Abstract:
In order to facilitate the accommodation of additional passages whilst retaining small dimensions in the case of a rotor nozzle, in particular, for a high-pressure cleaning device, comprising a casing and a rotor body which is arranged therein, has a flow-through channel and is accommodated with a spherical bearing part in a step bearing surrounding an exit opening of the casing, an end part which closes the casing on the side located opposite the step bearing and in which several, selectively closable passages are arranged which open from an inlet side into the interior of the casing accommodating the rotor body or into flow channels in the casing which lead to additional outlets of the casing, it is suggested that the end part widen in steps in its longitudinal direction leading from the interior of the casing to its inlet side, that the end part be inserted into a stepped receiving opening in the casing which widens correspondingly, that a seal be provided between end part and the inner wall of the receiving opening above and below a respective step of the end part, that an outlet for a passage of the end part be arranged in the area of at least one step and that a flow channel begin in the casing in the area of this step.

Description:
[0001]    The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in International application No. PCT/EP01/10546 of Sep. 13, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to a rotor nozzle, in particular, for a high-pressure cleaning device, comprising a casing and a rotor body which is arranged therein, has a flow-through channel and is accommodated with a spherical bearing part in a step bearing which surrounds an exit opening of the casing, an end part which closes the casing on the side located opposite the step bearing and in which several, selectively closable passages are arranged which open from an inlet side into the interior of the casing accommodating the rotor body or into flow channels in the casing which lead to additional outlets of the casing.  
           [0003]    A rotor nozzle of this type is known, for example, from DE 43 19 743 A1. In this respect, two passages are provided in the end part which can be selectively closed or released via a spherical closure member so that liquid can be introduced either centrally into the interior closed by the casing or tangentially into it.  
           [0004]    For reasons of space, it is extremely difficult to accommodate more than these two passages in the end part. In addition, it is hardly possible to provide additional possibilities for discharging the liquid, for example, via stationary compact nozzles or flat spray nozzles without increasing the diameter of the rotor nozzle.  
           [0005]    The object of the invention is to design a generic rotor nozzle such that the possibility is created for additional passages and discharge points for the liquid whilst retaining a small constructional size for such a rotor nozzle.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention, for a rotor nozzle of the type described at the outset, in that the end part widens in steps in its longitudinal direction leading from the interior of the casing to its inlet side, that the end part is inserted into a stepped receiving opening in the casing which widens correspondingly, that a seal is provided between end part and the inner wall of the receiving opening above and below a respective step of the end part, that an outlet for a passage of the end part is arranged in the area of at least one step and that a flow channel begins in the casing in the area of this step.  
           [0007]    This design makes it possible to accommodate additional passages in the end part in addition to the known, central passages and to connect these in a space-saving manner to flow channels which are incorporated in the wall of the casing and extend next to the interior of the casing in the casing itself, i.e., in the casing wall and lead to additional discharge points for the liquid. As a result, the constructional size of the rotor nozzle is not, altogether, increased; the space available is, on the contrary, utilized in an optimum manner as a result of the stepped design of the end part and the connection of the passages to the flow channels in the area of the steps.  
           [0008]    It may be provided, in particular, for the outlets of the passages arranged in the area of the steps to exit from the end part transversely to the longitudinal direction at the level of the step.  
           [0009]    The flow channels may extend in longitudinal direction in the casing in the area of the steps, i.e., abut on the interior on their outer side. As a result of the arrangement of the flow channels parallel to the longitudinal direction of the casing, a minimal space requirement is generated in a radial direction; since the flow channels are arranged in the area of the step, they do not project in a radial direction beyond the widest part of the end part but rather are located within the contour of the end part.  
           [0010]    It is favorable when the steps of the end part and the steps of the casing are offset slightly relative to one another in longitudinal direction so that a gap results between them which provides a flow connection between the outlet of a passage and the beginning of a flow channel.  
           [0011]    A particularly preferred development results when steps following one another in longitudinal direction are arranged on oppositely located sides of the end part. The space above the steps can then be used on both sides of the end part for accommodating the flow channel and so an optimum utilization of space results.  
