Switchable hand shower

A hand shower has outer housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, is disposed in the interior of the outer housing. The first housing part is produced by dual-component injection molding and has a support formed from a hard component. Alongside the switching device, this support is provided with a passage. A soft component, injected onto the outer side of the support covers the passage in a membrane-like manner. The membrane region of the soft component is elastically deformable to allow the switching device to be operated from the surroundings.

BACKGROUND

Hand showers, which have a switching device inside an outer housing, are commonly known. In traditional hand showers of this kind, the outer housing has alongside the switching device an opening in which, for sealing off from the surroundings, an elastomeric membrane element produced as a separate part is inserted. By deformation of the membrane element, the switching device can be actuated from the surroundings.

SUMMARY

The exemplary embodiments provide a hand shower having a switching device, which hand shower is easy to produce and ensures a reliable seal.

The hand shower according to an exemplary embodiment has an outer housing that delimits an interior and defines a handle region and a head region. The outer housing has a first housing part and a second housing part. A switching device is disposed in the interior of the outer housing. The hand shower further has a water supply connection, usually disposed at the free end of the handle region, and in the region of the head region has water jet discharge openings, which are flow-connected to the water supply connection.

According to the exemplary embodiment, at least the first housing part is produced by dual-component or multicomponent injection molding. The first housing part has a dimensionally stable support made of a hard component, and, alongside the switching device, a passage running from the interior to that outer side of the support that is facing away from the interior. This passage is closed off from the surroundings in a membrane-like manner by a soft component molded onto the support by multicomponent injection molding. The elastomeric properties of the soft component allow the switching device to be actuated from the surroundings by deformation of the soft component in the region of the passage.

Particularly preferably, affine materials, which in the injection molding process enter into a material bond with one another, are used as the hard component and the soft component.

Preferably, the first housing part extends over the—entire—handle region and the—entire—head region, and the passage, and thus the switching device, is located in the handle region. This allows, on the one hand, one-handed operation of the hand shower and, on the other hand, the configuration of the hand shower as a planar shower. In planar showers, the head part, in particular, has a small thickness.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment, the support is of shell-like configuration, forming a base part and a casing part protruding peripherally from the base part. The second housing part here preferably forms a cover, which in particular is fixedly connected, preferably sealingly, to the free edge of the casing part.

The second housing part, too, is preferably made as an injection molded part. The second housing part can be produced by single-component injection molding, or by dual-component or multicomponent injection molding. The second housing part is preferably of dimensionally stable configuration and can have a surface treatment, for example a metallization.

The connection between the first housing part and the second housing part is realized in a commonly known manner, for example by means of an adhesive bond, by molding, by snap joints, etc., or combinations thereof.

In the head region, the base part of the first housing part can have the water jet discharge openings. These can be configured, for example, on pimples formed by the soft component. Calcium deposits can thereby be prevented and, in particular, through the possibility of elastic deformation of the pimples, any calcium deposits present can be detached.

Particularly preferably, the base part has in the head region, however, water outlet passages, which are passed through by water outlet extensions of a component disposed in the interior. In this case, the outer housing itself is not water-carrying.

Preferably, the soft component covers the passage fully and the outer side of the support at least around the passage. An extensive connecting region of the soft component to the hard component can here be created in the course of the injection molding.

Particularly preferably, the soft component covers at least approximately the entire outer side of the support. Particularly preferably, the soft component continuously covers the entire outer side of the support, which would otherwise be exposed to the surroundings.

The switching device can be constituted, for example, by a switching valve, for switching a light source built into the hand shower.

The switching device can also, however, have a switching valve for producing different water jet patterns and water jet characteristics.

The switching device preferably has a valve housing, which is provided with an inlet opening flow-connected to the water supply connection. The valve housing further has outlet openings connected to the water jet discharge openings. Inside the valve housing is disposed a valve member, which can be actuated from the surroundings via a soft component of membrane-like configuration.

