FLUIDIC OUTFLOW UNIT AND ASSOCIATED USES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fluidic outflow unit which can be used in particular in a piece of furniture or in a sanitary object in order to realize a controllable fluid outflow.

[0002] The invention therefore also relates to various uses of a fluid outflow unit, in particular in a piece of furniture or a sanitary object (such as a sanitary fitting).

[0003] Finally, the invention also relates to the use of a push-push actuating device for controlling a fluidic outflow unit.

[0004] In the prior art, for example, aerators are commonly used as jet-forming outlet elements of sanitary fittings that can be screwed into the respective sanitary fitting to create a fluidic outlet unit. In this case, the sanitary fitting is typically designed to conduct water (e.g., made of a metal body) and forms an internal water line, the wall of which is formed by the wall of the fitting. This internal water line is then connected to a corresponding water connection for the water supply and thus supplies water to the aerator so that it can ultimately emerge from the aerator as a shaped jet. However, such water lines are not flexibly adaptable.

[0005] From WO 2007 / 026153 A1 a spray head for a shower is known, wherein the spray head has spray nozzles arranged in a plurality of groups, each arranged to receive water from a mixing valve via a corresponding on / off solenoid valve accommodated in the spray head.

[0006] From US 2008 / 178935 A1 a diverter unit is known which is configured to be connected to a faucet unit which can be installed on a washbasin.

[0007] Fluidic outlet units are generally required in a wide variety of locations and for a wide variety of installations. However, if the installation situation deviates from a common standard, requiring custom solutions, it is often very difficult to implement such customized solutions using commonly available products. This means that conventional fluidic outlet units can only be adapted with considerable effort.

[0008] For example, when installing fluidic outlet units that are to be integrated into furniture or sanitary fittings, it often happens that existing solutions are unsuitable because they cannot be flexibly adapted to a specific available installation space or to constraints imposed by the installation situation. Particularly when custom-made furniture is to be equipped with a fluidic outlet unit, there is a lack of suitable solutions for equipping the furniture with a fluidic outlet unit in a customized and simple manner.

[0009] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of creating a technical solution for designing fluidic outlet units in a simpler and more flexible manner. This also aims to improve ease of use. Furthermore, a solution is to be created that enables greater design diversity for the associated piece of furniture / sanitary equipment as well as new application possibilities for the fluidic outlet unit.

[0010] To achieve this object, the features of claim 1 are provided according to the invention for a fluidic outflow unit, which can be provided in particular for use in a piece of furniture or in a sanitary object. In particular, to achieve the object, the invention proposes that the outflow unit have the following elements: a plurality of supply lines which are connectable and connected to respective fluidic sources and which are fluidically connected to at least one respective flow control element for controlling a flow from one of the sources to an outlet element of the outflow unit; at least one outlet element; and at least one connecting element which fluidically connects the at least one outlet element of the outflow unit to the at least one flow control element of the outflow unit.

[0011] The outflow unit can comprise both controllable and non-controllable flow control elements, as well as other functional elements (such as heating and cooling elements).

[0012] The at least one connecting element and preferably also the supply lines can each be designed to be flexible, for example, by being made of a soft, deformable material (in particular silicone). This makes it possible to reversibly adapt the spatial arrangement of the elements of the outflow unit, i.e., in particular, to repeatedly modify it.This is advantageous because, on the one hand, it allows the outflow unit to be adjusted several times during assembly until an ideal spatial arrangement is found (unlike, for example, the use of flexible metal pipes, which tend to develop weak points due to material fatigue after repeated bending). On the other hand, it also makes it particularly easy to continue using the outflow unit if the available installation space in which the outflow unit is to be installed changes in size or shape (e.g., due to a product or design change). This can save development costs.

[0013] In addition, at least one connecting element of the outflow unit can form a fluidic branch in order to realize more complex fluid flows (e.g. from one source to several elements).

[0014] Thus, a fluid can be drawn from one of the sources via a respective outlet element of the outlet unit by appropriately controlling a flow control element of the outlet unit, for example, to dispense water, a beverage, or another fluid using the outlet unit. As will be explained below, mixtures of fluids from at least two of the sources can also be drawn via an outlet element if the outlet unit is appropriately designed.

