VALVE TOP FOR SANITARY FITTINGS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a valve top with a head piece which is axially penetrated by a control spindle via which a valve body arranged in the head piece can be actuated and which is connected to an operating element comprising a handle, wherein the handle is displaceable relative to the head piece coaxially to the control spindle and can be fixed in at least two axial positions via an arranged locking device and wherein the locking device comprises a cam track having at least two locking positions into which an arranged engagement part engages.

[0002] Valve heads control the flow of media from fittings. For this purpose, the valve head is screwed into the body of a fitting by means of its head. Valve heads of this type are known in a wide variety of designs. For example, EP 1 696 162 A1 discloses a valve head that has a head through which a spindle is inserted. This spindle is positively connected within the head to a control disc, which bears against a stationary inlet disc. The water flow is controlled by rotating the control disc relative to the inlet disc. To actuate the spindle, its end face protruding from the head has an external polygonal shape and an internal threaded blind hole for the positive-locking attachment of a rotary handle.

[0003] From EP 2 522 887 A1, a valve head is further disclosed in which a valve body is provided for controlling the flow of a fluid. This valve body is linearly movable via a spindle within the head. In this design, the spindle is rotatably mounted in the head and connected via a thread to a valve body that is guided axially within the head in a rotationally secure manner. Rotation of the spindle thus causes axial movement of the valve body within the head.

[0004] In the design of valves, there is an increasing demand for valve actuation via push buttons or push-buttons. Electromagnetically operated valves are regularly used for this purpose. However, a disadvantage of these valve heads is that the electromagnetic contacts can be damaged during the screwing or gluing process, thus impairing reliability. Furthermore, such valves require an additional power source. In addition, flow control is generally not possible with these valves.

[0005] To overcome these disadvantages, EP 3 366 958 A1 proposes a valve head in which the handle has a control cap that allows it to be moved along the head and actuates a control piston. A control cam with two locking positions is incorporated into the outer surface of the head, into which a guide pin, arranged on the control cap and biased against the control cam by a spring, engages. By pressing the handle with the control cap, a guided axial movement of the control piston is achieved, which can be locked in at least two positions, for example, "valve open" and "valve closed." The control cap is biased by a spring element in the direction opposite to that of the head.

[0006] The locking mechanism, which uses guide pins in the control cap that engage with the control cam, has proven effective in practice. However, it has been shown that these guide pins are subjected to high bending stresses, particularly when the pre-tensioned spring element returns the control cap to its starting position. This stress is especially high when the user allows the handle connected to the control cap to snap back into place after actuation. Excessive stress on the guide pins can lead to malfunctions of the locking mechanism.

[0007] This is where the present invention comes in. The invention is based on the objective of providing a valve top of the aforementioned type in which malfunctions of the locking device are avoided. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a valve assembly with the features of claim 1.

[0008] The invention provides a valve top of the aforementioned type in which impairment of the locking mechanism is avoided. Because the engagement part is formed by a ball that is inserted into an elongated hole in the component such that a spherical segment engages with the control cam, and a ball cage is arranged surrounding the elongated hole in which the ball is guided circumferentially and radially, occasional malfunctions caused by guide pins or their guides being deformed by overloading are avoided. Furthermore, the circumferential guidance of the ball prevents rotation of the handle during actuation.

[0009] In a further development of the invention, a ring spring is arranged in the ball cage, by means of which the at least one ball is preloaded against the control cam. This ensures that the ball is reliably guided in the control cam. In addition, the ring spring also allows radial movement of the ball within the ball cage, thereby dampening radial loads on the ball.

[0010] In this embodiment of the invention, the ball cage is ring-shaped and has an internal circumferential groove in which the ball is guided. This ensures a constant radial range of motion for the ball in every rotating position. The ring spring is positioned in the groove between the ball and the ball cage and guarantees consistent radial damping of potential radial loads in every rotating position of the ball.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control component is formed by a control cylinder in which at least one elongated bore is provided and in which a control piston, having the control cam, is slidably arranged. This results in a compact design. Advantageously, the ball cage includes a limiting sleeve that surrounds the control cylinder and is attached to it, enclosing the at least one elongated bore.

