Device for enclosing a liquid jet by means of an air flow, and liquid dispensing unit comprising such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for enclosing a liquid jet (70), which expands in a fan-shaped manner, by means of an air flow. The device (14; 154; 204) has a housing (16; 206; 252) with a through-channel (18) which has an inlet section (28) and an outlet section (30), wherein the outlet section (30) extends to an outlet opening (24) and expands on a jet plane (34) with increasing proximity to the outlet opening (24). The device has a nozzle support assembly (36) which is immersed into the inlet section (28) and is surrounded by an air supply chamber (100) and which has a nozzle support part (38) that forms a liquid inlet channel (42) and has a first end region (46) on which a flat jet nozzle (12) can be releasably installed. The aim of the invention is to develop the device such that the flat jet nozzle (12) can be installed on the nozzle support part (38) in a user-friendly manner. This is achieved in that the device has an aligning and locking unit (78; 172) for aligning and locking the flat jet nozzle (12) in a specified rotational position relative to the jet plane (34) of the outlet section (30). The invention additionally relates to a liquid dispensing unit (10; 150; 200; 230; 250) comprising such a device and a flat jet nozzle.

Description

[0001] Device for enveloping a liquid jet with an air flow and liquid dispensing device comprising such a device

[0002] The invention relates to a device for enveloping a fan-shaped, widening liquid jet with an air flow, wherein the device has a housing that surrounds a through-channel, wherein the through-channel has an inlet section with an inlet opening and an outlet section adjoining the inlet section, wherein the outlet section extends to an outlet opening and widens in a fan-shaped manner as it approaches the outlet opening in a jet plane, and wherein the device has a nozzle support arrangement that dips into the inlet section and is surrounded by an air supply space, wherein the nozzle support arrangement has a nozzle support part that forms a liquid inlet channel and has a first end region that faces the outlet section of the through-channel and to which a flat jet nozzle for dispensing the liquid jet can be detachably mounted.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a liquid dispensing device for dispensing a fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet surrounded by an air flow, comprising a device of the above type and comprising a flat jet nozzle which can be detachably mounted on the first end region of the nozzle support part.

[0004] Flat jet nozzles for dispensing a fluid jet that expands fan-shaped in a jet plane are used, for example, as accessories for pressure cleaning devices to cover an object to be cleaned with a fanned-out fluid jet. The flat jet nozzles can be integrated into a jet pipe, for example. Pressurized water can be used as the fluid, for example. Such flat jet nozzles are known from WO 2014 / 090333 A1.

[0005] The fan-shaped liquid jet emerging from the flat jet nozzle interacts with the ambient air on its way to the object to be cleaned. This slows down the liquid jet and reduces its compactness. This impairs the achievable cleaning effect. To counteract this effect, JP 2004 / 223409 A proposes a liquid dispensing device that, in addition to a flat jet nozzle, uses a device for enveloping the fan-shaped liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle. The device has a housing surrounding a through-channel. The through-channel has an inlet section with an inlet opening and an outlet section adjoining the inlet section.The outlet section extends to an outlet opening of the through-channel and widens fan-shaped in a jet plane as it approaches the outlet opening. The flat jet nozzle is held at a first end region of a nozzle support part, which is designed in the form of a supply pipe and dips into the inlet section of the through-channel. The supply pipe is surrounded by an air supply chamber within the inlet section. Under the action of the liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle, air is sucked into the through-channel via the air supply chamber, forming an air jacket that envelops the liquid jet and can be discharged together with the liquid jet via the outlet opening. The air jacket reduces the interaction of the liquid jet with the ambient air, whereby in particular the deceleration of the liquid jet is reduced and its compactness is less impaired.The liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle can thus be enveloped by an air flow, reducing the interaction of the liquid jet with the ambient air. This can increase the achievable cleaning performance. However, mounting the flat jet nozzle on the nozzle support section, which is designed as a supply pipe, is not particularly user-friendly. During installation, care must be taken to ensure that the flat jet nozzle assumes a rotational position relative to the jet plane of the outlet section of the through-channel such that the fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle is aligned coplanar with the jet plane, allowing the liquid jet to flow through the outlet section virtually unhindered.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a device of the generic type in such a way that the flat jet nozzle can be mounted on the nozzle support part in a more user-friendly manner.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention in a device of the type mentioned at the outset in that the device has an alignment and locking device for aligning and locking the flat jet nozzle in a predetermined rotational position relative to the jet plane of the outlet section of the through-channel.

[0008] The device according to the invention comprises an alignment and locking device that facilitates the mounting of the flat jet nozzle on the nozzle support member. By means of the alignment and locking device, the flat jet nozzle can be aligned and locked in a rotational position such that the fan-shaped liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle is aligned coplanar with the jet plane of the outlet section of the through-channel.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the nozzle support arrangement has a nozzle holding part that can be detachably connected to the nozzle support part, wherein the nozzle holding part is designed to hold the flat jet nozzle at the first end region of the nozzle support part so that it is axially immovable and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the nozzle support part. In such a configuration, the flat jet nozzle can be held axially immovable by means of the nozzle holding part at the first end region of the nozzle support part, wherein the flat jet nozzle is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the nozzle support part, so that during further assembly it can be aligned and locked by means of the alignment and locking device such that the fan-shaped liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle is aligned with the jet plane of the outlet section of the through-channel.

