Insert part for a jet regulator, and associated production method

Abstract

Disclosed is an insert part (6) which has two rib structures (7) which each form a multiplicity of ribs (9). To make the insert part (6) easier to produce, it is produced by an injection-moulding process such that the two rib structures (7), despite being in contact with one another at respective contact surfaces (32), remain separated from one another by a tool parting plane (11). This has the technical advantage that the respective outer contours of the ribs (9) of each rib structure (7) can be defined exclusively by one tool part (33 / 34) in each case, without an offset of the other tool part (34 / 33) having an adverse effect on the shaping of the ribs (9) (figure 4).

Description

[0001] Insert part for a jet regulator and associated manufacturing process

[0002] The invention primarily relates to an insert part, which can be designed in particular for insertion into a receiving space of a jet regulator, wherein the insert part can be flowed through by water along a flow direction. Such an insert part can be used in numerous applications and fluidic devices to favorably influence the flow behavior of a fluid.

[0003] The invention further relates to a jet regulator with a splitter unit and an outlet unit and a receiving space formed therebetween, which is surrounded by a housing (and in particular can be formed by the housing), wherein at least one insert part through which water can flow is inserted in the receiving space.

[0004] Finally, the invention relates to a method by which such insert parts can be produced.

[0005] Such inserts and jet regulators are already known. The said splitter unit often forms an inlet or splitter stage and can split a cross-section of water flowing into the jet regulator into numerous partial water jets. This results in a type of "reset" of the flow conditions within the jet regulator, which then become largely independent of the flow properties in the area of ​​an inlet on the input side of the jet regulator. For this purpose, the jet regulator can also have a quantity regulator or flow limiter, for example. The outlet unit or outlet stage finally forms the jet that exits the jet regulator. An admixture of air can be incorporated into the jet regulator to produce a soft, milky jet. The insert part arranged between the outlet unit and the splitter unit in the receiving space makes it possible to further favorably influence the jet formation.The insert often functions as a fluidic mixing stage, further homogenizing the jet. This can have a particularly positive effect on the flow behavior.

[0006] Furthermore, it is known to produce the individual components of such jet regulators using injection molding technology, for example as described in WO 2021 123065 A1.

[0007] In practice, however, the problem often arises that undesirable sharp edges can occur because the injection molding tools used cannot be aligned with arbitrary precision. If the tools are slightly offset, this often leads to the formation of fine casting flags (particularly when the liquid plastic penetrates into small gaps) and sharp edges. Such structures can then negatively influence the spray pattern produced by the jet regulator or the noise generated when water flows through the jet regulator. This is particularly disruptive when long edges with a precise profile have to be formed. In particular, it is known that casting flags can form in the tool parting line when the injection molding material is pressed between the tool parts.

[0008] The invention aims to eliminate this problem which occurs during production. To achieve this object, the features of claim 1 are provided according to the invention for an insert part. In particular, to achieve the object, the invention proposes that the insert part be composed of two web structures which are arranged in two superimposed planes and which each have a plurality of webs. It is further provided that the two web structures are each separated from one another by a tool parting plane. Each of the two web structures can therefore be located entirely in a respective half-space which is separated by the tool parting plane (the two half-spaces thus lie opposite one another). These two half-spaces can touch one another, namely in the tool parting plane, but they do not overlap or have an overlapping volume.

[0009] The tool parting plane can correspond to an imaginary mathematical plane that is flat (i.e. has a curvature of zero with respect to two orthogonal axes that lie in the plane).

[0010] In other words, according to the invention, the respective web structure, more precisely the outer edges and side surfaces of the respective webs of the web structure, can be or have been defined only by means of a part of a tool used in casting the insert part (in particular one tool half). Therefore, the respective part of the tool only needs to have recesses for the webs of one of the two web structures. If the two parts of the tool are joined together to form a cavity by which the insert part to be cast is defined, they abut one another at the tool parting plane.

[0011] Accordingly, an offset of a first tool half as described at the beginning, which serves to define a first of the two web structures, along the tool parting plane does not affect the shape of the second web structure of the insert part. This significantly improves or simplifies the manufacture of the insert part. The two planes in which the web structures are arranged can in particular run parallel to the tool parting plane. Due to the separation brought about by the tool parting plane, it can in particular be achieved that the respective webs of the two web structures do not engage with one another, but only touch in contact surfaces that lie in the tool parting plane. These contact surfaces can be formed by the respective overlaps between webs of the two adjacent web structures of the insert part.In this case, the insert part can be designed in particular in such a way that the webs of one of the web structures form respective contact surfaces but no overlap volume with webs of the adjacent web structure.

[0012] The inventive design of the insert part prevents the web structure located in the upper plane from merging into the web structure located in the lower plane along a longer edge, as this would lead to the formation of undesirable edge shapes, in particular to the formation of casting flags, if the two tool halves used for injection molding the insert part are incorrectly aligned relative to one another, i.e. show an (often unavoidable) offset. In particular, if the webs of the touching web structures are angled, this problem no longer exists, as an offset between the tool halves no longer has any significant effect on the formation of the edges of the webs, as the contact surfaces between the two web structures may shift (minimally), but only change in size insignificantly.As a result, a usable insert part can still be injection-molded even with a slight offset between the two mold halves. As a result, scrap can be avoided during production of the insert part. As will be explained, insert parts according to the invention can be used to regulate the water flow in jet regulators. However, they can also be used, for example, in other pipe sections of fluidic, in particular sanitary, devices through which fluid flows in order to positively influence the fluid flow, for example to achieve a reduction in noise. The invention is mainly concerned with how such structures can be manufactured efficiently and with the least possible scrap, and how assembly can be simplified when several such (in particular identically designed) insert parts have to be assembled to form a stack.

[0013] According to the invention, the object mentioned at the outset can also be achieved by further advantageous embodiments according to the subclaims.

[0014] For example, the webs of the upper web structure can intersect with the webs of the lower web structure at contact surfaces. Furthermore, webs of the same web structure can branch at branching points, which can be implemented for one or both of the two web structures.

