SANITATION FUNCTIONAL UNIT AND CORRESPONDING DESIGN SERIES AND MODULAR CONSTRUCTION KIT

In a sanitary functional unit (1) having a housing (5) and a holding element (2) which at least in portions encompasses the housing, the holding element contacts the housing in a gripping portion (6) and this gripping portion (6) is manufactured to be oversized in relation to the housing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a sanitary functional unit having a housing and a holding element which at least in regions encompasses the housing.

Sanitary functional units are known in the prior art and are referred to as a mixer cartridge or valve, for example servo valve, or else as a water outlet.

The invention furthermore relates to a design series of sanitary functional units. Such a design series is known.

The invention furthermore relates to a construction kit for a sanitary functional unit and/or for forming a design series. Such a construction kit is known.

BACKGROUND

It has become commonplace in the sanitary industry to reflect on how functional units of this type can be designed to be water-conducting without having to resort to the holding function of a fitting, in particular of a sanitary fitting.

The holding function in sanitary functional units is usually established with the aid of nuts which act as holding elements. However, this can significantly prolong the assembly time for such functional units and often leads to assemblies which are not fastened with an exact fit and/or become loose over time, such that the functional unit is imparted an unintentional freedom of movement that can compromise the operating comfort of a user.

SUMMARY

The invention is based on the object of improving the holding function of a sanitary functional unit, of preventing the use of nuts as holding elements, and of enabling rapid, reliable assembling to an exact fit without having to resort to the holding function of a fitting. The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous design embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

For achieving this object, the invention provides for the use of one or more of the features disclosed herein. In a sanitary functional unit of the type described at the outset the invention thus proposes in particular for achieving the mentioned object that the holding element contacts the housing in a gripping portion and in this gripping portion is manufactured so as to be oversized in relation to the housing. In this way, it can be achieved that the housing is freely held on a fastening element or external body, for example an item of furniture.

In this context, oversized means that the measurement of one or a plurality of parts of the holding element is greater than that of the gripping portion which is disposed on the housing of the sanitary functional installation.

The use of an oversize for fixing is advantageous because the use of screws or nuts can be dispensed with in this way, and the overall time for assembling can thus also be minimized.

A gripping portion is understood to be the contact area between the holding element and the housing.

It is preferable for the gripping portion to extend across at least 180° and/or at least half the circumference of the housing. In this way, holding elements of different shapes can be kept available for contacting the gripping portion.

At least one encircling collar which provides the gripping portion is preferably configured on the housing. In this way, the gripping portion can be provided in a simple manner in terms of construction.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that an anti-rotation safeguard is configured in the gripping portion and the holding element. It is advantageous for the anti-rotation safeguard to have some play. The anti-rotation safeguard can be configured in the form of a tongue-and-groove assembly, for example. In this way, the anti-rotation safeguard can be provided in a simple manner in terms of construction.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the holding element is configured to be annular. In this way, the holding element can grip the housing along the entire circumference, and any movement in all the radial directions relative to the housing can be prevented.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the holding element is yoke-shaped. In this way, a movement in a specific radial direction relative to the housing can be prevented.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the holding element has at least one fastening means for fastening to a support structure. It is advantageous for the fastening means to be a latching arrangement and additionally or alternatively a fastening bore. It is advantageous for the support structure to be an item of furniture. In this way, fastening of the holding element to a support structure can be achieved by a measure which is simple in terms of construction.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the sanitary functional unit has at least one externally accessible activating element. It is advantageous for the activating element to be coupled to a push-push mechanism. In this way, the volumetric flow of one or a plurality of liquids through the sanitary functional unit can be regulated.