[0012] The limiting sleeve prevents the balls from exiting the control track.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, a spring is arranged between the control cylinder and the control piston, which is pre-tensioned against the control cylinder. This ensures an automatic return of the control cylinder, which is connected to the handle, along the control piston after the application of an actuating force.

[0014] In this embodiment of the invention, a receptacle for connection to a connecting section of the control spindle is arranged on the control piston, via which the control piston is connected to the control spindle. Advantageously, the receptacle is designed for a positive-locking connection with a correspondingly non-circular connecting section of the control spindle. This enables the transmission of torque from the handle to the control piston and to a control spindle of a valve head connected to it. By pressing on the handle, it can be moved from a retracted position to an operating position via the locking device, after which a valve head connected to it can be actuated by turning the handle.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the handle has an adjusting sleeve that at least partially surrounds the control piston. This guides the handle along the control piston, with the locking device acting between the control piston and the control cylinder located in the adjusting sleeve. Preferably, the control piston has a non-circular outer cross-section, and the control cylinder has an inner cross-section corresponding to this outer cross-section, whereby the control piston is guided in the control cylinder in a rotationally fixed but slidable manner.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the adjusting sleeve has internal teeth that engage with external teeth arranged on the control piston, thereby guiding the handle axially along the control piston. This achieves a rotationally fixed connection between the adjusting sleeve and the control piston while simultaneously allowing axial displacement. Preferably, a drive element is arranged that has the external teeth and is rotationally fixed to the control piston.

[0017] In this embodiment of the invention, the control cylinder has an external thread onto which an adapter piece with its internal thread is screwed. The adapter piece is held in the adjusting sleeve of the handle in a rotationally fixed yet longitudinally displaceable manner. This allows for fine adjustment of the axial position of the handle on the spindle of a valve head installed in a wall. By longitudinally displacing the handle into an adjustment position in which the adjusting sleeve's internal teeth do not engage with the external teeth of the control piston, a rotation of the handle causes a longitudinal adjustment of the adapter piece along the external thread of the control cylinder. Inaccuracies during the installation of a valve head and the associated customary cutting of the control spindle to length can thus be compensated for by adjusting the adapter piece.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the adapter piece has locking lugs, with at least one locking groove arranged inside the adjusting sleeve, allowing the locking lugs to be engaged in a defined position of the adapter piece. This enables a defined axial positioning of the adapter piece in the adjusting sleeve, in which its internal teeth do not engage with the external teeth of the control piston (adjustment position).

[0019] Preferably, at least two detent grooves are arranged axially spaced apart from each other inside the adjusting sleeve, preferably radially circumferential. This allows for a first axial positioning of the adapter piece for adjustment and a second defined positioning of the adapter piece in the operating position with its internal teeth engaging the external teeth of the control piston.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, a mounting sleeve is arranged whose inner diameter essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the handle, and the position of the handle is adjustable at a defined distance from the mounting sleeve. Preferably, the mounting sleeve has a circumferential collar which, when the handle is positioned in a defined position within the mounting sleeve, forms a common plane with the surface of the handle. This enables an aesthetically pleasing integration of the handle into a surrounding plane. The collar can be either ring-shaped or in the form of a plate of any geometric shape.

[0021] The present invention further relates to a sanitary fitting with a valve top for sanitary fittings according to claim 14.

[0022] The adjustment position, in this context, refers to the position of the handle in which the locking lugs of the adapter engage in the second, lower locking groove of the adjusting sleeve. In this position, adjustment is possible via the threaded engagement between the external thread of the control cylinder and the internal thread of the adapter. The internal teeth of the adjusting sleeve are disengaged from the external teeth of the control piston.

[0023] The operating position, in this context, refers to the position of the handle in which the locking lugs of the adapter engage in the first, upper locking groove of the adjusting sleeve. In this position, the internal teeth of the adjusting sleeve are engaged with the external teeth of the control piston. Adjustment via the threaded engagement between the external thread of the control cylinder and the internal thread of the adapter is not possible.

