Sanitary fitting with telescopic outlet system

The sanitary fitting (10) has an outflow conduit system (40) which can be telescoped by a displacement distance (H). The outflow conduit system (40) has an inner tube (42), which is retained by a base unit (39), and an outer tube (44), which can be moved longitudinally in relation to the inner tube (42). The inner tube (42) has a closed tube end (48) and, at a spacing from the closed tube end (48) which corresponds at least to the displacement distance (H), a radial through-passage (50). The radial through-passage (50) connects an interior of the inner tube (42) on a permanent basis to a lateral space (70) of constant volume, the lateral space being bounded by the inner tube (42) and the outer tube (44). Longitudinally running throughflow channels (78) run through the outer tube (44) to a free end region of the outer tube (44), in which water passes out of a water-outflow opening (90) when the control cartridge (18) is open.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a sanitary fitting.

Sanitary fittings for discharging water, in particular water mixed from cold water and hot water, are known in general. In order for it to be possible for the water flowing out to be directed onto different areas, it is known to provide sanitary fittings with telescopic or pull-out water outlets.

A sanitary fitting with a telescopic water outlet is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,716. The sanitary fitting described in this document has an inner tube which forms a throughflow tube and is retained by an outlet connector of a fitting housing. An outer tube is positioned on the inner tube, it being possible for the outer tube to be displaced in its longitudinal direction in relation to the inner tube. An outflow head is arranged at the free end of the outer tube. In order that hydraulic forces of the outflowing water do not result in unintentional displacement of the outer tube in relation to the inner tube, the inner tube has a plurality of circumferentially running recesses, in which an arresting means fastened on the outer tube can engage. The arresting means has to be released in order for the outer tube to be displaced in relation to the inner tube.

Furthermore U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,767 discloses a showering device with a vertically displaceable shower tube. This showering device has a vertically oriented inner tube which is fastened on a wall at both ends. The interior of the inner tube is connected to a water supply for the showering device. Furthermore, arranged centrally in the axial direction, the inner tube has a radial through-passage. A tubular sleeve, which butts in a sealing manner against the inner tube at both ends, is positioned on the inner tube and can be displaced in relation to the latter, a lateral space which is formed between the inner tube and the sleeve always being connected to the interior of the inner tube by the radial through-passage. A curved shower tube is fastened radially on the outside of the sleeve, the shower tube being connected to the lateral space at one end and bearing a shower head at the other end.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary fitting which manages without any arresting means acting between the inner tube and the outer tube.

According to the invention, the sanitary fitting has an outflow conduit system which can be telescoped by a displacement distance. The outflow conduit system has a throughflow tube, which is retained on the basic fitting body, and an outflow tube, which can be moved longitudinally in relation to the throughflow tube, one tube being an inner tube and the other being an outer tube. The inner tube has a closed tube end and, at a spacing from the closed tube end which corresponds at least to the displacement distance, a radial through-passage. The radial through-passage connects an interior of the inner tube on a permanent basis to a lateral space of constant volume, the lateral space being bounded by the inner tube and the outer tube. The telescopic displacement of the outer tube in relation to the inner tube is made possible by way of a cylindrical guide recess, in which the closed end of the inner tube is inserted in a displaceable manner, a sealing element preventing water from flowing through a gap which is formed between the inner tube and a wall of the outer tube which bounds the guide recess. It is consequently not possible for any water to flow out of the sanitary fitting from the lateral space through the guide recess.

An inner tube corresponding to the invention may also have, from the closed tube end, a longitudinally running hole, with the result that the inner tube has, between the radial through-passage and the closed tube end, a partition wall or a partition region which seals the inner tube between the radial through-passage and the closed tube end.

The sanitary fitting according to the invention having the telescopic outflow conduit system has a flow channel for water which contains the lateral space and has a constant volume when the telescopic outflow conduit system is extended or retracted. As a result—when the control cartridge arranged in the basic fitting body is closed—no water flows out of a water-outflow opening of the sanitary fitting when the system is retracted and, when the system is extended, no air, water or solid is taken into the outflow conduit system through the water-outflow opening.

According to a preferred embodiment, hydraulic forces in the longitudinal direction of the outflow conduit system largely compensate for one another in that hydraulic surfaces acting in both directions are at least more or less equal. A resultant hydraulic force acting in the longitudinal direction is compensated for by frictional forces acting between the throughflow tube and the outflow tube. This prevents the outflow tube from being displaced relative to the throughflow tube as water flows out of the sanitary fitting.