           [0012]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided for the sections of the end part separated from one another by the steps to each be of a circular-cylindrical design. This end part is then inserted in a sealed manner into sections of the receiving opening which are of a correspondingly circular-cylindrical shape.  
           [0013]    The longitudinal axes of the circular-cylindrical sections, which adjoin a section located therebetween on both sides, are preferably arranged so as to be concentric to one another whereas the longitudinal axis of the section located therebetween is, in comparison, offset to the side. As a result, steps automatically result in the area of transition and these are arranged essentially on oppositely located sides of the end part.  
           [0014]    In this respect, it is advantageous when the diameter of the section located therebetween is selected such that this merges into the adjoining, broader section without any steps on its side located opposite the step.  
           [0015]    It is also favorable when the diameter of the narrower section is selected such that this merges into the section located therebetween without any steps on its side located opposite the step. In this way, the steps extend only over part of the circumference of the end part and become ever narrower towards the side located opposite.  
           [0016]    In order to seal the end part in relation to the inner wall of the receiving bore, O-ring seals can be provided which are preferably inserted into circumferential grooves of the end part.  
           [0017]    In a modified embodiment, it is provided for welding seams connecting the end part to the casing to be provided for sealing the end part in relation to the inner wall of the receiving bore. For example, this may be a weld connection, which is produced by way of a very localized application of ultrasonic energy, when a thermoplastic material is used for the end part and for the casing.  
           [0018]    The flow channels in the casing preferably lead to nozzle members which form an outlet for the flow channels, for example, flat spray nozzles or atomizing nozzles for discharging a cleaning chemical.  
           [0019]    These nozzle members may preferably be inserted into receiving recesses of the casing in a sealed manner.  
           [0020]    It is particularly advantageous when two such flow channels are provided in the casing and they are located diametrically opposite one another.  
           [0021]    A passage which enters the interior centrally parallel to the longitudinal direction may be provided in the end part.  
           [0022]    In addition, an additional passage may be connected to channels which enter the interior with a tangential component remote from the central axis of the interior in such a manner that the liquid in the interior is caused to rotate about the central axis of the interior. As a result of this rotation, the rotor body mounted in the interior is also taken along and moves on a conical path.  
           [0023]    These channels may be incorporated directly in the end part but in another preferred embodiment it is provided for the channels to be arranged in a cap which is placed in a sealed manner on the end part and covers a hollow space therein which communicates with a passage and with the channels.  
           [0024]    In a preferred embodiment it is provided for the passages to enter the inlet side of the end part parallel to the longitudinal direction.  
           [0025]    A receiving chamber for closure members, which close all the respective passages except for one, may be positioned in front of the inlet side of the end part.  
           [0026]    These closure members are preferably spheres which can be mounted in the receiving chamber so as to be freely movable and are moved in front of the inlets to the corresponding passages, which they then close, with a corresponding orientation of the rotor nozzle and due to the action of the liquid, wherein the number of passages is always greater by one than the number of closure members.  
           [0027]    It is favorable when the closure members are tensioned by springs against oppositely located entry openings of the passages.  
           [0028]    A liquid connection can open into the receiving chamber, the end part and the casing being mounted on this liquid connection in a sealed manner and so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the end part. The user can, therefore, decide, when the supply of liquid is switched off, which of the passages are closed by a closure member and which passage remains open simply by turning the rotor nozzle in relation to the end part.  
           [0029]    In a preferred embodiment, the casing and the end part inserted into it are covered by a hood.  
           [0030]    This hood can secure the end part and the casing to a liquid connection so as to be axially non-displaceable and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the end part.  
