SANITARY WASHBASIN OR SINK EQUIPMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sanitary washbasin or sink unit with a pull-out hose device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The sanitary washbasin or sink unit comprises a washbasin or sink unit, a washbasin or sink unit substructure, a sanitary outlet fitting associated with the washbasin or sink unit and a pull-out hose device for the sanitary outlet fitting.

[0003] The pull-out hose device comprises a pull-out hose which is user-operated and extendable from a retracted position to an extended position and automatically retractable from the extended position to the retracted position, and a retrieval unit which is configured to exert a tensile force on the pull-out hose in the direction of its retracted position, wherein the pull-out hose extends with at least one U-shaped hose bend in the washbasin or sink substructure.

[0004] Retractable hose devices of this type are known in various designs, e.g., for sanitary washbasins and sinks. The retractable hose can be pulled out by the user from the retracted position to the extended position and then automatically returns from the extended to the retracted position if the user allows this return movement. For the automatic retraction of the retractable hose from the extended to the retracted position, the retraction unit is designed to exert the necessary tensile force on the retractable hose in the direction of its retracted position.

[0005] Various designs are already known for the retrieval unit, e.g. in the form of a hose weight mounted on the pull-out hose, see laid-open specification CH 695 743 A5, or in the form of a loose roller inserted into a hose bend of the pull-out hose so as to be translationally movable against a weight and / or spring force, see laid-open specification DE 10 2015 226 412 A1, which discloses a sanitary washbasin or sink unit according to the preamble of claim 1, and utility model DE 20 2005 019 492 U1.

[0006] The published patent application US 2017 / 0096801 A1 discloses a pull-out hose device in which the return unit is formed by at least one coil-shaped wound band spring with constant return spring force, which is housed with its wound section in a cylindrical housing so as to rotate freely and is fixed with a band end led out of the housing, for example by means of a press fit to a crimp sleeve with which it is fixed directly to the pull-out hose.

[0007] The patent specification US 6,915,816 B2 discloses a sanitary outlet fitting system with a pull-out hose device which corresponds to that of the type mentioned above with the modification that for the automatic retraction of the pull-out hose a drive roller is provided which is pressed against the pull-out hose with contact, which drive roller is rotatably mounted on a stationary support part and is non-rotatably coupled to one end of a spiral spring which is fixed with its other end to the stationary support part.

[0008] The published patent application DE 101 02 847 A1 discloses a fuel dispensing unit with a pull-out hose device, in which the pull-out hose forms a fuel dispensing hose.

[0009] The published patent application US 2005 / 0097996 A1 discloses a cord-held hand tool, in particular pliers or a knife, with a retrieval unit comprising a winding mechanism for a holding cord, which is arranged in a handle area or in a pliers joint area of ​​the hand tool and contains a circular cylindrical housing in which a cord winding area and a spiral spring axially offset relative to this are accommodated, wherein the housing has an opening on its outer surface for passing the holding cord through in the radial direction.

[0010] The utility model DE 20 2017 102 744 U1 discloses a suspension for a vertically downward hanging shower hose of a hand shower, which runs with a vertically upward pointing U-bend, to the uppermost point of which a hose attachment is coupled, from which a pull rope leads upwards to a spring-loaded automatic rewinder.

[0011] The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a sanitary washbasin or sink unit with advantageous retraction characteristics for the pull-out hose compared to the above-mentioned prior art.

[0012] The invention solves this problem by providing a sanitary washbasin or sink unit having the features of claim 1.

[0013] The sanitary washbasin or sink unit according to the invention comprises a washbasin or sink unit, a washbasin or sink unit substructure, a sanitary outlet fitting associated with the washbasin or sink unit, and a specifically advantageous pull-out hose device for the sanitary outlet fitting. The pull-out hose extends with at least one U-shaped, vertically downward-hanging hose bend of variable length in the washbasin or sink unit substructure. The pull-out hose, with its hose bend, can be pulled out by the user from a retracted position in an upward pull-out direction to an extended position and can be automatically retracted from the extended position to the retracted position in a downward pull-in direction.The pull-out hose device has a retraction unit which is designed to exert a tensile force with a force component parallel to the retraction direction on the pull-out hose in the direction of its retracted position.

[0014] The retrieval unit includes a spring retraction roller and a retrieval cord that can be wound and unwound with a variable portion of its length wound onto the spring retraction roller. The retrieval cord is coupled with its hose fixing section to a section of the U-shaped hose bend, thereby transferring the restoring force of the spring retraction roller as a tensile force to the extension hose in the direction of its retracted position. The retrieval cord is unwound from the spring retraction roller when the extension hose is pulled out. This allows the extension hose to be easily and reliably moved back automatically from its extended to its retracted position. An attachment point for the retrieval cord is located in this section of the U-shaped hose bend above a lowest point of the U-shaped hose bend.

[0015] The use of the retrieval cord has the advantage that the retrieval unit can be constructed comparatively compactly and / or with little effort, making it suitable even for confined spaces in the extension hose device. If required, the retrieval cord can be provided with a comparatively small cross-section or small transverse dimensions and can therefore easily follow the extension hose even in relatively narrow hose feedthroughs, which may be formed on associated stationary components to guide the movable extension hose through the stationary component. The retrieval cord has virtually no inherent rigidity that could disrupt the movement of the extension hose. On the other hand, it can reliably transmit the spring force provided by the spring retraction roller as tensile force to the lifting hose, allowing it to retract automatically.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the extension hose device includes a cord fixing component that is detachably attached to the extension hose and to which the retrieval cord is attached with its hose fixing section. In this embodiment, the retrieval cord can be detached from the extension hose via the cord fixing component when necessary.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the cord fixing component is designed as a height-adjustable component on the extension hose. This allows the retrieval cord to be selectively connected to the extension hose at different heights, provided the extension hose has a correspondingly vertically extending hose section.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the cord fixing component is designed as a clamping component that can be clamped to the extension hose. This advantageously provides a simple and functionally reliable connection of the retrieval cord to the extension hose, whereby the clamping connection provided by the clamping component on the extension hose can be designed to be detachable or non-detachable, as required.

[0019] In a further development of the invention, the retrieval unit includes a roller housing with a U-shaped cross-section that accommodates the spring-return roller and has a through-hole for the retrieval cord formed in a semi-cylindrical housing area on the outer surface. This allows the retrieval cord to be guided through the through-hole and out of the roller housing.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, the roller housing has a rotational fixation for the shaft, on which the spring return roller is rotatably mounted. This advantageously allows the shaft to be easily held in a rotationally fixed manner on the roller housing.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, the spring retraction roller comprises a roller body rotatably mounted on the shaft and a spiral spring, providing a spring force on the retraction cord that counteracts the unwinding movement and thus acts in the winding direction. The roller body has a cord winding area and a spring receiving area that accommodates the spiral spring. The cord winding area and the spring receiving area are arranged axially offset from one another, and the spiral spring is fixed to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner with a radially inner end area and is connected to the roller body in a rotationally fixed manner with a radially outer end area. This facilitates relatively simple production of the spring retraction roller, which can thus be constructed compactly and provides advantageous retraction functionality for the extension hose.

[0022] In a further development of the invention, the roller housing has a mounting flange for attachment to a stationary component. This allows for easy attachment of the roller housing to the respective stationary component.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the rotational fixation for the shaft is formed on a housing end face of the roller housing, which has a U-shaped cross-section. In another embodiment, the mounting flange of the roller housing, for attachment to a stationary component of the pull-out hose device, protrudes from one or two opposite housing end faces on an open housing side of the roller housing, which has a U-shaped cross-section. These embodiments are advantageous individually and in any combination with regard to manufacturing effort and functionality of the retrieval unit.

[0024] In a further development of the invention, the spiral spring is fixed to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner with a radially inner end region and connected to the roller body in a rotationally fixed manner with a radially outer end region. This provides an advantageously simple fixation of the spiral spring.

[0025] In a further development of the invention, the retraction unit with its roller housing is attached to a wall of the vanity unit or sink unit base. This wall can be, for example, a floor wall, a side wall, a rear wall, a front wall, or a cover wall of the vanity unit or sink unit. Due to the design of the pull-out hose device, the positioning of the retraction unit in the vanity unit or sink unit can be suitably adapted to the position and path of the pull-out hose, and in particular to its U-shaped hose bend.

[0026] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. These and other advantageous embodiments of the invention are described and explained in more detail below. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a sanitary washbasin or sink unit with pull-out hose device with retracted hose, Fig. 2 the view of Fig. 1 with the hose extended, Fig. 3 a perspective exploded view of a device used, for example, for the sanitary washbasin or sink unit of Fig. 1 usable pull-out hose device with only partially shown pull-out hose, Fig. 4 a side view of the pull-out hose device in the assembled state, Fig. 5 a perspective view of the pull-out hose device in the assembled state, Fig. 6 a sectional view along a line VI-VI of Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 a sectional view along a line VII-VII of Fig. 6 .

[0027] The Fig. 1 and 2 The sanitary washbasin or sink unit shown schematically with its components of interest here can be used, for example, for a bathroom washbasin or a kitchen sink and comprises a washbasin or sink unit 1, a washbasin or sink unit substructure 2, a sanitary outlet fitting 3 assigned to the washbasin or sink unit 1 and a pull-out hose device 4 with a pull-out hose 5 for the sanitary outlet fitting 3. The pull-out hose 5 is in the example shown with an operator-side end region 5a, which can contain, for example, a shower head or aerator, from a hollow fitting housing 3a of the outlet fitting 3 from a Fig. 1 shown retracted position into a Fig. 2 The extended position shown is extendable, as is familiar to the expert.

[0028] Unless otherwise stated herein, the washbasin or sink unit 1, the washbasin or sink unit substructure 2, and the sanitary outlet fitting 3 are each of any of the known types, which therefore requires no further explanation here. The outlet fitting 3 can, in particular, be a so-called washbasin mixer with a pull-out spray or a so-called kitchen sink mixer with a pull-out spray, e.g., a single-lever mixer type or another conventional mixer type.

[0029] The pull-out hose 5 extends with one or more U-shaped hose bends 5b of variable length in the washbasin or sink unit substructure 2, wherein the U-shaped hose bend(s) 5b in the example shown hang vertically downwards below the washbasin or sink unit 1 in the substructure 2. The pull-out hose device 4 includes a retraction unit 6 with a spring retraction roller 7 and a retraction cord 8, which is coupled to the pull-out hose 5 by a hose fixing section 8a, specifically to a section 5c of the U-shaped hose bend 5b or to a section of one of several U-shaped hose bends. The attachment point for the retraction cord 8 on the pull-out hose 5 can be variably selected as appropriate, wherein the attachment point in the retracted position of the pull-out hose 5 is still slightly above the lowest point of the respective U-shaped hose bend 5, e.g.by only twice to ten times the outer diameter of the extension hose 5 above the lowest point of the extension hose 5 in the fully retracted state.

[0030] The pull-out hose device 4 is in an advantageous embodiment in the Fig. 3 to 7 with its individual components illustrated in more detail.

[0031] As already mentioned and also from the Fig. 3 to 7 As can be seen, the extension hose device 4 comprises the extension hose 5 and the retrieval unit 6. The extension hose 5 can be moved by a user by appropriate actuation from a retracted position, such as in Fig. 1 shown, in an extended position, such as in Fig. 2shown, extendable and automatically, ie without requiring a corresponding return force from the user, retractable or returnable from the extended position to the retracted position, as is known to the person skilled in the art from conventional pull-out hose devices. Fig. 1, 2 and 4 the extension movement of the extension hose 5 in the direction of the extended position is symbolized by an extension direction arrow PA and the opposite return movement, i.e. retraction movement, of the extension hose 5 in the direction of the retracted position is symbolized by an opposite retraction direction arrow PE.

[0032] The retrieval unit 6 is designed to exert a tensile force FZ on the extension hose 5 in the direction of its retracted position, i.e. a retrieving force with a force component parallel to the direction of the retraction direction arrow PE . For this purpose, the retrieval unit 6 comprises the spring retraction roller 7 and the retrieval cord 8, which is wound onto the spring retraction roller 7 with a variable part of its length so that it can be wound up and unwound. The retrieval cord 8 is coupled to the hose fixing section 8a on the extension hose 5. As is known per se to those skilled in the art, the spring retraction roller 7 can be designed such that it has a desired characteristic for the retracting spring force it provides as a function of the extension length of the retrieval cord 8, e.g. a constant restoring force or a restoring force that increases or decreases at least in some areas with increasing extension length of the retrieval cord 8.

[0033] In the example shown, the return unit 6 has a roller housing 9 which accommodates the spring return roller 7, with which it is connected in the application example of the Fig. 1 and 2 is attached to a wall 2a of the washbasin or sink base unit 2. This wall 2a can, for example, be a bottom wall of the base unit 2, as shown, or alternatively a side wall, a rear wall, a front wall, or a cover wall of the base unit 2. In alternative embodiments, the spring return roller 7 is arranged without a surrounding housing.

[0034] In corresponding embodiments, the extension hose device 4, as in the example shown, includes a cord fixing component 10 that is detachably attached to the extension hose 5, wherein the retrieval cord 8 is attached to the cord fixing component 10 by its hose fixing section 8a. In alternative embodiments, the retrieval cord 8 is coupled to the extension hose 5 in a different manner, e.g., directly glued to it or wound around it and secured to it by means of a knot.

[0035] In corresponding embodiments, the cord fixing component 10, as in the example shown, is designed as a height-adjustable component on the extension hose 5, whereby the height adjustment can be realized continuously or in steps as required. In alternative embodiments, the cord fixing component is designed as a component that can only be fixed to the extension hose 5 at a single, specific, fixed height.

[0036] In corresponding embodiments, the cord fixing component 10, as in the example shown, is designed as a clamping component that can be clamped to the extension hose 5. In alternative embodiments, the cord fixing component can be designed in a different way, for example, as a component that can be attached to the extension hose by means of an adhesive connection, a screw connection, or the like.

[0037] In corresponding embodiments, the reel housing 9, as in the example shown, has a through-opening 11 for the retrieval cord 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the reel housing 9 has a U-shaped cross-section, wherein the through-opening 11 is formed on the outer surface side in a semi-cylindrical housing region 9a of the reel housing 9. In alternative embodiments, the reel housing has a different cross-section and / or the through-opening is formed at a different location on the reel housing 9, e.g., on one of its end faces. The through-opening 11 can, if necessary, be suitably rounded at its opening edge in order to prevent damage to the retrieval cord 8 and to minimize frictional noises of the retrieval cord 8 on the reel housing 9.

[0038] In corresponding designs, the return unit 6, as in the example shown, includes a shaft 12 on which the spring return roller 7 is rotatably mounted. In designs in which the return unit 6 has the roller housing 9, the roller housing 9 optionally has, as in the example shown, a rotational fixation 13 for the shaft 12. The rotational fixation 13 secures the shaft 12 against rotation relative to the roller housing 9 and thereby prevents the shaft 12 from rotating with the spring return roller 7. In the example shown, the rotational fixation 13 is realized by a groove-shaped recess in the roller housing 9, into which a polygonal head 12a of the shaft 12 can engage in a rotationally secured manner. In corresponding designs, the rotational fixation 13 is formed, as shown, on a housing end face 9b of the roller housing 9; in alternative designs, it can be formed at a different location on the roller housing 9, e.g., on a lateral surface side.

[0039] In corresponding embodiments, the roller housing 9, as in the example shown, has a fastening flange 14 on an open housing side 9c of the roller housing 9, wherein the fastening flange 14 protrudes from one or, as in the example shown, from two opposite housing end faces 9b, 9d. In corresponding embodiments, the roller housing 9 has a fastening flange 14 for fastening to a stationary component, e.g., to a wall of a washbasin or sink unit substructure, as in the application according to the Fig. 1 and 2 .

[0040] In corresponding designs, the spring retraction roller 7, as in the example shown, has a roller body 7a, which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 12, and a spiral spring 7b. The roller body 7a includes, axially offset from one another, a cord winding area 15, onto which the retrieval cord 8 can be wound, and a spring receiving area 16 receiving the spiral spring 7b. The spiral spring 7b is fixed to the shaft 12 in a rotationally fixed manner by a radially inner end area 17, for which purpose the shaft 12 can have, for example, a spring retaining slot 12b, into which the radially inner end area 12 of the spiral spring 7b is inserted. The spiral spring 7b is connected to the roller body 7a in a rotationally fixed manner by a radially outer end area 18, e.g., by form-fitting and / or force-fitting.

[0041] As the illustrated and other embodiments explained above make clear, the invention provides a sanitary washbasin or sink fixture with a pull-out hose device that can be manufactured with relatively little effort, can be constructed compactly if necessary, and is also well suited for confined spaces. The pull-out hose device has advantageous functional characteristics and, thanks to its special retraction unit, enables a pull-out hose that can be pulled out by the user from a retracted to an extended position to be reliably and automatically retracted from the extended to the retracted position. This pull-out hose device requires no hose weights, no loose rollers to be inserted into hose bends of the pull-out hose, and no direct fixation of a spring element to the pull-out hose.The retraction unit can be mounted as a compact component at any desired location. Depending on the installation location and orientation of the retraction unit, it can specify the desired pull direction for the extension hose. This allows the extension hose to be kept away from areas where it could cause interference, e.g., in the case of a vanity unit or sink unit under a vanity unit, near waste containers, water drains, water supply lines, and under-counter drawers. The cord fixing component can be made from different materials, such as plastic or metal, and / or with different hose diameters for individual use with extension hoses of different diameters. The extension hose device is particularly quiet in operation. The retraction cord is virtually silent in its movement, and the rotating spring return roller can also be designed to be very quiet.

Claims

1. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device, comprising - a washstand or kitchen-sink (1), - a washstand or kitchen-sink substructure (2), - a sanitary outlet fitting (3) associated with the washstand or kitchen-sink, and - a pull-out hose device (4) for the sanitary outlet fitting, wherein a pull-out hose (5) of the pull-out hose device extends with at least one U-shaped hose bend (5b) of variable length hanging vertically downwards in the washstand or kitchen-sink substructure, and the pull-out hose (5) is configured to be pulled out with its hose bend (5b) upwards in a pull-out direction (PA) by user operation from a retracted position to an extended position and to be pulled back from the extended position to the retracted position in a self-acting manner downwards in a pull-back direction (PE), and wherein the pull-out hose device (4) comprises a return unit (6) which is configured to exert a pull force (Fz) on the pull-out hose (5) with a force component parallel to the pull-back direction (PE) in the direction towards its retracted position, characterized in that - the return unit (6) comprises a spring withdrawing pulley (7) and a return cord (8) which is wound onto the spring withdrawing pulley (7) with a variable portion of its length to be windable on and off, wherein the return cord (8) is coupled to a section (5c) of the U-shaped hose bend (5b) with a hose fixing section (8a), and wherein a fixing point for the return cord (8) on this section (5c) of the U-shaped hose bend (5b) is situated slightly above the bottom point of the U-shaped hose bend (5b) in the retracted position of the pull-out hose (5), e.g. by a factor of two to ten of the outer diameter of the pull-out hose (5).

2. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to claim 1, further characterized by a cord fixing component (10) which is removably attached to the pull-out hose (5) and to which the return cord (8) is attached with its hose fixing section (8a).

3. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to claim 2, further characterized in that the cord fixing component (10) is a component configured to be adjustable in height on the pull-out hose (5).

4. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to claim 2 or 3, further characterized in that the cord fixing component (10) is a clamping component configured to be attachable to the pull-out hose (5) by clamping.

5. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the return unit (6) comprises a pulley housing (9) accommodating the spring withdrawing pulley (7), which housing has a U-shaped cross-section and includes a feed-through opening (11) for the return cord (8) formed in a semi-cylindrical housing portion (9a) on a shell-surface side.

6. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to claim 5, further characterized in that the pulley housing (9) comprises a rotary fixing (13) for a shaft (12) on which the spring withdrawing pulley (7) is rotatably mounted.

7. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to claim 6, further characterized in that the spring withdrawing pulley (7) comprises a pulley body (7a) which is rotatably mounted on the shaft (12), and a spiral spring (7b), wherein the pulley body (7a) comprises a cord winding portion (15) and a spring accommodation portion (16), accommodating the spiral spring (7b), axially offset in relation to each other, and wherein the spiral spring (7b) is fixed to the shaft (12) with a radial inner end portion (17) in a rotationally fixed manner and is connected to the pulley body (7a) with a radial outer end portion (18) in a rotationally fixed manner.

8. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to claim 6 or 7, further characterized in that the rotary fixing (13) is formed on a housing end face side (9b).

9. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further characterized in that the pulley housing (9) comprises a connecting flange (14) for attachment to a stationary component.

10. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to claim 9, further characterized in that the connecting flange (14) projects from one or two opposed housing end face sides (9b, 9d) of the pulley housing (9) on an open housing side (9c) of pulley housing (9).

11. Sanitary washstand or kitchen-sink device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further characterized in that the return unit (6) is attached with its pulley housing (9) to a wall (2a) of the washstand or kitchen-sink substructure (2).