TOOL FOR OPERATING AN ADJUSTING ORGAN OF A SANITARY FITTING

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool for operating a sanitary fitting. Such sanitary fittings serve in particular to provide liquid as needed at washbasins, sinks, showers and / or bathtubs.

[0002] Sanitary fittings may have adjusting mechanisms that allow their functions to be adjusted, particularly after the fittings have been mounted on a support. These adjusting mechanisms are often difficult to access after mounting, necessitating the use of tools such as socket wrenches. This can transmit torque to the adjusting mechanisms, potentially damaging them or other components of the sanitary fitting. To prevent damage from excessive torque, tools with torque limiters are known, as described in documents DE 20 2008 008213 U1, US 6557441B1, and EP2462890A1.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and to provide a tool for actuating an adjusting element of a sanitary fitting, by which damage to the sanitary fitting can be avoided.

[0004] This problem is solved with a tool according to the features of the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] Furthermore, the features specified in the patent claims are further detailed and explained in the description, and further preferred embodiments of the invention are presented.

[0006] This includes a tool for operating an adjusting element of a sanitary fitting, which has at least the following components: a shaft with a longitudinal axis; and a drive geometry arranged on the shaft and connectable to the adjusting element for transmitting a torque, wherein the drive geometry is elastically deformable so that the drive geometry at least partially detaches from the adjusting element when a predetermined torque is reached.

[0007] According to the invention, the shaft has a plurality of plates that are rotated relative to one another about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In particular, the shaft can have a multiplicity of plates. Furthermore, the shaft can consist entirely of the plates. The individual plates can, for example, have a length of 10 mm to 100 mm parallel to the longitudinal axis, a width of 5 mm to 40 mm orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and / or (orthogonal to the length and width) a thickness of 1 mm to 5 mm. Adjacent plates can be rotated relative to one another about the longitudinal axis, for example at an angle of 45° to 90°, preferably (essentially) by 90°. This makes the shaft flexible and, at the same time, has sufficient torsional rigidity. Adjacent plates can overlap. This can mean, in particular, that the plates interlock like a chain.Furthermore, this can mean, in particular, that the panels extend longitudinally to at least one flat side of an adjacent panel. Furthermore, this can mean that the panels taper longitudinally to at least one flat side of the adjacent panel, or that their width continuously decreases in the direction of the longitudinal axis until their width corresponds, in particular, to the thickness of the adjacent panel.

[0008] The tool is used to operate an adjusting element of a sanitary fitting, which in particular serves to provide a liquid as needed at a washbasin, sink, shower, and / or bathtub. The sanitary fitting can, for example, be designed in the manner of a single-lever mixer. Furthermore, the sanitary fitting can have a fitting housing, which in particular consists at least partially of plastic and / or metal, such as brass or a zinc alloy. Furthermore, the fitting housing can be fastened in particular to a support, such as a (kitchen) worktop, a wall, a sink, a washbasin, or a sink unit. For this purpose, at least one opening can be provided in the support.

[0009] In addition, the sanitary fitting can have a mixing valve for mixing cold water and hot water to create mixed water. The mixing valve can, for example, be designed in the manner of a single-lever mixing cartridge and / or be arranged at least partially in the fitting housing of the sanitary fitting. The mixing valve can have a mixing housing, which in particular is made at least partially of plastic and / or is at least partially cylindrical. An adjusting lever, which serves to actuate the mixing valve, is at least partially movably fastened in the mixing housing. For this purpose, the adjusting lever is connected in particular to an actuating lever of the sanitary fitting, for example by means of a screw connection or plug connection.The actuating lever can be rotatable about a rotational axis, in particular for adjusting a mixed water temperature, and / or pivotable about a pivot axis (in particular running orthogonally to the rotational axis), in particular for adjusting a discharge quantity of the mixed water. Furthermore, the mixing valve can have a fixed control disc and a movable control disc. The fixed control disc and the movable control disc can each be flat or disc-shaped, in particular. Furthermore, the fixed control disc and the movable control disc can be made at least partially of ceramic. The fixed control disc is arranged in the housing in a fixed manner, i.e. in particular not displaceable or non-rotatable relative to the housing, whereas the movable control disc is movable on the fixed control disc, in particular by the actuating lever (in particular rotatable relative to the housing).

