Valve device for installing on sanitary fittings

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve device for installing on the outlet of a sanitary fitting, comprising a sleeve-shaped valve part (1) for securing to the outlet (13) of the sanitary fitting, said valve part comprising a blocking element (4) which is movably arranged in the interior of the valve part (1) and which can be moved from a closed position for an in-flowing liquid flow to an open position for conducting the liquid flow by means of a cam (10) that is secured to a shaft (3) of an actuation element (9), wherein the shaft (3) crosses the valve part (1) and is rotatably mounted on the valve part (1) by means of the actuation element (9). According to the invention, the valve part (1) has two diametrically opposed and axially running slots (8), and a sleeve part (2) is provided which comprises two diametrically opposed, radially protruding webs (7) that run in the axial direction of the sleeve part (1) and can be inserted into the slots (8) of the valve part (1) in a precisely fitting manner. The valve part (1) and the inserted sleeve part (2) leave open radial openings which form the rotary bearing of the shaft (3). In this manner, a mechanically simple device is facilitated for saving water.

Description

[0001] VALVE DEVICE FOR MONTAGEAN SANITARY FITTINGS

[0002] The invention relates to a valve device with a sleeve-shaped valve part for attachment to a liquid outlet with a shut-off body movably arranged inside the valve part, which shut-off body can be moved by means of a cam fastened to a shaft of an actuating member from a closed position for a liquid flow flowing into the valve part to an open position for passing the liquid flow, wherein the shaft crosses the valve part and is rotatably mounted on the valve part by means of the actuating member which encompasses the valve part in a fork-like manner, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] A generic device is known from US 2006 / 0016496 A1. Further versions of such devices have been described in US 2010 / 0252115 A1, CN 201747941 U, CN 103899769 A and JP S57184370 U. Valve devices of this type are attached to a water outlet, for example a tap, and interrupt the water flow even when the water outlet is open. The water flow is only enabled when the actuating element is manually actuated, and only for the duration of the actuation of the actuating element. In practical use, the actuating element is actuated, for example, using a container to be filled, which is used to operate the actuating element when the container is placed below the water outlet. When washing hands, for example, the actuating element is actuated by the hands during the washing process.To wash your face, the actuator is activated with the hands when drawing in water. When the hands are brought to your face, the pressure is released again, immediately stopping the water flow. The purpose of such valve devices is to significantly reduce water consumption, which can be achieved with such devices. Practical experience with the use of such devices shows that water consumption can be reduced by up to 80%. This is because, due to carelessness or habit, the outlet tap is often left open longer than necessary in everyday life, causing significant amounts of water to flow away unused. Conscious and economical use of this valuable resource is becoming ever more urgent in times of increasing drought.

[0004] Retrofitting outlet fittings with such a valve device can therefore be a valuable contribution to water conservation, but requires simple and cost-effective solutions. Conventional valve devices according to the state of the art mentioned above, however, are complex in design and consist of numerous components. They are therefore hardly cost-effective to implement and are prone to malfunctions and defects, primarily due to the technically complex transmission of the actuating movement from the actuator to the shut-off body.

[0005] It is therefore the aim of the invention to simplify the construction of known valve devices for attachment to a water outlet in such a way that they can be designed as cost-effectively, practically and robustly as possible.

[0006] These objects are achieved by the features of claim 1. Claim 1 relates to a valve device having a sleeve-shaped valve part for attachment to a liquid outlet with a shut-off body movably arranged inside the valve part, which shut-off body can be moved by means of a cam fastened to a shaft of an actuating member from a closed position for a liquid flow flowing into the valve part to an open position for passing the liquid flow, wherein the shaft crosses the valve part and is rotatably mounted on the valve part by means of the actuating member which encompasses the valve part in a fork-like manner.According to the invention, it is proposed that the sleeve-shaped valve part has two diametrically opposed and axially extending slots, each opening into a lower peripheral edge of the sleeve-shaped valve part, and a sleeve part is provided with two diametrically opposed, radially projecting webs that run in the axial direction of the sleeve part and can be inserted into the slots of the valve part with a precise fit in an axial insertion direction, wherein the valve part and the inserted sleeve part leave out radial openings that form the pivot bearing of the shaft. The design according to the invention realizes an essentially two-part construction that is easy to plug together and thus cost-effective to manufacture, namely consisting of the valve part and the sleeve part. During factory assembly, the sleeve part only needs to be inserted with its lateral webs into the lateral slots of the valve part.Once put together, the valve part and the sleeve part already form the pivot bearing for the shaft of the actuating element.