[0024] The operating position, in this context, refers to the position of the handle in which the balls rest in the upper position of the control cam. The handle is thus "extended" for easy operation.

[0025] The term "retracted position" refers to the position of the handle in which the balls rest against the holding area of ​​the control cam. The handle is locked in a retracted position, where, for example, the handle is flush with its surroundings.

[0026] Other embodiments and configurations of the invention are specified in the remaining dependent claims. Exemplary embodiments are shown in the drawings and are described in detail below. The drawings show: Figure 1: Schematic representation of a valve head with an operating device after rough assembly with handle in operating position; Figure 2: Schematic representation of the valve head with operating device after Figure 1 with handle in adjustment position (before adjustment); Figure 3: schematic representation of the valve top with operating device according to Figure 2 after the handle has been adjusted; Figure 4: the schematic representation of the valve top with operating device after Figure 3 with handle in operating position; Figure 5: illustration of the valve top with operating device made of Figure 4 with handle in retracted position; Figure 6: schematic representation of the adjusting sleeve of the handle of the operating device Figure 1 a) in partial section, b) in top view; Figure 7: the schematic representation of the adapter piece of the operating device made of Figure 1a) in partial section, b) in top view; Figure 8: the schematic representation of the control cylinder of the operating device made of Figure 1 a) in partial section, b) in top view; Figure 9: the schematic representation of the limiting sleeve of the control cylinder of the operating device made of Figure 1 a) in partial section, b) in top view; Figure 10: the schematic representation of the control piston of the operating device made of Figure 1 a) in side view; b) in longitudinal section; c) in top view; Figure 11: schematic representation of the drive element of the control piston of the operating device Figure 1 a) in partial section, b) in top view; Figure 12: schematic representation of the operating device (without handle) made of Figure 3 In operating position Figure 13: detailed view of the ball cage of the operating device Figure 12 Figure 14: illustration of the control unit Figure 12with increased tensile load on the control cylinder and Figure 15: the detailed view of the ball cage of the operating device from Figure 14 ;

[0027] The example of implementation according to Figure 1 The selected operating device essentially comprises a handle 1 in which an adapter piece 2 is axially displaceable. This adapter piece receives a control cylinder 3 with which it engages in a threaded connection. The control cylinder 3 is provided at its end with a limiting sleeve 4. A control piston 5 is axially displaceable within the control cylinder 5. The control piston 5 is provided at its end with a drive element 6 and has a receptacle for a positive-locking connection with the non-circular connecting section 82 of the control spindle 81 of a valve head 8. Alternatively, the connecting section of the control spindle 81 can also be cylindrical. In this case, a rotationally fixed connection, for example by adhesive bonding, is required.

[0028] The handle 1 is formed from a hollow cylindrical, cup-shaped handle 11, which has a threaded bore 12 centrally located inside. An adjusting sleeve 14 is screwed into this bore, coaxial with the cylindrical side wall of the handle 11, and bonded in place. Alternatively, the handle 1 can also be manufactured as a single piece. The handle 11 is provided on the outside with a sealing groove 13 that accommodates an O-ring 131. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle 11 and adjusting sleeve 12 are manufactured as turned brass parts.

[0029] The adjusting sleeve 14 is essentially hollow cylindrical and has a first section 141, to which a second, diameter-enlarged section 143 is attached. The first section 141 is provided externally with an external thread 15, by means of which the adjusting sleeve is screwed into the threaded bore 12 of the handle 11 and bonded in place. In its inner surface, which has a largely dodecagonal cross-section, the first section 141 has a first, upper locking groove 16 and, spaced apart from this, a second, lower locking groove 17. The largely dodecagonal cross-sectional contour of the inner surface of the first section 141 serves to provide a rotationally fixed mounting for the adapter piece 2, the outer surface of which has a corresponding dodecagonal cross-sectional contour.The largely dodecagonal cross-sectional contour of the inner surface of the first section 141 and the outer surface of the adapter piece 2 is achieved by six regularly spaced rectangular flattenings 142, 21 introduced into the cylindrical surface.

