Wash basin

Abstract

The invention relates to a wash basin (1) having a basin portion (2) and an outlet (4), wherein: the outlet (4) is located in an outlet region (3), which is introduced in a rear basin wall (5) delimiting the basin portion (2) in the form of a cavity; and the cavity is dimensioned such that its interior is accessible for manual cleaning using a rag.

Description

[0001] Bathroom sink

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention relates to a washbasin.

[0004] The recommendation of the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) “Hygiene requirements for wastewater systems in medical facilities” (Bdgesbl 2020, 63: 484-501) identifies, among other things, sinks as possible sources of nosocomial infections, especially through aerosol and droplet formation at the drain or when the water drains away.

[0005] In conventional sinks, the drain is usually located centrally in front of the back wall of the sink bowl. A drain fitting inserted into the drain fitting connects the sink to a dip tube of a siphon. The drain fitting is designed with more or less sharp edges in various places, with internal struts for mounting a grate, a perforated plate, or a plug to cover the drain at the top.

[0006] At all edges and undercuts of this device, the flow breaks off as the water drains away and forms aerosols that become contaminated by the biofilm on the struts and covers, which are difficult to clean and cannot be cleaned without tools.

[0007] The falling water falls onto the water surface in the siphon, also releasing aerosols. The siphon is inherently colonized and cannot be completely and permanently cleaned either mechanically or chemically.

[0008] DE 10 2020 124 823 A1 describes a washbasin for rooms with increased hygiene requirements. The washbasin has a basin-shaped recess formed by a basin wall and a drain extending from a low point of the recess, to which a drain connection for connection to a wastewater line can be attached. The basin wall is formed in one piece and has a flat connecting surface on the outside next to the recess, to which a sealing surface of the drain connection can be attached. The drain is a passage that extends straight and diagonally downwards through the basin wall from the low point of the recess to the connecting surface.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of providing a novel washbasin.

[0010] The object is achieved according to the invention by a washbasin having the features of claim 1.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] In the context of the present application, the terms top, bottom and side refer to an installation position of the washbasin at an installation location.

[0013] A wash basin is proposed, comprising a basin recess and a drain, wherein the drain is arranged in a drain area which is introduced in the form of a cavern in a rear basin wall delimiting the basin recess, wherein the cavern is dimensioned such that its interior is accessible for cleaning by hand and cloth.

[0014] To ensure adequate shielding from splash water and aerosols from the downpipe or siphon, the installation depth of the cavern can be assumed to be at least twice the downpipe diameter. With a downpipe diameter of 40mm, the installation depth of the cavern is at least 80mm. A standard pool with a width of, for example, 600mm to 700mm usually has a rear pool wall with a depth of 125mm to 135mm. At least 45mm remains, sufficient space for the installation of a space-saving siphon. With a installation depth of the cavern of approximately 80mm and symmetrical parabolic side walls, the design results in a cavern width of approximately 300mm to 350mm, with the lateral contour of the cavern blending seamlessly into the rear pool wall.

[0015] The cavity, including the first few centimeters of the drain, should be completely cleanable without any tools other than hands and a rag. The maximum height of the cavity from the pool wall is therefore determined by the dimensions of a hand, for example, a glove size 8 with a palm thickness of approximately 40 mm to 45 mm.

[0016] In one embodiment, the cavern is designed in the form of a confuser with a continuously tapered flow cross-section.

[0017] In one embodiment, a width of the cavern at the rear pool wall is greater than a height of the cavern at the rear pool wall.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cavern has a ceiling sloping towards the drain.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cavern is provided with large transition radii of at least 5 mm towards the drain and the rear wall of the basin.

[0020] In one embodiment, the confuser has lateral contours, each shaped as a parabola, part of a parabola, or similar to a part of a parabola up to the height of the center of the outlet. The parabolic shape was chosen because it reliably increases the flow velocity over a large area without causing excessive turbulence. In one embodiment, a rear contour of the confuser, adjoining the lateral contours and surrounding the outlet from the height of the center of the outlet, is shaped as a circular arc or similar to a circular arc.