Further preferred embodiments of the sanitary fitting according to the invention are detailed below.

Further particular advantages and operations can be gathered from the detailed description and the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A sanitary fitting10according to the invention shown inFIGS. 1,2,5and6is designed for unit-top mounting. The sanitary fitting10has a downwardly projecting installation sleeve12which is intended for retaining the sanitary fitting10in a known manner on an installation surface for example a washbasin. Screwed onto the installation sleeve12is an inner sleeve14which contains, in its interior, a basic fitting body16and a control cartridge18positioned on the basic fitting body16. The control cartridge18is connected to an actuating element, by means of which the flow of water through the sanitary fitting10and a mixing ratio of hot water and cold water can be regulated in a known manner.

On the supply side, the control cartridge18is connected to water supplies20for hot water and cold water, these being led through the installation sleeve12and through the basic fitting body16to the control cartridge18. On the discharge side, the control cartridge18is connected to a mixed-water channel. The latter comprises an angled tube element24which can be rotated about a pivot axis S and has a supply-side tube leg26oriented in the direction of the pivot axis S and a discharge-side tube leg26′ defining an outflow-tube axis D. The pivot axis S is at right angles to the installation surface. The outflow-tube axis D is at an angle of, for example, 65 degrees to the pivot axis S, the outflow-tube axis D running upward away from the pivot axis S.

The inner sleeve14is encased by an outer fitting sleeve28, which can be pivoted about the pivot axis S and can be pivoted in a known manner in a range of, for example, −30 degrees to +30 degrees in relation to a center position. A hollow-cylindrical outlet connector30projects from the outer fitting sleeve28. A longitudinal axis of the outlet connector30is congruent with the outflow-tube axis D.

In order for an outflow conduit system40to be connected to the angled tube element24, the inner sleeve14and the basic fitting body16have a through-opening or an aperture. The outflow conduit system40can be telescoped by a displacement distance H.

The installation sleeve12, the inner sleeve14, the basic fitting body16, the angled tube element24and the outer fitting sleeve28with the outlet connector30together form a base unit39.

For a detailed description of the installation sleeve12, the inner sleeve14, the basic fitting body16, the control cartridge18, the water supplies20, the angled tube element24with the supply-side tube leg26and the discharge-side tube leg26′ and of the outer fitting sleeve28and further elements arranged on these elements, such as sealing rings and sliding rings, reference is expressly made to Applicant's earlier European Patent Application No. 05 001 644.3.

Outflow conduit system40which is fixed to the discharge-side tube leg26′ and retained by the outlet connector30comprises a rectilinear inner tube42of constant external diameter and an outer tube44which encases the inner tube42. The outer tube44is designed as an outflow tube45and has, at its free end region, a water-outflow opening90, out of which mixed water can flow in the water-outflow direction W. The inner tube42is designed as a throughflow tube43and is screwed into the discharge-side tube leg26′ by way of a threaded end connecting region46. In the direction of the outflow-tube axis D, located opposite the end connecting region46, the inner tube42has a closed tube end48. At least at a spacing from this closed tube end48which corresponds to the displacement distance H, the inner tube42has radial through-passages50, which are located opposite one another in pairs and are offset slightly in relation to one another in the direction of the outflow-tube axis D. The inner tube42is of solid design (without any cavity) between the radial through-passages50and the closed tube end48. In the vicinity of the closed tube end48, the inner tube42has an encircling groove, in which is placed an O-ring52acting as a sliding seal.

The outer tube44is formed in a number of pieces. Directed toward the basic fitting body16and arranged between the outlet connector30and the inner tube42, the outer tube44has, in a lateral-space section60, a lateral-space-section element60′. At an end region of the lateral-space-section element60′ it is directed toward the basic fitting body16, the outer tube44butts against the inner tube42in a sliding section62. The sliding section62has an encircling groove, in which an O-ring64is placed, with the result that the sliding section62engages around the inner tube42in a sealing manner.

