Wall-mounted junction box unit

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wall-mounted connection box unit with a box housing body, which includes a rear base section and a sleeve section projecting forward from the base section, and with a connection body arranged on the base section of the box housing body. The sleeve section circumferentially surrounds a built-in component receiving space, which is accessible via an open front end of the sleeve section. In this case, the term "base section" is understood broadly to refer to that part of the box housing body on which the connection body is held. The connection body includes a built-in component connection contour on an inner side facing the built-in component receiving space and a line connection interface structure accessible on an outer side of the box housing body.

[0002] Such junction box units are used, for example, in sanitary installation technology for connecting built-in components in the form of sanitary components such as water outlet fittings for washbasins, bathtubs, shower heads or kitchen sinks or upstream sanitary thermostat, mixer and / or shut-off valve units to pre-installed water pipe connections in the building, and in electrical installation technology for connecting electrical built-in components such as sockets, junction boxes, sensors, actuators, light switches, etc. to pre-installed electrical cable connections in the building. Flush-mounted versions are particularly typical in this case, in which the wall-mounted junction box unit is installed in the relevant building wall in such a way that its front is as flush as possible with the finished building wall surface, e.g. a plastered wall surface or a tiled wall surface.It is understood that the building wall can be both a vertical building wall in the narrower sense and a floor wall or floor surface or a ceiling wall or ceiling surface of a building or room, in the sanitary case, for example, a shower room, a bathroom, a toilet room, a kitchen, etc.

[0003] The line connection interface structure typically includes one or more connection interfaces, in the sanitary case a fluid line connection interface structure in particular in the form of corresponding pipe connection nozzles for coupling to a corresponding building-side pipe connection nozzle, e.g. for cold water, hot water or mixed water made up of cold water and hot water, in the electrical case an electrical line connection interface structure in particular in the form of cable line connections.

[0004] The built-in component connection contour of the connector body—in the sanitary case, a sanitary component connection contour and in the electrical case, an electrical component connection contour—is designed to interact with a corresponding connection contour of a connected built-in component, such as a mixing and / or shut-off valve unit or a water outlet fitting in the sanitary case, or an electrical built-in component in the electrical case. In the sanitary case, the connector body includes a fluid channel structure for fluidly connecting the fluid line connection interface structure on the outside of the box to the sanitary component connection contour on the inside of the box; in the electrical case, it includes an electrically conductive connection between the electrical line connection interface structure on the outside of the box and the electrical component connection contour on the inside of the box.

[0005] The junction box unit is inserted into a building wall opening with its rear side or rear base facing forward, or is placed against a building wall, e.g., a drywall wall. The required cable connections are established between the building-side connections on the one hand and the connection interface structure of the junction box on the other. After the wall is completed, the installation component can be inserted into the receiving space of the junction box body via the open front end of the junction box body and coupled to the appropriate connection contour of the junction box body.

[0006] A particular requirement for such sanitary wall-mounted junction box units is that disturbing noises generated by a connected sanitary fitting or transmitted via the building's water supply network as water or structure-borne noise must not be transmitted to the box housing body, or at least amplified by it in a resonance-like manner. In conventional junction box units, the connection body is usually made of metal, while the box housing body is usually made of a rigid plastic material. Another requirement is usually to ensure that the junction box unit is sufficiently watertight to prevent water leaks into the building wall.

[0007] Patent EP 1 006 244 B1 discloses a sanitary wall-mounted connection box unit of the type mentioned above, in which a connecting element made of sound-absorbing material is inserted between the box housing body and the connection body in such a way that there is no direct contact between the box housing body and the connection body. Any fitting / pipe noise that reaches the connection body is then not transmitted to the box housing body, but is absorbed by the sound-absorbing connecting element. The connecting element is preferably made of a rubber-elastic material.To complete this connection box unit, the connecting element is inserted after inserting the connection body into the box housing body, preferably from the outside of the housing, for which purpose the connection body is moved slightly forwards or to the side using simple tools, or before inserting the connection body into the box housing body, it is inserted into a recess provided for this purpose in the connection body and / or the box housing body.