[0015] With an outflow unit according to the invention, it is therefore possible for a respective fluid flow to be discharged from each of the sources in the form of an outlet jet formed by an outlet element of the outflow unit and to be controllable (i.e., in the simplest case, switched on and off) by means of an associated flow control element of the outflow unit.

[0016] Furthermore, with an outflow unit according to the invention, it is also possible for a fluid drawn from one of the sources to be dispensed from different outlet elements of the outflow unit, in particular mixed with a fluid from another of the sources. Changing the outlet element for this fluid flow can be accomplished by appropriately actuating or controlling a flow control element, which can selectively switch a source-side fluid input stream to at least two outflow-side fluidic interfaces (so-called "distributors"). This is useful, for example, if the fluid is to be dispensed in different jet shapes or flow rates (each determined by the respective outlet element).The outflow unit can be configured for such functionality by interconnecting the elements via connecting elements according to the desired fluid flow and selecting appropriate flow control elements (switching valves, combiners, mixers, distributors, etc.).

[0017] In other words, the invention proposes assembling the fluidic outflow unit in a modular manner from the above elements (which can preferably be taken from a modular system with a limited number of defined, different elements). By appropriately curving the respective flexible connecting element and / or the supply lines, which are preferably also designed to be flexible, the elements can be arranged flexibly in different geometric configurations so that the outflow unit can be used in a wide variety of installation spaces within a piece of furniture or a sanitary fixture. The flexible connecting elements and supply lines can also be shortened accordingly to make necessary adjustments.

[0018] In other words, an outlet unit according to the invention can be characterized by the fact that, when the at least one outlet element is fixed in a wall of a piece of furniture or a sanitary object, the remaining elements of the outlet unit (i.e. the at least one connecting element, the at least one flow control element, and the supply lines) can be arranged in different spatial constellations due to the flexibility of the at least one connecting element (cf. for example the example of Figures 2a and 2b ); accordingly, the remaining elements of the outlet unit can be flexibly moved within a space when at least one outlet element is fixed in place, making installation particularly easy (for example, to guide the manual control elements through corresponding openings in the wall). This facilitates the installation of the outlet unit in a wide variety of spaces.

[0019] Preferably, only the respective outlet element on the piece of furniture / sanitary appliance can be inserted into a corresponding passage leading into the installation space in which the fluidic outlet unit is installed. Furthermore, manual control elements of the outlet unit, which serve to control the flow control elements, can also be routed out of the installation space to enable simple manual operation.

[0020] A fluidic outflow unit according to the invention offers the advantage that it can be used in a wide variety of installation spaces and can even be adapted if necessary (by rearranging the above-mentioned elements). A characteristic of a fluidic outflow unit according to the invention can thus be that the above-mentioned elements of the outflow unit can be arranged in different geometric configurations relative to one another. Therefore, a fluidic outflow unit according to the invention can also be used particularly easily in a wide variety of installation spaces.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the at least one outlet element (i.e., in particular, each of these multiple outlet elements, depending on the embodiment) can form an exit jet with a defined jet shape. This allows the corresponding fluid to be provided with a specific fluidic functionality, whereby several different jet shapes can also be formed from the same fluid with the aid of the outlet unit. In this case, it can be provided that two outlet elements differ in terms of a jet shape. Thus, a current jet shape or jet quality can be influenced or adjusted by appropriate actuation of a flow control element.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one outlet element can also define a defined flow rate (i.e. a specific flow rate in L / min at a given source-side discharge pressure, for example in order to achieve / maintain a certain flow class).

[0023] For example, two outlet elements can be configured to differ in terms of flow class. Thus, a current flow class can be influenced or selected by actuating a flow control element accordingly.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one outlet element can have a defined temperature profile.

[0025] For example, two sources can be configured to differ in temperature. This can increase the variety of different fluids or waters.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, two outlet elements and / or two flow control elements can be designed for different temperatures. For example, high-temperature-stable plastics can be selected as the material for the respective outlet element and / or flow control element if, for example, boiling-hot water is to be provided with the outlet unit. This is advantageous because special water types such as boiling water or ice-cold water can be provided. The outlet unit can also be equipped with corresponding cooling and / or heating elements to adjust the respective fluid temperature. These elements can be integrated, for example, as flow heaters or flow coolers in the respective fluid path from the source to the outlet element.

