Fluid-dispensing device for a high-pressure cleaning device
The introduction of a support element for the closing element in the liquid dispensing device reduces manufacturing costs and susceptibility to malfunctions, enabling efficient and affordable production of high-pressure cleaner liquid dispensing devices.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2025/058875
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-04-29
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing liquid dispensing devices for high-pressure cleaners require thick, pressure-resistant materials for the sleeve to support the closing element, leading to high manufacturing costs.
A liquid dispensing device with a first support element that surrounds the outlet channel opening and supports the closing element, allowing the sleeve to be made of thinner materials, reducing manufacturing costs and susceptibility to malfunctions.
The device is more cost-effective to produce and less prone to failure, while maintaining functionality in dispensing liquids with different jet shapes, flow rates, and pressures.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025058875_06112025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] LIQUID DISPENSER FOR A HIGH-PRESSURE CLEANER
[0002] The invention relates to a liquid dispensing device for a high-pressure cleaning device comprising a liquid supply device having an inlet channel aligned coaxially to a longitudinal axis, and a liquid dispensing device having several outlet channels, wherein the outlet channels each have an inlet region and an outlet region, wherein an outlet element is arranged or formed at each of the outlet regions for dispensing liquid with different jet shapes, flow rates and / or dispensing pressures, wherein the liquid dispensing device is surrounded by a sleeve in a rotationally fixed manner and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the liquid supply device, wherein in different rotational positions of the liquid dispensing device an outlet channel is in flow communication with the inlet channel, and wherein at least one outlet channel has an intermediate region.which adjoins an entrance area and from which an outlet area branches off, the intermediate area extending to an opening arranged on the outside of the liquid dispensing device, which is tightly closed by means of a closing element.
[0003] Using such a liquid dispensing device, liquid pressurized by a high-pressure cleaning device can be dispensed in different spray patterns, flow rates, and / or discharge pressures. The liquid dispensing device comprises a liquid supply unit with an inlet channel oriented coaxially to a longitudinal axis, and a liquid dispensing unit with multiple outlet channels. At the outlet region of each of these outlet channels, facing away from the inlet channel, an outlet element is arranged or formed for dispensing the liquid in different spray patterns, flow rates, and / or discharge pressures. The liquid dispensing unit is non-rotatably enclosed by a sleeve and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the liquid supply unit.In different rotational positions of the liquid dispensing device, an outlet channel is in flow communication with the inlet channel, allowing the liquid to be dispensed via this outlet channel. For ease of manufacturing, at least one outlet channel has an intermediate section connected to the inlet section of the outlet channel, from which the outlet section branches off. This intermediate section extends to an opening on the outside of the liquid dispensing device, which is tightly sealed by a closing element. Upstream of this opening, the outlet section branches off from the intermediate section and extends to the end of the outlet channel.
[0004] Such a liquid dispensing device is known from WO 2012 / 095238 Al. In this device, the closing element, which tightly seals the opening of the intermediate section of the outlet channel, is supported by a sleeve that surrounds the liquid dispensing device in a rotationally fixed manner. This necessitates manufacturing the sleeve with a considerable material thickness from a pressure-resistant material, for example, a glass fiber reinforced plastic. This ensures that the closing element is not forced out of the opening of the intermediate section by the pressurized liquid. However, this entails considerable manufacturing costs.
[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a liquid dispensing device of the type mentioned above in such a way that it can be manufactured more cost-effectively.
[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention in a liquid dispensing device of the generic type by the liquid dispensing device having a first support element that surrounds the liquid dispensing device in the area of the opening of the at least one intermediate area in the circumferential direction and supports the at least one closing element.