[0010] It is advantageous if the nozzle support member has a plug-in element at its first end, to which the flat jet nozzle can be plugged and detachably connected. This enables particularly simple installation of the flat jet nozzle at the first end of the nozzle support member, as the flat jet nozzle can be plugged onto or plugged into the first end.

[0011] In particular, the plug-in element of the nozzle support part can be designed in the form of a plug-in nipple. This allows a flat jet nozzle with a plug-in sleeve to be easily mounted on the plug-in nipple by pushing the plug-in sleeve onto the plug-in nipple.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the alignment and locking device comprises a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamping part with two legs that are connected to one another via a web, wherein the clamping part can be inserted into an opening in the housing that positively receives the web, and wherein the legs project into the inlet section of the through-channel and are configured to positively receive the flat jet nozzle between them. In such an embodiment of the invention, the flat jet nozzle can be mounted in a first assembly step on the first end region of the nozzle support part and axially secured by means of the nozzle holding part, and the flat jet nozzle can then be aligned in a predetermined rotational position by means of the clamping part.For this purpose, the U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamp part can be inserted into the opening of the housing, wherein the web of the clamp part is positively received by the opening and the legs of the clamp part project into the inlet section of the through-channel and positively receive the flat jet nozzle between them.

[0013] In order to form a positive connection between the flat jet nozzle and the legs of the clamping part, the flat jet nozzle can, for example, have two opposing flattened areas on its outer side, to each of which a leg of the clamping part can be placed.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous if the two legs of the clamping part can be supported on their outer sides facing away from the flat jet nozzle by at least one retaining rib of the housing extending into the inlet section of the through-channel. This increases the mechanical load-bearing capacity of the legs of the clamping part.

[0015] It is advantageous if the clamp part can be releasably locked to the housing.

[0016] For example, it can be provided that two opposing locking hooks are arranged on the web of the clamp part, each of which engages behind an edge section of the opening of the housing after the clamp part has been inserted into the opening.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the alignment and locking device has at least two holding ribs rigidly connected to the housing and projecting into the inlet section of the through-channel, as well as a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamp part with two legs that are connected to each other via a web, and the nozzle holding part has a sleeve that is detachably connectable to the nozzle support part and forms a collar at its end region facing away from the nozzle support part, through which the flat jet nozzle can pass and which has two opposing openings into which a leg of the clamp is inserted, wherein the legs are designed to receive the flat jet nozzle between them in a form-fitting manner, and wherein the sleeve has two opposing flattened areas on its outer side,to which at least one of the retaining ribs of the output and locking device projecting into the inlet section can be applied. In such an embodiment of the invention, the flat jet nozzle can be mounted on the first end section of the nozzle support part and secured in the axial direction by means of the nozzle holding part, wherein the nozzle holding part forms a sleeve that can be detachably connected, in particular screwed, to the nozzle support part and which, at its end region facing away from the nozzle support part, forms a collar projecting in the axial direction. The sleeve can be placed on the flat jet nozzle mounted on the first end region of the nozzle support part, wherein the flat jet nozzle extends through the collar of the sleeve with an end region facing away from the nozzle support part. The collar has two opposing openings, into each of which a leg of the clamping part of the alignment and locking device is inserted.The legs form-fit the flat jet nozzle between them. The clamp holds the flat jet nozzle in a rotationally fixed manner to the sleeve, which in turn is held in a rotationally fixed manner to the housing by means of the retaining ribs of the alignment and locking device, which extend into the inlet section of the through-channel and are rigidly connected to the housing. For this purpose, the sleeve has two opposing flattened portions on its outer side, each of which can be applied to at least one retaining rib.

[0018] The positive connection between the legs of the clamp part and the flat jet nozzle can, for example, be made in such a way that the flat jet nozzle has two opposing flattened areas on its outer side, to each of which a leg of the clamp part can be placed.

[0019] It is advantageous if two spaced-apart retaining ribs of the alignment and locking device can be applied to the flattened portions of the sleeve. The rigid connection of the retaining ribs of the alignment and locking device to the housing of the device can be achieved, for example, by the retaining ribs being integrally connected to the housing.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous if at least one retaining rib of the housing, extending into the inlet section of the through-channel, can be placed against the web of the clamping part. These retaining ribs ensure that the clamping part cannot accidentally detach from the collar of the sleeve and the flat jet nozzle.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing of the device comprises a first housing part and a second housing part, wherein the two housing parts are connected to one another in a materially bonded or form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0022] The two housing parts can, for example, be screwed or welded together.

[0023] In particular, it can be provided that the two housing parts are made of plastic, in particular of a glass fiber reinforced plastic, and are integrally connected to one another by infrared welding.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, a particularly simple assembly of the device according to the invention is achieved in that the region of the nozzle support arrangement which dips into the inlet section of the through-channel can be inserted into the inlet section in the axial direction and can be releasably fixed in the axial direction by means of a fixing part.

[0025] Advantageously, the securing part can be inserted into an opening in the housing, wherein the securing part forms a positive connection with the opening and has at least one retaining arm that extends into an annular groove arranged on the outside of the nozzle support part. Such a configuration has the advantage that, after the flat jet nozzle has been mounted on the first end region of the nozzle support part, the nozzle support assembly can be inserted into the inlet section of the through-channel and secured in the axial direction by means of the securing part.

[0026] It is advantageous if the fixing part forms a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamp part with two legs connected to one another via a web, each of which forms a holding arm which dips into the annular groove of the nozzle support part, wherein the opening of the housing receives the web of the clamp part in a form-fitting manner.