A user can adjust or stop the volumetric flow of liquids by rotating, pressing or tilting the activating element, and likewise adjust the temperature of the outflowing liquid.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the sanitary functional unit has at least one valve. It can be achieved in this way that the flow of liquids is blocked or controlled.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the housing has at least one connector for a water conduit. It is advantageous for the gripping portion to be disposed between the at least one connector and the, or an, activating element. In this way, the sanitary functional unit can be attached to pipelines. The sanitary functional unit can likewise be attached to hose lines.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the holding element on the inside thereof has at least one protrusion which is insertable into a housing recess, so that an anti-rotation safeguard is achieved. It is advantageous for the anti-rotation safeguard to have some play. In this way, the anti-rotation safeguard can be achieved by a simple measure in terms of construction.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that an oblique internal face is fashioned on the holding element. In this way it can be achieved that the holding element and the housing can be plugged into one another to an exact fit.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the at least one encircling collar is beveled. In this way it can be achieved that the housing and the holding element can be plugged into one another to an exact fit.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the holding element has at least one flexible tongue which engages with at least part of the gripping portion. It is advantageous for a play-free mounting between the holding element and the housing to be achieved. It is advantageous for the flexible tongue to be able to be folded inward. In this way, it can be achieved that the holding element is permanently fixed to the housing. The play-free mounting can be achieved in that the flexible tongue is oversized in relation to the gripping portion.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the holding element has at least one spring web which is coupled to the flexible tongue. It is advantageous for the spring web to be deformable. In this way, simultaneous fixing between the housing and the holding element on the one hand, and the holding element and the external body on the other hand, can be achieved.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the preferably yoke-shaped holding element has a thickness which increases from the inside to the outside, so that a play-free mounting between the holding element and the housing is achieved. The oversize can thus be produced in a simple manner. The cross section of the holding element can be trapezoidal or triangular.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the holding element on the external side has at least one axial groove which is connectable to an external body, so that an anti-rotation safeguard, which has some play, between the external body and the holding element is achieved. In this way, a relative rotating movement between the external body and the holding element can be prevented.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that an external spring is disposed on the external side of the holding element, wherein the external spring at the end side can be introduced into the external body, so that a play-free extraction safeguard is achieved. It is advantageous for the external spring to be able to snap onto a resting shoulder of the external body. In this way it can be provided that the holding element is durably fixed to the external body in a manner which is rapid and simple in terms of construction.

In a further advantageous design embodiment it can be provided that the holding element is manufactured from plastics material. In this way, a cost-effective holding element which is easy to transport can be provided.

The invention furthermore relates to a design series of sanitary functional units having at least two variants, wherein each variant is configured as a sanitary functional unit according to one of the design embodiments mentioned above, wherein the variants have identical housings and mutually deviating holding elements. In this way, different plug-in directions or types of fastenings can be implemented.

In a further advantageous design embodiment of the design series it can be provided that in a first variant the holding element encompasses the housing in an annular manner, and in a second variant the holding element encompasses the housing only partially.

In a further advantageous design embodiment of the design series it can be provided that in a first variant the holding element has at least one fastening means which defines a first plug-in direction, and in that in a second variant the holding element has at least one fastening means which defines a second plug-in direction which is counter to the first plug-in direction. In this way, different plug-in directions can be implemented, and access to locations that are difficult to reach for the user can be facilitated.

The invention furthermore relates to a construction kit for a sanitary functional installation according to one of the features mentioned above, and additionally or alternatively for forming a design series according to the design embodiments mentioned above, wherein the construction kit has at least one housing and at least two different holding elements which match the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description hereunder of different exemplary embodiments of the invention, functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference signs even in the event of a variance in terms of design or shape.

FIG.1shows the housing5of a sanitary functional unit1in a perspective view. The sanitary functional unit1possesses an activating element3which is able to be operated by a user and which by rotating or pressing can regulate or block a volumetric flow of liquid. The sanitary functional unit1possesses pipelines7, in the specific case three pipelines7, wherein two are utilized for the inflow and one is utilized for the outflow. An encircling collar4which defines a gripping portion6is configured on the housing5. A housing recess15is likewise defined on the housing5.

FIG.2shows a holding element2which is fashioned as a holding yoke, in a perspective view. The holding element2possesses two yoke springs28. The holding element2can grip the housing5at least across half the circumference. The yoke springs28are provided for fastening to an external body18or a fitting part26. The thickness of the holding element2increases from the inside to the outside, wherein the cross section of the holding element2is trapezoidal. The cross section of the holding element2may have other shapes, for example be triangular.

