Shut-off device for a rainwater collection tank

Abstract

Float-controlled shut-off device for a rainwater collection tank, comprising a check valve (2) for closing a water inlet (4) with a valve plate (6) which is acted upon at the rear in the direction of the valve seat (7) by the inflowing water and a compression spring (5); characterized in that an axially guided actuating rod (8) is present, which applies force to the valve plate (6) at the front in the direction of the valve open position and an adjustable spring device (9) which exerts an axial force on the actuating rod (8) and a float device (10) which, above a defined water level in the rainwater collection tank, applies force to the valve plate (6) in the direction of the valve seat (7) by means of a lever arrangement (11) acting on the actuating rod (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a float-controlled shut-off device for a rainwater collection tank according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Rainwater collection tanks without a sewer connection, especially above-ground rain barrels on residential buildings for garden irrigation, require a shut-off device in the water inlet to prevent uncontrolled overflow after a specified maximum fill level is reached. Float-controlled shut-off devices are known; for example, see DE 19528098 C2 and WO 2016085320 A1.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 202005014497 U1 discloses a float-controlled shut-off device with a check valve, which is installed in the water inlet of a rainwater collection tank in such a way that its valve plate is acted upon by a compression spring on the back and by the inflowing water towards the valve seat. The restoring force towards the valve's open position is generated by a counterweight acting on the valve plate via a rocker, to which a float is coupled via a rod. Above a specified fill level in the rainwater collection tank, the buoyancy of the float compensates for the restoring force of the counterweight, and the shut-off device closes. Increasing pressure in the water inlet increases the force with which the valve plate is pressed against the valve seat, ensuring closure even with a pressure-tight connection to a downpipe.The disadvantage is the effort required to adapt the counterweight and the volume of the floating body to the hydraulic forces occurring at the respective installation location.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a float-controlled shut-off device for a rainwater collection tank that can be easily adapted to different site conditions. In particular, it should be possible to connect it to different downpipe heights and accommodate a wide range of water pressures occurring in the water inlet.

[0005] Furthermore, simplified maintainability is required and a preferred further design should allow the cleaning of the piping upstream of the shut-off device.

[0006] This object is achieved by the shut-off device mentioned in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims. Claim 10 relates to a further embodiment with a set comprising the shut-off device according to the invention.

[0007] The starting point of the invention is a float-controlled shut-off device for a rainwater collection tank, comprising a check valve for closing a water inlet with a valve plate which is force-loaded at the back in the direction of the valve seat by the inflowing water and a compression spring.

[0008] According to the invention, an axially guided actuating rod is provided, which applies force to the front of the valve disc in the direction of the valve's open position. Furthermore, an adjustable spring device is provided, which exerts an axial force on the actuating rod. Additionally, a float device is provided, which, above a defined water level in the rainwater collection tank, applies force to the valve disc in the direction of the valve seat by means of a lever arrangement acting on the actuating rod.

[0009] The adjustable spring device enables precise adjustment to varying operating pressures in the water inlet, which can be hydraulically connected to a water trap in the downpipe of a roof drainage system. This allows the inventive shut-off device to be used on a rainwater collection tank whose relative level to the water trap is largely freely adjustable. Thus, the inventive shut-off device offers a wide range of options for the location of the rainwater collection tank.

[0010] The adjustable spring device, preferably designed as a separate component, acts on the front of the valve plate of the check valve via an actuating rod. In this case, a front-side force applied to the valve plate is understood to mean an increase in load in the direction of the valve open position. For this purpose, an axial guide is assigned to the actuating rod, with the axial direction defined by the actuating rod being aligned with the direction of movement of the valve plate. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable spring device has a counterpressure spring for exerting an axial force on the actuating rod in the direction of the valve open position, which works against the compression spring integrated in the check valve on the back of the valve plate and thus enables the shut-off device to be adapted to the pressure in the water supply at the respective installation location.

[0011] The indirect application of the corrective force from the adjustable spring device via the actuating rod to the valve plate allows for a spatial separation of the check valve and the adjustable spring device. This allows, in a preferred embodiment, the check valve, which is most exposed to contamination during operation, to be designed as a replaceable unit that can be replaced as a whole, independent of the adjustable spring device, if necessary. Furthermore, a preconfigured and compact unit with an integrated, standardized compression spring can advantageously be used for the check valve.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the float-controlled shut-off device according to the invention has a cross-shaped base body designed for installation on the outside of a rainwater collection tank. This allows all functional components of the shut-off device, except for the float device, to be arranged easily accessible outside the rainwater collection tank. For this purpose, the cross-shaped base body has four outlets. Advantageously, a receiving sleeve with a double-nipple-shaped outer contour is attached to a first outlet, into which the check valve can be inserted axially. Accordingly, the inner contour of the receiving sleeve preferably has a shoulder against which the check valve rests in the installed position. A threaded fitting connected to the receiving sleeve serves to secure the check valve.As a further component, a hose connection is preferably attached to the threaded fitting for the supply line typically connected to the water catchment in the downpipe of a roof drainage system.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the adjustable spring device is arranged at a second outlet of the cross-shaped base body, opposite the first outlet. The closure of the second outlet is designed as a spring pressure adjustment element with respect to the outside environment. For this purpose, the closure has a screw body that allows displacement of the rear support of the counterpressure spring in the adjustable spring device in order to determine the axial force exerted by the actuating rod in the direction of the valve open position.

[0014] Advantageously, a third outlet of the cross-shaped base body provides a wall duct for mounting on a rainwater collection tank, through which a rod of the lever assembly for attaching the float device located in the rainwater collection tank is guided. Furthermore, a rod guide with an abutment is arranged at a fourth outlet of the cross-shaped base body opposite the third outlet. The fourth outlet is sealed to the outside with a cover, which is designed to be removable for assembly and cleaning purposes.

[0015] Inside the cross-shaped base body, the lever assembly is coupled to the actuating rod in such a way that the float device only acts on it when the water level in the rainwater collection tank rises above a predetermined level. Then, an additional axial force component acts on the actuating rod, counteracting the adjustable spring device. This force is calibrated so that the force applied to the rear by the check valve's compression spring is sufficient to guide the valve disc against the valve seat and close the shut-off device.

[0016] The shut-off device according to the invention enables simplified cleaning of the functional components located outside the rainwater collection tank. To do this, first remove the closure caps on the second and fourth outlets of the cross-shaped base body, and then decouple the lever assembly with the float device from the operating rod and the rod guide. The wall duct can then be removed from the rainwater collection tank, allowing free handling of the cross-shaped base body.

[0017] The shut-off device according to the invention is preferably part of a set that additionally includes a backwash connection that can be mounted on the shut-off device. A hose containing fresh water can be connected to this connection to clean the hose connection up to and including the water trap in the downpipe of a roof drainage system. Furthermore, the functional components can be individually removed from the cross-shaped base body and cleaned. The check valve, which is designed as a modular unit, can also be replaced.

[0018] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained below in conjunction with the accompanying figures. These schematically show the following: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the float-controlled shut-off device according to the invention in the open position as a cross-section. Fig. 2 shows a cross section of the float-controlled shut-off device from Fig. 1 in the closed position.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the float-controlled shut-off device 1 according to the invention in a cross-sectional view for installation on a rainwater collection tank (not shown in detail). A check valve 2 with an O-ring 3 serves to close a water inlet 4. The check valve 2 is oriented such that the dynamic pressure of the water flowing into the water inlet 4 and an additional compression spring 5 apply force to the rear of the valve plate 6 toward the valve seat 7.

[0020] In the direction of the valve open position, an adjustable spring device 9 exerts a counterforce on the front of the valve plate 6 via an axially guided actuating rod 8. This enables adaptation to the pressure in the water inlet 4 at the respective installation location, with the adjustable spring device 9 being adjusted such that the check valve 2 only closes when the float device 10 is raised to a predetermined level, thus above a defined water level in the rainwater collection tank. For this purpose, the float device 10 is connected to a lever arrangement 11, which is coupled to the actuating rod 8 in such a way that an adjustable entrainment occurs during the pivoting movement. From the coupling point, which can be displaced by means of a screw nut, the lever arrangement 11 acts on the actuating rod 8 and counteracts the axial force of a counterpressure spring 12 in the adjustable spring device 9.The removal of the counterforce on the front side of the valve plate 6 then enables the rear compression spring 5 integrated in the check valve 2 to displace the valve plate 6 up to the valve seat 7. This closed position of the float-controlled shut-off device 1 according to the invention is shown in . Fig. 2 shown.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the check valve 2 is designed as a completely replaceable unit. This enables the use of a prefabricated standard component that can be replaced by the user if necessary. It can be seen that the check valve 2 is inserted and locked into a cross-shaped base body 13, which is intended for installation on the outside of a rainwater collection tank (not shown). For this purpose, a receiving sleeve 15 for the check valve 2 with a double-nipple-shaped outer contour is attached to a first outlet 14 of the cross-shaped base body 13. The inner contour of the receiving sleeve 15 has a shoulder 16, which serves as a stop for the check valve 2. This installation position is secured by screwing on a threaded fitting 17 with a radially inward-facing collar 18.In addition, a hose connection 19 is attached to the threaded fitting 17 for connecting a supply line.

