Valve top for sanitary fittings

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve top for sanitary fittings, comprising a top piece through which a control spindle passes axially, via which control spindle a valve body arranged in the top piece can be actuated and which is connected to an operating device having a handle (1), wherein: the handle (1) can be moved relative to the top piece (83) coaxially with respect to the control spindle (81); the handle (1) is connected to the spindle (82) by means of an adapter piece (2) that is movably mounted in the handle (1); and the adapter piece (2) is captively secured in the handle (1).

Description

[0001] Valve head for sanitary fittings

[0002] The invention relates to a valve upper part for sanitary fittings, with a head piece which is axially penetrated by a control spindle, via which a valve body arranged in the head piece can be actuated, and which is connected to an operating device comprising a handle, wherein the handle (1) is displaceable relative to the head piece (83) coaxially to the control spindle (81).

[0003] Valve bonnets are used to control the outlet of media from fittings. For this purpose, the valve bonnet is screwed into the fitting body by means of its head piece. Valve bonnets of the aforementioned type are known in a wide variety of designs. For example, EP 3 062 002 A1 discloses a valve bonnet which has a head piece through which a spindle passes. The spindle is positively connected in the head piece to a control disc which rests against a stationary inlet disc. The water flow is controlled by rotating the control disc relative to the inlet disc. To operate the spindle, the end face protruding from the head piece has an external polygon and is provided with a threaded blind hole on the inside for the positive attachment of a rotary handle.

[0004] EP 2 522 887 A1 also discloses a valve upper part in which a valve body is provided to control the flow of a fluid. The valve body is linearly movable within the headpiece via a spindle. A spindle is rotatably mounted in a headpiece and connected via a thread to a valve body axially guided within the headpiece in a rotationally secure manner. Rotation of the spindle thus causes an axial movement of the valve body within the headpiece.

[0005] In valve design, there is an increasing desire for the valve head to be operated via a push-button or switch. Electromagnetically operated valves are often used for this purpose. However, the disadvantage of these valve heads is that the electromagnetic contacts can be damaged when screwing or gluing the valve head, thereby impairing reliability. Furthermore, such valves require an additional power source. Furthermore, flow control is generally not possible with these valves.

[0006] To overcome these disadvantages, EP 3 366 959 A1 proposes a valve upper part in which the handle has a control cap with which it can be displaced along the head piece and via which a control piston can be actuated. A cam track with two locking positions is incorporated into the outer surface of the head piece, into which a guide pin arranged on the control cap engages. By pressing the handle with the control cap, a guided axial movement of the control piston is achieved, which can be locked in at least two positions, for example, the "valve open" and "valve closed" positions.

[0007] The valve head shown above, also known as a "push valve," has proven itself in practice. However, this valve is limited to push-to-open operation. For tasks that require push-to-open operation (e.g., switching the water outlet (shower / shower head) or retracting the valve handle when not in use) and rotary operation (e.g., adjusting the water flow rate), the use of several such "push valves" is necessary.

[0008] Against this background, DE 20 2023 101 163 U1 proposes a valve upper part that allows both push-to-open and turn-to-open actuation. The handle is slid onto the spindle of the valve upper part and mounted on it for sliding movement. By axially pulling the handle, it can be moved into two different positions, in which it can be locked. However, excessive pulling on the handle poses the risk of inadvertently removing the handle from the spindle.

[0009] The invention aims to remedy this situation. The invention is based on the object of providing a valve head that prevents the handle from being accidentally removed from the spindle. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a valve head having the features of patent claim 1.

[0010] The invention provides a valve upper part in which accidental removal of the handle from the spindle is prevented. Because the handle is connected to the spindle via an adapter piece that is slidably mounted in the handle, with the adapter piece being captively retained in the handle, accidental removal of the handle from the spindle is prevented.