[0010] Furthermore, the sanitary fitting can have a thermostatic mixer by means of which cold water and hot water can be mixed, in particular with the warm water. The cold water can be supplied to the thermostatic mixer, for example from a public water supply network, in particular via a cold water pipe, and / or the hot water can be supplied to the thermostatic mixer, for example from the public water supply network and / or a hot water heater, in particular via a hot water pipe. The cold water pipe and / or the hot water pipe can be, for example, a pipe or a flexible hose. A cold water temperature of the cold water is in particular a maximum of 25 °C (Celsius), preferably 1 °C to 25 °C, particularly preferably 5 °C to 20 °C, and / or a hot water temperature of the hot water is in particular a maximum of 100 °C, preferably 25 °C to 100 °C, particularly preferably 55 °C to 65 °C.The cold water and hot water can be mixed to form the hot water, particularly in a hot water mixing chamber of the thermostatic mixer.

[0011] The thermostatic mixer can additionally comprise an expansion element and / or in particular a slide that can be actuated by the expansion element. The expansion element extends in particular along a longitudinal axis and / or is at least partially rotationally symmetrical about its longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the expansion element can comprise an expansion material, such as wax, by means of which a working piston of the expansion element can be moved. The expansion element can expand in particular depending on the mixed water temperature of the mixed water, in particular parallel to its longitudinal axis. The slide can be at least partially made of metal or plastic. Furthermore, the slide can in particular be at least partially cylindrical or tubular. The slide is connected to the expansion element in such a way that a change in the length of the expansion element leads to an actuation ora movement of the slide, in particular in the direction of its longitudinal axis. By actuating or moving the slide, a mixing ratio between the cold water and the hot water can be changed, whereby a hot water temperature of the mixed hot water can be influenced by the thermostatic mixer. For this purpose, the slide can in particular change a gap width of a cold water control gap and / or a gap width of a hot water control gap of the thermostatic mixer. The cold water can be supplied to the hot water mixing chamber of the thermostatic mixer, in particular via the cold water control gap, and / or the hot water can be supplied to the hot water mixing chamber of the thermostatic mixer, in particular via the hot water control gap. The cold water control gap and / or the hot water control gap are formed in particular between the slide and a housing of the thermostatic mixer or a cartridge adapter of the mixing valve.Actuation of the slide valve leads, in particular, to a simultaneous change in the gap width of the cold water control gap and the hot water control gap. Increasing the gap width of the cold water control gap leads, in particular, to a reduction in the hot water control gap. Accordingly, reducing the gap width of the cold water control gap leads, in particular, to an increase in the hot water control gap.

[0012] Furthermore, an expansion or lengthening of the expansion element leads in particular to an increase in the gap width of the cold water control gap and a reduction in the gap width of the hot water control gap. Correspondingly, a shrinkage or shortening of the expansion element leads in particular to a reduction in the gap width of the cold water control gap and an increase in the gap width of the hot water control gap. An increasing mixed water temperature of the mixed water can thus lead to a decreasing hot water temperature of the hot water. Furthermore, a decreasing mixed water temperature of the mixed water can therefore lead to an increasing hot water temperature of the hot water. If the mixed water temperature of the mixed water exceeds a limit value, for example, the slide valve can completely close the hot water control gap. The hot water temperature of the hot water then corresponds to the cold water temperature of the cold water.In other words, the hot water in this case consists exclusively of cold water. The hot water temperature can range, for example, from 1 °C to 60 °C. The hot water mixed by the thermostatic mixer can then be fed to the mixing valve, through which the hot water can be mixed with (additional) cold water to form the mixed water.