[0022] A second outlet 20 of the cross-shaped base body 13, opposite the first outlet 14, serves to accommodate the adjustable spring device 9. Shown is the design of a closure 21 of the second outlet 20 as a spring pressure adjustment element 22, which together with the counterpressure spring 12 forms the adjustable spring device 9. A wall feedthrough 24 is attached to a third outlet 23 of the cross-shaped base body 13, with which a fluid-tight attachment to an outer wall of a rainwater collection tank can be made. A rod 25 of the lever arrangement 11 extends through this to attach the float device 10, which, in the operating position, is located inside the rainwater collection tank. The rod 25 is supported on a fourth outlet 26 of the cross-shaped base body 13, opposite the third outlet 23, on which a rod guide 27 with an abutment 28 is arranged.A screw nut is attached as an adjustable driver 29 for coupling the lever arrangement 11 to the threaded actuating rod 8.

[0023] For a further development of the invention, a set (not shown in detail) is provided, which, in addition to the inventive shut-off device 1, includes a backwash connection. This can be attached in a fluid-tight manner to the cross-shaped base body 13 after the latter has been removed from the rainwater collection tank. It is possible to mount it on the wall duct 24 or replace it with the backwash connection to allow a fresh water hose for cleaning the shut-off device and the upstream rainwater pipes.

[0024] Further details emerge from the following claims. List of reference symbols 1 shut-off device 2 check valve 3 O-ring 4 Water inlet 5 compression spring 6 valve plates 7 Valve seat 8 Operating rod 9 adjustable spring device 10 Float device 11 Lever arrangement 12 Counter pressure spring 13 cross-shaped base body 14 first exit 15 Mounting sleeve 16 paragraph 17 Threaded fitting 18 collars 19 Hose connection 20 second exit 21 Closure 22 Spring pressure adjustment element 23 third exit 24 Wall penetration 25 bars 26 fourth exit 27 Rod guide 28 abutments 29 drivers QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 19528098 C2

[0002] WO 2016085320 A1

[0002] DE 202005014497 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Float-controlled shut-off device for a rainwater collection tank, comprising a check valve (2) for closing a water inlet (4) with a valve plate (6) which is acted upon at the back in the direction of the valve seat (7) by the inflowing water and a compression spring (5); characterized by , that an axially guided actuating rod (8) is present, which applies force to the valve plate (6) at the front in the direction of the valve open position and an adjustable spring device (9) which exerts an axial force on the actuating rod (8) and a float device (10) which, above a defined water level in the rainwater collection tank, applies force to the valve plate (6) in the direction of the valve seat (7) by means of a lever arrangement (11) acting on the actuating rod (8). [2] Float-controlled shut-off device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the adjustable spring device (9) comprises a counter-pressure spring (12) for exerting an axial force on the actuating rod (8) in the direction of the valve open position. [3] Float-controlled shut-off device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the check valve (2) forms an interchangeable unit. [4] Float-controlled shut-off device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that there is a cross-shaped base body (13) for mounting on the outside of a rainwater collection tank and the cross-shaped base body (13) comprises several outlets. [5] Float-controlled shut-off device according to claim 4, characterized by that a receiving sleeve (15) for the check valve (2) with a double nipple-shaped outer contour is attached to a first outlet (14) of the cross-shaped base body (13). [6] Float-controlled shut-off device according to claim 5, characterized bythat the inner contour of the receiving sleeve (15) has a shoulder (16) against which the inserted check valve (2) rests in the assembly position. [7] Float-controlled shut-off device according to claim 6, characterized by that a threaded fitting (17) to which a hose connection (19) is attached is connected to the receiving sleeve (15). [8] Float-controlled shut-off device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by that the adjustable spring device (9) is arranged on a second outlet (20) of the cross-shaped base body (13) opposite the first outlet (14), wherein a closure (21) of the second outlet (20) is designed as a spring pressure adjustment element (22). [9] Float-controlled shut-off device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized bythat at a third outlet (23) of the cross-shaped base body (13) there is a wall passage (24) for attachment to a rainwater collection tank, through which a rod (25) of the lever arrangement (11) for attaching the float device (10) arranged in the rainwater collection tank is guided, and that at a fourth outlet (26) of the cross-shaped base body (13) opposite the third outlet (23) there is a rod guide (27) with an abutment (28). [10] Set comprising a shut-off device according to one of the preceding claims and a backwash connection for mounting on the shut-off device.

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