[0027] It is therefore understood that the at least one outlet element can draw a fluid from at least one of the sources (in order to dispense it) via a respective associated flow control element.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one outlet element forms an exit jet with a defined jet shape, establishes a defined flow rate, and is connected to at least one of the sources via an associated flow control element. This fluidic connection to the source can preferably be realized by means of a flexible connecting element arranged between the outlet element and the flow control element or between the flow control element and the source. In this case, further flow control elements or other functional elements can be connected into the fluid flow between the source and the outlet element (e.g., if a fluid mixture is to be dispensed that is mixed by the outlet unit from fluids from two of the sources).

[0029] The outflow unit can therefore preferably have a plurality of flow control elements, each of which can be individually controlled and / or manually operated using a hand-held control element. Such configurations can, in particular, achieve the control of a flow of a fluid from one of the fluid sources via a respective flow control element to an outlet element of the outflow unit.

[0030] For the simplest possible operation, it is particularly advantageous if the flow control elements are clearly assigned to one of the fluid sources and / or one of the outlet elements. This allows separate fluid paths (e.g., for different water types such as carbonated water, hot water, purified water, etc.) to be created and controlled.

[0031] In other words, it is possible to achieve, in particular, that two respective fluid flows from two of the sources each flow into a common outlet element or into two separate outlet elements. Depending on the number of sources, both of these variants can also be implemented in the outlet unit.

[0032] According to the invention, each flow control element is uniquely assigned to an outlet element. This allows for a 1:1 correspondence between outlet elements and flow control elements. The type or quality of a jet can thus be easily identified based on the associated flow control element, for example, by marking it on the flow control element.

[0033] Furthermore, in certain embodiments, at least two flow control elements of the outflow unit can be fluidically connected to one another, which can preferably be achieved via a flexible connecting element. This is useful, for example, if the fluid flows from two sources are to be switched on and off via a respective flow control element, and these two fluid flows are to be combined in another flow control element configured as a combiner, for example, in order to feed the mixture of the two fluid flows to a common outflow element (preferably via another flexible connector).

[0034] In the fluidic outflow unit, preferably at least two flow control elements can be manually operated and / or controlled. Such control can be implemented, for example, via a fluidic, electrical, or pneumatic actuator. This allows a wide variety of fluid outflows to be realized with the outflow unit, in particular, mixed drinks can be dispensed.

[0035] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one flow control element of the outflow unit, but preferably all manually switchable flow control elements of the outflow unit, can be manually switched by means of a push-push actuating device. The use of a push-push actuating device allows for particularly convenient operation, such that the respective flow control element can be switched from a first to a second switching state by pressing a manual control element of the push-push actuating device, and from the second switching state back to the first switching state by pressing the manual control element again.

[0036] By providing a push-push actuation device, particularly convenient mixing of two fluids and / or switching a fluid flow from one of the outlet elements on and off can be achieved. For example, the flow control element manually operable via the push-push actuation device can be a flow valve. In this case, the flow valve can be opened, for example, by pressing a manual control element of the push-push actuation device and closed again by pressing the manual control element again.

[0037] The at least one outlet element of the outlet unit can preferably form a defined outlet jet. This means that the respective outlet element can preferably be designed, in particular, as a jet regulator.

[0038] In such configurations, it is further advantageous if the fluidic outflow unit has functionally different outlet elements or jet regulators that can form differently shaped outlet jets. For example, a fluid flow from a specific source can be supplied to different outlet elements of the outflow unit by means of a flow control element of the outflow unit. This allows the same fluid or fluid mixture to be dispensed from the outflow unit in different outlet jets, which can increase comfort or enable new fluidic functions (such as moistening with a fine spray versus rinsing with a soft, voluminous shower jet).

[0039] At least one connecting element, but preferably all connecting elements, of the outlet unit can each be designed particularly simply as a flexible hose, preferably made of plastic. This allows the outlet unit to be particularly easily adapted to a wide variety of installation situations, as the hoses are particularly easy to bend and cut to length.

[0040] Accordingly, the supply lines that supply the respective fluid from one of the sources can each be designed as flexible hoses, preferably also made of plastic.

[0041] A key advantage of these designs is that the fluidic outflow unit can be flexibly installed in various sized spaces within a piece of furniture or a sanitary fixture. By appropriately cutting and bending the flexible connecting elements, the other elements of the outflow unit can be arranged in various geometric configurations within a given installation space.

