EP4060134B1 - Bathroom fitting - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a sanitary fitting according to claim 1.

STATE OF THE ART

From the EP2 775 047 A supply and overflow fitting for a bathtub has become known. In the area of the inlet channel, the fitting includes a jet regulator that is inserted into the opening. The water is diverted at a right angle in the inlet channel and then flows out via the jet regulator.

The EP2 775 047 has the disadvantage that the deflection of the water jet in the inlet channel is disadvantageous. The water jet hits an impact surface. Damage to the fitting can occur in the area of the impact surface, which greatly reduces its service life.

The EP2 775 047 has the disadvantage that the inlet channel is susceptible to limescale deposits, which are difficult to remove.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of specifying a fitting, in particular an inlet or outlet fitting, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

The object mentioned at the outset is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Accordingly, a fitting, in particular an inlet or outlet fitting, comprises a water guide pipe with a wall laterally delimiting the water guide pipe, an opening and a further opening and an insert element which has one of the can be inserted at least partially into the water guide pipe through both openings. The insert element is made of an elastic material in such a way that limescale deposits on the insert element can be removed from the insert element when the insert element is removed by deforming the insert element. The fitting can have a wide variety of uses. The pipe section of the water guide pipe in which the insert element is mounted is essentially designed with a rectangular cross-section, wherein the insert element with a rear wall extends essentially completely over at least one side wall and wherein the insert element has optional wall parts which extend away from the rear wall.

The advantage of making the insert element out of an elastic material is that it can be easily freed of limescale deposits. In addition, the insert element made of an elastic material can be easily brought back into shape after installation or removal. In addition, installation and removal are very easy. The elastic structure also has a positive effect on noise emissions, which are reduced.

The term elastic material refers to a material that automatically returns to its original state after deformation when the applied force is removed. The elastic material is preferably a plastic, such as an elastomer. For example, EPDM, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, or another plastic approved for drinking water can be used.

The water guide pipe preferably has a first pipe section extending along a first central axis and a second pipe section extending along a second central axis. The first central axis is oriented at an angle to the second central axis. The insert element can be at least partially inserted into and removed from the second pipe section via one of the two openings. The cross-sectional area of the second pipe section, viewed transversely to the second central axis, is preferably many times larger than the cross-sectional area of the first pipe section, viewed transversely to the first central axis. This has the advantage that if the fitting is an inlet fitting, the water jet can rise inside the fitting and thus flow out of the fitting at a lower speed. The cross-sectional area of the second pipe section is preferably larger than the cross-sectional area of the first pipe section by a factor of 2 to 20.

Preferably, said opening through which the insert element can be inserted into the water guide pipe is a pipe inlet opening or a pipe outlet opening. In a drain fitting, said opening is preferably a pipe inlet opening and in an inlet fitting, said opening is preferably a pipe outlet opening.

In the following, preferred features are described which can be used preferably, i.e. optionally, both in the fitting according to claims 1 to 8, a unit according to claims 9 to 10 and in the fitting according to the example mentioned below.

The fitting described here can be used for various types of sanitary items. For example, as an inlet fitting for bathtubs or wash basins.

The insert element is, as mentioned, made of an elastic material which is preferably softer than the material of the water guide pipe.

Preferably, the insert element is made of an elastomer and the water guide pipe is a plastic, in particular a thermoplastic, or a metal.

Preferably, the insert element is made of a plastic having a Shore hardness of 70 to 90 Shore A.

Preferably, the insert element has at least one guide elevation on at least one surface facing the water guide pipe, with which the water flowing in the water guide pipe is guided.

The at least one guide elevation has the advantage that the water is guided by the guide elevation when flowing over the said surface. The flowing water can be guided in the direction of an outflow opening in such a way that a compact free jet can flow out of the outflow opening.

Particularly preferably, several guide elevations are arranged parallel to one another. Particularly preferably, the at least one guide elevation is oriented substantially parallel to the second central axis and/or parallel to the flow direction.

Preferably, the insert element is held in the water guide pipe via a mechanical connection, in particular a positive and/or non-positive connection. Such a connection has the advantage that the insert element can be easily inserted and removed.

Preferably, the mechanical connection is provided by at least one elevation protruding from the insert element and at least one depression protruding into the wall of the water guide pipe, wherein the at least one elevation protrudes into the at least one depression. Alternatively, the mechanical connection is provided by at least one elevation protruding from the wall of the water guide pipe and at least one depression protruding into the insert element, wherein the at least one elevation protrudes into the at least one depression.

Preferably, the insert element projects with a tab section beyond the opening through which the insert element is inserted, as seen from the water supply pipe. The protruding tab has the advantage that the insert element can be easily grasped when cleaning.