[0021] In one embodiment, an opening of the confuser in the rear wall of the pool has the shape of an ellipse, apart from the bottom of the pool bowl.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cavern has a floor whose inclination follows an inclination of a floor of the basin depression up to a transition to the drain.

[0023] In one embodiment, a contour of the ceiling up to the transition radius to the rear pool wall is shaped as a parabolic load or similar to a parabolic load.

[0024] In one embodiment, the drain is formed as a vertical circular opening in the bottom of the drain area, in particular at a rear end of the drain area.

[0025] In one embodiment, a transition piece is mounted on the drain, to which a siphon, in particular a dry siphon having a dip pipe, is connected to the dip pipe, wherein the siphon further comprises a valve housing in which a movable valve is arranged as an odor trap.

[0026] In one embodiment, the valve has a (for example circular) valve cover and a valve seat, which are sealed against each other with sealing material and are odor-tight when closed. One or two magnets are arranged to preload the valve cover against the valve seat with a defined preload force towards the closed state. The preload force is dimensioned such that the valve cover opens against the preload force when a certain static pressure of a water column from the drain that has built up in front of the valve is exceeded. In one embodiment, one of the magnets is arranged on the valve cover. The other magnet can be arranged on the valve seat. A further magnet is arranged and oriented on the valve housing in such a way that it has a repulsive effect on the magnet arranged on the valve cover and limits the movement of the valve cover away from the valve seat.

[0027] In one embodiment, the valve cover has a raised side edge and completely encompasses an upturned edge of the valve seat.

[0028] In the washbasin according to the invention, the drain is relocated from the basin recess to the rear wall, but not as a slit-shaped hole as in the above-mentioned document DE 10 2020 124 823 A1, but as a fully cleanable, aerosol-preventing cavity, which is dimensioned so that its interior is accessible for cleaning with hands and a cloth. The drain area is therefore easy to clean, unlike in the aforementioned document. Furthermore, the transition to the actual drain is not designed with sharp edges, but preferably provided with large transition radii, so that an abrupt change in direction of the draining water film at the drain, with corresponding turbulence and aerosol formation, is prevented or reduced. Due to the good accessibility of the drain area and the drain located therein in the washbasin according to the invention, bacterial contamination can also be reduced here.The floor of the cavity can be designed so that runoff water is directed into the concealed drain with minimal turbulence, thus preventing aerosol formation. The ceiling of the cavity can be designed so that residual aerosols can drain backwards independently, in any case avoiding the basin's recess and thus the proximity of the user, which could pose a contamination risk. This contributes significantly to reducing germ contamination during washing.

[0029] The washbasin is therefore ideally suited for use in healthcare and elderly care facilities to help prevent nosocomial infections. For this reason, the washbasin is also suitable for use in public facilities, such as government offices, schools, daycare centers, public restrooms on highways, in city centers, train stations, and in accessible restrooms, as well as for private use, such as in home care settings, especially when the washbasin must or should be cleaned less frequently for cost or organizational reasons.

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0031] Showing:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a washbasin,

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the washbasin,

[0034] Figure 3 is another schematic sectional view of the washbasin,

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of the washbasin with a siphon, and

[0036] Figures 5A to 5E schematically show the operation of the siphon.

[0037] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a washbasin 1 according to the present invention. The washbasin 1 has a basin 2 and a drainage area 3 with a drain 4, which is suitable for a hygiene-relevant area of ​​use (for example, healthcare areas such as hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, etc.). The design features of the washbasin 1 reduce or prevent the formation of potentially bacterially contaminated aerosols through streamlined water flow and relocate them from the immediate contamination area of ​​a user. Furthermore, quick, easy, and complete cleaning, without tools and obstacles, is enabled at least almost all areas of the washbasin 1.

[0039] To prevent aerosol formation on biofilms and other colonized surfaces, the drain area 3 is arranged in a flow-optimized shape in a rear basin wall 5 of the washbasin 1 instead of in the basin recess 2. Thus, fittings with sharp edges, undercut covers, and mechanisms inserted from above into the drain 4, as known from the state of the art, are avoided, so that the snagging and accumulation of hair, soap, and other dirt residues does not occur or this is greatly reduced.