[0008] German Patent Application DE 10 2004 060 744 A1 discloses a sanitary wall-mounted connection box unit of the type mentioned above, in which the box housing body is made of a rubber-elastic material, and the connection body can be inserted into the box housing body by utilizing the rubber-elastic flexibility of the box housing body. In particular, radially projecting connection pieces on the connection body can be inserted through rubber-elastic expandable side wall openings of the box housing body and sealed on the outside by the rubber-elastic material of the opening edge. This is intended to achieve the desired tightness and sound insulation for the connection box unit.

[0009] German Patent Application DE 10 2017 100 710 A1 discloses a sanitary wall-mounted connection box unit of the type mentioned above, in which the box housing body is formed in two parts, consisting of a base-forming lower shell and an upper shell that can be connected to the lower shell. For assembly, the connection body is placed against the lower shell, and then the upper shell is placed on top and connected to it. An O-ring or, preferably, a sealing or adhesive compound can be inserted as a sealant between the connection body on the one hand and the lower shell or the upper shell on the other.

[0010] Furthermore, other types of sanitary wall-mounted connection box units are known that contain a plastic foam body enclosing it on all sides, without leaving a built-in component receiving space accessible inside the box housing body, into which a corresponding built-in component can be inserted for coupling to a corresponding connection contour of a connection body connected to the box housing body. Such cast-in connection box units, from which only line connection nozzles protrude or in which the plastic foam body must be subsequently cut open to couple a built-in component, are disclosed, for example, in the published patent applications DE 26 37 719 A1, EP 0 424 690 A1 and DE 197 15 651 A1, as well as the utility model DE 20 2009 014 967 U1.

[0011] The utility model DE 201 05 345 U1 discloses an assembly unit for sanitary and heating installations with a housing made of a curable insulating foam material, which comprises a base body and a cover body and on which connection pieces for a sleeve-shaped installation part typical of sanitary or heating installations, e.g. in the form of a receptacle for a water meter unit or a shut-off valve unit, are held in a form-fitting manner. The sleeve-shaped installation part is connected to the connection pieces by soldering and is inserted into a circular recess in the base body so that it is held cantilevered by the connection pieces. A circular through-opening in the cover body corresponds to the recess in the base body, into which the sleeve-shaped installation part projects, thereby providing a reading or access option for the measuring device or shut-off valve unit inserted into the receptacle.

[0012] The published patent application EP 1 256 662 A2 discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1, namely a concealed water fitting with a multi-part insulating shell made of foam, which comprises a one-piece, drip-tight lower shell, at least one upper shell and a pot-like lid at least partially overlapping the upper and lower shells.

[0013] Patent application EP 2 101 002 A2 discloses a mounting box for sanitary fittings, comprising a base plate with a raised edge and an oppositely arranged cover unit, from which protrudes a sleeve-shaped extension with a front opening into which a support carrying a mixer cartridge can be inserted. Seals can be arranged in an overlapping area between the extension and the support to seal the support against the mounting box.

[0014] The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a wall-mounted connection box unit of the type mentioned at the outset, which offers, in particular, functional advantages and / or advantages with regard to manufacturing and / or assembly costs compared to the above-mentioned prior art.

[0015] The invention solves this problem by providing a wall-mounted junction box unit with the features of claim 1. In this junction box unit, the sleeve portion and the base portion of the box housing body are integrally formed from a plastic foam material, and the terminal body is embedded in the plastic foam material of the base portion. The wire connection interface structure and the built-in component connection contour are exposed, i.e., they are not covered by the plastic foam material. The terminal body is preferably made of a stiffer or stronger metal or plastic material than the plastic foam material of the box housing body.

[0016] The one-piece production of the sleeve section and the base section of the box housing body from a plastic foam material and the embedding of the connection body in the plastic foam material of the base section simplifies production and assembly, since the joining of several parts of the box housing body is no longer necessary and the attachment of the connection body can take place together with the production of the box housing body in a common production process in which the box housing body is formed from the plastic foam material and at the same time the connection body is embedded in it, e.g. by casting or foaming.

