METHOD FOR REMOVING A JET CONTROLLER FROM A VALVE OUTLET, JET CONTROLLER AND SET OF A JET CONTROLLER AND A TOOL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for removing an aerator from a fitting outlet, wherein the aerator has a housing and a locking element movably arranged on the housing, wherein the locking element is acted upon by a spring element accessible from outside the fitting outlet and, in its rest position, projects beyond the housing to hold the aerator in the fitting outlet, wherein a tool for removal is inserted into the fitting outlet in an insertion direction.

[0002] The invention further relates to an aerator, wherein the aerator has a housing and a locking element movably arranged on the housing, the locking element being acted upon by a spring element accessible from outside the fitting outlet and projecting beyond the housing in its rest position to hold the aerator in the fitting outlet, wherein a removal tool is inserted into the fitting outlet in an insertion direction. By inserting the tool, for example, into a gap provided for this purpose between the fitting and the aerator, which is formed, for example, by a recess on the aerator that creates a gap in the operating position, the locking element can be disengaged.

[0003] Aerators of the type mentioned above are therefore not held in place by a threaded connection between the spout and the faucet spout, but are generally fixed to the faucet solely by a locking mechanism formed by the locking and spring element. This eliminates the need for a spout protruding from the faucet, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing overall appearance. For example, the aerators mentioned above can be rectangular.

[0004] Finally, the invention relates to a set consisting of a flow regulator and a tool.

[0005] Removing an aerator from a fitting using the method described above has the disadvantage that the locking element, which is spread apart from the aerator housing, is difficult to move from its rest position (which corresponds to a locking position in the operating position) to a removal position when the aerator is in place. For this, a tool must be inserted into a gap between the fitting and the aerator in such a way that it engages the spring element on its side facing away from the housing. This allows the spring element to be moved against the insertion direction by applying force, and then subsequently moved towards the housing. Locking elements of known type therefore generally result in axial fixation by being supported against a contact surface of the fitting outlet, which runs transversely or perpendicular to the insertion direction.This has the further disadvantage that a buffer space must be maintained in the valve outlet to allow the detent element to be lifted from the contact surface in the insertion direction and then moved towards the housing. However, if contamination occurs in the buffer space after prolonged use of the aerator, removal is often extremely difficult.

[0006] From DE 10 2008 015 869 A1 a flow regulator is known which, with its flow regulator housing, can be inserted into the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting from the outlet end face and can be detachably fixed or secured in the water outlet in the operating position.

[0007] A flow regulator known from DE 20 2009 002 997 U1 has a flow regulator housing inserted into the water flow of a sanitary outlet fitting and detachably fixed. The flow regulator housing has a wall section that, on the inside, defines a housing cavity open towards the outlet face and, on the outside, carries at least one retaining projection. This retaining projection can be opened into a holding position against the restoring force caused by the inherent elasticity of the wall material or formed from a holding position into the housing cavity. Furthermore, a locking slide is provided that can be displaced from the outlet face into the housing cavity such that the sliding movement of the locking slide can be converted into an opening movement of the wall section carrying the at least one retaining projection and / or, by pushing the locking slide into the housing cavity, the forming of this wall section can be prevented.

[0008] From DE 93 17 654 U1, an aerator for fittings, in particular for taps, is known. This aerator is held by a threaded sleeve that can be screwed onto the threaded outlet of the fitting. This aerator is further characterized in that the aerator can be replaced from below in the direction of flow without unscrewing the sleeve.

[0009] Based on this, the invention aims to provide a method and a flow regulator of the type mentioned above, whereby the aforementioned problems are to be eliminated by improving the performance characteristics.

[0010] The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the method according to claim 1.

[0011] According to the invention, to solve the problem, a method of the type mentioned above is proposed in which the spring element is subjected to pressure from the tool during insertion until the locking element releases the aerator. Thus, a novel release mechanism is provided to facilitate the removal of an aerator held in a faucet spout.

[0012] To solve the problem, it is further proposed according to claim 1 that the locking element is guided by a guide formed through the housing and / or that the locking element and / or the spring element is / are formed separately from the housing.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the tool can be designed to engage in an undercut on the aerator oriented in the insertion direction, allowing the aerator to be pulled out of the faucet spout. The engagement allows force to be transmitted to the aerator by means of the tool. To achieve a frictional and / or positive locking engagement, the tool can have at least one projection, preferably at least two projections, that engage in the undercut(s) on the aerator in its operating position. This creates a pulling mechanism. In contrast to previously known solutions, the invention thus succeeds for the first time in decoupling a release mechanism from a pulling mechanism. This significantly simplifies the removal of the aerator from the faucet spout.

[0014] The at least one undercut can project into a slot-forming recess on the housing of the aerator, provided for the insertion of the tool. In particular, the undercut can project from the housing transversely or perpendicularly to the insertion direction. The at least one projection can have a contact surface inclined towards the aerator, which engages the at least one undercut during insertion, so that the projection is deflected before it engages behind the undercut in the insertion direction. The at least one projection can, for example, be arranged on a spring element of the tool.

[0015] The undercut itself can have a corresponding counter-contact surface, preferably aligned parallel to the contact surface of the projection, in order to displace the counter-contact surface at the contact surface when the tool is inserted.

[0016] The above-mentioned problem is further solved according to the invention by the features according to claim 3, which is directed to a jet regulator according to the invention.

[0017] According to the invention, a flow regulator of the type mentioned above is proposed to solve the problem, wherein the spring element is designed and / or arranged in such a way that it can be acted upon by a tool inserted into the fitting outlet in an insertion direction until the detent element releases the flow regulator.

[0018] According to the invention, it is further proposed that the locking element is guided by a guide formed through the housing, and / or that the locking element and / or the spring element is / are formed separately from the housing.

[0019] The spring element can, for example, be arranged in a recess, such as the previously mentioned recess, on the housing, which is intended for inserting the tool.

[0020] To further simplify the removal of the aerator from the faucet outlet, it may be designed so that the spring element does not protrude beyond the housing in its rest position.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the spring element can have at least two interconnected legs, particularly those connected at a vertex. By applying force to the spring element with the tool, for example, by two rigid arms of the tool, the two legs are moved towards or away from each other until the locking element or the locking elements connected to each leg no longer protrude from the housing. Preferably, the two legs are moved towards each other by the tool in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the insertion direction in order to move the locking element or elements from the rest position to the release position. The tool thus presses the two legs of the spring element together, for example, to allow the aerator to be removed.

[0022] The spring element is connected to the detent element or detent elements, whereby the detent element or detent elements are moved along with the spring element when it is adjusted.

[0023] The detent element(s) of the aerator project beyond the housing in its rest position at an angle or perpendicular to the insertion direction. Thus, at least one detent element forms a radial locking mechanism on the valve outlet. The holding force exerted by the detent element (which may correspond to the tension force of the spring element) acts perpendicularly or nearly perpendicularly on the inner wall of the valve outlet.

[0024] An aerator according to the invention can further comprise a discharge structure having lamellae, wherein the lamellae are directed outwards at least in one region of the discharge structure to generate a diverging water flow. This allows for the creation of a particularly attractive discharge pattern. In particular, for example, a nearly rectangular water jet can be generated in a rectangular aerator.

[0025] It may be provided that the aforementioned area is located in a peripheral area of ​​the outlet structure and / or that the area is located in a central area of ​​the outlet structure.

[0026] Furthermore, the outward-facing louvers can be designed with a cross-section oriented perpendicular to their length, resulting in a curved outer contour. This has the advantage of allowing for particularly good separation of individual water jets, thus achieving a better jet shape. For example, a more rectangular jet shape can be achieved in this way if the aerator is rectangular.

[0027] Outside the aforementioned area, lamellae with a cross-section oriented transversely to their extent and with an outer contour aligned in the direction of flow may be arranged. These lamellae may therefore extend in the direction of flow. In particular, these lamellae outside the aforementioned area are straight and result in a straight-flowing water jet.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the aerator, as described and claimed herein, may further comprise a jet acceleration unit having a seal circumferentially around a flow direction on its outer side, and jet shaping elements, in particular lamellae, arranged on the downstream side, extending transversely to the flow direction, each jet shaping element having a free end with which it projects from a support wall extending along the flow direction. This has the advantage that the aerator can be manufactured by injection molding. In particular, the aerator has the advantage that a housing part and a jet shaping part are formed in one piece. In previously known aerators with jet shaping parts for generating a diverging water flow, it was always necessary for the jet shaping parts to be formed separately from the housing.This now makes it possible to manufacture a flow regulator with the desired properties more easily.

[0029] It may also be stipulated, for example, that the jet acceleration unit is designed at an inflow-side end of a jet aeration area. For instance, the jet acceleration unit may be designed as a perforated plate or as a diffuser-diffuser ring combination.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the outer contour can also be elongated and non-circular, oriented transversely to the flow direction. In particular, the free ends of the jet-shaping elements can each be arranged on one long side of the outer contour in the operating position. Alternatively or additionally, the support wall can be arranged on one long side of the outer contour in the operating position. The free ends can form a laterally open area in a circumferential wall. In particular, the jet-shaping elements can terminate at a uniform height.

[0031] As already mentioned, according to the invention, the locking element is guided in a guide formed by the housing. In particular, the guide can be designed as a sliding bearing and / or the guide can be configured so that the locking element is adjustable in one, and in particular only one, degree of freedom, preferably linearly adjustable.

[0032] To more precisely define the extension range of the locking element, a further advantageous embodiment provides for at least one stop on the housing, which is acted upon by a corresponding counter-stop on the locking element in a detent position. In particular, the stop can define the maximum extension range of the locking element from the housing. The stop and counter-stop are therefore spaced apart from each other in a release position and / or contact each other in a detent position.

[0033] Furthermore, as described at the outset, according to the invention, the detent element and / or the spring element can be designed separately from the housing. Thus, the detent element and / or the spring element are not formed as part of the housing, but separate from it. Preferably, the aerator can have two detent elements, each connected to the spring element or to a spring element. A detent lug can be formed at a free end of the detent element, which is retracted into a release position when the spring element is actuated. By centrally actuating the spring element, the detent element or elements can therefore also be adjusted. The detent element and / or the spring element are thus not integrally formed with the housing and can therefore be adjusted relative to the housing.

[0034] The separate design of the locking element and / or spring element from the housing has the advantage that the locking lugs at the ends of the locking elements can be adjusted simultaneously. When the spring element(s) are actuated, the locking lugs release at the same time. This simultaneous adjustment of the locking lugs is also possible even though they protrude from the housing on opposite sides of the aerator. In other words, they are located far apart on opposite sides of the aerator. This allows for particularly secure fixation of the aerator in the installed position, while also simplifying release by simply applying pressure to the central spring element. With this design, the spring element is not actuated at the point of locking, but rather at a distance from it. Therefore, no space is required for tool insertion at the point of locking.

[0035] It should also be mentioned here that an aerator receptacle of a fitting can be used to close off a laterally open area of ​​an aerator as described and claimed herein, wherein the laterally open area is then defined by the free ends of the aeration elements and the aerator receptacle covers the laterally open area of ​​the aerator inserted into the aerator receptacle. Finally, the invention relates to a set comprising an aerator as described and claimed herein and a tool for carrying out a method as described and claimed herein. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further examples of how the invention can be carried out result from the combination of the dependent claims.

[0036] It shows: Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of an aerator according to the invention with several aeration elements designed as lamellae in a perspective view, Fig. 2 shows the embodiment variant made of Fig. 1 in a side view, Fig. 3 another perspective view of the aforementioned aerator with attached front screen, Fig. 4 another perspective view of the aforementioned aerator with removed front screen, Fig. 5 a longitudinal section through an embodiment of the aerator, as in Fig. 6 with arrows marked A, Fig. 6 a top view of the aerator with inserted section lines A and B, Fig. 7 a cross-section through the embodiment of the aerator as shown in Fig. 6 with the arrows marked B highlighted, Fig. 8 a set consisting of an aerator and a tool, wherein the tool is not locked onto the aerator (in a rear view), Fig. 9 the set consisting of Fig. 8, wherein the tool is locked onto the aerator (in a rear view), Fig. 10 an axially cut view of an aerator receptacle of a fitting outlet into which an aerator is inserted (installation situation), Fig. 11 another axially cut view of an aerator receptacle of a fitting outlet into which an aerator is inserted (installation situation), wherein the locking element acts perpendicularly on the inner wall of the aerator receptacle.

[0037] In the Figures 1-7 Several views of a flow regulator, collectively designated as 1, are shown.

[0038] The aerator 1 is designed to be inserted into and fixed in a designated aerator receptacle 25 on a fitting outlet 2 in the operating position.

[0039] In the Figures 1-7 Each figure shows a rectangular embodiment of a flow regulator 1, which has a non-circular outer contour 23.

[0040] In order to achieve a jet shape that is as rectangular as possible, the aerator 1 has a special outlet structure 9. The outlet structure 9 comprises a plurality of spaced-apart steel form elements 17.

[0041] The jet shaping elements 17 comprise lamellae 10, which are arranged side by side in at least one row on one outlet side of the aerator 1. The lamellae 10 form an outlet pattern of the total jet of a flowing fluid. Since they are arranged in the flow path of the aerator 1, they are surrounded by the total jet.

[0042] The outlet structure 9 comprises a region 11 in which the lamellae 10 are positioned outwards to create a diverging water flow. For example, the lamellae can be curved outwards and / or arranged at an angle relative to the flow direction 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the aforementioned region 11 is formed in the edge regions 12. The lamellae 10 in the aforementioned region 11, for example, have a cross-section 14 with a curved outer contour. They therefore deflect the fluid flow.

[0043] The lamellae 10 in the central region 13, however, are straight and form a straight fluid flow. This means that the lamellae 10 located outside the region 11 have a cross-section with an outer contour oriented in the direction of flow. Furthermore, the two outermost lamellae 10 in the row of lamellae 10 are also straight.

[0044] The lamellae 10 extend either perpendicular or transversely to the flow direction 18. The steel components 17 are formed on a support wall 20 of the housing 3. The aerator components 17 and the housing 3 are thus integral. The steel components 17, in particular the lamellae 10, have a free end 19, which means they are not mounted on a support wall 20 but are freestanding. The free ends 19 of the steel components 17 and the support wall 20 each form a long side of the outer contour 23 of the aerator 1. The steel components 17, in particular the lamellae 10, project transversely or perpendicularly from the support wall 20 into the flow path.

[0045] In the area of ​​the free ends 19 of the beam-shaping elements 17, a circumferential wall of the housing 3 has a region 24 that is open, particularly laterally. The beam-shaping elements 17 have a uniform length, or at least a large proportion of the beam-shaping elements 17 have a uniform length. Thus, they terminate at a uniform height.

[0046] A jet acceleration unit 15 is arranged upstream of the outlet structure 9 in the flow control device 18. The jet acceleration unit 15 is in turn located upstream of a jet aeration zone 21 in the flow direction 18.

[0047] A liquid flowing through the aerator 1 thus first flows through the passage openings of the jet acceleration unit 15, then through the jet aeration area 21, in which the liquid is mixed with air, before the jet is formed in the outlet structure 9 and leaves the aerator or the valve outlet 2 on the outlet side.

[0048] The jet aeration zone 21 is formed within the housing 3 in the flow path of the liquid. Several jet shaping elements 17 are arranged in the jet aeration zone 21, as shown in the Figures 1 to 7The water jet can be divided and mixed with air drawn in from the outside through at least one air channel 37, as shown in the illustration. At least one air channel 37 is formed on the housing 3, which penetrates at least one wall of the housing 3 to draw air from the outside into the jet ventilation area 21 by means of the resulting negative pressure.

[0049] Preferably, the at least one air channel 37 is formed downstream of the seal 16 in the flow direction 18. More preferably, the at least one air channel 37 can be arranged on a narrow side of the housing 3.

[0050] The air duct 37 is formed at least partially by a boundary wall 39 extending in the direction of flow 18, which laterally limits the flow path. The boundary wall 39 extends in the direction of flow 18 over the entire area in which the jet aeration area 21 and / or the outlet structure 9 is / are located. The air duct 39 can therefore run between an outer wall of the housing 3 and the boundary wall 39. An outer end of the air duct 39 can, for example, be located at the outlet side of the jet regulator 1.

[0051] Preferably, the aerator 1 has at least two air channels 37. In particular, these can be formed on opposite sides, for example narrow sides of the housing 3.

[0052] The distributor elements 36 can be formed integrally with the housing 3, similar to the previously described lamellae 10. A cross-section of the distributor elements 36 can, for example, have rounded corners, or in particular, be round. The rounded corners help to minimize noise generation. However, other shapes are also possible. Crucially, the distributor elements 36 must act as a flow obstruction within the flow path. This can be achieved, for example, by the distributor elements 36 having a baffle surface that extends at least partially transversely to the flow direction 18. The distributor elements 36 of the illustrated embodiment are arranged in two rows, side by side, with the distributor elements 36 of the first and second rows being offset from each other to achieve the best possible division of the fluid flow and mixing with air.

[0053] The distributor elements 36 are formed on one or the aforementioned support wall 20 of the housing 3 and project, in particular transversely or vertically, into the flow path. Furthermore, the distributor elements 36 each have free ends 19, which, together with the fins 10, form the open area 24 in the circumferential wall of the housing 3. As shown in the Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the distributor elements 36 have a uniform height with the lamellae 10. The lamellae 10 are located downstream of the distributor elements 36 on the outflow side.

[0054] The laterally open area 24 extends over at least 10%, in particular at least 20%, in particular at least 25%, in particular at least 33%, in particular at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, preferably at least 65%, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of one side of the aerator 1, in particular the longitudinal side of the aerator 1.

[0055] The aerator 1 has a circumferential seal 16 on the outside of the jet acceleration unit 15. The seal 16 makes it possible to seal the external transition from the jet acceleration unit 15 to the downstream outlet structure 9 in the operating position by bearing against the inside of the valve outlet 2.

[0056] The aerator receptacle 25 of the faucet spout 2 has a stepped design. This has the advantage that the seal 16 does not have to be pushed along the entire length of the aerator receptacle 25 with friction when installing and removing the aerator 1. When installed, the seal is pressed against the wall of the faucet spout 2 and compressed. The aerator receptacle 25 may be provided with a groove into which the seal 16 is inserted when installed, with the seal 16 not completely filling the groove to ensure a better seal.

[0057] The jet acceleration unit 15 can, for example, be configured as a perforated plate 26 and / or as a diffuser-diffuser ring combination (not shown). The diffuser-diffuser ring combination can, in a manner known per se, comprise a diffuser acting as a baffle plate, followed by an annular nozzle bounded by a rectangular diffuser ring.

[0058] In the operating position of the aerator 1 – i.e., when inserted into the faucet outlet 2 in an aerator holder 25 adapted for the aerator 1 – the aerator holder 25 covers the laterally open area 24. Thus, the open area 24 is covered by an inner wall of the aerator holder 25. The cover does not create a complete seal; rather, a clearance is provided to allow for certain tolerances. This has the advantage that the outlet structure 9, consisting of aeration elements 17 – such as lamellae 10 and distributor elements 36 – can be formed as a part integrally molded to the housing 3, and in particular, monolithically connected to the housing 3. For example, it can be manufactured using an injection molding process.

[0059] In the Figures 8 to 11 Another variant of a flow regulator 1 is shown as a set with a tool 6.

[0060] The aerator 1 has a detent element 4 movably guided on its housing 3, which can be actuated by a spring element 5 accessible from outside the valve outlet 2, and / or wherein a force transmission from spring element 5 to the detent element 4 is possible. In the embodiment shown, the detent element 4 is connected to the spring element. In particular, the detent element 4 and the spring element 5 can be formed in one piece, especially monolithically.

[0061] In the rest position of the locking element 4 and / or the spring element 5, the locking element 4 projects beyond an outer surface of a wall of the housing 3. When the aerator 1 is installed, the rest position corresponds to the locking position in which the aerator 1 is held in the valve outlet 2.

[0062] The spring element 5 has two legs 34, which are connected to each other, in particular at a vertex. The two legs 34 spread out in two opposite directions, especially in the rest position, so that an angle is formed between them. Force transmission from the spring element 5 to a detent element 4 is possible via the two far ends of the two legs 34 of the spring element 5, since the far ends are each connected to and / or act upon a detent element 4. In this case, the detent elements 4 are connected to the spring element 5 at its far ends.

[0063] The locking element 4 and the spring element 5 thus create a novel unlocking mechanism 29. In the rest position, a force, in particular a clamping force generated by the spring element 5, acts through the locking element 4 in a radial direction and / or perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly on an inner wall of the valve outlet 2.

[0064] To remove the aerator 1 from the faucet outlet 2, a special tool 6 is required to enable it to be released. For this purpose, the tool 6 must be inserted into the faucet outlet 2 in an insertion direction 7, thereby acting upon the spring element 5 located outside the housing 3 until the locking element 4 releases the aerator 1.

[0065] The in the Figures 8 and 9The tool 6 shown has two rigid arms 35 extending from a base body 40 designed as a handle. The rigid arms 35 are spaced apart at a distance smaller than the distance between the two farthest ends of the legs 34. The insertion direction 7 can run along or parallel to a longitudinal axis and / or a central axis of the aerator 1.

[0066] During the insertion of the tool 6 into the valve outlet 2, the two legs 34 are compressed together, reducing the distance between the splayed ends of the two legs 34. This retracts the locking elements 4, which project beyond the housing 3 in their rest position, thus releasing the locking mechanism. The at least one locking element 4 is retracted in a direction perpendicular or transverse to the insertion direction 7, in particular in a straight line.

[0067] The at least one detent element 4 is mounted by a guide 41 formed on the housing 3, which can, for example, be designed as a sliding bearing 38. Furthermore, the detent elements 4 and the spring element 5 are held on the housing 3 by the guide 41, in particular by the sliding bearing 38. The detent element 4 is adjustable by the guide 41 in one degree of freedom, preferably linearly adjustable.

[0068] The housing 3 has two stops 42 and the locking element 4 has two corresponding counter-stops 43. In a locked position, one stop 42 and one counter-stop 43 engage, thereby defining the maximum extent to which the locking element 4 protrudes from the housing in the locked position. In the released position, the stops 42 and the counter-stops 43 do not contact each other but are spaced apart.

[0069] Furthermore, the tool 6 has at least one projection 30, in particular two projections 30, which extends transversely to the insertion direction 7 from a spring element 33. On the upper side of the projection 30, with which it is inserted forward in the insertion direction 7, a contact surface 31 is formed which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction 7.

[0070] The tool 6 is designed to be flat, so that it can be inserted particularly on the back side of the aerator 1. Therefore, the spring elements 33 do not need to be released from undercuts or locking lugs 44 when removing the tool.

[0071] An undercut 8 is formed on the aerator 1, in particular on the housing 3 of the aerator 1, which is oriented in the insertion direction 7 and which projects transversely or perpendicularly to the insertion direction 7.

[0072] The undercut further features a counter-contact surface 32 oriented obliquely to the insertion direction 7 and / or at least almost parallel to the contact surface 31 of the projection 30. When the tool 6 is inserted into the fitting outlet 2, the projection 30 is displaced and / or deflected against a restoring force generated by the spring element 33 at the undercut 8 until the projection 30 snaps into the undercut 8 and the tool 6 is locked with the aerator 1.

[0073] Thus, a pulling mechanism 28 is formed which is decoupled from the previously described release mechanism 29. However, decoupling the aerator 1 from the fitting outlet 2 and coupling the aerator 1 with the tool 6 is only possible by inserting the tool 6, in particular exclusively in the insertion direction 7, into the fitting outlet 2.

[0074] Coupling and uncoupling thus occur almost simultaneously through the same movement. After coupling the tool 6 with the aerator 1, a tensile force can be applied to the aerator 1 in order to pull the released aerator 1 out of the fitting outlet 2 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 7.

[0075] The aerator 1 can have one or more detent elements 4, each connected to a spring element 5 or to a spring element 5. However, it is advantageous if several detent elements 4 are connected to a common spring element 5, or if the detent elements 4 are each connected to a spring element 5 and the two spring elements 5 are in turn connected to each other.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment of the aerator 1, the detent element 4 and / or the spring element 5 are formed separately from the housing 3. Thus, the detent element 4 and / or the spring element 5 are not formed as part of the housing 3, but are separate from it. Preferably, the aerator 1 can have two detent elements 4, each connected to the spring element 5 or to a single spring element 5. A detent lug 44 is formed at the free ends of each detent element 4, which is simultaneously retracted into a release position when the spring element 5 is actuated. By centrally actuating the spring element 5, the detent element 4 or the detent elements 4 can therefore also be adjusted. The detent element 4 and / or the spring element 5 are thus not integrally formed with the housing 3 and can therefore be adjusted relative to the housing 3.

[0077] The separate design of the locking element 4 and / or the spring element 5 from the housing 3 has the advantage that the locking lugs 44 at the ends of the locking elements 4 can be adjusted simultaneously. When the spring element 5 or spring elements 5 are actuated, the locking lugs 44 are released simultaneously. This simultaneous adjustment of the locking lugs 44 is also possible even though they protrude from the housing 3 on opposite sides of the aerator 1. Release is achieved by simply applying pressure to the central spring element 5. This design means that the pressure on the spring element 5 does not occur at the point of locking, but rather at a distance from it. Therefore, no space is required at the point of locking for tool insertion.