FIG.3shows another holding element2which is fashioned as an annular holder, in a perspective view. The holding element2on the inside possesses two protrusions11which are disposed so as to be directly mutually opposite, i.e. at an angle of 180°. Two axial grooves10are disposed on the external side of the holding element2, so as to bear on the protrusions11. The axial grooves10have a rectangular or square shape, wherein a trapezoidal shape is also conceivable. External springs9which protrude outward are disposed on the external side of the holding element2. The holding element2furthermore possesses two flexible tongues8which protrude into the interior part of the holding element2. Two spring webs12which each possess one web bore16are on the external edge of the holding element. The flexible tongues8are coupled to the spring webs12and are mutually contiguous. The holding element2possesses an oblique internal face17.

FIG.4shows another holding element2which is fashioned as an annular holder, in a perspective view. The holding element2fromFIG.4possesses the same features as the holding element2fromFIG.3. The internal sides are identical, and the positioning of protrusions11and flexible tongues8is identical. The elements on the external side of the holding element2inFIG.4are mirror-inverted in relation to the elements on the external side of the holding element2inFIG.3. This relates to the external springs and to the spring webs.

FIG.5shows another holding element2which is fashioned as a holding disk, in a perspective view. The holding element2on the internal side possesses two protrusions11which are disposed at 180° relative to one another. Flexible tongues8which protrude into the internal side of the holding element2are fashioned so as to be orthogonal to the protrusions. The holding element2possesses fastening bores24through which screws23are able to be guided in order to be able to fasten the holding element2to a receptacle body25. The holding element has an oblique internal face.

FIG.6shows a sanitary functional unit1in a perspective view, wherein the housing5and the holding element2are plugged into one another. The holding element2is preferably manufactured from plastics material.

FIG.7shows a section through the sanitary functional unit1fromFIG.6, wherein the section runs through the flexible tongue8and the spring web12of the holding element2. The housing5is composed of housing parts13which are connected to one another, for example by way of a threaded connection. The housing5possesses two encircling collars4which are beveled and mutually spaced apart. A collar trench14is configured between the encircling collars4. The encircling collar4provides the gripping portion6. The housing5is introduced into the holding element2from above, whereby the flexible tongues8snap into the collar trench14. The flexible tongue8is supported by an encircling collar4at the head end, while the flexible tongue8at the foot end bears on the other encircling collar4. The flexible tongues8are manufactured so as to be oversized in relation to the housing5. Introducing the housing5into the holding element2, and the snap fitting, require a certain use of force, whereby the flexible tongues8and the spring web12are deformed so as to overcome the geometric obstacle of the oversize. This creates a play-free extraction safeguard which prevents an axial displacement of the housing5in relation to the holding element2. The spring web12is deformable in the direction of the web bore16bearing thereon. The head side of the flexible tongue8is positioned on the spring web12.

FIG.8shows another section through the sanitary functional unit1fromFIG.6, wherein the section runs through the axial groove10and the protrusion11. The main axis of the sanitary functional unit1is illustrated as a chain-dotted line. The protrusion11of the holding element2fits exactly into a reciprocating housing recess15which is fashioned on the housing5. The encircling collar4cannot be seen here because it is interrupted by the housing recess15. This here creates a safeguard with slight play which prevents a rotation between the holding element2and the housing5.

FIG.9shows a sanitary functional unit1in a perspective view, and a section through the external body18. The holding element2and the housing5have already been connected to one another. The plug-in direction22is symbolized by the arrow. The external body18on the internal side possesses an external body shoulder20, an elongate external body groove19, and an external body protrusion30. A resting shoulder21is fashioned on one end of the external body groove19. The number of axial grooves10on the holding element2corresponds to the number of external body protrusions30. The number of external body grooves19corresponds to the number of external springs9on the holding element2. When plugging-in the external body18, the external body protrusion30fits into the axial groove10, whereby an anti-rotation safeguard is achieved. The spring web12contacts the external body shoulder20and is deformed by the latter. The flexible tongue8is pressed more intensely in the direction of the housing5in the process. The external spring9proximal to the foot snaps onto the resting shoulder21. The bearing action of the external body shoulder20on the spring web12, in conjunction with the bearing action of the external spring9on the resting shoulder21, ensures an extraction safeguard. A permanent connection between the housing5and the external body18is achieved with the aid of the holding element2. A sanitary fitting is not required here so that a fastening to a support structure, for example an item of furniture, can be achieved.