[0042] The multiple sources can be formed, for example, by a respective water connection (for example a cold water connection and a hot water connection) or a liquid reservoir, in particular a beverage reservoir, and do not necessarily have to belong to the outflow unit.

[0043] Therefore, the supply lines can each have a connector on the source side for connecting the respective supply line to a respective source, preferably a plug-in connector. This makes it possible, in particular, for a respective source, especially when designed as a fluid reservoir, to be easily replaced (e.g., when its fluid content has been exhausted).

[0044] Preferably, each of the flow control elements of the outflow unit has (at least) one source-side and (at least) one outlet-side fluidic interface. This fluidic interface can preferably be coupled to one of the flexible connecting elements or is coupled (in the installed situation).

[0045] In particular, at least one flow control element of the outflow unit can have at least two such fluidic interfaces on the source side or the outlet side. This allows this flow control element to be configured, for example, as a fluidic combiner / mixer or as a fluidic distributor.

[0046] In order to enable the fluidic outflow unit to be redesigned / adapted as easily as possible, it is particularly preferred if the said interfaces are fluidically tightly plug-connected to the respective flexible connecting elements. These plug-connections are thus reversible and can be implemented as required. This means that different fluidic outflow units according to the invention can be constructed from the same elements.

[0047] As already indicated, at least one flow control element of the outflow unit can be arranged / configured as a fluidic combiner or mixer. Such a combiner / mixer will therefore have (at least) two source-side fluidic interfaces that fluidically flow into an outlet-side fluidic interface. This fluidic interface can be fluidically connected to another flow control element or an outlet element.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, an outlet element can be designed as such a combiner or mixer. This has the advantage that the different waters do not have to share a common pipe section up to the outlet element. Mutual interference with alternating use of the outlet element is thus avoided, as no water residues occur in a shared pipe section.

[0049] Furthermore, at least one flow control element of the outflow unit can also be arranged / configured as a fluidic distributor (alternatively or additionally). Such a distributor can have (at least) one source-side fluidic interface that fluidically flows into (at least) two outlet-side fluidic interfaces.

[0050] For example, several flexible connecting elements of the outflow unit can supply or discharge fluid in different spatial directions and / or have different radii of curvature in a respective installation situation.

[0051] The fluidic outflow unit may also include additional fluidic functional units, such as a flow heater, a sensor unit (e.g., a temperature measuring unit), an actuator unit (e.g., a fluidic pump), or an electrofluidic unit (e.g., a fluidic power generator). Such functional units—like the flow control elements—can be interposed by means of flexible connecting elements in the fluid flow from one of the sources to an outlet element of the outflow unit, thus providing additional functionality (e.g., the ability to generate hot water from a cold water source using a flow heater).

[0052] To achieve the object mentioned above, the use of a fluidic outflow unit in a piece of furniture or in a sanitary object is further proposed, wherein the outflow unit can be designed in particular as described above or according to one of the claims directed to a fluidic outflow unit. This use is characterized in that the outflow unit is inserted into a (particularly semi-open) installation space inside the piece of furniture or the sanitary object, and in that at least one outlet element of the outflow unit is connected to a (fluidic) source via at least one (preferably flexible) connecting element. Furthermore, it is provided that the at least one outlet element is inserted into a wall of the piece of furniture / sanitary object that delimits (and thus defines) the installation space.

[0053] In this use, it is preferred if the fluidic outflow unit is arranged in the installation space in such a way that it cannot be seen from the outside in the specific installation situation - with the exception of the outlet element and any manual operating elements that may be formed.

[0054] Furthermore, the use of a fluidic outlet unit is also proposed to achieve the object, which is characterized by the fact that fluids at different temperatures are dispensed from the outlet unit. For this purpose, i.e., to change the temperature of the respective fluid, a cooling and / or heating element of the outlet unit can be used to regulate the respective fluid temperature. In this use, the outlet unit can be designed as described above, and the previously described usage features (with reference to the use of the outlet unit in a piece of furniture or a sanitary object) can also be implemented.

[0055] It can also be provided that different temperatures are provided at different sources. This can increase the functional range of the outflow unit.

[0056] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the use of a push-push actuating device for controlling (at least) one flow control element of a fluidic outflow unit is finally proposed. The outflow unit can preferably be configured as described above or according to one of the claims directed to a fluidic outflow unit. The push-push actuating device allows switching between two switching states of the controlled flow control element by pressing a manual control element of the push-push actuating device. This enables particularly convenient operation of the outflow unit.

[0057] It can thus be provided in particular that individual or even all (controllable) flow control elements of the previously described fluidic outflow unit are designed as push-push flow control elements, in particular as push-push valves.

[0058] The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these embodiments. Further developments of the invention can be derived from the following description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the general description, the claims, and the drawings.

[0059] In the following description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, elements which correspond in function are given the same reference numbers even if they have a different design or shape.

[0060] It shows: Fig. 1a highly schematic, not to scale functional representation of a first fluidic outflow unit according to the invention, which is arranged in the interior of a piece of furniture, Fig. 2aa highly schematic, not to scale functional representation of a second fluidic outflow unit according to the invention, Fig. 2bthe same outflow unit of the Figure 2a , however, the elements of the outlet unit are arranged in a different geometric arrangement in another piece of furniture 13, Fig. 3 is an oblique view of another outlet unit according to the invention which has several push-push actuating devices, Fig. 4 is a side view of the outlet unit of the Figure 3 and Fig. 5 shows another outflow unit according to the invention with connected sources, before insertion into an interior space.

[0061] The Figure 1shows a fluidic outflow unit, designated as a whole by 1, which has three outlet elements 4, each configured, for example, as a jet regulator 12 and / or a jet shaper. The outflow unit 1 is inserted into a space 14 defined by the inner wall 18 of a piece of furniture 13. The outlet elements 4 are inserted into the wall 18 so that they can each discharge a fluid to the outside.

[0062] The sources 3 in Figure 1 For example, they can provide various drinks such as tap water, carbonated water, or soft drinks such as lemonade or fruit juices or even alcoholic drinks.

[0063] Each of the three outlet elements 4 is connected to a controllable flow control element 5 via its own flexible connecting element 6 in the form of a plastic hose 10. For this purpose, the respective hose 10 is inserted in a fluidically tight manner into an outlet-side fluidic interface 17 of the respective flow control element 5.

[0064] In the same way, each of the three flow control elements 5 is in turn fluidically connected to a respective source 3 in the form of a fluid reservoir via another flexible hose 10, which serves as the respective supply line 2. Each source 3 provides a different beverage.

[0065] The flow control elements 5 are in the example of Figure 1each designed as manually operable flow valves 16, each with a source-side and an outlet-side fluidic interface 17. Each of these interfaces 17 can be or is coupled to a respective flexible connecting element 6 by means of a fluidically tight plug connection.

[0066] Each of the flow valves 16 can be opened and closed using corresponding manual controls 8. This allows a fluid flow to be switched from the associated reservoir 3 to the respective outlet element 4.

[0067] In other words, one drink can be dispensed from each of the three outlet elements 4.

[0068] Thus, in the example of Figure 1Each fluid or beverage from the respective source 3 is assigned an associated flow control element 5, so that the fluid outflows from the respective source 3 can be individually adjusted, namely manually via the respective hand control elements 8. Each of the three flow control elements 5 can be controlled individually, and each of the three fluid flows flows into a respective separate outlet element 4.

[0069] Due to the use of the flexible connecting elements 6, it is easy to see that the Figure 1The illustrated outflow unit 1 can also be easily inserted into differently shaped installation spaces 14, because the elements 2, 4, 5, and 6 can be arranged in different geometric configurations, so that the outflow unit 1 can be easily adapted to differently sized and / or differently shaped installation spaces 14. Depending on the installation situation, the individual flexible connecting elements 6 can be cut to different lengths and also have different radii of curvature.

[0070] For example, the Figures 2a and 2b two different installation situations of a second possible design of a fluidic outflow unit 1. The different configurations were achieved by simply rearranging the elements 2, 4, 5 and 6, whereby the lengths and radii of curvature of the connecting elements 6 were also adapted (cf. Figure 2a with Figure 2b ).