[0015] Furthermore, designs are possible in which, at the contact points between the two web structures (i.e. where two webs of the two web structures meet), the respective webs run at an intersection angle ß to one another. The angle ß can, for example, be a constant 90 °, such as in a design in which the respective webs of the upper web structure run strictly parallel to one another and each enclose an angle of 90 ° with the webs of the lower web structure (which also run strictly parallel to one another). The angle can be measured by projecting the respective web into the tool parting plane.

[0016] Designs are also conceivable, for example, with curved webs, in which the angle ß varies along the course of a web and is sometimes less than and sometimes more than 90°. For example, when using honeycomb-shaped spaces between the webs, which can be triangular or hexagonal, for example, there can be several contact points with different angles ß per honeycomb.

[0017] The crossing angle ß can further be dimensioned such that an area of ​​a respective contact surface of the intersecting webs (of the two web structures) in the tool parting plane is at most three times the square of a (e.g. maximum) width of the respective web, measured transversely to a direction of travel of the web.

[0018] Furthermore, designs are particularly possible in which the following applies to the crossing angle ß: ß > 20°. Preferably, the following can also apply: ß < 90°. In such designs, very small crossing angles ß of the webs are therefore excluded. At ß = 45° the ratio between contact area and square of the web width is approximately 1.5, whereas at 20° the ratio increases to > 3. Providing a certain minimum size for the crossing angle has the technical advantage that a slight offset between the mold halves can still be tolerated during injection molding because this only changes the position of the crossing surface insignificantly. If, on the other hand, the webs run at very small crossing angles to one another, the crossing surface becomes very large and thus susceptible to the formation of undesirable casting flags on the edges of the webs as a result of an offset between the mold halves.In further embodiments, the angle ß can be, at least partially, less than 90° or equal to 90°. It can also be provided that the angle ß is more than 90° at individual contact points (additionally or supplementarily).

[0019] The at least two web structures of the insert part can preferably be connected or formed integrally with one another. This is particularly possible when the insert part is manufactured as a cast part, preferably as an injection-molded part. Such production can be carried out in particular using two tool parts, in particular two injection-molded tool halves, which abut one another in the tool parting plane. In such cases, it is particularly advantageous if the two web structures are designed free of undercuts along a demolding direction that is perpendicular to the tool parting plane. This configuration has the advantage that each of the two web structures can be manufactured using one tool half of a (common) injection-molded tool.

[0020] According to a further possible embodiment, the insert part has at least one web structure whose webs extend, at least partially, non-parallel to one another, i.e., in particular, at angles of less than 90°. In this case, branching points can thus be formed between webs of the same web structure.

[0021] According to a further possible embodiment, it is provided that at least one of the two web structures has webs that exhibit an S-shaped course in said plane. Such an S-shaped course can, in particular, have two inflection points. It can therefore, in particular, be provided that the two web structures from which the insert part is composed form different types of web spaces. For example, one web structure can form elongated slots in an upper plane, while the adjacent web structure forms honeycomb-shaped free spaces in a lower plane.

[0022] The said tool parting plane can be understood as an xy plane and this can divide the insert part into the two web structures.

[0023] If the two web structures are designed in the same way, it can be provided that the two web structures of the insert part are designed to be, in particular strictly, symmetrical to one another with respect to the tool parting plane.

[0024] For example, the two web structures can be designed so symmetrically to one another that the two web structures can be converted into one another by an (imaginary) rotation by 180 ° about an x-axis lying in the tool parting plane and (i) by rotation by an angle α about a z-axis oriented perpendicular to the tool parting plane and / or by displacement along a y-axis lying in the tool parting plane and / or along an x-axis lying in the tool parting plane. In other words, the same situation is obtained with regard to the position of the through-channels formed by the insert part if the insert part designed in this way is first rotated by 180 ° about the x-axis ("flipping") and then one or both of the operations (i) or (ii) are carried out. The symmetry described is therefore based on an isometric transformation of the respective web structure, which maintains the lengths and angles of the web structure, i.e.With such a symmetrical design, the length and angle ratios of the two web structures of the insert part can be identical. One advantage of such symmetrical designs of the insert part is, for example, that it does not matter in which orientation the insert parts are assembled to form a stack. This is because if the insert part in question was inserted in the wrong orientation (= rotation by 180° around the x-axis), a corresponding rotation by cp around the z-axis can be sufficient to achieve the desired alignment of the web structure.

[0025] In the embodiment described above, it can preferably be provided that the angle cp = 360 ° / N is formed as an integer division of 360 °, that is to say in particular with cp = 90 ° or cp = 120 ° or even cp = 60 °.

[0026] It can further be provided that the two (imaginary) planes (which describe the position of the web structures) are each aligned radially or vertically with respect to an axial insertion direction of the insert part or the mentioned flow direction in which water can flow through the insert part. The axial insertion direction can correspond precisely to the main flow direction in which the water flows through a jet regulator having the insert part, in particular through the said insert part. Furthermore, all web surfaces of the webs of each web structure which are aligned with the tool parting plane (i.e. point "inwards") can lie in a respective radial plane with respect to the insertion direction / the flow direction of the insert part. In this case, it is advantageous to solve the problem with the casting flags if these web surfaces are planar and lie in the tool parting plane.In this case, these web surfaces can be delimited during injection molding by a planar, inner surface of the corresponding tool half of the injection mold. At least one, in particular both, of the web structures can also form web spaces in the form of honeycombs arranged between the webs. These honeycombs can in particular have a hexagonal or triangular shape. With such a configuration, several such honeycomb-shaped web spaces can be lined up (to form a chain) along an (imaginary) secant with respect to a circumference of the web structure. The honeycombs can be separated from one another by respective webs.Such configurations make it possible, in particular, for an adjacent web structure, in particular of the same insert part or of an adjacent insert part (when multiple insert parts are used in a stacked arrangement), to form interweb spaces in the form of slots. These slots can extend as secants up to the respective circumference of the web structure.

[0027] The aforementioned honeycomb-shaped interstices can be designed consistently in size and shape. However, organic or ornamental interstice structures can also be designed, in which the individual interstices differ in their respective shape and / or size.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the respective webs of the two web structures can each form axially aligned side surfaces in an insertion direction of the insert part (which can coincide with the said flow direction) which run coaxially to one another.

[0029] It can thus also be provided that through-channels are formed by the intermediate web spaces between the webs, which through-channels are aligned in the insertion direction / the flow direction and are delimited by the webs. In this case, it is particularly preferred if the webs of the two web structures of the respective insert part are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the through-channels run in a straight line and / or without swirl in the insertion direction / the flow direction.

[0030] For smooth demolding of the insert, for example after injection molding, it is further advantageous if both web structures have cross-sections everywhere that point away from the mold parting plane, and wherein these cross-sections do not increase (in the direction away from the mold parting plane). This means that the cross-sections can (starting from the mold parting plane) form, in particular, constant or tapered cross-sections, and again everywhere.

[0031] To achieve this object, a jet regulator as described above is further proposed. This is characterized in that at least one insert part is designed according to one of the claims directed to an insert part and / or as described above.

[0032] In the receiving space, preferably at least two insert parts designed according to the invention can be arranged one above the other in a stacked arrangement in an axial insertion direction. This insertion direction can run perpendicular to the said (radially oriented) tool parting plane and / or correspond to the mentioned flow direction of a water flow through the at least one insert part.

[0033] It is particularly preferred here if the at least two insert parts are of the same type or identical to one another. Furthermore, it can additionally or alternatively also be provided that the at least two insert parts are arranged rotated relative to one another by an angle a about the insertion direction. In this case, the following can apply, for example: a = cp / 2, with cp the angle which describes the relative rotation of the two web structures of the insert part after one of the two web structures has been theoretically flipped / rotated by 180° about an axis lying in the tool parting plane. In particular, the following can apply: a = 45° with cp = 90° or, for example, a = 60° with cp = 120°.

[0034] Such a design has the advantage that when stacking a total of three insert parts (in particular identically designed / manufactured with the same casting tool) on top of each other, the order and orientation of the insert parts is irrelevant, since the desired pattern of through-channels can always be formed (by appropriate rotation of the insert part around the z-axis).

[0035] In such designs of the jet regulator, the receiving space can thus be flowed through exclusively through channels formed by at least one insert part when the insert part(s) are inserted. The insert part or the stacked arrangement then defines the flow behavior of the receiving space.

[0036] When using multiple inserts in a stack arrangement, through-channels formed by one of the inserts that are axially aligned in the insertion direction can be at least partially concealed by a web structure of an adjacent insert of the stack arrangement (relative to the insertion direction). This is advantageous in order to enable an even finer subdivision of the water flow through the receiving space. In this case, these concealments can be formed, in particular, by a respective branching point of two webs of one of the web structures (of an adjacent insert).

[0037] The axially aligned in the insertion direction

[0038] Through-channels formed by one of the inserts can also meet a point of contact between the two web structures of an adjacent insert of the stack arrangement. This is especially possible if these web structures do not form any branching points, for example, because all webs of the respective web structure run strictly parallel to one another.

[0039] In such configurations, a cross-sectional area occupied by a respective through-channel cannot be completely axially flown through by water in relation to the entire stack arrangement. This results in a flow cross-section (in relation to an axial direction and the entire stack) that is smaller than the respective through-channel defined by one of the insert parts. For clarification, it should also be mentioned at this point that the respective through-channel can be smaller in area than a respective web gap defined by one of the two web structures of the insert part.

[0040] In such configurations, at least a portion of the water can inevitably follow a zigzag path as it flows through the stacking arrangement, thus deviating from a strictly axial flow direction. In other words, in such a configuration, the through-channels of two adjacent inserts of the stacking arrangement do not have to be aligned, but can be offset from one another so that they do not completely overlap.

[0041] A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the at least two insert parts are aligned with each other by means of respective alignment aids, which engage with each other in the insertion direction, with respect to a relative angle of rotation a about the insertion direction. This angle of rotation a can, in particular, be the angle a described above. The respective alignment aids can be formed particularly simply in one piece with the respective web structure, for example in the form of axial and mutually corresponding projections and recesses.

[0042] It is even more advantageous if at least one of the inserts is provided with upper and lower alignment aids that are aligned with one another with respect to an insertion direction. This facilitates assembly of the stacking arrangement if an insert is accidentally inserted in the wrong orientation (rotated by 180° around the x-axis).

[0043] For example, at least four, in particular at least six, alignment aids can be formed along a circumference of one (preferably all) of the at least two insert parts. These alignment aids can point axially in the same direction. Furthermore, they can be evenly distributed along the circumference. This can, in particular, ensure that said relative angle of rotation a is at most 45°, in particular at most 30°.

[0044] An injection point used in the injection molding of the respective insert part can, for example, be arranged in the center of the insert part or, for example, at the edge, in particular at the circumference.

[0045] A particularly preferred embodiment, which reduces manufacturing costs, provides that each of the at least two insert parts of the stacking arrangement can be arranged, or is arranged, with an identical copy of itself in the compact stacking arrangement. In this stacking arrangement, a lower axial profile of the insert part can engage with an upper axial profile of the (identical) insert part. This means that in such a stacking arrangement, the two identical insert parts used can be arranged rotated relative to one another by an angle α about an insertion direction.

[0046] Thus, the at least two insert parts can all be shaped / designed identically to one another, in other words, they can each be manufactured using the same two injection mold halves. The insertion direction can then correspond precisely to the direction in which two identical insert parts (after rotation by the angle a) can be combined to form a compact stack of two.

[0047] To achieve the object, a method for producing an insert part is further proposed, wherein this insert part can be designed as described above or according to one of the claims directed to an insert part. The insert part can therefore be provided in particular for insertion into a receiving space of a jet regulator. The method provides that the insert part is produced as a cast part, in particular by means of injection molding, and is further characterized in that the insert part is composed of two web structures which are arranged in two superimposed planes and which each form a plurality of webs, and that a first tool part is used to form a first of the two web structures during casting, while a second of the two web structures is formed only with a second tool part during casting.

[0048] In this case, the first tool part can define the tool parting plane and thus also limit the second web structure defined by the second tool part; however, the shape of the webs, in particular their (preferably axially aligned) side surfaces, is defined only by the second tool part. Accordingly, an offset of the first tool half along the tool parting plane does not affect the shaping of the second web structure of the insert part with the aid of the second tool half.

