Sanitary shower

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sanitary shower for providing water, comprising an outlet device (1) which comprises a jet-forming unit (4) and a blocking unit (5) that can be moved relative to the jet-forming unit (4). The blocking unit (5) is designed to open the jet-forming unit (4) when the pressure caused by inflowing water in the outlet device (1) exceeds a definable value, and otherwise to block the jet-forming unit (4).

Description

[0001] Grohe AG 23.03.2023

[0002] 05177-PT-WO

[0003] Sanitary shower

[0004] The present invention relates to a sanitary shower for providing water with an outlet device.

[0005] Sanitary shower heads are fluidically connected to a sanitary fixture and are used, for example, in sinks, washbasins, bidets, bathtubs, and / or showers to provide water as needed. The water flows from an outlet device designed to form a water jet.

[0006] A typical problem with sanitary shower heads is the accumulation of limescale deposits, especially in hard water supplies, or other deposits in the outlet over time. This can lead to reduced water flow and a deteriorated spray pattern. Furthermore, such deposits in the outlet can ultimately lead to damage to the shower head.

[0007] To prevent the aforementioned consequences, state-of-the-art sanitary shower heads are typically cleaned manually, for example, mechanically by gently pressing and rubbing the outlet and / or chemically by applying and allowing suitable cleaning agents, such as citric acid, to act on the outlet. However, manual cleaning of the outlet is relatively laborious.

[0008] Another typical problem with shower heads is water running after the user has shut off the water flow by closing a corresponding valve. Water running means that a small amount of water continues to flow or drip out of the shower head after use, even though the user has already closed the valve. This can occur for a few seconds or minutes up to several hours after the shower head has been used. This is particularly undesirable if the water running after the shower head comes into contact with already dry surfaces of the sink, washbasin, bidet, bathtub, and / or shower. This can result in water spots or other marks on these surfaces.Water running from the shower head is also undesirable if it drips onto the user after they have already dried themselves. In any case, water running from the shower head means that the sink, washbasin, bidet, bathtub, and / or shower must be at least partially dried again, or that the user must at least partially dry themselves again. This is often perceived as annoying.

[0009] The present invention is therefore based on the object of at least partially solving the problem explained above and, in particular, of providing a sanitary shower which facilitates its cleaning and which prevents or at least reduces the water running after.

[0010] The underlying problem is solved by a sanitary shower with the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments arise from the subclaims.

[0011] A sanitary shower for providing water with an outlet device is proposed, wherein the outlet device comprises a jet-shaping unit and a blocking unit movable relative to the jet-shaping unit, wherein the blocking unit is configured to open the jet-shaping unit when the pressure or internal pressure in the outlet device created by the inflowing water exceeds a definable pressure value or pressure or value, and otherwise to block the jet-shaping unit. In other words, the blocking unit serves to open and block the jet-shaping unit, i.e., to open and block the water outlet, depending on the internal pressure prevailing in the outlet device created by the inflowing water. The outlet device forms a space that can be filled with the inflowing water.When this space is completely filled with water and additional water flows in, the pressure in the outlet device gradually increases. In a pressurized state of the sanitary shower according to the invention, more precisely when the internal pressure exceeds the definable value, the jet shaping unit opens and water then flows out of the outlet device. In a depressurized state of the sanitary shower according to the invention, more precisely when the internal pressure falls below or does not exceed the definable value, the jet shaping unit closes or blocks and no water flows out of the outlet device. In this way, any continued flow of water after the water flow has been shut off by the user by closing a corresponding valve is prevented.

[0012] The sanitary shower head according to the invention can be designed as a handheld shower head to enable spatially targeted water delivery, or as a head-mounted shower head to enable particularly convenient water delivery for the user. The outlet device is a water outlet device and serves to discharge water from the sanitary shower head.