[0011] In a further development of the invention, the adapter piece is provided with an external thread in some areas, and the handle is provided with an internal thread in some areas. The external thread of the adapter piece is screwed into the internal thread of the handle and then tightened, thereby forming the loss prevention device. This allows for easy installation of the loss prevention device during assembly.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the handle has an internally encircling internal thread ridge, and the adapter piece has an externally encircling external thread ridge, at least in part. The external thread ridge is screwed into the internal thread ridge and subsequently over-tightened such that the external thread ridge is located behind the internal thread ridge, viewed in the direction of the handle. This provides reliable protection against loss, with the handle being rotatably held on the spindle. Preferably, an adjusting sleeve is arranged in the handle, which has the encircling thread ridge and in which the adapter piece is slidably mounted.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the handle is rotatable relative to the headpiece and is connected to the control spindle in a rotationally fixed manner at least in one axial position. This allows both push-to-turn and turn-to-turn operation.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the adapter piece has at least one locking means extending at least partially around its circumference, with at least one locking groove arranged inside the handle or the adjusting sleeve, with which the at least one locking means can be locked in a defined position of the adapter piece in the handle or in the adjusting sleeve. This enables a defined axial positioning of the adjusting sleeve on the adapter piece.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking means is formed by one or more locking lugs. Alternatively or additionally, the locking means can also be formed by a circumferential elastic ring element, preferably an O-ring.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, two locking grooves are arranged axially spaced from one another, preferably radially circumferentially, inside the handle or adjusting sleeve. This creates two defined axial positions of the handle, enabling a defined first axial position for a rotationally fixed connection of the handle to the control spindle and a defined second axial position without a rotationally fixed connection of the handle to the control spindle.

[0017] In a further development of the invention, the handle or adjusting sleeve is provided with internal teeth that engage with external teeth of a driver connected to the control spindle, whereby the handle is guided axially displaceably along the driver. This allows a rotationally fixed connection to the control spindle to be achieved by longitudinally displacing the handle, if necessary.

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the handle can be secured in at least two axial positions via a locking device. The locking device preferably comprises a control piston guided in a control cylinder and having a control slot into which an engagement part arranged on the control cylinder engages. The engagement part is preferably formed by a ball guided radially movable in the control cylinder. A spring is arranged between the control cylinder and the control piston and is pretensioned against the control cylinder. This causes the control cylinder connected to the handle to automatically return along the control piston after an actuating force is applied.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control piston has the driver, in whose external toothing the internal toothing of the adjusting sleeve engages. The control cylinder preferably has an external thread onto which the adapter piece is screwed with its internal thread. This enables fine adjustment of the axial position of the handle on the spindle of a valve upper section installed in a wall. By longitudinally shifting the handle into a position in which the adjusting sleeve does not engage with its internal toothing in the external toothing of the control piston, a rotation of the handle causes a longitudinal adjustment of the adapter piece along the external thread of the control piston. Inaccuracies during the installation of a valve upper section and the required cutting of the control spindle, which is usually carried out in this process, can thus be compensated for by adjusting the adapter piece.

[0020] The present invention further relates to a sanitary fitting with a valve upper part according to patent claim 15.

[0021] In this context, an "adjustment position" refers to the position of the handle in which the locking means of the adapter piece engages with the second, lower locking groove of the adjusting sleeve. In this position, adjustment is possible via the threaded engagement between the external thread of the control cylinder and the internal thread of the adapter piece. The internal toothing of the adjusting sleeve is disengaged from the external toothing of the control piston.

[0022] The "operating position" in this case refers to the position of the handle in which the locking means of the adapter piece engages with the first, upper locking groove of the adjusting sleeve. In this position, the internal teeth of the adjusting sleeve engage with the external teeth of the control piston. Adjustment via the threaded engagement between the external thread of the control cylinder and the internal thread of the adapter piece is not possible. The "operating position" in this case refers to the position of the handle in which the balls rest in the upper position of the control gate. The handle is thus "extended" for easy operation.

[0023] In this case, the "retracted position" refers to the position of the handle in which the balls rest in the holding area of ​​the control link. Here, the handle is locked in a retracted position, in which, for example, the handle is flush with the surrounding area.