[0013] The slide valve can be actuated by the expansion element via a connecting element. The connecting element can be made at least partially of metal or plastic. Furthermore, the connecting element can be flat and / or designed in the manner of a disc. The slide valve can be coupled to the expansion element by the connecting element in particular in such a way that a change in the length of the expansion element leads to the actuation or adjustment of the slide valve. The connecting element can engage in a first groove in the expansion element or a connecting sleeve of the expansion element and in a second groove in the slide valve. The first groove in the expansion element runs in particular around the longitudinal axis of the expansion element and / or the second groove in the slide valve runs around the longitudinal axis of the slide valve. The mixed water can flow around the expansion element at least partially.For this purpose, the expansion element can at least partially define a mixed water channel through which the mixed water mixed by the mixing valve can be fed to the outlet opening of the outlet. The expansion element can, in particular, be supported on a stop surface. In particular, the expansion element is supported against the stop surface with its drive piston and / or with a longitudinal end. The expansion element can also be pressed against the stop surface, in particular by a return spring.

[0014] The tool is used to operate an adjustment element of the plumbing fixture. The adjustment element can be a threaded element, a screw, and / or a shaft, for example. The adjustment element can be used to adjust, for example, the hot water temperature, the mixed water temperature, the cold water flow rate, the hot water flow rate, the warm water flow rate, and / or the mixed water flow rate.

[0015] For example, the adjustment element can be used to adjust the position of the stop surface for the expansion element and / or the position of the expansion element in the valve housing. For this purpose, the stop surface can be formed, for example, on a longitudinal end of the adjustment element. The adjustment element has, in particular, an (external) thread, so that rotation of the adjustment element results in a displacement of the adjustment element. The adjustment element is, in particular, arranged in the valve housing and / or accessible (in particular only) via an assembly opening in the valve housing.

[0016] A drive geometry is arranged on the shaft and can be connected to the adjustment element in such a way that a torque can be transmitted to the adjustment element via the tool. The drive geometry is formed in particular on a longitudinal end of the shaft. The drive geometry can in particular be plugged onto the adjustment element or inserted into the adjustment element. Furthermore, the drive geometry can in particular be connected to the adjustment element in a form-fitting manner. The drive geometry is elastically deformable so that the drive geometry is at least partially released from the adjustment element when a predetermined torque is reached. The elastic deformation of the drive geometry is in particular reversible so that the drive geometry can return to its original shape after the elastic deformation. For this purpose, the drive geometry can in particular be made at least partially of plastic or rubber.In addition, the entire tool can also be made of plastic or rubber. The drive geometry is designed in such a way that the specified torque at which the drive geometry deforms is below a torque that could lead to damage to the sanitary fitting. The specified torque can therefore be adapted to a maximum permissible torque for actuating the adjusting element. The torque at which the drive geometry deforms can be specified, for example, by choosing a suitable material for the drive geometry, by choosing a suitable hardness of the material for the drive geometry and / or by a suitable geometric design of the drive geometry. The specified torque can, for example, be 0.1 Nm (Newton meters) to 10 Nm.At least partially detaching the drive geometry from the adjusting element can, in particular, mean that rotation of the tool results in less or no rotation of the adjusting element and / or that the adjusting element slides on or within the drive geometry. This can prevent damage to the adjusting element or other components of the sanitary fitting.

[0017] The drive geometry can be designed in the manner of a hexagon socket. This allows the drive geometry to be attached, in particular, to a screw head of the adjusting element, which is designed in the manner of a hexagon head.

[0018] The drive geometry can expand when the specified torque is reached. This expansion can cause a change in the diameter of the drive geometry. For example, the diameter of the drive geometry can increase, particularly in a radial direction, i.e., particularly orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

[0019] The drive geometry can have a plurality of drive jaws. The drive jaws can, in particular, be regions or elements that delimit and / or form the drive geometry, in particular in the radial direction. In particular, the drive geometry can have two drive jaws. The drive jaws can, in particular, have a (substantially) C-shaped and / or ring-segment-shaped cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

[0020] The drive jaws are separated from each other by at least one slot. The at least one slot extends from a longitudinal end of the tool parallel to the longitudinal axis through the drive geometry and / or into the shaft. The at least one slot can have a length of, for example, 5 mm (millimeters) to 40 mm parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0021] Following a further aspect, a kit for the on-demand dispensing of a fluid using a plumbing fixture and a tool proposed here is also provided. This has the advantage that the specified torque at which the drive geometry of the tool deforms can be adapted to the plumbing fixture included in the kit or its adjusting device. For further details, please refer to the tool description.

[0022] Following yet another aspect, the use of a tool proposed here for operating an adjusting device of a sanitary fitting is also proposed. For further details, please refer to the description of the tool.

[0023] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but the invention is not limited thereto. Identical components in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. They show, by way of example and schematically: Fig. 1: a set with a first embodiment of a tool and a sanitary fitting in a side view; Fig. 2: the first embodiment of the tool and the sanitary fitting in a perspective view; Fig. 3: the first embodiment of the tool and the sanitary fitting in a sectional view; Fig. 4: the first embodiment of the tool in a perspective partial view; and Fig. 5: a second embodiment of the tool in a side view.

[0024] The Fig. 1 shows a set 15 with a first embodiment of a tool 1 and a sanitary fitting 3 in a side view. The sanitary fitting 3 comprises a fitting housing 16 with an outlet 18 having an outlet opening 17. The fitting housing 16 can be fastened to a support (not shown here). Fig. 3The thermostatic mixer 21 of the sanitary fitting 3 shown in the figure is supplied with hot water via a hot water pipe 19 and with hot water via a Fig. 2Cold water can be supplied to the cold water pipe 20 shown. The cold water and hot water can be mixed by the thermostatic mixer 21 to form warm water with a warm water temperature. The warm water can then be fed to a mixing valve (also not shown here), through which the warm water can be mixed with cold water to form mixed water with a desired mixed water temperature. The mixed water temperature and a withdrawal quantity of the mixed water can be adjusted by an actuating lever 22 of the sanitary fitting 3. The tool 1 has a shaft 4 which extends along a longitudinal axis 5 of the tool 1. Furthermore, the tool 1 has a tool length 23 along the longitudinal axis 5. At a first longitudinal end 24 of the tool 1, a drive geometry 6 is formed, and at an opposite second longitudinal end 25, an actuating handle 26 is formed, via which the tool 1 can be rotated by a user about the longitudinal axis 5.The longitudinal axis 5 therefore also represents a rotation axis of the tool 1.

[0025] The Fig. 2 shows the first embodiment of the tool 1 of the sanitary fitting 3 in an enlarged view in the area of ​​a mounting opening 27 of the fitting housing 16, after the tool 1 has been Fig. 3 The shaft 4 of the tool 1 comprises a plurality of plates 14, with adjacent plates 14 being rotated 90° relative to one another about the longitudinal axis 5. The individual plates 14 have a length 28, a width 29, and a thickness 30. The operating handle 26 with an external knurling 31 can be seen at the second longitudinal end 25 of the tool 1.

[0026] The Fig. 3shows the first embodiment of the tool 1 and the sanitary fitting 3 in a sectional view. The tool 1, with its drive geometry 6, is inserted through the mounting opening 27 of the fitting housing 16 onto a screw head 32 of an adjusting element 2 of the sanitary fitting 3. The adjusting element 2 is designed here in the manner of a screw which is screwed into a threaded sleeve 33. The threaded sleeve 33 is mounted in a housing adapter 34 of the fitting housing 16. The adjusting element 2 has, at its end opposite the screw head 32, a stop surface 35 for an expansion element 36. The expansion element 36 can expand in an axial direction 37, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis 5 of the tool 1 or the adjusting element 2, depending on the mixed water temperature, and in doing so can adjust a slide 39 in the axial direction 37 via a connecting element 38.The slide 39 can be used to adjust a hot water gap for the hot water and a cold water gap for the cold water (not shown here), so that the slide 39 can be used to adjust a mixing ratio between the hot water and the cold water, and thus a hot water temperature of the hot water mixed from the hot water and cold water. By rotating the tool 1 about the longitudinal axis 5, the stop surface 35 and thus the expansion element 36 can be adjusted in the axial direction 37. This allows the maximum hot water temperature of the hot water mixed by the thermostatic mixer 21 to be adjusted. After the hot water temperature has been adjusted, the tool 1 can be removed from the adjusting element 2.