           [0031]    The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention serves to explain the invention in greater detail in conjunction with the drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1: shows a side view of a first preferred embodiment of an end part;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2: shows a plan view of the end part of FIG. 1 in the direction of arrow A;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3: shows a plan view of the end part of FIG. 1 in the direction of arrow B;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 4: shows a longitudinal sectional view of a rotor nozzle with an end part according to FIGS.  1  to  3  with an open, central passage;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 5: shows a sectional view along line  5 - 5  in FIG. 4;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 6: shows a view similar to FIG. 4 with a sectional direction turned through 90° and an open passage for an additional nozzle member;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 7: shows a sectional view along line  7 - 7  in FIG. 6;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 8: shows a view similar to FIG. 4 with an open passage for a tangential entry of liquid into the interior;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 9: shows a view similar to FIG. 6 with an open passage for an additional nozzle member;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 10: shows a sectional view along line  10 - 10  in FIG. 9;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 11: shows a view similar to FIG. 1 in the case of an end part with welded ribs and  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 12: shows a partial, longitudinal, sectional view of a rotor nozzle similar to FIG. 8 in the case of a modified embodiment of an end part. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0044]    The rotor nozzle  1  illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4 has a casing  2  which is of a circular-cylindrical design in a lower area  3  whereas its oppositely located side surfaces  4  are inclined towards one another towards the top so that, altogether, an elongated, approximately oval cross section results.  
         [0045]    In its upper area between the side surfaces  4 , the casing  2  surrounds an interior  5  which is in the shape of a truncated cone and in the end surface  6  of which, which is arranged at the upper end of the casing  2 , an outlet opening  7  is arranged. In this area, an annular step bearing  8 , which surrounds the outlet opening  7  and in which an elongated rotor body  9  with a bearing end  10  of a spherical design is supported, is inserted into the end surface  6  in a sealed manner. This rotor body  9  has on its interior a flow-through channel  11  which communicates with the interior  5  at its lower end via openings  10   a  and which opens into a nozzle opening  12  in the bearing end  10  designed as a nozzle member.  
         [0046]    The rotor body  9  is mounted in the step bearing  8  so as to be freely rotatable about its longitudinal axis and so as to wobble such that it can abut with its rear end area  13  on the conical inner wall  14  of the interior  5 , wherein it is supported on this inner wall  14  via an O-ring  15  which surrounds its rear end area  13  (FIG. 6).  
         [0047]    A receiving opening  16 , which is positioned in front of the interior  5  of the casing  2 , is arranged in the cylindrical area  3  of the casing  2 . An end part  17 , which closes the interior  5  on the side located opposite the step bearing  8 , is inserted into this receiving opening  16  in a sealed manner.  
         [0048]    The end part  17  comprises a circular-cylindrical base section  18 , a central section  19  of a circular-cylindrical design adjoining thereto and an end section  20  of a circular-cylindrical design adjoining thereto, wherein the external diameter of the central section  19  is between the external diameters of the larger base section  18  and the smaller end section  20  (FIGS. 1 and 2). The base section  18  and the end section  20  are arranged concentrically to one another, the central axis of the central section  19  is offset laterally in relation to their central axis such that the central section  19  merges into the base section  18  without any steps on one side so that a sickle-shaped step  21  is formed on the side located opposite. The external diameter of the end section  20  is selected such that no step results in the transition to the central section  19  on the side of the step  21  but, on the other hand, a sickle-shaped step  22  likewise results on the side located opposite. The steps  21  and  22  are, therefore, located diametrically opposite one another and are offset in relation to one another in longitudinal direction of the end part  17 .  
         [0049]    O-ring seals  26 ,  27  and  28  are inserted into circumferential grooves  23 ,  24  and  25 , respectively, of the end part  17  above and below the respective steps  21  and  22 , these seals projecting slightly in a radial direction beyond the outer circumference of the sections of the end part.  
         [0050]    An additional O-ring seal  31  is inserted into a circumferential groove  30  in the end section  20  immediately adjacent to the upper end surface  29  of the end part  17  and an additional circumferential groove  32  is located in the end section  20  between this circumferential groove  30  and the circumferential groove  25  but no O-ring seal is inserted into it. This circumferential groove  32  is connected to the interior  5  via channels  33  extending with a tangential component in circumferential direction; the channels  33  begin in this circumferential groove  32  and enter the interior  5  at the end surface  29  extending at an angle in circumferential direction (FIGS. 5 and 8).  
         [0051]    An additional circumferential groove  34 , which likewise accommodates an O-ring seal  35 , is located beneath the circumferential groove  23  at a distance to it.  
         [0052]    An annular receiving chamber  36  with a flat base surface  37  and a side wall  38  circular in cross section is arranged at the end of the base section  18  located opposite the end surface  29 . At the lowest end, the base section  18  bears an annular shoulder  39  projecting outwards.  
         [0053]    Four entry openings  40 ,  41 ,  42  and  43  for four channel-like passages  44 ,  45 ,  46  and  47 , respectively, which are arranged in the end part  17  parallel to the longitudinal direction thereof immediately adjoining the receiving chamber  36 , are located in the base surface  37 , respectively offset relative to one another through an angle of 90°.  
         [0054]    A first passage  44  is connected via a line section  49  projecting radially inwards to a line section  50  which extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end part  17  and concentrically to the base section  18  and the end section  20  and exits into the interior  5  through a central outlet opening  51  in the end surface  29 .  
         [0055]    An additional passage  46 , which is located diametrically opposite the passage  44 , extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end part  17  through it as far as the level of the circumferential groove  32  and opens into this circumferential groove  32  via a line section  52  which is directed radially outwards (FIG. 4).  
         [0056]    An additional passage  45 , which is arranged between the passages  44  and  46 , extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end part  17  as far as the level of the step  22  and exits via a radial line section  53 . Finally, an additional passage  47  extends diametrically opposite to this passage  45  parallel to the longitudinal direction of the end part  17  as far as the level of the step  21  and exits via a radial line section  54 , likewise at the level of the step  21  (FIG. 6).  
         [0057]    The entire end part  17  is produced from plastic in one piece, with the exception of the O-ring seals, its mass is reduced by a row of recesses  55 .  
         [0058]    The receiving opening  16  of the casing  2  is shaped essentially complementary to the outer contour of the end part  17 , i.e., it has a circular-cylindrical upper section  56  adjacent to the interior  5 , a central, circular-cylindrical section  57  adjoining thereto and a lower, circular-cylindrical section  58 , wherein the upper section  56  and the lower section  58  are arranged concentrically to one another whereas the central section  57  is offset laterally in comparison with it.  
         [0059]    As a result, a step  59  is also formed between the lower section  58  and the central section  57  and a step  60  between the central section  57  and the upper section  56 .  
         [0060]    These steps  59  and  60  are located directly opposite the steps  21  and  22  but maintain a slight distance in relation to them in longitudinal direction of the end part  17  so that a gap  61  and  62 , respectively, results between the steps and the radial line sections  54  and  53 , respectively, open into the respective gaps.  
         [0061]    The O-ring seals  26 ,  27  and  28  as well as the O-ring seals  31  and  35  seal the end part  17  inserted into the receiving opening  16  in relation to the inner wall of the receiving opening  16  in sections, the O-ring seals  26  and  27 , for example, in the area of the step  21  and the O-ring seals  27  and  28  in the area of the step  22 .  
         [0062]    Two flow channels  63  and  64  extending parallel to the longitudinal direction are arranged in the casing  2  next to the interior  5  on sides located diametrically opposite one another, pass with their lower ends through the respective steps  59  and  60  and open into the respective, adjoining gap  61  and  62 . Proceeding from these gaps  61  and  62 , the flow channels  63  and  64  lead to nozzle members  65  and  66 , respectively, which are inserted into corresponding receiving recesses  67  and  68 , respectively, at the upper end of the casing  2  and are sealed in relation to the receiving recesses  67  and  68 , respectively, by means of O-ring seals  69  and  70 . The nozzle members  65  and  66  have outlet openings of different shapes which are suitable, for example, for generating a fan jet and a spray mist.  
         [0063]    The nozzle members  65  and  66  are held in the receiving recesses  67  and  68  by a hood  71  which covers the casing  2  and consists of two assembled half shells  72 ,  73 . These half shells surround the casing  2  on both sides and engage over the lower edge  74  of the casing  2  with an annular shoulder  75  which projects inwards.  