[0030] Alternatively, any other non-circular, preferably polygonal, cross-sectional contour can be used instead of the dodecagonal one. The second section 143 is provided with internal teeth 18, which extend largely over the entire inner surface of the second section 143. The inner surface of the second section 143 has a largely octagonal cross-sectional contour, which is achieved by four regularly spaced rectangular flats 144 being introduced into the inner cylindrical surface provided with the internal teeth 18.

[0031] The adapter piece 2 is essentially hollow cylindrical and, as already described, has an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the adjusting sleeve 14, with an almost dodecagonal cross-section. In the area of ​​each flattened section 21, a rectangular recess is provided in the adapter piece 2 on its side facing the threaded bore 12 of the handle 11. This recess defines six regularly spaced locking tongues 22, which have radially extending, outwardly projecting locking lugs 23 for engaging the locking grooves 16, 17 of the adjusting sleeve 14. The adapter piece 2 is provided with an internal thread 24 on its inner surface. In the exemplary embodiment, the adapter piece 2 is made of plastic.

[0032] The control cylinder 3 is designed as an essentially hollow cylindrical turned brass part. On its end face facing the adapter piece 2, the control cylinder 3 has an internally tapered shoulder 31, into which an internal step 32 is formed. Externally, the control cylinder 3 has an external thread 33 that extends approximately halfway along its length. Spaced apart from the external thread 33, a groove 34 for receiving an O-ring 341 is arranged. Adjoining the groove 34 are two diametrically opposed, radially extending elongated bores 35, which are framed by two axially spaced, circumferential webs 36. Between the elongated bores 35 and the external thread 33, the control cylinder 3 has an internally tapered shoulder 37, into which four radially spaced guide notches 371 are formed around its circumference. The guide notches 371 serve to guide the control piston 4 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0033] Each of the two elongated bores 35 contains a ball 38, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the width of the bore 35. This allows the ball to project partially through the bore 35 and to be guided radially and circumferentially between the webs 36. A limiting sleeve 4 is provided on the end section of the control cylinder 3, which contains the elongated bores 35. A ring spring 9 is located within this sleeve. The limiting sleeve 4 surrounds the webs 36 and is held by an O-ring 341. Together with the webs 36, the ring spring 9, and the elongated bores 35, the limiting sleeve 4 forms a ball cage for the two balls 38, thus restricting their radial movement.

[0034] The control piston 5 is designed as a substantially cylindrical turned brass part. Four flats 51 are radially spaced into its cylindrical outer surface, forming a substantially octagonal cross-section. The control piston 5 is guided in the guide grooves 371 of the control cylinder 3 via the corners thus formed. Two control cams 52 are also provided diametrically opposite each other in the outer surface between each pair of flats 51. At its end facing away from the control cylinder 3, a reduced-diameter shoulder 53 is arranged, which has an external thread 531. A receptacle 54, formed in the shape of an internal polygon, extends through the shoulder 53 for the control spindle 81 of a valve head 8, which has an external polygon.Adjoining the receptacle 54 is a section 55 with a reduced inner diameter, into which a conical bore 56 is centrally provided for receiving the head of a countersunk screw 82. Adjoining the reduced inner diameter section 55 is a section 58 with a widened inner diameter, through which a shoulder 57 is formed, which serves as a spring seat for a compression spring 59.

[0035] The drive element 6 is designed as an essentially hollow cylindrical turned brass part and has, at its end opposite the control cylinder 3, an internally tapered section 61 which is provided with an internal thread 62. The outer surface of the drive element 6 is provided with external teeth 63 for engagement with the internal teeth 18 of the adjusting sleeve 14.