FIG.10shows a section through the sanitary functional unit1which is plugged together with the external body18, wherein the section runs through the flexible tongue8and the spring web12. As a result of contacting the external body shoulder20, the spring web12is deformed and presses the flexible tongue8into the gripping portion6of the housing5in the process. The flexible tongue8is dimensioned so as to be oversized in relation to the gripping portion6, so that a play-free extraction safeguard is achieved.

FIG.11shows another section through the sanitary functional unit1which is plugged together with the external body18, wherein the section has been performed through the external spring9. This shows how the external spring9of the holding element2bears on the resting shoulder21of the external body18. The spring web12(not illustrated) ensures that the external spring9is pressed onto the resting shoulder21of the external body18. The encircling collars4are beveled and lie directly on the oblique internal face17of the holding element2. The bevel ensures inter alia that the housing cannot slide downward, whereby the play-free extraction safeguard is guaranteed by the flexible tongue8(FIG.10).

FIG.12shows another sanitary functional unit1in a perspective view. The assembly is similar to that ofFIG.6; however, the holding element2is used here, which is mirror-inverted on the external side. The spring web12is disposed on the side of the pipelines7. The head side of the external springs9is likewise disposed on the side of the pipelines7. The holding element2is situated between the pipelines7and the activating element3. The gripping portion6is disposed between the activating element3and the connector for a water conduit.

FIG.13shows a section through the sanitary functional unit1fromFIG.12, wherein the section has been performed through the flexible tongue8and the spring web12. The foot side of the flexible tongue8is disposed on the spring web12, and is thus mirror-inverted in relation to the exemplary embodiment inFIG.7. The explanations pertaining toFIG.7apply here in an analogous manner.

FIG.14shows another section through the sanitary functional unit1fromFIG.12, wherein the section has been performed through the protrusion11of the holding element2. The explanations and reference signs apply in an analogous manner as inFIG.8.

FIG.15shows a sanitary functional unit1in a perspective view, and a section through the external body18. The plug-in direction22is illustrated by the arrow. The head side of the external spring9and the spring web12of the holding element2are positioned in the plug-in direction22. The external body18possesses an external body groove19, an external body shoulder20, an external body protrusion30and a resting shoulder21. The number of external body grooves19corresponds to the number of external springs9. The number of external body protrusions30corresponds to the number of axial grooves10.

FIG.16shows a section through the assembled module fromFIG.15, wherein the section has been performed through the flexible tongues8and the spring web12. The spring web12is pressed against the external body shoulder20and simultaneously presses the flexible tongue8into the gripping portion6. The flexible tongue8is manufactured so as to be oversized in relation to the housing5. A certain plug-in force is required in order for the holding element2and the housing5to be connected. The flexible tongue8is coupled to the spring web12. Two encircling collars4which are beveled can be seen. The flexible tongue8proximal to the head contacts the one encircling collar4and proximal to the foot bears on the other encircling collar4.

FIG.17shows another section through the sanitary functional unit1which is plugged together with the external body18, wherein the section has been performed through the external spring9. The oblique internal face17of the holding element2is disposed so as to be an exact fit with the beveled encircling collars4. The snap-fit of the external springs9on the resting shoulder21leads to the sanitary functional unit being permanently fastened to the external body.

FIG.18shows a holding element2which is fashioned as an annular holder, in a perspective view from transversely above. This here is the same holding element fromFIG.3, or which is illustrated inFIGS.6to8.FIG.19shows a view from below of the holding element2ofFIG.18.FIG.20shows a view from above of the holding element2fromFIG.18.FIG.21is a perspective view from transversely below of the holding element2fromFIG.18.

FIG.22shows another holding element2in a perspective view from transversely above.FIG.23shows the holding element2in a perspective view from transversely below. The holding element2is identical to the holding element2fromFIG.4, or fromFIGS.15to17.

