Valve support for a battery fitting

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve upper part for a sanitary fitting, comprising a head part, through which a control spindle is axially passed, by means of which a valve body arranged in the head part can be actuated, and which is connected to an actuating mechanism comprising a handle (1), wherein the handle (1) can be moved coaxially with the control spindle (81) relative to the head part (83), the handle (1) is connected to a spindle (82) via an adapter (2), the spindle is movably mounted in the handle (1), and the adapter (2) is retained in the handle (1) in a loss-proof manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve top component for bathroom fittings, the valve top component having a head component through which a control spindle passes axially, the control spindle enabling operation of a valve body disposed in the head component, and the control spindle being connected to an operating mechanism including a handle, wherein the handle (1) is movable coaxially with the control spindle (81) relative to the head component (83). Background Technology

[0002] The discharge of media from a fitting is controlled by means of a valve upper component. For this purpose, the valve upper component is screwed into the housing of the fitting by means of its head component. Valve upper components of the aforementioned type are known in various different designs. Thus, for example, a valve upper component is known from EP 3 062 002 A1, which has a head component through which a spindle passes, the spindle being form-fitted in the head component to a control disc abutting against an inlet disc fixed in position. Control of water flow is achieved by rotation of the control disc relative to the inlet disc. To operate the spindle, the spindle is externally formed as an outer polygon on its end side extending from the head component and internally provided with a threaded blind hole for form-fittingly fixing a rotating handle.

[0003] Furthermore, EP 2 522 887 A1 discloses a valve assembly in which a valve body is provided for controlling the flow rate of fluid, the valve body being capable of linear movement within a head assembly via a spindle. Here, the spindle is rotatably supported in the head assembly and is threaded to the valve body, which is axially guided within the head assembly in a torsion-resistant manner. Therefore, rotation of the spindle causes axial movement of the valve body within the head assembly.

[0004] In the design of valve components, there is an increasing desire to operate valve parts via buttons or keypads. For this purpose, electromagnetically operated valves are commonly used. However, a disadvantage of these valve components is that the electromagnetic contacts can be damaged during the tightening or fastening of the valve components, thus compromising reliability. Furthermore, such valves require an additional voltage source. Moreover, quantitative control is typically not possible with these valves.

[0005] To overcome these drawbacks, EP 3 366 959 A1 proposes a valve upper component in which a handle has a control cap, the handle being movable along a head component via the control cap and the control piston being actuated via the control cap. A curved track with two locking positions is introduced into the outer peripheral surface of the head component, and a guide pin arranged on the control cap is embedded in the curved track. Guided axial movement of the control piston is achieved by pressing the handle with the control cap, and this guided axial movement can be locked in at least two positions, for example, in a "valve open" and "valve closed" position.

[0006] The aforementioned valve components, also known as "push valves," have been proven in practice. These valves are still limited to push-operated mechanisms. For tasks requiring push-operation, such as switching between water outlets (shower heads / high-flow slugs), or for tasks requiring a recessed valve handle when not in use, or for rotary operation such as adjusting water volume flow, multiple such "push valves" are needed.

[0007] Against this backdrop, DE 20 2023 101 163 U1 proposes a valve upper component that enables both push-to-operate and rotary-operate functions. Here, a handle is pushed onto and movably supported on the spindle of the valve upper component. By axially pulling the handle, it can be positioned in two different positions and locked in said two positions. However, there is a risk of unintentionally removing the handle from the spindle when excessively pulling it. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a remedy. The object of the invention is to provide a valve upper component that prevents the unintentional removal of the handle from the spindle. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a valve upper component having the features of claim 1.

[0009] This invention provides a valve assembly that prevents the unintentional removal of the handle from the spindle. Because the handle is connected to the spindle movably supported within the handle via an adapter, and the adapter is securely held within the handle to prevent loss, the unintentional removal of the handle from the spindle is prevented.

[0010] In an extended embodiment of the invention, the adapter is partially provided with external threads and the handle is partially provided with internal threads, wherein the external threads of the adapter are screwed into the internal threads of the handle and subsequently over-twisted, thereby forming an anti-loss mechanism. This achieves simple installation of the anti-loss mechanism during assembly.

