Drain valve

Abstract

A drain valve (1) for a container, for example a washbasin, a bathtub or shower tray, comprises a rotatable closure element (3) resting on a container-fixed drain piece (2) with a vertical axis of rotation, which selectively closes or opens a drain opening (6) provided by the drain piece (2), wherein, by means of interacting contours of the closure element (3) and the drain piece (2), a rotation of the closure element (3) is coupled with a vertical movement of the same element (3), and wherein the closure element (3) is magnetically fixed at least in its open position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drain valve for a container, for example a washbasin or a bathtub.

[0002] JP 2010-162 097 A discloses a drain valve designed for a washbasin, comprising a plastic, rotatable closure element with a vertical axis of rotation resting on a drain piece fixed to the container. A drain opening provided by the drain piece is selectively closed or opened by the closure element, whereby a rotation of the closure element is coupled to a vertical movement of the same element by interacting contours of the closure element and the drain piece.

[0003] A drain valve described in DE 10 2020 004 474 A1 for sanitary facilities such as washbasins, sinks, and bathtubs comprises a rotatably mounted shut-off disc through which a drain opening can be closed or opened. A linear motor is provided to actuate the drain valve according to DE 10 2020 004 474 A1.

[0004] A drain valve disclosed in EP 3 276 095 B1 is used to throttle the flush flow from a sanitary cistern. This drain valve also comprises two disc-shaped, mutually rotatable throttle elements.

[0005] US 2022 / 0042292 A1 concerns a bathtub drain with a so-called lift-and-turn mechanism. The mechanism according to US 2022 / 0042292 A1 includes, among other things, a spring and a magnet.

[0006] Further closure mechanisms for drains are described, for example, in documents CA 2 659 992 A1 and DE 10 2007 008 376 A1. In the latter case, a closure element can be moved from an open position to a closed position by means of an electromagnetic drive device.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a drain valve for sanitary facilities such as washbasins, bathtubs or shower trays that is further developed compared to the prior art, has a compact design and is particularly user-friendly.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a drain valve having the features of claim 1. The drain valve comprises a rotatable closure element with a vertical geometric axis of rotation, resting on a drain piece fixed to the container. Depending on the setting of the closure element, a drain opening provided by the drain piece is optionally closed or opened, wherein a rotation of the closure element is coupled to a vertical movement of the same element by means of interacting contours of the closure element and the drain piece, and wherein the closure element is magnetically fixed at least in its open position. The mechanical assignment between the angular position and stroke of the closure element takes place without a central guide element, for example in the form of a threaded rod.

[0009] The raising and lowering of the closure element along a defined path is not effected by magnetic forces, but by the directly interacting contours of the closure element on the one hand and the drain piece on the other. Direct manual actuation, i.e. rotation, of the closure element is provided. This means that the closure element is also designed as a rotatable actuating element for the drain valve. For this purpose, recessed grips are optionally formed in the edge area of ​​the closure element. Additionally or alternatively, roughening of the surface of the closure element is also considered. There is no limitation to the angle of rotation between the drain piece and the closure element, i.e. a stop acting in the circumferential direction. This means that the closure element is alternately raised and lowered with unlimited rotation.

[0010] The contour of the outlet piece, which causes the closure element to lift when it is rotated, describes, for example, a sinusoidal shape, i.e., the shape of a wave encircling the entire circumference of the outlet piece. Generally, this contour represents a ramp contour. The ramp contour, in particular a sinusoidal contour, has, according to various possible configurations, for example, at least two and at most six wave troughs and a corresponding number of wave crests.

[0011] Individual feet of the closure element rest on the sinusoidal contour of the drain piece. In this way, any rotation of the closure element is converted into smooth, jerk-free vertical movements of the closure element. The angular positions of the closure element, determined by the geometry of the drain piece and the closure element, in which it is either maximally raised or fully lowered, are preferably evenly distributed. For example, if, as already mentioned, there are two to six maximally raised and the same number maximally lowered positions of the closure element, the angular distance between a maximally raised and a maximally lowered, i.e., sealing, position of the closure element is 30 to 90 degrees.

[0012] Simple designs of the drain valve provide for the closure element to be magnetically secured only in its raised positions. In the lowered state, however, the closure element rests on the drain piece solely under the force of gravity. In more advanced variants, magnetic fixation is additionally provided in the lowered positions. In both cases, permanent magnets are inserted directly into blind-hole-like receptacles in the drain piece. The receptacles can, for example, have a circular, rectangular, or other cross-sectional shape. The permanent magnets, which are held in or on the drain piece, interact magnetically with elements inserted into the feet of the closure element. The number of magnets does not necessarily correspond to the number of troughs in the ramp contour of the drain piece, and in particular can be fewer than the number of troughs.

[0013] In all versions, the drain valve is characterized by a minimal number of moving parts and an extremely easy-to-clean design. Contours where dirt can accumulate or hair can get caught are virtually nonexistent. Optionally, the closure element is equipped with a seal that rests on the drain piece when closed. The seal is held, for example, between a lower part that interacts directly with the ramp contour of the drain piece and an upper part of the closure element.

[0014] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a drain valve for a tub or basin in a sectional view, Fig. 2 the drain valve in perspective view.

[0015] A drain valve, designated overall by reference numeral 1, is particularly suitable for use in a washbasin or in a shower or bathtub. Components of the drain valve 1 include a drain piece 2, which is inserted into the container base, and, in this case, a multi-part closure element 3.

[0016] The tubular drain piece 2 is provided with an external thread 4. Above the external thread 4 is a conical end portion 5 of the drain piece 2. The drain opening provided by the drain piece 2 is designated 6.

[0017] In the transition area between the section of the drain piece 2 provided with the external thread 4 and its end area 5, as can be seen from Fig. 1, a wave-shaped, i.e., sinusoidal, ramp contour 7 is formed. Several feet 8 of the closure element 3 are supported on the ramp contour 7. The feet 8, in this case three, thus represent a counter-contour to the ramp contour 7.

[0018] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 1, the feet 8 are directed obliquely downwards, being formed by a lower part 9 of the closure element 3. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the feet 8 can also be oriented radially, i.e., horizontally, or axially, i.e., vertically.

[0019] Between the lower part 9 and an upper part of the closure element 3, designated 10, there is a seal 11, which is intended to rest on the conical inner surface, designated 12, of the closure area 5 when the drain valve 1 is closed. The spherically curved cover surface of the upper part 10, and thus of the entire closure element 3, is designated 13. In a modified embodiment, the upper part 10 has a flat cover surface.

[0020] The drain valve 1 can be easily opened and closed by manually grasping its cover surface 13 and rotating it around its central axis, designated MA, which also represents the vertical central axis of the drain piece 2. There is no stop effective in the direction of rotation.

[0021] To fix the closure element 3 in a defined position, permanent magnets (not shown) are inserted into blind-hole-shaped magnet receptacles 14, 15, which are located partly in the external thread 4 and partly at the upper edge of the external thread 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the closure element 3 can be magnetically fixed in both its raised and lowered positions. In a simplified embodiment (not shown), magnetic fixation is provided only in the raised position of the closure element 3.

[0022] Counterparts that interact with the permanent magnets located in the magnet receptacles 14, 15, which can be either additional magnets or ferromagnetic metal pieces, are inserted into cavities 16, each located in a base 8. Furthermore, the lower part 9 in this case is made of plastic. The remaining components of the drain valve 1 can also be made of plastic, optionally in a metallized version, or of metallic materials. List of reference symbols 1 drain valve 2 drain piece 3 locking element 4 external threads 5 conical end area 6 Drain opening 7 Ramp contour 8 feet 9 Lower part 10 Top 11 Seal 12 conical inner surface 13 Cover area 14 Magnetic holder 15 Magnetic holder 16 cavity MA central axis

Claims

[1] Drain valve (1) for a container, comprising a rotatable closure element (3) resting on a container-fixed drain piece (2) with a vertical axis of rotation, which closure element selectively closes or opens a drain opening (6) provided by the drain piece (2), wherein a rotation of the closure element (3) is coupled to a vertical movement of the same element (3) by means of mutually interacting contours of the closure element (3) and the drain piece (2), and wherein - the closure element (3) is magnetically fixed at least in its open position, - the closure element (3) is also designed as a manually operable actuating element, - the closure element (3) can be rotated relative to the outlet piece (2) without any angle limitation, - a wave-shaped ramp contour (7) cooperating with the closure element (2) is formed by the outlet piece (2), - the closure element (3) has several feet (8) which are supported on the ramp contour (7), - the feet (8) each have a cavity (16) provided for receiving a magnetically active element, - there are blind hole-like magnet receptacles (14, 15) in the outlet piece (2), into which permanent magnets are directly inserted, which are provided for the locking element (3) to cooperate with the elements located in the cavities (16). [2] Drain valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the ramp contour (7) has at least two and at most six wave troughs and a corresponding number of wave crests. [3] Drain valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a magnetic fixation is provided exclusively in the open position of the closure element (3). [4] Drain valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat a magnetic fixation is provided both in the open position and in the closed position of the closure element (3).

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