Two-way valve for a sanitary fitting and sanitary fitting with such a two-way valve

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a two-way valve for a sanitary fitting according to the preamble of claim 1 and a sanitary fitting with such a two-way valve. Such sanitary fittings are used in particular for the on-demand supply of a liquid at washbasins, sinks, showers or bathtubs.

[0002] Sanitary fittings are known that can dispense a liquid in different spray patterns, such as rain jets, solid jets, massage jets, or aerated jets. Switching between the different spray patterns can be achieved via manually operated actuators on the sanitary fittings. These actuators control, for example, valves in the liquid channels of the sanitary fittings, allowing the liquid to be directed to a jet generator for the desired spray pattern. The known valves require a significant amount of space, meaning they either cannot be integrated into the sanitary fittings or the fittings must be made particularly large. This, however, limits the design freedom of the sanitary fittings and also increases their material requirements.

[0003] Two-way valves whose valve bodies are adjustable by means of shape memory wires are also known, for example from EP 2 064 469 B1 and IT TO20 001182 A1. In addition, two-way valves, for example from DE 10 2019 105 975 A1, as well as shape memory alloy actuators, for example from DE 20 2020 107 143 U1, are known.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and, in particular, to provide a two-way valve for a sanitary fitting that requires little installation space. Furthermore, a sanitary fitting whose two-way valve requires little installation space is to be provided.

[0005] These problems are solved with a two-way valve and a sanitary fitting according to the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. In addition, the features specified in the claims are further specified and explained in the description, and further preferred embodiments of the invention are presented.

[0006] This is achieved using a two-way valve for a sanitary fitting, which has at least the following features: a valve body with a liquid inlet, a first liquid outlet and a second liquid outlet; and a valve body which is adjustable by a first shape memory wire into a first release position to release the first liquid outlet and by a second shape memory wire into a second release position to release the second liquid outlet.

[0007] The sanitary fitting serves, in particular, to provide liquids, especially water, on demand at sinks, washbasins, showers, and / or bathtubs. For this purpose, the sanitary fitting can be supplied with cold water at a specific temperature and hot water at a specific temperature. The cold and hot water can be mixed by the sanitary fitting, for example, by means of a mixing valve or a (thermostatic) mixing cartridge, to create mixed water at the desired temperature. The cold water temperature is, in particular, a maximum of 25 °C (Celsius), preferably 1 °C to 25 °C, and more preferably 5 °C to 20 °C, and / or the hot water temperature is, in particular, a maximum of 90 °C, preferably 25 °C to 90 °C, and more preferably 55 °C to 65 °C.The mixing valve or (thermostatic) mixing cartridge can be operated by a user via a (first) actuating element of the sanitary fitting, for example, a lever, and / or be located in a fitting body of the sanitary fitting. The fitting body is made, in particular, at least partially of plastic and / or (cast) metal, such as brass. The fitting body can be mounted on a support, for example, a worktop, sink, basin, bathtub, or shower. Furthermore, the fitting body can have a (protruding or branching) spout that is rigidly or movably connected to the fitting body. The spout can be at least partially tubular and / or part of the fitting body.

[0008] The sanitary fitting allows the liquid to be dispensed in multiple spray patterns. For this purpose, the sanitary fitting has at least a primary and a secondary spray pattern. In particular, the sanitary fitting may have only a primary and a secondary spray pattern, allowing the liquid to be dispensed in the primary and / or secondary spray pattern. These spray patterns can include, for example, rain sprays, solid sprays, massage sprays, and / or aerated sprays. Specifically, when using the shower head, the liquid can be dispensed in either a single spray pattern or in two different spray patterns simultaneously. The sanitary fitting can have one spray pattern for each spray pattern.The first jet former and / or the second jet former can have at least one nozzle and / or at least one outlet opening for the liquid, through which at least one spray jet of liquid specific to the respective jet type can be formed.