[0071] In the example of Figure 2aThe outflow unit 1 has a total of four fluidic flow control elements 5, only three of which can be controlled via manual control elements 8. The fourth flow control element 5 is designed as a non-controllable fluidic mixer 15. For this purpose, this mixer 15 has two source-side fluidic interfaces 17, which are each connected via respective flexible connecting elements 6 to a controllable flow control element 5 arranged on the source side. These two interfaces 17 of the mixer 15 open into an outlet-side interface 17, which in turn is connected to the single outlet element 4 via a further flexible connecting element 6. The outlet element 4 is thus fluidically connected to each of the three sources 3 via a flexible connecting element 6.

[0072] The two upper sources 3 are connected via the two upper supply lines 2 to a flow control element 5 designed as a combiner 15, which can be switched via a manual control element 8. For this purpose, the supply lines 2 are equipped with connectors 7 that enable a plug-in connection to the respective source 3. Depending on the switching state, this flow control element 5 allows either the fluid from the uppermost source 3 or from the middle source 3 to pass through, thus functioning as a controllable switching valve. The outlet-side interface 17 of this controllable combiner 15 is connected to another flow control element 5 designed as a simple flow valve 16.This can also be controlled with a separate manual control element 8, so that the fluid flow from the uppermost or middle source (depending on the switching position of the adjustable combiner 15) can be passed on to the non-adjustable mixer 15, which in turn is connected to the outlet element 4.

[0073] In Figure 2aThe lowest source is connected to another flow control element 5 configured as a switchable flow valve 16. Its source-side fluidic interface 17 is connected to the non-switchable mixer 15 via another connecting piece 6. The mixer 15 is configured such that it always allows both inlet-side fluid flows to pass through, thus mixing them. As a result, either one of the three different fluids from each of the three separate sources 3 or a mixture of the fluid from the lowest source 3 with either the fluid from the uppermost or the middle source 3 can be discharged from the single outlet element 4.

[0074] This fluidic functionality is also provided by the outflow unit 1 of the Figure 2b which is functionally identical to the discharge unit 1 of the Figure 2a As in Figure 2bHowever, as can be seen, the installation space 14 has changed, which was compensated for by adjusting the geometric arrangement of the elements 2, 4, 5, and 6 as well as by adjusting the length, orientation, and curvature of the respective flexible connecting elements 6. This illustrates the high flexibility in the use of an outflow unit 1 according to the invention in different installation spaces 14 of a piece of furniture 13 or, for example, a sanitary object.

[0075] For example, if a flow control element 5 usable as a combiner 15 is used in the reverse direction in the outflow unit, this element can serve as a distributor or (actively controllable / manually operable) diverter. Such a diverter can then have one source-side fluidic interface 17 and at least two outlet-side fluidic interfaces 17.

[0076] The Figure 3illustrates that a particularly comfortable operation of the outflow unit 1 is possible when the respective controllable flow control elements 5 are controlled by means of a push-push actuating device 9. In the example of the Figures 3 and 4 functionally different jet regulators 12 are provided as respective outlet elements 4, which each form different outlet jets 11 from the respective fluid supplied from the source side (see Figure 4 ). In this case, one and the same fluid (or fluid mixture) can be supplied to different of the existing jet regulators 12 in order to dispense the fluid in the desired jet shape. Changing the jet shape can be achieved by actuating the respective push-push actuating device 9, which can, for example, control a flow valve 16 that enables or blocks the respective fluid flow to the currently selected jet regulator 12.

[0077] The Figure 5shows another outlet unit 1 according to the invention with two connected sources 3, designated Q1 and Q2, prior to insertion into an interior space. The fluid flow emanating from Q2 is initially divided into two branches by means of a fluidic branch 19, each of which runs to a source-side fluidic interface 17 of a respective flow control element 5. The upper branch leads to a mixer 5, while the lower branch leads to a flow valve 16, which supplies the lowest outlet element 4D, which in turn can discharge the fluid from Q2 in pure form.

[0078] In Figure 5 It can be seen that a 1:1 correspondence is formed between the outlet elements 4 on the one hand and the associated flow control elements 5 in the form of flow valves 16 on the other hand.