[0027] As already mentioned, the housing of the device according to the invention can be provided with two housing parts that can be connected to one another in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. In this case, it can be provided that the two housing parts have projections that extend into the inlet section of the through-channel and that engage in an annular groove arranged on the outside of the nozzle support part. With such an embodiment of the invention, after the flat jet nozzle has been mounted on the first end region of the nozzle support part, the nozzle support arrangement can be inserted into one of the two housing parts in such a way that the projections arranged on this housing part engage in the outside annular groove of the nozzle support part.Subsequently, the other of the two housing parts can be placed on the nozzle support arrangement in such a way that the projections arranged on this housing part also dip into the outer annular groove of the nozzle support part, so that the nozzle support arrangement is held immovably in the axial direction between the two housing parts, and then the two housing parts can be connected to one another, for example by screwing.

[0028] To supply the device according to the invention with pressurized liquid, the nozzle support assembly, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, has a connecting part for connecting a liquid supply line, wherein the connecting part is held at a second end region of the liquid support part facing away from the outlet section of the through-channel. For example, a jet pipe or a spray gun can be used as the liquid supply line, which is connected to a pressure cleaning device via a pressure line.

[0029] It is advantageous if the second end portion of the nozzle support member protrudes from the inlet section of the through-channel. This facilitates user access to the connecting part located at the second end portion of the nozzle support member.

[0030] It is particularly advantageous if the connecting part is mounted axially immovably on the second end region of the nozzle support part and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the nozzle support part. Such a configuration allows the user to rotate the housing of the device, together with the nozzle support assembly, relative to the connecting part about the longitudinal axis of the nozzle support part. This makes it easier for the user to guide the device along an object to be cleaned.

[0031] The connector may, for example, comprise a connector sleeve with an internal thread for screwing the connector sleeve to a fluid supply line. The connector sleeve is advantageously enclosed in a plastic sheath, which makes it easier for the user to screw the connector sleeve to a fluid supply line.

[0032] As already mentioned, the invention also relates to a liquid dispensing device for dispensing a liquid jet surrounded by an air flow and expanding in a fan-shaped manner in a jet plane, wherein the liquid dispensing device comprises a device of the type explained above and a flat jet nozzle which can be detachably mounted on the first end region of the nozzle support part.

[0033] The flat jet nozzle is advantageously connectable to the first end portion of the nozzle support member in a pluggable and detachable manner. As already mentioned above, the first end portion of the nozzle support member can form a plug-in nipple, and the flat jet nozzle can comprise a plug-in sleeve configured complementarily to the plug-in nipple, which can be placed onto the plug-in nipple.

[0034] The alignment and locking device is used to align and lock the flat jet nozzle in a predetermined rotational position. It is advantageous for the flat jet nozzle to have a nozzle housing with two opposing flat surfaces to form a positive connection with a clamping part of the alignment and locking device.

[0035] The following description of advantageous embodiments of the invention serves to explain it in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. They show:

[0036] Figure 1: a perspective view of a first embodiment of a liquid dispensing device;

[0037] Figure 2: a plan view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1;

[0038] Figure 3: a side view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1;

[0039] Figure 4: a perspective view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1 in the manner of an exploded drawing;

[0040] Figure 5: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device taken along line 5-5 in Figure 3;

[0041] Figure 6: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device of Figure 1 taken along line 6-6 in Figure 2;

[0042] Figure 7: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device taken along line 7-7 in Figure 3; Figure 8: a perspective view of a nozzle support assembly with a flat jet nozzle of the liquid dispensing device of Figure 1 mounted thereon;

[0043] Figure 9: a perspective view of a second embodiment of a liquid dispensing device;

[0044] Figure 10: a plan view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 9;

[0045] Figure 11: a side view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 9;

[0046] Figure 12: a perspective view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 9 in the manner of an exploded view;

[0047] Figure 13: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device taken along line 13-13 in Figure 11;

[0048] Figure 14: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device taken along line 14-14 in Figure 10;

[0049] Figure 15: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device taken along line 15-15 in Figure 11;

[0050] Figure 16: a perspective view of a nozzle support arrangement with a flat jet nozzle of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 9 mounted thereon;

[0051] Figure 17: a perspective view of a third embodiment of a liquid dispensing device;

[0052] Figure 18: a top view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 17; Figure 19: a side view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 17;

[0053] Figure 20: a perspective view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 17 in the manner of an exploded drawing;

[0054] Figure 21: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device taken along line 21-21 in Figure 19;

[0055] Figure 22: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device taken along line 22-22 in Figure 18;

[0056] Figure 23: a sectional view of the liquid dispensing device taken along line 23-23 in Figure 19;

[0057] Figure 24: a perspective view of a nozzle support arrangement with a flat jet nozzle of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 17 mounted thereon;

[0058] Figure 25: a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a liquid dispensing device;

[0059] Figure 26: a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a liquid dispensing device.

[0060] Figures 1 to 8 schematically illustrate a first advantageous embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention for dispensing a fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet surrounded by an air flow. The device is designated overall by the reference numeral 10. The liquid dispensing device 10 has a flat jet nozzle 12 for dispensing the fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet, as well as a first advantageous embodiment of a device according to the invention for enveloping the fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet with an air flow. The device is designated by the reference numeral 14 in Figures 1 to 8.