[0027] Fig. 4shows the first embodiment of the tool 1 in a perspective view in the area of ​​its drive geometry 6. The drive geometry 6 is designed at the first longitudinal end 24 of the tool 1 in the manner of a hexagon socket 7 and is plugged onto the screw head 32 of the adjusting member 2. As a result, a torque can be transmitted to the adjusting member 2 or the adjusting member 2 can be rotated by the tool 1 about the longitudinal axis 5. The drive geometry 6 comprises a first drive jaw 8 and a second drive jaw 9, which have a (substantially) C-shaped and / or ring segment-shaped cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 5. The drive jaws 8, 9 are separated from one another by a first slot 10 and a second slot 11, which continue parallel to the longitudinal axis 5 into the adjacent plate 14 of the shaft 4 of the tool 1 and open there into a bore 40.If a predetermined torque is reached when the adjusting member 2 is actuated, the drive jaws 8, 9 spread elastically outwards in a radial direction 41 (ie orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 5), so that the drive geometry 6 slips in a circumferential direction 42 around the longitudinal axis 5 over the screw head 32 of the adjusting member 2 and thereby prevents damage to the . Fig. 3 shown expansion element 36 and / or the threaded sleeve 33. In the first drive jaw 8, a first opening 12 is formed and in the second drive jaw 9, a second opening 13 is formed, by which the flexibility of the drive jaws 9, 10 is increased. Furthermore, in the Fig. 4 It can be seen that adjacent plates 14 of the shaft 4 overlap in an overlap region 43 parallel to the longitudinal axis 5.

[0028] The Fig. 5shows a second embodiment of the tool 1 in the region of its first longitudinal end 24 in a side view. The second embodiment of the tool 1 differs from the first embodiment of the tool 1 only in that the first opening 12 of the first drive jaw 8 of the drive geometry 6 and the second opening 13 of the second drive jaw 9 of the drive geometry 6 do not run orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 5, but rather obliquely. As a result, the torque at which the drive jaws 8, 9 elastically spread outwards in the radial direction 41 and the drive geometry 6 is released from the screw head 32 of the adjusting member 2 can be changed compared to the first embodiment of the tool 1. Otherwise, the second embodiment of the tool 1 is identical to the first embodiment of the tool 1.

[0029] The present invention can prevent damage to a sanitary fitting. List of reference symbols

[0030] 1 Tool 2 Adjusting element 3 Sanitary fitting 4 Shaft 5 Longitudinal axis 6 Drive geometry 7 Hexagon socket 8 First drive jaw 9 Second drive jaw 10 First slot 11 Second slot 12 First opening 13 Second opening 14 Plate 15 Set 16 Fitting body 17 Outlet opening 18 Outlet 19 Hot water pipe 20 Cold water pipe 21 Thermostatic mixer 22 Operating lever 23 Tool length 24 First longitudinal end 25 Second longitudinal end 26 Operating handle 27 Installation opening 28 Length 29 Width 30 Thickness 31 Grooves 32 Screw head 33 Threaded sleeve 34 Housing adapter 35 Stop surface 36 Expansion element 37 Axial direction 38 Connecting element 39Slide 40Bore 41Radial direction 42Circumferential direction 43Overlap area

Claims

1. A tool (1) for actuating an adjusting element (2) of a sanitary fitting (3), comprising at least: - a shaft (4) having a longitudinal axis (5); and - a drive geometry (6) which is arranged on the shaft (4) and can be connected to the adjusting element (2) for transmitting a torque, wherein the drive geometry (6) is elastically deformable so that the drive geometry (6) at least partially disengages from the adjusting element (2) when a predetermined torque is reached, characterized in that the shaft (4) has a plurality of plates (14) which are twisted relative to one another about the longitudinal axis (5).

2. The tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drive geometry (6) is designed in the manner of a hexagon socket (7).

3. The tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive geometry (6) spreads when the predetermined torque is reached.

4. The tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive geometry (6) has a plurality of drive jaws (8, 9).

5. The tool (1) according to claim 4, wherein the drive jaws (8, 9) are separated from each other by at least one slot (10, 11).

6. The tool (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the drive jaws (8, 9) have at least one opening (12, 13).

7. The tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein adjacent plates (14) overlap.

8. A set (15) for discharging a liquid as needed, comprising a sanitary fitting (3) and a tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. A use of a tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for actuating an adjusting element (2) of a sanitary fitting (3).