[0079] By means of the switchable mixer 15, the outlet element 4C, which can be switched on or off via a further flow valve 16, can be supplied either with the fluid from Q2 or with a mixture of the fluids from Q1 and Q2, or only with the fluid from Q1 (in this example, the mixer 15 thus has three switching states). Via a further fluidic branch 19 directly at Q1, the fluid from Q1 can be supplied not only to the mixer 15, but also to the two uppermost flow valves 16, which supply the outlet elements 4A and 4B. For this purpose, a further fluidic branch 19 is formed on the connecting element 6, which connects the uppermost flow valve 16 to Q1.

[0080] As a result, by correspondingly operating the five hand control elements 8, the fluid from Q1 can be dispensed in different jet shapes from the outlet elements 4A, 4B and 4C by means of the outlet unit 1, as well as a fluid mixture (mixed from the fluids from Q1 and Q2) from the outlet element 4C and finally the fluid from Q2 in different jet shapes, either through the outlet element 4C or 4D, which, like 4A and 4B, each form different output jets 11 (analogous to Figure 4 ).

[0081] In summary, to simplify the implementation of fluidic outflows in a wide variety of application situations, a fluidic outflow unit 1 is proposed, which is characterized in that fluid flows from different sources 3 are guided via respective flexible connecting elements 6 to different outlet elements 4 and / or different flow control elements 5 of the outflow unit 1. The use of the flexible connecting elements 6 ensures that the outflow unit 1 can be arranged in different installation spaces 14 inside a piece of furniture 13 or a sanitary object, so that the installation space 14 itself does not need to form any water flow (cf. Fig. 2a ). List of reference symbols

[0082] 1Fluidic outflow unit 2Supply line 3Source 4Outlet element 5Flow control element (e.g. valve, mixer / combiner) 6Flexible connecting element (for connecting 4 to 5) 7Connector (for connecting 2 to 3) 8Hand control element (for actuating 5) 9Push-push actuation device (for actuating 5) 10Hose 11Outlet jet 12Jet regulator 13Piece of furniture (designed to accommodate 1) 14Installation space 15Combiner / mixer 16Flow valve 17Fluidic interface 18Wall (of 13 that borders 14) 19Fluidic branching

Claims

1. Fluidic outflow unit (1), in particular for use in a piece of furniture (13) or in a sanitary object, having - multiple supply lines (2) which can be connected to respective fluidic sources (3); - at least one outlet element (4); - at least one flow control element (5) for controlling a flow from one of the sources (3) to an outlet element (4) of the outflow unit (1); and having - at least one preferably flexible connecting element (6) which fluidically connects the at least one outlet element (4) of the outflow unit (1) to the at least one flow control element (5) of the outflow unit (1), wherein each supply line (2) is fluidically connected to a respective fluidic source (3) and to at least one respective flow control element (5), and fluidically connects them to one another, and wherein an outlet element (4) is unambiguously assigned to each flow control element (5).

2. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element (6) and / or the supply lines (2) is / are designed to be flexible, in particular in such a manner that a spatial arrangement of the elements (2, 4, 5, 6) of the outflow unit (1) can be adapted in a reversible manner and is consequently repeatedly changeable and / or - wherein at least one connecting element (6) of the outflow unit (1) forms a fluidic branch (19).

3. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a respective fluid flow can be discharged from each of the sources (3) in the form of an outlet jet (11) which is formed by an outlet element (4) of the outflow unit (1) and can be regulated by means of an assigned flow control element (5) of the outflow unit (1), - and / or wherein the outflow unit (1) is set up so as to discharge a fluid out of one of the sources (3), preferably optionally, in different outlet elements (4) of the outflow unit (1), in particular in order to discharge the fluid in different jet shapes or flow rates.

4. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one outlet element (4) - forms an outlet jet (11) which is defined in the jet shape, in particular wherein two outlet elements (4) differ with respect to a jet shape, and / or - determines a defined through flow, in particular wherein two outlet elements (4) differ with respect to a through flow class, and / or - comprises a defined temperature profile, in particular wherein two sources (3) differ with respect to a temperature and / or two outlet elements (4) and / or two flow control elements (5) are designed for different temperatures, - preferably wherein the at least one outlet element (4) can draw a fluid from at least one of the sources (3) via a respectively assigned flow control element (5).

5. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one outlet element (4) - forms an outlet jet (11) which is defined in the jet shape, - determines a defined through flow and - is connected via an assigned flow control element (5) to at least one of the sources (3), - is preferably arranged by means of one flexible connecting element (6) each which is arranged between the outlet element (4) and the flow control element (5) or between the flow control element (5) and the source (3).

6. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outflow unit (1) comprises multiple flow control elements (5) each of which can be individually controlled and / or manually operated by means of a manual operating element (8), - preferably so that in each case a flow of a fluid from one of the fluidic sources (3) can be regulated via a respective flow control element (5), which is particularly preferably uniquely assigned to one of the sources, to an outlet element (4) of the outflow unit (1), - and / or wherein each flow control element (5) is uniquely assigned one outlet element (4), wherein two respective fluid flows from two of the sources (3) respectively issue into a common outlet element (4) and / or into two separate outlet elements (4).

7. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two flow control elements (5) of the outflow unit (1) are fluidically connected to one another, preferably via a flexible connecting element (6).

8. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two flow control elements (5) of the outflow unit (1) are manually operable and / or controllable, in other words can be actuated for example in a fluidic or electrical or pneumatic manner.

9. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one flow control element (5) of the outflow unit (1) can be manually switched by means of a push-push actuating apparatus (9), - in particular so that the flow control element (5) can be switched from a first to a second switching state by pressing a manual operating element (8) of the push-push actuating apparatus (9) and from the second switching state back to the first switching state by pressing the manual operating element (8) again.

10. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one outlet element (4) forms a defined outlet jet (11) and / or is designed as a jet regulator (12).

11. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluidic outflow unit (1) comprises at least two functionally different outlet elements (4) and in particular form the differently formed outlet jets (11) and / or determine the different flow rates.

12. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one connecting element (6), preferably all connecting elements (6), of the outflow unit (1) are respectively designed as a flexible hose (10), preferably made of synthetic material.

13. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply lines (2) are respectively designed as flexible hoses (10), preferably made of synthetic material.

14. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply lines (2) respectively comprise on the source side a connection piece (7) for the, preferably pluggable, connection of the respective supply line (2) to a respective source (3).

15. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the flow control elements (5) of the outflow unit (1) comprises a source-side and an outlet-side fluidic interface (17) which can be coupled or is coupled to one of the flexible connecting elements (6) respectively, - in particular wherein at least one flow control element (5) of the outflow unit (1) can have at least two such fluidic interfaces (17) on the source side or on the outlet side.

16. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interfaces (17) are plugged in a fluidically tight manner into respectively flexible connecting elements (6).

17. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one flow control element (5) of the outflow unit (1) or an outlet element (4) is designed as a unifier (15) or mixer (15) having at least two source-side fluidic interfaces (17) which issue fluidically into an outlet-side fluidic interface (17) and / or - wherein at least one flow control element (5) of the outflow unit (1) is arranged as a distributor having a source-side fluid interface (17) which issues fluidically into two outlet-side fluidic interfaces (17).

18. Fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein all elements of the outflow unit (1) are fluidically connected to one another in such a flexible manner that the outflow unit (1), in particular after adapting lengths of individual flexible connecting elements (6), can be installed in differently shaped installation spaces (14), - and / or wherein multiple flexible connecting elements (6) of the outflow unit (1) in an installation situation supply or discharge fluid in different spatial directions and / or comprise different radii of curvature.

19. Use of a fluidic outflow unit (1), according to one of the preceding claims, in a piece of furniture (13) or in a sanitary object, - wherein the outflow unit (1) is inserted in an installation space (14) inside the piece of furniture (13) / the sanitary object, - wherein at least one outlet element (4) of the outflow unit (1) is connected to a source (3) via at least one, preferably flexible, connecting element (6), and - wherein the at least one outlet element (4) is inserted into a wall (18) of the piece of furniture (13) / the sanitary object which delimits the installation space (14), - preferably so that the fluidic outflow unit (1), with the exception of the at least one outlet element (4) and any manual operating elements (8), cannot be seen from the outside in an installation situation.

20. Use, according to the preceding claim, of a fluidic outflow unit (1), - wherein fluids are discharged from the outflow unit (1) at different temperatures, - preferably wherein in so doing a cooling and / or heating element of the outflow unit (1) is used to regulate a fluid temperature and / or wherein different temperatures are provided at different sources (3).

21. Use of a push-push actuating apparatus (9) for actuating a flow control element (5) of a fluidic outflow unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18.