[0049] The two tool parts can therefore preferably be designed as tool halves of an injection molding tool. During the casting process, the two tool halves are joined together along the tool parting plane in order to form a cavity which defines the outer contour of the insert part manufactured as a cast part, in particular as an injection molded part. After liquid casting material has been introduced into the cavity and the casting material has hardened, the tool halves can be separated from one another again (which can typically be done perpendicular to the tool parting plane, i.e. along the demolding direction described above) in order to be able to remove the finished insert part from the cavity as a cast part. As already explained at the beginning, the invention avoids this through the specific position of the tool parting plane, or.the described design of the manufacturing process, the creation of undesirable casting flags during the casting process and thus rejects during production.

[0050] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further developments of the invention can be derived from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the general description, the claims, and the drawings.

[0051] In the following description of various preferred

[0052] Embodiments of the invention are given identical reference numbers for elements which have the same function, even if they have different designs or shapes.

[0053] It shows :

[0054] Figure 1 is an external view of an inventive

[0055] aerator,

[0056] Figure 2 shows a cross section through another jet regulator according to the invention, wherein the jet regulator is screwed into a sanitary fitting,

[0057] Figure 3 shows a cross section through the jet regulator of the

[0058] Figure 1 ,

[0059] Figure 4 shows a cross section through an insert part designed according to the invention,

[0060] Figure 5 shows a stack arrangement of three identically designed insert parts according to the invention,

[0061] Figure 6 is a top view of another insert part according to the invention,

[0062] Figure 7 shows the insert part of Figure 6 in an oblique view from above,

[0063] Figure 8 shows the insert part of Figure 6 in a view from below,

[0064] Figure 9 shows the insert part of Figure 6 in an oblique view from below, Figure 10 shows a further insert part designed according to the invention,

[0065] Figure 11 is an exploded view of the jet regulator from Figure 1,

[0066] Figure 12 shows the stacking arrangement 13 of the three insert parts shown in Figure 11,

[0067] Figure 13 shows the stacking arrangement of Figure 12 in

[0068] oblique view,

[0069] Figure 14 shows various views of another insert part according to the invention,

[0070] Figure 15 shows various views of another insert part designed according to the invention,

[0071] Figure 16 shows various views of another insert part designed according to the invention,

[0072] Figure 17 shows various views of an insert part designed according to the invention,

[0073] Figures 18-21 each show stacking arrangements 13 each comprising three insert parts designed according to the invention,

[0074] Figure 22 is a detailed view of the web structure of the insert shown in Figure 15,

[0075] Figure 23 is a detailed view of the insert shown in Figure 14, Figure 24 illustrates the formation of casting flags on

[0076] Edges of webs of a web structure,

[0077] Figure 25 is a detailed plan view of the web structure of the insert part from Figure 17,

[0078] Figure 26 is a detailed plan view of the web structure of the insert part from Figure 14,

[0079] Figure 27 is a detailed plan view of the web structure of the insert part from Figure 16,

[0080] Figure 28 two tool parts in the form of two tool halves for producing an insert part according to the invention by means of injection molding,

[0081] Figure 29 is the lower of the two illustrated in Figure 28

[0082] Tool halves in a perspective sectional view,

[0083] Figure 30 shows a perspective cross-section through the

[0084] Tool half from Figure 29 but with the insert part still inserted, which was produced by injection molding with the two tool halves from Figure 28,

[0085] Figure 31 the same situation as in Figure 30 , only cut at a slightly offset point,

[0086] Figure 32 shows an insert part known from the prior art for use in a jet regulator, which has web structures not designed according to the invention, Figure 33 shows a longitudinal section through the upper tool half (cf. Figure 28), analogous to Figure 31 for the lower tool half, and finally

[0087] Figure 34 shows another longitudinal section through the upper

[0088] Tool half (see Figure 28), analogous to Figure 33, but cut at a different decentralized location.

[0089] Figure 1 shows a jet regulator 1 designed according to the invention, the components of which can be seen in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, wherein the outer housing 5 could also be designed, for example, as in Figure 2, so that the jet regulator 1 can be screwed into a sanitary fitting 37, as shown in Figure 2. The jet regulators 1 of Figures 1-3 each have a splitter unit 2 and an outlet unit 3 as well as a receiving space 4 formed between them, which is surrounded by the housing 5 and is formed by the housing 5 in the embodiments shown. In the receiving space 4, a total of three insert parts 6 designed according to the invention are arranged one above the other in a stack arrangement 13, wherein water can flow through each of the three insert parts 6 in the flow direction 31 shown in Figure 2.

[0090] Figure 4 shows, by way of example, the design of one of the insert parts 6 of the jet regulator 1 in a cross-sectional view. The centrally arranged and dashed line 11 designates a tool parting plane 11, which is used in the production of the insert part 6 by injection molding and which divides the insert part 6, which is made in one piece from a cast material, into two halves. In each of these two halves (or half-spaces, separated by the tool parting plane 11), a respective web structure 7 is formed, which can be designed, for example, as illustrated in Figures 5-17.

[0091] The insert part 6 is thus composed of the two web structures 7, which, as shown in Figure 4, are arranged in two superimposed planes 8, each of which runs parallel to the tool parting plane 11. Each of the two web structures 7 has a plurality of webs 9. However, since the webs 9 of the upper web structure 7 in Figure 4 run horizontally from left to right, only one of these webs 9 is visible in cross-section for the upper web structure 7. The planes 8 in which the two web structures 7 are arranged are each aligned radially or perpendicularly to the flow direction 31, as shown in Figure 4. As a result, the respective web surfaces 19 of the webs 9, which are aligned inward toward the tool parting plane 11 (see also Figures 22 and 23), lie in a respective radial plane 20 with respect to the flow direction 31 or the insertion direction 14.

[0092] From Figure 15, which shows further views of the insert part 6 of Figure 4, it is clearly evident that the two web structures 7, each having a plurality of webs 9, are separated from one another by the (imaginary) tool parting plane 11. At those points where the webs 9 of the upper web structure 7 intersect with the webs 9 of the lower web structure 7, contact gaps 32 are thus formed between the two web structures 7. As can be seen from the synopsis of Figures 4 and 15, however, the web structures 7 do not overlap and therefore, in particular, do not form an overlap volume.

[0093] Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 as well as 14 and 17 show further examples of insert parts 6 designed according to the invention, each of which is composed of two web structures 7. In these designs, however, the webs 9 of the same web structure 7 branch off at branching points 35. Between the two web structures 7 there are also contact gaps 32. The said branching points 35 are formed in that at least one web structure 7 of the insert part 6 has webs 9 which do not run parallel to one another (but at angles to one another) and thus abut one another at the branching points 35.

[0094] As can be seen from the detailed views of Figures 25-27, the respective webs of the two adjacent web structures 7 of the respective insert part 6 run at the respective contact points 12 at an intersection angle ß. In all of these embodiments, the intersection angle ß is dimensioned such that a respective surface area defined by the respective contact surface 32 (wherein the contact surface 32 lies in the tool parting plane 11 - compare Figure 4 and defines the surface at which webs 9 of two adjacent web structures 7 cross) is at most three times the square of a maximum width of the respective web 9. The width is measured transversely to the main direction of extension of the web 9.

[0095] In addition, in all these designs the crossing angle ß is > 20 °; the examples in Figures 25-27 also show crossing angles of ß < 90 °.

[0096] The insert part 6 shown in Figure 4, like all insert parts 6 in the other figures, is manufactured as an injection-molded part 27. Therefore, the two web structures 7 are connected to one another in one piece or are formed monolithically, as can be seen in particular from the hatching in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4. Figure 16 shows a further possible embodiment of an insert part 6 according to the invention, wherein here the webs 9 of the two web structures 7 each have an S-shaped course. The respective S-curve has in particular two turning points 36.

[0097] In the example of Figure 15, the respective webs 9 of the respective web structure 7 each run strictly along a specific direction, wherein these two directions enclose an angle of α = 90°. Accordingly, the web structures 7 each form web interspaces 18 in the form of elongated slots 26, which in particular partially extend over the entire diameter of the web structure 7.

[0098] This is not the case in the example of Figure 14. There, the webs 9 of the respective web structure 7 form hexagonal web spaces 18 in the shape of honeycombs. In the example of Figure 17, however, the web spaces 18 are designed in the shape of triangular honeycombs. In both of these embodiments, a plurality of web spaces 18 are lined up along a secant with respect to a circumference of the web structure 7, the web spaces 18 being separated from one another by the respective webs 9 of the web structure 7.

[0099] 6-9, one of the web structures 7 forms honeycomb-shaped free spaces 18, while the other of the two web structures 7 forms straight, elongated slots 26. Figures 6-7 show a respective view from above of the upper web structure 7, which has straight webs 9. Figures 8 and 9, on the other hand, show views from below of the lower web structure 7, whose webs 9 form a hexagonal grid. As can be seen from the coordinate systems in Figures 4, 5 and 6, but also in Figures 22 and 23, the said tool parting plane 11 can be understood as an XY plane, wherein this plane divides the insert part 6 into the two web structures 7. In the examples of Figures 22 and 23, the two web structures 7 are each formed strictly symmetrically with respect to the tool parting plane 11, but not congruent.For example, it can be seen from Figures 14 and 23, which show the same insert part 6, that a plurality of through-channels 16 are formed by the web spaces 18 existing between the webs 9, which are aligned in the flow direction 31 (cf. Figure 2) and delimited by the respective webs 9. However, it can also be seen that the lower hexagonal grid, which is formed by the webs 9 of the lower web structure 7, precisely divides the web spaces 18 that are formed by the upper hexagonal web structure 7. Therefore, the passage area of ​​the respective through-channels 16 is smaller than the respective web space 18 that is formed by the upper web structure 7.

[0100] As can be clearly seen in Figures 22 and 23, in these embodiments, the respective webs 9 of the two web structures 7 of the respective insert part 6 are designed such that they form side surfaces 17 that run coaxially to one another, namely along the flow direction 31. This direction can correspond precisely to the insertion direction 14 with which the respective insert part 6 is inserted into the receiving space 4 of the jet regulator 1 (compare Figures 2 and 3).

[0101] Figure 5 shows further details of the stack arrangement 13 of a total of three insert parts 6, which can be inserted into the receiving space 4 of the jet regulator 1 of Figure 3. Here, the insert parts 6 are clearly identical, i.e. they were manufactured with the same injection molding tool. It can also be seen that the respective upper

[0102] Web structures 7 of the three insert parts 6 are not aligned.

[0103] The reason for this is that the three insert parts 6 are each arranged rotated relative to one another by an angle a = 30 ° around the insertion direction 14.

[0104] A similar situation is also illustrated again in Figure 19, where the right-hand illustration shows a view from above of the stack arrangement 13 and where the angle a = 45 °. Although each of the three insert parts 6 forms through-channels 16 which have a square area as a cross-section, it can be clearly seen in Figure 19 that due to the relative rotation of the insert parts 6 to one another, the cross-section of the stack arrangement 13 through which water can flow unhindered is smaller and has a triangular cross-section.

[0105] As Figures 20 and 21 illustrate, differently configured insert parts 6 according to the invention, which form different web structures 7, can also be used in a stack arrangement 13. For example, in Figure 20, two insert parts 6 with hexagonal web structures 7 were combined with an intermediate insert part 6 with slot-shaped web structures 7.

[0106] 18-21, however, the through-channels 16, which are formed, for example, by the uppermost insert part 6, are at least partially covered by a web structure 7 of an underlying insert part 6 of the stack arrangement 13 (with respect to the insertion direction 14 or the flow direction 31). It is particularly clear from Figure 13 that such a covering can be provided in particular by a branching point 35 of two webs, these webs 9 then belonging to one and the same web structure 7. However, it is also possible for the covering to be provided precisely by contact points 12 or

[0107] Contacted gaps 32 are formed between two web structures of an insert part 6 of the stacking arrangement 13. Thus, in the examples of Figures 13 and 18-21, with respect to the entire stacking arrangement 13, the respective cross-sectional area occupied by a through-channel 16 of the uppermost insert part 6 cannot be completely axially flowed through by water. These configurations achieve efficient homogenization of the water jet flowing through the stacking arrangement 13.

[0108] As can be clearly seen from Figures 18-21 and 11-13, in the respective stack arrangement 13, the insert parts 6 are aligned with one another by means of alignment halves 15. The alignment halves 15 engage with one another in the insertion direction 14 and thus specify the relative angle of rotation a that exists between two adjacent insert parts 6. The alignment aids 15 are formed integrally with the respective web structure 7, specifically in the form of axial and mutually corresponding projections 21 and recesses 22.

[0109] As can be clearly seen in Figure 5 or also in Figure 12, the projections 21 which are formed on an insert part 6 of the upper or lower plane 8 are aligned. The same applies to the recesses 22. This ensures that the alignment aids 15 are designed to be invariant with regard to a rotation of the insert part 6 by 180° about an x-axis which lies in the respective tool parting plane 11 (= "flipping" of the insert part). In the uppermost insert part 6 in Figure 12, for example, an upper and a lower alignment aid 15 are formed which are aligned with one another with regard to the entry direction 14. In the example of Figure 13 and that of Figure 6, at least four alignment aids 15 are designed in the form of axial projections 21 which are evenly distributed along the circumference, thereby specifying a relative angle of rotation of a = 45 °.In the example of Figure 5, however, at least six such alignment aids 15 are already provided, which predetermines a relative angle of rotation of a = 30°.

[0110] As the example in Figure 5 shows, where the three insert parts 6 are each designed identically to one another, a respective lower axial profile 23 of the insert part 6 (compare Figure 4, Figure 22 and Figure 15) engages in a respective upper axial profile 24 of the insert part 6 located underneath. In Figure 5, the respective projection 21 thus engages in the correspondingly designed recess 22 of the adjacent insert part 6. As a result of this engagement, the two insert parts 6 are positioned relative to one another by the desired angle α. All of the insert parts 6 shown in Figure 5 were manufactured using the same injection molding tool.

[0111] Figure 15 clearly shows that the web structures 7 of the insert part 6 shown there are so symmetrical to one another that they can be converted into one another by two symmetrical transformations. If, for example, the insert part 6 shown is flipped by rotating the upper web structure 7 (or the entire insert part 6) through 180° around an x-axis which lies in the tool parting plane 11, the two web structures 7 are exchanged in their respective positions. If the insert part 6 is then additionally rotated through an angle of α = 90° around the z-axis which is perpendicular to the tool parting plane 11, the original state is restored because the respective webs 9 then run in the original direction.

[0112] In the example of Figure 14, a similar transformation would be possible because the insert part 6 there, or its web structures 7, are also designed symmetrically to one another. However, in order to convert the upper web structure 7 into the lower web structure 7, after rotation by 180° about the x-axis, it is not necessary to rotate again about the z-axis, but rather the respective grid / web structure 7 must be displaced along the y-axis, as can be seen from the upper right-hand illustration in Figure 14.

[0113] In the example of Figure 10, the two web structures 7 are also designed symmetrically to each other in this way. However, as the block arrows indicate, after rotation by 180° around the x-axis, the respective web structure 7 must first be moved along the x-axis and then along the y-axis in order to transfer the respective web structure 7 into the adjacent web structure 7.

[0114] The technical advantage of such symmetrical designs of the web structures 7 becomes clear from Figure 5, since it can be seen there that even if one of the insert parts 6 shown there is accidentally inserted in the wrong orientation (i.e. rotated by 180° around the x-axis), the desired alignment of the web structures 7 can still be achieved, namely by simply rotating the insert part 6 by a necessary angle cp around the z-axis.

[0115] Figure 24 illustrates the formation of casting flags on the edges of webs 9 of a web structure 7. What can be seen is a cross-section along the x-axis through the two web structures 7 of an insert part 6 according to the invention, wherein the respective webs 9 of the upper and lower web structure 7 clearly show no overlap in the z-direction and are thus separated from one another by the tool parting plane 11. It is known that casting flags 41 can form in the tool parting plane 11 when the injection molding material is pressed between the tool parts 33, 34 (cf. Fig. 28). The inventive design of the tool parting plane 11 at the level of the transition between the two web structures 7 has the advantage that the casting flags 41 are arranged at a uniform distance from the two outer sides 43 of the web structures 7.Thus, the position of these casting flags 41 is independent of the top-bottom orientation with which an insert 6 is inserted or positioned for use. Figure 24 also clearly shows that the two web structures (above and below the mold parting plane 11) each have non-increasing cross-sections pointing away from the mold parting plane 11. In the example shown, the cross-section is constant in the respective direction (+ / - z direction); however, it could also taper, for example, since demolding of the insert 6 would still be possible in this case.

[0116] A look at Fig. 32, which shows an insert part from the prior art, reveals, however, that such a central formation of the casting flags 41 (as in Fig. 24) is not possible there (in Fig. 32), since the tool parts 33, 34 cannot engage behind the webs, since the web structures must remain demoldable.

[0117] Figure 28 shows two tool parts 33 and 34 in the form of two tool halves of an injection molding tool with which an insert part 6 according to the invention can be produced. For this purpose, the two tool halves are moved towards one another in the demolding direction 30 shown (= z-direction - see Figure 29) in order to define a cavity and are moved apart in the opposite direction in order to demold the injection-molded insert part 6. As can be seen in the sectional view, the insert part 6 extends from the tool parting plane 11, which as an xy-plane (see Figure 29) separates the two tool parts 33 and 34 from one another, upwards and downwards into the respective tool halves 33, 34 or into the half-spaces in which these tool halves 33, 34 are located. The tool halves form corresponding recesses which, as negatives, specify the shape of the upper or lower half of the insert part 6.

[0118] As can be seen by comparing Figures 29 and 30, the lower web structure 7, which in Figures 28 and 29 lies below the tool parting plane 11, is defined exclusively by the lower tool half 34. This is because only the tool half 34 has a corresponding recess 42 in the form of grooves running in the y-direction (cf. Figure 29), which define the webs 9 of the lower web structure 7 of the insert part 6, which webs run in the y-direction (cf. Figure 30). This can also be seen from the fact that the upper surfaces of the webs 9 of the lower web structure 7 are flush with the surface of the lower tool half 34, i.e. these surfaces lie in the xy plane illustrated in Figure 29. During injection molding, these surfaces of the lower webs 9 are only limited by the surface of the upper tool half 33, which surface lies in the tool parting plane 11 and is flat in these areas.In other words, with the tool parts 33, 34, it is possible to form one of the web structures 7 without the other web structure 7 by covering the respective tool part 33, 34 with a flat plate. In this (theoretical) example, the plate indicates the tool parting plane 11.