[0011] In the design of this invention, the handle has an internally threaded tab that surrounds the interior, and the adapter has an externally threaded tab that is at least partially arranged externally around the exterior. The externally threaded tab is screwed into the internally threaded tab and subsequently overtwisted such that the externally threaded tab is positioned behind the internally threaded tab when viewed towards the handle. This achieves reliable anti-loss, wherein the handle is rotatably held on the spindle. Preferably, an adjusting sleeve with a surrounding threaded tab is arranged in the handle, and the adapter is movably supported within the adjusting sleeve.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the handle is rotatable relative to the head component and is torsionally connected to the control spindle, at least in the axial position. This enables not only pressing operation but also rotational operation.

[0013] In an extended embodiment of the invention, the adapter at least partially surrounds the handle with at least one locking device, wherein at least one locking groove is arranged inside the handle or adjusting sleeve, and the at least one locking device can be locked in a defined position within the handle or adjusting sleeve using the at least one locking groove. This enables a defined axial positioning of the adjusting sleeve on the adapter.

[0014] In the design of this invention, at least one locking device is formed by one or more locking lugs. Alternatively or supplementary, the locking device can also be formed by a surrounding, flexible annular element, preferably an O-ring.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, two locking grooves are preferably arranged radially around the handle or adjusting sleeve and spaced apart axially. This achieves two defined axial positions for the handle, namely a defined first axial position for a torsion-resistant connection between the handle and the control spindle, and a defined second axial position in the absence of a torsion-resistant connection between the handle and the control spindle.

[0016] In an extended embodiment of the invention, the handle or adjusting sleeve is provided with internal teeth that engage with the external teeth of a follower connected to the control spindle, thereby guiding the handle in a manner that allows axial movement along the follower. Thus, a torsional-resistant connection with the control spindle can be achieved as needed through longitudinal movement of the handle.

[0017] In the design of this invention, the handle can be fixed in at least two axial positions by a locking mechanism. Here, the locking mechanism preferably includes a control piston, which is guided within a control cylinder and has a control groove. A fitting disposed on the control cylinder is inserted into the control groove. The fitting is preferably formed by a ball, which is radially guided within the control cylinder. A spring is arranged between the control cylinder and the control piston, and this spring is pre-tensioned toward the control cylinder. Thus, after an actuating force is applied, the control cylinder connected to the handle automatically returns along the control piston.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the control piston has a follower, and the internal teeth of the adjusting sleeve are engaged with the external teeth of the follower. Preferably, the control cylinder has an external thread, and the adapter is screwed onto the external thread with its internal thread. This allows for fine adjustment of the axial position of the handle on the spindle of the valve assembly mounted in the wall. The longitudinal adjustment of the adapter along the external thread of the control piston is achieved by rotating the handle in a position where the adjusting sleeve is not engaged with the external teeth of the control piston. Therefore, the inaccuracies during the installation of the valve assembly and the required dimensional cutting of the control spindle during this process can be compensated for by adjusting the adapter.

[0019] Furthermore, a bathroom fitting having a valve top component according to claim 15 is the subject of this invention.

[0020] "Adjustment position" currently refers to the following position of the handle, in which the locking device of the adapter is engaged in the second locking groove below the adjusting sleeve. In this position, adjustment is achieved through the threaded engagement between the external thread of the control cylinder and the internal thread of the adapter. The internal teeth of the adjusting sleeve disengage from the external teeth of the control piston.

[0021] Currently, the "operating position" should refer to the following position of the handle, in which the locking device of the adapter is engaged in the first locking groove on the upper part of the adjusting sleeve. In this position, the internal teeth of the adjusting sleeve engage with the external teeth of the control piston. Adjustment via the threaded engagement between the external thread of the control cylinder and the internal thread of the adapter is not possible.

[0022] Currently, the "operating position" should refer to the following position of the handle, in which the ball rests against the upper part of the control slide. Therefore, the handle is "moved out" for ease of operation.

[0023] Currently, "the inserted position" should refer to the following position of the handle, in which the ball rests against the holding area of ​​the control slide. Here, the handle is locked in the inserted position, in which, for example, the handle is flush with the surrounding environment. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other extensions and designs of the invention are described in the remaining dependent claims. Embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings and are described in detail below. Wherein: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a valve component with an operating mechanism is shown, wherein the handle is in the operating position; Figure 2 It shows according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a valve component with an operating mechanism, wherein the handle is in the adjustment position; Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 Detailed image of the Z portion in the image; Figure 4 It shows according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a valve component with an operating mechanism, wherein the handle is adjusted to its maximum height. Figure 5 It shows according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a valve component with an operating mechanism, wherein the handle is adjusted to its minimum height setting; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a valve upper component with an operating mechanism is shown according to the accompanying drawings, wherein the handle is in the pressed position; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a valve upper component with an operating mechanism is shown according to the accompanying drawings, wherein the handle is in the anti-pull-out position; Figure 8 It shows Figure 7 Detailed image of the Z portion in the image; Figure 9 a) A partial cross-section, b) a top view, showing Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the adapter for the operating mechanism in the diagram; Figure 10 a) Side view, b) Longitudinal section, c) Top view show Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the control piston of the operating mechanism in the middle; Figure 11 a) A partial cross-section, b) a top view, showing Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the adjusting sleeve of the handle of the operating mechanism in the middle; Figure 12 a) A partial cross-section, b) a top view, showing Figure 1A schematic diagram of the control cylinder of the operating mechanism; Figure 13 a) A partial cross-section, b) a top view, showing Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the follower of the control piston in the operating mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0025] As per Figure 1 The valve upper component 8 selected in the embodiment is constructed according to EP 1 696 162 A1 and has a head component 83 axially passed through by a control spindle 81, through which a valve body (not shown) can be operated. An operating mechanism is arranged on the end side of the control spindle 81, the operating mechanism including a handle 1, an adapter 2 arranged axially in the handle, the adapter receiving a control cylinder 3 in a threaded engagement with the control cylinder, a control piston 5 arranged axially in the control cylinder, and the control cylinder having a receiving portion for a form-locking connection with a non-circular connecting section 82 of the control spindle 81 of the valve upper component 8. Alternatively, the connecting section of the control spindle 81 can also be constructed cylindrically. In this case, for example, a torsional-resistant connection is required by means of adhesive bonding. The control cylinder 3 has a follower 6 on its end side.

[0026] The handle 1 is formed from a hollow, cylindrical, can-shaped handle part 11, into which an adjusting sleeve 14 is screwed and bonded. Alternatively, the handle 1 can also be constructed as a single piece. Externally, the handle part 11 is provided with a sealing groove 13 for receiving an O-ring 131. In this embodiment, the handle part 11 and the adjusting sleeve 14 are manufactured as machined brass parts.

[0027] The adjusting sleeve 14 is constructed essentially as a hollow cylinder and has a first section 141, with a slightly enlarged second section 143 adjacent to the first section. The first section 141 has external threads 15 on its exterior, into which the adjusting sleeve 14 is screwed and bonded to internal threads arranged in the handle 11. In the inner circumferential surface of the handle 11, which has a largely dodecagonal cross-section, an upper first locking groove 16 is arranged in the first section 141, and a lower second locking groove 17 is arranged spaced apart from the first locking groove. The largely dodecagonal cross-sectional profile of the inner circumferential surface of the first section 141 is used to receive the adapter 2 with torsion resistance, the outer circumferential surface of which has a corresponding dodecagonal cross-sectional profile. The largely dodecagonal cross-sectional profiles of the inner circumferential surface of the first section 141 and the outer circumferential surface of the adapter 2 are achieved by six regularly spaced rectangular flattened portions 142, 21 introduced into the cylindrical circumferential surface.

[0028] As an alternative, any other non-circular, preferably polygonal, profile can be used instead of a dodecagonal cross-sectional profile. The second section 143 is provided with internal teeth 18. The inner circumferential surface of the second section 143 has a largely octagonal cross-sectional profile, which is achieved by four regularly spaced rectangular flattened portions 144 introduced into the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder provided with internal teeth 18.

[0029] The adapter 2 is basically hollow cylindrical in shape and, as already explained, has an outer circumferential surface with an almost dodecagonal cross-section corresponding to the inner circumferential surface of the adjusting sleeve 14.

[0030] With its end facing the adjusting sleeve 14 spaced apart, the adapter 2 has a groove 22 for receiving an O-ring 23 introduced into its outer circumferential direction. The resilient O-ring 23 is used to engage with the locking grooves 16, 17 of the adjusting sleeve 14. The adapter 2 has an internal thread 24 on its inner circumferential surface.

[0031] The control cylinder 3 is constructed as a substantially hollow cylindrical brass machined part. The control cylinder 3 has a reduced-diameter shoulder 31 on its end side facing the adapter 2, in which a step 32 is internally introduced. The control cylinder 3 has an external thread 33 on its exterior, extending approximately half the length of the control cylinder. Two radially extending elongated holes 35, arranged opposite each other, are spaced apart from the external thread 33 and surrounded by two axially spaced, circumferential tabs 36. Between the elongated holes 35 and the external thread 33, the control cylinder 3 has an internally reduced-diameter shoulder 37 into which four guide notches 371 are introduced in a circumferentially radially spaced manner. The guide notches 371 are used to guide the control piston 5 in a torsional manner.

[0032] A ball (not shown) is introduced into each of the two elongated holes 35, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the width of the holes 35, such that the ball partially passes through the respective holes 35 and is guided between the tabs 36 in a radially and circumferential manner. At the end section having the elongated hole 35, a follower 6 is screwed onto a control cylinder 3, which is provided with external threads 34, and a ring spring 9 is arranged in the follower.

[0033] The follower 6 surrounds and holds the contact piece 36 and is sealed relative to the control cylinder 3 by an O-ring 65. The follower 6, the contact piece 36, the annular spring 9, and the elongated hole 35 constitute a ball retainer for the two balls, by which the ball retainer restricts the movement of the balls in the radial direction.

[0034] The control piston 5 is constructed as a substantially cylindrical brass machined part. Four flattened portions 51 are introduced radially spaced from each other into its cylindrical outer circumference, thus forming a substantially octagonal cross-section. The control piston 5 is guided through the guide notches 371 of the control cylinder 3 via these corners. Furthermore, two control grooves 52 are introduced into the outer circumference between two flattened portions 51 in an opposite manner. At its end opposite to the control cylinder 3, a receiving portion 54, constructed in the form of an inner polygon, is centrally and axially introduced into the control piston 5. This receiving portion serves the control spindle 81 of the valve upper component 8, which has an outer polygonal shape. A tapered section 55 with a reduced inner diameter is adjacent to the receiving portion 54, in which a tapered hole 56 for receiving the head of a countersunk screw 82 is centrally introduced. The section 58 with an enlarged inner diameter is adjacent to the section 55 with a reduced inner diameter, and a shoulder 57 is formed through the section with an enlarged inner diameter, which serves as a spring seat for the pressure spring 59.

[0035] The follower 6 is constructed as a substantially hollow cylindrical brass machined part and has a section 61 with a reduced inner diameter at its end opposite to the control cylinder 3, which is provided with an internal thread 62. The outer peripheral surface of the follower 6 is provided with an external tooth 63 for engaging with the internal tooth 18 of the adjusting sleeve 14.

[0036] The adapter 2 is screwed onto the external thread 33 of the control cylinder 3 via its internal thread 24. The control piston 5 is installed in the control cylinder 3, and is guided within the control cylinder 3 in a torsion-resistant but axially movable manner by its non-circular outer circumferential surface, which is constructed corresponding to the inner circumferential surface of the control cylinder 3. Here, balls (not shown) that partially pass through the elongated hole 35 of the control cylinder 3 are respectively embedded in the control groove 52 of the control piston 5. A pressure spring 59 abuts against the shoulder 57 of the control piston 5, and is pre-tensioned toward the adjusting sleeve 14 on its opposite side.

[0037] In the operating position of the handle 1 together with its adjusting sleeve 14 (in which the O-ring 23, which is screwed onto the adapter 2 on the control cylinder 3 and inserted into the groove 22 of the adapter 2, is embedded in the first locking groove 16 on the upper part of the adjusting sleeve 14), the internal teeth of the adjusting sleeve 14 are engaged with the external teeth 63 of the follower 6. In this operating position, torque can be transmitted from the handle 1 to the follower 6, which is connected to the control spindle 81 of the upper valve component 8 via the control piston 5. The upper valve component 8 is constructed in this embodiment according to EP 1 696 162 A1. It has a head component 83 through which the control spindle 81 passes axially.

[0038] When installing bathroom fittings, such as shower fittings, on the wall side, the water pipe is connected by the installer to the valve assembly 8 of the fitting within the wall. The valve assembly 8 typically has a long control spindle 81, which is cut to the desired size after the wall-side work, including possible tiling work, is completed. A mounting sleeve 7 is provided in the wall channel surrounding the control spindle 81. The control spindle 81, with its external teeth, is inserted into the receiving portion 54 of the control piston 5, which has internal teeth, and is secured by a countersunk screw 82. This installation configuration... Figure 1 The diagram is schematically shown. Due to inaccuracies in mounting the valve component 8 and cutting the control spindle 81 to the specified dimensions, the handle 11 of the handle 1 protrudes significantly beyond the flange 71 of the mounting sleeve 7, which in this embodiment has external threads that are screwed together with the lock nut 73.

[0039] Now, the handle 1 can be moved on the adapter 2 by pulling the handle 11 using the adjusting sleeve 14, which is longitudinally movably connected to the adapter 2, until the O-ring 23 engages in the second locking groove 17 below the adjusting sleeve 14. In this position, the internal teeth 18 of the adjusting sleeve 14 disengage from the external teeth 63 of the follower 6 (see...). Figure 2 Now, by rotating the handle 11, the adapter 2, which is anti-torsionally connected to the adjusting sleeve 14, can be axially displaced relative to the control cylinder 3 by thread engagement with the external thread 33 of the control cylinder 3 (see...). Figure 4 ).

[0040] When the handle 1, together with its adjusting sleeve 14, is switched from the operating position to the adjusting position, a pulling force is required to remove the O-ring 23 from the upper first locking groove 16, so as to bring the O-ring 23 into the lower second locking groove 17. To prevent the handle 11 from being pulled past the lower locking groove 17 due to excessive pulling force and potentially being pulled off the control piston 5, an anti-loss mechanism is arranged between the adapter 2 and the adjusting sleeve 14. For this purpose, the adjusting sleeve 14 has an internally threaded tab 140 surrounding the adapter 2, and an externally threaded tab 20 arranged around the adapter 2 can be screwed into the internally threaded tab. During assembly, the adapter 2 is screwed into the internally threaded tab 140 surrounding the adjusting sleeve 14 with its externally threaded tab 20 and then excessively twisted. Thus, when viewed towards the handle 11, the externally threaded tab 20 is positioned behind the internally threaded tab 140. The adapter 2 is thus held axially in the adjusting sleeve 14 to prevent loss.

[0041] Subsequently, by applying pressure to the handle 11, the adjusting sleeve 14 can move again along the adapter 2 until the O-ring 23 engages in the first locking groove 16 on the upper part of the adjusting sleeve 14. The operating unit is now aligned relative to the mounting sleeve 7. It is in the operating position (see...). Figure 5 ).

[0042] By pressing handle 1, control cylinder 3 moves along control piston 5 via adjusting sleeve 14, where balls (not shown) rotate in control groove 52. Here, these balls are able to move radially in elongated hole 35. At the stop of control piston 5 in control cylinder 3, the balls reach the switching section 521 of the corresponding control cam 52. After releasing handle 1, control cylinder 3 moves back by the restoring force of pressure spring 59, thereby moving the balls into the holding area 522 of control groove 52. In this position, handle 1 is held by the balls. In this position, handle 1 is in the inserted position, fully submerged in mounting sleeve 7, where the surface of handle 1 and flange 71 of mounting sleeve 7 are on the same plane (see...). Figure 6 ).

