Liquid-dispensing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid-dispensing device (10; 210; 410) which has a housing (12; 212) comprising a through-channel (20; 220) that has an inlet portion (30; 230) with an inlet opening (22; 222). A jet-generating part (32; 232) with a flat jet nozzle (44; 244) is immersed into the inlet portion (30; 230), which is adjoined by a liquid-receiving portion (120; 320) and a liquid-dispensing portion (124; 324). The liquid-receiving portion (120; 320) is fluidically connected to at least one air-intake opening (118, 318). The liquid-dispensing portion (124;324) widens in a fan shape and extends up to an outlet opening (26; 226). In order to simplify the assembly of the liquid-dispensing device (10; 210; 410), a retaining device (90; 290) is provided in the inlet portion (30; 230), said retaining device having a plurality of channel-shaped retaining parts (92, 94; 292, 294) which receive the jet-generating part (32; 232) between one another in a rotationally fixed manner in a specified rotational position.

Description

[0001] LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE

[0002] The invention relates to a liquid dispensing device for dispensing a liquid jet surrounded by a jacket-like air flow and expanding fan-shaped in a jet plane, wherein the liquid dispensing device has a housing surrounding a through-channel having an inlet section with an inlet opening, wherein a jet generating part with a flat jet nozzle for generating the liquid jet is immersed in the inlet section, and wherein the through-channel has a liquid receiving section adjoining the inlet section for receiving the liquid jet and a liquid dispensing section adjoining the liquid receiving section for dispensing the liquid jet,wherein the liquid receiving section is in flow connection with at least one air intake opening and the liquid discharge section extends to an outlet opening and widens fan-shaped in the jet plane.

[0003] Jet-generating parts with a flat jet nozzle for generating a fluid jet that expands fan-shaped in a jet plane are used, for example, as accessories for pressure cleaning devices, particularly for high-pressure cleaning devices, to cover a surface to be cleaned with a fan-shaped fluid jet. Pressurized water, for example, can be used as the fluid. Such flat jet nozzles are known from WO 2014 / 090333 A1.

[0004] The fan-shaped liquid jet emerging from the flat jet nozzle interacts with the ambient air on its way to the surface 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 housing with a through-channel having an inlet section with an inlet opening. A jet-generating part, which includes the flat jet nozzle, is immersed in the inlet section.Adjacent to the inlet section is a liquid receiving section of the through-channel for receiving the liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle, and adjoining the liquid receiving section is a liquid discharge section for discharging the liquid jet. The liquid receiving section is in flow communication with at least one air intake opening, and the liquid discharge section extends to an outlet opening and widens fan-shaped in the jet plane. Under the action of the liquid jet, air is sucked into the liquid receiving section via the at least one air intake opening, forming an air jacket surrounding the liquid jet and discharged together with the liquid jet via the outlet opening.The air is sucked into the liquid intake section in the manner of a jet pump by the liquid jet emerging at considerable speed from the nozzle outlet opening of the flat jet nozzle. The air jacket surrounding the fan-shaped expanding liquid jet reduces the interaction of the liquid jet with the ambient air, thereby reducing the deceleration of the liquid jet and lessening its compactness.

[0005] When assembling the liquid dispensing device, care must be taken to ensure that the jet-generating part assumes a rotational position relative to the jet plane of the liquid dispensing section of the through-channel such that the fan-shaped liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle can flow through the liquid dispensing section virtually unhindered. The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a liquid dispensing device of the generic type in such a way that it can be assembled more easily.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention in a liquid dispensing device of the type mentioned at the outset in that a holding device for holding the jet generating part is arranged in the inlet section of the through-channel, wherein the holding device has a plurality of channel-shaped holding parts which receive the jet generating part between them in a rotationally fixed manner in a predetermined rotational position of the jet generating part.

[0007] For example, it can be provided that the holding device has two channel-shaped holding parts, which are preferably designed mirror-symmetrically to one another.

[0008] During assembly of the liquid dispensing device, the groove-shaped holding parts facilitate the alignment of the jet-generating part by holding the jet-generating part between them in a predetermined rotational position in a rotationally fixed manner. During assembly of the liquid dispensing device, the jet-generating part can be inserted into the groove-shaped holding parts, whereby the jet-generating part is held in a rotationally fixed manner by the holding parts in a predetermined rotational position. During assembly, the jet-generating part can be easily aligned such that it is held in a rotationally fixed manner by the groove-shaped holding parts, so that the flat jet nozzle of the jet-generating part assumes a rotational position such that the fan-shaped liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle can flow through the liquid dispensing section virtually unhindered.

[0009] It is advantageous if the groove-shaped holding parts accommodate the jet-generating part in a rotationally fixed manner, forming a force-locking or positive locking connection. In particular, it can be provided that the jet-generating part has at least one first force-locking or positive locking element, for example a recess, a flattened portion, or a projection, and that at least one groove-shaped holding part has at least one second force-locking or positive locking element that interacts with a first force-locking or positive locking element.