[0040] The discharge area 3 is designed for aerodynamic efficiency in the form of a confuser 3. This has a continuously tapered flow cross-section in order to continuously increase the flow velocity of the draining water film and to guide it along appropriately rounded edges into a transition piece 6 and immersion pipe without tearing and with low turbulence.

[0041] The confuser 3 forms a shallow cavity (also referred to as a cavern) with a continuously inclined ceiling 7, which shields any aerosols and splash water from the immersion pipe that may occur and allows splash water droplets to drain into the drain 4, which is located at a rear end of the drain area 3, i.e., away from the basin basin 2. The basin basin 2 itself remains free of, for example, bacterially contaminated aerosols and splash water from the drain 4, except for the unavoidable. A further advantage of this arrangement is that when a faucet is opened, a building up water jet cannot sweep over the drain 4, so that no splash water is generated in the siphon.

[0042] The cavern itself is dimensioned so that it is accessible for simple maintenance cleaning using only hands and a cloth. For this purpose, the cavern's side edges are provided with large transition radii.

[0043] The transition piece 6, which is shaped to match the drain 4, is mounted directly and firmly under the washbasin 1 and is used to connect the immersion pipe.

[0044] The form and function of the Konfusor 3 are described below.

[0045] Figure 1 shows, by way of example, a schematic plan view of a wash basin 1 with a kidney-shaped floor plan, for example with a width of 650 mm, a depth of 470 mm, and a height of 181 mm. The funnel-shaped confuser 3 is embedded in the rear basin wall 5. The basin trough 2 has an inclination of, for example, at least 6° in the direction of the confuser 3. In Figure 1, a lateral contour 8 of the confuser 3 up to the height of a center of the drain 4 is shaped, for example, as a parabola or part of a parabola, or at least similarly. A rear contour 9 of the confuser 3 around the drain 4 from the height of the center of the drain 4 is shaped, for example, as an arc of a circle or similar to a arc of a circle. In an exemplary embodiment, the width of the confuser 3 at its attachment in the rear basin wall 5 corresponds to half the width of the basin trough 2 at its upper edge. For example, the depth of the confuser 3 corresponds to twice the diameter of the drain 4.Figure 1 is a projection of the pool contour at the level of the inclined plane of the pool basin 2, neglecting the transition radii, since the contour 9 could not be fully shown due to the always inclined surface, which is never flat in one plane, and the transition radii. Figure 2 shows the drain area 3 schematically in frontal cross-section or in frontal projection. In this perspective, the opening of the confuser 3 in the rear pool wall 5, apart from a base 10 of the pool basin 2, follows, for example, an ellipse whose major semi-axis has a length corresponding, for example, to half the width of the pool basin 2 at its upper edge. The height of the opening of the confuser 3 in the rear pool wall 5 is selected, for example, to enable unobstructed cleaning by hand and cloth. For example, the height corresponds approximately to the simple diameter of the drain 4.At the center of the drain 4, the parabolic lateral contour 8 of the confuser 3 merges seamlessly into the circular rear contour 9 surrounding the drain 4. All transitions leading from the confuser 3 into the actual drain 4 are provided with radii 11 so that the draining water film can follow the contours without interruption. Transition radii 12 from the basin trough 2 into the confuser 3 (see Figure 3) are sufficiently large, for example, at least 5 mm, for unobstructed cleaning.

[0046] On the underside of the washbasin 1, a transition piece 6 is mounted on the drain 4, to which the immersion pipe of the siphon can be connected.

[0047] Figure 2 is also a projection, similar to Figure 1. Here, there are three cutting or projection planes simultaneously:

[0048] 1. A section through the center of the drain 4 shows the centrally cut drain 4 and the curves resulting on the cutting plane as well as the contour 9 of the cavern in this cutting plane.

[0049] 2. A projection along the rear wall of the tank (5) to show the contour of the opening of the cavern (the confuser). The opening traces the line where the vertically flat rear wall transitions into the transition radii.