[0061] The device 14 has a housing 16 that surrounds a through-channel 18. The through-channel 18 extends from an inlet opening 20, which is arranged on a rear side 22 of the housing 16, to an outlet opening 24, which is arranged on a front side 26 of the housing 16. Starting from the inlet opening 20, the through-channel 18 has an inlet section 28, which is adjoined by an outlet section 30 in the direction of the front side 26. The inlet section 28 forms a constriction 32 of the through-channel 18 in its end region immediately upstream of the outlet section 30, and the outlet section 30, starting from the constriction 32, widens in a fan shape as it approaches the outlet opening 24, defining a jet plane 34. The jet plane 34 forms a plane of symmetry of the outlet section 30.

[0062] A nozzle support assembly 36, which includes a nozzle support part 38 and a nozzle holding part 40, extends into the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18. The nozzle support part 38 forms a liquid inlet channel 42 that is aligned coaxially with a longitudinal axis 44 of the nozzle support part 38, which in turn is aligned coaxially with the jet plane 34.

[0063] The nozzle support part 38 has a first end region 46 which faces the outlet section 30 of the through-channel 18, and a second end region 48 which faces away from the outlet section 30 and protrudes from the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18.

[0064] Approximately centrally in the longitudinal direction, the nozzle support part 38 has a first radial extension 50 and a second radial extension 52, each extending over the entire circumference of the nozzle support part 38 and defining a circumferential annular groove 54 between them. Adjoining the second radial extension 52 is a fastening section 56 of the nozzle support part 38, which, via a radially inwardly directed step, transitions into a plug-in member designed as a plug-in nipple 58, which forms the first end region 46 of the nozzle support part 38. The fastening section 56 has an external thread 60.

[0065] The flat jet nozzle 12 can be plugged onto the plug-in nipple 58 with the interposition of a sealing ring (not shown in the drawing). For this purpose, the flat jet nozzle 12 forms a plug-in sleeve 62 designed complementarily to the plug-in nipple 58. A nozzle housing 66 having a nozzle outlet 68 is connected to the plug-in sleeve 62 via a radially inwardly directed step 64. The nozzle outlet 68 is designed in a known manner such that a pressurized liquid, preferably water, fed to the flat jet nozzle 12 is discharged from the flat jet nozzle 12 in the form of a fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet 70. The fan-shaped liquid jet 70 is shown in dashed lines in Figure 5; if the flat jet nozzle 12 is correctly aligned, it flows through the outlet section 30 and the outlet opening 24 virtually unhindered.

[0066] For axially fixing the flat jet nozzle 12 to the nozzle support part 38, the nozzle holding part 40 is used, which forms a sleeve 72 which can be screwed to the external thread 60 of the fastening section 56 of the nozzle support part 38 by means of an internal thread. The sleeve 72 has, at its end facing away from the internal thread 74, a radially inwardly projecting annular collar 76 which surrounds a sleeve opening 77 in the circumferential direction and which, when the sleeve 72 is placed on and subsequently screwed on, is penetrated by the nozzle housing 66 of the flat jet nozzle 12 plugged onto the plug nipple 58, wherein the annular collar 76 of the sleeve 72 comes to rest on the radially inwardly directed step 64 of the flat jet nozzle 12 and thereby the flat jet nozzle 12 is axially fixed to the nozzle support part 38, so that the flat jet nozzle 12 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis 44 of the nozzle support part 38 but cannot be displaced in the axial direction.For the correct alignment and locking of the flat jet nozzle 12 such that the liquid jet 70 emanating from the flat jet nozzle 12 is aligned coplanar to the jet plane 34 and can flow through the outlet section 30 of the through-channel 18 practically unhindered, the device 14 has an alignment and locking device 78 with a substantially U-shaped first clamp part 80 which can be inserted into a first opening 82 of the housing 16 and which has two legs 84, 86 which project into the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18 and positively accommodate the flat jet nozzle 12 between them in the region of the nozzle housing 66 and which are integrally connected to one another via a web 88.When the first clamp part 80 is inserted into the first opening 82, the web 88 is positively received by the first opening 82, so that the first clamp part 80 cannot be moved relative to the housing 16 either in the axial direction or in the circumferential direction. The web 88 has two opposing locking hooks 90, 92, each of which engages behind an edge portion of the first opening 82, so that the first clamp part 80 can be releasably locked to the housing 16. This is particularly evident in Figure 7.

[0067] As is particularly clear from Figure 7, the housing 17 has a plurality of retaining ribs 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 which project into the inlet section 28, wherein two opposing retaining ribs 94, 97 abut against the opposite outer sides of the legs 84, 86 and the remaining retaining ribs 95, 96, 98 and 99 abut against the outer side of the sleeve 72.

[0068] By means of the holding ribs 94 to 99, the nozzle support arrangement 36 is held in the inlet section 28, forming an air supply space 100 which surrounds the nozzle support arrangement 36 in the circumferential direction and extends from the inlet opening 20 to the constriction 32 of the through-channel 18.

[0069] For axially securing the nozzle support assembly 36 in the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18, the device 14 has a securing part that forms a substantially U-shaped second clamp part 102 with two legs 104, 106 that are integrally connected to one another via a web 108. The second clamp part 102 can be inserted into a second opening 110 of the housing 16, wherein the web 108 forms a positive connection with the second opening 110 and the two legs 104, 106 dip into the annular groove 54 of the nozzle support part 38 and thereby secure the nozzle support part 38 together with the nozzle holding part 40 and the flat jet nozzle 12 in the axial direction in the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18.