[0007] In the liquid dispensing device according to the invention, the closing element, which closes the opening of the intermediate region of the at least one outlet channel located on the outside of the liquid dispensing device, is supported by a first support element that surrounds the liquid dispensing device circumferentially. The sleeve, which is rotationally fixed to and surrounds the liquid dispensing device, can also surround the support element. However, the sleeve can be made of a relatively thin material, and no pressure-resistant material is required for its manufacture. Compressive forces occurring when supporting the at least one closing element are absorbed by the first support element, thus relieving the sleeve of these forces.To ensure the supporting function of the first support element, it is not absolutely necessary for the first support element to circumferentially surround the liquid dispensing device along its entire length; rather, it is only necessary for the first support element to circumferentially surround the liquid dispensing device in the area of the opening of the intermediate section of the at least one outlet channel. The liquid dispensing device according to the invention is more cost-effective to manufacture and is characterized by very low susceptibility to malfunctions.
[0008] It is advantageous if the first support element forms a self-contained support ring. This facilitates the mounting of the first support element to the liquid dispensing device.
[0009] In particular, the first support element can be provided to form an interference fit with the liquid dispensing device. In such an embodiment of the invention, the first support element can be pressed onto the liquid dispensing device. The opening of the intermediate section of the at least one outlet channel, located on the outside of the liquid dispensing device, is provided for manufacturing reasons. It allows the intermediate section to be formed into the liquid supply device from the outside. However, it is then necessary to seal the opening in a liquid-tight manner using the closing element. The closing element is advantageously spherical.
[0010] Preferably, the locking element forms an interference fit with the intermediate area of the at least one outlet channel. A spherical shape for the locking element has proven particularly advantageous in this regard. The spherical shape facilitates pressing the locking element into the intermediate area without requiring the locking element to have a predetermined orientation during insertion.
[0011] Preferably, the first support element is made of metal, for example steel.
[0012] To discharge the liquid in different jet shapes, flow rates and / or discharge pressures, the outlet elements arranged or formed at an outlet area of the outlet channels facing away from the inlet channel can have different cross-sectional profiles and / or different diameters.
[0013] It is advantageous if at least one outlet element is designed as an outlet nozzle. For example, the liquid dispensing device may have a first outlet nozzle in the form of a flat jet nozzle, a second outlet nozzle in the form of a pinpoint jet nozzle, and a third outlet nozzle in the form of a rotary nozzle. The rotary nozzle can dispense a pinpoint jet rotating on a conical surface. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet section of an outlet channel may be designed as an outlet element in the form of a low-pressure cleaning agent nozzle, whose nozzle opening cross-section is comparatively large compared to the nozzle opening cross-sections of the flat jet nozzle, the rotary nozzle, and the pinpoint jet nozzle.As an alternative to a spot jet nozzle, another flat jet nozzle can also be used, which differs from a first flat jet nozzle, for example, in its cross-sectional profile and / or in the size of its outlet opening.
[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the liquid dispensing device has a second support element, which is fixed to an end face of the liquid dispensing device facing away from the liquid supply device and against which at least one outlet nozzle is supported. The second support element ensures that the outlet nozzle cannot be forced out of the outlet channel by the pressurized liquid, whereby any resulting pressure forces are absorbed by the second support element and thus the sleeve surrounding the liquid dispensing device is also relieved of these pressure forces.
[0015] The second support element preferably forms a support plate. This allows manufacturing costs to be kept particularly low.
[0016] Preferably, the second support element consists of metal or a plastic material, in particular a fiber-reinforced plastic material.
[0017] As previously explained, the fluid supply device has an inlet channel into which pressurized cleaning fluid can be supplied. For example, the fluid supply device can be connected to a spray gun, which is connected to a high-pressure cleaner via a pressure hose. In this case, it is advantageous if the fluid supply device has a spray nozzle that forms the inlet channel.
[0018] It is particularly advantageous if the liquid dispensing device has a connecting piece, wherein the nozzle can be rotatably connected to the connecting piece about its longitudinal axis and is axially immovable. Such a design allows the liquid dispensing device to be rotated relative to the nozzle about its longitudinal axis, with an outlet channel of the liquid dispensing device being in flow communication with the nozzle in different rotational positions.