Preferably, the inlet opening is permanently connected to a first of the outlet openings. The second of the outlet openings is connected to the inlet opening preferably only when the valve member is in the open setting. This allows, for example, two different water flow rates to be set. If the two outlet openings are connected to different water jet discharge openings, however, there is the facility to feed water to just the water jet discharge openings connected to the first outlet opening, or additionally also to the water jet discharge openings connected to the second outlet opening.

In a preferred embodiment, on the valve housing is mounted an actuating lever, which is connected to the valve member for the switchover thereof. The actuating lever is preferably configured as an actuating rocker. For the switching of the switching device, the soft component is deformed in the region of the passage and hereupon acts upon the actuating lever. The soft component may be deformed by surroundings, for example, by pressing upon the soft component.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, in the head region an inner housing is disposed in the interior. This is connected to the switching device, in particular to the outlet openings thereof. The inner housing preferably consists of an outlet part and a cover part fixedly and sealingly connected thereto. The outlet part here has water outlet extensions, at the free ends of which are configured the water jet discharge openings. These water outlet extensions pass through the water outlet passages of the base part.

The cover part and the outlet part are of dimensionally stable configuration and, to this effect, preferably have a hard component. It is here possible to produce both the cover part and the outlet part from a hard component and, by dual-component injection molding, to inject the water outlet extensions, made of a soft component, onto the hard component of the outlet part.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outlet part has, however, an outlet shell part that is produced in particular by injection molding—in particular from a hard component—and in which an insert part made of an elastomeric material is inserted. In this case, the water outlet extensions, which pass through the water outlet passages of the base part, are formed by the insert part. Since the insert part can be produced from elastomeric material, it can further assume sealing functions, for instance to seal off the inner housing from the interior of the outer housing. The insert part preferably covers the inner side of the outlet part.

In another embodiment, the cover part is preferably fixedly connected to the outlet shell part, for example, by means of snap joints. Of course, other fastening options, such as screw joints, or combinations of fastening options, are also conceivable.

The inner housing preferably forms a first chamber, connected only to the first outlet opening of the valve housing, and a second chamber, connected only to the second outlet opening of the valve housing. These chambers feed the water jet discharge openings that are assigned to them.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first chamber is located in the middle of the head region and preferably has a circular-ring-shaped cross section. The second chamber preferably extends in a ring-like manner around the first chamber.

If just the first chamber is fed with water, a corresponding jet pattern, comprising, if need be, more intensive jets than if both chambers are fed with water, is obtained.

If the outlet part has an insert part made of elastomeric material, this can serve in a particularly simple manner for the mutual sealing of the two chambers, in that the cover part forms a partition that bears with its free edge against the insert part.

A PBT, preferably (for example 20%) reinforced with glass fibers, is particularly suitable as the hard component for the support. The soft component can be constituted, for example, by a silicone layer—LSR. The water-carrying parts can be produced, for example, from POM and, as material for the second housing part, ABS, for example, can be used. Of course, other material choices are possible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a hand shower according to an exemplary embodiment in bottom view. This hand shower has an outer housing10, of which only a first housing part12is visible inFIG. 1. A second housing part14, forming a cover14′, is shown inFIG. 2.

The outer housing10, may consists of the first housing part12and the second housing part14, and defines a handle region16and a head region18of the hand shower. At the free end of the handle region16a water supply connection20is disposed, to which a shower hose is connectable in a known manner. At that end of the handle region16, which is facing away from the water supply connection20, the handle region is adjoined by the head region18. In the region of the head region18, water jet discharge openings22are present, through which the water making its way through the water supply connection to the hand shower is discharged, with the formation of water jets.

In the shown illustrative embodiment, the hand shower is configured as a planar shower; the thickness of the head region18is substantially the same as the thickness of the handle region16—compare FIG.2—, wherein the head region18, viewed in bottom view or top view, has a greater extent than the handle region16and in the present case is of circular configuration.