[0050] 3. A section through the pool, approximately at the point where the large-radius curves adjoining the rear pool wall flow into the short, parallel side pool edges. Figure 3 is a schematic view of the drainage area 3 in lateral cross-section. The base 13 of the confuser 3 follows the slope of the base 10 of the pool basin 2. The transition to the drain 4 is circularly rounded on all sides and has, for example, a radius 11 that can also be at least 5 mm. The contour of the upper boundary or ceiling 7 of the confuser 3 is designed so that adhering droplets are automatically drained into the drain 4. For example, the contour of the upper boundary 7 up to the transition radius 12 to the rear pool wall 5 is shaped as a parabolic curve or with a similar shape. The drain 4 itself can be designed as a vertical circular opening in the base 13 of the drainage area 3.

[0051] The washbasin 1 described above is compatible with conventional odor traps, especially bottle and other space-saving siphons.

[0052] Siphons are generally characterized by a simple design principle without any mechanical components or other moving parts: an S-shaped pipe or a bottle-like, widened pipe section is permanently filled with water, thus preventing odors from the sewer system from escaping into the siphon's dip tube. The constant water filling and the complex fluidic exchange of the siphon's contents result in a persistent bacterial colonization of all surfaces in the siphon and its contents. Aerosols formed on these surfaces and the water surface of the dip tube are therefore bacterially contaminated.

[0053] The above-described washbasin 1 prevents aerosols from escaping into the patient area. The efficiency of washbasin 1 can be increased if it is operated with a (at least largely) water-free odor trap.

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of the sink 1 with a siphon 14, in particular a dry siphon 14. The siphon 14 and its components are shown in several views. A movable flap (valve) serves as an odor trap. The flow of water from the sink 1 into the siphon 14 opens this valve. The lack of water in the siphon 14, with its dissolved nutrients, prevents significant biofilm formation. Water flowing into the siphon 14 and the resulting aerosols cannot be contaminated.

[0055] The siphon 14 is connected to the washbasin 1 by means of a union nut 15 and a seal (not shown). A short immersion pipe 16 (e.g., DN40) leads into a valve housing 17, for example, which is circular (e.g., with a diameter of approximately 60 mm), into which a valve seat 18 is inserted (particularly in the center). The valve housing 17 is closed at the front with a cover 19 (e.g., by means of a thread or bayonet lock). The valve can be replaced, the valve housing 17 cleaned, or foreign objects removed through an opening in the valve housing 17 closed by the cover 19. At the rear, the valve housing 17 opens into an outgoing pipe 20 (e.g., DN32), which is connected to a conventional wall pipe 21 with a union nut and a seal (not shown). The valve consists of a valve cover 22, for example, which is circular, and the valve seat 18.The valve cover 22 has a folded side edge and completely encloses a corresponding folded edge of the valve seat 18. The valve cover 22 and the valve seat 18 are sealed against each other at their circumferential edges with sealing material and are odor-tight when closed. The valve is held together by means of two small magnets 23, 24 (e.g., neodymium magnets), one of which is attached centrally to the valve cover 22 and the other centrally to the valve seat 18 (e.g., connected to the circular valve seat via a correspondingly shaped web). A third magnet 25 is positioned and oriented inside the valve housing 17 in such a way that it repels the magnet 23 and limits the movement of the valve cover 22 toward the interior of the valve housing 17, so that the valve cover 22 can only open halfway and cannot be released from the valve seat 18 due to the dynamic water pressure of the flowing water.This state is shown in Figures 5 C and D. Figures 5A to 5E show the operation of the siphon 14. In Figure 5A, water flows from the sink 1 into the front part of the valve housing 17 and accumulates in front of the closed valve. In Figure 5B, the static pressure of the accumulated water column in front of the valve exceeds the mutual attraction of the two magnets 23, 24. The valve opens and the dynamic pressure of the flowing out water deflects the lower part of the valve cover 22 (arrow), while the upper part remains in contact with the valve seat 18. In Figure 5C, the valve is open and remains open as long as water flows in from the sink 1 and the dynamic pressure of the flowing out water is sufficiently high. The repulsive effect of the magnet 25 on the magnet 23 prevents the valve cover 22 from being deflected too far into the valve housing 17 and thereby losing its contact with the valve seat 18.

[0056] In Figure 5D, no more water flows. The valve remains open until the dynamic pressure of the outflowing water is no longer sufficient to overcome the mutual attraction of the magnets 23, 24. The valve cover 22 is pulled back over the edge of the valve seat 18 by the magnet 24, and the valve is closed (arrow). Figure 5E shows that a small amount of water remains in front of the valve. At approximately 30 ml to 40 ml, this is significantly less than a filled 40' tubular siphon (approx. 250 ml) and has no direct contact with the wall pipe 21, which is particularly densely populated due to its direct contact with the wastewater system. It is conceivable to open the valve cover 22 manually using a button operated from the outside and allow the remaining water to drain away, so that the siphon 14 becomes completely dry.

[0057] Bathroom sink

[0058] basin trough

[0059] Drainage area, confusing

[0060] Drain rear pool wall

[0061] transition piece

[0062] Ceiling side contour rear contour

[0063] Floor

[0064] radius

[0065] Transition radius

[0066] Floor

[0067] Siphon, dry siphon

[0068] union nut

[0069] dip tube

[0070] valve housing

[0071] valve seat

[0072] Lid

[0073] Pipe

[0074] Wall pipe

[0075] valve cover

[0076] magnet

[0077] magnet

[0078] magnet

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS E Wash basin (1), comprising a basin recess (2) and a drain (4), wherein the drain (4) is arranged in a drain area (3) which is introduced in the form of a cavern in a rear basin wall (5) delimiting the basin recess (2), wherein the cavern is dimensioned such that its interior is accessible for cleaning by hand and cloth.

2. Wash basin (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is in the form of a confuser (3) is designed with a continuously tapered flow cross-section.

3. Wash basin (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a width of the cavity on the rear basin wall (5) is greater than a height of the cavity on the rear basin wall (5).

4. Wash basin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavern has a ceiling (7) sloping towards the drain (4).

5. Wash basin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity is provided with large transition radii of in particular at least 5 mm towards the drain (4) and the rear basin wall (5).

6. Wash basin (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the confuser (3) has lateral contours (8) which each extend up to the height of a center of the drain (4) are shaped as a parabola, part of a parabola or similar to a part of a parabola.

7. Wash basin (1) according to claim 6, wherein a rear contour (9) of the confuser (3) adjoining the lateral contours (8) around the drain (4) is shaped as a circular arc or similar to a circular arc from the height of the center of the drain (4).

8. Wash basin (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein an opening of the confuser (3) in the rear basin wall (5) has the shape of an ellipse apart from the bottom (10) of the basin recess (2).

9. Wash basin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a floor (13) of the cavern follows an inclination of a floor (10) of the basin recess (2).

10. Wash basin (1) according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein a contour of the ceiling (7) up to the transition radius (12) to the rear basin wall (5) is shaped as a parabolic load or similar to a parabolic load.

11. Wash basin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drain (4) is designed as a vertical circular opening in the bottom (13) of the drain area (3).

12. Wash basin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a transition piece (6) is mounted on the drain (4), to which a siphon (14) having a dip pipe (16) is connected to the dip pipe (16), wherein the siphon (14) further comprises a valve housing (17) in which a movable valve is arranged as an odor trap.

13. Wash basin (1) according to claim 12, wherein the valve comprises a valve cover (22) and a valve seat (18) which are sealed against each other with sealing material and are odor-tight in the closed state, wherein one or two magnets (23, 24) for prestressing the valve cover (22) against the valve seat (18) with a defined prestressing force to the closed state are arranged, wherein the prestressing force is dimensioned such that the valve cover (22) opens counter to the prestressing force when a certain static pressure of a water column accumulated in front of the valve from the outlet (4) is exceeded.

14. Wash basin (1) according to claim 13, wherein one of the magnets (23) is arranged on the valve cover (22), wherein a further magnet (25) is arranged and oriented on the valve housing (17) such that it has a repulsive effect on the magnet (23) arranged on the valve cover (22) and limits the movement of the valve cover (22) away from the valve seat (18).

15. Wash basin (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the valve cover (22) has a raised side edge and completely encompasses an upturned edge of the valve seat (18).

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