Except in an end region65which is located opposite the sliding section62, as seen in the direction of the outflow-tube axis D, an external diameter of the lateral-space-section element60′ is more or less equal to a clear diameter of the outflow connector30, with the result that the lateral-space-section element60′ can be displaced longitudinally in the outflow connector30. The end region65has an external thread which has an external diameter which is greater than an internal diameter, but smaller than an external diameter, of the outflow connector30. Directed toward the sliding section62, the end region65has a stop surface which—in the state in which the outer tube44has been pushed in onto the inner tube42—rests at least more or less against an end surface of the outflow connector30(FIG. 1).

Opposite to the sliding section62, as seen in the direction of the outflow-tube axis D, the lateral-space section60is adjoined by a guide section66. A cylindrical guide-section element66′ located in the guide section66has a cylindrical guide recess68, of which the clear cross section corresponds more or less to an outer cross section of the inner tube42. The guide recess68is closed at an end which is located opposite the lateral-space section60. The guide recess68has a length which is somewhat longer than the displacement distance H.

The inner tube42engages in the guide recess68, the O-ring52interacting with the wall of the guide recess68in order to prevent water from flowing through the gap between the inner tube42and the wall of the guide recess68. This likewise prevents water from being able to flow out of the sanitary fitting10from the lateral space70through the guide recess68.

Instead of the sealing-element-forming O-ring52being arranged in the groove at the closed end48of the inner tube42, it is possible for the O-ring to be placed in an encircling groove in the wall of the guide recess68, in the vicinity of the lateral space70.

Except in the sliding section62, an inner lateral surface of the lateral-space-section element60′ is spaced apart from the inner tube42, with the result that a lateral space70is located radially between an outer surface of the inner tube42and an inner surface of the outer tube44which is located in the lateral-space section60, and in the longitudinal direction between the sliding section62and the guide section66.

FIG. 6shows eight throughflow channels78that are led through the guide-section element66′ parallel to the outflow-tube axis D, it also being possible, of course, for more or fewer than eight throughflow channels78to be led through the guide-section element66′. The throughflow channels78are arranged in a regular manner in a circumferential direction, there being no throughflow channel arranged in a bottom section located in the water-outflow direction W. The throughflow channels78connect the lateral space70to a combined-flow space80, which is located in an end region of the guide-section element66′ which is located opposite the lateral-space section60.

In the vicinity of an end surface82on this side, the guide-section element66′ has an outer encircling groove in which an O-ring84is placed. The guide-section element66′ is encased by an outer-tube outer sleeve86which has a constant external diameter and a discharge section88.

The discharge section88is adjacent to the guide section66and has a stop surface interacting with the end surface82of the guide-section element66′. The discharge section88also has the water-outflow opening90, out of which water flows—if the control cartridge18is open—in the water-outflow direction W.

Furthermore, the outer-tube outer sleeve86has an internal thread which interacts with the external thread of the lateral-space-section element60′, with the result that the guide-section element66′ is retained in a fixed manner between the discharge section88and the lateral-space-section element60′. A seal is inserted between the guide-section element66′ and the lateral-space-section element60′.

The length of the outer-tube outer sleeve86is selected such that the latter, in the extended state of the outflow conduit system40, encloses the lateral-space-section element60′ and encases an end region adjoining the free end of the outlet connector30. At an end which is located opposite the discharge section88in the direction of the outflow-tube axis D, the outer-tube outer sleeve86has a stripper, which prevents liquids, for example water and cleaning agents, and solids, in particular dirt, from being able to penetrate into the thin gap between the outer-tube outer sleeve86and the outlet connector30.

In order that no negative pressure or positive pressure is produced in the guide recess68when the outflow conduit system40is retracted or extended, this guide recess is connected to the surroundings via a venting channel93. The venting channel leads, in the vicinity of the closed end, through the guide-section element66′ and through the outer-tube outer sleeve86.

In order to limit the displacement distance H of the outflow conduit system, the lateral-space-section element60′ has a limiting recess94, in which a stop pin96which is fixed to the outlet connector30engages. The length of the limiting recess94corresponds to the displacement distance H plus the diameter of the stop pin96. A width of the limiting recess is selected such that the outer tube44can be pivoted in relation to the inner tube42, about the outflow-tube axis D, from, for example, −30 degrees to +30 degrees (FIG. 5), the water-outflow direction W running parallel to the pivot axis S in a position of 0 degrees. The limiting recess94is formed such that, in each position of the outer tube44in relation to the inner tube42, the radial through-passages50connect the interior of the inner tube42to the lateral space70.