[0036] The adapter piece 2 is screwed onto the external thread 33 of the control cylinder 3 via its internal thread 24. The control piston 5 is inserted into the control cylinder 3. Its non-circular outer surface, which corresponds to the inner surface of the control cylinder 3, guides the piston 5 in a rotationally fixed but axially displaceable manner. The balls 38, which partially pass through the elongated bores 35 of the control cylinder 3, engage in a control cam 52 of the control piston 5. The compression spring 59 rests against the shoulder 57 of the control piston 5 and is pre-tensioned against the adjusting sleeve on its opposite side.

[0037] In the operating position of the handle 1 with its adjusting sleeve 14, in which the locking lugs 23 of the locking tongues 22 of the adapter piece 2 screwed onto it engage in the upper, first locking groove 16 of the adjusting sleeve 14, the internal teeth of the adjusting sleeve 14 are engaged with the external teeth 63 of the drive piece 6. In this operating position, a torque can be transmitted from the handle 1 to the drive piece 6, which is connected to the control spindle 81 of the valve head 8. In the exemplary embodiment, the valve head 8 is designed according to EP 1 696 162 A1. It has a head 83 through which the control spindle 81 axially passes.

[0038] When a sanitary fitting, such as a shower fitting, is mounted on the wall, the plumber connects the water pipes in the wall to a valve head 8 of the fitting. The valve head 8 typically has a long control spindle 81, which is cut to the desired length after completion of the wall-side work, including any tiling. The wall penetration is fitted with a mounting sleeve 7 to frame the control spindle 81. The control spindle 81 is inserted with its external teeth into the internally toothed receptacle 54 of the control piston 5 and secured with a countersunk screw 82. Such an installation configuration is found in Figure 1schematically represented. Due to inaccuracies in the installation of the valve top 8 and the cutting of the control spindle 81, the handle 11 of the handle 1 protrudes significantly beyond the collar 71 of the mounting sleeve 7, which in this embodiment has an external thread 72 that is screwed to a lock nut 73.

[0039] The handle 1, with its adjusting sleeve 14 connected to the adapter piece 2 for longitudinal displacement, can now be moved along the adapter piece 2 by pulling on the handle 11 until the locking lugs 23 of the locking tongues 22 engage in the second, lower locking groove 17 of the adjusting sleeve 14. In this position, the internal teeth 18 of the adjusting sleeve 14 are disengaged from the external teeth 63 of the drive piece 6 (see figure). Figure 2). By turning the handle 11, the adapter piece 2, which is non-rotatably connected to the adjusting sleeve 14, can now be axially adjusted relative to the external thread 33 of the control cylinder 3 via the threaded engagement (see figure). Figure 3 ).

[0040] When the handle 1 with its adjusting sleeve 14 is moved from the operating position to the adjustment position, a tensile force is required to disengage the detent lugs 23 of the detent tongues 22 from the first, upper detent groove 16 and move them into the second, lower detent groove 17. This tensile force simultaneously generates a tensile force between the control cylinder 3 and the control piston, which presses the balls 38, guided in the control cam 52 of the control piston 5, radially outwards against the ring spring 9. The limiting sleeve 4 prevents the balls 38 from exiting the control cam 52 (see figure). Figures 13 and 15 ).

[0041] The adjusting sleeve 14 can then be moved along the adapter piece 2 by pressing on the handle 11 until the locking lugs 23 of the locking tongues 22 engage in the first, upper locking groove 16 of the adjusting sleeve 14. The operating unit is now aligned with the mounting sleeve 7. It is in the operating position (see figure). Figure 4 ).

[0042] By pressing handle 1, the control cylinder 3 is moved along the control piston 5 via the adjusting sleeve 14, with the balls 38 running in the control cam 52. The balls 38 can move radially in the elongated bores 35. At the stop of the control piston 5 in the control cylinder 3, the balls 38 reach the switching section 521 of the respective control cam 52. After releasing handle 1, the control cylinder 3 is moved back by the restoring force of the compression spring 59, which moves the balls 38 into the holding area 522 of the control cam 52. In this position, the handle 1 is held by the balls 38. In this position, the handle 1 is fully retracted into the mounting sleeve 7, with the surfaces of handle 1 and collar 71 of the mounting sleeve 7 lying on one plane.