[0017] The plastic foam material imparts desirable soundproofing properties to the box housing body, eliminating the need for additional soundproofing measures. Furthermore, embedding the connector body into the adjacent plastic foam material allows the desired tightness of the junction box unit to be achieved, particularly at the interface between the connector body and the box housing body, without the need for additional sealing measures. The plastic foam material of the box housing body can also provide desirable thermal insulation.

[0018] According to the invention, the connecting body is annular and surrounded on the outer circumference by adjacent plastic foam material of the base section, and borders the plastic foam material of the base section at an edge area on the front side. With this design, the connecting body is consequently embedded in the plastic foam material of the box housing body towards the front. This can contribute to reliably holding the connecting body in the base section of the box housing body and / or embedding it as extensively as possible in the adjacent plastic foam material of the base section of the box housing body.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention, the connector body has a closed ring shape, wherein the built-in component connection contour is formed on an inner circumferential side of the connector body and the at least one line connection interface structure is formed on an outer circumferential side of the connector body. This represents a favorable design of the connector body for many applications, enabling circumferential coupling to building-side connections. This allows the base surface of the box housing body to be kept free of such line connection structures if necessary. Alternatively, the line connection interface structure can also contain one or more connections extending axially from the connector body or connections extending exclusively axially from the connector body.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, the base section has a closed rear base, and the connector body borders the plastic foam material of the base at the rear. This closed base design provides a sealed, rear base area for the junction box unit solely through the plastic foam material of the box housing body. The plastic foam material of the base covers the connector body at the rear, so that the connector body is not exposed to the outside at the rear. Alternatively, the junction box unit is not closed at the rear, and / or the connector body forms part of a rear base, to which the box housing body then contributes a remaining part.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, the connection body has at least one through-opening extending from its outer side to its inner side, which is covered on the outside by a sealing membrane section of the plastic foam material of the base section. This implementation enables, if required, an optional through-opening of another, optionally provided, e.g. an electrical cable, a fluid conduit or the like, through the connection body and the box housing body, for which purpose the through-opening is then exposed by breaking through the sealing membrane section of the plastic foam material. In alternative embodiments in which this is not required, such a through-opening covered by a sealing membrane section of the plastic foam material of the box housing body is omitted in the connection body.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the plastic foam material of the base section has a pipe insertion opening adjacent to the sealing membrane section on the outside. This advantageously allows a pipe to be inserted into this pipe insertion opening when needed and thus held to the base section of the box housing body. This can be, for example, a hollow pipe or conduit for the passage of an electrical cable. In alternative embodiments, no such pipe insertion opening is formed in the base section of the box housing body.

[0023] In a further development of the invention, the sleeve section has a radially inwardly projecting bead projection on its inner circumference. This can be advantageously used, for example, to guide and retain a sleeve-shaped extension sleeve in a sealed manner within the sleeve section, allowing continuous axial height adjustment, for example, to variably extend the axial extension of the box housing body in the forward direction using such an extension sleeve. Alternatively, the sleeve section of the box housing body can be formed without such a bead projection.

[0024] In a further development of the invention, at least one connecting structural element is embedded in the plastic foam material of the base section. The connecting structural element has a connecting structure that can cooperate with a connecting body with which a functional surface body can be held on the base section, which provides a functional surface surrounding, for example, the sleeve section radially outside the sleeve section, which can function, for example, as a fastening surface or a sealing surface to provide a fastening means and / or a sealing means for the box housing body with respect to a building wall surface. In alternative embodiments, the junction box unit does not have such an embedded connecting structural element.

[0025] In a further development of the invention, the plastic foam material is a thermoplastic particle foam material. This represents an advantageous choice for the plastic foam material of the box housing body for numerous applications. The thermoplastic particle foam material, e.g., made of polypropylene, is advantageous in terms of manufacturing costs and its functional properties with respect to the desired functions of sound / noise insulation, thermal insulation, and sealing. It possesses a desired, predeterminable strength or rigidity on the one hand, and a desired, predeterminable sound- and shock-absorbing compliance on the other.