[0024] Further developments and refinements of the invention are specified in the remaining subclaims. Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail below. They show:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a valve upper part with operating device with handle in operating position;

[0026] Figure 2 shows the schematic representation of the valve upper part with operating device according to Figure 1 with handle in adjustment position;

[0027] Figure 3 shows the detailed representation of section Z from Figure 2;

[0028] Figure 4 shows the schematic representation of the valve upper part with operating device according to Figure 1 with handle adjustment in maximum height setting:

[0029] Figure 5 shows the schematic representation of the valve upper part with operating device according to Figure 1 with handle adjustment in minimum height setting;

[0030] Figure 6 shows the schematic representation of the valve upper part with operating device according to figure with handle in pressed position,

[0031] Figure 7 shows the schematic representation of the valve upper part with operating device according to figure with handle in trigger safety position:

[0032] Figure 8 shows the detailed representation of section Z from Figure 7;

[0033] Figure 9 shows the schematic representation of the adapter piece of the operating device from Figure 1 a) in partial section, b) in plan view;

[0034] Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of the control piston of the operating device from Figure 1 a) in side view; b) in longitudinal section; c) in plan view;

[0035] Figure 1 1 shows a schematic representation of the adjusting sleeve of the handle of the operating device from Figure 1 a) in partial section, b) in plan view;

[0036] Figure 12 shows the schematic representation of the control cylinder of the operating device from Figure 1 a) in partial section, b) in plan view;

[0037] Figure 13 shows the schematic representation of the driver piece of the control piston of the operating device from Figure 1 a) in partial section, b) in plan view.

[0038] The valve upper part 8 selected as the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1 is designed according to EP 1 696 162 A1 and has a head piece 83 through which a control spindle 81 axially passes, through which a valve body (not shown) can be actuated. An operating device is arranged on the end of the control spindle 81, comprising a handle 1 in which an adapter piece 2 is arranged to be axially displaceable. The adapter piece 2 receives a control cylinder 3 with which it is in threaded engagement, in which a control piston 5 is arranged to be axially displaceable, and which has a receptacle for a positive connection to the non-circular connection section 82 of the control spindle 81 of a valve upper part 8. Alternatively, the connection section of the control spindle 81 can also be cylindrical. In this case, a rotationally fixed connection, for example by means of adhesive bonding, is required. The control cylinder 3 is provided with a driver piece 6 at its end.The handle 1 is formed from a hollow cylindrical, pot-shaped grip 11, into whose cylindrical side wall an adjusting sleeve 14 is screwed and glued. Alternatively, the handle 1 can also be constructed in one piece. On the outside, the grip 11 is provided with a sealing groove 13 that accommodates an O-ring 131. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip 11 and adjusting sleeve 14 are manufactured as turned brass parts.

[0039] The adjusting sleeve 14 is essentially hollow-cylindrical and has a first section 141, which is followed by a second section 143 with a slightly larger diameter. The first section 141 is provided on the outside with an external thread 15, with which the adjusting sleeve 14 is screwed and glued into an internal thread arranged for this purpose in the handle 11. In its inner surface, which has a largely dodecagonal cross-section, a first, upper locking groove 16 and, spaced from this, a second, lower locking groove 17 are arranged in the first section 141. The largely dodecagonal cross-sectional contour of the inner surface of the first section 141 serves to rotationally hold the adapter piece 2, the outer surface of which has a corresponding dodecagonal cross-sectional contour.The largely dodecagonal cross-sectional contour of the inner circumferential surface of the first section 141 and the outer circumferential surface of the adapter piece 2 is achieved by six rectangular flattenings 142, 21 introduced into the cylinder surface at regular intervals.