[0070] The legs 84, 86 of the first clamp part 80 positively accommodate the flat jet nozzle 12 in the area of ​​the nozzle housing 66. For this purpose, the nozzle housing 66 has two opposing flats 91, 93 on its outer side, each forming a key surface against which the legs 84, 86 rest.

[0071] The housing 16 of the device 14 is formed by a first housing part 112 and a second housing part 114, each made of a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and integrally bonded to one another by infrared welding. The first housing part 112 forms a rear housing section 116 surrounding the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18, a bottom wall 118, and lower side wall sections 120, 122 of the outlet section 30 of the through-channel 18. The second housing part 114 forms a top wall 124 and upper side wall sections 126, 128 of the outlet section 30 of the through-channel 18. In addition, the second housing part 114 forms an extension 130 which adjoins the ceiling wall 124 in the direction of the rear housing section 116 and is essentially rectangular in plan view, which forms a material thickening 132 at its free end and an opening 134 at a distance from the material thickening 132.In the area of ​​the material thickening 132 and the paired upper and lower side wall sections 126, 128, 120, 122, the two housing parts 112, 114 are welded together, with the opening 134 being penetrated by an external projection 136 of the first housing part 112. The provision of the extension 130 welded to the first housing part 112 in the area of ​​the material thickening 132, in combination with the opening 134 penetrated by the projection 136, increases the mechanical load-bearing capacity of the welded connection between the two housing parts 112, 114.

[0072] On their outer sides, the bottom wall 118 and the top wall 124 carry a plurality of reinforcing ribs, with a longitudinal reinforcing rib 138 running in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 118 or the top wall 124, respectively, and several transverse reinforcing ribs 140 oriented transversely to the longitudinal reinforcing rib 138. The transverse reinforcing ribs 140 have an arcuately curved outer contour, so that the height of the transverse reinforcing ribs 140 continuously increases from their free ends toward the longitudinal reinforcing rib 138. This results in a further increase in the mechanical load-bearing capacity of the housing 16 in the region of the exit section 30 of the through-channel 18.

[0073] As already mentioned, a fan-shaped, widening liquid jet can be dispensed using the flat jet nozzle 12. In order to supply the flat jet nozzle 12 with pressurized liquid, the device 14 has a connecting part 142 which is held on the second end region 48 of the nozzle support part 38, which protrudes from the inlet section 28, so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis 44 but axially immovable. The connecting part 142 has a connecting sleeve 144 with an internal thread 146, which is surrounded by a plastic sheath 148, which can be gripped by the user to screw the connecting sleeve 144 to a complementarily designed connecting part of a liquid supply line. For example, a jet pipe or a spray gun, which can be supplied with pressurized liquid from a pressure cleaning device, can be used as the liquid supply line.Starting from the second end region 48 of the nozzle support part 38, the pressurized liquid can reach the flat jet nozzle 12 via the liquid inlet channel 42 and be discharged from there in the form of a fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet. Under the action of the liquid jet, air is drawn into the passage channel 18 via the air supply chamber 100 and the inlet opening 20, forming an air jacket that surrounds the liquid jet 70 and is discharged together with the liquid jet 70 via the outlet opening 24. As mentioned above, the air jacket reduces the interaction of the liquid jet 70 with the ambient air, in particular reducing the deceleration of the liquid jet 70 and only slightly impairing its compactness.

[0074] To assemble the liquid dispensing device 10, in a first step, the flat jet nozzle 12 can be plugged onto the plug-in nipple 58 of the nozzle support part 38 and then held axially immovably on the nozzle support part 38 by means of the nozzle holding part 40. The nozzle support part 38, together with the flat jet nozzle 12 and the nozzle holding part 40, can then be inserted axially into the inlet section 38 via the inlet opening 20. The flat jet nozzle 12 can then be aligned and locked in a predetermined rotational position by means of the first clamp part 80, as already explained above, and the nozzle support part 38, together with the flat jet nozzle 12 and the nozzle holding part 40, can be axially secured in the inlet section 38 by means of the second clamp part 102.The assembly of the liquid dispensing device 10 is thus very simple, whereby the user has the option of replacing the flat jet nozzle 12 if necessary by removing the two clamp parts 80 and 102 from the housing 16, so that he can then pull the complete nozzle support assembly 36 out of the inlet section 28 and then unscrew the nozzle holding part 40 from the nozzle support part 38 and replace the flat jet nozzle 12.

[0075] Figures 9 to 16 schematically illustrate a second advantageous embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention for dispensing a fan-shaped, fan-shaped liquid jet surrounded by an air flow. The device is designated overall by the reference numeral 150. The liquid dispensing device 150 is largely identical in design to the liquid dispensing device 10 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8. For identical components, the same reference numerals are therefore used in Figures 9 to 16 as in Figures 1 to 8, and with regard to these components, reference is made to the above explanations to avoid repetition.

[0076] The liquid dispensing device 150 also has a flat jet nozzle 12 for dispensing the fan-shaped liquid jet 70, as already explained above. In addition to the flat jet nozzle 12, the liquid dispensing device 150 has a second advantageous embodiment of a device according to the invention for enveloping the fan-shaped liquid jet 70 with an air flow, which is designated by the reference numeral 154.

[0077] The device 154 has a nozzle support arrangement 156, which also includes a nozzle support part 38, as already explained above. In contrast to the nozzle support arrangement 36 described above, the nozzle support arrangement 156 of the device 154 uses a nozzle holding part 158 ​​with a sleeve 160 that can be screwed to the fastening section 56 of the nozzle support part 38 and which, at its end region facing away from the nozzle support part 38, forms an axially aligned collar 162 through which the nozzle housing 66 of the flat jet nozzle 12 can pass and which has two opposing slot-like openings 164, 166. Immediately upstream of the collar 162, the sleeve 160 has two opposing flattened portions 168, 170 on its outer side.

[0078] To align and lock the flat jet nozzle 12 in a predetermined rotational position, the device 154 utilizes an alignment and locking device 172, which comprises a first clamp part 174 and a total of four retaining ribs 176, 178, 180, 182 that project into the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18 and are rigidly connected to the housing 16. The first clamp part 174 is essentially U-shaped and has two legs 184, 186 that are connected to one another via a web 188. The two legs 184, 186 each extend into one of the slot-shaped openings 164, 166 of the collar 162 to such an extent that they positively accommodate the flat jet nozzle 12 in the area of ​​the nozzle housing 66 by coming into contact with one of the flattened portions 91 and 93, respectively, of the nozzle housing 66 of the flat jet nozzle 12. This is particularly evident in Figure 15.By means of the first clamp part 174, the flat jet nozzle 12 can thus be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the sleeve 160 of the nozzle holding part 158. The sleeve 160, in turn, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the housing 16 by means of the retaining ribs 176, 178, 180, 182, in that the retaining ribs 176, 178 engage the flattened portion 168 and the retaining ribs 180, 182 engage the flattened portion 170.

[0079] In addition to the retaining ribs 176, 178, 180 and 182, the housing 16 has four further retaining ribs 190, 192, 194, 196 projecting radially inward into the inlet section 28, which come into contact with the outside of the sleeve 160 at a distance from the flats 168, 170 and thereby support the nozzle support arrangement 156 in the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18, wherein the nozzle support arrangement is surrounded by the air supply space 100.

[0080] In a manner corresponding to the nozzle support arrangement 36 of the device 14 explained above with reference to Figures 1 to 8, the nozzle support arrangement 156 of the device 154 can also be inserted in the axial direction via the inlet opening 20 into the inlet section 28, wherein the second end region 48 of the nozzle support part 38 protrudes from the inlet section 28 and carries the connection part 142 for connecting a liquid supply line. The axial fixing of the nozzle support arrangement 156 in the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18 is also achieved in the device 154 with the aid of a second clamp part 102, which can be inserted into a second housing opening 110, as already explained above with reference to the device 14 schematically illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, wherein the second housing opening 110 in the device 154 is arranged offset by 90°.

[0081] By means of the liquid dispensing device 150, in the same way as by means of the liquid dispensing device 10 explained above, a fan-shaped expanding liquid jet surrounded by an air flow can be dispensed, wherein the alignment and locking device 172 ensures that the fan-shaped expanding liquid jet 70 provided by the flat jet nozzle 12 is aligned coplanar with the jet plane 34 of the outlet section 30 of the through-channel 18.

[0082] Figures 17 to 24 schematically illustrate a third advantageous embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention for dispensing a fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet surrounded by an air flow. The device is designated overall by the reference numeral 200. The liquid dispensing device 200 is largely identical in design to the liquid dispensing devices 10 and 150 explained above with reference to Figures 1 to 8 and 9 to 16. For identical components, the same reference numerals are therefore used in Figures 17 to 24 as in Figures 1 to 16, and to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above explanations with regard to these components.

[0083] The liquid dispensing device 200 also has a flat jet nozzle 12 for dispensing a fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet 70. In addition to the flat jet nozzle 12, the liquid dispensing device 200 utilizes a third advantageous embodiment of a device according to the invention for enveloping the liquid jet 70 with an air flow, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 204. The device 204 also has a nozzle support arrangement 156, as already explained above with reference to Figures 9 to 16. Furthermore, the device 204 also utilizes an alignment and locking device 172, as also already described above with reference to Figures 9 to 16.

[0084] In contrast to the devices 14 and 154 explained above, the device 204 has a housing 206 which surrounds a through-channel 18 in the same way as the housing 16 explained above, but in contrast to the housing 16, the housing 206 is formed by a first housing part 208 and a second housing part 210, which each form a half-shell of the housing 206 and are screwed together by means of connecting screws 212.The first housing part 208 has the retaining ribs 180, 182 of the alignment and locking device 172 projecting into the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18, and the second housing part 210 has the retaining ribs 176, 178 of the alignment and locking device 172 projecting into the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18. The retaining ribs 180, 182 engage the flattened portion 170 of the sleeve 160 of the nozzle-holding part 158 ​​of the nozzle-supporting arrangement 156, and the retaining ribs 176, 178 of the second housing part 210 engage the flattened portion 170 of the sleeve 160 of the nozzle-holding part 158 ​​of the nozzle-supporting arrangement 156. This is particularly evident from Figure 23.In addition, the first housing part 208 has two retaining ribs 190 and 192 projecting radially inward into the input section 28 and coming into contact with the outside of the sleeve 160, and the second housing part 210 additionally has two radially inwardly directed retaining ribs 194 and 196 projecting into the input section 28 and also coming into contact with the outside of the sleeve 160.

[0085] In contrast to the devices 14 and 154 explained above, the device 204 shown in Figures 17 to 24 uses projections for axially securing the nozzle support arrangement 156 into the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18, which projections each dip into the annular groove 54 of the nozzle support part 38. A projection 214 is arranged on each of the retaining ribs 180, 182 and 190, 192 of the first housing part 208, and a projection 216 is arranged on each of the retaining ribs 176, 178 and 194, 196 of the second housing part 210. This is particularly clear from Figures 20 and 22.

[0086] To assemble the liquid dispensing device 200, in a first step, the flat jet nozzle 12 can be plugged onto the plug nipple 58 of the nozzle support part 38 and then held immovably in the axial direction and rotatable about the longitudinal axis 44 of the nozzle support part 38 by means of the nozzle holding part 158. In a further assembly step, the flat jet nozzle 12 can then be aligned and locked in the predetermined rotational position by means of the first clamp part 174 of the alignment and locking device 172. Subsequently, the complete nozzle support assembly 156 can be inserted into the first housing part 208, wherein the projections 214 are inserted into the annular groove 54 of the nozzle support part 38, and in a further assembly step, the second housing part 210 can then be placed onto the first housing part 208, wherein the projections 216 of the second housing part 210 also are inserted into the annular groove 54 of the nozzle support part 38.Finally, the two housing parts 208, 210 can be screwed together.

[0087] By means of the liquid dispensing device 200, in the same way as by means of the above-explained liquid dispensing devices 10 and 150, a fan-shaped expanding liquid jet surrounded by an air flow can be dispensed, wherein it is ensured that the flat jet nozzle 12 assumes a predetermined rotational position so that the liquid jet 70 can flow through the fan-shaped expanding passage 18 practically unhindered.

[0088] Figure 25 schematically illustrates a fourth advantageous embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention for dispensing a fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet surrounded by an air flow. It is designated overall by the reference numeral 230. The liquid dispensing device 230 is largely identical in design to the liquid dispensing device 200 described above with reference to Figures 17 to 24. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used in Figure 25 for identical components as in Figures 17 to 24, and with regard to these components, reference is made to the above explanations to avoid repetition.

[0089] The liquid dispensing device 230 differs from the liquid dispensing device 200 only in that a second clamp part 102 is used to axially secure the nozzle support assembly 156 in the housing 206, as already explained above with reference to Figures 1 to 8 and 9 to 16. For this purpose, the second housing part 210 of the liquid dispensing device 230 has a housing opening 232 into which the clamp part 102 can be inserted and which positively receives the web 108 of the clamp part 102.

[0090] By means of the liquid dispensing device 230, a fan-shaped expanding liquid jet surrounded by an air flow can be dispensed in the same way as by means of the liquid dispensing devices 10, 150 and 200.

[0091] Figure 26 schematically illustrates a fifth advantageous embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention, which is designated overall by reference numeral 250. The liquid dispensing device 250 is largely identical in design to the liquid dispensing device 230 explained above. To avoid repetition, the same reference numerals are used in Figure 26 as in Figure 25, and with regard to these components, reference is made to the above explanations to avoid repetition.

[0092] The liquid dispensing device 250 differs from the liquid dispensing device 230 shown in Figure 25 only in that a housing 252 is used with a first housing part 254 and a second housing part 256 which can be screwed together, wherein the two housing parts 254, 256 do not form housing half-shells which are mirror-symmetrical to one another, but rather the first housing part 254 forms, in a similar manner to the first housing part 112 of the housing 16 of the liquid dispensing device 10 shown in Figures 1 to 8, in addition to a bottom wall 258 and lower side wall sections 260, 262 of the outlet section 30, a rear housing section 264 which is sleeve-shaped and has a housing opening 232 into which the clamp part 102 can be inserted for the axial fixing of the nozzle support arrangement 156.The second housing part 256 forms a ceiling wall 266 and upper side wall sections 268, 270 of the outlet section 30 as well as a front ceiling wall section 272 of the inlet section 28 of the through-channel 18. This is immediately clear from Figure 26.

[0093] To assemble the liquid dispensing device 250, the nozzle support assembly 156 can be inserted into the rear housing section 264 of the first housing part 254 and then axially held in the rear housing section 264 by means of the clamp part 102 after the flat jet nozzle 12 has been mounted on the plug-in nipple 58 of the nozzle support part 38 and secured to the nozzle support part 38 in an axially immovable manner by means of the nozzle holding part 158 ​​and locked in the predetermined rotational position by means of the clamp part 174. The nozzle support assembly 156 can then be inserted into the rear housing section 264 of the first housing part 254 and then axially held in the rear housing section 264 by means of the clamp part 102. The second housing part 256 can then be placed onto the first housing part 254, and the two housing parts 254, 256 can be screwed together.

