Sanitary Equipment Fittings and Sanitary Equipment

Abstract

A fitting (1) for a sanitary device (2) with at least one first fluid passage (3) and one second fluid passage (4), the first fluid passage (3) being fluidically connectable via a first connection part (5) of the fitting (1) to a fixedly installed first liquid line (6) arranged outside the fitting (1) and the second fluid passage (4) being fluidically connectable via a second connection part (7) of the fitting (1) to a fixedly installed second liquid line (8) arranged outside the fitting (1), the fitting (1) having at least one first receiving part (9) for a first adapter element (10), the first adapter element (10) forming the first connection part (5) and being positionable at least in a first position (11) and a second position (12) in the first receiving part (9).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fitting for a sanitary device and to a sanitary device, the fitting being for example a thermostatic mixing fitting, capable of supplying mixed water having a desired mixed water temperature, in particular to a washbasin, a sink, a shower and / or a bathtub. [Background technology]

[0002] The fitting in particular has two connections, via which the fitting can be connected to a liquid line provided outside the fitting.

[0003] A thermostatic mixer fitting typically includes a thermostatic mixer that mixes cold and hot water to form a mixed water having a desired mixed water temperature. Such a fitting may be coupled to, for example, a liquid line conducting cold water and a liquid line conducting hot water.

[0004] For example, liquid lines laid in walls have a defined distance from one another (also called "pitch"), which may have a certain tolerance, so that in some cases the coupling of the fitting to the connection is difficult or can only be achieved with a distortion of the liquid lines. Furthermore, in different countries, specific standard dimensions are defined for this distance of the liquid lines, so that the fittings must be dimensioned accordingly in view of the respective existing standards. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described in connection with the prior art and in particular to propose a fitting which can be used for various standard dimensions, in particular the spacing or pitch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] These problems are solved by the features of the independent claims. Further preferred configurations of the invention are described in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features described individually in the dependent claims can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful manner to define further configurations of the invention. Furthermore, the features described in the claims are further clarified and explained in the specification, where further preferred configurations of the invention are shown.

[0007] A fitting for a sanitary device is proposed, which has at least a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, the first fluid passage being fluidically connectable via a first connection of the fitting to a fixedly installed first liquid line arranged outside the fitting, and the second fluid passage being fluidically connectable via a second connection of the fitting to a fixedly installed second liquid line arranged outside the fitting. The fitting has at least one first receiving part for a first adapter element. The first adapter element forms the first connection and is positionable at least in a first position and in a second position in the first receiving part. A first distance between the first and second connections arranged in the first position and a second distance between the first and second connections arranged in the second position are different from each other.

[0008] The fitting is in particular a thermostatic mixing fitting, which serves in particular to supply mixed water on demand to a washbasin, a sink, a shower or a bathtub. For this purpose, the thermostatic mixing fitting may have a thermostatic mixer, by means of which cold water having a cold water temperature and hot water having a hot water temperature can be mixed to form mixed water having a desired mixed water temperature. The mixed water temperature can in particular be adjusted by an adjustment element of the thermostatic mixer, for example in the form of an expansion material element.

[0009] Via the fitting, fluids in different pipelines (liquid pipelines, e.g. hot water, cold water, grey water, gray water, etc.) can, for example, be mixed with one another and further sent as a mixed fluid to a discharge device, e.g. a shower head, a hand shower, etc.

[0010] The cold water temperature is in particular up to 25°C (Celsius), preferably between 1°C and 25°C, particularly preferably between 5°C and 20°C, and / or the hot water temperature is in particular up to 90°C, preferably between 25°C and 90°C, particularly preferably between 55°C and 65°C.

[0011] The fitting can in particular be attachable to a support, such as a wall. The fitting can in particular consist at least partially of plastic and / or metal, such as brass.

[0012] The connection includes in particular a screw connection between the connection and the liquid line, but also a bayonet connection or a similar connection (bayonet fastener, clip connection, etc.) is possible.

[0013] The connection is in particular usually constructed in a circular manner.

[0014] The spacing is particularly with respect to the center points of the respective surfaces of the respective conduits (i.e. liquid conduits or fluid passages) in a cross-section (transverse to the extension of the conduits) of the connection. This spacing is also called "pitch" in the technical field.

[0015] The connection parts configured as adapter elements allow the fitting to be used for various spacings. Possibly differently configured adapter elements can be arranged in the respective receiving parts, so that a large number of connection dimensions (spacings) can be realized in the fitting. This allows the fitting to be configured identically for a large number of different countries or for all countries, and different standards for spacings can be taken into account by means of a large number of differently configured adapter elements.

[0016] In particular, the first and second distances differ by at least 5 mm, preferably by at least 10 mm, particularly preferably by at least 15 mm.