[0013] Each relative movement between the jet shaping unit and the blocking unit cleans the jet shaping unit mechanically and without manual intervention. This is because any accumulated limescale or other deposits within the jet shaping unit of the outlet device come into contact with the blocking unit due to the relative movement and are thereby crushed and removed. The deposits thus removed are carried directly out of the sanitary shower by the flowing water. This happens automatically, in the sense that only through the mechanism in the sanitary shower according to the invention, which is moved by water pressure. Manual cleaning of the sanitary shower of such deposits can therefore be eliminated. This facilitates cleaning of the sanitary shower according to the invention, particularly when the sanitary shower is installed in hard-to-reach places.Locking the jet forming unit when the internal pressure in the outlet device does not exceed the definable value, but rather is below the definable value, also prevents water from running on.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the sanitary shower head according to the invention, the outlet device comprises a spring unit for resiliently supporting the blocking unit. The spring unit comprises at least one spring, in particular a compression spring. The blocking unit and the spring unit are firmly connected to one another. The spring unit preloads the blocking unit in the direction of the jet-shaping unit through its spring force, i.e., pushes the blocking unit toward the jet-shaping unit through this spring force. The internal pressure in the outlet device counteracts the spring force of the spring unit.As the internal pressure increases due to the continued flow of water, a balance of forces is initially achieved between the force of the incoming water generated by the internal pressure and the spring force of the spring unit. Eventually, the internal pressure exceeds the spring force of the spring unit, pushing the locking unit back, allowing the steel mold unit to open and water to flow out of the jet forming unit. This design locks the jet forming unit in its default setting. This prevents or at least reduces the flow of water.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the definable value can be adjusted by the spring force of the spring unit. The spring force is, in particular, adjustable by design. The definable value is, in particular, smaller when the spring unit comprises fewer springs and / or when the springs of the spring unit have a lower spring stiffness overall. The definable value is, in particular, larger when the spring unit comprises more springs and / or when the springs of the spring unit have a higher spring stiffness overall. This makes it possible to precisely set the definable value above which the jet shaping unit opens and water can flow from the jet shaping unit, thus indirectly making cleaning the sanitary shower easier. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the jet shaping unit is made of an elastic material, in particular of an elastomer or rubber.This has a positive effect on the functioning of the sanitary shower according to the invention and thus further facilitates its cleaning.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the blocking unit is made of a non-elastic material, in particular a hard plastic or a metal or metal alloy. The blocking unit is particularly made of a material that is harder or stronger than the material from which the jet-shaping unit is made. Such a material combination further improves the functionality of the sanitary shower head according to the invention and thus further facilitates its cleaning.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the jet-shaping unit has at least one nozzle, and the blocking unit has at least one pin, wherein a pin and an associated nozzle are arranged in pairs coaxially or in alignment with each other. The number of pins and the number of nozzles correspond, i.e., the shower comprises one nozzle per pin and vice versa. The number and arrangement of the nozzles determine the jet pattern. Each of the at least one pin can be displaced in the direction of or along its own longitudinal axis.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, each of the at least one pin and each of the at least one associated nozzle are designed to complement each other in shape. A pin inserted into an associated nozzle closes this nozzle, preventing water from flowing out of this nozzle and the jet-forming unit. The at least one pin can be displaceable into the associated nozzle or displaceable out of the associated nozzle.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the blocking unit is configured to open the jet-forming unit by pushing the at least one pin out of the at least one associated nozzle, i.e., by pushing the at least one pin out of the at least one associated nozzle. This pushing out opens the flow channel of the at least one associated nozzle, so that the incoming water can flow out of the jet-forming unit of the outlet device through the flow channel cleared by the pushing out.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the blocking unit is configured to block the jet-forming unit by pushing the at least one pin into the at least one associated nozzle, i.e., by pushing the at least one pin into the at least one associated nozzle. This pushing-in action, with the pin and nozzle being particularly complementary in shape to one another, closes the flow channel of the at least one associated nozzle, preventing the incoming water from flowing out of the jet-forming unit of the outlet device through the flow channel. Blocking the jet-forming unit prevents or at least reduces the amount of water that continues to flow.

[0021] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figure. It shows an advantageous embodiment of the invention, but the invention is not limited to this advantageous embodiment. Identical components are always provided with the same reference numerals in the figure and are therefore generally named or mentioned only once. It shows in detail the

[0022] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the sanitary shower according to the invention in a sectional view.

[0023] The sanitary showerhead according to the invention shown in the figure serves to provide water and comprises an outlet device 1, a water guide 2 in the form of a water channel, and a water inlet 3 that can be connected to a sanitary fitting. The outlet device 1, the water guide 2, and the water inlet 3 are fluidly connected to one another, so that water flowing into the showerhead through the water inlet 3 can flow via the water guide 2 into the outlet device 1 and finally out of it.

[0024] The outlet device 1 comprises a jet-shaping unit 4 and a blocking unit 5 that is movable relative to the jet-shaping unit 4. The outlet device 1 forms a space 6 that can be filled with the incoming water. The blocking unit 5 is designed to open the jet-shaping unit 4 when the pressure in the outlet device 1, i.e., in the space 6, caused by the incoming water exceeds a definable value, and otherwise, i.e., when the pressure in the outlet device 1 caused by the incoming water does not exceed or is below the definable value, to block the jet-shaping unit 4. The relative movements between the jet-shaping unit 4 and the blocking unit 5 correspond to a mechanical cleaning of the jet-shaping unit 4, since these relative movements crush and remove deposits, such as limescale deposits, that may have accumulated in the jet-shaping unit 4.

[0025] The outlet device 1 additionally comprises a spring unit 7, which is firmly connected to the blocking unit 5 and spring-loaded. The spring unit 7 comprises four compression springs 8. Furthermore, the spring unit comprises a sealing element 9 to provide a fluid-tight seal between the spring unit 7 and the incoming water. The spring unit 7 presses the blocking unit 5 towards the jet-shaping unit 4. The internal pressure in the outlet device 1 created by the incoming water counteracts the spring force of the spring unit 7. The jet-shaping unit 4 is therefore blocked when the sanitary shower is not pressurized, i.e. when the internal pressure in the outlet device 1 does not exceed the definable pressure value. By changing the number or the respective spring stiffness of the compression springs 8, the definable pressure value can be set or adapted as desired. The jet-shaping unit 4 has eight nozzles 10 and the blocking unit 5 has eight pins 11.A pin 11 and an associated nozzle 10 are arranged coaxially with each other in pairs, each pin 11 being able to be pushed into and out of the associated nozzle 10 along its own longitudinal axis. Each pin 11 and each associated nozzle 10 are designed to complement each other in shape, i.e., each pin 11 essentially completely fills the flow channel of each associated nozzle 10 when pushed into the nozzle 10, so that the nozzle 10 is closed or blocked in this state and no water can flow through the nozzle 10.

[0026] The locking unit 5 with its pins 11 is configured to open the jet-forming unit 4 with its nozzles 10 by pushing the pins 11 out of the respective nozzles 10. The pins 11 are pushed out of the respective nozzles 10 when the internal pressure created by the inflowing water in the outlet device 1 exceeds the pressure value defined by the number and respective spring stiffness of the compression springs 8 of the spring unit 7.

[0027] The blocking unit 5 is also configured to block the jet-forming unit 4 by pushing the pins 11 of the blocking unit 5 into the respective associated nozzles 10. The pins 11 are pushed into the respective associated nozzles 10 when the internal pressure created by the inflowing water in the outlet device 1 falls below or does not exceed the pressure value defined by the number and the respective spring stiffness of the compression springs 8 of the spring unit 7. List of reference symbols

[0028] 1 outlet device

[0029] 2 Water supply 3 Water inlet

[0030] 4 beam shaping unit

[0031] 5 Locking unit

[0032] 6 rooms

[0033] 7 Spring unit 8 Compression spring

[0034] 9 Sealing element

[0035] 10 nozzle

[0036] 11 pen

Claims

Patent claims 1. Sanitary shower for supplying water with an outlet device (1) comprising a spray shaping unit (4) and a locking unit (5) movable relative to the spray shaping unit (4), wherein the locking unit (5) is configured to open the spray shaping unit (4) when the pressure generated in the outlet device (1) by the inflowing water exceeds a definable value, and to lock the spray shaping unit (4) otherwise.

2. Shower head according to claim 1, wherein the outlet device comprises a spring unit (7) for resiliently mounting the locking unit (5).

3. Shower head according to claim 2, wherein the definable value is adjustable by the spring force of the spring unit (7).

4. Shower head according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray shaping unit (4) is made of an elastic material.

5. Shower head according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking unit (5) is made of a non-elastic material.

6. Shower head according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray shaping unit (4) has at least one nozzle (10) and the locking unit (5) has at least one pin (11), wherein a pin (11) and an associated nozzle (10) are arranged coaxially to each other in pairs.

7. Shower head according to claim 6, wherein each of the at least one pins (11) and each of the at least one associated nozzle (10) are designed to be complementary in shape to each other. Shower head according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the locking unit (5) is configured to open the spray shaping unit (4) by pushing the at least one pin (11) out of the at least one associated nozzle (10). Shower head according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the locking unit (5) is configured to lock the spray shaping unit (4) by pushing the at least one pin (11) into the at least one associated nozzle (10).

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