[0010] It is advantageous if an area of ​​the inlet opening of the through-channel surrounding the jet-generating part forms an air intake opening. The jet-generating part extends into the inlet section of the through-channel, so that an area surrounding the jet-generating part in the region of the inlet opening of the through-channel can form an air intake opening.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding device is surrounded by an air supply chamber, via which the liquid receiving section is in flow connection with the at least one air intake opening. In such an embodiment, the inlet section of the through-channel, in combination with the holding device arranged in the inlet section, defines an air supply chamber that surrounds the holding device in a ring shape and can extend from at least one air intake opening to the liquid receiving section of the through-channel, so that under the effect of the liquid jet emerging from the flat jet nozzle, air is sucked into the liquid receiving section of the through-channel via the at least one air intake opening and the air supply chamber and then surrounds the liquid jet in a jacket-like manner.

[0012] A filter device is advantageously arranged at the at least one air inlet opening, with the aid of which any dirt particles entrained by the air drawn in can be at least partially retained. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the channel-shaped holding parts of the holding device are connected to the housing via holding ribs that extend through the air supply chamber.

[0013] Relative to a longitudinal axis of the through-channel, the retaining ribs can, for example, be aligned in a radial direction.

[0014] It is advantageous if the housing has two housing half-shells, each rigidly connected to a groove-shaped holding part. During assembly of the liquid dispensing device, the pre-assembled jet-generating part can first be inserted in a predetermined rotational position into a groove-shaped holding part, which is rigidly connected to a first housing half-shell. A corresponding groove-shaped holding part is rigidly connected to the second housing half-shell, so that the second housing half-shell, together with the corresponding holding part, can be placed onto the first housing half-shell and its holding part. The two holding parts then positively accommodate the jet-generating part between them and ensure that the jet-generating part is held in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0015] The housing half-shells are advantageously each integrally connected to a groove-shaped holding part via at least one holding rib. With such a configuration, each housing half-shell, in combination with at least one holding rib and a groove-shaped holding part, forms a one-piece component. This further simplifies the assembly of the liquid dispensing device. For example, it can be provided that each housing half-shell, in combination with at least one holding rib and a holding part, forms a one-piece molded plastic part, in particular a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic part.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the beam-generating part has at least one flattened portion on its outer side, and at least one groove-shaped holding part of the holding device has at least one contact element on its inner side facing the beam-generating part, against which at least one flattened portion of the beam-generating part can be placed in planar contact. The planar contact of one or more flattened portions of the beam-generating part against one or more contact elements of at least one holding part determines the required rotational position of the beam-generating part and ensures that the beam-generating part is held in a rotationally fixed manner on the holding device.

[0017] The at least one flattened portion can be arranged, for example, on the flat jet nozzle of the jet-generating part. Alternatively or additionally, at least one flattened portion can be arranged, for example, on a nozzle retaining member of the jet-generating part.

[0018] Preferably, the beam generating part has two opposing flattened portions on its outer side, and two channel-shaped holding parts each have a contact element on their inner side facing the beam generating part, against which a flattened portion of the beam generating part can be placed in a planar manner.

[0019] It is advantageous if the jet generation part has a liquid supply member and a nozzle holding member which can be detachably connected to the liquid supply member, wherein the liquid supply member has a liquid inlet channel and the flat jet nozzle can be detachably connected to the liquid supply member in a liquid-tight manner, and wherein the nozzle holding member has a sleeve which can be detachably connected to the liquid supply member and which forms a collar on its end region facing away from the liquid supply member, through which the flat jet nozzle can pass, wherein the flat jet nozzle is held on the collar in a rotationally fixed manner and the sleeve forms on its outer side the at least one flattened portion of the jet generation part, against which at least one contact element of a groove-shaped holding part can be placed flat.By means of the at least one flattened portion, which is arranged on the outer side of the sleeve of the nozzle holding member and can be placed flat against at least one contact element of a holding part, it is ensured that the jet generating part assumes a predetermined rotational position. The collar preferably has two opposing openings, and the jet generating part has a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamping element with two legs that are connected to one another via a web, wherein the legs each dip into an opening in the collar and positively accommodate the flat jet nozzle between them. With such an embodiment of the invention, the flat jet nozzle can be mounted on the liquid supply member and secured in the axial direction by means of the nozzle holding member. The flat jet nozzle can then be aligned in a predetermined rotational position by means of the clamping element.For this purpose, the U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamp element can be inserted into the openings of the collar, with the legs being received by the openings and positively accommodating the flat jet nozzle between them. In the predetermined rotational position of the flat jet nozzle, the jet plane of the liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle can be aligned coplanarly with a center plane of the liquid dispensing section.

[0020] It is advantageous if the flat jet nozzle has a nozzle housing with two opposing flat surfaces, each of which is engaged by a leg of the clamping element. The clamping element holds the flat jet nozzle in a rotationally fixed manner to the sleeve of the nozzle holder, and the sleeve can be placed flat against the contact elements of the holding device's holding elements with its flat surfaces.

