SANITARY OUTLET PIECE, SANITARY FITTING AND CORRESPONDING USE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application is a 371 National phase of PCT/EP2023/078206, filed Oct. 11, 2023, which claims priority from German Patent Application No. 20 2022 105 738.9, filed Oct. 11, 2022 and PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/EP22022/072111, filed Aug. 9, 2023, all of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002]The invention relates to a sanitary outlet piece, having a jet regulator receptacle, which is configured for, preferably releasable, fastening of a jet regulator, in particular a jet regulator designed as a cartridge, and a hose connection, which is fluidically connected to the jet regulator receptacle, in particular wherein at least one spring element, which carries at least one latching projection, is formed on an outer circumference, and/or wherein the jet regulator receptacle forms a fastening region, in which releasable fastening of an inserted jet regulator can be brought about.

[0003]The invention furthermore relates to a sanitary fitting and a corresponding use.

BACKGROUND

[0004]Sanitary outlet pieces of this kind are known in practice and have proven their worth, for example, where water in a sanitary fitting is not supposed to come into contact with an outlet pipe but is to be supplied in a separate inner hose to a jet regulator. This also makes it possible to replace the fitting, which is usually metal or manufactured from plastic, with more sensitive carriers, e.g. those made of wood or of wood-based materials.

SUMMARY

[0005]The object underlying the invention is that of improving the usage properties of a sanitary outlet piece.

[0006]In order to achieve the stated object, one or more of the features disclosed herein are provided according to the invention. In particular, one proposal according to the invention for achieving the stated object in the case of a sanitary outlet piece of the type described at the outset is thus that a free cut defining the spring element is designed so as to be closed with respect to a mouth side of the jet regulator receptacle. Alternatively or in addition, provision is made for the free cut defining the spring element to be designed so as to be covered with respect to the mouth side of the jet regulator receptacle.

[0007]It is thus possible to form a front side which is closed and/or covered with respect to the outside, is easy to clean and offers few surfaces where contaminants can settle. In another advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the spring element to be oriented with its free end toward the mouth side. This provides a large number of possibilities for the configuration of the spring element, for example.

[0008]In another advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the free cut to be covered by a bezel with respect to the mouth side. Provision can advantageously be made, for example, for the spring element to be open toward the mouth side but for the mouth side nevertheless to be closed, for example, by an annular surface formed by the bezel. Here, the annular surface formed, for example, by the bezel can be used, in particular, as an insertion stop. In this case, the bezel is preferably an encircling bezel.

[0009]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for at least one spacing projection to be formed on the bezel. Increased stability of the sanitary outlet piece can thus be achieved.

[0010]In another advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the bezel to have a rotation aid. This makes it easier to screw in the sanitary outlet piece.

[0011]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the bezel to be designed in such a way as to be free-standing on the outside.

[0012]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the at least one spring element to be fastened to a side wall of the jet regulator receptacle at its ends oriented in a circumferential direction of the outlet piece. In this way, it is possible to increase a stiffness of the at least one spring element. Sufficient holding forces for holding the outlet piece in a receptacle of a sanitary fitting can thus be achieved in a simple manner.

[0013]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the free cut to be designed in such a way as to be delimited radially. In this way, it is possible to form a circumferentially closed outer contour on the at least one spring element. This can be used to increase a stiffness of the spring element.

[0014]Alternatively or in addition, provision can be made for the free cut to be designed in such a way as to be delimited in the circumferential direction. This provides a simple possibility for supporting the at least one spring element at its ends.

[0015]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for a plurality of spring elements to be arranged in the circumferential direction, touching one another in pairs at their ends. In this way, it is possible to create a structure with an increased stiffness, and this may increase a holding force at the latching projections.

[0016]Provision can be made here for each of the spring elements to be supported at their ends. In this way, a spring force of the spring elements can be increased.

[0017]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for a series of spring elements to be interrupted in a circumferential portion containing the hose connection. This makes it easier to form an injection mold for the production of the sanitary outlet piece since formation of free cuts in the lee of the hose connection is eliminated.

[0018]As an alternative or additional way of achieving the stated object according to the invention, a sanitary outlet piece according to the second independent claim is proposed. In particular, one proposal according to the invention for achieving the stated object in the case of a sanitary outlet piece of the type described at the outset is thus that the latching projection is formed at a distance from a free boundary of the at least one spring element. Thus, part of the spring element can be used as an insertion stop, separately from a latching function.

[0019]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the latching projection to be formed in an axial cut on an axially rectilinearly extending portion of the at least one spring element. It is thus possible to set up rectilinear transfer of a force applied to the spring element through to a fastening location of the spring element. It is thus possible to absorb even large forces on the insertion stop.

[0020]As an alternative or additional way of achieving the stated object according to the invention, a sanitary outlet piece according to the third independent claim is proposed. In particular, one proposal according to the invention for achieving the stated object in the case of a sanitary outlet piece of the type described at the outset is thus that reinforcing ribs are formed on the outside of a bottom delimiting the jet regulator receptacle. In this way, a material region severely stressed by an internal pressure can be supported.

[0021]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the reinforcing ribs each to extend as far as into a side wall of the jet regulator receptacle. In this way, a mechanical connection between a bottom and a side wall of the jet regulator receptacle can be reinforced.

[0022]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for at least one reinforcing rib of the reinforcing ribs to be arranged in a forward extension of the hose connection. In this way, a compact construction of the outlet piece can be achieved.

[0023]As an alternative or additional way of achieving the stated object according to the invention, a sanitary outlet piece according to the fourth independent claim is proposed. In particular, one proposal according to the invention for achieving the stated object in the case of a sanitary outlet piece of the type described at the outset is thus that a, preferably latching, holding means is formed on a rear side facing away from a mouth side. Thus, as a particular advantage, the jet regulator is not fastened via the outer circumference.

[0024]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the holding means to be designed as a, preferably centrally arranged, stud. This results in the possibility, for example, of generating a releasable and nevertheless effective stud connection that is simple to implement.

[0025]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the holding means to hold on the rear side facing away from the mouth side in a form- and/or force-locking manner. This results in the possibility, for example, of providing the holding means with corresponding latching elements.

[0026]Alternatively or in addition, provision can be made for the holding means to hold on the rear side facing away from the mouth side in a materially bonded manner. In this case, for example, provision can be made for the holding means to be bonded in adhesively.

[0027]Alternatively or in addition, provision can be made for the holding means to hold magnetically on the rear side facing away from the mouth side. In this way, a connection that is simple and can be released without problems is generated.

[0028]As an alternative or additional way of achieving the stated object according to the invention, a sanitary outlet piece according to the fifth independent claim is proposed. In particular, one proposal according to the invention for achieving the stated object in the case of a sanitary outlet piece of the type described at the outset is that a curvature along a shortest path between an inner end of the fastening region and a rearward-most location of the jet regulator receptacle has a uniform sign. It is thus possible to avoid notching, due to excessive curvature, that may occur on account of changes in the sign of the curvature. This can help to increase stability of the jet regulator receptacle under pressure loading.

[0029]As an alternative or additional way of achieving the stated object according to the invention, a sanitary outlet piece according to the fifth independent claim is proposed. In particular, one proposal according to the invention for achieving the stated object in the case of a sanitary outlet piece of the type described at the outset is thus that a circumferential portion of an inner fillet of the jet regulator receptacle is arranged in a forward extension of the hose connection. In this way, it is possible to achieve low-level attachment of the hose connection to a bottom of the jet regulator receptacle.

[0030]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for a mouth opening of the hose connection leading into the jet regulator receptacle to be eccentric with respect to an outlet opening of the jet regulator receptacle. In this way, it is possible to reduce an overall height of the outlet piece since the jet regulator receptacle is formed at a distance from a highest point of the jet regulator receptacle.

[0031]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the outlet piece to be formed in one piece, e.g. in an additive production method or as an injection molding. This simplifies assembly and reduces defects that might arise at interfaces.

[0032]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for the hose connection to be designed for fully encircling reception of a hose and/or for insertion of a hose, e.g. the hose already mentioned, in the through-flow direction. In this way, simple connection of the outlet piece to a hose is made possible.

[0033]A preferred application can provide a sanitary fitting having a receptacle, preferably formed on an outlet pipe, in which receptacle a sanitary outlet piece according to the invention, e.g. as described above or claimed below, is arranged.

[0034]In this case, provision can be made for at least one spring element, e.g. the at least one spring element already mentioned, to define an insertion stop for the outlet piece. In this way, it is possible to provide a simple means for positioning the outlet piece in the position of use.

[0035]In one advantageous embodiment, provision can be made for a groove for the at least one latching projection to be formed in the receptacle, wherein the groove is of open design at its ends by virtue of a material cutout in the outlet pipe. In this way, it is possible to reduce an overall height of an outlet pipe since there is no need for residual material for the formation of the groove in the outlet pipe on a side on which, for example, the outlet piece is at its lowest point due to slanted positioning. It has been found that the residual latching projections still develop sufficient holding force, especially since the outlet piece is not pressed against the latching projections by a service pressure of the water.

[0036]Provision can be made here for the material cutout and/or the open-ended design of the groove to be embodied in a manner corresponding to an interruption in a series of spring elements, e.g. the already mentioned series of spring elements, on the sanitary outlet piece. This makes it possible to provide greater freedom of configuration and/or design below the hose connection. This can be exploited to simplify an injection mold, for example.

[0037]The invention enables use of a spring element of a sanitary outlet piece according to the invention, in particular as described above and/or as claimed below, as an insertion stop during insertion of the sanitary outlet piece, in particular into a receptacle of a sanitary fitting according to the invention, e.g. as described above and/or as claimed below. It is thus possible to carry out simple assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038]The invention is now described in greater detail by means of exemplary embodiments, but it is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments can be obtained by combining the features of one or more claims and/or one or more features of the exemplary embodiment.

[0039]More specifically:

[0040]FIG. 1 shows a sanitary fitting in a longitudinal section with an outlet piece according to the invention,

[0041]FIG. 2 shows a detail view from FIG. 1,

[0042]FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a section according to the dash-dotted section line in FIG. 2, viewed from above along the flow direction, and

[0043]FIG. 4 shows an isolated three-dimensional oblique view of the outlet piece from FIG. 1,

[0044]FIG. 5 shows a detail view of an outlet piece according to the invention with a snap ring,

[0045]FIG. 6 shows a detail view of an outlet piece according to the invention with a spring element and bezel,

[0046]FIG. 7 shows a detail view of an outlet piece according to the invention from FIG. 2 with a hose connection at the top,

[0047]FIG. 8 shows a detail view of an outlet piece according to the invention with a bending element,

[0048]FIG. 9 shows a detail view of an outlet piece according to the invention with a spreading element,

[0049]FIG. 10 shows a detail view of an outlet piece according to the invention with a holding means, and

[0050]FIG. 11 shows a three-dimensional oblique view of another outlet piece according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051]In the text which follows, FIGS. 1 to 4 are described together.

[0052]A sanitary fitting 1 has a base 2 for installation on a support, e.g. a washstand.

[0053]The base 2 supports a valve 3, e.g. a single-lever mixer fitting.

[0054]The valve 3 controls a water flow to a water outlet 4, which is formed at a free end 5 of the outlet pipe 6.

[0055]A hose 7 is guided in the outlet pipe 6 and is fluidically connected to the valve 3, on the one hand, and to a sanitary outlet piece 8, on the other hand.

[0056]The hose 7 ensures that water in the sanitary fitting 1 does not come into contact with the outlet pipe 6.

[0057]The sanitary outlet piece 8 has a jet regulator receptacle 9, into which a jet regulator 10, which is designed as a cartridge and thus also stays together when not installed, can be inserted, in this case screwed in, and can be fastened.

[0058]The jet regulator 10 and thus the sanitary outlet piece 8 are arranged in a typical slanted position in the outlet pipe 6.

[0059]The outlet piece 8 furthermore has a hose connection 11, which is fluidically connected to the jet regulator receptacle 9, thus enabling water to flow from the hose connection 11 to the jet regulator receptacle 9.

