EP2700760A1 - Shower WC with removable shower arm - Google Patents

Abstract

The WC comprises multiple movable shower arms (6,11,14) that are mounted in a lavatory housing of a toilet bowl or projected into the toilet bowl. The shower arms are removed by an operation of the toilet bowl. The shower arms include a coupling (13) that comprises multiple line transitions which are oriented transverse to a longitudinal direction of the shower arm. The line transitions of the shower arm are separated and sealed with multiple sealing rings by pressing by a mounting movement of the shower arm. An independent claim is included for a method for cleaning a shower-type WC.

Description

The present invention relates to a shower toilet, so a water closet (WC) with a bidet-like shower function.

Shower toilets have been known for some time and are becoming increasingly popular in Europe. As a rule, they have a movable shower arm which can be moved out of a relative to a toilet bowl retracted and hidden position out into the toilet bowl. Mostly this is a linear drive with electric motor.

In the extended state, the shower arm protrudes into the toilet bowl so far that a shower water jet emanating from it hits the user low. When retracted, the shower arm is completely or at least better protected from contamination by the toilet use and / or the flushing process in the toilet bowl.

In this context, it is already known to remove a front part of the shower arm to better clean it. For example, in the prior art, a front part of the shower arm can simply be pulled off in the longitudinal direction of the shower arm in order to counteract nozzle calcification of a shower nozzle contained in this front part.

Based on this prior art, the invention has for its object to provide a shower toilet with removable shower arm and improved performance characteristics.

For this purpose, the invention is directed to a shower toilet with a toilet body, which has a toilet bowl and a protruding into the toilet bowl or movable shower arm, which is at least partially expandable and can be removed by surgery in the bowl, characterized in that the shower arm can be removed at least to the part to which it projects into the bowl in the operating position, and to a cleaning method therefor according to claim 11.

Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and together with the invention in the most general sense are explained in more detail below. The individual features are meant with regard to all categories of claims.

The inventor has found that the risks of contamination of a shower arm relate to the entire length at which the shower arm protrudes into the toilet bowl and not just a front part thereof. If this is not the case in individual cases, many users also feel quite independent of this idea, especially in toilets a very pronounced need for hygiene and cleanliness and interfere with the poor accessibility of a non-removable Duscharmstücks, because they also want to see this regularly cleaned. This may be the case even to avoid limescale due to the rinse water. Incidentally, the typical surfaces of a shower arm (for example, chrome-plated surfaces, stainless steel surfaces, or plastic surfaces) may become somewhat unsightly with age, even if they are spotlessly clean and often cleaned. For example, metal surfaces may become unsightly due to calcification or oxidation in the humid environment or chemical attack by, for example, urine-containing substances. Plastic surfaces are known to yellow with time or may become brittle.

The inventor therefore sees it as an advantage to have direct access to the entire shower arm part, which is somehow visible in the operating position in the toilet bowl, insofar as it can be removed and, in the uninstalled state, then be cleaned or exchanged. It should therefore be removable at least the entire protruding into the bowl during showering part, which does not necessarily require a mobility of the shower arm but would also apply to a immovable and projecting into the toilet bowl shower arm. After replacement or cleaning, therefore, according to the invention, only new or cleaned outer surfaces can be seen by the shower arm. Of course, the expandability can also affect the entire shower arm or a shower arm section extending beyond the piece projecting into the toilet bowl.

With the operating position, the position projecting furthest into the toilet bowl in the shower function of the shower arm is meant, so that in this operating position visible Duscharmbereiche the polluting areas correspond. If, for some maintenance reasons, for example, the shower arm should still be able to be moved out further, this does not affect the risk of contamination and is not meant with the operating position.

The actuating operation in the bowl for removal may be, as in the prior art, for example, a simple Abziehbewegung the removable shower arm. In any case, this removal operation should relate to a process in the bowl including the bowl or Spülrandes and preferably specifically on the shower arm or in his immediate assembly environment. For the sake of clarity, it is intended to exclude removal processes which take place after removal of a shower unit from the WC or after removal of panels in the rear area of the WC or after removal of the WC and from its rear side.

So this is about a removal operation, which can be done easily in the everyday cleaning process and done by a simple process in the toilet bowl itself. This can also be done with a tool, for example an associated special key; However, preference is a tool loose, so alone by human hands to be handled expansion operation. Particularly preferably, the expansion takes place solely by a movement of the shower arm or the part to be removed, for example, by peeling. Particularly preferred in this case is a bayonet mechanism, that is, by taking place by a rotating movement and then linear pull-off removal or vice versa by a linear plugging and then tightening ensuing fitting.