[0007] The shaft and the actuating element are preferably designed such that the actuating element is designed as a lever arm, which at its first end engages the valve part in a fork-like manner and supports the shaft, and at its second end is pivotable about the shaft axis in the shaft's pivot bearing. When assembling the device, the shaft of the actuating element can thus be inserted into the lateral slots of the valve part before the sleeve part is inserted. The valve device, including the actuating element, is thus fully assembled.

[0008] It is preferably provided that the webs of the sleeve part and the slots of the valve part form a non-detachable connection by positive locking when the sleeve part is fully inserted. "Non-detachable" is understood to mean a connection that at least cannot be removed without tools. The valve device no longer needs to be disassembled on the consumer side, so a permanent connection is advantageous.

[0009] In practical applications, it may also be advantageous, exceptionally, to not have to continuously operate the actuating element in order to allow water to flow, for example when filling a larger container such as a bucket or the like. Therefore, it is preferably proposed that the lever arm have an opening in which a locking rocker is pivotally mounted. This locking rocker is arranged in the opening in an inactive position and can be pivoted into an active position supported on the valve part, in which the shut-off body of the valve part remains in its open position. When the lever arm is actuated again, the locking mechanism releases automatically via gravity.

[0010] In order to improve the hold of the locking rocker in its active position, it can further be provided that the valve part has a radially projecting holding shoulder on its outer casing for the locking rocker in its active position.

[0011] Of course, other locking designs would also be conceivable, for example by snapping the lever arm into place, twisting the lever arm, moving the lever arm laterally in a linear manner, or by compressing or pulling apart the fork-like design of the lever arm.

[0012] The shut-off body can be designed as a ball, for example, which, in its closed position, is located in an inner sealing seat of the valve part. In its closed position, the ball rests in the sealing seat, which, for example, is designed as a cross-sectional constriction of the valve part provided with a sealing ring. The ball is pressed into the sealing seat by its own weight and, when water flows in, also by the water pressure. The cam on the shaft can lift the ball from its sealing seat, allowing water to flow through.

[0013] A further structural simplification can be achieved by providing the sleeve part with an outlet strainer. A strainer is usually screwed into the water outlet. When the valve device is mounted on the consumer side at the water outlet, this strainer is unscrewed and replaced by the valve part of the valve device according to the invention, to which the sleeve part with the outlet strainer is attached.

[0014] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with the aid of the accompanying figures.

[0015] Fig. 1 is an overview of the structural design of an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the valve part according to Fig. 1,

[0016] Fig. 2b is a side view of the valve part according to Fig. 2a,

[0017] Fig. 2c is a sectional view of the valve part along the section plane AA according to Fig. 2b,

[0018] Fig. 3a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sleeve part according to Fig. 1,

[0019] Fig. 3b is a view of the sleeve part according to Fig. 3a seen from below,

[0020] Fig. 3c is a sectional view of the sleeve part along the section plane BB according to Fig. 3d,

[0021] Fig. 3d is a side view of the sleeve part according to Fig. 3a,

[0022] Fig. 4a and 4b are perspective views of an embodiment of the actuating member according to Fig. 1,

[0023] Fig. 4c a side view of the actuating member according to the

[0024] Fig. 4a,

[0025] Fig. 4d is a sectional view of the actuating member along the section plane AA according to Fig. 4c,

[0026] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the locking rocker according to Fig. 1,

[0027] Fig. 6 is a view of a valve device to be mounted on a water outlet according to Fig. 1,

[0028] Fig. 7 is a view of a valve device mounted on a water outlet according to Fig. 1 in the unused state,

[0029] Fig. 8 is a view of a valve device mounted on a water outlet according to Fig. 1 in an operating state, and

[0030] Fig. 9 shows a representation of a valve device according to Fig. 1 mounted on a water outlet in an operating state with the locking rocker activated. Reference is first made to Fig. 1, which shows an overview of the structural design of a possible embodiment of a valve device according to the invention, and to Figs. 2-5, which show individual components of Fig. 1 in detail. The structural design comprises a valve part 1, into which a sleeve part 2 can be inserted, wherein the valve part 1 and the inserted sleeve part 2 leave radial openings that form a pivot bearing for a shaft 3, as will be described in more detail below. In an upper region of the valve part 1, a shut-off body 4 is received, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a ball. The ball rests on a sealing ring 5, which rests on an inner cross-sectional constriction 18 of the valve part 1 (see also Fig. 2c).This cross-sectional constriction 18 defines an axial passage opening 19 to the lower region of the valve part 1, to which the sleeve part 2 is held. The ball resting on the sealing ring 5 protrudes into the passage opening 19, whereby the cross-sectional constriction 18, together with the resting sealing ring 5, forms a sealing seat for the ball. An upper edge region of the valve part 1 is provided with a thread 17 for mounting on a water outlet 13, such as a tap. A seal 6 can also be provided at the factory for this purpose, which serves to ensure tight mounting on a water outlet 13, such as a faucet (see also Fig. 6).

[0031] As already explained, the lower area of ​​the valve part 1 serves to fasten the sleeve part 2. For this purpose, the sleeve part 2 has two diametrically opposed, radially projecting webs 7, which run in the axial direction of the sleeve part 2 and can be inserted precisely into two slots 8 of the valve part 1 (see also Fig. 3). The two slots 8 of the sleeve-shaped valve part 1 are also arranged diametrically opposite one another in the axial direction and each open into a lower edge of the sleeve-shaped valve part 1 (see also Fig. 2). The webs 7 of the sleeve part 2 and the slots 8 of the valve part 1 are precisely matched to one another in their respective shapes, whereby in the exemplary embodiment shown they have dovetail-like side surfaces, so that when the sleeve part 2 is fully inserted in an axial insertion direction E, they form a non-detachable connection through positive locking.

[0032] The sleeve part 2 is further provided with an outlet sieve 14, which is sometimes also referred to as aerator (see also Fig. 3b).

[0033] The actuating element 9 is designed as a lever arm which has a fork at its first end which engages around the valve part 1 and carries a shaft 3 which crosses the fork (see also Figs. 4a and 4b), and which can be pivoted with its second end about the shaft axis in the pivot bearing of the shaft 3. The actuating element 9 is inserted with the shaft 3 during factory assembly between the valve part 1 and the sleeve part 2 so that the shaft 3 crosses the valve part 1 and the sleeve part 2 and is mounted in the radial openings between the valve part 1 and the sleeve part 2. By pivoting the actuating element 9, the shaft 3 is also rotated about its axis in its pivot bearing formed by the radial openings.

[0034] A cam 10 is arranged approximately centrally on the shaft 3 in a rotationally fixed manner (see also Figs. 4a and 4b). The cam 10 thus moves with the rotation of the shaft 3. The cam 10 can be pivoted from an inactive position, in which it is located below the passage opening 19 described above and does not touch the ball, into an active position in which it enters the passage opening 19 and lifts the ball from the sealing seat. The inactive position of the cam 10 thus corresponds to the closed position of the shut-off body 4, which is designed as a ball, in which a water flow flowing into the upper area of ​​the valve part 1 is stopped. The active position of the cam 10 corresponds to the open position of the shut-off body 4 designed as a ball, in which a water flow flowing into the upper area of ​​the valve part 1 is passed through the passage opening 19 to the lower area of ​​the valve part 1 and flows out from there.The actuating member 9, designed as a lever arm, also has an opening 11 in which a locking rocker 12 (see Fig. 5) is pivotally mounted. In an inactive position according to Fig. 8, this locking rocker 12 is arranged in the opening 11 and can be pivoted into an active position according to Fig. 9, in which the locking rocker 12 is supported on the valve part 1. In this active position of the locking rocker 12, the cam 10 also remains in its active position, in which the shut-off body 4 of the valve part 1 is held in its open position. Due to the locking rocker 12, the actuating member 9 remains in its pivoted position, even when it is no longer manually actuated. For this purpose, the valve part 1 can have a radially projecting retaining shoulder 16 on its outer casing in order to better support the locking rocker 12 in its active position (see also Fig. 2a).