Preferably, the second pipe section has said rectangular cross-section, while the first pipe section preferably has a circular cross-section.

Preferably, the wall of the pipe section which lies opposite the insert element is convexly rounded into the pipe cross-section.

Preferably, the fitting has a plug-in section with which the fitting can be inserted into a plug-in receptacle of a unit. The unit can be an inflow and overflow unit or an inflow and/or outflow unit.

The said unit preferably comprises an overflow pipe with a pipe inlet oriented towards a sanitary article and a pipe outlet which can be connected to a waste water pipe, and an inlet pipe with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the outlet opening is connected to a fitting as described above.

Preferably, the unit comprises a cover element which covers the unit in the installed position, the fitting being arranged behind the cover element, the insert element extending to a lower edge of the cover element, but preferably not beyond the lower edge of the cover element.

Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

The object mentioned at the beginning is achieved by the object according to the following example. A fitting comprises a water guide pipe with a wall laterally delimiting the water guide pipe, an opening and a further opening and an insert element which can be at least partially inserted into the second pipe section and removed again via one of the two openings. The water guide pipe has a first pipe section extending along a first central axis and the second pipe section extending along a second central axis. The first central axis is oriented at an angle to the second central axis. When inserted, the insert element protrudes into a projection of the cross-section of the first pipe section seen in the direction of the first central axis and forms an impact surface for the water escaping from the first pipe section into the second pipe section.

By arranging the insert element in the said projection, the water jet from the first pipe section to the second pipe section hits the insert element and not the wall. Consequently, if wear and tear occurs, the insert element can be replaced.

The object according to the example therefore further solves the problem of specifying a fitting which has a longer service life.

In addition, the insert element can be optimally designed in terms of material technology, so that, depending on the design, further advantages with regard to noise emissions, water jet guidance, etc. result.

Said angle is preferably between 75° and 115°. Said opening can be a pipe inlet opening or a pipe outlet opening.

As mentioned, the insert element is made of an elastic material in such a way that that limescale deposits on the insert element can be removed by deforming the insert element when the insert element is removed.

The advantage of making the insert element out of an elastic material is that it can be mechanically freed of limescale deposits. It is also conceivable that the insert element is placed in a limescale-dissolving liquid. In addition, the insert element made of an elastic material can be easily brought back into shape after installation or removal. In addition, installation and removal are very simple. The elastic structure also has a positive effect on noise emissions, which are reduced.

The term elastic material refers to a material which, after being deformed, automatically returns to its original state when the applied force is removed.

Preferably, the elastic material is a plastic, such as an elastomer. For example, EPDM, ethylene propylene diene rubber, or another plastic approved for drinking water can be used.

Preferably, the cross-sectional area of the second pipe section, viewed transversely to the second central axis, is many times larger than the cross-sectional area of the first pipe section, viewed transversely to the first central axis.

This has the advantage that if the fitting is an inlet fitting, the water jet can rise inside the fitting and thus flow out of the fitting at a lower speed.

Preferably, the cross-sectional area of the second pipe section is larger by a factor of 2 to 20 than the cross-sectional area of the first pipe section.

Preferably, the insert element extends over the entire surface of said projection. Furthermore, the insert element protrudes laterally beyond the surface of the projection. This ensures that all water escaping from the first pipe section will hit the insert element.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Armatur mit einem eingebauten Einsatzelement gemäss einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2

die perspektivische Ansicht von Figur 1 mit ausgebautem Einsatzelement;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht von Teilen einer Einheit mit einer Armatur nach Figur 1 und 2;

Fig. 4

eine teilweise geschnittene Ansicht von Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung der vorhergehenden Figuren mit eingesetztem Einsatzelement;

Fig. 6

eine Schnittdarstellung der vorhergehenden Figuren mit ausgebautem Einsatzelement;

Fig. 7

die Schnittdarstellung gemäss Figur 5 mit weiteren Elementen; und

Fig. 8

die Schnittdarstellung gemäss Figur 6 mit weiteren Elementen.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be interpreted as limiting. In the drawings:

Fig.1

a perspective view of a fitting with a built-in insert element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.2

the perspective view of Figure 1 with insert element removed;

Fig.3

a perspective view of parts of a unit with a fitting according to Figure 1 and 2 ;

Fig.4

a partially sectioned view of Fig.3 ;

Fig.5

a sectional view of the preceding figures with inserted insert element;

Fig.6

a sectional view of the previous figures with the insert element removed;

Fig.7

the sectional view according to Figure 5 with other elements; and

Fig.8

the sectional view according to Figure 6 with additional elements.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figures 1 and 2 an exemplary fitting 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in perspective views. The Figures 3 to 8 show the fitting 1 in connection with a unit 18. The unit 18 in the embodiment shown is an inlet and overflow fitting for a bathtub.