Usually, in a bayonet mechanism, the above-mentioned rotating movement is actually performed circularly. In the present case, however, a slight increase in this rotational movement is preferred, that is, for example, a helical instead of a circular movement. The slope does not necessarily have to be evenly (linearly) correlated with the angle of the rotating motion, so there may also be deviations from the helix shape. Important in this embodiment, but a slight slope in the longitudinal direction of the shower arm. This can be generated in a particularly favorable manner a suit movement for sealing surfaces.

Basically, only a single water pipe connection is necessary for a shower arm. In preferred embodiments, however, there are a plurality of line transitions. For example, water pipes for various nozzles or nozzle parts, water pipes for self-cleaning and rinsing functions or air ducts for an integrated hairdryer can be used.

In this context, radial line junctions are preferred according to the invention. This means openings for the passage of the transported medium (for example water or air), through which the medium flows essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the shower arm. For the sake of illustration, reference is made to the exemplary embodiment.

The plurality of radial line junctions can be offset in the longitudinal direction; The distance between two line transitions then has a longitudinal direction component. As a result, sealing rings can be provided between the line junctions through these, and preferably also sealing rings, in each case subsequently to the outermost passage in the longitudinal direction, the line junctions can be separated and sealed. Preferably, the sealing rings are pressed by a mounting movement during installation of the Duscharmteils, for example, by the mentioned rotating movement with pitch in a bayonet mechanism.

In addition, the radial line transitions over the circumference of the shower arm (which need not necessarily be circular) may be angularly offset from each other. This can in particular facilitate the separation of the individual lines within the removable shower arm part and / or within a shower arm part to be coupled therewith or the associated base in the case of a total removable shower arm.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that beyond the maximum projecting into the toilet bowl Duscharmstück together with this still another section is removable, which projects slightly into the passage through which the shower arm extends into the toilet bowl. This can be achieved by removing the Duscharmteils an inner wall of this implementation for cleaning. In this case, preferably 5 mm in the longitudinal direction of the shower arm of the implementation be attainable, preferably 10, 20 or even 30 mm. If the implementation consists of a bowl-side channel part of the actual bowl wall (toilet body wall) and beyond a passage of a structurally not belonging to this wall but to the shower device part (for example, plastic or metal), this statement applies to both together in which case preferably the entire length of the bowl wall feed-through section and at least the first five, and more preferably 10 mm or even 15 mm, of the remaining feed-through section are accessible. This length refers to (in particular obliquely to the bowl wall running channel) on the lower inner wall portion of the implementation, because this is best visible.

At the beginning it was pointed out that in the prior art front parts of Duscharmen for descaling or cleaning the shower nozzle are removable. The invention does not exclude this, but in addition to the already explained removability of the removable shower arm also a front part with the shower nozzle can be removed. For example, a more frequent cleaning and in particular a more frequent replacement of the nozzle may be desired. It may also be desired to be able to exchange different shower nozzles against each other. Finally, the removable front part can be designed with the shower nozzle particularly resistant to descaling.

The invention further relates to the described shower toilet toilet cleaning methods. The shower toilet according to the invention allows namely a cleaning of the Duscharmteils outside the toilet bowl and possibly also completely outside the corresponding sanitary room or a replacement with a clean other shower arm. As a result, the overall cleaning process of the WCs can be simplified and improved as a result, and certain standards can be set and maintained by a separate cleaning of the Duscharmteils or by its replacement.

In particular, the separation of the cleaning process of the removable Duscharmteils from the rest of the toilet cleaning process is possible and can also by completely different cleaning forces, with other cleaning agents (chemical and / or mechanical) and finally done elsewhere. For example, a cleaner responsible for sanitary room cleaning could simply remove the removable shower arm and replace it with an already cleaned (or new) shower arm, or have the removed shower arm cleaned or cleaned elsewhere, then reinstall it. The cleaning force itself is not stopped by the cleaning of the shower arm during the process of cleaning the shower toilet.

Furthermore, for example, in a hotel in which the user because of the changing occupancy of the room a special hygiene needs, with each new room occupancy a new or sanitary standards cleaned Duscharmteil are provided by default, such as passing the guest for self-installation or shower -WC is placed or by the hotel already installed, but the guest is informed.

Finally, in a hotel, in public shower toilets, or in other situations with changing users, a built-in new or freshly cleaned shower arm can be displayed with a protective cover around the shower arm, so that the user can rely on a standard of hygiene.

Figur 1

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Dusch-WCs.

Figur 2

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Duscharms mit einem zugehörigen Verfahrmechanismus.

Figur 3

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht des Duscharms aus Figur 2 mit abgenommenem Düsenteil.

Figur 4

zeigt den Duscharm aus Figur 3, wieder mit abgenommenem Düsenteil und zusätzlich mit einem Gegenstück des Verfahrmechanismus aus Figur 2 in Seitenansicht.

Figur 5

zeigt einen Schnitt A-A entsprechend einer in Figur 4 angedeuteten Schnittlinie durch den Duscharm und das Gegenstück.

Figuren 6a und 6b

zeigen einen weiteren Schnitt B-B in der Teildarstellung a, der in der Teildarstellung b als Schnittlinie durch den Duscharm und das Gegenstück angedeutet ist.

Figuren 7a und 7b

zeigen eine Figur 6a entsprechende Schnittdarstellung in größerem Zusammenhang, wobei in Figur 7b der abnehmbare Duscharmteil fehlt.

Figur 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung zu Figur 5.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment, wherein the individual features relate to all claim categories and may also be essential to the invention in other combinations.

FIG. 1

shows a perspective view of a shower toilet according to the invention.

FIG. 2

shows a perspective view of a shower arm with an associated traversing mechanism.

FIG. 3

shows a perspective view of the shower arm FIG. 2 with removed nozzle part.

FIG. 4

shows the shower arm FIG. 3 , again with removed nozzle part and additionally with a counterpart of the traversing mechanism FIG. 2 in side view.

FIG. 5

shows a section AA corresponding to one in FIG. 4 indicated cutting line through the shower arm and the counterpart.

Figures 6a and 6b

show a further section BB in the partial view a, which is indicated in the partial view b as a section line through the shower arm and the counterpart.

FIGS. 7a and 7b

show one FIG. 6a corresponding sectional view in a larger context, wherein in FIG. 7b the removable shower arm is missing.

FIG. 8

a perspective view too FIG. 5 ,

FIG. 1 shows a shower toilet 1 with a toilet body 2. In a rear area of the shower toilet 1, the toilet body is increased, thus forming a housing 4 for a shower device, which protrudes with a small part in a toilet bowl, and Although in particular with a Föhnarm 5 and guided through a bushing 3 shower arm 6, both arms are moved out of the toilet bowl. In any case, there is a passage in the ceramic toilet bowl in which the duct 3 is held. The housing 4 has on the side operating devices 7 for the shower device.

FIG. 2 shows the in FIG. 1 symbolically shown shower arm 6 in perspective view in detail. Further, traversing mechanism 8 of the shower device is shown, which at its front end by the already in FIG. 1 shown implementation 3 is completed. Behind the bushing 3 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shower arm 6, a guide track 9, guided on the two rails 10 slidably a Duscharmteil 11 is movably guided. This Duscharmteil 11 is driven by a rack-like (this manufacturing reasons) with a threaded shaft 12 and an electric motor 13 so that the Duscharmteil 11 can be moved back and forth along the traversing mechanism 8 by motor. It also forms a counterpart to the assembly of the previously known as a "shower arm" extendable Duscharmteils 6, for which assembly the latter has a coupling portion 13. This will be discussed in more detail.

FIG. 2 clearly shows that the shower arm with the exception of the remaining in the traversing mechanism 8 piece 11 is removable. This piece 11 can be in his outermost travel position with the back of the bushing 3 zoom in and be driven into this, but not into it.

As a result, the entire inner circumferential surface of the bushing 3 remains accessible in the expanded state of the Duscharmteils 6 and can be wiped, for example. This refers to an axial length of about 5 cm from the lower bowl-side leading edge of the aperture through the ceramic wall up to and including the opposite end of the inner wall of the passage 3.