[0009] The two-way valve is primarily used to change the spray pattern. The two-way valve allows the liquid to be selectively directed to either the first spray pattern and / or the second spray pattern. The two-way valve can be located, at least partially, within the valve body and / or the outlet of the valve body of the sanitary fitting. The two-way valve has a valve body that can be made, at least partially, of plastic and / or metal, such as brass. Furthermore, the two-way valve can be manufactured, for example, as an injection-molded plastic part. The two-way valve also has a liquid inlet for the liquid or mixed water, a first liquid outlet, and a second liquid outlet. The liquid inlet is, in particular, connected to the mixing valve or the (thermostat) mixing cartridge via a fluid-conducting connection.The first liquid outlet can be connected to the first jet generator via a first outlet line, and the second liquid outlet can be connected to the second jet generator via a second outlet line. The first and second liquid outlets can run at least partially parallel to each other and / or be aligned parallel to each other. The two-way valve has a valve body that can be adjusted by a first shape-memory wire to a first release position for opening the first liquid outlet and by a second shape-memory wire to a second release position for opening the second liquid outlet. In the first release position, the first liquid outlet is open and the second liquid outlet is closed. Similarly, in the second release position, the first liquid outlet is closed and the second liquid outlet is open.The valve body can be designed in the form of a flap or a paddle. Furthermore, the valve body can be at least partially V-shaped. The valve body can have a first sealing surface for a first valve seat of the first fluid outlet and a second sealing surface for a second valve seat of the second fluid outlet. The first sealing surface is, in particular, the surface of the valve body with which the valve body contacts the first valve seat when the valve body is in the second release position. Similarly, the second sealing surface is, in particular, the surface of the valve body with which the valve body contacts the second valve seat when the valve body is in the first release position. The first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire is a wire that consists, at least in part, of a shape memory alloy.The shape memory alloy can be, for example, a nickel-titanium alloy or a nickel-titanium-copper alloy. The first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire can contract, particularly when heated, and / or expand when cooled. Furthermore, the first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire can have a length of, for example, 50 mm to 200 mm, preferably 80 mm to 120 mm, especially at a temperature of 20 °C. Additionally, the first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire can have a wire diameter of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, especially at a temperature of 20 °C. Since the first shape memory wire and the second shape memory wire are very thin, the two-way valve can be designed with a small installation space requirement.

[0010] The valve body can be attached to a pivot axis. This can mean, in particular, that the valve body is adjustable between the first release position and the second release position via the pivot axis. The pivot axis can be rotatably mounted within the valve housing. Furthermore, the pivot axis can extend at least partially out of the valve housing. Additionally, the pivot axis can be located between the first and second liquid outlets. In particular, the pivot axis can be located between a first outlet channel of the first liquid outlet and a second outlet channel of the second liquid outlet.

[0011] The axis of rotation can be rotatable by the first shape memory wire or the second shape memory wire with a rotation angle of 5° to 45°. In particular, the axis of rotation can be rotatable by the first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire with a rotation angle of 5° to 45°, preferably 10° to 20°, and most preferably (approximately) 15°. In particular, the axis of rotation can be rotatable by the first shape memory wire, for example, in a first direction of rotation, and by the second shape memory wire in a second direction of rotation, in particular an opposite direction.

[0012] The axis of rotation can have a first lever arm for the first shape memory wire and a second lever arm for the second shape memory wire. The first shape memory wire is attached to the first lever arm, and the second shape memory wire is attached to the second lever arm. By pulling the first shape memory wire on the first lever arm, the valve body can be moved by the axis of rotation, specifically into the first release position, and / or by pulling the second shape memory wire on the second lever arm, the valve body can be moved by the axis of rotation, specifically into the second release position.

[0013] The first shape memory wire can extend at least partially around the first lever arm, or the second shape memory wire can extend at least partially around the second lever arm. In particular, the first shape memory wire can extend at least partially around the first lever arm and / or the second shape memory wire can extend at least partially around the second lever arm. For this purpose, the first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire can be formed at least partially in the manner of a loop or a loop. Furthermore, the first shape memory wire can extend, for example, with an arc of 45° to 360°, preferably 170° to 190°, particularly preferably (approximately) 180°, around the first lever arm, and / or the second shape memory wire can extend, for example, with an arc of 45° to 360°, preferably 170° to 190°, particularly preferably (approximately) 180°, around the second lever arm.

[0014] Furthermore, it may be provided that: a first longitudinal end of the first shape memory wire is attached to a first electrical contact and a second longitudinal end of the first shape memory wire is attached to a second electrical contact; or a third longitudinal end of the second shape memory wire is attached to a third electrical contact and a fourth longitudinal end of the second shape memory wire is attached to a fourth electrical contact.