Based on Figures 1 and 2 The fitting 1 is now described as such. The fitting 1 comprises a water guide pipe 2 with a wall 3 that laterally delimits the water guide pipe 2 and an insert element 5 that can be inserted into the water guide pipe 2. The water guide pipe 2 has an opening 4a and a further opening 4b. In the embodiment shown, the opening 4a is designed as an inflow opening and the opening 4b as an outflow opening. In the embodiment shown, the water guide pipe 2 has a first pipe section 6 extending along the first central axis M1 and a second pipe section 7 extending along a second central axis M2. The insert element 5 can be inserted into the second pipe section 7 via the opening 4b. The insert element 5 can also be removed again via the said opening 4b.

The first central axis M1 is oriented at an angle α to the second central axis M2. The angle α is determined by the Figures 5 and 6 more clearly. In the embodiment shown, it is approximately 80°. However, the angle α can also be larger or smaller and in particular be in a range from 75° to 115°.

In the embodiment shown, the insert element 5 is made of an elastic material such that limescale deposits on the insert element 5 can be removed when the insert element 5 is removed by deforming the insert element 5. This means that the insert element 5 can be removed from the second pipe section 7 and mechanically freed of limescale by slightly deforming it.

Of the Figures 1 and 2 it is evident that the cross-sectional area of the second pipe section 7, seen transversely to the second central axis M2, is many times larger than the cross-sectional area of the first pipe section 6, seen transversely to the central axis M1. Such cross-sectional dimensioning is particularly advantageous for a bathtub inlet, because the water exits the second opening 4b at a lower speed due to the larger cross-sectional area of the second pipe section 7.

In the Figure 1 As shown, the insert element 5 is shown in the inserted state. The insert element 5 protrudes with a tab section 13 beyond the opening 4b as seen from the inside of the water guide pipe 2. The tab section 13 can be easily grasped by hand so that the insert element 5 can be pulled out of the water guide pipe 2 via the opening 4b. The insert element 5 is pulled out of the opening 4b along the arrow Z.

The pipe section 7, in which the insert element 5 is inserted, is essentially designed with a rectangular cross-section. The insert element 5 extends with a rear wall 14 essentially completely over at least one side wall. The side wall of the water guide pipe 2 is the side wall onto which the jet from the first pipe section 6 strikes. In the embodiment shown, the insert element 5 further has optional wall parts 15 which extend away from the rear wall 14 of the insert element 5. The optional wall parts 15 extend here over two sides and over an upper side of the rear wall 14 and serve to further guide the water jet in the second pipe section 7. The optional Wall parts 15 of the reinforcement of the rear wall 14 as well as the bearing in the second pipe section 7.

The insert element 5 has at least one guide elevation 9 on a surface 8 facing the water guide pipe 2. In the embodiment shown, several guide elevations 9 are shown. The water which flows in the water guide pipe 2, here in the second pipe section 7, is guided accordingly using these guide elevations 9.

The fitting 1 also has a plug-in section 16. The plug-in section 16 serves to insert the fitting 1 into a plug-in receptacle 17 of a unit 18, shown in the figures as an inlet and overflow unit. In the embodiment shown, the plug-in section 16 is arranged on the outside of the first pipe section 6. The plug-in section 16 has a cylindrical outer shape and also includes a receptacle for a seal 25. At the free end, the plug-in section 16 has a guide structure 26 with which the fitting can be aligned with a correspondingly designed guide structure of the plug-in receptacle 17.

In the Figures 3 and 4 a representation of the unit 18 is shown. The fitting 1 is mounted in the plug-in receptacle 16 of the unit 18. The unit 18 has a flange 27 which, when installed, lies behind a bathtub. The unit 18 also has an overflow pipe 19 via which water can be fed to a wastewater line in the event of uncontrolled filling of the bathtub. The overflow pipe 19 has a pipe inlet 20 and a pipe outlet 21. The pipe inlet 20 is oriented towards the bathtub and the pipe outlet 21 can be connected to a wastewater line. In addition, the unit 18 has an inlet pipe 22 with an inlet opening 23 and an outlet opening 24. The outlet opening 24 serves as a plug-in receptacle 17 for the fitting described above and the inlet opening 23 can be connected to a water supply.

The Figures 5 and 6 show the sectional view of the Figures 3 and 4 . Of the Figure 5 It can be clearly seen that the insert element 5 is held in the water guide tube 2 by a mechanical, in particular by a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection 10. The mechanical connection 10 is provided by at least one elevation 11 protruding from the insert element 5 and at least one recess 12 protruding into the wall 3 of the water guide tube 2. The elevation 11 engages into the recess 12 and thus the insert element 5 is stored in the second pipe section.