At the opposite end of the removable Duscharmteils 6 is a front part 14 with the shower nozzle 15. The shower nozzle 15 consists of a larger centric and distributed around it three smaller nozzle openings. As will be explained in more detail, the centric nozzle opening and the smaller nozzle openings can be acted upon separately from each other with a flow of water, which leads to a different in volume throughput and emission direction shower jet. Of course they can also be operated together. The front part 14 may further comprise air intake openings for the admixture of air in the shower jet, a so-called Ladydüse with a further forward radiation direction and other features known per se, which are not shown and discussed in detail here. Further, in the following FIG. 3 explained in more detail that the front part 14 is removable from the removable shower arm 6, by a simple plug connection.

FIG. 4 further shows that the removable shower arm part with its connection area 13 matches the shower arm part 11 which is in FIG. 2 is shown in its movable along the rails 10 mounting situation in the traversing mechanism 8. This will also be discussed in more detail, in particular on the basis of FIG. 5 , Here is a bayonet connection.

Finally one recognizes in the Figures 2 . 4 and 5 in that the duct 3 includes a washing device for the shower arm part 6, which will not be discussed in detail. For this washing device, water connections are provided, namely an upper water connection 16 (FIG. FIG. 2 ) and two lower water connections 17 ( FIG. 5 ). The washing device is used to clean the shower arm, especially when driving back out of the toilet bowl.

Further shows FIG. 2 a total of four pointing to the right front water pipe 17 of the movable shower arm 11. They are in FIG. 4 also visible in the side view. Here, the different supply lines for the various shower and rinse functions of the front part 14 of the shower arm are connected via flexible hoses.

In FIG. 5 (and FIG. 6a ) it can be seen that these line terminals 17 offset in an axial direction corresponding to the shower arm longitudinal direction open into an interior of the Duscharmteils 11, which in this axial direction behind one another cylindrical and conical sections with away from the toilet bowl away inner radius. One recognizes further in the FIGS. 2 to 5 (and 6a) that the mating terminal portion 13 also has stepped portions of different outer radius in axial order, with each forward (in the direction away from the toilet bowl) in front of such portion a groove. In the respective groove belongs a corresponding sealing O-ring. This sealing O-ring is then pressed when inserting the connection portion 13 on the inner wall. For the foremost and smallest O-ring, this refers to the conical portion of the interior with the smallest inner radius, and for the following two O-rings, the conical portions thereafter. The last conical section is followed by a final O-ring. When inserted, the conicity converts an axial movement or force during fixed insertion into an increasing radial pressure, which is maintained in the final abutment of the O-rings on the cylindrical inner wall sections.

Furthermore, especially the show FIGS. 4 . 5 (and 6a ) that in the strips of the terminal portion 13 between the grooves for the O-rings respectively outwardly facing (radial) openings 18 for line transitions, which communicate with channels in the removable shower arm 6. By distributing these passages not only in the axial direction but also with respect to the angles around the axis, the various channels can be separated from each other and connected to the associated aperture 18, respectively. For example, in FIG. 4 the am farthest left opening from the plane of the drawing, the right next to it diagonally above at the back and the right one at an angle downwards at the front, each with a 120 ° angle between the positions. The opposite conical inner walls of the Duscharmteils 11 have a corresponding distance, so that the fluid to be transported in the terminals 17 can flow into these openings 18 and is laterally sealed by the O-rings.

In the present case, there are four water pipes, of which the fourth is guided on the front side and axially into the connection region 13. One of them is guided to the central main nozzle orifice of the nozzle 15, another to the three smaller orifices outside it. Another line supplies a not shown here Ladydüse and the fourth water supply a cleaning water channel for an internal flushing in the nozzle area.

The hair dryer 5 is how based FIG. 1 explained, provided separately, but could theoretically also be integrated in the shower arm.

The FIGS. 2 to 4 (and 6a and 8) also show two diametrically opposite bayonet pins 19 to the left of the O-rings described FIG. 2 and especially in the Figures 5 . 6a . 6b and 8th are associated bayonet pin guides 20 can be seen, in which the bayonet pins 19 during insertion of the removable Duscharmstücks 6 first inserted a short distance axially and then along a in the Figures 5 and 6b well recognizable helical route be brought into an end position. During this helical tightening movement, which ends in a circular movement in a detent position, the mentioned O-rings are pressed sealingly.

In contrast to the described coupling between the Duscharmteilen 6 and 11 is in the Figures 3 and 4 recognizable coupling between the front part 14 of the shower arm and the other removable Duscharmteil 6 conventional and consists of adjacent axial line pin 21 with conventional seal and a latch 22. Here, the lines are connected by a simple axial insertion movement and the mechanical closure between the two Duscharmteilen manufactured.

