BEAM REGULATOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an aerator with an interior formed below a disassembly unit, wherein the disassembly unit has at least one water passage into the interior, and with at least one insert part arranged in the interior.

[0002] Aerators are known and serve to provide a water jet of a desired shape and / or quality, for example, aerated or laminar, and / or flow class, preferably at the water outlet of a sanitary fitting or in a closed pipe. It is known to insert components in the form of grids into the interior to, for example, improve mixing or homogenization of the water jet.

[0003] From US patent 4,730,786 A, a faucet outlet attachment for modifying the properties of the flow through the attachment, and in particular an outlet attachment for providing a flow-limited laminar flow while minimizing the noise generated by the flow, is known.

[0004] From US patent 5,242,119 A, another outlet attachment is known that modifies the flow of liquid through the tap in such a way as to create a laminar flow.

[0005] US Patent 2,799,487 A describes an aerator that is said to have improved design characteristics.

[0006] From US 2019 / 330829 A1, a device for generating microbubbles is known, wherein the device can soften the water, increase the air content of the water and influence the fineness of the bubbles.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of creating an aerator with improved performance characteristics.

[0008] To solve the aforementioned problem, the features of claim 1 are provided according to the invention. In particular, to solve the aforementioned problem in a flow regulator of the type described above, it is proposed according to the invention that the insert rests against the disassembly unit at least in a region around the at least one water passage. By positioning the insert directly against the disassembly unit, flow noise can be reduced. This improves the operating characteristics.

[0009] It is advantageous if the insert lies flat against the surface, at least in the area mentioned.

[0010] Alternatively, the separation unit can include a diffuser in which, for example, an axially entering jet is deflected laterally and split into individual jets. These individual jets are then swirled and deflected axially. Diffusers are particularly well-suited as separation units for lower flow rates. Preferably, these individual jets are arranged on a uniform radius, resulting in a ring arrangement of individual jets.

[0011] The term "axial" can refer, for example, to a longitudinal axis and / or a main flow direction of the aerator.

[0012] The separation unit can alternatively or additionally include a perforated plate, in which, for example, an axially entering jet is directly split into a multitude of axially exiting individual jets. Perforated plates are particularly well-suited as separation units for higher flow classes. Preferably, the individual jets are evenly distributed across a cross-section of the interior.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the insert can be supported on the downstream side by at least one support element. This makes it easy to hold the insert in its operating position. It is even possible to press the insert against the disassembly unit. The insert can, for example, be supported by at least one insert grid as a support element. This allows for the use of a support element that is easy to install.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the mesh size of the insert can be smaller than that of, for example, the downstream insert grid mentioned earlier. It has been found that particularly fine-mesh inserts achieve a significantly greater reduction in noise.

[0015] The term "mesh size" can, for example, imply a grid structure or a net structure of the insert and the at least one support element, in particular the at least one insert grid.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the insert can be supported on the downstream side by an outlet structure. This ensures a stable arrangement of the insert.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the insert can be supported on its circumference by a housing part that preferably laterally delimits the interior. This eliminates the need for additional support elements.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the insert can be designed to cover and / or contact the disassembly unit laterally, at least in the area of ​​the water passages. This allows all individual jets exiting the disassembly unit to be captured, further reducing noise.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the insert can be provided with at least one layer of a planar structure. This allows for a planar design of the insert, which has proven beneficial for noise reduction.

[0020] A two-dimensional object can be characterized, for example, as an essentially two-dimensional object that is made from one-dimensional elements, such as wires, fibers, filaments or threads, using a joining process, such as weaving, knitting, crocheting, fulling or braiding.

[0021] The sheet structures can be made of wire, for example. Thus, metal meshes, metal fabrics, or metallic sheet structures in general can be used. A comparatively high level of stability and strength can be achieved.

[0022] In an advantageous design, the surface structure can be a textile. This allows for the use of a particularly flexible surface structure. It has been found that this is especially beneficial for noise reduction. Examples of textile surfaces include woven fabrics, braids, felts, knitted fabrics, and crocheted fabrics.