The material used for the lateral-space-section element60′, the outlet connector30, the inner tube42and the outer-tube outer sleeve86is preferably a metal, it also being possible to use a plastic, preferably polyacetal (POM). The guide-section element66′ is preferably produced from polyacetal (POM).

The outflow conduit system40is assembled as follows. The inner tube42is screwed into the discharge-side tube leg26′ of the angled tube element24. The lateral-space-section element60′ is positioned on the inner tube42and the stop pin96is then inserted into the outlet connector30, with the result that the stop pin96engages in the limiting recess94. The guide-section element66′ is introduced into the outer-tube outer sleeve86and possibly adhesively bonded therein. In a following step, the outflow-tube outer sleeve86with the guide-section element66′ contained therein is screwed onto the lateral-space-section element60′.

In another embodiment of the outflow conduit system40according to the invention, the venting channel is guided such that it opens out into the surroundings concealed by another element of the sanitary fitting, for example within the installation sleeve12.

FIGS. 3,4,7and8show a second exemplary embodiment of a sanitary fitting10according to the invention, this embodiment being designed for wall mounting. A water supply20is led through a wall to a wall connection110. The wall connection110has a fastening nut112which retains a basic fitting body16in a fixed manner on the wall connection110. The water supply20is led, through the wall connection110and through the basic fitting body16, to a control cartridge18inserted into the basic fitting body16. For a detailed description of said elements and of further elements, reference is made to the earlier European Patent Application No. 05 001 644.3.

The basic fitting body16has a cylindrical connector116which is oriented in the direction of a vertical pivot axis S and projects downward out of the basic fitting body16. A cylindrical angled tube element24is screwed into the connector116.

Plugged onto the angled tube element24and onto the connector116is the outer fitting sleeve28, which is retained in a pivotable manner on the connector116and on the angled tube element24by means of a stop screw118engaging in a guide recess on the connector116.

In order to prevent liquids and dirt from penetrating, a sealing ring is arranged between the connector116and the outer fitting sleeve28, adjacent to an opening of the outer fitting sleeve28. In order to allow the outer fitting sleeve28to rotate about the pivot axis S, a first sliding disk is arranged adjacent to the sealing ring between the connector116and the outer fitting sleeve28. A second sliding disk is arranged between the outer fitting sleeve28and an end region of the angled tube element24which is directed away from the basic fitting body16.

Beneath the stop screw118, a sealing ring is arranged between the outer fitting sleeve28and the angled tube element24. Alongside, beneath the sealing ring, the outer fitting sleeve28has a chamber120which is connected to the supply-side tube leg26via the discharge-side tube leg26′ of the angled tube element24. The supply-side tube leg26is connected to a discharge-side opening of the control cartridge18via a mixed-water channel.

Beneath the angled tube element24, an outer-tube outer sleeve86projects from the outer fitting sleeve28in the direction of an outflow-tube axis D, the outer-tube outer sleeve being produced integrally with the outer fitting sleeve28. This is intended to retain the outflow conduit system40.

The basic fitting body16, together with the angled tube element24, the outer fitting sleeve28and the outer-tube outer sleeve86, forms the base unit39.

An inner tube42and an outer tube44are designed in essentially the same way as the inner tube and the outer tube of the first exemplary embodiment, but are arranged the other way round. Only the differences will be discussed hereinbelow. In this exemplary embodiment, in contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the outer tube44forms a throughflow tube43and the inner tube42, which is designed in a largely identical manner to the inner tube of the first exemplary embodiment, forms the outflow tube45.

The outer tube44has, in one end region, the guide-section element66′, which forms the guide section66. The guide-section element66′ is in the form of a radially stepped cylinder on the outside and has a guide recess68on the inside, the clear cross section of this recess corresponding to the outer cross section of the inner tube42. Apart from a venting channel93running in the direction of the outflow-tube axis D, the guide recess68is closed at its base. The guide recess68is intended to accommodate the closed end48of the inner tube42, which is designed in an identical manner to the inner tube of the first exemplary embodiment. Once again, a sealing-element-forming O-ring52, which is arranged on the inner tube, prevents water from flowing through the gap formed between the inner tube42and the wall of the guide recess68.

A region of the guide-section element66′ adjacent to an end surface of the guide-section element66′ which has the venting channel93is a supply and retaining region. The supply and retaining region has a smaller external diameter than the rest of the guide-section element66′. At a little distance from this end of the supply and retaining region, the guide-section element66′ has an encircling groove, in which an O-ring84is placed.