FIG. 6a shows one FIG. 5 comparable longitudinal section, but with a cutting plane rotated by 90 ° about the longitudinal direction of the shower arm, which in FIG. 6b drawn in a plan view of the shower arm and designated BB. Furthermore, the removable shower arm 6 in the Figures 6a and 6b unlike the FIGS. 2 to 5 installed in the shower arm 11.

With the same cutting plane show the FIGS. 7a and 7b a slightly larger context including the ceramic bowl wall of the toilet body. 2 FIG. 8 shows a perspective view FIG. 5 ,

In FIG. 8 are first of all the bayonet pin 19 and the associated guides 20 to recognize well, with the Figures 6a and 6b show the engagement in the fixed state. Further shows FIG. 8 quite clearly latching noses 21 (compare also FIGS. 2 to 4 When tightening the bayonet mechanism 19, 20 in the end position, the lugs 21 engage in these recesses 22 and additionally fix this end position.

Furthermore, the show FIGS. 7a and 7b in comparison that when removing the removable Duscharmteils 6 an inner wall of the associated channel-like passage is accessible for cleaning. Here is the case for a in FIG. 7b indicated distance of about 50 mm on the underside of the bushing 3, of the almost 30 mm accounts for the corresponding breakthrough by the actual ceramic wall or its inner surface and another 20 mm on the first plastic part of the shower device, namely on the inner wall of in FIG. 2 with 3 figured execution. This is then followed by the movable shower arm 11, compare in turn FIG. 2 ,

Claims (13)

Shower toilet (1) with
a toilet body (2),
which has a toilet bowl
and a shower arm (6, 11, 14) projecting into or movable into the toilet bowl,
in which at least one such shower arm part (6, 14) is removable by an operation in the bowl,
which is visible in that position of the shower arm (6, 11, 14) in the toilet bowl, in which position the shower arm (6, 11, 14) projects furthest into the toilet bowl in its shower function,
characterized in that the removable shower arm member (6, 14) comprises a coupling (13) having a plurality of line junctions (18) oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the removable shower arm member (6, 14),
wherein the line junctions (18) offset in the longitudinal direction of the removable Duscharmteils (6, 14) and thereby separated by sealing rings and sealed, which sealing rings can be pressed by a mounting movement during installation of the removable Duscharmteils (6, 14). Shower toilet (1) according to claim 1, wherein the removable Duscharmteil (6, 14) without tools is removable. Shower toilet (1) according to claim 2, wherein the removable Duscharmteil (6, 14) is removable only by a mounting movement of the Duscharmteils. Shower toilet (1) according to claim 3, wherein the removable Duscharmteil (6, 14) by a bayonet mechanism (19, 20) is mounted. A shower toilet (1) according to claim 4, wherein the bayonet mechanism (19, 20) for tightening requires a pitched, rotary movement. Shower toilet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the line junctions (18) are angularly offset from each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the removable Duscharmteils (6, 14). Shower toilet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the removable Duscharmteil (6, 14) in maximum projecting into the toilet bowl state as far into a passage (3) through a wall of the toilet bowl extends that in dismantled Condition of the Duscharmteils (6, 14) the passage (3) over a length of at least 5 mm in the direction of the shower arm longitudinal direction is accessible for cleaning. Shower toilet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein additionally a front part (14) of the removable Duscharmteils (6, 14) with a shower nozzle (15) from the removable Duscharmteil (6, 14) is removable. Method for cleaning a shower toilet (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the removable shower arm part (6, 14) is dismantled and replaced by a clean removable shower arm part (6, 14), in particular, when removed, removable shower arm part (6, 14 ), is replaced. A method according to claim 9, wherein the shower toilet (1) is cleaned by a cleaning force, replacing the removed shower arm part (6, 14) with a removable but reused removable shower arm part (6, 14). A method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, after a cleaning of the shower toilet (1) in a hotel, a cleaned or newly removable shower arm part (6, 14) is made available to the new user of the room if a new room is available , Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein after cleaning the shower toilet (1), a cleaned and reused or newly removable shower arm part (6, 14) is provided with a protective cover for the user. Use of a removable shower arm part (6, 14) or a shower toilet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for a method according to one of claims 11 to 14.

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