[0023] The material of the textile fabric can consist of, for example, natural fibers and / or synthetic fibers, natural polymers and / or synthetic polymers, and / or inorganic fibers. Natural fibers can be, for example, mineral fibers such as asbestos or rock wool, plant fibers such as cotton, flax, or hemp, or animal fibers such as wool, silk, or fur. Synthetic fibers made from natural polymers can be, for example, regenerated cellulose-based fibers such as viscose, lyocell, or even rubber. Synthetic fibers made from synthetic polymers can be, for example, polyacrylonitrile, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, or a mixture thereof. Inorganic fibers can be ceramic fibers, fiberglass, or metal fibers.Based on the desired degree of noise reduction or the production process, advantageous materials or material combinations can be used for the textile fabric.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the insert may have at least one layer made of a fabric. Tests have shown particularly good noise reduction properties for fabrics, especially when all layers are made of the same fabric.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one layer may be formed from plastic fibers and / or metal fibers and / or wire. Plastic fibers are particularly advantageous with regard to low deposit formation and food compatibility. Metal fibers or wire are advantageous, for example, for dimensional stability.

[0026] Preferably, all layers are made of synthetic fibers, for example woven, knitted, crocheted, felted or braided.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one layer can be stamped. This enables simple manufacturing.

[0028] The insert has at least two layers. Tests have shown that multiple layers result in particularly good properties with regard to low noise levels.

[0029] The design stipulates that at least two layers are bonded together at their edges. This allows for the use of a compact unit in which the layers can be fixed relative to each other.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the at least two layers enclose a gap. The formation of gaps promotes further noise reduction.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least two layers can be congruent. This allows for simple manufacturing.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the insert can be reinforced at its edge. This allows for stable support of the insert around its circumference, for example, even without internal support elements.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the disassembly unit may be provided with a perforated plate. It has been found that particularly good reductions can be achieved for individual beams emerging from a perforated plate.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the thickness of the insert can be less than the thickness of the perforated plate. This allows the use of comparatively thin inserts.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one support element can be provided to support the insert at a point spaced away from an edge region of the insert. This allows for support of the flat contact with the disassembly unit even in an interior area.

[0036] For example, the distance between a support point can be at least 1 / 10 or at least 1 / 4 of a diameter or maximum dimension of the insert.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the support element can be designed to provide point support for the insert, preferably at one or more points. This minimizes any disruption to the flow.

[0038] The support element can, for example, be positioned centrally. This makes a symmetrical structure or symmetrical support easily achievable.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the support element can be arranged eccentrically to the insert. This allows for mechanically stable arrangements.

[0040] Preferably, support is provided at a point located between two adjacent holes of, for example, the aforementioned disassembly unit, preferably in the middle between them.

[0041] In an advantageous embodiment, the separating unit can be provided with conically shaped holes. Preferably, the diameter of the holes decreases in the direction of flow. The geometries of the holes can be identical or non-identical. This allows for the provision of an aerator with particularly good noise characteristics.

[0042] The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments.

[0043] It shows: Fig. 1 shows an axial section through a flow regulator according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows the flow regulator according to the invention. Fig. 1 in an exploded view in an oblique view of a downstream outlet side, Fig. 3 an insert part of the aerator according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a three-dimensional oblique view of an inlet side, Fig. 4 a support element for the insert according to Fig. 3 in the aerator according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Fig. 5 shows a view of an outflow side (left) and an inflow side (right), Fig. 6 shows an axial section through a further aerator according to the invention, Fig. 7 shows an axial section through a fourth aerator according to the invention, Fig. 8 shows an axial section through a fifth aerator according to the invention, and Fig. 9 shows an alternative example of an insert for an aerator according to the invention. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, Fig. 10 a schematic representation of a manufacturing process for an insert according to Fig. 9 , Fig. 11 a schematic representation of an axial section through the insert according to Fig. 9 and Fig. 12 another basic axial view of the insert according to Fig. 9 to illustrate a possible manufacturing process for the layers of the insert.

[0044] Figs. 1 to 4 show a flow regulator according to the invention, designated as a whole by 1, and parts thereof.

[0045] The aerator 1 has a housing 2 in which a disassembly unit 3 is arranged.

[0046] Downstream of the disassembly unit 3, an interior space 4 is formed in which the individual beams exiting the disassembly unit 3 can mix and homogenize in order to exit through a discharge structure 5 acting as a rectifier in a desired beam quality.

[0047] The disassembly unit 3 has water passages 6, each of which forms a single jet as a nozzle and releases it into the interior 4.

[0048] In the interior space 4, an insert 7 is arranged directly downstream of the disassembly unit 3, which lies flat against the disassembly unit 3 in the area 8 of the water passages 6.

[0049] The disassembly unit 3 has a perforated plate 9 with holes 11 evenly distributed along a lateral direction 10, each forming a water passage 6. The holes 11 of the perforated plate 9 or of the disassembly unit 3 are conically shaped, with one diameter of the holes 11 decreasing in the direction of flow.

[0050] Below or downstream of the insert 7, a support element 12 is formed, which keeps the insert 7 in contact with the disassembly unit 3.

[0051] The support element 12 is arranged centrally and is held in its operating position by struts 34 of a very coarse mesh insert grid 13, which divides the interior 4 into four quadrants.

[0052] The central arrangement of the support element 12 can mean that the support element 12 is located in a region of the insert 7, wherein the region is defined by a circular area whose radius is less than or equal to 80 percent, preferably 60 percent, particularly preferably 50 percent, of the total radius of the insert 7 ( Fig. 1 , Fig. 5, Fig. 8 ).

[0053] The support element 12 can support the insert 7 at a single point. The support element 12 supports the insert 7 at a point spaced apart from an edge region 35 of the insert 7 ( Fig. 5; Fig. 8 ) away.

[0054] The insert 7 is indirectly supported by the support element 12 on the outlet structure 5.

[0055] By comparing the Figs. 3 and 4It is evident that a mesh size of 14 of the insert part 7 is smaller than a mesh size of 15 of the insert grid 13.

[0056] In this example, mesh size 14 is a fraction of mesh size 15.

[0057] Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of an aerator according to the invention. Functionally and / or structurally similar or identical components and functional units are designated with the same reference numerals and are not described separately again. The explanations regarding Figs. 1 to 4 Therefore, they apply Fig. 5 accordingly.

[0058] The exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 5 differs from the preceding embodiment at least in that the support element 12 is formed integrally with the outlet structure 5.

[0059] The support element 12 supports the insert 7 at a point spaced away from the edge region 35 of the insert 7. The support element 12 can support the insert 7 at a single point.

[0060] The support element 12 can have a cylindrical or a conical shape. This allows for the creation of four different flow profiles inside.

[0061] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of an aerator according to the invention. Again, components and functional units that are structurally and / or functionally similar or identical to those in the preceding embodiment are designated with the same reference numerals and are not described separately again. The explanations regarding Figs. 1 to 5 Therefore, they apply Fig. 6 accordingly.

[0062] The exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 6differs from the preceding embodiments in that the insert 7 rests on a shoulder 17 of a housing part 18 at its circumference 16.

[0063] The housing part 18 limits the interior space 4 in the lateral direction 10.

[0064] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of an aerator according to the invention. Again, components and functional units that are structurally and / or functionally similar or identical to those in the preceding embodiments are designated with the same reference numerals and are not described separately again. The explanations regarding the Figs. 1 to 6 Therefore, the following apply to the Fig. 7 accordingly.

[0065] The exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 7differs from the preceding embodiments in that several insert grids 13 are arranged in a stacking arrangement in the interior 4, which together support the insert 7 and press against the disassembly unit 3.

[0066] Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of an aerator according to the invention. Again, components and functional units that are structurally and / or functionally similar or identical to those in the preceding embodiments are designated with the same reference numerals and are not described separately again. The explanations regarding Figs. 1 to 7 Therefore, they apply Fig. 8 accordingly.

[0067] The exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 8 differs from the preceding embodiments at least in that the insert part 7 is supported by an eccentrically mounted support element 12, which is placed in and held by the outlet structure 5.

[0068] The support element 12 supports the insert 7 at a point spaced away from the edge region 35 of the insert. The support element 12 can support the insert 7 at a single point.

[0069] The support element 12 can be one-piece or multi-piece, in particular two-piece, with the outlet structure 5.

[0070] In the Fig. 1 and 5 to 8 It is evident that the insert 7 according to Fig. 3 It is formed from two superimposed layers 19. These layers 19 are each formed as a surface structure 20.

[0071] Each planar structure 20 is made up of one-dimensional elements 21, for example wire 22 (cf. Fig. 3 ) or plastic fibers 23 (see Fig. 9 ) joined, for example woven or braided.

[0072] Fig. 10 illustrates a possible production of a multi-layer insert 7 using the example of three layers 19.

[0073] Each layer 19 is made from a strip 24, which is in Fig. 10 are shown in the left half.