The hand shower has in the head region a central first field24with associated water jet discharge openings22and, around this, an annular second field with associated water jet discharge openings22.

In addition, a membrane region28of a soft component is represented, which membrane region is located in that end region of the handle region16that is found on the head region side. The membrane region28serves for the actuation of a switching device30, from the surroundings, by deformation of the membrane region28by means of a finger of the user of the hand shower. The two circular regions32in the membrane region28constitute a local thickening of the membrane region28in order to show the user where a user must press to actuate the switching device30.

The two housing parts12,14which are fastened together, so as to be sealed, enclose or delimit an interior34of the outer housing10, in which the switching device30is disposed. In the interior, in the handle region16, is also located a feeder pipe part36, which on the one hand sealingly penetrates the first housing part12through a corresponding supply line opening38—see also FIGS.3and4—and onto which the water supply connection20projecting over the outer housing10is molded and, on the other hand, sealingly engages in a sleeve-shaped inlet opening40of a valve housing42of the switching device30.

Also located in the interior34—as can be seen in particular from FIG.2—in the head region18is an inner housing44, which is flow-connected to a first outlet opening46and a second outlet opening48of the valve housing42; with regard to the valve housing42, reference is made toFIGS. 5 to 7.

As can be seen in particular fromFIGS. 3 and 4, the first housing part12is produced by dual-component injection molding. It consists of a shell-shaped support46, made of a hard component, i.e. a hard plastic, and a soft component48, injected like a coating onto the outer side of the support46.

The support46forms a planar base part50, which is curved in the longitudinal direction of the hand shower and from which, on the periphery, protrudes a casing part52, which is self-contained in the peripheral direction. At the free end of the handle region16, the casing part52has the inlet opening40for the feeder pipe part36.

The base part50of the support46further has a passage54which passes from the interior34to the outer side of the support46and the shape of which corresponds to the membrane region28.

In the head region18, the support46is provided with continuous water outlet passages56, which are assigned to the associated water jet discharge openings20. The central first field24having the particular water outlet passages56is offset in relation to the annular second field26in the direction of the interior34.

In the center of the first field24, the base part50has a centering hollow pin57, projecting in the direction of the interior34, for centering of the inner housing44. In addition, projections58, which project in the direction of the interior34, are molded onto the casing part52, which projections serve for the positioning of components built into the outer housing10or for the connection (snap-in connection) of the first housing part12to the second housing part14.

As can be seen in particular fromFIGS. 2 and 4, the support46, on its entire outer side60facing away from the interior34, is covered by means of the soft component48. This soft component48also covers the passage54of the support46and at the same time forms the membrane region28. The soft component does not, of course, cover the inlet opening40and the water outlet passages56.

It is possible to produce the first housing part12also from three or more components by injection molding.

As is evident fromFIG. 2, the second housing part14is planar and is configured such that it is curved in accordance with the base part50. It too extends, like the first housing part12, over the entire handle region16and head region18of the hand shower. The second housing part has, at a distance to its edge corresponding to the thickness of the first housing part12at its edge, a lip-like, self-contained bulge62projecting in the direction of the interior34, which bulge, in the assembled state, overlaps with the casing part52and thus serves for the mutual centering of the housing parts12and14, as well as for the sealing. The bulge62can further have projecting spring tongues comprising an opening, which spring tongues engage with lug-like projections58of the support46to form a snap joint. In addition to or instead of a snap joint, it is possible to bond the first housing part12and the second housing part14continuously together or connect them to each other in some other way.

The second housing part14is preferably produced from a hard component by injection molding. Of course, it can also be produced by dual-component or multicomponent injection molding and/or be coated with a surface layer, in particular on the outer side.