Furthermore, the Figure 5 It can be seen that the insert element 5 is arranged such that it protrudes into a projection P of the cross section of the first pipe section 6 in the direction of the first central axis M1. The insert element 5 forms an impact surface for the water emerging from the first pipe section 6 into the second pipe section 7. The insert element 5 is arranged such that it covers at least the entire area of the entire projection P and extends laterally beyond the area of the projection P.

In the Figures 7 and 8 the unit 18 is shown with further elements. The unit 18 also comprises a cover element 28. The cover element 28 covers the unit 18 in the installed position towards the front, i.e. towards the bathtub. The fitting 1 is arranged behind the cover element 28. The cover element 28 covers the fitting 1 accordingly towards the front. Furthermore, the insert element 5 extends to a lower edge 29 of the cover element 28. The insert element 5 does not extend beyond the lower edge 29. Nevertheless, the insert element 5 can be easily grasped via the tab section 13. For the outflow of water and access to the insert element 5, the cover element 28 has a cutout 30 which, when viewed in the installed position, is located in the lower area of the cover element 28.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 Inlet fitting; drain fitting α angle 2 Water pipe M1 first central axis 3 Wall M2 second central axis 4a, 4b opening P projection 5 Insert element Z Arrow 6 first pipe section 7 second pipe section 8th surface 9 Leadership survey 10 Connection 11 Survey 12 deepening 13 Tab section 14 Back wall 15 Wall section 16 Plug-in section 17 Plug-in socket 18 Inlet unit, outlet unit 19 Overflow pipe 20 Pipe entry 21 Pipe outlet 22 Inlet pipe 23 Entrance opening 24 Outlet opening 25 poetry 26 Management structure 27 flange 28 Aperture element 29 Bottom edge

Claims (10)

1. Fitting (1) comprising

   a water guide pipe (2) with a wall (3) laterally delimiting the water guide pipe (2), an opening (4a) provided as inlet opening and a further opening (4b) provided as outlet opening and

   an insert element (5) which can be at least partially inserted into the water guide pipe (2) via one of the two openings (4a, 4b),

   wherein the pipe section of the water guide pipe (2), in which the insert element (5) is mounted, is formed substantially with a rectangular cross-section, wherein the insert element (5) extends with a rear wall (14) substantially completely over at least one side wall and wherein the insert element (5) has optional wall parts (15) which extend away from the rear wall (14), and

   wherein the insert element (5) is formed from an elastic material in such a way that limescale deposits on the insert element (5) can be removed from the insert element (5) by deforming the insert element (5) when the insert element (5) is removed.
2. Fitting (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the insert element (5) is made of an elastic material which is softer than the material of the water guide pipe.
3. Fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the insert element (5) is made of a plastic which has a Shore hardness of 70 to 90 Shore A.
4. Fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the insert element (5) has at least one guide elevation (9) on at least one surface (8) facing the water guide pipe (2), with which the water flowing in the water guide pipe (2) is guided.
5. Fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the insert element (5) is held in the water guide pipe (2) via a mechanical, in particular a positive and/or non-positive, connection (10).
6. Fitting (1) according to claim 5, characterised

   in that the mechanical connection (10) is provided by at least one projection (11) projecting from the insert element (5) and at least one recess (12) projecting into the wall (3) of the water guide pipe (2), wherein the at least one projection (11) projects into the at least one recess (12) and/or

   in that the mechanical connection (10) is provided by at least one projection (11) projecting from the wall (3) of the water guide pipe (2) and at least one recess (12) projecting into the insert element (5), the at least one projection (11) projecting into the at least one recess (12).
7. Fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the insert element (5) projects with a tab section (13), as seen from the water guide pipe (2), beyond the opening (4b) via which the insert element (5) is inserted.
8. Fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fitting (1) has a plug-in section (16) with which the fitting can be inserted into a plug-in receptacle (17) of a unit (18).
9. Unit (18), in particular an inlet and overflow unit, comprising an overflow pipe (19) with a pipe inlet (20) orientated towards a sanitary article and a pipe outlet (21), which can be connected to a waste water pipe, and an inlet pipe (22) with an inlet opening (23) and an outlet opening (24), wherein a fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims is connected to the outlet opening.
10. Unit (18) according to claim 9, characterised in that the unit (18) has an aperture element (28) which covers the unit (18) in the installed position, the fitting (1) being arranged behind the aperture element (28), the insert element (5) extending up to a lower edge (29) of the aperture element (28), but preferably not beyond the lower edge of the aperture element.

Images