[0094] By means of the liquid dispensing device 250, a fan-shaped expanding liquid jet surrounded by an air flow can be dispensed in the same way as by means of the liquid dispensing devices 10, 150, 200 and 230 explained above.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Device for enveloping a fan-shaped liquid jet (70) with an air flow, wherein the device (14; 154; 204) has a housing (16; 206; 252) which surrounds a through-channel (18), wherein the through-channel (18) has an inlet section (28) with an inlet opening (20) and an outlet section (30) adjoining the inlet section (28), wherein the outlet section (30) extends as far as an outlet opening (24) and widens in a fan-shaped manner in a jet plane (34) as it approaches the outlet opening (24), and wherein the device (14; 154; 204) has a nozzle support arrangement (36; 156) which dips into the inlet section (28) and is surrounded by an air supply space (100), wherein the nozzle support arrangement (36;156) has a nozzle support part (40) which forms a liquid inlet channel (42) and has a first end region (46) which faces the outlet section (30) of the through-channel (18) and on which a flat jet nozzle (12) for dispensing the liquid jet (70) can be detachably mounted, characterized in that the device (14; 154; 204) has an aligning and locking device (78; 172) for aligning and locking the flat jet nozzle (12) in a predetermined rotational position relative to the jet plane (34) of the outlet section (30) of the through-channel (18).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle support arrangement (36; 156) has a nozzle holding part (40; 158) which can be detachably connected to the nozzle support part (38), wherein the nozzle holding part (40; 158) is designed to hold the flat jet nozzle (12) at the first end region (46) of the nozzle support part (38) in an axially immovable manner and rotatable about a longitudinal axis (44) of the nozzle support part (38).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nozzle support part (38) forms a plug-in member (58) at its first end region (46), with which the flat jet nozzle (12) can be plugged and detachably connected.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the alignment and locking device (78) has a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped first clamp part (80) with two legs (84, 86) which are connected to one another via a web (88), wherein the first clamp part (80) can be inserted into a first opening (82) of the housing (16; 252), which receives the web (88) in a form-fitting manner, wherein the legs (84, 86) project into the inlet section (28) of the through-channel (18) and are designed to receive the flat jet nozzle (12) in a form-fitting manner between them.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the two legs (84, 86) can each be supported on their outer sides facing away from the flat jet nozzle (12) by at least one holding rib (94; 97) of the housing (16) projecting into the inlet section (28) of the through-channel (18).

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first clamp part (80) can be releasably locked to the housing (16).

7. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the alignment and locking device (172) has at least two holding ribs (176, 178, 180, 182) rigidly connected to the housing (16) and projecting into the inlet section (28) of the through-channel (18), as well as a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamp part (174) with two legs (184, 186) which are connected to one another via a web (188), and in that the nozzle holding part (158) has a sleeve (160) which is detachably connected to the nozzle carrying part (38). can be bound and forms a collar (162) at its end region facing away from the nozzle carrying part (38), which collar can be penetrated by the flat jet nozzle (12) and which has two opposing openings (164, 166) into which a leg (184, 186) of the clamping part (174) dips, wherein the legs (184, 186) are designed to receive the flat jet nozzle (12) between them in a form-fitting manner, and wherein the sleeve (160) has on its outer side two opposing flattened areas (168, 170), against which at least one of the holding ribs (176, 178; 180, 182) of the aligning and locking device (172) projecting into the inlet section (28) of the through-channel (18) can be placed.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that two spaced-apart holding ribs (176, 178; 180, 182) of the alignment and locking device (172) can be placed on the flattened portions (168, 170) of the sleeve (160).

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one holding rib of the housing (16) projecting into the inlet section (28) of the through-channel (18) can be placed on the web (188) of the first clamp part (174).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (16; 206; 252) has a first housing part (112; 208; 254) and a second housing part (114; 210; 256), wherein the two housing parts (112, 114; 208, 210; 254, 256) are connected to one another in a materially bonded or form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the two housing parts (112, 114; 208, 210; 254, 256) are screwed or welded together.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the region of the nozzle support arrangement (36; 156) which dips into the inlet section (28) of the through-channel (18) can be inserted in the axial direction into the inlet section (28) and can be fixed in the axial direction by means of a fixing part (102).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the fixing part (102) can be inserted into an opening (110) of the housing, wherein the fixing part (102) forms a positive connection with the opening (110) and has at least one holding arm which dips into an annular groove (54) arranged on the outside of the nozzle support part (18).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the fixing part (102) forms a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamp part (102) with two legs (104, 106) connected to one another via a web (108), which legs each form a holding arm which dips into the annular groove (54), the opening (110) of the housing receiving the web (108) in a form-fitting manner.

15. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the two housing parts (208, 210) have projections (214, 216) projecting into the inlet section (28) of the through-channel (18) and immersed in an annular groove (54) arranged on the outside of the nozzle support part (38).

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle support arrangement (36) has a connecting part (142) for connecting a liquid supply line, wherein the connecting part (142) is held on a second end region (48) of the nozzle support part (38) facing away from the outlet section (30) of the through-channel (18).

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the second end region (48) of the nozzle support part (38) protrudes from the inlet section (28) of the through-channel (18).

18. Device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the connecting part (142) is held axially immovably at the second end region (48) of the nozzle support part (38) and rotatable about a longitudinal axis (44) of the nozzle support part (38).

19. Liquid dispensing device for dispensing a fan-shaped, fan-shaped liquid jet (70) surrounded by an air flow, with a device (14; 154; 204) according to one of the preceding claims and with a flat jet nozzle (12) which can be detachably mounted on the first end region (46) of the nozzle support part (38).

20. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 19, characterized in that the flat jet nozzle (12) can be plugged and detachably connected to the first end region (46) of the nozzle support part (38).

21. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the flat jet nozzle (12) has a nozzle housing (66) with two opposing flattened portions (91, 93) for forming a positive connection with a clamp part (80; 174) of the alignment and locking device (78; 172).

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