[0040] Alternatively, any other non-circular, preferably polygonal, contour can be used instead of the dodecagonal cross-sectional contour. The second section 143 is provided with an internal toothing 18. The inner surface of the second section 143 has a largely octagonal cross-sectional contour, which is achieved by four rectangular flattened portions 144 spaced at regular intervals in the cylinder inner surface provided with the internal toothing 18. The adapter piece 2 is essentially hollow-cylindrical and, as already explained, has an outer surface with a nearly dodecagonal cross-section corresponding to the inner surface of the adjusting sleeve 14.

[0041] At a distance from its end facing the adjusting sleeve 14, a groove 22 for receiving an O-ring 23 is formed in the adapter piece 2. The elastic O-ring 23 serves to engage in the locking grooves 16, 17 of the adjusting sleeve 14. On its inner surface, the adapter piece 2 is provided with an internal thread 24.

[0042] The control cylinder 3 is designed as an essentially hollow cylindrical brass turned part. On its end face facing the adapter piece 2, the control cylinder 3 has a shoulder 31 with a tapered inner diameter, into which a step 32 is introduced on the inside. On the outside, the control cylinder 3 has an external thread 33 that extends approximately over half its length. Spaced apart from the external thread 33 are two diametrically opposed, radially extending elongated holes 35, which are enclosed by two axially spaced, circumferential webs 36. Between the elongated holes 35 and the external thread 33, the control cylinder 3 has a diameter-tapered shoulder 37 on the inside, into which four guide notches 371 are introduced at radially spaced intervals. The guide notches 371 serve to non-rotatably guide the control piston 5.

[0043] A ball (not shown) is inserted into each of the two elongated holes 35, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the width of the elongated hole 35, so that the ball projects partially through the respective elongated hole 35 and is guided between the webs 36 for radial and circumferential movement. At its end section, which has the elongated holes 35, the driver piece 6, in which an annular spring 9 is arranged, is screwed onto the control cylinder 3, which is provided with an external thread 34 for this purpose. The driver piece 6 engages around the webs 36 and is sealed against the control cylinder 3 by an O-ring 65. The driver piece 6, together with the webs 36, the annular spring 9 and the elongated holes 35, forms a ball cage for the two balls, by which their movement in the radial direction is limited.

[0044] The control piston 5 is designed as a substantially cylindrical turned brass part. Four flattened portions 51 are radially spaced from one another in its cylindrical outer surface, forming a substantially octagonal cross-section. The control piston 5 is guided in the guide notches 371 of the control cylinder 3 via the corners thus formed. Two control guides 52 are also diametrically opposed to each other in the outer surface between each two flattened portions 51. At its end facing away from the control cylinder 3, a receptacle 54, shaped as an internal polygon, for the control spindle 81 of a valve upper part 8, which has an external polygon, is formed centrally and axially in the control piston 5. Adjacent to the receptacle 54 is a section 55 with a tapered inner diameter, into which a conical bore 56 is formed centrally for receiving the head of a countersunk screw 82.The inner diameter tapered section 55 is followed by an inner diameter expanded section 58, through which a shoulder 57 is formed, which serves as a spring seat for a compression spring 59.

[0045] The driver piece 6 is designed as a substantially hollow-cylindrical brass turned part and has, at its end opposite the control cylinder 3, a section 61 with a tapered inner diameter, which is provided with an internal thread 62. The outer surface of the driver piece 6 is provided with an external toothing 63 for engagement with the internal toothing 18 of the adjusting sleeve 14.

[0046] The adapter piece 2 is screwed with its internal thread 24 onto the external thread 33 of the control cylinder 3. The control piston 5 is inserted into the control cylinder 3 and is guided in the control cylinder 3 in a rotationally fixed but axially displaceable manner by its non-circular outer surface, which corresponds to the inner surface of the control cylinder 3. The balls (not shown) that pass through the elongated holes 35 of the control cylinder 3 in some areas each engage in a control guide 52 of the control piston 5. The compression spring 59 rests against the shoulder 57 of the control piston 5 and is preloaded on its opposite side against the adjusting sleeve 14.