[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispensing device comprises a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamping element with two legs connected to each other by a web. The jet tube has an end region facing the liquid dispensing device with two openings, each receiving a leg of the clamping element. The connecting element extends into the end region, and the legs engage in a circumferential annular groove of the connecting element. The clamping element ensures that the connecting element of the liquid dispensing device cannot unintentionally detach from the jet tube in the axial direction, but that it can be rotated about its longitudinal axis.
[0020] It is advantageous if the connecting part forms the inlet and intermediate areas of the outlet channels.
[0021] The inlet areas are advantageously aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the inlet channel, and the intermediate areas adjoining each inlet area are preferably aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This allows for particularly cost-effective production of the connecting part in the form of a molded plastic component.
[0022] Preferably, the liquid dispensing device has an outlet part that can be detachably connected to the connecting part and forms the outlet areas of the outlet channels.
[0023] It is advantageous if the outlet part can be screwed to the connecting part. This allows for particularly easy assembly of the liquid dispensing device. The following description of an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with the drawing, serves for further explanation. The drawing shows:
[0024] Figure 1: a side view of a liquid dispensing device;
[0025] Figure 2: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device along line 2-2 in Figure 1;
[0026] Figure 3: an enlarged partial sectional view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1;
[0027] Figure 4: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device along line 4-4 in Figure 3;
[0028] Figure 5: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device along line 5-5 in Figure 3;
[0029] Figure 6: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device along line 6-6 in Figure 3;
[0030] Figure 7: an enlarged view of detail Y from Figure 6;
[0031] Figure 8: an enlarged view of detail X from Figure 3;
[0032] Figure 9: a perspective partial view of the liquid dispensing device in the style of an exploded view.
[0033] The drawing schematically illustrates an advantageous embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention, all of which are designated by reference numeral 10. The liquid dispensing device 10 comprises a liquid supply unit 12 and a liquid dispensing unit 14. A spray gun, for example, can be connected to the liquid supply unit 12. This spray gun is connected to a high-pressure cleaner via a pressure hose, allowing pressurized liquid from the high-pressure cleaner to be supplied to the liquid supply unit 12 via the pressure hose and the spray gun. The supplied liquid can be dispensed via the liquid dispensing unit 14 in different spray patterns, flow rates, and / or dispensing pressures. This will be explained in more detail below.
[0034] The liquid supply device 12 has a nozzle 16 which forms an inlet channel 17 oriented coaxially to a longitudinal axis 24 and has a connecting element, in particular a bayonet connector 20, at a first end region 18 facing away from the liquid dispensing device 14, by means of which the nozzle 16 can be connected, for example, to a spray gun. Facing the liquid dispensing device 14, the nozzle 16 has a second end region 22 which forms an axially oriented recess 26 with respect to the longitudinal axis 24. An insert 28 of the liquid supply device 12 is arranged in the recess 26, which is surrounded by a first sealing ring 32 and forms a through-channel 30 oriented obliquely to the longitudinal axis 24.
[0035] The liquid dispensing device 14 has a connecting part 34 that extends into the recess 26 and bears against an end face of the insert part 28 facing the connecting part 34. Within the recess 26, the connecting part 34 is surrounded by a second sealing ring 36.
[0036] The connecting part 34 has a circumferential annular groove 38 within the recess 26. At the level of the annular groove 38, the jet tube 16 has two openings 40, 42, which receive the connecting part 34 between them in the region of the annular groove 38 and which are each penetrated by a leg 44 or 46 of a U-shaped clamping part 48, the legs 44, 46 engaging in the annular groove 38, which adjoins the opposing sides of the openings 40, 42. The legs 44, 46 are integrally connected to each other via an arcuate web 50 of the clamping part 48. The web 50 is positively engaged by a recess 52 of the connecting part 34, which extends between the two openings 40, 42 on the outside of the connecting part 34. This is particularly evident from Figure 5.The clamping part 48 ensures that the connecting part 34 is held axially immovable but rotatable about the longitudinal axis 24 in the recess 26 of the jet tube 16.
[0037] On the side of the connecting part 34 facing away from the jet tube 16, an outlet part 54 of the liquid dispensing device 14 is attached, which is screwed to the connecting part 34 by means of connecting screws 56, 58, 60. This is particularly evident from Figure 6.
[0038] The outlet part 54, in combination with the connecting part 34, forms a total of four outlet channels 62, 64, 66, 68 with an inlet area 70, 72, 74 or 76 and an outlet area 78, 80, 82 or 84. The inlet areas 70, 72, 74, 76 are arranged radially offset from the longitudinal axis 24 and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 24, being positioned at an angle of 90° to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis 24.
[0039] A first outlet channel 62 has in its outlet area 78 a rotor nozzle 86, which is known per se and therefore only shown schematically in the drawing, with the help of which a point jet rotating on a conical shell can be emitted.
[0040] A second outlet channel 64 has a flat jet nozzle 88 in its outlet area 80, which can be used to dispense a liquid jet that expands fan-like in a jet plane. A third outlet channel 66 has a pinpoint jet nozzle 89, which can be used to dispense a high-pressure pinpoint jet, and a fourth outlet channel 68 forms an outlet element in the form of a cleaning agent nozzle 90, whose nozzle opening cross-section is comparatively large compared to the nozzle opening cross-sections of the rotor nozzle 86, the flat jet nozzle 88, and the pinpoint jet nozzle 89. Alternatively, another flat jet nozzle could be used instead of the pinpoint jet nozzle 89, which differs from the flat jet nozzle 88 in its cross-sectional profile and / or in the size of its outlet opening.
[0041] The outlet region 78 of the first outlet channel 64, which has the rotor nozzle 86, tapers in the direction of flow of the liquid, with the inlet region 70, which is located upstream of the outlet region 78, flowing directly into the outlet region 78.
[0042] The inlet sections 72, 74, and 76 of the remaining outlet channels 64, 66, and 68 are each connected to the respective outlet section 80, 82, 84 via an intermediate section 92, 94, or 96, respectively. This is particularly evident in Figure 6. The intermediate sections 92, 94, and 96 are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 24 and, for the sake of ease of manufacturing, each extend to an opening 98, 100, or 102, respectively, which is located on the outside of the connecting part 34 and is sealed liquid-tight by means of a closing element 104, 106, or 108. Upstream of the openings 98, 100, and 102, an outlet section 80, 82, or 84 branches off from each of the intermediate sections 92, 94, and 96. This is clearly illustrated, for example, in Figure 3.
[0043] In the area of openings 98, 100, 102, the connecting part 34 is surrounded circumferentially by a first support element 110, which is designed as a self-contained support ring 112 and is pressed onto the connecting part 34 in an axial direction, so that the support ring 112 forms an interference fit with the connecting part 34 of the liquid dispensing device 14.
[0044] The locking elements 104, 106 and 108 are each spherically shaped and pressed into the intermediate areas 92, 94, 96, and are each supported by the support ring 112. Both the locking elements 104, 106 and 108 and the support ring 112 are made of metal, whereas the connecting part 34, as well as the exit part 54, are made of molded plastic.
[0045] To ensure that the flat jet nozzle 88 pressed into the outlet area 80 and the point jet nozzle 89 pressed into the outlet area 82 are not forced out of their respective outlet areas 80 and 82 by the pressurized liquid, a second support element 118 is fixed to the end face 116 of the liquid dispensing device 14, opposite the liquid supply device 12, by means of at least one fastening screw 120. The second support element 118 is designed in the form of a support plate 122 and is made of metal.
[0046] The end region of the liquid supply device 12, which has the recess 26, is surrounded, together with the liquid dispensing device 14, by a sleeve 114. The sleeve 114 is mounted on the liquid supply device 12 so as to be freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis 24 and is fixedly connected to the liquid dispensing device 14 against rotation. This allows the liquid dispensing device 14 to be rotated relative to the liquid supply device 12 about the longitudinal axis 24 by means of the sleeve 114. The sleeve 114 has a first half-shell 115 and a second half-shell 117.In four rotational positions of the liquid dispensing device 14, each arranged at 90° intervals from the others, the inlet area of an outlet channel 62, 64, 66, 68 is in flow communication with the through channel 30 of the insert part 28, so that, starting from the jet tube 16, which forms the inlet channel 17 of the liquid supply device 12, pressurized liquid can be dispensed via the through channel 30 and the outlet channel 62, 64, 66 or 68 which is in flow communication with it in the respective rotational position of the liquid dispensing device 14.
[0047] The liquid dispensing device 10 can be manufactured cost-effectively, since the sleeve 114 is not subject to compressive forces in either the axial or radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 24 and can therefore be manufactured cost-effectively from a plastic material with a relatively small material thickness, without the need for fiber reinforcement.
Claims
P A T E N T A N S P R Ü C H E 1. Liquid dispensing device for a high-pressure cleaning device comprising a liquid supply device (12) having an inlet channel (17) aligned coaxially to a longitudinal axis (24), and a liquid dispensing device (14) having several outlet channels (62, 64, 66, 68), wherein the outlet channels (62, 64, 66, 68) each have an inlet region (70, 72, 74, 76) and an outlet region (78, 80, 82, 84), wherein an outlet element is arranged or formed at each of the outlet regions (78, 80, 82, 84) for dispensing liquid with different jet shapes, flow rates and / or dispensing pressures, wherein the liquid dispensing device (14) is surrounded non-rotatably by a sleeve (114) and is rotatable relative to the liquid supply device (12) about the longitudinal axis (24), wherein in different rotational positions of the Liquid dispensing device (14) each has an outlet channel (62, 64, 66, 68) in flow communication with the inlet channel (17),and wherein at least one outlet channel (64, 66, 68) has an intermediate section (92, 94, 96) which adjoins an inlet section (70, 72, 74, 76) and from which the outlet section (80, 82, 84) branches off, the intermediate section (92, 94, 96) extending to an opening (98, 100, 102) arranged on the outside of the liquid dispensing device (14), which is tightly closed by means of a closing element (104, 106, 108), characterized in that the liquid dispensing device (10) has a first support element (110) which circumferentially surrounds the liquid dispensing device (14) in the area of the opening (98, 100, 102) of the at least one intermediate section (92, 94, 96) and supports the at least one closing element (104, 106, 108) supports., 2. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first support element (110) forms an interference fit with the liquid dispensing device (14).
3. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first support element (110) forms a self-contained support ring (112).
4. Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element (104, 106, 108) is spherically shaped.
5. Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element (104, 106, 108) forms an interference fit with the intermediate area (92, 94, 96) of the at least one outlet channel (64, 66, 68).
6. Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support element (110) is made of metal.
7. Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one outlet element is designed as an outlet nozzle (86, 88, 89).
8. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the liquid dispensing device (10) has a second support element (118) which is fixed to an end face (116) of the liquid dispensing device (14) facing away from the liquid supply device (12) and on which at least one outlet nozzle (88, 89) is supported.
9. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the second support element (118) forms a support plate (122).
10. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the second support element (118) is made of metal or a plastic material.
11. Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid supply device (12) has a jet tube (16) which forms the inlet channel (17).
12. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 11, characterized in that the liquid dispensing device (14) has a connecting part (34), wherein the jet tube (16) can be rotatably connected to the connecting part (34) about the longitudinal axis (24) and is axially immovable.
13. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 12, characterized in that the liquid dispensing device (10) has a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamping part (48) with two legs (44, 46) which are connected to each other via a web (50), wherein the jet tube (16) has an end region (22) facing the liquid dispensing device (14) with two openings (40, 42) which each receive a leg (44, 46) of the clamping part (48), wherein the connecting part (34) dips into the end region (22) and the legs (44, 46) engage in a circumferentially circumferential annular groove (38) of the connecting part (34).
14. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the connecting part (34) forms the inlet and intermediate areas of the outlet channels (64, 66, 68).
15. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the liquid dispensing device (14) has an outlet part (54) which can be detachably connected to the connecting part (34) and forms the outlet area (78, 80, 82, 84) of the at least one outlet channel (62, 64, 66, 68).
Citation Information
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