[0043] When handle 1 is pressed again, the ball moves out of the holding area 522 of the control slide 52. After handle 1 is released, control cylinder 3 now returns to its original position fully by the restoring force of pressure spring 59. In this operating position, the handle extends significantly from the mounting sleeve 7. By adjusting the engagement of the internal teeth 18 of the sleeve 14 with the external teeth 63 of the follower 6 connected to the control spindle 81 of the upper valve component 8 via the control piston 5, the upper valve component 8 can now be operated by rotating the control spindle 81 via handle 1. After operating the upper valve component 8, the handle can be repositioned into the mounting sleeve 7 by pressing handle 1 again.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for a bathroom fitting, the valve assembly having a head assembly through which a control spindle axially passes, the control spindle enabling operation of a valve body disposed in the head assembly, and the control spindle being connected to an operating mechanism including a handle (1), wherein the handle (1) is movable coaxially with the control spindle (81) relative to the head assembly (83), characterized in that, The handle (1) is connected to the spindle (82) via an adapter (2), the spindle being movably supported in the handle (1), wherein the adapter (2) is retained in the handle (1) in a way that prevents loss.

2. The valve component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter (2) is partially provided with external threads and the handle (1) is partially provided with internal threads, wherein the external threads of the adapter (2) are screwed into the internal threads of the handle (1) and subsequently over-twisted, thereby forming the anti-loss mechanism.

3. The valve component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The handle (1) has an internally threaded tab (140) that surrounds the interior, and the adapter (2) has an externally threaded tab (20) that surrounds the exterior at least partially. The externally threaded tab is screwed into the internally threaded tab (140) and then overtwisted such that the externally threaded tab (20) is positioned behind the internally threaded tab (140) when viewed toward the handle (1).

4. The valve component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, An adjusting sleeve (14) is arranged in the handle (1), the adjusting sleeve having a surrounding threaded lug (140), and the adapter (2) is movably supported in the adjusting sleeve.

5. The valve component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The handle (1) is rotatable relative to the head component (83) and is torsionally connected to the control spindle, at least in the axial position.

6. The valve component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The adapter (2) has at least one locking device at least partially surrounding the handle (1) or the adjusting sleeve (14), wherein at least one locking groove (16, 17) is arranged inside the handle (1) or the adjusting sleeve (14), and the at least one locking device is capable of locking in the handle (1) or the adjusting sleeve (14) in a defined position of the adapter (2) by means of the at least one locking groove.

7. The valve component according to claim 6, characterized in that, The at least one locking device is formed by one or more locking lugs.

8. The valve component according to claim 6, characterized in that, The at least one locking device is formed by a surrounding, flexible annular element, preferably by an O-ring.

9. The valve component according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, Two locking grooves (16, 17) are preferably arranged radially around each other and axially spaced apart inside the handle (1) or the adjusting sleeve (14).

10. The valve component according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The handle (1) or the adjusting sleeve (14) is provided with an internal tooth (18) which is embedded in the external tooth (61) of the follower (6) connected to the control spindle (81), thereby guiding the handle (1) in a manner that allows it to move axially along the follower (6).

11. The valve component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The handle (1) can be fixed in at least two axial positions by means of a locking mechanism.

12. The valve component according to claim 11, characterized in that, The locking mechanism includes a control piston (5) which is guided in a control cylinder (3) and has a control groove (52). An insert arranged on the control cylinder (3) is embedded in the control groove. The insert is preferably formed by a ball (38) which is guided in the control cylinder (3) in a radially movable manner. A spring (59) is arranged between the control cylinder (3) and the control piston (5) and is pre-tensioned toward the control cylinder (3).

13. The valve component according to claim 12, characterized in that, The control piston (5) has a follower (6), and the inner tooth (18) of the adjusting sleeve (14) is embedded in the outer tooth (63) of the follower.

14. The valve component according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The control cylinder (3) has an external thread (33), and the adapter (2) is screwed onto the external thread with its internal thread (24).

15. A bathroom accessory, characterized in that, The bathroom fitting has a valve component according to any one of the preceding claims.

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