[0047] In the operating position of the handle 1 with its adjusting sleeve 14, in which the O-ring 23 of the adapter piece 2 screwed onto the control cylinder 3, inserted into the groove 22 of the adapter piece 2, engages in the upper, first locking groove 16 of the adjusting sleeve 14, the internal toothing of the adjusting sleeve 14 engages with the external toothing 63 of the driver piece 6. In this operating position, a transmission of torque from the handle 1 to the driver piece 6, which is connected to the control spindle 81 of the valve upper part 8 via the control piston 5, is possible. The valve upper part 8 is designed in the exemplary embodiment according to EP 1 696 162 A1. It has a head piece 83 through which the control spindle 81 passes axially.

[0048] When installing a sanitary fitting, such as a shower fitting, on the wall, the plumber connects the water pipes to a valve head 8 of the fitting. The valve head 8 typically has a long control spindle 81, which is cut to the desired length after completion of the wall-mounted work, including any tiling. Framing the control spindle 81, the wall opening is provided with an installation sleeve 7. The control spindle 81 is inserted with its external toothing into the internally toothed receptacle 54 of the control piston 5 and secured with a countersunk screw 82. Such an installation situation is shown schematically in Figure 1.Due to inaccuracies during the installation of the valve upper part 8 and the cutting of the control spindle 81, the grip 11 of the handle 1 protrudes significantly beyond the collar 71 of the installation sleeve 7, which in this exemplary embodiment has an external thread screwed with a lock nut 73. The handle 1, with its adjusting sleeve 14 connected longitudinally to the adapter piece 2, can now be moved on the adapter piece 2 by pulling on the grip 11 until the O-ring 23 engages in the second, lower locking groove 17 of the adjusting sleeve 14. In this position, the internal toothing 18 of the adjusting sleeve 14 is disengaged from the external toothing 63 of the driver piece 6 (see Figure 2). By turning the handle 11, the adapter piece 2, which is connected to the adjusting sleeve 14 in a rotationally fixed manner, can now be adjusted axially relative to the control cylinder 3 via the threaded engagement with the external thread 33 of the control cylinder 3 (see Figure 4).

[0049] When moving the handle 1 with its adjusting sleeve 14 from the operating position to the adjustment position, a pulling force is required to move the O-ring 23 from the first, upper locking groove 16 and into the second, lower locking groove 17. To prevent the handle 11 with the O-ring 23 from being moved beyond the lower locking groove 17 and pulled off the control piston 5 due to the action of excessive pulling force, a loss prevention device is arranged between the adapter piece 2 and the adjusting sleeve 14. For this purpose, the adjusting sleeve 14 has an internally circumferential internal thread ridge 140 into which an externally threaded ridge 20 arranged on the outside of the adapter piece 2 can be screwed. During assembly, the adapter piece 2 with its external thread ridge 20 is screwed into the circumferential internal thread ridge 140 of the adjusting sleeve 14 and then tightened.According to this, the external thread ridge 20 is located behind the internal thread ridge 140 when viewed in the direction of the handle part 11. The adapter piece 2 is thus held axially in the adjusting sleeve 14 in a captive manner.

[0050] The adjusting sleeve 14 can then be moved back along the adapter piece 2 by pressing on the handle 11 until the O-ring 23 engages in the first, upper locking groove 16 of the adjusting sleeve 14. The operating unit is now adjusted relative to the installation sleeve 7 and is in the operating position (see Figure 5). By pressing the handle 1, the control cylinder 3 is moved via the adjusting sleeve 14 along the control piston 5, with the balls (not shown) running in the control link 52. The balls can move radially in the elongated holes 35. At the stop of the control piston 5 in the control cylinder 3, the balls reach the switching section 521 of the respective control cam 52. After the handle 1 is released, the control cylinder 3 is moved back by the restoring force of the compression spring 59, whereby the balls are moved into the holding area 522 of the control link 52. In this position, handle 1 is held by the balls.In this position, the handle 1 is completely sunk into the installation sleeve 7 in the retracted position, with the surfaces of the handle 1 and the collar 71 of the installation sleeve 7 lying on one level (see Figure 6).