[0119] Figure 31 (which shows the same situation as in

[0120] Figure 30, wherein only the section in the negative y-direction is shifted by approximately half a web spacing) it can be seen that the webs 9 of the upper web structure 7, which run in the x-direction, all lie above the tool parting plane 11 and are thus defined exclusively by the upper tool half 33. Even if this is not illustrated, it is easily conceivable that the upper tool half 33 thus has corresponding grooves which run in the x-direction in order to define the webs 9 of the upper web structure 7, in particular their exact position in the xy-plane. Only the lower web surfaces of the webs 9 of the upper web structure 7 (not visible in Figure 31), which are aligned with the tool parting plane 11 (cf. also Figure 22 or 23), are limited by the surface of the lower tool half 34 (aligned with the insert part).In other words, the webs 9 of the upper web structure 7 lie on the surface (hatched in Figure 31) of the lower tool half 34, which lies in the tool parting plane 11. The (imaginary) contact surfaces 32, at which the webs 9 of the upper web structure 7 intersect with the webs 9 of the lower web structure 7, thus all lie in the tool parting plane 11. The upper web structure 7, or more precisely its webs 9, does not, however, exceed the tool parting plane 11 downwards, and therefore does not protrude into the half-space occupied by the lower tool half 34.

[0121] Figure 33 shows a situation analogous to Figure 31, but now illustrating the upper tool half 33, with the longitudinal section again running through the center of the insert part 6, as in Figure 31. Figure 34 shows the same section through the upper tool half 33, but there the longitudinal section runs off-center. Figure 33 (as in Figure 31) also shows the already completely injection-molded insert part 6, after the two tool halves 33, 34 have been separated and the lower tool half 34 has been removed. In Figure 34, however, only the upper tool half 34 is shown without the insert part 6, so that the view is clear of the recesses 42 in the tool half 34, which define the shape of the webs 9 of the upper web structure 7 of the insert part 6. As can be seen, all of these recesses 42 run in the x-direction; recesses that could define the lower web structure 7, however, are missing.The smaller, dark view in Figure 34 also shows the upper tool half 33 cut at the same decentralized location (compare the dotted line in the top right view), but with the insert part 6 still located in the tool half; the webs 9 of the lower web structure 7, which protrude from the upper tool half 33 in the negative z-direction and run in the y-direction and are defined by the lower tool half 34 (not shown), are clearly visible in the smaller, dark view.

[0122] In contrast to this, Figure 32 shows an example of an insert part which is previously known from the prior art, more precisely from WO 2021 123065 A1, and which forms a grating. As can be seen from the detailed view, in particular from the block arrow, the webs of the upper web structure protrude straight into the half-space occupied by the webs of the lower web structure. This means that in this insert part, the two web structures (which each have webs running in the x- and y-direction) are not separated or separable from one another by a plane, but rather the web structures of the grid overlap (in the z-direction). In Figure 32 there is therefore no position of an xy-separation plane which would make it possible to separate the two web structures from one another. In Figure 31, however, this is precisely the xy-plane which coincides with the tool parting plane 11.In summary, for the simplified production of an insert part 6 which has two web structures 7, each forming a plurality of webs 9, it is proposed that the insert part 6 be produced by a casting process such that the two web structures 7 touch each other in respective contact surfaces 32, but nevertheless remain separated from each other by a tool parting plane 11. This has the advantage that the respective outer contour of the webs 9 of the respective web structure 7 can be defined exclusively with a respective tool part 33 / 34, without an offset of the respective other tool part 34 / 33 having a negative effect on the shape of the webs 9.

[0123] / List of reference symbols

[0124] List of reference symbols jet regulator, splitter unit, outlet unit, receiving space (arranged between 2 and 3) housing (surrounds 4) insert part (inserted in 4) web structure (imaginary) plane web (formed by 7) mold parting line, mold parting plane, contact point, stacking arrangement, (axial) insertion direction, alignment aid, through-channel (formed by 7) web side surfaces (of 9) web interspace, inwardly directed web surfaces, radial plane, projection, recess, lower axial profile (of 6) upper axial profile (of 6) injection point, slot, injection-molded part, circumference, cross-connection (between 9), demolding direction, flow direction, contact surface, first mold part (in particular first mold half) second mold part (in particular second mold half) 35 branching point (between 7)

[0125] 36 Turning Point

[0126] 37 sanitary fittings

[0127] 38 O-ring 39 Front strainer

[0128] 40 flow regulators

[0129] 41 cast flags

[0130] 42 Recess (in 33 / 34 to define 7)