[0043] When handle 1 is pressed again, the balls 38 are moved out of the holding area 522 of the control cam 52. After releasing handle 1, the control cylinder 3 is now fully retracted by the restoring force of the compression spring 59. In this operating position, the handle protrudes far from the mounting sleeve 7. The engagement of the internal teeth 18 of the adjusting sleeve 14 with the external teeth 63 of the drive piece 6, which is connected via the control piston 5 to the control spindle 81 of the valve head 8, allows the valve head 8 to be actuated by rotating the control spindle 81 using handle 1. After the valve head 8 has been actuated, it can be retracted back into the mounting sleeve 7 by pressing handle 1 again.

Claims

1. Valve upper part with a head piece (83), which is axially penetrated by a control spindle (81), via which a valve body arranged in the head piece (83) can be actuated and which is connected to an operating part comprising a handle (1), wherein the handle (1) can be fixed in at least two axial positions so as to be displaceable relative to the head piece coaxially to the control spindle (81) via an arranged locking device, and wherein the locking device comprises at least one control link (52) having at least two locking positions, into which an engagement part engages, which is arranged on a control component connected to the handle (1) and arranged so as to be displaceable relative to the control link (52) coaxially to the control spindle (81), characterised in that the engagement part is formed by a ball (38), which is inserted in an elongated hole bore (35) arranged in the control component in such a manner that it engages with a ball section in the control link (52), wherein a ball cage enclosing the elongated hole bore is arranged, in which the ball (38) is guided so as to be circumferentially and radially movable.

2. Valve upper part according to claim 1, characterised in that an annular spring (9) is arranged in the ball cage, via which the at least one ball (38) is pretensioned against the control link.

3. Valve upper part according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the ball cage is annular and has an internal circumferential groove, in which the ball (38) is guided.

4. Valve upper part according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the control component is formed by a control cylinder (3), in which a control piston (5) is displaceably arranged, which has the control link (52).

5. Valve upper part according to claim 4, characterised in that between the control cylinder (3) and the control piston (5) a spring (59) is arranged, which is pretensioned against the control cylinder (3).

6. Valve upper part according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that a receptacle (54) for connection to a connecting section of the control spindle (81) is arranged on the control piston (5), via which the control piston (5) is connected to the control spindle (81).

7. Valve upper part according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the handle (1) has an adjusting sleeve (14), which surrounds the control piston (5) at least in some areas.

8. Valve upper part according to claim 7, characterised in that the adjusting sleeve (14) has an internal toothing (18), which engages in an external toothing (63) arranged on the control piston (5), whereby the handle (1) is guided axially displaceably along the control piston (5).

9. Valve upper part according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that the control cylinder (3) has an external thread (33), onto which an adapter piece (2) is screwed with its internal thread (24), wherein the adapter piece (2) is held in the adjusting sleeve (14) of the handle (1) in a rotationally fixed and longitudinally displaceable manner.

10. Valve upper part according to claim 9, characterised in that the adapter piece (2) has latching lugs (23), wherein at least one latching groove (16, 17) is arranged on the inside of the adjusting sleeve (14), with which the latching lugs (23) can be latched in a defined position of the adapter piece (2) in the adjusting sleeve (14).

11. Valve upper part according to claim 10, characterised in that on the inside of the adjusting sleeve (14) at least two latching grooves (16, 17) are arranged, preferably radially circumferentially, at an axial distance from one another.

12. Valve upper part according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that an installation sleeve (7) is arranged, the inner diameter of which substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the handle (1), wherein the position of the handle (1) is adjustable at a defined distance from the installation sleeve (7).

13. Valve upper part according to claim 12, characterised in that the installation sleeve (7) has a circumferential collar (71), which forms a common plane with the surface of the handle (1) when the handle (1) is positioned in a defined position in the installation sleeve (7).

14. Sanitary fitting with a valve upper part according to one of the previous claims.