the peripheral walls of the water basin 2. The compressed air passes via line 64, preferably with backflow-preventing bend 46, to the multi-way valve 4 and via line 65 to the jet nozzles 7/44, which are connected to one another by line 66.

When switching the multi-way valve 4, the supply of compressed air via line 65 is interrupted and released via line 67 to the jet nozzles 7/44. As described above, the valve bodies 10, 27, 43 are switched within the nozzle housings 7, 21, 44, the nozzle orifices are closed, the compressed air reaches the connecting line 66 via the bypass 59 from position F to position E, etc. The multi-way valve 4 blocks the line 65. The compressed air, together with the expelled residual water, reaches the collecting container 68 in which residual water separates from the compressed air. At the lowest point 69 of the collecting container 68, the residual water is drained off to the channel.

A float valve is preferably used, which opens when water is generated and is closed in the idle state. Drain 70 serves towards the channel.

The compressed air is discharged from the upper area of the collecting container 68, it serves as an air separator, such constructions for separating different media are known. The compressed air is discharged via line 71 from the collection container, preferably a solenoid valve 45 is used to discharge the compressed air, which is switched accordingly with the multi-way valve 4. The compressed air can be discharged or fed back to the blower 63. A pipe loop 46 prevents the supply of water to the fan.

A supply container 31 is preferably connected into line 67, from which one or more addition substances can be added during circulation mode of operation. The addition can take place by means of an injection effect or via a controlled valve which controls the discharge from the container 31 accordingly. However, it is also conceivable to apply compressed air to the storage container 31 and, for example, to introduce or spray the added substances into the line 67 by means of compressed air.

For this purpose, it is only necessary to connect a pressure line 73 to the container 31 in addition to the suction line 72 and to apply blower compressed air to this line. A separate pressure generator, preferably a pump 55, can be connected to the reservoir 31, can be introduced into the circulation circuit by the detergent. The pump 55 can, however, also serve to move the valve bodies 10, 27, 43, it being advantageous to have each air bubbling operation first followed by a liquid flushing phase and then a compressed air flushing phase, with residual water quantities of all kinds from the supply system in the last flushing phase driven out, which are drained together with the liquid detergent from the collecting container 68 to the channel. However, it is also conceivable to keep the liquid detergent in a separate circulation circuit and to feed it back to the storage container 31. It is proposed to connect the collecting container outlet 69 to the storage container 31 by means of a circulation line.

A pipe loop 46 is also preferably installed in line 71, which prevents water from flowing back to the blower.

The line 71 also carries a ventilation 52 through which the fan sucks in fresh air.

The blower with feed lines, collecting container and storage container 31 is preferably accommodated below the water basin 2 or within its casing. It is advantageous to place the filling opening 74 for the reservoir 31 in the area of the edge of the water basin so that the refill can be carried out from an easily accessible location.

According to the invention, it is proposed to provide the various supply systems for water and / or air supply with their own circulation pump 55, by means of which the circulation medium can be circulated independently of any other operating mode and from which the valve bodies can alternatively be moved. Although it is conceivable to select the main pump 1 with at least 2 power ranges and to use the low power range for the circulation, it is advantageous to choose a small pump for this, which independently takes over the circulation operation with less energy consumption and with far less noise.

The circulation pump can also be used to evacuate residual water, it is easy to control and can be included in an automated program.
Fig. 6

A backflow preventer 60 is inserted into the housing 44 with inlet opening 47 and nozzle opening 13 towards the inner pool 14. The ball valve 43 is movably mounted between the seats in pos. And G. The housing carries two connecting pieces 57 and 58, which serve to supply a medium, preferably compressed air and / or circulation medium. Furthermore, the connection 58 and the connection 57 can be used to discharge residual water. When a transport medium is supplied through the connection 58, the valve body 43 is pressed against the seat in position F. The kickback protection 60 allows the medium to pass towards the inner pool. A float ball preferably serves as valve body 43. When residual water enters the nozzle housing 44, the valve body 43 floats and allows the residual water to flow out of the nozzle housing in position F. The drain can be fed to the channel. A collecting container, as described above, is also conceivable. In a further mode of operation according to the invention, circulation means is fed to the nozzle housing 44 via the connection 57. The valve body 43 is guided from position F to position G and closes the entrance to the inner pool 14 there. The circulation medium reaches item E and is continued via the nozzle 58, preferably to one or more subsequent single-jet nozzle housings. In this single jet nozzle according to the invention, the inlet to the inner pool can also be single or multi-jet. A distributor cover is also conceivable. All of the above-described devices according to the invention, which serve to transport a medium or a circulation medium, can be used in combination.

The connecting pieces 57, 58 can be molded or attached directly to the nozzle housing, the valve body 43 of course also being able to be used from the inside of the water basin, for this purpose only the constriction in item G needs to be inserted as a screw part into the nozzle housing. The connecting pieces can of course also both be attached to the rear housing part, or be designed as side outlets. A connection to an existing pressure line, such as a water line or compressed air line, can also be used as an additional pressure generator. The pressure generator 55 can thus also be a corresponding connection to an existing pressure line.

Claims (10)

1. Water basin with air bubble device, with one supply system composed of one recirculation pump (1), a water suction line (15) and, at least, one single jet nozzle (7) for the injection of one or several media whereas the single jet nozzle being connected to two media feed lines (water 6,17, air 24,67,65) being characterized in that the supply system is conceived as circulating flow circuit and that means (compressed air generators), for supplying the circulating flow circuit with compressed air, are provided for and that this system can be exposed to an air flushing with which residual water is exhausted with compressed air and may be disposed into the sewer.

2. Water basin according to Claim 1 being characterized in that an air separator is envisaged for the connection to the sewer.

3. Water basin according to Claim 1 or 2 being chracterized in that the compressed air generator for producing air bubbles is also utilized for blowing out.

4. Water basin according to Claims 1 to 3 being characterized in that the air bubble device (bathing activities with air bubbling) is followed by being flushed by flusing phases, first with liquid and subsequently with air wheras with the latter phase residual water of any kind being expulsed from the supply system.

5. Water basin according to Claims 1 to 4 being characterized in that the aeration line (28) is provided with a check valve (29) preventing the escape of flushing and circulation media (air).

6. Water basin according to Claims 1 to 5 being characterized in that the different line systems for water and/or air are each furnished with an own circulation pump respectively an own pressure generator (55) via which, independently of any other operating mode, the circulation medium (water or air) is circulated.

7. Water basin according to Claims 1 to 6 being chracterized in that the circulation pump respectively the pressure generator (55) are integrated in the program serving automation.

8. Water basin according to Claims 1 to 7 being characterized in that the nozzle bodies (7,21,44) are provided with at least one connection (18,58,57) formed as drainage opening for residual water.

9. Water basin according to Claims 1 to 8 being characterized in that the outlet of the single jet nozzles can be locked towards the inner basin.

10. Water basin according to Claims 1 to 9 being characterized in that additives for disinfection can be admitted to the compressed air supplied to the feed system.

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