[0131] 43 outside of 7

Claims

Claims Insert part (6) , in particular for insertion into a receiving chamber (4) of a jet regulator (1) , - wherein the insert part (6) is permeable to water along a flow direction (31), characterized in that - that the insert part (6) is composed of two web structures (7) arranged in two superimposed planes (8) and each having a plurality of webs (9), and - that the two bridge structures (7) are each separated from each other by a tool parting line (11). Insert part (6) according to claim 1, - wherein the webs (9) of the upper web structure (7) connect to the webs (9) of the lower web structure (7) Touch laugh (32) cross, - in particular wherein webs (9) of the same web structure (7) branch at branching points (35), and / or - wherein at the points of contact (12) of the two web structures (7) the respective webs (9) extend at an angle β to each other. Insert part (6) according to claim 1 or 2, - wherein the crossing angle β is dimensioned such that the area of ​​each contact surface (32) of the intersecting webs (9) in the tool parting plane (11) is at most three times the square of the width of the respective web (9), measured perpendicular to a direction of travel of the web (9). and / or - where the following applies to the crossing angle β: β > 20°, preferably and β < 90°. Insert part (6) according to one of the preceding claims - wherein the at least two web structures (7) of the insert part (6) - are joined or formed in one piece and / or - are manufactured as an injection-molded part (27), - in particular using two tool parts (33, 44), especially two injection mold halves, which abut each other in the mold parting line (11). Insert part (6) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the insert part (6) has at least one web structure (7) has its webs (9) , at least partially, not parallel, in particular at angles of less than 90° to each other, - preferably and thus form branching points (35). Insert part (6) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein at least one of the two web structures (7) has webs (9) which exhibit an S-shaped profile in said plane (8), in particular with two inflection points (36). Insert part (6) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the two web structures (7) from which the insert part (6) is composed form different types of web spaces (18), - in particular as elongated slots (26) in an upper plane (8) and as honeycomb-shaped free spaces (18) in a lower plane (8). Insert part (6) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the said tool parting plane (11) is an xy-plane and divides the insert part (6) into the two web structures (7), and / or - wherein the two web structures (7) are, in particular, strictly symmetrical to each other with respect to the tool parting line (11). Insert part (6) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two web structures (7) are so symmetrical to each other that the two web structures (7) can be rotated by an imaginary 180° rotation about an x-axis lying in the tool parting line (11) and - by rotation by an angle cp about a z-axis oriented perpendicular to the tool parting line (11) and / or - are interconvertible by displacement along a y-axis lying in the tool parting plane (11) and / or along the x-axis. Insert part (6) according to the preceding claim, wherein the angle cp = 360° / N is formed as an integer division of 360°, in particular with cp = 90° or cp = 120°. Insert part (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, - wherein the two planes (8) are each radially and perpendicularly oriented with respect to the flow direction (31) and / or - wherein all web surfaces (19) of the webs (9) of each web structure (7) oriented towards the tool parting plane (11) lie in a respective radial plane (20) with respect to the flow direction (31), - preferably wherein these web surfaces (19) are planar and are located in the tool parting line (11) lie . Insert part (6) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein at least one, in particular both, of the web structures (7) between the webs (9) forms, in particular hexagonal or triangular, web spaces (18) in the form of honeycombs, - preferably wherein several such honeycomb-shaped web spaces (18) are arranged along a secant with respect to a circumference of the web structure (7) and are separated from one another by respective webs (9). Insert part (6) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the respective webs (9) of the two web structures (7) each form axially aligned side surfaces (17) in an insertion direction (14) of the insertion part (6), which run coaxially to each other, and / or - that through the spaces (18) between the webs (9) are formed passage channels (16) which are aligned in the direction of flow (31) and are bounded by the webs (9), - particularly preferably wherein the webs (9) of the two web structures (7) of the respective insert part (6) are arranged relative to each other such that the through-channels (16) of the respective insert part (6) run straight and / or without swirl in the flow direction (31). Insert part (6) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein both web structures (7) each have non-increasing, in particular constant or tapered, cross-sections pointing away from the tool parting line (11) everywhere. Aerator (1) with - a disassembly unit (2) and a Discharge unit (3) and an intermediate receiving chamber (4) which is surrounded by a housing (5), - wherein at least one insert part (6) through which water can flow is inserted in the receiving chamber (4), characterized in that - that at least one insert part (6) is configured according to one of the preceding claims. Aerator (1) according to claim 15, - wherein at least two of the insert parts (6) are arranged one above the other in a stacking arrangement (13) in an axial insertion direction (14) in the receiving space (4), - preferably wherein the at least two insert parts (6) are of the same or identical design to each other and / or - are arranged rotated relative to each other by an angle α about the insertion direction (14) and / or - wherein the receiving space (4) with the insert part in place (6) is exclusively permeable through through channels (16) formed by the at least one insert part (6). Aerator (1) according to claim 15 or 16, - wherein the aerator (1) has an insert according to claim 10 and - where a = cp / 2, so in particular - a = 45° with cp = 90° or for example - a = 60° with cp = 120° . Aerator (1) according to one of claims 15 to 17, - wherein axially aligned through channels (16) in the insertion direction (14), which are formed by one of the insertion parts (6), are at least partially, by a Bridge structure (7) of an adjacent insert part (6) of the Stack arrangement (13), in particular by a branching point (35) of two webs (9) of one of the web structures (7), are concealed with respect to the insertion direction (14), and / or - wherein axially aligned through channels (16) in the insertion direction (14), formed by one of the insertion parts (6), meet in the stacking arrangement (13) a contact point (12) of the two web structures (7) of an adjacent insertion part (6) of the stacking arrangement (13), - in particular such that, with respect to the entire stacking arrangement (13), a cross-sectional area occupied by a respective through-channel (16) is not completely permeable to water flow in the axial direction. Aerator (1) according to one of claims 15 to 18, - wherein the at least two insertion parts (6) are aligned to each other with respect to a relative rotation angle α about the insertion direction (14) by means of respective alignment aids (15) which engage in the insertion direction (14), - preferably, where the respective alignment aids (15) are formed integrally with the respective web structure (7), particularly preferably in the form of axial and corresponding projections (21) and recesses (22). Aerator (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 19, - wherein at least one of the insertion parts (6) has upper and lower alignment aids (15) which are aligned with each other with respect to an insertion direction (14). Aerator (1) according to one of claims 15 to 20, - where at least four, in particular at least six, Alignment aids (15) are formed along a circumference of one of the at least two insert parts (6), which point axially in the same direction, preferably and evenly distributed along the circumference, - in particular such that the relative rotation angle α is at most 45°, in particular at most 30°. Aerator (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 21, - wherein each of the at least two insert parts (6) can be arranged with an identical copy of itself in a compact stacking arrangement (13), in which a lower axial profile (23) of the insert part (6) engages in an upper axial profile (24) of the insert part (6), wherein in such a stacking arrangement (13) the two identical insert parts (6) used are arranged rotated relative to each other by an angle α about an insertion direction (14). Aerator (1) according to one of claims 15 to 22, - wherein the at least two insert parts (6) are all identically shaped to each other and / or have been manufactured using the same two injection mold halves. Method for manufacturing an insert part (6), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 14 and / or for inserting it into a receiving chamber (4) of a flow regulator (1), in particular according to one of claims 15 to 23, - wherein the insert part (6) is manufactured as a casting, in particular by injection molding, characterized in that - that the insert part (6) is composed of two web structures (7) arranged in two superimposed planes (8) and each of which has a multitude train at jetties (9), and - that a first tool part (33) is used to form a first of the two web structures (7) during casting, while a second of the two web structures (7) is formed only with a second tool part (34) during casting. / Summary

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