[0017] In particular, the fitting has a second receiving portion for a second adapter element, which forms a second connection and is positionable in at least a first and a second position in the second receiving portion. If both adapter elements are positioned in the first position, this spacing is minimum, if both adapter elements are positioned in the second position, this spacing is maximum. One spacer element can also be positioned in the first position and the other spacer element in the second position, so that at least three different spacings can already be realized with the two adapter elements.

[0018] In particular, the adapter element can be positioned in only two positions within the receiving part.

[0019] In particular, the adapter element can be pushed into the receiving part only along the axial direction and can be fixed in the receiving part by a positive-locking connection in the axial direction. Fixation can be realized, for example, by a wire clip which can be pushed into the receiving part through an opening in the fitting. The wire clip then engages in particular in a groove in the adapter element, so that the adapter element can be fixed in the receiving part in the axial direction. When the wire clip is removed again, the adapter element can be pulled out of the receiving part.

[0020] In particular, the adapter element or the receiving part has a sealing element, for example an O-ring, by means of which a fluid-tight connection between the adapter element and the receiving part can be achieved.

[0021] In particular, the form-locking connection is releasable and the adapter element is removable from the receiving part.

[0022] In particular, the connection has a male or female thread for coupling to a liquid line.

[0023] Furthermore, a sanitary device is proposed, which comprises at least the above-mentioned fitting, a first liquid line and a second liquid line. The liquid lines are arranged at a fixed distance from one another, for example in a wall. At least one first adapter element is arranged in the first receiving part such that the distance between the connections of the fitting substantially corresponds to the (fixed) distance of the liquid lines. In particular, this results in an as unstressed connection as possible between the fitting and the liquid lines.

[0024] In particular, the at least one adapter element may therefore be selected such that the spacing between the connections substantially matches the spacing of the liquid lines ("best fit").

[0025] For the avoidance of doubt, numerals used herein ("first," "second," ...) are primarily used to distinguish (only) between multiple similar objects, sizes, or processes, i.e., do not mandate any particular subordination and / or ordering of those objects, sizes, or processes to one another. Where subordination and / or ordering is necessary, it will be explicitly stated herein or will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the specific configurations described. To the extent that multiple components may be present ("at least one"), a description of one of those components applies equally to all or a plurality of those components, but this is not required.

[0026] The invention as well as the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, in which it is to be noted that the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and it should be noted in particular that the drawings, and in particular the illustrated scale, are only schematic. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known fitting. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a sanitary device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 shows two adapter elements each positioned in a second position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows two adapter elements each positioned in a first position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 shows an adapter element with an external thread as connection geometry. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 shows an adapter element with an internal thread as connection geometry. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] 1 shows a known fitting 1 in a perspective view. The fitting 1 is a thermostatic mixing fitting. The thermostatic mixing fitting is connected via a first connection 5 to a first liquid line 6 through which cold water having a cold water temperature flows towards the fitting 1, and via a second connection 7 to a second liquid line 8 through which hot water having a hot water temperature flows towards the fitting 1. In the fitting 1, liquids conditioned at different temperatures are mixed to form a mixed water having a desired mixed water temperature.

[0029] The connections 5 , 7 have a fixed spacing 13 .

[0030] Figure 2 shows in a perspective view a sanitary device 2. Reference is made to the explanation regarding figure 1.

[0031] The sanitary device 2 comprises a fitting 1, a first liquid line 6 and a second liquid line 8. The liquid lines 6, 8 are arranged at a fixed distance 13 relative to each other, for example within a wall.

[0032] The fitting 1 has a first fluid passage 3 and a second fluid passage 4, the first fluid passage 3 being fluidically connectable via a first connection 5 of the fitting 1 to a stationarily installed first liquid line 6 arranged outside the fitting 1, and the second fluid passage 4 being fluidically connectable via a second connection 7 of the fitting 1 to a stationarily installed second liquid line 8 arranged outside the fitting 1. The fitting 1 has a first receiving part 9 for a first adapter element 10. The first adapter element 10 forms the first connection 5 and is positionable in a first position 11 and a second position 12 in the first receiving part 9. A first distance 13 between the first connection part 5 and the second connection part 7 arranged in the first position 11 and a second distance 14 between the first connection part 5 and the second connection part 7 arranged in the second position 12 are different from each other.

[0033] The first adapter element 10 is arranged in the first receiving part 9 such that the spacing 13 between the connections 5,7 of the fitting 1 substantially corresponds to the (fixed) first spacing 13 of the liquid lines 6,8.

[0034] Each connection 5, 7 includes a threaded connection between the connection 5, 7 and the liquid line 6, 8. Each connection 5, 7 is configured in a circular shape.

[0035] The spacing 13, 14 relates to the respective surface centre points of the respective conduits (i.e. liquid conduits 6, 8 or fluid passages 3, 4) in a cross-section (transverse to the extension of the conduits 3, 4, 6, 8) of the connections 5, 7. This spacing is also called "pitch" in the technical field.

[0036] The fitting 1 has a second receiving portion 15 for a second adapter element 16, which forms a second connection portion 7 and is positionable at least in a first position 11 and a second position 12 in the second receiving portion 15.

[0037] Each adapter element 10,16 can only be positioned in two positions 11,12 in the receiving portion 9,15.

[0038] The adapter element 10,16 can be pushed into the receiving part 9,15 only along the axial direction 17 and can be fixed in the receiving part 9,15 by a form-locking connection 18 in the axial direction 17. The fixing is realized by a wire clip 19 which can be pushed into the receiving part 9,15 through an opening 20 of the fitting 1. The wire clip 19 then engages in a groove 21 in the adapter element 10,16, so that the adapter element 10,16 can be fixed in the receiving part 9,15 in the axial direction 17. When the wire clip 19 is removed again, the adapter element 10,16 can be pulled out of the receiving part 9,15.

[0039] The adapter element 10,16 has a sealing element 22 (O-ring), by means of which a fluid-tight connection between the adapter element 10,16 and the receiving part 9,15 is achieved.

[0040] Figure 3 shows two adapter elements 10, 16, each arranged in the second position 12. Figure 4 shows two adapter elements 10, 16, each arranged in the first position 11. Figures 3 and 4 are described together below. Reference is made to the description of Figure 2.

[0041] The first spacing 13 is minimum when both adapter elements 10, 16 are arranged in the first position 11, and the second spacing 14 is maximum when both adapter elements 10, 16 are arranged in the second position 12. One adapter element 10 can also be arranged in the first position 11 and the other adapter element 16 in the second position 12, so that at least three spacings 13, 14 different from one another can already be realized by the two adapter elements 10, 16.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows an adapter element 10 with an external thread as the connection geometry.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows an adapter element 10 with an internal thread as the connection geometry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1. Fitting 2 Sanitary equipment 3 First fluid passage 4 Second fluid passage 5 First connection 6 First liquid line 7 Second Connection 8 Second Liquid Pipe 9 First storage section 10 First Adapter Element 11 1st position 12 Second position 13 First Interval 14 Second Interval 15 Second storage section 16 Secondary Adapter Element 17 Axial Direction 18 Joint 19 Wire Clip 20 aperture 21 Groove 22 Sealing element

Claims

1. A fitting (1) for a sanitary device (2) comprising at least a first fluid passage (3) and a second fluid passage (4), wherein the first fluid passage (3) is fluidically connectable via a first connection (5) of the fitting (1) to a fixedly installed first liquid line (6) arranged outside the fitting (1), and the second fluid passage (4) is fluidically connectable via a second connection (7) of the fitting (1) to a fixedly installed second liquid line (8) arranged outside the fitting (1), and the fitting ( a fitting (1) having at least one first receiving portion (9) for a first adapter element (10), the first adapter element (10) forming a first connection portion (5) and being positionable at least in a first position (11) and a second position (12) in the first receiving portion (9), wherein a first distance (13) between the first connection portion (5) and the second connection portion (7) positioned at the first position (11) and a second distance (14) between the first connection portion (5) and the second connection portion (7) positioned at the second position (12) are different from each other.

2. 2. The fitting (1) of claim 1, wherein the first spacing (13) and the second spacing (14) differ from each other by at least 5 millimeters.

3. 3. The fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fitting (1) has a second receiving portion (15) for a second adapter element (16), the second adapter element (16) forming the second connection portion (7) and being positionable at least in a first position (11) and a second position (12) in the second receiving portion (15), wherein the spacing (13, 14) is smallest when both adapter elements (10, 16) are positioned in the first position (11), and wherein the spacing (13, 14) is largest when both adapter elements (10, 16) are positioned in the second position (12).

4. 2. The fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter element (10, 16) can be positioned in only two positions in the receiving portion (9, 15).

5. 2. The fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter element (10, 16) can be pushed into the receiving portion (9, 15) only along the axial direction (17) and can be fixed in the receiving portion (9, 15) by a form-locking connection (18) in the axial direction (17).

6. 6. The fitting (1) according to claim 5, wherein the form-locking connection (18) is releasable and the adapter element (10, 16) is removable from the receiving portion (9, 15).

7. 2. The fitting (1) of claim 1, wherein the connection (5, 7) has an external or internal thread for coupling to the liquid line (6, 8).

8. 1. A sanitary device (2) comprising at least a fitting (1) according to claim 1, a first liquid line (6) and a second liquid line (8), wherein the liquid lines (6, 8) are arranged at fixed intervals (13, 14) relative to one another, and wherein the at least one first adapter element (10) is arranged in a first receiving part (9) such that the intervals (13, 14) between the connecting parts (5, 7) of the fitting (1) substantially correspond to the intervals (13, 14) of the liquid lines (6, 8), and wherein there is a connection between the fitting (1) and the liquid lines (6, 8) that is as stress-free as possible.

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