[0035] The general functioning of the valve device according to the invention can be seen in Figs. 7-9, which show a valve device attached to a water outlet 13 according to Figs. 1-5. Fig. 6 initially shows an illustration of a valve device to be mounted on a water outlet according to Fig. 1. To do this, the strainer, which is usually attached to the water outlet 13 of an outlet fitting and is also referred to as an aerator, is first unscrewed. Instead of the strainer, the valve part 1 of the valve device according to the invention is screwed in with its thread 17, on which the sleeve part 2 with the outlet strainer 14 (see also Fig. 3b) is also arranged. If necessary, the new seal 6 can also be used for this purpose.

[0036] When not in use, the water outlet 13 is blocked by a shut-off device 15, which in the example shown is designed as a mixer tap of an outlet fitting (see also Figs. 6 and 7). If water is desired, the shut-off device 15 can first be opened so that a water stream flows into the upper area of ​​the valve device. Due to the weight of the shut-off body 4 and the incoming water stream, the shut-off body 4, designed as a ball in the embodiment shown, is pressed into the sealing seat of the valve device, so that the passage of the water stream into the lower area of ​​the valve device is initially prevented. In this operating state, therefore, no water flows out of the valve device.

[0037] Only when the actuating element 9 is manually pivoted as shown in Fig. 8 is the shut-off body 4 lifted from its sealing seat via the cam 10, allowing the water flow to pass through the sealing seat and into the lower area of ​​the valve device, where it exits the valve device. As soon as the actuating element 9 is released, the incoming water flow pushes the shut-off body 4 back into the sealing seat, interrupting the water flow again.

[0038] As already explained, it can sometimes be advantageous to keep the valve device permanently open in exceptional cases, for example to fill a larger container. For this purpose, the locking rocker 12 must be pivoted from its inactive position according to Fig. 8 into its active position according to Fig. 9, in which the locking rocker 12 is supported on the valve part 1. The valve device is thus permanently in its open position. To release the fixation of the valve device in its open position, the locking rocker 12 can be manually pivoted back into the opening 11, so that when the actuating element 9 is released, the shut-off body 4, which is designed as a ball in the illustrated embodiment, is pressed into its closed position due to its own weight and the water pressure of the incoming water flow, whereby the water flow is stopped again.

[0039] In this way, an effective yet mechanically very simple device for saving water is realized, which is also cost-effective, practical to use and robust.

Claims

Patent claims: 1.Valve device with a sleeve-shaped valve part (1) for attachment to a liquid outlet (13) with a shut-off body (4) which is movably arranged inside the valve part (1) and which can be moved from a closed position for a liquid flow flowing into the valve part (1) into an open position for the passage of the liquid flow by means of a cam (10) fastened to a shaft (3) of an actuating member (9), wherein the shaft (3) crosses the valve part (1) and is fastened to the valve part (1) by means of the cam (10) of an actuating member (9). (1) fork-like enclosing actuating member (9), characterized in that the sleeve-shaped valve part (1) has two diametrically opposite and axially extending slots (8), which each open into a lower edge of the sleeve-shaped valve part (1) and a sleeve part (2) is provided with two diametrically opposed, radially projecting webs (7) which run in the axial direction of the sleeve part (1) and can be inserted precisely in an axial insertion direction (E) into the slots (8) of the valve part (1), wherein the valve part (1) and the inserted sleeve part (2) leave radial openings which hold the rotary bearing of the shaft (3) form.

2. Valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating member (9) is designed as a lever arm which at its first end engages around the valve part (1) in a fork-like manner and carries the shaft (3), and is pivotable with its second end about the shaft axis in the pivot bearing of the shaft (3).

3. Valve device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the webs (7) of the sleeve part (2) and the slots (8) of the valve part (1) form a non-detachable connection by positive locking when the sleeve part (2) is fully inserted.

4. Valve device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lever arm has an opening (11) in which a locking rocker (12) is pivotally mounted, which is arranged in an inactive position in the opening (11) and is pivotable into an active position supported on the valve part (1), in which the shut-off body (4) of the valve part (1) remains in its open position. 5.Valve device according to claim 4, characterized in that the valve part (1) has on its outer casing a radially projecting retaining shoulder (16) for the locking rocker (12) in its active position. 6.Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shut-off body (4) is designed as a ball which, in its closed position, is arranged in an inner sealing seat of the valve part (1). 7.Valve device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sleeve part (2) is provided with an outlet strainer (14).

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