The valve housing42of the switching device30disposed alongside the passage54in the interior34is shown in detailed representation inFIGS. 5-7. It has, on the one hand, the sleeve-shaped inlet opening40and, on the other hand, two mutually adjacent outlet openings, namely a first outlet opening64and a second outlet opening66. On that side of the outlet openings64,66that is facing the inlet opening40, the valve housing42has a stepped, circular valve recess68. Leading into the top region70of the valve recess68is a line portion72emanating from the inlet opening40. On the other hand, the top region70is permanently flow-connected to the first outlet opening64.

A circumferential, broken edge of a shoulder74between the top region70and a middle region76of the valve recess68forms a valve seat78. This middle region76is permanently flow-connected to the second outlet opening66. Located beneath the middle region76is a bottom region80, which is smaller in diameter and is intended to receive a sealing ring82, seeFIG. 2. That wall of the valve housing74, which closes off the bottom region80, has a tappet passage84.

The valve housing42further has two diametrically opposing spring tongues86, which project in relation to the inlet opening40. These are provided with a latching opening88, which is intended to back-grip corresponding latching lugs90, seeFIG. 2, of the feeder pipe part36. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the feeder pipe part36has in its near-side end region two circumferential grooves for the reception of O-rings, which sealingly cooperate with the inner side of the sleeve-shaped inlet opening40.

As shown byFIG. 2, in the valve recess68is disposed a valve member92cooperating with the valve seat78. In this embodiment, it is of mushroom-shaped configuration, wherein the head cooperates with the valve seat78and the stem94, as a tappet, passes through the sealing ring82such that it forms a seal and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction. If the valve member92, by bearing against the valve seat78, is in the closed setting, only the first outlet opening64is flow-connected to the line portion72and thus to the water supply connection20. If the valve member72, however, by being lifted off the valve seat78, is in the open setting, water emanating from the water supply connection can flow, on the one hand, to the first outlet opening64and, on the other hand, through the opened valve to the second outlet opening66.

The valve member92or its stem94is attached by its free end to an actuating rocker76. This is held and pivotally mounted by its bearing journals98on a pivot bearing100of the valve housing42.

InFIG. 2, the valve is shown in its closed setting. By pressing on that circular region32of the membrane region28, which lies closer to the head region18, the valve member92is displaced into its open setting and, at the same time, the actuating rocker96is pivoted. In order to move the valve member92back into the closed setting, pressure is applied to the circular region32which is farther away from the head region18, whereby the membrane region28is deformed and the rocker is correspondingly swiveled, whereby the valve member92is drawn into the closed setting.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the valve recess68is closed off by means of a pin element102,FIG. 2. Protruding from the middle of this is a guide shaft104, which engages in a corresponding hole of the valve member92. Between the valve member92and the guide shaft104, an annular sealing element acts to prevent a water flow through the valve member92.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the valve member92, or the head thereof, supports on the periphery a sealing ring106, which cooperates with the valve seat78.

Located in the head region18, in the interior34, is the inner housing44. This is formed from a one-piece cover part108—FIGS.8to10—and an outlet part110, which for its part consists of an outlet shell part112—see FIGS.11and12—and an insert part114inserted therein, compareFIG. 2.

As can be seen fromFIGS. 8 to 10, the circular cover part108—produced by injection molding—is also of shell-like configuration. The shell wall is shaped radially on the outside into a circumferential, upwardly projecting bead118, which in the downward direction, i.e. toward the inside of the inner housing44, forms a flow groove112. The radially outer part of the bead118at the same time forms the casing wall122of the cover part108, and to this are molded, distributed in the peripheral direction, radially outwardly projecting snap-in lugs123.

Offset inward in the radial direction with respect to the bead118, the shell wall116is shaped into a further bead124, which likewise projects upward. Between the bead118and the further bead124, the shell wall116runs, annularly, in one plane, wherein running between the two beads118,124, evenly distributed in the peripheral direction, are supporting webs126, which are thickened next to the bead118and have axially through-running bores128, through which screws can be guided in order to screw the cover part108to the outlet shell part112.