[0060]The hose connection 11 is designed for fully encircling reception of the hose 7 and for insertion of the hose 7 in the through-flow direction.

[0061]FIG. 4 shows the sanitary outlet piece 8 when uninstalled.

[0062]On its outer circumference 12, the sanitary outlet piece 8 bears five spring elements 13, on each of which a latching projection 14 is formed.

[0063]The jet regulator receptacle 9 has a fastening region 15 in the form of an internal thread, which enables releasable fastening of the inserted jet regulator 10.

[0064]To enable resilient deflection of the latching projections 14 on the spring elements 13 in the radial direction of the jet regulator, a free cut 16 is formed on each spring element 13, said free cut defining the spring element 13.

[0065]The free cut 16 is of closed design toward the mouth side 17 of the jet regulator receptacle 9.

[0066]It is thus possible to form a front side 18 which is closed with respect to the outside, is easy to clean and offers few surfaces where contaminants can settle. In another exemplary embodiment (not shown), provision is made for the free cut 16 to be covered with respect to the mouth side 17 of the jet regulator receptacle 9.

[0067]At each of its two ends 20, which are oriented in the circumferential direction 19 of the outlet piece 8, each spring element is fastened via a respective web 21 to the side wall 22 of the jet regulator receptacle 9.

[0068]Each free cut 16 is embodied in such a way as to be delimited radially and in the circumferential direction 19.

[0069]The series of spring elements 13 thus forms a circumferentially closed outer contour at the level of the spring elements 13. The latching projections 14 must deform this series or this ring in order to be capable of resilient deflection.

[0070]The spring elements 13 are arranged in series in the circumferential direction 19 and touch each other at their ends 20, at which they are supported on the webs 21.

[0071]In a circumferential portion 23 containing the hose connection 11, the series of spring elements 13 is interrupted, and therefore no spring elements 13 is formed in the lee of the hose connection and there is therefore no need to form a free cut 16, the mold for which would collide with a mold for the formation of the hose connection 11.

[0072]In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the latching projection 14 is in each case formed at a distance from a free boundary 24 of the respective spring element 13. In this context, FIG. 2 shows that the free boundary 24 is used as an insertion stop without impairing the functioning of the latching projection 14.

[0073]The latching projection 14 is thus formed on an axial cut on an axially rectilinearly extending portion 25 of the at least one spring element 13, thus ensuring that a force is transferred in a straight line from the insertion stop to the fastening location 26 of the spring element 13.

[0074]Reinforcing ribs 28 are formed on the outside of a bottom 27 delimiting the jet regulator receptacle 8 in order to support a material region severely stressed by an internal pressure.

[0075]The reinforcing ribs 28 extend as far as into the side wall 22 of the jet regulator receptacle 8.

[0076]At least one reinforcing rib 39 of the reinforcing ribs 28 is arranged in a forward extension of the hose connection 11 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 4).

[0077]A curvature along a shortest path between an inner end 30 of the fastening region 15 and a rearward-most location 31 of the jet regulator receptacle has a uniform sign, ensuring that there are no changes in direction of the course of the path that might result in excessive curvature and could therefore form notches in the material. There is the risk that such notches would lead to the bursting of the outlet piece 8 when subjected to pressure via the hose connection.

[0078]An encircling inner fillet 32 is formed on the bottom 27 of the jet regulator receptacle 9. The inner fillet 32 defines the transition to the side wall 22.

[0079]A circumferential portion of the inner fillet 32 (cut into in FIG. 2 and arranged below the reinforcing rib 39) is arranged in a forward extension of the hose connection 11.

[0080]In FIG. 2, it can furthermore be seen that a mouth opening 33 of the hose connection 11 leading into the jet regulator receptacle 9 is eccentric with respect to an outlet opening 34 of the jet regulator receptacle 9. In this way, it is possible to reduce an overall height of the outlet piece since the jet regulator receptacle 9 is formed at a distance from a highest point 35 of the jet regulator receptacle 9 (to which, on the inside, the rearward-most location 31 corresponds).

[0081]It is apparent that the sanitary outlet piece 8 is formed in one piece, e.g. in an additive production method or as an injection molding.

[0082]The sanitary outlet piece 8 is formed in a receptacle 36 of the outlet pipe 6.

[0083]In this case, the spring elements 13 define an insertion stop for the sanitary outlet piece 8 by means of their common free boundary 24.

[0084]A groove 37 for the latching projections 14 is formed in the receptacle 36.

[0085]FIG. 3 shows that the groove 37 is of open design at its ends 38 by virtue of a material cutout in the outlet pipe 6.

[0086]Thus, there is no need for residual material for the formation of the groove 37 in the outlet pipe 6 on the side on which the outlet piece 9 is at its lowest point due to slanted positioning.

[0087]The open-ended design of the groove 37 corresponds to an interruption in the series of spring elements 13 in the circumferential portion 23.

[0088]In contrast to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment according to the invention of the sanitary outlet piece 8. Here, the jet regulator receptacle 9 is fastened on the sanitary fitting 1 (FIG. 1) by means of an additional snap ring 48. In this exemplary embodiment, the snap ring 48 is embodied as a separate element, but, in an exemplary embodiment that is not shown specifically it can be formed directly on the jet regulator receptacle 9.

[0089]In contrast to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 shows the sanitary outlet piece 8 with a spring element 13 that is open in the direction of the mouth side 17. In addition, it shows an encircling bezel 40, which forms an annular surface, covers the free cut 16 and serves as an insertion stop. In this case, the bezel 40 is free-standing on the outside.

[0090]It may thus be stated that the free end 45 of the spring element 13 is oriented toward the mouth side 17 and that the free cut 16 is covered by an encircling bezel with respect to the mouth side 17.

[0091]In an exemplary embodiment that is not shown specifically, a spacing projection 41 is formed on the bezel 40. In another exemplary embodiment that is not shown, the bezel 40 has a rotation aid 42.

[0092]In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, FIG. 7 shows that the hose connection 11 is formed at the highest point 35 of the jet regulator receptacle 9.

[0093]In contrast to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, FIG. 8 shows that the spring element 13 has a bending element 46 in the form of a bending hook 49. Here, the bending element 46, in this case the bending hook 49, is pushed into the groove 37 as the jet regulator 10 is screwed in, and thus fastens the jet regulator 10 on the sanitary fitting 1.

[0094]In contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiment from FIG. 8, FIG. 9 shows that the spring element 13 has a spreading element 47, which interacts with the groove 37 provided for the spreading element 47.

[0095]FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of another sanitary connection piece 8 according to the invention with a latching holding means 43 formed on a rear side facing away from the mouth side 17. In this exemplary embodiment, the holding means is designed as a centrally arranged stud 44. Here, the holding means 43 enables force- and form-locking connection to the sanitary fitting 1 (FIG. 1) and thus to the rear side facing away from the mouth side 17. In another exemplary embodiment (not shown), the holding means 43 is held by material bonding and/or magnetically on the rear side facing away from the mouth side 17.

[0096]FIG. 11 shows another exemplary embodiment according to the invention. The same reference signs are used for components and functional units that are similar or identical functionally and/or structurally to the preceding exemplary embodiments. The statements relating to FIGS. 1 to 10 therefore apply to FIG. 11 in corresponding fashion.

[0097]The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11 differs from the preceding exemplary embodiments in that the spring element 13 is aligned axially, with the result that the free cut 16 opens toward the mouth side 17, and the free end 45 points toward the mouth side 17. The free cut 16 is covered by a bezel 40 with respect to the mouth side 17, wherein the free end 45 can continue to oscillate freely. A latching projection 14 formed by the free end 45 engages in a latching manner in a corresponding latching recess in a sanitary fitting.

[0098]Spacing projections 50 in the form of sacrificial materials are formed at the circumference of the bezel 40, preferably at regular intervals, in order to compensate for tolerances on the sanitary fitting.

[0099]A proposal is thus made for a sanitary connection piece 8 which is designed for fluid connection of a jet regulator 10 to a hose 7 and for mechanical fastening in an outlet pipe 6 of a sanitary fitting 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS