SANITARY UNIT COMPRISING A PRESSURE-REDUCING VALVE

The invention relates to a sanitary unit (1) comprising a pressure-reducing valve (2) that has a valve housing (3) containing a valve support (6) provided with at least one through-flow channel (7), said valve comprising a cup-shaped valve body (5) which is guided such that it moves from an open position against a restoring force into a closed position. In the closed position, the valve body (5) sits on a valve seat (11) provided on the valve support (6) with the circumferential edge (9) of its cup shape, in such a way that the valve body (5) blocks at least one channel opening (12) of the at least one through-flow channel (7). The sanitary unit according to the invention 54 is characterised, inter alia, in that the valve housing (3) has an external or internal thread (22) for screw connection to a coupling counterpart (23).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sanitary unit comprising a pressure-reducing valve which has a valve housing, in the housing interior of which a valve support which has at least one throughflow channel is provided, and which valve housing has a cup-shaped valve body which is guided displaceably from an open position counter to a restoring force into a closed position, in which closed position the valve body lies with the circumferential edge of its cup shape on a valve seat, which is provided on the valve support, in such a manner that the valve body closes at least one channel opening of the at least one throughflow channel.

SUMMARY

It is in particular the object to provide a sanitary unit of the type mentioned at the beginning which is distinguished by as simple handling as possible and with which the risk of leakages in an outflow-side section of the sanitary installation can be at least reduced.

This object is achieved according to the invention, in the case of the sanitary unit of the type mentioned at the beginning, in particular in that the valve housing has an internal or external thread for the screw connection to a coupling counterpart.

The sanitary unit according to the invention has a pressure-reducing valve with a valve housing which has an internal or external thread for the screw connection to a coupling counterpart. Since the valve housing of the pressure-reducing valve according to the invention is therefore part of a line coupling, and since the valve support of a pressure-reducing valve is inserted in the housing interior of the valve housing, the risk of a leakage in the region of the line coupling and of the line section following the line coupling in the flow direction is reduced. Since, in the case of the sanitary unit according to the invention, the pressure-reducing valve is inserted into the line coupling, it is avoided that the pressure-reducing valve is unintentionally not installed at the same time. The sanitary unit according to the invention is therefore also distinguished by simple handling in the installation and/or subsequent operation.

A preferred development according to the invention makes provision that the valve housing is designed as a sleeve-shaped receiving adapter of a line coupling. Since the valve housing is designed as a sleeve-shaped receiving adapter of a line coupling and makes an additional adapter with a pressure-reducing valve unnecessary, the risk of a leakage in the region of such an adapter, on the one hand, and in the line connection of the following line section, on the other hand, is reduced and a short overall length of the sanitary unit according to the invention in the region of its pressure-reducing valve is also additionally supported. Since the valve housing is designed as a sleeve-shaped receiving adapter of the line coupling, it is avoided that the pressure-reducing valve is unintentionally not installed at the same time.

A preferred embodiment according to the invention here makes provision that the valve housing is configured as a hose sleeve nut of a line coupling designed as a hose coupling.

In order to be able to connect this hose line securely and tightly to the valve housing, designed as a hose sleeve nut, of the unit according to the invention, it is advantageous if a preferably profiled hose nipple for the pushing-on of a hose end region of a flexible hose line is provided on a second end face region of the valve housing designed as a hose sleeve nut.

A particularly simple and easily producible embodiment according to the invention makes provision that the valve housing and the hose nipple are connected integrally to each other.

The simple handling of the unit according to the invention even during its installation and removal is additionally also supported if the valve housing and the hose nipple are connected rotatably and liquid-tightly to each other. In this way, the screw connection provided between the hose connection and the inflow-side coupling counterpart can easily be handled without undesirable connections and connections stressing the elastic material of the flexible hose line having to be of concern.

A particularly simple and easily producible exemplary embodiment according to the invention makes provision that the valve housing has, at its second end face region, a through-passage opening into which the hose nipple can be inserted until an annular shoulder or annular flange protruding on the hose nipple lies on the housing edge of the valve housing surrounding the through-passage opening.

If the hose nipple is designed so as to be rotatable relative to the valve housing designed as a hose sleeve nut, it is advantageous if the annular zone between the hose nipple and the housing edge surrounding the through-passage opening is sealed by means of at least one annular seal.

The installation of the unit according to the invention is additionally also simplified if the hose nipple circumferentially has a receiving groove protruding into the through-passage opening, in which receiving groove the annular seal is held.

Possible leakages in the region of the hose coupling are additionally also counteracted if the hose end region, which is pushed onto the hose nipple, of the flexible hose line is held and secured on the hose nipple by means of a pinch or crimp sleeve.

A further proposal for achieving the above-described object, for which protection is independently claimed here, makes provision that the pressure-reducing valve is connected upstream of at least one line section, which line section has at least one control and/or shut-off valve and, additionally or instead, at least one cross-sectional constriction in the clear line cross section. Since the line section connected downstream of the pressure-reducing valve has at least one control and/or shut-off valve and/or has at least one cross-sectional constriction in the clear cross section, the fluid building up upstream of said flow obstruction can reach high-pressure peaks which could ultimately lead to bursting and therefore to leakage of the line section connected upstream of the flow obstruction. Since, however, the pressure-reducing valve which is integrated in the line section and in particular in a line coupling there adjusts the pressure prevailing in the line section between the pressure-reducing valve and the control and/or closing valve or the cross-sectional constriction to a defined maximum pressure, bursting of said line section and a corresponding leakage are effectively avoided. Since, by means of the pressure-reducing valve, the pressure ratios prevailing in the line section can be limited to a defined maximum value, the line section and the sanitary installations and water outlets connected to said line section, even with comparatively small wall thicknesses, can nevertheless be configured to be sufficiently stable, and therefore reduced production costs for the line sections following the pressure-reducing valve can also be achieved.

The advantages which can be achieved with the above-described invention proposal are not only limited to the at least one line section following the pressure-reducing valve; on the contrary, these advantages can also be achieved if the line section connected downstream of the pressure-reducing valve is connected to at least one sanitary installation and/or to at least one water outlet.

Since a line section is exposed in particular to particularly high-pressure peaks whenever the flow through said line section is limited or has even stopped, an advantageous embodiment according to the invention makes provision that the at least one sanitary installation or the at least one sanitary water outlet has the cross-sectional constriction or the control and/or closing valve.

A particularly advantageous development according to the invention makes provision that the pressure-reducing valve is connected upstream of a first hose end of the line section configured as a flexible hose line, which hose line is connected at its second hose end to a hygiene shower or similar shower head serving as a water outlet, which shower head has a control and/or shut-off valve.

In particular, such hygiene showers are regularly deposited in their stand-by position outside the toilet seat and also outside another item of sanitaryware. If a particularly excessive water pressure stresses the flexible hose line leading to the hygiene shower, there is the risk that the elastic material of the flexible hose line will burst and the water coming from the water supply line may flow out unobstructed and pour onto the floor next to the toilet seat. Since the pressure-reducing valve of the sanitary unit according to the invention is connected upstream of a first hose end of a flexible hose line in the throughflow direction, which hose line is connected at its second hose end to the hygiene shower or similar shower head, a control and/or shut-off valve connected upstream of the hose line on the inflow side can be dispensed with. Since, instead, the control and/or shut-off valve is integrated in the hygiene shower or similar shower head of the sanitary unit according to the invention, this shower head of the sanitary unit according to the invention can also be comfortably operated and adjusted single-handedly. Since the pressure-reducing valve is connected upstream of the flexible hose line, an undesirable bursting of the hose line and therefore an uncontrolled discharge of water is counteracted.

The pressure-reducing valve provided according to this invention proposal can have a valve housing which is designed as a separate adapter which is connected upstream of the inflow-side hose connection of a following flexible hose line. However, an embodiment is also preferred here in which the pressure-reducing valve of the sanitary unit according to the invention has a valve housing designed as a hose sleeve nut.

The installation of the sanitary unit according to the invention is additionally also facilitated if the valve support of the pressure-reducing valve is designed as an insert cartridge which can be inserted into a sleeve opening arranged on the first end face region of the valve housing.

The present invention also relates to the use of a sanitary unit with a pressure-reducing valve. To achieve the above object, the use according to the invention of the sanitary unit makes provision that the pressure-reducing valve is connected to a sanitary installation which preferably directly follows it in the flow direction and/or to at least one water outlet, which sanitary installation and/or which at least one sanitary water outlet has at least one cross-sectional constriction in the clear line cross section, or at least one control and/or shut-off valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS.6to8illustrate a sanitary water line which has an outflow-side control and/or shut-off valve8or similar cross-sectional constriction in the clear throughflow cross section and in which a sanitary unit1,10,100, which is also described in more detail below, with a pressure-reducing valve2is connected in between. Between the pressure-reducing valve2and the outlet-side control and/or shut-off valve8, it is also possible to connect a sanitary installation33which can be designed, for example, as an instantaneous water heater, as a water reservoir or the like. Since the line section34connected downstream of the pressure-reducing valve2has at least the one control and/or shut-off valve8and/or at least one cross-sectional constriction in the clear line cross section, the water building up upstream of said flow obstruction can reach high-pressure peaks which could ultimately lead to splitting or bursting and therefore to leakage of the line section34connected upstream of the pressure obstruction. Since, however, the pressure-reducing valve2which is integrated in the line according toFIGS.6to8and in particular in a line coupling there adjusts the water pressure prevailing in the line section between the pressure-reducing valve2and the outflow-side control and/or shut-off valve8or similar cross-sectional constriction to a defined maximum pressure, bursting of the line section34and a corresponding leakage are effectively avoided. Since, by means of the pressure-reducing valve2, the pressure ratios prevailing in the line section34can be limited to a defined maximum value, the line section34and the sanitary installation33which is connected to the line section34can also be configured to be comparatively thin-walled and nevertheless sufficiently stable, and therefore lower production costs for the line sections34following the pressure-reducing valve2can also be achieved.

While said optionally also thin-walled line sections34in the exemplary embodiments according toFIGS.7and8are provided in the interior of the sanitary installation33, indicated here in the shape of a box, a partial region of the line section34following the pressure-reducing valve2is shown outside the sanitary installation33, only illustrated schematically here, in the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.6.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.6, it is shown that the sanitary unit1having the pressure-reducing valve2is connected to the sanitary installation33following it in the flow direction via the line section34which does not necessarily have to be a flexible hose line here, but can also be designed as a pipe produced from plastic, metal or another suitable material. Since the sanitary unit1with the pressure-reducing valve2is connected upstream of the line section34, and since the pressure-reducing valve2reduces and adjusts the water pressure present in the line section34following on the outflow side to a defined maximum value, the wall thicknesses in the line section34and/or in the sanitary installation33connected in between can be reduced in accordance with the defined maximum value of the water pressure and nevertheless can be configured to be sufficiently stable such that bursting of the water line and a corresponding leakage are avoided. In addition to or instead of the outflow-side control and/or shut-off valve8, a cross-sectional constriction can also be provided in particular in the sanitary installation33, which cross-sectional constriction would, without the pressure-reducing valve2, otherwise lead to undesirably high-pressure peaks in the line section connected upstream in the flow direction.

The further details of the sanitary unit1,10,100having a pressure-reducing valve2will also be described in more detail with reference to the following exemplary embodiments.

FIGS.1to8illustrate various embodiments1,10,100of a sanitary unit which has a pressure-reducing valve2with a valve housing3. The pressure-reducing valve2through which the flow passes in the arrow direction Pf1can be, for example, inserted into a water line in order to limit the water pressure in the line section situated downstream of the pressure-reducing valve2to a defined maximum value. The valve housing3of the pressure-reducing valve2has a cup-shaped valve body5in its housing interior. The pressure-reducing valve2of the sanitary units1,10,100has a valve support6in which at least one throughflow channel7is provided. If the line cross section is constricted in the region of the following line section, for example because the control and/or shut-off valve8provided on the outflow side is only opened slightly, and the water pressure rises increasingly there, the displaceably guided valve body5is moved under the pressure of the through flowing medium from the open position shown inFIGS.1,3,5,7and8counter to the restoring force of at least one restoring element into a closed position, in which closed position the valve body5lies with the circumferential edge9of its cup shape on a valve seat11, which is provided on the valve support6, in such a manner that the valve body5closes at least a channel opening12of the at least one throughflow channel7. Since, as the water pressure rises, the valve body5is increasingly pressed in the line section, which is placed upstream of the pressure-reducing valve2, against the restoring force of the at least one restoring element in the direction of the valve support6and therefore the pressure loss at the channel opening12, which therefore is becoming smaller, increases, the pressure of the fluid in the line section placed downstream of the pressure-reducing valve2is limited to a defined maximum value.

It can be seen inFIGS.1,3and5to8that a central holding sleeve13into which a holding pin14arranged on the valve support5protrudes is provided on the inside of the cup base of the valve body5. A stop15is provided on the inner circumference of the holding sleeve13, the stop interacting with a mating stop16on the outer circumference of the holding pin14in such a manner that, in the open position of the pressure-reducing valve2, the stop15and the mating stop16limit the sliding path of the valve body5relative to the valve support6. Since the stop15and the mating stop16interacting therewith limit the sliding path of the valve body5relative to the valve support4into the opening position, an unintentional dropping out of the pressure-reducing valve2illustrated here during storage, during transport or during the installation is counteracted. Valve support6, valve body5and the restoring element effective between them, together with the associated annular seals17,18, virtually form an insert unit which merely has to be inserted into the valve housing3to complete the pressure-reducing valve2. This substantially simplifies the installation of the pressure-reducing valve2illustrated here.

It can be seen inFIGS.1,3and5to8that the at least one restoring element is designed here as a helical compression spring19. The helical compression spring19, which serves as the restoring element, engages here around the holding pin14and the holding sleeve13. The holding pin14and the holding sleeve13are oriented coaxially with respect to each other and with respect to the longitudinal axis of the valve housing.

It is illustrated inFIG.4that the pressure-reducing valve2of the sanitary units1,10,100shown here can be connected upstream in the throughflow direction of a first hose end of a flexible hose line4, which hose line4is connected at its second hose end, for example, to a hygiene shower20or similar shower head in which the control and/or shut-off valve8is integrated.

The valve housing3of the pressure-reducing valve2connected upstream of the hose line4can be designed here as a separate screw adapter, which screw adapter has an internal thread22on the inflow-side end face region of the valve housing3and an external thread33on its opposite second end face region, with which external thread33the valve housing3of the sanitary unit10can be screwed into the hose sleeve nut fitting21of the hose line4following on the outflow side.

In the case of the sanitary unit1shown inFIGS.1to3, the valve housing3itself is designed as a sleeve-shaped hose sleeve nut of a hose coupling, which hose sleeve nut has, on an inner circumferential side on a first end face region, an internal thread22for the screw connection to a coupling counterpart23. AsFIGS.1to3show, a preferably profiled hose nipple24is provided on the second end face region of the valve housing3designed as a hose sleeve nut, the hose nipple being provided for the pushing-on of a hose end region of the flexible hose line4.

While, in the case of the exemplary embodiment of the sanitary unit1that is shown inFIGS.1and2, the valve housing3and the hose nipple24are connected integrally to each other, in the case of the sanitary unit1shown inFIG.3the valve housing3and the hose nipple24are connected rotatably and liquid-tightly to each other. In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.3, the valve housing3has, on its second end face region, a through-passage opening25into which the hose nipple24can be inserted until an annular shoulder or annular flange26protruding on the hose nipple24lies on the housing edge of the valve housing3surrounding the through-passage opening25. In this case, the annular zone between the hose nipple24and the housing edge surrounding the through-passage opening25is sealed by means of at least one annular seal27which is held in a receiving groove protruding into the through-passage opening25.

It becomes clear from a comparison ofFIGS.1to3and5to8that the valve support6of the pressure-reducing valve2is designed here as an insert cartridge which can be inserted into an insertion opening arranged on the first end face region of the valve housing3.

It becomes clear fromFIGS.1to3and5to8that the valve support6has a valve support section29, which valve support section29lies on the housing inner circumference of the valve housing3and which, in the use position of the pressure-reducing valve2, is held immovably in the housing interior of the valve housing3. Said valve support section29is substantially plate-like. So that the fluid flowing through the pressure-reducing valve can pass only through the at least one throughflow channel7, the valve support section29is provided with the annular seal17which also forms the valve seat11here and with which said valve support section29lies tightly on the housing inner circumference of the valve housing3. On the plate-like valve support section29protrudes a pin-shaped guide section of the valve support6, on which guide section the valve body5is displaceably guided with its valve body inner circumference. Said guide section of the valve support6has the holding sleeve13on its end face directed toward the valve body interior. Also arranged on the guide section of the valve support4is the annular seal18which seals the cup interior of the cup-shaped valve body in relation to the fluid flowing through it. In this case, the annular seal18lies tightly on the cup inner circumference of the valve body5. At least one sliding element35and preferably more than two sliding elements35which are spaced apart in particular uniformly from one another in the circumferential direction are provided on the valve body5, the sliding elements protruding in the radial direction over the valve body5in such a manner that an annular channel is formed between the housing inner circumference of the valve housing3, on the one hand, and the outer circumference of the valve body5, on the other hand. Since the valve body5slides only with its laterally protruding sliding elements34on the housing inner circumference of the valve housing3, the friction surface of the valve body5is effectively reduced.

It becomes clear fromFIGS.1to3and5to8that an annular groove30is provided on the outer circumference of the valve support section29. Said annular groove30is connected via at least one ventilation channel31to the cup interior of the cup-shaped valve body5. At least one ventilation opening32which opens into the annular groove30on the valve support section29is provided in the valve housing3of the pressure-reducing valve2. During the sliding movements of the valve body5, the air trapped in the cup interior of the cup-shaped valve body5can escape via the ventilation channel31and the ventilation opening32. This prevents an undesirable counterpressure from being able to build up in the cup interior of the cup-shaped valve body5when the pressure of the outlet-side fluid presses the valve body5onto the pin-shaped guide section of the valve support6. With the aid of the pressure-reducing valve2located in the valve housing3, the hose line4following on the outflow side can be protected against an excessive pressure of the fluid and against pressure-induced bursting.

It is shown inFIGS.1to8that at least one line section can be connected downstream of the pressure-reducing valve2in the throughflow direction Pf1, which line section has at least one control and/or shut-off valve8or at least one cross-sectional constriction in the clear line cross section. As is shown inFIGS.6to8, the line section34connected downstream of the pressure-reducing valve2can be connected to at least one water outlet and/or to at least one sanitary installation33. It is illustrated schematically inFIGS.6to8that the at least one sanitary installation33has the cross-sectional constriction or, as here, the control and/or shut-off valve8.

InFIGS.1to3, the valve housing3of the sanitary units1is configured as a hose sleeve nut of a line section which follows in the flow direction and is designed as a flexible hose line4. In the case of the exemplary embodiments1,10,100shown inFIGS.6to8, the valve housing3is connected to the inlet of a sanitary installation following it in the flow direction Pf1(cf.FIGS.6and7) or is integrated in the inlet of said sanitary installation33(cf.FIG.8). The valve support6which has the throughflow channel7is inserted in the housing interior of the valve housing3. The cup-shaped valve body5is guided displaceably on the valve support6from an open position counter to a restoring force into a closed position, in which closed position the valve body5lies with the circumferential edge9of its cup shape on a valve seat11, which is provided on the valve support6, in such a manner that the valve body5closes at least one channel opening12of the at least one throughflow channel7. In the case of the exemplary embodiments shown inFIGS.6to8, the valve housing3which is connected to the inlet of the sanitary installation33or is integrated in the inlet also has an external thread or internal thread22for the screw connection to a coupling counterpart which is not shown specifically here and which is arranged on the inflow side, which coupling counterpart connects the sanitary installation33via the valve housing3and the pressure-reducing valve2thereof to a line section connected upstream in the flow direction Pf1. The pressure-reducing valve2is, for its part, connected upstream of at least one line section in the throughflow direction Pf1, which line section has at least one control or shut-off valve8or at least one cross-sectional constriction in the clear cross section. Said line section34which is connected downstream of the pressure-reducing valve2is connected to the at least one sanitary installation33and to the water outlet provided at the outlet thereof. In the exemplary embodiments according toFIGS.6to8, the sanitary installation33and its water outlet have the cross-sectional constriction or the control or shut-off valve8.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS