VARIABLE CIRCUMFERENCE STRAINER FOR A THERMOSTATIC VALVE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sieve, wherein the sieve a) is annular, b) designed to filter water in a thermostatic valve, c) can be converted from a first state to a further state, d) has a first circumference in the first state, and e) has a further circumference in the further state, characterized in that the further scope is more than the first scope. Furthermore, the invention relates to a thermostatic valve including the strainer; a thermostatic fitting including the thermostatic valve; a method including connecting the strainer to a thermostatic valve body; and a use of the strainer in a thermostatic valve or in a thermostatic fitting, or in both.

[0002] Annular sieves designed for filtering liquids are known from the prior art, for example from FR 2 857 720 A1, EP 0 808 647 A1, and WO 2008 / 025808 A1. Furthermore, an annular sieve for filtering water is known from US 2004 / 0031736 A1.

[0003] State-of-the-art thermostatic fittings, also known as thermostatic mixer fittings, allow for a constant outlet temperature of the mixed water they provide, largely independent of temperature and water pressure fluctuations in the water supply lines. Such thermostatic fittings can be designed, for example, as shower, bathtub, or washbasin fittings. In such state-of-the-art sanitary thermostatic fittings, thermostatic valves are used to keep the outlet temperature of the mixed water provided by the fitting constant at a preset value, if possible. To achieve this, the thermostatic valve typically regulates the cold water flow rate and thus the cold-to-hot water ratio in the mixed water depending on the water temperature in the fitting.To ensure the longest possible service life of the thermostatic valve and therefore the fitting, it is necessary to prevent suspended matter such as limescale particles from entering the thermostatic valve. For this purpose, the thermostatic valve is usually equipped with a strainer. In the current technology, a metal strainer is used for this purpose, which is welded or clipped onto a thermostatic valve body. If the strainer is welded on, it is firmly bonded to the valve body and cannot be removed without damaging it. This means that the strainer cannot be removed for maintenance purposes. However, to ensure the long service life of the valve and therefore the fitting, regular cleaning of the strainer is recommended. A welded-on strainer cannot, however, be removed and treated with a descaling solution, for example. If the strainer is simply clipped on, at least one additional O-ring is required in the thermostatic valve structure to secure the strainer.This increases the cost of production. Furthermore, if the strainer does not fit perfectly on the valve body, a tolerance gap can occur. If the strainer is then installed in the valve, for example by being plugged in, the protrusion of the strainer caused by the gap can easily lead to damage to the strainer. In this case, scrap was produced because the strainer had to be replaced and a new strainer installed. In addition, the sharp-edged metal strainer can easily cause injuries to the assembly personnel. This is particularly relevant because production here usually requires manual work due to the sensitive components. If there are no injuries or damage to the strainer, it is installed in the valve with the gap. However, due to the tolerance gap, the strainer does not fit tightly and floats can penetrate the valve.Therefore, the strainer does not fulfill its purpose ideally and the service life of the valve and thus the fitting is limited.

[0004] In general, it is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome a disadvantage resulting from the prior art. A further object of the invention is to provide a thermostatic valve with an increased service life. This applies in particular when the thermostatic valve is used with hard water. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a thermostatic valve that can be maintained as easily and non-destructively as possible. The aforementioned maintenance is in particular dismantling and cleaning a sieve of a thermostatic valve of the thermostatic valve. A further object of the invention is to provide a thermostatic valve that can be produced with less waste. A further object of the invention is to provide a thermostatic valve that can be manufactured with a lower risk of injury.A further object of the invention is to provide a thermostatic valve that has a simpler structure. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a thermostatic valve that is easier and / or more cost-effective to manufacture. A further object of the invention is to provide a strainer for thermostatic valves, wherein the strainer is equally suitable for thermostatic valves of different diameters. A further object of the invention is to achieve one of the aforementioned advantages, wherein a strainer of the thermostatic valve has a consistently good or even improved sealing fit, especially with large water temperature differences.

[0005] A contribution to at least partially fulfilling at least one of the aforementioned objects is made by the independent claims. The dependent claims provide preferred embodiments that contribute to at least partially fulfilling at least one of the objects.

[0006] An embodiment 1 of a sieve contributes to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects of the invention, wherein the sieve a) is annular, b) designed to filter water in a thermostatic valve, c) can be converted from a first state to a further state, d) has a first circumference in the first state, and e) has a further circumference in the further state, characterized in that the further circumference is larger than the first circumference. For filtering water in the thermostatic valve, the sieve preferably has a plurality of sieve openings which are designed to allow water to pass through but not to allow suspended matter in the water, such as rust or limescale particles, to pass through. The transfer can preferably be carried out without tools. For this purpose, the sieve can preferably be expanded by hand. The annular sieve preferably has the shape of a thin-walled hollow cylinder. Thin-walled here preferably means that a ratio of the inner diameter to the outer diameter of the hollow cylinder is at least 0.9.

[0007] In an embodiment 2 according to the invention, the sieve is designed according to embodiment 1, wherein the sieve is arranged in an axial direction a) has a first length in the first state, and b) has a further length in the further state, wherein the first length and the further length differ by less than 5%, preferably by less than 4%, more preferably by less than 3%, more preferably by less than 2%, most preferably by less than 1% of the first length.

[0008] In an embodiment 3 of the invention, the sieve is configured according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the sieve is formed in one piece. Preferably, the sieve contains no threads or wires, or both. Furthermore, the sieve preferably contains no interwoven or braided components, or both. The sieve is preferably obtainable by a casting process. A preferred casting process is an injection molding process.

[0009] In an embodiment 4 according to the invention, the sieve is designed according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the transfer of the sieve from the first state to the further state is reversible.

[0010] In an embodiment 5 according to the invention, the sieve is designed according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sieve moves from the further state to the first state without external force.

[0011] In an embodiment 6 according to the invention, the sieve is designed according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the further circumference is at least 1%, preferably at least 2%, more preferably at least 3%, more preferably at least 4%, most preferably at least 5% more than the first circumference, based on the first circumference.

[0012] In an embodiment 7 according to the invention, the sieve is designed according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sieve includes a sieve shell surface, wherein a spring region of the sieve shell surface is designed as a spring element. The spring element preferably springs in a circumferential direction of the sieve. Preferably, the spring element is designed as a radial bulge or deflection or both of the sieve shell surface. In this case, the bulge or deflection or both preferably extends in the axial direction from one end face to an opposite end face of the annular sieve. Furthermore, the bulge or deflection or both can be directed inwards or outwards. A preferred sieve shell surface is a cylindrical shell surface. The sieve shell surface preferably includes a plurality of sieve openings.

[0013] In an embodiment 8 according to the invention, the sieve is designed according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sieve includes a sieve shell surface, wherein the sieve shell surface is designed to include a plurality of spring elements. The spring elements are preferably distributed along a circumference of the sieve, preferably equidistantly distributed. Furthermore, the spring elements each preferably spring in the circumferential direction of the sieve. The spring elements are preferably each designed as a radial bulge or deflection or both of the sieve shell surface. In this case, the bulge of the deflection or both preferably extends in the axial direction from one end face to an opposite end face of the annular sieve. Furthermore, the bulge or deflection or both can be directed inwards or outwards.The plurality of spring elements preferably gives the screen surface a wave-like shape, with the waves running in the circumferential direction and wave crests rising in the radial direction.

[0014] In an embodiment 9 according to the invention, the sieve is designed according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sieve includes a sieve shell surface, wherein the sieve shell surface a) includes a plurality of screen openings, and b) includes a region which does not include any screen openings, wherein the region extends in the axial direction of the sieve from one end face to an opposite end face of the sieve. In a preferred embodiment, the sieve contains at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least three, further regions, each of which contains no sieve openings and extends in the axial direction of the sieve from the end face to the opposite end face of the sieve. In a further preferred embodiment, the region extends in the axial direction of the sieve from the end face to the opposite end face of the sieve and, moreover, the region extends along the entire circumference of the sieve. The region preferably has a surface area which is greater than at least three times, preferably at least five times, more preferably at least ten times, the surface area of ​​one of the sieve openings.Each further region preferably has a surface area which is greater than at least three times, preferably at least five times, more preferably at least ten times, a surface area of ​​one of the sieve openings.

[0015] In an embodiment 10 of the invention, the sieve is designed according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sieve is made of a plastic or a metal, or both. Preferably, the sieve is made of plastic.

[0016] An embodiment 1 of a thermostatic valve comprising the strainer according to one of its embodiments 1 to 10 contributes to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects according to the invention.

[0017] In an embodiment 2 according to the invention, the thermostatic valve is designed according to its embodiment 1, wherein the thermostatic valve includes a thermostatic valve body, wherein the strainer is non-positively connected to the thermostatic valve body. Preferably, the strainer is not materially connected to the thermostatic valve body. The thermostatic valve body preferably includes a regulator. A preferred regulator includes a bimetal or a capsule filled with an expansion material. A preferred bimetal is designed as a spring. A preferred expansion material is paraffin.

[0018] An embodiment 1 of a thermostatic fitting, comprising the thermostatic valve according to its embodiment 1 or 2, contributes to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects of the invention. The thermostatic fitting is a sanitary thermostatic fitting. A sanitary thermostatic fitting is one selected from a shower fitting, a bathtub fitting, and a washbasin fitting, or a combination of at least two of the aforementioned.

[0019] A contribution to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects according to the invention is made by an embodiment 1 of a method comprising as method steps a) providing the strainer according to any of its embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the strainer is in the first state; b) transferring the strainer from the first state to the further state; and c) connecting the strainer to a thermostatic valve body.

[0020] The connection is preferably a force-fit connection. Preferably, the connection does not involve a material connection.

[0021] An embodiment 1 of a use according to one of its embodiments 1 to 10 in a thermostatic valve or in a thermostatic fitting or in both contributes to the fulfillment of at least one of the objects of the invention.

[0022] Preferred components and constituents of an inventive embodiment of one category of the invention are also preferred in further embodiments of the other categories of the invention for components and constituents of the same name or equivalent. Likewise, preferred features of an inventive embodiment of one category of the invention are also correspondingly preferred in further embodiments of the other categories of the invention.

[0023] The invention is illustrated in more detail below by examples and drawings, which do not limit the invention. The drawings are not to scale unless otherwise stated.

[0024] They show: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a sieve according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of another sieve according to the invention; Figure 3a) shows a schematic representation of a section of a sieve shell surface of a sieve according to the invention in a first state; Figure 3b) shows a schematic representation of the section of the sieve shell surface of the sieve according to the invention of the Figure 3a ) in a further state; Figure 4a) a schematic representation of a section of a sieve shell surface of a further sieve according to the invention in a first state; Figure 4b) a schematic representation of the section of the sieve shell surface of the sieve according to the invention of the Figure 4a) in a further state; Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a thermostatic valve according to the invention in cross section; Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a thermostatic fitting according to the invention; and Figure 7 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention.

[0025] Figure 1shows a schematic representation of a sieve 100 according to the invention. The sieve 100 is annular. Here, the sieve 100 also has the shape of a thin-walled hollow cylinder. Furthermore, the sieve 100 is designed to filter water in a thermostatic valve 500. For this purpose, the sieve 100 has a plurality of sieve openings 104 in its sieve shell surface 105. For assembling and disassembling the sieve 100 with the thermostatic valve 500, the sieve 100 can be transferred from a first state 301 to a further state 302 and vice versa. The transfer is thus reversible. In addition, the transfer is possible as a tool-free expansion of the sieve 100 by hand. In the first state 301, the sieve 100 has a first circumference and in the further state 302, a further circumference. In this case, the further circumference is 6% larger than the first circumference, based on the first circumference. During the expansion, a length 102 of the sieve 100 does not change in an axial direction 101.The sieve 100 is made of plastic and is available as a single piece through an injection molding process. For this purpose, the sieve includes a region 103 that does not contain any sieve openings 104. This region 103 extends in the axial direction 101 of the sieve 100 from one end face to an opposite end face of the sieve 100, and furthermore, the region 103 extends along the entire circumference of the sieve 100. Detailed illustrations of the sieve shell surface 105 of the sieve 100 are shown in FIGS. Figures 3a) and 3b ) is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of another sieve 100 according to the invention. For the sieve 100 of the Figure 2 The above description of this sieve 100 also applies to Figure 1 . In this case, the further circumference is 3% more than the first circumference, based on the first circumference. Furthermore, the sieve contains 100 of the Figure 2 4Areas 103, each of which does not contain a screen opening 104. These areas 103 each extend in the axial direction 101 of the screen 100 from one end face to an opposite end face of the screen 100. In addition, the areas 103 are distributed equidistantly along the circumference of the screen 100. Detailed representations of the screen surface 105 of the screen 100 of the Figure 2 are in the Figures 4a) and 4b) shown.

[0027] Figure 3a ) shows a schematic representation of a section of the screen surface 105 of the screen 100 according to the invention of the Figure 1in the first state 301. It can be seen that the sieve shell surface 105 is formed to include a plurality of spring elements 303. The spring elements 303 are arranged equidistantly along the circumference of the sieve 100. Furthermore, the spring elements 303 each spring in a circumferential direction 304 of the sieve 100. Here, the spring elements 303 are each formed as a radial outward bulge 303 of the sieve shell surface 105. Here, the bulges 303 each extend in the axial direction 103 from one end face to an opposite end face of the annular sieve 100.

[0028] Figure 3b ) shows a schematic representation of the section of the screen surface 105 of the screen 100 according to the invention of the Figure 3a ) in the further state 302. Here it can be seen that the bulges 303 are smoothed by the expansion of the sieve 100 in the circumferential direction 304.

[0029] Figure 4a) shows a schematic representation of a section of a sieve surface 105 of another sieve 100 according to the invention in a first state 301.

[0030] It can be seen that the sieve shell surface 105 includes a spring region with a spring element 303. The spring element 303 springs in a circumferential direction 304 of the sieve 100. Here, the spring element 303 is designed as a radial outward deflection 303 of the sieve shell surface 105. The bulge 303 extends in the axial direction 103 from one end face to an opposite end face of the annular sieve 100.

[0031] Figure 4b ) shows a schematic representation of the section of the screen surface 105 of the screen 100 according to the invention of the Figure 4a ) in the further state 302. Here it can be seen that the deflection 303 is smoothed by the expansion of the sieve 100 in the circumferential direction 304.

[0032] Figure 5shows a schematic representation of a thermostatic valve 500 according to the invention in cross section. The thermostatic valve 500 is designed for installation of the thermostat fitting 600 of the Figure 6 . Furthermore, the thermostatic valve 500 includes the strainer of the Figure 1 Here, the strainer 100 is frictionally connected to a thermostatic valve body 501. For this purpose, the strainer 100 has a circumference that lies between the first circumference and the further circumference.

[0033] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a thermostatic fitting 600 according to the invention.

[0034] The thermostatic mixer 600 is a shower mixer, including the thermostatic valve 500 of the Figure 5 .

[0035] Figure 7 shows a flow chart of a method 700 according to the invention. In a method step a) 701 of the method 700, the sieve 100 of the Figure 2 provided, wherein the sieve 100 is in the Figure 4a) shown first state 301. In a method step b) 702, the screen 100 is expanded by hand and thus transferred from the first state 301 to the further state 302 (see Figure 4b )). In a subsequent method step c) 703, the strainer 100 is non-positively connected to a thermostatic valve body 501, wherein the strainer 100 assumes a state in which the strainer 100 has a circumference between the first circumference and the further circumference. Thus, a thermostatic valve 500 with the strainer 100 is obtained. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0036] 100 inventive sieve 101 axial direction 102 length 103 Area 104 Sieve opening 105 Sieve surface 301 first state 302 further condition 303 Spring element / bulge / deflection 304 circumferential direction 500 inventive thermostatic valve 501 Thermostatic valve body 600inventive thermostatic fitting 700 inventive method 701 Process step a) 702 Process step b) 703 Process step c)

Claims

1. A screen (100), wherein the screen (100) a) is annular in shape, b) designed to filter water in a sanitary thermostatic valve(500), c) can be transferred from a first state (301) to a further state (302), d) has a first circumference in the first state (301), and e) has a further circumference in the further state (302), wherein the further circumference is greater than the first circumference, wherein the screen (100) includes a screen shell surface (105) over a plurality of screen openings (104), characterized in that a spring area of the screen shell surface (105) is designed as a spring element (303), wherein the spring element (303) is designed as a radial outward bulge of the screen shell surface (105).

2. The screen (100) according to claim 1, wherein the screen (100), in an axial direction (101), a) has a first length in the first state (301), and b) has a further length in the further state (302), wherein the first length and the further length differ by less than 5% of the first length.

3. The screen (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the screen (100) is formed in one piece.

4. The screen (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the further circumference is at least 1% greater than the first circumference, relative to the first circumference.

5. The screen (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen (100) includes a screen shell surface (105), wherein the screen shell surface (105) is formed to include a plurality of spring elements (303).

6. A thermostatic valve (500), including the screen (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The thermostatic valve (500) according to claim 6, wherein the thermostatic valve (500) includes a thermostatic valve body (501), wherein the screen (100) is non-positively connected to the thermostatic valve body (501).

8. A thermostatic fitting (600), including the thermostatic valve (500) according to claim 6 or 7.

9. A method (700), including as method steps a) providing the screen (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the screen (100) is in the first state (301); b) transferring the screen (100) from the first state (301) to the further state (302); and c) connecting the screen (100) to a thermostatic valve body (501).

10. A use of the screen (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in a thermostatic valve (500) or in a thermostatic fitting (600) or in both.