FIG.24shows an exploded illustration of an assembly module of a sanitary functional unit1having a holding element2which is fashioned as a holding disk. The holding element2has four fastening bores24through which screws23are able to be guided. The holding element2is connected to the housing5. The sanitary functional unit1is connected to pipelines7which enable a connection to a water conduit. The holding element2can be connected to a receptacle body25using the screws23. The assembling of such a structure in which a holding disk is used is somewhat more time-intensive than the assembling of a structure in which holding elements2which are fashioned as annular holders or holding yokes are used.

FIG.25shows the assembly module fromFIG.24in a plugged-together state.

FIG.26shows a section through the assembly module fromFIG.25, wherein the section has been performed through the flexible tongue8and the receptacle body25. Two encircling collars4are configured on the housing5, whereby the collars4are beveled. The flexible tongue8protrudes inward in the direction of the housing5. The flexible tongue8proximal to the head contacts the one encircling collar4, while said flexible tongue8proximal to the foot bears on the other encircling collar4. The flexible tongue8in the gripping portion6is manufactured so as to be oversized in relation to the housing5, so that a certain force has to be overcome in order to connect the holding element2and the housing5. This creates a deformation on the holding element2when this force is overcome. The flexible tongues8ensure an extraction safeguard which is fashioned to be free of play.

FIG.27shows another section through the assembly module fromFIG.25, wherein the section has been performed through the protrusions11on the holding element2. The housing is not illustrated in a section inFIG.27.

FIG.28shows an enlarged illustration of the sub-region ofFIG.27, wherein the housing5and the protrusion11can be seen. The two encircling collars4can likewise be seen, whereby the collars4are very flat in this region because the housing5here has a housing recess15. It is also possible for the collars4to be completely absent in the housing recess15. The collars4are not beveled in the region of the housing recess15.

FIG.29shows another assembly module in an exploded illustration, having a detached holding element2. The holding element2here is fashioned as a holding yoke. The sanitary functional unit1lies on a fitting part26. A knob27is able to be connected to the activating element3, whereby a user can operate the activating element3by manipulating the knob27. The fitting parts26have burlings and notches so that the fitting parts26are able to be connected to one another and plugged into one another. The gripping portion6is configured on the housing5and is provided by the encircling collar4. The function of the holding element2lies in achieving an extraction safeguard in the axial direction of the sanitary functional unit1.

FIG.30shows the assembly module fromFIG.29having a plugged-in holding element2. The holding element2is configured as a holding yoke. The holding element2has two yoke springs28which can engage on fitting arms29on the fitting part26. The plugged-in holding element2can be unplugged again by mutually compressing the yoke springs28.

FIG.31shows a section through the holding element2of a plugged-together assembly module fromFIG.30. The holding element2possesses two yoke springs28. The fitting part26possesses two fitting arms29, whereby the yoke springs28are configured in such a manner that the latter can engage on the fitting arms29. The fitting parts26lie on top of one another and are connected to one another by the burlings and notches (not visible here). The yoke springs28can latch into the fitting arms29of the fitting part26, so that the sanitary functional unit can be prevented from falling out.

FIG.32shows a section through the plugged-together assembly module fromFIG.30.

FIG.33shows a section through the plugged-together assembly module fromFIG.30, wherein the sectional direction is indicated by the arrows inFIG.32. A tongue-and-groove assembly is configured between the fitting part26and the housing5.

FIG.34shows an enlargement of a sub-region fromFIG.32(round region). The holding element2, configured as a holding yoke, engages on the housing5in a gripping portion6which is provided by the encircling collars4. The encircling collars4are beveled. The holding yoke has a thickness which increases from the inside to the outside. The cross section of the holding yoke is trapezoidal. Other cross-sectional shapes, for example triangular, are likewise conceivable. The holding element2is configured so as to be oversized in relation to the housing5and in particular in relation to the encircling collar4. The width of the collar trench14here is between the minimum and the maximum thickness of the holding yoke, so that an adaptation which eliminates the play takes place. Therefore, the holding yoke does not bear directly on the collar trench14, which is delimited by the two encircling collars4, but floats above said collar trench14so to speak. A play-free safeguard in relation to extraction and falling out is achieved by the oversize.

In a sanitary functional unit having a housing and a holding element which at least in portions encompasses the housing it is proposed that the holding element contacts the housing in a gripping portion and in this gripping portion is manufactured so as to be oversized in relation to the housing.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS