Operating device for actuating a valve and valve

Abstract

Operating device for actuating a valve, in particular a sanitary valve, at least in a rotary actuating movement for a rotary-actuated valve function, with - a stationary, lid-like reference part (1) with a disc-shaped end face and an adjoining, hollow cylindrical circumferential surface, which has a rotation position marking (2) on its end face, and - a user-operated rotating control element (3) relative to the stationary reference part (1), which has a handle body (3a) formed in a lid-like manner with a disc-shaped end face and an adjoining, hollow cylindrical circumferential surface and a circular disc-shaped display body (3c) which is attached to an outside of the end face of the handle body (3a), - wherein the handle body (3a) is positioned with its end face above the end face of the reference part (1) and is rotatably held on the reference part (1) by a circumferential locking lug-lock groove connection (20, 21) and has a transparent, semicircular viewing area on its end face in the form of a recess (4a) or an area made of a transparent material, - wherein the display body (3c) has a transparent, semicircular viewing area (4c) formed by a transparent material and forming a semicircular annular viewing window (4) with the transparent, semicircular viewing area of ​​the handle body (3a), through which the rotation position marking (2) is visible in the corresponding rotation positions of the control element (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device for actuating a valve at least in a rotary actuating movement for a rotary-actuated valve function with a user-actuated rotatable operating element and to a valve with such an operating device.

[0002] Valve actuators are used in a wide variety of types and designs in plumbing and other applications where valve control is required for fluid flow. Functions of the valve controlled by such an actuator can include, for example, flow control, mixing, and / or diverting functions. Flow control, in this context, means that the amount of fluid discharged, such as water, can be regulated by the valve function. This means it can be variably set to different flow rates between zero and a maximum value, typically in the form of stepless flow control.The mixing function means that this valve function allows several separately supplied fluids, such as cold water and hot water, to be mixed in variably adjustable proportions to produce a corresponding mixture. The mixing function can be a simple mixing function without additional flow control, or alternatively, a mixing function where, in addition to the mixing proportions of the fluids involved, the total volume of the mixed fluid is also adjustable, i.e., variable and preferably stepless. The switching function means that the dispensing of a corresponding fluid can be switched between several valve outlets. A user controls the relevant function of the valve by turning, i.e., by a rotary actuation movement of the control element, which serves as the user interface.Rotating the control unit causes the desired function of the valve, typically by the control unit acting on a movable valve body coupled to it.

[0003] German patent application DE 100 49 928 A1 discloses a thermostatic valve and a rotary-operated control device with a rotary handle for actuating the thermostatic valve. To indicate the rotary position of the handle, the control device has an annular indicator band containing two parallel sequences of digits, each rotated by 180°, so that the user can read one or the other sequence depending on their position. The indicator is slidably arranged between the rotary handle and a valve housing fixed opposite the handle, so that, depending on the position, one sequence of digits is hidden by the handle or the valve housing, and the other is visible.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2012 221 043 A1 discloses a sanitary valve and an operating device with a rotatable and axially actuated handle and an adjustment element for setting the temperature of a fluid discharged by the sanitary valve. Markings are visibly applied to the handle and the adjustment element.

[0005] Further conventional operating devices of the type mentioned above are disclosed in the publications JP H7-280 134 A and DE 43 09 753 A1, the patent specification DE 694 09 639 T2 and the utility model specification DE 80 27 577 U1

[0006] The invention is based on the technical problem of providing an operating device of the type mentioned above, which, compared to the prior art mentioned above, enables an advantageous indication of the rotary position of the operating element from design, handling and / or manufacturing perspectives and a user-friendly actuation of a valve equipped therewith.

[0007] The invention solves this problem by providing an operating device with the features of claim 1 and a valve with the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, the wording of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the description. This includes, in particular, all embodiments of the invention resulting from the combinations of features defined by the cross-references in the dependent claims.

[0008] The operating device according to the invention is designed to actuate a valve, in particular a sanitary valve, at least by a rotary actuation movement for a rotary-actuated valve function. For this purpose, the operating device can be coupled to the valve in such a way that actuation of the operating device effects the corresponding valve function. The operating device comprises a stationary reference part with a rotational position marker and an operating element that is rotatable relative to the stationary reference part in a user-actuated manner. The operating element can be coupled or connected to the reference part directly or indirectly via one or more further elements. The operating element functions as a user interface and thus enables a user to operate the operating device and thereby actuate the valve. The operating element is, for example, designed as a rotary handle that the user grips with their hand.Alternatively, it can be designed in another conventional way, e.g. as a foot-operated rotary control element.

[0009] Furthermore, the control unit has a transparent viewing window, at least semicircular in shape. The rotation position indicator is visible through the viewing window in the corresponding rotation positions of the control unit. Visibility in this context refers to visual visibility for the user.

[0010] The rotary position marker can be embossed, affixed, printed, or otherwise visibly attached to, on, or within the reference part. The rotary position marker can be permanently or removable attached to the reference part. If removable, it can be replaced as needed, for example, if the operating device is to be used to actuate a different valve with a different function. The rotary position marker can be implemented in any desired, known manner, for example, using a suitable line and / or color marking and / or using numbers, letters, and / or other common indicator symbols.

[0011] The control element can, for example, be disc-shaped. In particular, the control element can be cylindrical or cup-shaped with a disc-shaped front face and a side or lateral surface adjoining the front face and projecting from it in a hollow cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the side surface or the front face can be, for example, conical or polygonal, or the control element can be designed entirely as a disc-shaped body.

[0012] In advantageous embodiments, the viewing window is a recess in the control unit filled or covered with glass, a transparent film, a transparent plastic, or another suitable transparent material. Alternatively, the recess forming the viewing window can remain unfilled, or the entire control unit can be made of optically transparent material, thus providing the viewing window as a whole. The optical transparency of the viewing window allows the user to visually perceive an area located behind it.

[0013] The characterization that the viewing window is at least semicircular in shape means, in this case, that it extends at least over part of the circumference of a circular ring, which includes the alternatives that the viewing window extends only over such a semicircular ring area, or furthermore over the entire circumference of a circular ring, or over yet another area of ​​the control element.

[0014] Preferably, the viewing window is arranged on the front face of the control unit. Alternatively, the viewing window is arranged on the cylindrical or conical side surface of the control unit and extends in the direction of rotation. The viewing window of the control unit and the rotation position indicator on the reference part are aligned such that the rotation position indicator is visible through the viewing window in several, and in particular all, rotation positions of the control unit. This alignment concerns both the positioning of the viewing window on the control unit and the positioning of the rotation position indicator on the reference part, as well as their respective sizes, i.e., their extension in the radial or axial direction and in the direction of rotation. The user can determine the rotation position of the control unit by means of the rotation position indicator visible through the viewing window.It is generally advantageous if the rotation position indicator is fully visible through the viewing window, but this is not mandatory. It may also suffice if, at least in some rotation positions of the control unit, only part of the rotation position indicator is visible through the viewing window, while the remaining part is obscured by the control unit.

[0015] If the valve function is a flow control function, the user can thus determine the amount of fluid dispensed through the valve. Similarly, if the valve function is a mixing or switching function, the user can determine the mixing ratio of the fluids to be mixed or the position of the valve.

[0016] The rotary position indicator comprises one or more position markers. These can be tailored to the specific valve function and may be, for example, numbered lines or symbols representing hot and cold water. However, the rotary position indicator can also be a single character or symbol, such as a line or a dot. The rotary position of the control unit can also be indicated, for instance, by the fact that the rotary position indicator is visible in one position and not in another, allowing the user to determine the control unit's position simply by observing whether or not the indicator is visible.

[0017] The operating device implemented in this way allows the user to easily recognize, determine, or estimate the rotary position of the control element and thus the state of the valve actuated by the control device. This enables intuitive adjustment of the rotary position of the control element and, consequently, the valve function. Furthermore, the good visibility of the rotary position indicator allows the user considerable flexibility in where and how the control device is mounted, especially from different positions. In addition, the rotary position indicator is well protected from external influences, such as wear and tear during use, by the control element itself.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the control element is rotatable relative to the reference element about an axis of rotation coaxial with the at least partially circular viewing window. The viewing window and the at least one rotation position marker are arranged axially offset from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation. In other words, the control element with the viewing window and the reference element with the rotation position marker are stacked along the axis of rotation. This allows the rotation position marker on the reference element to be visible along the entire length of the viewing window in the direction of rotation when the control element is rotated. Alternatively, the viewing window is not arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation, e.g., offset from it. In this case, when the control element is rotated, the area of ​​the reference element visible through the viewing window shifts, e.g.,spiral-like in a radial direction towards or away from the axis of rotation, which may be desirable for certain applications.

[0019] In a further development of the invention, the rotary position marker has at least two rotary position markers spaced apart from each other on the reference part in the direction of rotation of the control element. This use of two or more rotary position markers allows for easier identification of the rotary position in many cases. For example, two rotary position markers can represent two opposing extreme values ​​of the valve function, such as a minimum and a maximum fluid flow rate delivered by the valve. In addition to the distance in the direction of rotation, the rotary position markers can also be spaced apart radially. When using more than two rotary position markers, the rotation range of the control element can be divided into a corresponding number of sub-segments, which further simplifies the user's determination of the control element's rotary position.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, a first position marker indicates a first end position of a corresponding rotation range of the control element, and a second position marker indicates a second end position of the control element's rotation range. This allows for particularly easy identification of the control element's rotation position. Optional additional position markers between these two can represent intermediate positions of the valve. It is also possible, for example, that not all position markers are visible in every rotation position of the control element, i.e., not all are within the field of view of the viewing window. For instance, when the control element is in one of its end positions, a corresponding position marker may be visible, while at least one other position marker may be located outside the viewing window and therefore not visible.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, the control element has an indicator marking for showing its rotational position. Through the interaction of the indicator marking with the rotational position marker, the user can determine the rotational position of the control element relatively precisely. Corresponding to the rotational position marker, the indicator marking can be embossed, affixed, printed, or otherwise visibly, removably, or permanently attached to, on, or within the control element. Corresponding to the rotational position marker, the indicator marking can have one or more indicator markers. In the simplest case, the indicator markers represent only a line or a dot, but they can consist of any complex character or symbol. The indicator marking and the rotational position marker can be completely different from each other or comprise the same characters.

[0022] In a further development of the invention, the operating device features a variable stop limiter. This limiter can be selectively coupled to the operating element in one of several different positions, thus limiting the rotational mobility of the operating element relative to the reference element to varying degrees. The stop limiter allows the rotational mobility of the operating element to be limited, thereby defining a maximum rotational range of the operating element independently of the valve actuated by the operating device. The position in which the stop limiter is coupled to the operating element is selected according to the valve and its operating principle, as well as the desired maximum rotational range of the operating element.

[0023] The variable stop limit allows the end positions of the control element to be set so that they lie within the maximum possible adjustment range, which is defined by the corresponding extreme positions of the valve. This allows, if desired, the extreme positions of the valve to be prevented from being reached or set by actuating the control element. For example, if a valve with a flow control function is used, the amount of fluid discharged by the valve can be limited to a maximum variable value and / or a minimum variable value. In the case of a mixing function of the valve, the mixing ratio of the fluids to be mixed can be limited so that one or the other fluid is added to the mixing fluid only in a correspondingly limited quantity. This can, for example,This may be useful if the valve has a hot and a cold water supply line and it is important to avoid the valve dispensing excessively hot mixed water or only hot water.

[0024] In a further development of the invention, the rotary-operated valve function is a flow control, mixing, or diverting function. In conjunction with a suitable valve, the operating device enables user-friendly, intuitive setting or adjustment of the respective flow control, mixing, or diverting function of the valve. This allows for versatile application possibilities of the operating device.

[0025] In a further development of the invention, the operating device for actuating the valve is additionally configured with an axial actuation movement of the control element for an axially actuated valve function. This enables the actuation of two different valve functions with one and the same operating device and is therefore particularly convenient for the user.

[0026] For example, the axially actuated valve function is a shut-off function of the valve. A shut-off function means that the discharge of a corresponding fluid at a valve outlet can be selectively enabled or disabled, typically completely disabled. This shut-off function is therefore often also referred to as the on / off function of the valve. Alternatively, the axially actuated movement can cause a continuous change in the valve function it controls.

[0027] The user controls the axially actuated valve function, for example, by axially pressing the control element. The control element can move axially relative to the stationary reference element, or the reference element can follow the axial movement of the control element, whereby "stationary" in this context refers only to the rotary actuation movement of the control device.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the control element is user-operated and movable from an axial starting position to an axial end position. The control device includes an elastic return element that automatically returns the control element from the axial starting position to the axial end position. This simplifies the user's handling of the control element during its axial actuation movement, as the user does not have to manually return it to its starting position after pressing the control element, for example, by pulling on it. The elastic return element is advantageously a spring or an elastic plastic, but can also be designed as a hydraulic or rubber-like return element or be made of an elastic plastic material. The return element is preferably located axially between the control element and an axially fixed component, e.g.,The reference part is positioned and, after the user has axially actuated the control part into its end position, pushes or pulls it back into its initial position. In an alternative embodiment, in which the reference part moves axially with the control part, the return element is arranged such that it returns the control part and the reference part together to their common initial position.

[0029] The valve according to the invention comprises a valve housing and the operating device according to the invention. The reference part is either an integral part of the valve housing or is held on it as a separate component. The use of the operating device according to the invention enables the user to operate the valve simply and intuitively, allowing the user to conveniently determine the rotational position of the operating device and thus the state of the valve. The reference part can be fixed to the valve housing or, if the operating device is additionally configured for axial actuation of the operating element for an axially actuated valve function, it can be held axially movable on the valve housing.

[0030] Preferably, the valve is a sanitary valve used in corresponding sanitary fittings, such as taps on washbasins, kitchen sinks, showers, and bathtubs. The operating device is directly or indirectly, the latter for example by means of an intermediate stop limiter, coupled to the valve spindle in a rotationally fixed manner. Additionally, the valve spindle can also transmit any axial actuation movement of the operating device and convert it into a corresponding function of the valve.

[0031] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. These and further embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1 A perspective exploded view of a valve and an operating device for actuating the valve with operating element and axially offset reference part, Fig. 2 a top view of the operating device with the operating element in an end position, Fig. 3 a sectional view along a line III-III in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 a sectional view along a line IV-IV in Fig. 2.

[0032] The figures show the valve according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment as a sanitary valve with mixing function. As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the valve comprises a valve housing 11 and an operating device 12 with a reference part 1. The reference part 1 is designed as a separate component and is held on the valve housing 11. In alternative embodiments not shown, the reference part 1 is an integral part of the valve housing 11.

[0033] In the example shown, the valve comprises two supply ports 14 to which corresponding fluid supply lines 13 can be connected, one of which carries, for example, hot water and the other cold water. The supplied hot and cold water are mixed in adjustable proportions within the valve. The resulting mixed water is discharged via a fluid outlet 15, which is connected to a corresponding outlet port 16 of the valve. The supply ports 14 and the outlet port 16 are part of a fluid-carrying housing section 31 of the valve housing 11. Both the supply ports 14 and the outlet port 16 are located in a fluid-carrying plane that is orthogonal to a main valve axis 17 of the valve.The hot and cold water supplied to the valve via the fluid supply lines 13 is deflected at right angles from the fluid guiding plane in the fluid-carrying housing part 31 and fed to a valve cartridge 18 of the valve with mixing function.

[0034] The valve cartridge 18 mixes the hot and cold water in a mixing ratio set by the operating device 12. After another right-angle bend, the mixed water discharged by the valve cartridge 18 is fed via the fluid-carrying housing part 31 to the fluid outlet 15 and exits the valve in the fluid guide plane. The fluid supply lines 13 and the fluid outlet 15 also run in the fluid guide plane, at least in a region adjacent to the valve. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the supply line connections 14 and the outlet connection 16 can be located on a side of the fluid-carrying housing part 31 of the valve opposite the valve cartridge 18, so that the fluid is fed to the valve in the direction of the main valve axis 17 and is also discharged in the same direction.The term valve housing is used here in a broad sense and includes not only the valve cartridge 18 but also the other components mentioned that are directly or indirectly stationary in connection with the valve cartridge 18.