[0021] It is advantageous if the fluid supply member has a radial extension that is axially immovably held between the nozzle holding member and a radially inwardly directed step of the holding parts. The radial extension occupies a position between an end surface of the nozzle holding member facing away from the flat jet nozzle and a radially inwardly directed step of the holding parts, thereby securing it in the axial direction. The radial extension advantageously extends over the entire circumference of the fluid supply member.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the jet-generating part comprises a liquid supply element, wherein the liquid supply element has a liquid inlet channel, and the flat jet nozzle is detachably connectable to the liquid supply element in a liquid-tight manner. The flat jet nozzle comprises a nozzle housing that forms at least one flattened portion of the jet-generating part on its outer side, against which at least one contact element of a channel-shaped holding part can be placed flatly. In such an embodiment, the at least one flattened portion arranged on the outer side of the nozzle housing of the flat jet nozzle can ensure that the jet-generating part assumes a predetermined rotational position.The jet generation part is formed by the liquid supply member and the flat jet nozzle connected to the liquid supply member and can be inserted into a channel-shaped holding part, wherein the at least one flattened portion arranged on the nozzle housing of the flat jet nozzle can be placed flat against a contact element of the holding part, so that the jet generation part assumes a predetermined rotational position in which it is ensured that the fan-shaped expanding liquid jet emanating from the flat jet nozzle can flow through the liquid dispensing section practically unhindered.

[0023] It is advantageous if the nozzle housing of the flat jet nozzle forms two opposing flattened portions of the jet generating part on its outer side, against each of which a contact element of a holding part can be placed flatly.

[0024] Preferably, the nozzle housing of the flat jet nozzle can be screwed to the liquid supply member. For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that the liquid supply member has a fastening section with an external thread, and the nozzle housing of the flat jet nozzle has a housing base with an internal thread that can be screwed onto the external thread of the fastening section.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact elements of the holding parts of the holding device each define a contact surface aligned parallel to the beam plane.

[0026] The contact elements arranged on the inside of the holding parts are preferably U-shaped. They have two legs connected to each other via a web. The legs are preferably aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the through-channel of the housing, and the web is aligned perpendicular to the legs.

[0027] It is advantageous if the liquid supply member has an end section facing away from the flat jet nozzle, which protrudes from the housing of the liquid dispensing device and forms a connecting member for connecting the liquid supply member to a liquid supply device. A jet pipe or a spray gun, for example, can be used as the liquid supply device, which can be supplied with pressurized liquid, in particular pressurized water, from a pressure cleaning device. The pressurized liquid can be supplied to the liquid supply member of the jet-generating part via the liquid supply device and discharged from there via the flat jet nozzle.

[0028] It is advantageous if the connecting element has a locking receptacle, in particular a circumferential annular groove, for establishing a locking connection with the liquid supply device. The liquid supply device can, for example, have at least one spring-loaded coupling element which, when the liquid supply element is connected to the liquid supply device, engages in the locking receptacle of the connecting element to establish a locking connection. To release the locking connection, the liquid supply device can, for example, have an actuating element which can be actuated by the user to move the at least one coupling element against the acting spring force into a release position in which it releases the locking receptacle of the connecting element.

[0029] The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention serves to explain it in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. They show:

[0030] Figure 1: a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a liquid dispensing device;

[0031] Figure 2: a plan view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 3: a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2;

[0033] Figure 4: a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 3;

[0034] Figure 5: a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 2;

[0035] Figure 6: a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Figure 2;

[0036] Figure 7: a first perspective view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1 in the manner of an exploded drawing;

[0037] Figure 8: a second perspective view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 1 in the manner of an exploded drawing;

[0038] Figure 9: a plan view of a second preferred embodiment of a liquid dispensing device;

[0039] Figure 10: a sectional view taken along line 10-10 in Figure 9; Figure 11: a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in Figure 10;

[0040] Figure 12: a sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Figure 9;

[0041] Figure 13: a perspective view of the liquid dispensing device from Figure 9 in the manner of an exploded view;

[0042] Figure 14: a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a liquid dispensing device in the manner of an exploded drawing.

[0043] In Figures 1 to 8, a first preferred embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention for dispensing a liquid jet surrounded by an air flow and expanding in a fan-shaped manner in a jet plane is schematically shown and is designated overall by the reference numeral 10.

[0044] The liquid dispensing device 10 has a housing 12 which is formed by a first housing half-shell 14 and a second housing half-shell 16 which are screwed together by means of connecting screws 18.

[0045] The housing 12 surrounds a through-channel 20 which extends from an inlet opening 22 arranged on a rear side 24 of the housing 12 to an outlet opening 26 arranged on a front side 28 of the housing 12 opposite the rear side 24.

[0046] Starting from the inlet opening 22, the through-channel 20 has an inlet section 30 into which a jet generating part 32 is immersed.

[0047] The jet-generating part 32 has a liquid supply member 34 that forms a liquid inlet channel 36. The liquid supply member 34 is substantially cylindrical and has a radial extension 38 approximately centrally. A fastening section 40 with an external thread adjoins the radial extension 38 in the direction of the outlet opening 26, and a plug-in nipple 42 adjoins the fastening section 40 in the direction of the outlet opening 26.

[0048] The jet generation part 32 also has a flat jet nozzle 44 with a nozzle housing 46. The flat jet nozzle 44 can be plugged onto the plug-in nipple 42 with the interposition of a sealing ring (not shown in the drawing). For this purpose, the nozzle housing 46 forms a plug-in sleeve 48 designed complementarily to the plug-in nipple 42. A front housing section 52 is connected to the plug-in sleeve 48 via a radially inwardly directed step 50, said front housing section having a nozzle outlet opening 54 on its end face facing away from the step 50. The flat jet nozzle 44 is designed such that pressurized liquid, preferably water, fed to the flat jet nozzle 44 is discharged in the form of a liquid jet 56 that expands fan-shaped in a jet plane 58. The liquid jet 56 and the jet plane 58 are shown in dashed lines in Figure 4.

[0049] For axially securing the flat jet nozzle 44 to the liquid supply member 34, the jet generation part 32 has a nozzle holding member 60 forming a sleeve 62 that can be screwed to the fastening section 40 of the liquid supply member 34 using an internal thread. An end face 64 of the nozzle holding member 60 facing the rear side 24 of the housing 12 comes into contact with the radial extension 38 of the liquid supply member 34. The sleeve 62 has, at its end region facing away from the end face 64, an axially aligned collar 66 through which the front housing section 52 of the flat jet nozzle 44 passes and which has two opposing slot-shaped openings 68, 70. Immediately upstream of the collar 66, the sleeve 62 has two opposing flattened portions 72, 74 on its outer side.

[0050] The nozzle housing 46 of the flat jet nozzle 44 has two opposing housing flats 76, 78 on its outer side in the front housing section 52. To align and lock the flat jet nozzle 44 in a predetermined rotational position, the jet generation part 32 has a clamp element 80. In the predetermined rotational position, the jet plane 58 of the liquid jet 56 is aligned coplanar with a center plane 21 of the through-channel 20. The clamp element 80 is essentially U-shaped and has two legs 82, 84 connected to one another via a web 86. The two legs 82, 84 each extend into one of the slot-shaped openings 68 and 70, respectively, of the collar 66 to such an extent that they positively accommodate the flat jet nozzle 44 in the region of the front housing section 52 by coming into contact with one of the housing flats 76 and 78, respectively. This is particularly evident in Figure 5.By means of the clamp element 80, the flat jet nozzle 44 can thus be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the sleeve 62 of the nozzle holding member 60.

[0051] The jet-generating part 32 is surrounded in the inlet section 30 of the through-channel 20 by a holding device 90, which has a first groove-shaped holding part 92 and a second groove-shaped holding part 94. The two holding parts 92, 94 positively and rotationally secure the jet-generating part 32 between them in a predetermined rotational position in the region of the liquid supply member 34 and the nozzle holding member 60. For this purpose, the two holding parts 92, 94 each have a contact element 96 on their inner sides facing the jet-generating part 32. For the sake of clarity, only the contact element 96 of the first holding part 92 is shown. The second holding part 94 is designed symmetrically to the first holding part 92.

[0052] The contact element 96 is U-shaped and has two legs 100, 102 aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis 98 of the through-channel 20, which are connected to one another via a web 104. The legs 100, 102 and the web 104 form a contact surface 106 aligned parallel to the center plane 21 of the through-channel 20. This is particularly clear from Figure 5. During assembly of the liquid dispensing device 10, the pre-assembled jet-generating part 32 can, for example, be placed onto the first holding part 92, wherein the flattened portion 74 of the sleeve 62 of the nozzle holding member 60 can be placed flat against the contact surface 106 of the first holding part 92.

[0053] The holding parts 92, 94 each have a radially inwardly directed step 108 in their end region facing away from the respective contact element 96, to which a collar-like end piece 110 of the holding parts 92, 94 adjoins. When inserting the jet-generating part 32 into the first holding part 92, the radial extension 38 of the liquid supply member 34 can be placed with its rear side facing away from the nozzle holding member 60 against the step 108 of the first holding part 92. In a further assembly step, the second holding part 94 can then be placed onto the first holding part 92, so that the jet-generating part 32 is received axially and rotationally fixedly by the holding device 90.

[0054] The two holding parts 92, 94 are each integrally connected to a housing half-shell 14, 16 of the housing 12 via holding ribs 112 and 114, respectively, which are radially aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis 98 of the through-channel 20. The first housing half-shell 14, in combination with the holding ribs 112 and the first holding part 92, forms a one-piece plastic molded part, and the second housing half-shell 16, in combination with the holding ribs 114 and the second holding part 94, forms another one-piece plastic molded part.

[0055] The holding device 90 is surrounded in the inlet section 30 of the through-channel 20 by an annular space forming an air supply space 116. The air supply space 116 extends from an air intake opening 118 to the nozzle outlet opening 54 of the flat jet nozzle 44. The air intake opening 118 is formed by an annular region of the inlet opening 22, which surrounds the jet-generating part 32.

[0056] Adjacent to the air supply chamber 116, through which the retaining ribs 112, 114 extend in the radial direction, is a liquid receiving section 120 of the through-channel 20. The liquid receiving section 120 extends to a constriction 122 of the through-channel 20, which is adjoined by a liquid dispensing section 124 of the through-channel 20. The liquid dispensing section 124 widens fan-shaped in the jet plane 58 and extends to the outlet opening 26.

[0057] The jet-generating part 32 has, in its region protruding from the housing 12, a connecting member 126 that is mounted on the fluid supply member 34 so that it can rotate about the longitudinal axis 98 of the through-channel 20 and is axially immovable. The connecting member 126 has a connecting sleeve 128 with an internal thread 130. The connecting sleeve 128 is surrounded in a rotationally fixed manner by a plastic casing 132, which can be gripped by the user to screw the connecting sleeve 128 to a complementarily designed connecting member of a fluid supply device.

[0058] A jet pipe or a spray gun, for example, can be used as a liquid supply device, which can be supplied with pressurised liquid, in particular with pressurised water, from a pressure cleaning device.

[0059] Starting from the connecting member 126, the pressurized liquid can reach the flat jet nozzle 44 via the liquid inlet channel 36 of the liquid supply member 34. As already mentioned, the flat jet nozzle 44 is designed such that, upon leaving the flat jet nozzle 44, the liquid forms a liquid jet 56 that expands fan-shaped in the jet plane 58. Under the action of the liquid jet 56, air is sucked into the liquid receiving section 120 via the air intake opening 118 and the adjoining air supply chamber 116. This air jacket forms an air jacket that surrounds the liquid jet 56 and is discharged together with the liquid jet via the liquid discharge section 124 and the outlet opening 26.To retain dirt particles that may be entrained with the intake air, a two-part filter device 134 is arranged at the air intake opening 118. The filter device consists of a first filter part 136 and a second filter part 138. The two filter parts 136, 138 each have a plurality of through-openings through which the intake air can enter the air supply chamber 116. The filter parts 136, 138 are each semi-annular and surround the jet-generating part 32 in the region of the inlet opening 22 in the circumferential direction, each over an angular range of 180°.

[0060] The filter parts 136, 138 each have a locking hook 140 or 142, respectively, by means of which they can be locked to a holding part 92, 94 of the holding device 90. For this purpose, the holding parts 92, 94 each have a locking receptacle in the form of an opening 144 into which a locking hook 140, 142 can engage. This is particularly evident in Figure 6.

[0061] By means of the liquid dispensing device 10, a fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet can be dispensed, surrounded by an air flow. The liquid dispensing device 10 is characterized in particular by its simple assembly, ensuring that the jet-generating part 32 and the flat jet nozzle 44 assume a rotational position in which the fan-shaped expanding liquid jet 56 can flow through the liquid dispensing section 124 virtually unhindered.

[0062] In Figures 9 to 13, a second preferred embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention for dispensing a liquid jet surrounded by an air flow and expanding in a fan-shaped manner in a jet plane is schematically shown and is designated overall by the reference numeral 210.

[0063] The liquid dispensing device 210 has a housing 212 which is designed in the same way as the housing 12 explained above with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The housing 212 has a first housing half-shell 214 and a second housing half-shell 216 which are screwed together by means of connecting screws 218.

[0064] The housing 212 surrounds a through-channel 220 which extends from an inlet opening 222 arranged on a rear side 224 of the housing 212 to an outlet opening 226 arranged on a front side 228 of the housing 212 opposite the rear side 224.

[0065] Starting from the inlet opening 222, the passage channel 220 has an inlet section 230 into which a jet generating part 232 is immersed.

[0066] The jet-generating part 232 has a liquid supply member 234 that forms a liquid inlet channel 236. The liquid supply member 234 is configured similarly to the liquid supply member 34 explained above with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The liquid supply member 34 is substantially cylindrical and has an approximately centrally arranged first radial extension 238 and a second radial extension 239 arranged at a short distance from the first radial extension 238 in the direction of the outlet opening 226, each of which extends over the entire circumference of the jet-generating part 232.

[0067] The second radial extension 239 is followed in the direction of the outlet opening 226 by a fastening section 240 with an external thread 241.

[0068] The jet-generating part 232 also has a flat jet nozzle 244 with a nozzle housing 246, which can be screwed onto the fastening section 240 of the liquid supply member 234 with the interposition of a sealing ring (not shown in the drawing). The nozzle housing 246 has a cylindrical housing base 248, to which a frustoconical extension 250 adjoins in the direction of the outlet opening 226, which has a nozzle outlet opening 254 at its end facing away from the housing base 248.

[0069] The flat jet nozzle 244 is designed such that pressurized liquid, preferably water, supplied to the flat jet nozzle 244 is discharged in the form of a liquid jet 256 that expands fan-shaped in a jet plane 258. The liquid jet 256 and the jet plane 258 are shown in dashed lines in Figure 11.

[0070] The cylindrical housing base 248 of the nozzle housing 246 has on its outer side two opposing flats 272, 274, which are aligned parallel to each other and extend at a short distance from a nozzle rear side 280 opposite the nozzle outlet opening 254 into the region of the frustoconical extension 250. This is particularly evident in Figures 12 and 13.

[0071] The jet-generating part 232 is surrounded in the inlet section 230 of the through-channel 220 by a holding device 290, which has a first groove-shaped holding part 292 and a second groove-shaped holding part 294. The two holding parts 292, 294 positively and non-rotatably hold the jet-generating part 232 between them in a predetermined rotational position in the region of the liquid supply member 234 that extends into the inlet section 30 and in the region of the housing base 248 of the flat jet nozzle 244. For this purpose, the two holding parts 292, 294 each have a contact element 296 on their inner sides facing the jet-generating part 232.

[0072] The contact elements 296 are U-shaped and each have two legs 300, 302 aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis 298 of the through-channel 220, which are connected to each other via a web 304. The legs 300, 302 and the web 304 form a contact surface 306 aligned parallel to a center plane 221 of the through-channel 220. This is particularly evident in Figure 12.

[0073] During assembly of the liquid dispensing device 210, the pre-assembled jet generating part 232 can, for example, be placed on the first holding part 292, wherein the flattened portion 272 of the nozzle housing 246 can be placed flat against the contact surface 306 of the first holding part 292 and the non-flattened portion of the housing base 248, which directly adjoins the nozzle rear side 280, engages behind the web 304.

[0074] The channel-shaped holding parts 292, 294 each have a radially inwardly directed step 308 in their end region facing away from the respective contact element 296, to which a collar-like end piece 310 of the holding parts 292, 294 adjoins. When inserting the jet-generating part 232 into the first holding part 292, the first radial extension 238 of the liquid supply member 234 can be placed with its rear side facing away from the flat jet nozzle 244 against the step 308 of the first holding part 292. In a further assembly step, the second holding part 294 can then be placed onto the first holding part 292, wherein the flattened portion 274 of the nozzle housing 246 comes into contact with the contact surface 306 of the second holding part 294, so that the jet generating part 232 is received axially and rotationally fixed by the holding device 290.

[0075] The two holding parts 292, 294 are each integrally connected to a housing half-shell 214 or 216 of the housing 212 via holding ribs 312 and 314, respectively, aligned radially with respect to the longitudinal axis 298 of the through-channel 220. The first housing half-shell 214, in combination with the holding ribs 312 and the first holding part 292, forms a one-piece plastic molded part, and the second housing half-shell 216, in combination with the holding ribs 314 and the second holding part 294, forms another one-piece plastic molded part. The holding device 290 is surrounded in the inlet section 230 of the through-channel 220 by an annular space that forms an air supply space 316. The air supply chamber 316 extends from an air intake opening 318 to the nozzle outlet opening 254 of the flat jet nozzle 244. The air intake opening 318 is formed by an annular region of the inlet opening 222, which surrounds the jet generating part 232 in the circumferential direction.

[0076] Adjacent to the air supply chamber 316, through which the retaining ribs 312, 314 extend in the radial direction, is a liquid receiving section 320 of the through-channel 220. The liquid receiving section 320 extends to a constriction 322 of the through-channel 220, which is adjoined by a liquid dispensing section 324 of the through-channel 220. The liquid dispensing section 324 widens fan-shaped in the jet plane 258 and extends to the outlet opening 226.

[0077] The jet-generating part 232 has, in its region protruding from the housing 212, a connecting member 326 that is mounted on the fluid supply member 234 so as to be rotatable and axially immovable about the longitudinal axis 298 of the through-channel 220. The connecting member 326 has a connecting sleeve 328 with an internal thread 330. The connecting sleeve 328 is surrounded in a rotationally fixed manner by a plastic casing 332, which can be gripped by the user to screw the connecting sleeve 328 to a complementarily designed connecting member of a fluid supply device.

[0078] A jet pipe or a spray gun, for example, can be used as the liquid supply device, which can be supplied with pressurised liquid, in particular with pressurised water, from a pressure cleaning device.

[0079] Starting from the connecting member 326, the pressurized liquid can reach the flat jet nozzle 244 via the liquid inlet channel 226 of the liquid supply member 234. The flat jet nozzle 244 is designed such that, upon leaving the flat jet nozzle 244, the liquid forms a liquid jet 256 that expands fan-shaped in the jet plane 258. Under the action of the liquid jet 256, air is sucked into the liquid receiving section 320 via the air intake opening 318 and the adjoining air supply chamber 316. This air jacket forms an air jacket that surrounds the liquid jet 256 and is discharged together with the liquid jet 256 via the liquid discharge section 324 and the outlet opening 226.

[0080] In order to retain dirt particles that may be entrained with the intake air, a filter device 334 is arranged at the air intake opening 318. This filter device is designed in the same way as the filter device 134 explained above with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The filter device 334 is also designed in two parts and has a first filter part 336 and a second filter part 338. The two filter parts 336, 338 each have a plurality of through openings through which the intake air can reach the air supply chamber 316. The filter parts 336 and 338 are each semi-annular and surround the jet generation part 232 in the region of the inlet opening 222 in the circumferential direction, each over an angular range of 180°.

[0081] The two filter parts 336, 338 each have a locking hook 340 or 342, respectively, with the aid of which they can be locked to a holding part 292, 294 of the holding device 290. For this purpose, the holding parts 292, 294 each have a locking receptacle in the form of a locking opening 344, into which a locking hook 340 or 342 can engage.

[0082] A fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet 256 surrounded by an air flow can also be dispensed by means of the liquid dispensing device 210, wherein the liquid jet 256 can flow through the liquid dispensing section 324 virtually unhindered. The liquid dispensing device 210 differs from the liquid dispensing device 10 explained above with reference to Figures 1 to 8 in particular in that the flat jet nozzle 244 can be detachably connected to the liquid supply member 234 without an additional nozzle holder and can be aligned in the jet plane 258.In order to align the flat jet nozzle in such a way that it assumes a rotational position in which the liquid jet 256 can fan out practically unhindered in the liquid dispensing section 324, the flat jet nozzle 244 has on its outer side the two opposing flattened portions 272, 274, which, during assembly of the liquid dispensing device 210, each come into flat contact with a contact element 296 of the holding parts 292, 294.

[0083] Figure 14 schematically shows a third preferred embodiment of a liquid dispensing device according to the invention for dispensing a liquid jet surrounded by an air flow and expanding fan-shaped in a jet plane and is designated overall by the reference numeral 410.

[0084] The liquid dispensing device 410 is designed largely identically to the liquid dispensing device 210 explained above with reference to Figures 9 to 13. For identical components, the same reference numerals are therefore used in Figure 14 as in Figures 9 to 13, and with regard to these components, reference is made to the above explanations to avoid repetition.

[0085] The liquid dispensing device 410 also utilizes the previously described flat jet nozzle 244, which can be screwed to a liquid supply member 412. The liquid supply member 412 is largely identical in design to the previously described liquid supply member 234. However, the liquid supply member 412 has an end portion facing away from the flat jet nozzle 244, which protrudes from the housing 212 and forms a connecting member 414 for connecting the liquid supply member 412 to a liquid supply device, for example a jet pipe or a spray gun, which can be supplied with pressurized liquid, in particular pressurized water, from a pressure cleaning device. The connecting member 414 has a locking receptacle for establishing a locking connection with the liquid supply device.In the preferred embodiment shown, the locking receptacle is designed in the form of a circumferentially extending annular groove 416. When connected to a liquid supply device, spring-loaded coupling elements of the liquid supply device can engage in the annular groove 416, so that a mechanically resilient connection can be established between the liquid supply member 412 and the liquid supply device. To release the connection, the liquid supply device can have an actuating element that can be actuated by the user, so that the coupling elements release the annular groove 416 against the spring force acting on them, thereby separating the connection between the liquid supply member 412 and the liquid supply device.

[0086] A fan-shaped, expanding liquid jet surrounded by an air flow can also be dispensed by means of the liquid dispensing device 410, wherein the liquid dispensing device 410 is also characterized by a simple assembly, which ensures that the liquid jet can flow through the liquid dispensing section of the liquid dispensing device 410 practically unhindered.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R Ü C H E 1. Liquid dispensing device for dispensing a liquid jet (56; 256) which is surrounded by a jacket-like air flow and widens in a fan-shaped manner in a jet plane (58; 258), wherein the liquid dispensing device (10; 210; 410) has a housing (12; 212) which surrounds a through-channel (20; 220) which has an inlet section (30; 230) with an inlet opening (22; 222), wherein a jet generating part (32; 232) with a flat jet nozzle (44; 244) for generating the liquid jet (56; 256) is immersed in the inlet section (30; 230), and wherein the through-channel (20; 220) has a liquid receiving section (120; 220) adjoining the inlet section (30; 230). 320) for receiving the liquid jet (56; 256) and a liquid dispensing section (124; 324) adjoining the liquid receiving section (120; 320) for dispensing the liquid jet (56; 256), wherein the liquid receiving section (120;320) is in flow connection with at least one air intake opening (118; 318) and the liquid discharge section (124; 324) extends to an outlet opening (26; 226) and widens in a fan-shaped manner in the jet plane (58; 258), characterized in that a holding device (90; 290) for holding the jet generating part (32; 232) is arranged in the inlet section (30; 230), wherein the holding device (90; 290) has a plurality of groove-shaped holding parts (92, 94; 292, 294) which receive the jet generating part (32; 232) between them in a rotationally fixed manner in a predetermined rotational position.

2. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel-shaped holding parts (92, 94; 292, 294) receive the jet generating part (32; 232) between them in a rotationally fixed manner, forming a force-locking or form-locking connection.

3. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the jet generating part (32; 232) has at least one first force-locking or form-locking element (72, 74; 272, 274), and that at least one channel-shaped holding part (92, 94; 292, 294) has at least one second force-locking or form-locking element (96; 296) which cooperates with a first force-locking or form-locking element (72, 74; 272, 274).

4. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a region of the inlet opening (22; 222) of the through-channel (20; 220) surrounding the jet-generating part (32; 232) forms an air intake opening (118; 318).

5. Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device (90; 290) is surrounded by an air supply space (116; 316) via which the liquid receiving section (120; 320) is in flow connection with the at least one air intake opening (118; 318).

6. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the channel-shaped holding parts (92, 94; 292, 294) are connected to the housing (12; 212) via holding ribs (112, 114; 312, 314) passing through the air supply space (116; 316).

7. Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (12; 212) has two housing half-shells (14, 16; 214, 216), each of which is rigidly connected to a groove-shaped holding part (92, 94; 292, 294).

8. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing half-shells (14, 16; 214, 216) are each integrally connected to a groove-shaped holding part (92, 94; 292, 294) via at least one holding rib (112, 114; 312, 314).

9. Liquid dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jet generating part (32; 232) has at least one flattened portion (72, 74; 272, 274) on its outer side, and in that at least one channel-shaped holding part (92, 94; 292, 294) has at least one contact element (96; 296) on its inner side facing the jet generating part (32; 232), against which at least one flattened portion (72, 74; 272, 274) can be placed flat.

10. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the jet generating part (32; 232) has two opposing flattened portions (72, 74; 272, 274) on its outer side, and in that two channel-shaped holding parts (92, 94; 292, 294) each have a contact element (96; 296) on their inner side facing the jet generating part (32; 232), against which a flattened portion (72, 74; 272, 274) of the jet generating part (32; 232) can be placed flat.

11. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the jet generating part (32) has a liquid supply member (34) and a nozzle holding member (60) which can be detachably connected to the liquid supply member (34), wherein the liquid supply member (34) has a liquid inlet channel (36) and the flat jet nozzle (44) can be detachably connected to the liquid supply member (34) in a liquid-tight manner, and wherein the nozzle holding member (60) has a sleeve (62) which can be detachably connected to the liquid supply member (34) and which forms a collar (66) at its end region facing away from the liquid supply member (34) through which the flat jet nozzle (44) can pass, wherein the flat jet nozzle (44) is held on the collar (66) in a rotationally fixed manner and the sleeve (62) has at least one flattening on its outer side (72, 74) of the beam generating part (32), against which at least one contact element (96) of a holding part (92, 94) can be placed flat.

12. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 11, characterized in that the collar (66) has two mutually opposite openings (68, 70), and in that the jet generating part (32) has a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped clamp element (80) with two legs (82, 84) which are connected to one another via a web (86), wherein the legs (82, 84) each dip into an opening (68, 70) of the collar (66) and receive the flat jet nozzle (44) between them in a form-fitting manner.

13. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 12, characterized in that the flat jet nozzle (44) has a nozzle housing (46) with two mutually opposite housing flattened portions (76, 78), against each of which a leg (82, 84) of the clamp element (80) comes to bear.

14. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the liquid supply member (34) has a radial extension (38) which is held axially immovably between the nozzle holding member (60) and a radially inwardly directed step (108) of the holding parts (92, 94).

15. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the jet generating part (232) has a liquid supply member (234), wherein the liquid supply member (234) has a liquid inlet channel (236) and the flat jet nozzle (244) can be releasably connected to the liquid supply member (234) in a liquid-tight manner, wherein the flat jet nozzle (244) has a nozzle housing (246) which forms on its outer side at least one flattened portion (272, 274) of the jet generating part (232), against which at least one contact element (296) of a channel-shaped holding part (292, 294) can be placed flat.

16. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 15, characterized in that the nozzle housing (246) forms on its outer side two mutually opposite flattened portions (272, 274) of the jet generating part (232), against each of which a contact element (296) of a holding part (292, 294) can be placed flat.

17. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the nozzle housing (246) can be screwed to the liquid supply member (234).

18. Liquid dispensing device according to one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that the contact elements (96; 296) each define a contact surface (106; 306) aligned parallel to the jet plane (58).

19. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 18, characterized in that the contact elements (96; 296) are U-shaped.

20. Liquid dispensing device according to one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that the liquid supply member (412) has an end section facing away from the flat jet nozzle (244), which protrudes from the housing (212) of the liquid dispensing device (410) and forms a connecting member (416) for connection to a liquid supply device.

21. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 20, characterized in that the connecting member (414) has a locking receptacle (416) for establishing a locking connection with the liquid supply device.

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