[0051] When handle 1 is pressed again, the balls are moved out of the holding area 522 of the control gate 52. After handle 1 is released, the control cylinder 3 is now moved completely back by the restoring force of the compression spring 59. In this operating position, the handle protrudes far out of the installation sleeve 7. Due to the engagement of the internal toothing 18 of the adjusting sleeve 14 with the external toothing 63 of the driver piece 6, which is connected to the control spindle 81 of the valve upper part 8 via the control piston 5, the valve upper part 8 can now be actuated by rotating the control spindle 81 via handle 1. After the valve upper part 8 has been actuated, it can be countersunk into the installation sleeve 7 again by pressing handle 1.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Valve upper part for sanitary fittings, with a head piece which is axially penetrated by a control spindle, via which a valve body arranged in the head piece can be actuated, and which is connected to an operating device comprising a handle (1), wherein the handle (1) is displaceable relative to the head piece (83) coaxially to the control spindle (81), characterized in that the handle (1) is connected to the spindle (82) via an adapter piece (2) which is displaceably mounted in the handle (1), wherein the adapter piece (2) is held captively in the handle (1).

2. Valve upper part according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter piece (2) is provided in some areas with an external thread and the handle (1) is provided in some areas with an internal thread, wherein the external thread of the adapter piece (2) is screwed into the internal thread of the handle (1) and subsequently turned over, whereby the loss protection is formed.

3. Valve upper part according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle (1) has an internally circumferential internal thread web (140) and the adapter piece (2) has an externally circumferentially arranged external thread web (20) at least partially, which is screwed into the internal thread web (140) and subsequently turned over in such a way that the external thread web (20) is located behind the internal thread web (140) when viewed in the direction of the handle (1).

4. Valve upper part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjusting sleeve (14) is arranged in the handle (1), which has the circumferential threaded web (140) and in which the adapter piece (2) is displaceably mounted.

5. Valve upper part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (1) is rotatable relative to the head piece (83) and is connected to the control spindle in a rotationally fixed manner at least in one axial position.

6. Valve upper part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter piece (2) has at least one locking means at least partially circumferentially, wherein at least one locking groove (16, 17) is arranged inside the handle (1) or the adjusting sleeve (14), with which the at least one locking means can be locked in a defined position of the adapter piece (2) in the handle (1) or in the adjusting sleeve (14).

7. Valve upper part according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one locking means is formed by one or more locking lugs, 8. Valve upper part according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one locking means is formed by a circumferential elastic ring element, preferably by an O-ring.

9. Valve upper part according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that two locking grooves (16, 17) are arranged inside the handle (1) or the adjusting sleeve (14) at an axial distance from one another, preferably radially circumferentially.

10. Valve upper part according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the handle (1) or the adjusting sleeve (14) is provided with an internal toothing (18) which engages in an external toothing (61) of a driver (6) connected to the control spindle (81), whereby the handle (1) is guided so as to be axially displaceable along the driver (6).

11. Valve head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (1) can be fixed in at least two axial positions via an arranged locking device.

12. Valve upper part according to claim 11, characterized in that the locking device comprises a control piston (5) which is guided in a control cylinder (3) and which has a control link (52) into which an engagement part arranged on the control cylinder (3) engages, which engagement part is preferably formed by a ball (38) is formed which is guided radially movably in the control cylinder (3), wherein a spring (59) is arranged between the control cylinder (3) and the control piston (5) and is pretensioned against the control cylinder (3).

13. Valve upper part according to claim 12, characterized in that the control piston (5) has the driver (6), in whose external toothing (63) the internal toothing (18) of the adjusting sleeve (14) engages.

14. Valve upper part according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the Control cylinder (3) has an external thread (33) onto which the adapter piece (2) is screwed with its internal thread (24).

15. Sanitary fitting, characterized in that it has a valve upper part according to one of the preceding claims.

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