[0015] The longitudinal ends of the first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire can be connected to the contacts, for example, by means of a soldered connection, clamp connection, screw connection, and / or crimp connection. The first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire can be subjected to an electrical voltage of, for example, 1 V (volt) to 10 V, preferably 2 V to 5 V, via the electrical contacts. This causes the first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire to heat up, so that the first shape memory wire and / or the second shape memory wire shorten and thereby pull on the respective lever arm of the axis of rotation. This can be controlled by a controller, for example, a microcontroller.The control unit can be connected to a (second) actuating element of the sanitary fitting via a data transmission link. This (second) actuating element can be designed, for example, as a sensor such as an infrared sensor, touch sensor, radio sensor, or distance sensor. A user of the sanitary fitting can adjust the valve body between the first and second release positions by actuating the (second) actuating element, particularly without physical contact, thereby setting a desired spray pattern. The (second) actuating element can be located on the fitting body.

[0016] The first, second, third, or fourth electrical contact can be arranged on a printed circuit board (PCB). In particular, the first, second, third, and / or fourth electrical contact can be arranged on the PCB. Furthermore, the control unit can be arranged on a PCB. The PCB is, in particular, attached to the valve housing.

[0017] The two-way valve has a first solenoid for holding the valve body in the first open position and a second solenoid for holding the valve body in the second open position. The first and / or second solenoid is a permanent magnet. Furthermore, the first and / or second solenoid can be located on the outside of the valve body.

[0018] The first or second magnet can hold a pivot arm on a rotating axis of the valve body. This rotating axis is, in particular, the same axis to which the valve body is attached. The pivot arm extends, in particular, at least partially in a radial direction along the rotating axis and / or is located outside the valve housing. The pivot arm is magnetically attracted by the first and / or second magnet.

[0019] Another aspect is also mentioned: a sanitary fitting is specified which has at least the following features: a valve housing with a first jet former and a second jet former; and a two-way valve according to the invention, with which a liquid can be selectively supplied to either the first jet former or the second jet former.

[0020] For further details regarding the sanitary fitting, please refer in full to the description of the two-way valve.

[0021] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, but that the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Identical components in the figures are designated with the same reference numerals. The figures show, by way of example and schematically: Fig. 1: a two-way valve in a longitudinal section; Fig. 2: the two-way valve in a first side view; Fig. 3: the two-way valve in a second side view; and Fig. 4: a sanitary fitting with the two-way valve.

[0022] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a two-way valve 1 in a longitudinal section. The two-way valve 1 comprises a valve housing 3 with a liquid inlet 4, a first liquid outlet 5, and a second liquid outlet 6. A V-shaped valve body 7 is arranged in the valve housing 3, which is located in the Fig. 1 The valve body 7 is in a first release position 9. In this position, the valve body 7 is lifted from the first valve seat 30 of the first liquid outlet 5 and contacts a second valve seat 31 of the second liquid outlet 6, so that the first liquid outlet 5 is open and the second liquid outlet 6 is closed. Thus, liquid supplied via the liquid inlet 4 can flow out through the first liquid outlet 5. The valve body 7 is pivotally mounted on a pivot axis 11, which allows the valve body 7 to be adjusted into a second release position. In this position, the valve body 7 contacts the first valve seat 30 and is lifted from the second valve seat 31, so that the first liquid outlet 5 is closed and the second liquid outlet 6 is open.

[0023] The Fig. 2 shows the two-way valve 1 in a first side view from a comparison to the Fig. 1 opposite side. On an outer surface 32 of the valve housing 3, the axis of rotation 11 has a first lever arm 13 for a first shape memory wire 8 and a second lever arm 14 for a second shape memory wire 10. The first lever arm 13 and the second lever arm 14 are formed on opposite sides of the axis of rotation 11. The first shape memory wire 8 extends around the first lever arm 13 in the manner of a loop, with a first longitudinal end 15 of the first shape memory wire 8 connected to a first electrical contact 16 and a terminal in the Fig. 1 The second longitudinal end 17 of the first shape memory wire 8 is attached to a second electrical contact 18. The second shape memory wire 10 extends around the second lever arm 14 in a loop-like fashion, with a third longitudinal end 19 of the second shape memory wire 10 attached to a third electrical contact 20 and a terminal in the Fig. 1 The recognizable fourth longitudinal end 21 of the second shape memory wire 10 is attached to a fourth electrical contact 22. The first shape memory wire 8 has a first wire leg 33 extending from the first electrical contact 16 to the first lever arm 13 and a Fig. 1 The second wire leg 34, extending from the first lever arm 13 to the second electrical contact 18, is recognizable. The wire leg 34 in the Fig. 1 The recognizable second wire leg 34 of the first shape memory wire 8 is in the Fig. 2 concealed by the first wire leg 33 of the first shape memory wire 8. The second shape memory wire 10 has a third wire leg 35 extending from the third electrical contact 20 to the second lever arm 14 and a [missing information] in the Fig. 1 The fourth wire leg 36, extending from the second lever arm 14 to the fourth electrical contact 22, is recognizable. The one in the Fig. 1 The fourth wire leg 36 of the second shape memory wire 10, which can be identified, is located in the Fig. 2 concealed by the third wire leg 35 of the second shape memory wire 10. The first wire leg 33 and second wire leg 34, on the one hand, and the third wire leg 35 and fourth wire leg 36, on the other hand, run (essentially) parallel to each other. The first shape memory wire 8 thus surrounds the first lever arm 13 by 180° or in a semicircle. Correspondingly, the second shape memory wire 10 surrounds the second lever arm 14 by 180° or in a semicircle. The first wire leg 33 of the first shape memory wire 8 and the third wire leg 35 of the second shape memory wire 10 can have a first length that is greater than a second length of the second wire leg 34 of the first shape memory wire 8 and of the fourth wire leg 36 of the second shape memory wire 10. The first length can be, for example, 30 mm to 60 mm, preferably 40 mm to 50 mm, and / or the second length 20 mm to 50 mm, preferably 30 mm to 40 mm.The first electrical contact 16, second electrical contact 18, third electrical contact 20, and fourth electrical contact 22 are arranged on a circuit board 23, which is attached to the valve housing 3. The first shape memory wire 8 can be subjected to a voltage via the first electrical contact 16 and second electrical contact 18, causing the first shape memory wire 8 to shorten. This shortens the first shape memory wire 8, which in turn pulls on the first lever arm 13, so that the [unclear] in the [unclear] Fig. 1 The valve body 7 shown is rotated with the axis of rotation 11 into the first release position 9. The second shape memory wire 10 can be energized via the third electrical contact 20 and fourth electrical contact 22, causing it to shorten. This pulls the second shape memory wire 10 on the second lever arm 14, so that the [unclear text] in the Fig. 1 The valve body 7 shown is rotated into the second release position by the axis of rotation 11. The axis of rotation 11 is rotatable by the first shape memory wire 8 and the second shape memory wire 10 with a rotation angle 12. The axis of rotation 11 has a pivot arm 26 which is pivotable with the axis of rotation 11. In the Fig. 1 In the first release position 9 of the valve body 7, the pivot arm 26 contacts a first magnet 24 attached to the valve housing 3. The first magnet 24 attracts the pivot arm 26, thus holding the valve body 7 in the first release position 9. When the valve body 7 is in the second release position, the pivot arm 26 contacts a second magnet 25 attached to the valve housing 3. The pivot arm 26 is then attracted by the second magnet 25, thus holding the valve body 7 in the second release position. The first magnet 24, second magnet 25, and pivot arm 26 are protected by a safety bracket 37 attached to the valve housing 3.

[0024] The Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows the two-way valve 1 in a second side view, in which the two-way valve 1 is compared to the Fig. 2 rotated 90° to the left. This makes the second shape memory wire 10 with the third wire leg 35 and fourth wire leg 36 particularly visible. The third longitudinal end 19 of the second shape memory wire 10 is attached to the third electrical contact 20 and the fourth longitudinal end 21 of the second shape memory wire 10 is attached to the fourth electrical contact 22.

[0025] The Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a sanitary fitting 2 in a longitudinal section. The sanitary fitting 2 has a fitting body 27 in which a mixing valve 38 is arranged. Cold water can be supplied to the mixing valve 38 via a cold water line 39 and hot water via a hot water line 40. The cold water and hot water can be mixed by the mixing valve 38 to form a mixture with a desired temperature. The mixing valve 38 can be actuated by an actuating element 41, which is designed here in the form of a lever. The temperature and flow rate of the mixture can be set via the actuating element 41. A mixing water outlet of the mixing valve 38, not visible here, is connected to the one shown in the Fig. 1 The liquid inlet 4 of the two-way valve 1 is connected as shown. The two-way valve 1 is also arranged inside the valve housing 27. The one shown in the Fig. 1 The first liquid outlet 5 of the two-way valve 1, as shown, is connected to a first aerator 28 of the sanitary fitting 2, and the second liquid outlet 6 of the two-way valve 1 is connected to a second aerator 29 of the sanitary fitting 2. Thus, the mixed water can be selectively directed through the two-way valve 1 to either the first aerator 28 or the second aerator 29. The sanitary fitting 2 also has a sensor 42, which is designed here as an infrared sensor. The sensor 42 is connected to a control unit of the sanitary fitting 2, which controls the two-way valve 1. A user of the sanitary fitting 2 can switch the two-way valve 1 by actuating the sensor 42, so that the mixed water can be discharged either through the first aerator 28 or the second aerator 29.

[0026] The present invention makes it possible in particular to design a two-way valve with a small installation space requirement. Bezugszeichenliste

[0027] 1 Two-way valve 2 Sanitary fitting 3 Valve body 4 Liquid inlet 5 First liquid outlet 6 Second liquid outlet 7 Valve body 8 First shape memory wire 9 First release position 10 Second shape memory wire 11 Rotation axis 12 Rotation angle 13 First lever arm 14 Second lever arm 15 First longitudinal end 16 First electrical contact 17 Second longitudinal end 18 Second electrical contact 19 Third longitudinal end 20 Third electrical contact 21 Fourth longitudinal end 22 Fourth electrical contact 23 Circuit board 24 First magnet 25 Second magnet 26 Swivel arm 27 Fitting body 28 First jet former 29 Second jet former 30 First valve seat 31 Second valve seat 32 Outside 33 First wire leg 34 Second wire leg 35 Third wire leg 36 Fourth wire leg 37 Safety bracket 38 Mixing valve 39 Cold water pipe 40 Hot water pipe 41 Actuating element 42 Sensor

Claims

1. A two-way valve (1) for a sanitary fitting (2), having at least: - one valve housing (3) with a liquid inflow port (4), a first liquid outlet port (5) and a second liquid outlet port (6); - one valve body (7) that can be shifted by a first shape memory wire (8) to a first release position (9) to release the first liquid outlet port (5) and by a second shape memory wire (10) to a second release position to release the second liquid outlet port (6); and - in a characterizing manner having a first magnet (24) for holding the valve body (7) in the first release position (9) and a second magnet (25) for holding the valve body (7) in the second release position, wherein the first magnet (24) and / or the second magnet (25) is a permanent magnet.

2. The two-way valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the valve body (7) is secured to a rotary shaft (11).

3. The two-way valve (1) according to claim 2, wherein the rotary shaft (11) can be rotated by the first shape memory wire (8) or the second shape memory wire (10) with a rotation angle (12) of 5° to 45°.

4. The two-way valve (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the rotary shaft (11) has a first lever arm (13) for the first shape memory wire (8) and a second lever arm (14) for the second shape memory wire (10).

5. The two-way valve (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first shape memory wire (8) extends at least partially around the first lever arm (13) or the second shape memory wire (10) extends at least partially around the second lever arm (14).

6. The two-way valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - a first longitudinal end (15) of the first shape memory wire (8) is secured to a first electrical contact (16) and a second longitudinal end (17) of the first shape memory wire (8) is secured to a second electrical contact (18); or - a third longitudinal end (19) of the second shape memory wire (10) is secured to a third electrical contact (20) and a fourth longitudinal end (21) of the second shape memory wire (10) is secured to a fourth electrical contact (22).

7. The two-way valve (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first electrical contact (16), the second electrical contact (18), the third electrical contact (20) or the fourth electrical contact (22) is arranged on a printed circuit board (23).

8. The two-way valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first magnet (24) or the second magnet (25) holds a pivot arm (26) of a rotary shaft (11) of the valve body (7).

9. A sanitary fitting (2), having at least: - one fitting housing (27) with a first jet-forming element (28) and a second jet-forming element (29); and - one two-way valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, with which a liquid can be selectively supplied to the first jet-forming element (28) or to the second jet-forming element (29).