[0026] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. These and other embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a wall-mounted connection box unit configured as a sanitary wall-mounted connection box unit, Fig. 2 is a front view of the connection box unit of Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a sectional view along a line III-III in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 a sectional view along a line IV-IV in Fig. 3 .

[0027] The sanitary wall-mounted connection box unit illustrated in the figures using an exemplary embodiment comprises a box housing body 1 with a rear base section 2 and a sleeve section 3 projecting forward from the base section 2, as well as a connection body 6 arranged on the base section 2 of the box housing body 1. The sleeve section 3 circumferentially surrounds an installation component receiving space 4, in this case a sanitary component receiving space, which is accessible via an open front end 5 of the sleeve section 3. The connection body 6 has an installation component connection contour 7 facing the installation component receiving space 4, in this case a sanitary component connection contour, a line connection interface structure 9, here a fluid line connection interface structure, accessible on an outer side 8 of the box housing body 1, and a fluid channel structure 10.The fluid channel structure 10 provides the required fluid connection of the fluid line connection interface structure 9 with the sanitary component connection contour 7.

[0028] The base section 2 and the sleeve section 3 of the box housing body 1 are formed in one piece from a plastic foam material. The connection body 6 consists of a stiffer, stronger metal or plastic material and is embedded in the plastic foam material of the base section 2, wherein the fluid line connection interface structure 9 and the sanitary component connection contour 7 are exposed, i.e., are not covered by the plastic foam material of the box housing body 1. The plastic foam material therefore neither hinders the coupling of the connection box unit to a building-side pipeline connection structure via the fluid line connection interface structure 9 nor the coupling of a sanitary component introduced into the sanitary component receiving space 4 of the box housing body 1 to the connection body 6 via its connection contour 7. In the exploded view of Fig. 1 the connection body 6 is shown removed from its embedding in the box housing body 1 so that its contour is more clearly visible.

[0029] In corresponding embodiments, the connecting body 6, as in the example shown, is formed in a ring shape and is surrounded on the outer circumference by adjacent plastic foam material of the base section 2 of the box housing body 1. In other words, an inner side 2a of the base section 2 of the box housing body 1 adjoins an outer circumference side 6a of the connecting body 6 radially outwards with contact, as can be seen in particular from the Fig. 3 und 4 This ensures a reliable seal between the connection body 6 and the box housing body 1 in this area. In the example shown, the connection body 6 has a closed ring shape; in alternative embodiments, it has an open ring shape or a shape other than a ring, in particular a shape as is known per se from conventional connection bodies used in wall-mounted connection box units.

[0030] In advantageous embodiments, the base section 2 of the box housing body 1, as in the embodiment shown, has a closed rear base 11, and the connection body 6 borders on the rear side against the plastic foam material of the base 11. In other words, a rear side 6b of the connection body 6 connects with a front side 11a of the rear base 11 with contact, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 3 The closed design of the rear base 11 represents a fluid-tight rear closure of the box housing body 1, and the direct contact of the rear side 6b of the connecting body 6 and the front side 11a of the base 11 against each other ensures the fluid tightness between the connecting body 6 and the box housing body 1 in this area.

[0031] In corresponding embodiments, the connector body 6, as in the illustrated embodiment, borders the plastic foam material of the base section 2 of the box housing body 1 at the front edge region 6c. In other words, the plastic foam material of the box housing body 1 rests in a corresponding edge region 2b of the base section 2 with contact against this front edge region 6c of the connector body 6. This ensures a reliable seal between the connector body 6 and the box housing body 1 in this area.

[0032] In advantageous embodiments, when the connecting body 6 has a closed ring shape, the sanitary component connecting contour 7 is formed on an inner circumferential side 6d of the connecting body 6 and the fluid line connecting interface structure 9 is formed on an outer circumferential side 6e of the connecting body 6, as in the embodiment shown.