The supply and retaining region of the guide-section element66′ is inserted into a recess of the outer fitting sleeve28, which encloses the end region with the O-ring84in a sealed manner. Adjacent to the region which engages around the guide-section element66′ in a sealed manner, the recess in the outer fitting sleeve28widens conically to a diameter which corresponds more or less to the largest external diameter of the guide-section element66′. The recess is connected to the chamber120.

Around the guide recess68, eight throughflow channels78run through the guide-section element66′ in the direction of the outflow-tube axis D and open out into a lateral space70of a lateral-space-section element60′ located in the lateral-space section60of the outer tube44. Of course, it is also possible for more or fewer than eight throughflow channels78to lead through the guide-section element66′. The lateral-space-section element60′ is designed in an identical manner to the lateral-space-section element of the first exemplary embodiment. The lateral-space-section element60′ is screwed, by way of its externally threaded end region65, into an internal thread of the outflow-tube outer sleeve86, as a result of which the guide-section element66′ is likewise retained in a fixed manner. In order to ensure a sealed transition from the guide-section element66′ to the lateral-space-section element60′, a sealing ring is arranged between these two elements. The outflow-tube outer sleeve86has an encircling groove which is spaced apart from the internal thread and in which is placed an O-ring which butts against the guide-section element66′.

The length of the outer-tube outer sleeve86is selected such that the sliding section62projects out of the same. Except in the end region65, the lateral-space-section element60′ is spaced apart from the outer-tube outer sleeve86.

In comparison with the inner tube of the first exemplary embodiment, the inner tube42has, in addition, an outlet element130screwed onto the connecting region46. The outlet sleeve132, which encases the inner tube42and is spaced apart from the inner tube42, projects from the outlet element130. The outlet sleeve132engages in a hollow-cylindrical gap between the lateral-space-section element60′ and the outer-tube outer sleeve86. The length of the outlet sleeve132is selected such that, in the extended state of the outflow conduit system40, it engages around the sliding section62of the lateral-space-section element60′ and, in the retracted state of the outflow conduit system40, it strikes more or less against the end surface of the end region65of the lateral-space-section element60′.

Arranged inside the free end of the outer-tube outer sleeve86is a stripper ring, which prevents liquids and other substances from being able to penetrate into the thin gap between the outer-tube outer sleeve86and the outlet sleeve132.

The outlet element130has a water-outlet opening90, which is connected to the interior of the inner tube42and out of which water runs in the water-outflow direction W.

A stop pin96, which is inserted into an exposed end region of the outlet sleeve132, engages in the limiting recess94, this limiting the displacement distance H along the outflow-tube axis D and the rotatability of the outflow tube45in a manner analogous to the first exemplary embodiment.

The outflow conduit system40is assembled as follows. The guide-section element66′ is inserted through an opening of the outer-tube outer sleeve86into the outer fitting sleeve28and into the outer-tube outer sleeve86. The inner tube42is screwed, by way of the end connecting region46, into the outlet element130, and the guide-section element66′ is positioned on the inner tube42with the sliding section62in front. In a following step, the stop pin96is inserted into the limiting recess94of the guide-section element66′. The guide-section element66′ is inserted into the outer-tube outer sleeve86, together with the inner tube42, and screw-connected.

FIG. 9shows a third exemplary embodiment of a sanitary fitting according to the invention, and only differences between this and the second embodiment will be discussed here. The sanitary fitting10has a cylindrical basic fitting body16oriented in the direction of a pivot axis S. A control cartridge18is inserted into this basic fitting body16in a known manner. A connecting tube140, which can be rotated about the pivot axis S, leads upwards away from the basic fitting body16in the direction of the pivot axis S, the outflow conduit system40being fitted at the end of this connecting tube. The outflow-tube axis D runs at least more or less at right angles to the pivot axis and horizontally. The basic fitting body16, together with the connecting tube140, forms a base unit39.

The outflow conduit system40is designed in a manner identical to the outflow conduit system of the second exemplary embodiment, apart from the end region142of the outer-tube outer sleeve86, this end region butting against the guide-section element66′. The end region142is cylindrical on the outside. At a distance from a free end of the end region142, the latter is connected to the connecting tube140, which opens out into the supply and retaining region, in a manner corresponding to the channel of the second exemplary embodiment.