METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REDUCING RESIDUAL PRESSURE IN A FLUID LINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for reducing residual pressure in a fluid line. The fluid line is part of a shower system. The fluid conveyed through the fluid line is, in particular, water (e.g., tap water).

[0002] When operating sanitary fittings, showers, or plumbing systems, water is conveyed through a fluid line to a fitting (faucet / shower head, etc.), from which the water flows into an environment (into a container, e.g., a washbasin, shower tray, toilet bowl, bathtub). The fluid line usually has a closable inlet and outlet.

[0003] Document FR 2611023 A1 discloses an anti-water hammer device on a water pipe to reduce the water pressure in the water pipe.

[0004] The document DE 36455 C discloses a device for preventing hydraulic shocks in the water pipe when closing taps.

[0005] When the inlet is closed, residual pressure may remain in the fluid line, particularly between the inlet and outlet or fitting. This residual pressure can, in particular, prevent drip-preventing devices from functioning as intended.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems cited with reference to the prior art. In particular, a method and a device for reducing residual pressure remaining in a fluid line are to be proposed, so that, in particular, devices for preventing dripping can function as intended.

[0007] A method having the features according to patent claim 1 and a device having the features according to patent claim 5 contribute to solving these problems. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0008] A method for reducing a residual pressure remaining in a fluid line of a shower system according to claim 1 is proposed.

[0009] The fluid line is part of a shower system. The fluid conveyed through the fluid line is primarily water (e.g., tap water).

[0010] During the operation of sanitary fittings, showers, or sanitary systems, water is conveyed through a fluid line to a fitting (faucet / shower head, etc.), from which the water flows via the drain into an environment (into a container, e.g., washbasin, shower tray, toilet bowl, bathtub). The fluid line usually has a closable inlet and outlet. A closable outlet opening can be arranged upstream (relative to the flow direction of the fluid flowing in the fluid line when the inlet is open) of a fitting outlet, with the fluid leaving the fitting via the drain into an environment. The closable outlet opening can, for example, be a device for preventing dripping.

[0011] In particular, the fluid only flows from the inlet to the outlet when the inlet is open. As soon as the inlet is closed, the fluid stagnates, and residual pressure builds up between the inlet and outlet, at least in the area of ​​the opening.

[0012] The residual pressure in the fluid line is, in particular, an overpressure relative to the surroundings (atmosphere). When the fluid is stagnant or the inlet is closed, the residual pressure is present, particularly in the fluid line, at least in the area of ​​the opening.

[0013] In particular, in step b) of the method according to claim 1, the residual pressure in the fluid line is reduced by the fluid flowing out of the fluid line via the opening into the additional volume.

[0014] In particular, in step d), the fluid in the additional volume is sucked in via the opening by the fluid flowing in the fluid line and is successively discharged from the additional volume back into the fluid line.

[0015] In particular, the suction is effected by a negative pressure generated in the fluid line by the fluid flowing in the fluid line in a second device. The negative pressure is, in particular, lower than the ambient pressure (atmosphere). The negative pressure is, in particular, generated in a second device.

[0016] In particular, the second device comprises a Venturi nozzle or a vortex chamber.

[0017] A Venturi nozzle is well known. The negative pressure created by the flow of a fluid through the Venturi nozzle is used to draw in the fluid from the additional volume.

[0018] A vortex chamber is known, for example, from DE 20 2005 010 236 U1 and EP 0 213 329 A2. A fluid is injected, for example, tangentially into a chamber, creating turbulence and a localized negative pressure. Media supply lines can be arranged in the area of ​​the negative pressure, so that the fluid flow draws the medium into the chamber and mixes it with the fluid.

[0019] In this context, a vortex chamber is defined as any flow device in which (locally defined) areas of negative pressure can be created by the flow of a fluid. The opening described above is located in these areas so that the fluid can be drawn in from the additional volume due to the negative pressure in the fluid line or vortex chamber.

[0020] In particular, the additional volume changes (increases and decreases) depending on the fluid in the additional volume or on the amount of fluid in the additional volume.

[0021] In particular, the first device comprises a space (the additional volume) that can be filled and emptied without force. This space is formed by a deformable film arranged on the fluid line. The space is enlarged by the fluid flowing in through the opening and gradually decreases as the fluid flows out of the additional volume through the opening back into the fluid line. In particular, the fluid line is part of a sanitary facility, and the fluid is water.

[0022] In particular, the fluid line forms an inlet area of ​​a shower (e.g. the fluid line is designed as a pipe, hose or water guide).

[0023] Furthermore, a device for reducing a residual pressure remaining in a fluid line of a shower system is proposed according to claim 5. In particular, the device is designed to be suitable for carrying out the method already described or the device can be operated by the method.

[0024] In particular, the second device generates a negative pressure in the fluid line when fluid flows along the fluid line and through the device, so that fluid from the additional volume can be sucked into the fluid line.

[0025] In particular, the second device comprises a Venturi nozzle or a vortex chamber.

[0026] In particular, the additional volume changes (increases and decreases) depending on the fluid in the additional volume or on the amount of fluid in the additional volume.

[0027] In particular, the additional volume has a maximum volume of at most 0.5 liters, preferably of at most 0.2 liters, particularly preferably of at most 0.1 liters.

[0028] In particular, the overpressure relative to the environment (atmosphere) is at most 0.5 bar, preferably at most 0.2 bar, particularly preferably at most 0.1 bar.

[0029] In particular, by filling the additional volume, an overpressure in the fluid line is reduced by at least 0.1 bar, preferably by at least 0.2 bar.

[0030] In particular, by filling the additional volume, an overpressure in the fluid line is reduced by a maximum of 1.0 bar, preferably by a maximum of 0.75 bar, particularly preferably by a maximum of 0.5 bar.

[0031] The statements regarding the method are particularly transferable to the device and vice versa.

[0032] As a precaution, it should be noted that the numerals used here ("first", "second", ...) primarily serve (only) to distinguish between several similar objects, quantities, or processes, and therefore do not necessarily specify any interdependence and / or sequence of these objects, quantities, or processes. Should a dependence and / or sequence be required, this is explicitly stated here or will be obvious to the person skilled in the art upon studying the specifically described embodiment. To the extent that a component can occur multiple times ("at least one"), the description of one of these components may apply equally to all or part of the majority of these components, but this is not mandatory.

[0033] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited by the exemplary embodiments cited.

[0034] It should be noted that the figures, and in particular the proportions shown, are only schematic. They show: Fig. 1: a device in a flow-through state or step d) of the method; and Fig. 2: the device according to Fig. 1 with the fluid still or step b) of the process.

[0035] The Fig. 1 shows a device 9 in a flow-through state or step d) of the method. Fig. 2 shows the device 9 after Fig. 1 with the fluid 6 still standing or step b) of the process. Fig. 1 and 2 are described together below.

[0036] The device 9 comprises a fluid line 1 with a closable inlet 2 and an outlet 3, as well as a first device 4 arranged downstream of the inlet 2 and between the inlet and outlet 3 for providing an additional volume 5 for a fluid 6 flowing through the fluid line 1. The additional volume 5 is fluidly connected to the fluid line 1 via an opening 7. A second device 8 is arranged in the fluid line 1 for sucking the fluid 6 located in the additional volume 5 back into the fluid line 1.

[0037] The second device 8 generates, with the inlet 2 open and with fluid 6 flowing along the fluid line 1 and through the second device 8 (see Fig. 1 ), a negative pressure in the fluid line 1, so that fluid 6 can be sucked from the additional volume 5 into the fluid line 1.

[0038] When the inlet 3 is closed and the fluid 6 is stationary, an overpressure is built up in the fluid line 1 between the inlet 2 and the outlet 3 compared to the environment 11, so that fluid 6 flows out of the fluid line 1 via the opening 7 into the first device 4 and forms or fills the additional volume 5 (see Fig. 2 ).

[0039] The second device 8 here comprises a Venturi nozzle.

[0040] The additional volume 5 changes (increases and decreases) depending on the fluid 6 located in the additional volume 5 or on the amount of fluid 6 located in the additional volume 4.

[0041] The first device 4 comprises a space (the additional volume 5) that can be filled and emptied without force. This space is formed by a deformable film or wall 10 arranged on the fluid line 1. The space is enlarged by the fluid 6 flowing in through the opening 7 and gradually decreases as the fluid 6 flows out of the additional volume 5 through the opening 7 back into the fluid line 1. List of reference symbols

[0042] 1Fluid line 2Inlet 3Outlet 4First device 5Additional volume 6Fluid 7Opening 8Second device 9Device 10Wall

Claims

1. A method for reducing a residual pressure remaining in a fluid line (1) of a shower system after the closing of a closable inflow point (2) of the fluid line (1), wherein the fluid line (1) includes the closable inflow point (2) and an outflow point (3), wherein a first mechanism (4) for providing an additional volume (5) for a fluid (6) flowing through the fluid line (1) is arranged between the closable inflow point (2) and the outflow point (3); wherein the additional volume (5) increases and decreases as a function of the fluid (6) present in the additional volume (5); wherein the additional volume (5) is formed by a deformable foil (10) which is arranged on the fluid line (1) and rests directly against the fluid line (1) when the additional volume (5) is completely emptied; wherein the additional volume (5) is fluidically connected to the fluid line (1) via an opening (7); wherein the additional volume (5) is increased by the fluid (6) flowing in via the opening (7) and successively decreases as the fluid (6) flows out of the additional volume (5) via the opening (7) and back into the fluid line (1), wherein the method comprises at least the following steps, based on the closable inflow point (2) in its open state and a flowing fluid (6): a) closing the closable inflow point (2); b) reducing the residual pressure in the fluid line (1) by letting the fluid (6) flow from the fluid line (1) into the additional volume (5); c) opening the closable inflow point (2) so that fluid (6) flows from the closable inflow point (2) to the outflow point (3); d) sucking, via the opening (7), the fluid (6) present in the additional volume (5) into the fluid line (1) by means of the fluid (6) flowing in the fluid line (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the suction is effected by a negative pressure generated in a second mechanism (8) in the fluid line (1) by the fluid (6) flowing in the fluid line (1).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second mechanism (8) is a Venturi nozzle or a vortex chamber.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid line (1) is part of a sanitary installation and the fluid (6) is water.

5. A device (9) for reducing a residual pressure remaining in a fluid line (1) after the closing of a closable inflow point (2) of the fluid line (1), at least comprising a fluid line (1) with the closable inflow point (2) and an outflow point (3) as well as a first mechanism (4) arranged between the closable inflow point (2) and the outflow point (3) for providing an additional volume (5) for a fluid (6) flowing through the fluid line (1); wherein the additional volume (5) increases and decreases as a function of the fluid (6) present in the additional volume (5); wherein the additional volume (5) is formed by a deformable foil (10), wherein the additional volume (5) is fluidically connected to the fluid line (1) via an opening (7); wherein the additional volume (5) is configured to increase by the fluid (6) flowing in via the opening (7) and to be successively decrease as the fluid (6) flows out of the additional volume (5) via the opening (7) and back into the fluid line (1), wherein a second mechanism (8) for sucking the fluid (6) present in the additional volume (5) back into the fluid line (1) is arranged in the fluid line (1), characterized in that the fluid line (1) is part of a shower system and the foil (10) is arranged on the fluid line (1) and rests directly against the fluid line (1) when the additional volume (5) is completely emptied.

6. The device (9) according to claim 5, wherein the second mechanism (8) generates a negative pressure in the fluid line (1) as fluid (6) flows along the fluid line (1) and through the second mechanism (8) so that fluid (6) from the additional volume (5) can be sucked into the fluid line (1).

7. The device (9) according to claim 6, wherein the second mechanism (8) comprises a Venturi nozzle or a vortex chamber.

8. The device (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional volume (5) has a maximum volume of at most 0.5 liters.