[0078] The invention also relates to a method according to claim 1 for removing an aerator 1 from a fitting outlet 2, an aerator 1 and a set comprising an aerator 1 and a tool 6, wherein the aerator 1 has a housing 3 and a detent element 4 movably mounted on the housing 3, wherein the detent element 4 is adjustable by means of a force transmission from a spring element 5 arranged within a recess of the housing 3 and accessible from outside the fitting outlet 2 to the detent element 4, wherein the detent element 4 projects beyond the housing 3 in its rest position to hold the aerator 1 in the fitting outlet 2, wherein a tool 6 for removal is inserted into the fitting outlet 2 in an insertion direction 7, wherein the spring element 5 is acted upon by the tool 6 during insertion until the detent element 4 releases the aerator 1. Reference symbol list

[0079] 1 Aerator 2 Fitting outlet 3 Housing 4 Detent element 5 Spring element 6 Tool 7 Insertion direction 8 Undercut 9 Outlet structure 10 Vanes 11 Area of ​​outwardly angled vanes 12 Edge area 13 Central area 14 Cross-section 15 Jet acceleration unit 16 Seal 17 Jet shaping element 18 Flow direction 19 Free end 20 Support wall 21 Jet aeration area 22 Front screen 23 Outer contour 24 Laterally open area 25 Aerator mount 26 Perforated plate 28 Pulling mechanism 29 Detent mechanism 30 Projection 31 Contact surface 32 Counter-contact surface 33 Spring element 34 Leg 35 Rigid arms 36 Distributor element 37 Air duct 38 Slide bearing 39 Limiting wall 40 Base body 41 Guide 42 Stop 43 Counter stop 44 Detent lug

Claims

1. Method for removing a jet aerator (1) from a faucet outlet (2), wherein the jet aerator (1) has a housing (3) and a latching element (4) arranged movably on the housing (3), wherein the latching element (4) is acted upon by a spring element (5), which is accessible from outside the faucet outlet (2) when the jet aerator (1) is inserted into the faucet outlet (2) in the position of use, and wherein the latching element (4) projects beyond the housing (3) in the position of use in order to hold the jet aerator (1) in the faucet outlet (2), wherein a tool (6) for removal is inserted into the faucet outlet (2) in an insertion direction (7) and wherein the spring element (5) is acted upon by the tool (6) during insertion until the latching element (4) releases the jet aerator (1), wherein the latching element (4) is guided by a guide (41) formed by the housing (3), and / or the latching element (4) and / or the spring element (5) is / are formed separately from the housing (3).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the tool (6) engages in an undercut (8) on the jet aerator (1) oriented in the insertion direction (7) in order to be able to pull the jet aerator (1) out of the faucet outlet (2).

3. Jet aerator (1) for insertion into a faucet outlet (2), in particular for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the jet aerator (1) has a housing (3) and a latching element (4) arranged movably on the housing (3), wherein the latching element (4) is acted upon by a spring element (5), which is accessible from outside the faucet outlet (2) when the jet aerator (1) is inserted into the faucet outlet (2) in the position of use, and wherein the latching element (4) projects beyond the housing (3) in the position of use or in its rest position in order to hold the jet aerator (1) in the faucet outlet (2) and wherein the spring element (5) is designed and / or arranged in such a way that it can be acted upon by a tool (6) inserted into the faucet outlet (2) in an insertion direction (7) during insertion until the latching element (4) releases the jet aerator (1), wherein the latching element (4) is guided in a guide (41) formed by the housing (3), and / or the latching element (4) and / or the spring element (5) is / are formed separately from the housing (3).

4. Jet aerator (1) according to one of the preceding claims directed to a jet aerator, wherein the guide (41) is designed as a plain bearing (38) and / or wherein the latching element (4) is adjustable in one degree of freedom by the guide (41), preferably adjustable in a straight line.

5. Jet aerator (1) according to one of the preceding claims directed to an aerator, wherein at least one stop (42) is formed on the housing (3), which is acted upon in a latching position by a corresponding counter-stop (43) on the latching element (4), in particular wherein the stop (42) defines the maximum extent to which the latching element (4) projects out of the housing (3).

6. Set consisting of a jet aerator (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, and a tool (6), wherein the spring element (5) is designed and arranged such that in the position of use the spring element (5) can be acted upon by the tool (6) when the tool (6) is inserted into the faucet outlet (2) until the latching element (4) releases the jet aerator (1), so that the jet aerator (1) can then be removed from the faucet outlet (2).