Radially on the inside with respect to the further bead124, the shell wall116likewise runs in one plane, wherein further supporting webs130, which are molded on in the shape of a cross, reinforce this region of the shell wall116. On the lower side that is situated opposite the supporting webs126and the further supporting webs130and which faces the interior of the inner housing44, a circumferential partition132protrudes downward from the further bead124. The radially inner space with respect to this partition132is assigned to a first chamber134, while the radially outer space with respect to this partition132is assigned to a second chamber136.

Protruding—radially outward—from the casing wall122, side by side and parallel to each other, are a first connecting pin138and a second connecting pin140. Both connecting pins138and140have a circumferential outer groove, into which an O-ring (not shown here) is respectively mounted. In the assembled state, the first connecting pin138engages in the sleeve-shaped first outlet opening64of the valve housing42, effecting a seal by means of the particular O-ring. Correspondingly, the second connecting pin140engages in the likewise sleeve-shaped second outlet opening166, effecting a seal by means of its O-ring. From the first connecting pin138, a peripherally closed connecting duct142leads into the first chamber134. The sleeve-like first connecting pin138thus establishes, together with the connecting duct142, a flow connection between the switching device130and the first chamber134. Correspondingly, the likewise sleeve-shaped second connecting pin140establishes a flow connection between the switching device30and the radially outer annular second chamber136.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that supporting pins144protrude from the casing wall122and have in the middle a screw passage146.

As can be seen fromFIGS. 11 and 12, the outlet shell part112—produced by injection molding—is likewise of shell-like configuration. Its base portion148is shaped in the head region18in accordance with the inner side of the base part50of the first housing part12and has further water outlet passages56′ aligned with the water outlet passages56. Protruding from the radially outer edge of the base portion148, in the upward direction, is a circumferential casing portion150. This has peripherally distributed, upwardly projecting spring tongue portions152, in whose latching openings154engage, in the assembled state, the snap-in lugs123molded onto the casing wall122; see on this pointFIG. 2. Protruding centrically from the base portion148, in the upward direction, is a fastening pin156, which, in the assembled state, engages in the screw passage146of the cover part108. The fastening pin156is sealingly fastened to the cover part108by means of a screw158screwed into the fastening pin156.

On the other hand, the (on this side closed off) fastening pin projects outward and is intended to engage, in the assembled state, in the centering pin57.

As can be seen fromFIG. 2, the insert part114is inserted in a carpet-like manner into the outlet shell part112, on the inner side thereof. Said insert part has a planar carpet portion160, from which water outlet extensions162protrude. Each water outlet extension162passes through a water outlet passage56of the first housing part12and a further water outlet passage56′ of the outlet shell part112. The water outlet extensions162are of sleeve-shaped configuration and have at their free ends, which project over the first housing part12, the water jet discharge openings22.

In the assembled state, the partition132of the cover part108bears with its free end sealingly against the planar carpet portion160. The planar carpet portion160further has an upwardly projecting, circumferential sealing tongue164, which bears sealingly against the radially inner wall of the partition132. Radially on the outside, the insert part114made of an elastomeric material cooperates with its carpet portion160, likewise as a seal, with the circumferential sealing edge166of the cover part108.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the outer housing10is not itself water-carrying. Only components built into the interior34, such as the feeder pipe136, the valve housing42of the switching device30, and the inner housing44, are water carrying. This gives the manufacture great scope for the design and choice of material of the outer housing10.

For the secure sealing of the inner housing44, the cover part108and the outlet shell part112, in addition to the shown snap joints and screw joints, can also be welded or bonded together. The same applies to the connection between the valve housing42and the inner housing44and between the valve housing42and the feeder pipe part36.

It is also conceivable that the soft component does not cover the complete outer side of the first housing part12, but only a region of the outer side, which runs around the passage54.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable to make the outer housing10itself water carrying. Both housing parts12and14can be shaped correspondingly.