[0035] The operating device 12 shown, according to the invention, comprises the stationary reference part 1 with a rotation position marker 2 and an operating part 3, which is rotatably movable relative to the stationary reference part 1 in the direction of user operation. The operating part 3 has a transparent viewing window 4, which is at least partially annular in shape. In the corresponding rotation positions of the operating part 3, the rotation position marker 2 is visible through the viewing window 4.

[0036] In advantageous embodiments, as in the example shown, both the control element 3 and the reference element 1 are designed as lids with a disc-shaped end face and an adjoining, hollow cylindrical circumferential surface. The control element 3 can, as shown in particular, Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the handle 3a is designed in multiple parts, being essentially formed by a lid-shaped handle body 3a. A circular display body 3c is preferably attached to an outer surface of an end face of the handle body 3a by means of a double-sided adhesive circular film 3b, and the handle body 3a and the film 3b each have a semicircular recess 4a, 4b. The display body 3c comprises a transparent, semicircular viewing area 4c, which is formed by a transparent material in the corresponding area of ​​the display body 3c. The recesses 4a, 4b and the viewing area 4c are positioned appropriately relative to each other on the handle body 3a, the film 3b and the display body 3c, such that their overlap forms the viewing window 4 through which the rotation position indicator 2 is visible.In alternative embodiments, the recesses 4a of the handle body 3a and / or the recess 4b of the film 3b can also be designed as transparent viewing areas using suitable transparent materials. In other alternative embodiments, the operating element 3 is manufactured as a single piece.

[0037] In corresponding embodiments, the reference part 1, as in the implementation shown, has several rotational locking lugs 20 on the outside of its circumferential surface. Fig. Figure 1 shows three of these rotational locking lugs 20, which engage in a corresponding rotational groove 21 of the control element 3 or the handle body 3a. The rotational groove 21 can extend on the inside of the circumferential surface adjacent to the end face of the handle body 3a, so that this end face forms one of the two guide surfaces of the rotational groove 21. The rotational groove 21 can extend over the entire circumference of the handle body 3a, so that the rotational locking lugs 20 of the reference part 1 are continuously rotatable within the rotational groove 21. This allows the control element 3 to be rotatably held on the reference part 1.

[0038] As especially from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the operating device 12 shown also includes a rosette 19. On its inner side, the rosette 19 has several retaining lugs 22, four in the example shown. The retaining lugs 22 bear against the outer side of the circumferential surface of the reference part 1. In the area of ​​the bearing retaining lugs 22, the outer side of the circumferential surface of the reference part 1 can be designed to engage with the retaining lugs 22 and form axially extending guide grooves in which the retaining lugs 22 of the rosette 19 are slidably received. In this way, the reference part 1 is held coaxially and rotationally fixed to the rosette 19 and is axially displaceable over a portion of its axial length relative to the rosette 19.

[0039] The rosette 19 thus acts as an axial guide for the axially movable reference part 1 and simultaneously aligns the reference part 1 radially. As also shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the control element 3 rests loosely against an outer circumferential surface of the rosette 19 with its inner circumferential surface and is thereby guided rotatably and axially on the rosette 19. The rosette 19 is aligned with the valve housing 11 and, for this purpose, is fixed to the valve housing 11. In alternative embodiments, the rosette 19 can be an integral part of the valve housing 11 or be completely absent, with another component of the valve housing 11 assuming the function of the rosette 19, in particular its guiding function for the reference part 1 and the control element 3.

[0040] In advantageous embodiments, the reference part 1 has the rotation position marking 2 eccentrically on an outer side of the end face, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the control unit 3, and the control unit 3 has the viewing window 4 at the corresponding radial distance. When a user rotates the control unit 3 relative to the reference part 1, the viewing window 4 rotates over the corresponding area of ​​the end face of the reference part 1, so that the rotation position marker 2 moves along the viewing window 4 relative to the control unit 1. In this way, the user can determine the rotation position of the control unit 3 relative to the reference part 1 by means of the rotation position marker 2 visible through the viewing window 4.

[0041] In the example shown, the control unit 3 is rotationally fixedly coupled to a valve spindle 32 of the valve via a coupling element 24. The coupling element 24 is, for example, formed as a coupling sleeve projecting axially from the handle body 3a of the control unit 3 and transmits the rotational movement of the control unit 3 to the valve spindle 32. Thus, the rotational position of the control unit 3 corresponds directly to the valve position, so that the user can directly infer the valve position from the detected rotational position of the control unit 3. As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the valve housing comprises a sleeve 30 into which the coupling element 24 is partially inserted axially. Thus, the coupling element 24, in conjunction with the sleeve 30, also acts as a rotary guide for the operating part 3 relative to the valve housing 11. In alternative embodiments, the coupling element 24 can also be a separate component that is rotationally fixed to the handle body 3a or the operating part 3.

[0042] In advantageous embodiments, as in the example shown, the control element 3 is rotatable relative to the reference element 1 about an axis of rotation 5 coaxial with the at least partially circular, and in the illustrated embodiment approximately semicircular, viewing window 4. The viewing window 4 and the rotation position marker 2 are arranged axially offset from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation 5 of the control element 3. Preferably, the reference element 1 has a smaller diameter than the control element 3, so that it can be completely enclosed in a space formed between the control element 3 and the rosette 19. In the example shown, the reference element 1 has a circular opening in its end face coaxial with the axis of rotation 5, through which the cylindrical coupling element 24 extends. This provides additional guidance for the control element 3 relative to the reference element 1, in addition to the rotation groove 21.

[0043] In advantageous implementations, this includes, in particular, the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown, the rotation position marking 2 has at least two rotation position markings 21, 22 spaced apart from each other on the reference part 1 in the direction of rotation of the control part 3. As shown in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, for example, two rotation position markers 21, 22 are formed as colored line areas spaced approximately 90° apart in the direction of rotation at the same radial distance from the axis of rotation 5. The rotation position markers 21, 22 can both be visible through the viewing window 4, as is shown in particular in Figure 1. Fig. 2 can be seen. In the Fig. The rotational position of the control element 3 shown in Figure 2 is a first rotational position mark 21 in a first edge area 4. R of the viewing window 4 and a second rotation position mark 22 in a central area 4 Mof the viewing window 4. If the control unit 3 is rotated clockwise by 90°, the first rotation position mark 21 is in the center area 4. M of the viewing window 4 is visible, while the second rotation position mark 22 is in a second edge area 4 L of the viewing window 4 is visible, which is relative to the first edge area 4 R at the end of the viewing window 4 opposite the direction of rotation of the control element 3. Depending on which rotation position mark 21, 22 is located in the central area 4, the user can thus M The user can see the rotational position of the control element 3. More generally, the user can recognize the rotational position of the control element 3, and thus the valve position, by the relative position of the semicircular viewing window 4 relative to the two rotational position marks 21, 22.

[0044] In advantageous embodiments, as in the example shown, the first rotation position mark 21 marks a first end position of an associated rotation range of the control element 3, and the second rotation position mark 22 marks a second end position of the rotation range of the control element 3. For example, the total rotation range of the control element 3 is 90°, and in the first end position, as in Fig. 2 shown, the first rotation position mark 21 in the first edge area 4 R of the viewing window 4 and the second rotation position mark 22 in the central area 4 M of the viewing window 4. If the control unit is then rotated by 90°, i.e., moved from its first end position to its second end position, the first rotation position mark 21 is in the center area 4. M of the viewing window 4 and the second rotation position mark 22 in the second edge area 4 L of the viewing window 4 visible.

[0045] In advantageous embodiments, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 3 has an indicator mark 7 to show the rotational position of the control unit 3. The indicator mark 7 is preferably printed on the front face of the display body 3c and comprises an indicator marker in the form of a radially extending line, which is arranged exactly in the center of the semicircular viewing area 4c of the display body 3c extending in the direction of rotation. As in the example shown, the indicator mark 7 is positioned along the viewing area 4c of the display body 3c such that the area of ​​the reference part 1, which is visible through the viewing window 4 and is closest to the indicator mark 7, exactly marks the rotational position of the control unit 3. Thus, the user can easily recognize the rotational position of the control unit 3 based on the relative position of the indicator mark 7 and the rotational position marker 2.

[0046] In advantageous embodiments, as shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the operating device 12 incorporates a variable stop limiter 8, which can be coupled to the operating element 3 in different positions in a rotationally fixed manner, thus limiting the rotational mobility of the operating element 3 relative to the reference element 1 to varying degrees. For this purpose, the stop limiter 8 can be coupled to the valve spindle 32 in a rotationally fixed manner, so that the rotational movement of the operating element 3 is transmitted to the valve spindle 32 via the stop limiter 8. In the example shown, the rotational range of the stop limiter 8, and thus of the operating element 3, is limited by two stops. In at least one stop, an axially projecting stop lug 27 of the stop limiter 8 rests against an associated counter-stop 28 of a cartridge housing of the valve cartridge 18. In the other stop, the stop lug 27 rests against another associated counter-stop 28 of the cartridge housing, or the other stop is provided by a valve end stop of the valve itself.

[0047] To couple the stop limiter 8 to the control element 3 in a rotationally fixed manner, the stop limiter 8, in advantageous embodiments, comprises a toothed ring into which teeth of a further, complementary toothed ring of the control element 3 engage. Different stops, and thus different maximum rotation ranges of the control element 3, can be set by coupling the toothed ring of the stop limiter 8 with the complementary toothed ring of the control element 3 in different rotational positions. The coupling between the stop limiter 8 and the valve spindle 32 is preferably also achieved by means of toothed rings. The coupling by means of toothed rings ensures good torque transmission from the control element 3 via the stop limiter 8 to the valve spindle. Furthermore, the use of toothed rings, compared to the use of individual teeth or lugs for coupling the control element 3 to the stop limiter 8, allows for relatively fine adjustment.Adjusting the rotation limit.

[0048] In advantageous embodiments, as in the example shown, the rotary-operated valve function is a mixing function. For this purpose, the valve cartridge 18 is designed as a mixing cartridge. In the illustrated embodiment, rotary operation of the control element 3 is transmitted indirectly to the valve spindle 32 via the stop limiter 8 and causes an adjustment of the mixing ratio of the supplied fluids, in this case hot water and cold water. The two end positions of the rotary range of the control element 3 can correspond to the positions of the mixing valve in which the proportion of hot water and cold water in the mixed water is greatest, respectively. Similarly, the rotary position markers 21, 22 mark the valve positions in which the proportion of hot water and cold water in the mixed water is greatest, respectively. In alternative embodiments not shown, the rotary-operated valve function can be a flow control or diverting function.

[0049] In advantageous embodiments, as in the example shown, the operating device 12 for actuating the valve is additionally configured to provide an axial actuation movement of the control element 3 for an axially actuated valve function. The axially actuated valve function is, for example, a shut-off function controlled by an axial movement of the control element 3. When the operating device 12 is axially actuated, the valve, which in this case is designed as a combined mixing and shut-off valve, opens the fluid connection from the supply ports 14 to the discharge port 16 if it was previously closed. Upon further axial actuation of the operating device 12, the valve closes the fluid connection again.

[0050] In this embodiment, the sleeve 30 of the valve housing 11, in which the coupling element 24 of the control unit 3 is partially received, functions not only as a rotary guide but also as an axial guide for the axial movement of the control unit 3 relative to the valve housing 11. To enable the reference part 1 to perform the axial movement of the control unit 3 together with it, the reference part 1 is also axially movable on the valve housing 11 or, as mentioned above, on the optional rosette 19.

[0051] In alternative embodiments, in which the operating device 12 is not configured for an axial actuation movement of the operating part 3, the reference part 1 can be fixed stationary on the valve housing 11.

[0052] In advantageous embodiments, the control element 3 is user-operated and can be moved from an axial starting position to an axial end position, and the operating device 12 has an elastic return element 10 which automatically returns the control element 3 from the axial end position to the axial starting position. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the control element 3 in its axial starting position. The elastic return element 10 is preferably designed as a return spring 29, as in the example shown. The return spring 29 can be arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation 5 between the rosette 19 and the reference part 1. The reference part 1 thus transmits the return force applied by the return spring 29 to the control element 3. When the user presses the control element 3, it moves coaxially to the axis of rotation 5 together with the reference part 1 in the direction of the valve, i.e., in Fig. 3 and Fig.4 downwards. The return spring 29 is compressed between the reference part 1 and the rosette 19 until the operating part 3 with the coupling element 24 abuts an annular shoulder on the inside of the sleeve 30 of the valve housing 11 and / or the operating part 3 abuts the end face of the rosette 19 facing the operating part 3. When the user releases the operating part 3, the return spring 29, by pressing on it, moves the reference part 1 back to its initial position together with the operating part 3, with the return spring 29 bearing against the rosette 19.

[0053] As the illustrated and further embodiments explained above clearly demonstrate, the invention provides an operating device that enables a user to recognize the position of an associated valve in a design and functionally advantageous manner. The operating device, and in particular its position indicator, is insensitive to external influences.

[0054] Furthermore, the invention advantageously provides a valve that is advantageously suitable for installation in sanitary fittings such as outlet fittings on shower facilities, washbasins, kitchen sinks and bathtubs.

Claims

[1] Operating device for actuating a valve, in particular a sanitary valve, at least in a rotary actuating movement for a rotary-actuated valve function, with - a stationary, lid-like reference part (1) with a disc-shaped end face and an adjoining, hollow cylindrical circumferential surface, which has a rotation position marking (2) on its end face, and - a user-operated rotating control element (3) relative to the stationary reference part (1), which has a handle body (3a) formed in a lid-like manner with a disc-shaped end face and an adjoining, hollow cylindrical circumferential surface and a circular disc-shaped display body (3c) which is attached to an outside of the end face of the handle body (3a), - wherein the handle body (3a) is positioned with its end face above the end face of the reference part (1) and is rotatably held on the reference part (1) by a circumferential locking lug-lock groove connection (20, 21) and has a transparent, semicircular viewing area on its end face in the form of a recess (4a) or an area made of a transparent material, - wherein the display body (3c) has a transparent, semicircular viewing area (4c) formed by a transparent material and forming a semicircular annular viewing window (4) with the transparent, semicircular viewing area of ​​the handle body (3a), through which the rotation position marking (2) is visible in the corresponding rotation positions of the control element (3). [2] Operating device according to claim 1, wherein the rotational mobility of the operating part (3) relative to the reference part (1) is given about a rotational axis (5) coaxial to the at least semicircular viewing window (4) and the viewing window (4) and the rotation position marker (2) are arranged axially offset from each other in the direction of the rotational axis (5). [3] Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation position marker (2) has at least two rotation position markers (21, 22) spaced apart from each other on the reference part (1) in the direction of rotation of the operating part (3). [4] Control device according to claim 3, wherein a first rotation position mark (21) marks a first end position of an associated rotation range of the control element (3) and a second rotation position mark (22) marks a second end position of the rotation range of the control element (3). [5] Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control element (3) has an indicator mark (7) for indicating the rotation position of the control element (3). [6] Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating device has a variable stop limiter (8) which can be coupled to the operating part (3) in different positions in a rotationally fixed manner and limits the rotational mobility of the operating part (3) relative to the reference part (1) accordingly differently. [7] Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary-operated valve function is a quantity control, mixing or switching function. [8] Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is additionally configured in an axial actuation movement of the operating part (3) for an axially actuated valve function to actuate the valve. [9] Operating device according to claim 8, wherein the operating part is user-operated to move from an axial starting position to an axial end position and the operating device has an elastic return element (10) which automatically returns the operating part (3) from the axial end position to the axial starting position. [10] Valve, in particular sanitary valve, comprising a valve housing (11) and an operating device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reference part (1) is a component of the valve housing (11) or is held on it as a separate component.

Images