[0074] The 24 webs can be configured differently or identically. The 24 webs can differ in terms of material selection, joining technique, and / or mesh size.

[0075] Lanes 24 are - as shown in the right half of the picture by Fig. 10 shown - placed on top of each other and cut out together along 25 punch lines.

[0076] Fig. 11 Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of an axial section through the finished insert.

[0077] It can be seen that a material-bonded connection 26 is formed at the edge 27 of the insert 7, so that 4 superimposed spaces 28 are formed in the interior.

[0078] The material-bonded connection can be created, for example, by ultrasonic welding before, during and / or after punching.

[0079] In Fig. 12 It is still apparent that the edge 27 may be provided with a reinforcement 29, in particular to enable support of the insert 7 on the circumference 16.

[0080] In the sectional views according to Fig. 1 and Figs. 5 to 8 It is still recognizable that a thickness 30 of the insert 7 is smaller than a thickness 31 of the perforated plate 9.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiments, the housing 2 is made in two parts and can be opened at a connection point 33 downstream of the disassembly unit 3. This provides access to the interior 4, for example, to insert the insert 7 and / or the at least one insert grid 13 and / or the at least one support element 12 into the interior 4.

[0082] In the aerator 1 according to the invention, it is therefore proposed to arrange an insert 7 directly behind a disassembly unit 3 in an interior 4 of the aerator 1, wherein the insert 7 rests flat against an outflow side of the disassembly unit 3. Reference symbol list

[0083] 1 Aerator 2 Housing 3 Disassembly unit 4 Interior 5 Outlet structure 6 Water passage 7 Insert 8 Area 9 Perforated plate 10 Lateral direction 11 Hole, holes 12 Support element 13 Insert grid 14 Mesh size of insert 7 15 Mesh size of insert grid 13 16 Circumference 17 Shoulder 18 Housing part 19 Position 20 Planar structure 21 One-dimensional element 22 Wire 23 Synthetic fiber 24 Web 25 Punch line 26 Material-bonded connection 27 Edge 28 Gap 29 Reinforcement 30 Thickness of insert 31 Thickness of perforated plate 33 Connection point 34 Strut 35 Edge area

Claims

1. Jet regulator (1) having a splitter unit (3) and having an interior space (4) formed below the splitter unit (3), wherein the splitter unit (3) has at least one water passage (6) into the interior space (4), and having at least one insert part (7) arranged in the interior space (4), wherein the insert part (7) preferably lies flat against the splitter unit (3) at least in a region (8) around the at least one water passage (6) and wherein the insert part (7) has at least two layers (19), characterized in that the at least two layers (19) are connected to each other at their edges in a materially bonded manner.

2. Jet regulator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insert part (7) is supported on the downstream side by at least one supporting element (12), in particular at least one insertion grid (13).

3. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mesh width of the insert part (7) is smaller than a mesh width of the or a downstream insertion grid (13).

4. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert part (7) is supported on the downstream side on an outlet structure (5).

5. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert part (7) is supported at its circumference (16) on a housing part (18) preferably laterally delimiting the interior space (4).

6. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert part (7) covers and / or contacts the splitter unit (3) in the lateral direction (10) at least in the region (8) of the water passages (6).

7. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert part (7) has at least one layer (19) of a preferably textile sheet-like fabric (20).

8. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert part (7) has at least one layer (19) made of a fabric.

9. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one layer (19) is formed, in particular woven, from plastic fibers (23) and / or metal fibers and / or wire (22).

10. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the at least one layer (19) is punched.

11. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two layers (19) enclose an intermediate space (28).

12. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two layers (19) are congruent.

13. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert part (7) is reinforced at its edge (27).

14. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the splitter unit (3) has a perforated plate (9).

15. Jet regulator (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that a thickness (30) of the insert part (7) is less than a thickness (31) of the perforated plate (9).

16. Jet regulator (1) according to one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that the at least one supporting element (12) supports the insert part (7) at a point spaced from an edge region (35) of the insert part (7) and / or in that the supporting element (12) supports the insert part (7) in a point-like manner and / or in that the supporting element is arranged centrally or eccentrically with respect to the insert part (7).

17. Jet regulator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the splitter unit (3) has holes (11) which are conically shaped, in particular wherein a diameter of the holes (11) decreases in the direction of flow.