[0033] The fluid line connection interface structure 9 has one, two, or more connection interfaces, as required. In the example shown, the fluid line connection interface structure 9 includes a plurality of connection interfaces, exemplarily in the form of four connection nozzles 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d arranged offset at a circumferential angular distance of 90°, wherein all connection interfaces are formed on the outer circumferential side 6e of the connection body 6. In alternative embodiments, one, several, or all connection interfaces of the fluid line connection interface structure 9 are formed facing rearward on the rear side 6b of the connection body 6.

[0034] In corresponding embodiments, the connecting body 6, as in the example shown, has at least one through-opening 12 extending from its outer side to its inner side, which is covered on the outside by a closure membrane section 13 of the plastic foam material of the base section 2, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 4 visible. In the example shown, four feedthrough openings 12 are provided, each extending from the outer peripheral side 6e of the connector body 6 to its inner peripheral side 6d. The feedthrough opening can be used, for example, to pass through an electrical cable or another elongated element, for which purpose the closure membrane section 13 is then opened appropriately. If the feedthrough opening 12 in the connector body 6 is not required for this purpose, it remains unoccupied and covered by the closure membrane section 13 of the plastic foam material of the box housing body 1. In alternative embodiments, the connector body 6 does not have such a feedthrough opening 12.

[0035] In corresponding implementations, the plastic foam material of the base section 2 of the box housing body 1, as in the embodiment shown, has a pipe insertion opening 14 adjacent to the closure membrane section 13 on the outside, as also shown in particular in Fig. 4 can be seen. The pipe insertion socket opening 14 can be used in particular to insert a hollow pipe or empty pipe with its pipe end region therein and to hold it in this way, wherein the hollow pipe or empty pipe can in turn serve to receive an elongated element, e.g. an electrical cable, which can then be guided further through the feed-through opening 12 into the sanitary component receiving space 4 or the interior of the box housing body 1 by opening the closure membrane section 13.

[0036] In corresponding implementations, the sleeve section 3 of the box housing body 1, as in the embodiment shown, has on the inner circumference side, ie on an inner side 3a of the sleeve section 3, a radially inwardly projecting bead projection 15, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 3 The bead projection 15 can be used, for example, to guide and hold an extension sleeve in a manner not shown, axially continuously height-adjustable in the sleeve section 3 in a sealing manner, in order to adjust the axial expansion of the box housing body 1 in the forward direction, ie in Fig. 3 to the right, beyond the free end face 5 of the sleeve section 3. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve section 3 does not have such a bead projection 15.

[0037] In an advantageous implementation, the box housing body 1 is formed in one piece from a thermoplastic particle foam material, which in this case acts as the plastic foam material. This choice of material proves to be very advantageous in terms of manufacturing technology and functionality for the intended application of providing the box housing body 1 for the sanitary wall-mounted connection box unit. Alternatively, the box housing body 1 can be formed from a different plastic foam material.

[0038] In advantageous embodiments, at least one connecting structure element 16 is embedded in the plastic foam material of the base section 2 of the box housing body 1, as in the exemplary embodiment shown. The connecting structure element 16 has a connecting structure that can interact, if necessary, with a connecting body (not shown), with which a functional surface body (not shown) can be held on the base section 2, which provides a functional surface radially outside the sleeve section 2. This functional surface can be used in particular as a fastening and / or sealing surface in order to fasten the box housing body 1 to a building-side wall surface and / or to seal it against a building-side wall surface.

[0039] In the exemplary embodiment shown, four such connecting structural elements 16 are specifically embedded in the plastic foam material of the base section 2, e.g., as shown, offset from one another by 90° in the circumferential angular direction in corner regions of the square base section 2. In alternative embodiments, only one, two, three or more than four such connecting structural elements 16 are embedded in the plastic foam material of the base section 2, and / or one or more such connecting structural elements 16 are arranged in a different distribution or in other regions of the base section 2, or the connection box unit is formed without such connecting structural elements.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the base section 2 has, for example, a quadrangular or square, cuboid shape; in alternative embodiments, it is formed in a different shape, e.g. triangular or polygonal with more than four corner areas or with a circular or oval cross-section. The sleeve section 2 is circular cylindrical in the example shown; in alternative embodiments, it can also be of a different shape, e.g. have a polygonal or oval cross-sectional shape. In the example shown, the connecting body 6 has radially inwardly projecting holding extensions 18 with fastening openings, which are part of a connecting means (not shown) for securing an installation component introduced into the receiving space to the connecting body 6. In alternative embodiments, other conventional connecting means are provided for this purpose.

[0041] In corresponding designs, the box housing body 1, as in the example shown, has an alignment aid 17 on the front end 5 of its sleeve section 3, which makes it easier for the installer to align the box housing body 1 during wall mounting. The alignment aid 17 includes two axially projecting alignment webs 17a, each extending spaced apart from one another over a predetermined circumferential angular range with a predetermined circumferential angular distance. An alignment device, e.g. in the form of a spirit level, bubble level, or circular bubble level, can be applied against the circumferential web ends of which in a conventional manner. This makes it easier for the installer to vertically and / or horizontally align the box housing body 1 before the final wall mounting steps.Alternatively or, as in the example shown, additionally, the box housing body 1 includes an equivalent alignment aid in the form of one or, as shown, several spirit level receiving openings 19, each of which is designed as a blind hole in the plastic foam material of the base section 2 on its outer circumference, if necessary, as shown, on different or all circumferential sides, and into which a conventional circular spirit level or the like can be inserted.

[0042] As the embodiments shown and the further embodiments explained above make clear, the invention provides a wall-mounted connection box unit which offers functional and manufacturing advantages, in particular based on the one-piece formation of the base section and the sleeve section of the box housing body from a plastic foam material and on the embedding of the connection body in the plastic foam material of the base section, and which can accordingly be used advantageously in particular as a sanitary wall-mounted connection box unit in sanitary installation technology and as an electrical wall-mounted connection box unit in electrical installation technology.

Claims

1. Wall installation connection box unit, preferably sanitary wall installation connection box unit, comprising - a box housing body (1) having a rear-side base portion (2) and a sleeve portion (3) projecting forward from the base portion, which sleeve portion peripherally surrounds an installation component mounting space (4), which space is accessible via an open front end face (5) of the sleeve portion, and - a connector body (6) disposed on the base portion of the box housing body, which connector body comprises an installation component connection contour (7) facing the installation component mounting space, and a conduit connection interface structure (9) accessible on an outer side (8) of the box housing body, wherein the connector body (6) is embedded in a synthetic foamed material of the base portion (2), wherein the conduit connection interface structure (9) and the installation component connection contour (7) are exposed, characterized in that - the sleeve portion (3) and the base portion (2) of the box housing body (1) are integrally formed from the synthetic foamed material, and - the connector body (6) has an annular shape and is surrounded by adjacent synthetic foamed material of the base portion on a peripheral outer side and on a front side on a boundary region (6c) adjoins the synthetic foamed material of the base portion, and / or the connector body (6) has a closed annular shape, wherein the installation component connection contour (7) is provided on an inner peripheral side (6d) of the connector body (6), and the at least one conduit connection interface structure (9) is formed on an outer peripheral side (6e) of the connector body (6).

2. Wall installation connection box unit according to claim 1, further characterized in that the base portion has a closed rearward bottom (11), and the connector body on a rear side adjoins the synthetic foamed material of the bottom.

3. Wall installation connection box unit according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the connector body has at least one passage opening (12) extending from its outer side to its inner side, which opening is covered on an outer side by a sealing membrane portion (13) of the synthetic foamed material of the base portion.

4. Wall installation connection box unit according to claim 3, further characterized in that the synthetic foamed material of the base portion comprises a tube insertion port opening (14) which adjoins the sealing membrane portion at an outer side.

5. Wall installation connection box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the sleeve portion has a radially inwards projecting ridge protrusion (15) on an inner peripheral side.

6. Wall installation connection box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that at least one connection structure element (16) is embedded into the synthetic foamed material of the base portion.

7. Wall installation connection box unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further characterized in that the synthetic foamed material is a thermoplastic particle foamed material.