         [0064]    A supply pipe  76  bears at its end a pot-shaped extension  77  which protrudes in a sealed manner into the receiving chamber  36  of the end part  17  and, as a result, closes this on all sides. The end part  17  and, with it, the casing  2  are rotatable relative to the pot-shaped extension  77  about the longitudinal axis of the supply pipe  76  and, therefore, the central axis of the rotor nozzle; in axial direction, the pot-shaped extension  77  is secured relative to the end part  17  in that the hood  71 , with an additional annular shoulder  78  projecting inwards, engages behind a flange-like extension  79  which surrounds the pot-shaped extension  77 .  
         [0065]    Three spherical valve members  80  are arranged in the interior of the receiving chamber  36  and are each tensioned by a helical spring  81  against the base surface  37  of the receiving chamber  36 . The helical springs  81  are secured on the pot-shaped extension  77  by means of projections  82  in such a manner that they are located directly opposite three of the four respective passages  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47  in a specific angular position of the end part  17  relative to the supply pipe  76  and close them due to the action of the helical springs  81 . Only one of the passages therefore remains open and this can be selected by turning the end part  17  in a suitable manner relative to the supply pipe  76 .  
         [0066]    When the passage  46  is opened (FIG. 8), liquid passes via this into the circumferential groove  32  and is introduced into the interior  5  from this groove through the tangential channels  33  in such a manner that a batch of liquid rotating about the longitudinal axis of the interior  5  is generated in this interior. This takes the rotor body  9  along with it which abuts, thereupon, with its O-ring  15  on the inner wall  14  of the interior  5  and rolls along this interior, i.e., the rotor body  9  moves along a conical surface and, therefore, discharges liquid passing through the flow-through channel  11  in the form of a compact jet circulating on a conical surface.  
         [0067]    When only the passage  44  is opened, the liquid enters the interior  5  via the central line section  50  centrally and parallel to the central axis; as a result, the rotor body  9  is centered, remains permanently in its central position and, in this way, supplies a compact jet not circulating on a conical surface (FIG. 4).  
         [0068]    If the passages  45  or  47  are opened, the liquid passes to the associated nozzle members  66  and  65 , respectively, and is discharged via these nozzle members according to the geometry of them, for example, as a fan jet or as a spray mist.  
         [0069]    The selection is made solely by means of a rotation of the entire rotor nozzle in relation to the supply pipe  76  and can, therefore, be brought about in the most simple of ways when a supply of liquid is switched off.  
         [0070]    The rotor nozzle  1  described is also very easy to mount. First of all, the step bearing  8  is pushed into the casing  2 ; in addition, the rotor body  9  is inserted into the interior  5  so that its spherical bearing end  10  engages in the step bearing  8 . Subsequently, the end part  17  is inserted into the receiving opening  16 ; this is possible only in a specific angular position since not only the receiving bore but also the end part  17  are not rotationally symmetric and, finally, the pot-shaped extension  77  is inserted into the receiving chamber  36 , wherein the three spherical valve members  80  are introduced into the receiving chamber  36  such that the helical springs  81  tension them against the base surface  37  of the receiving chamber  36 .  
         [0071]    The entire unit is secured in an axial direction by the two half shells  72  and  73  being applied from the side; the half shells may, for example, be screwed to one another.  
         [0072]    In the embodiment of FIGS.  1  to  10 , the sealing of the individual sections of the end part  17  in relation to the receiving opening  16  is brought about by O-ring seals which are inserted into circumferential grooves of the end part  17 .  
         [0073]    In the modified embodiment of an end part  17  illustrated in FIG. 11, the circumferential grooves and the O-ring seals inserted therein are missing but the remaining construction is the same and so parts corresponding to one another have the same reference numerals. Instead of the circumferential grooves and the O-ring seals, this end part  17  of FIG. 11 has circumferential ribs  83  which project slightly outwards and which come to rest on the inner wall of the receiving opening  16  during insertion of the end part  17 . These circumferential ribs  83  can be welded to the wall of the receiving opening  16 ; this is possible, for example, due to the fact that ultrasonic radiation is directed into the contact area between circumferential ribs  83  and the inner wall of the receiving opening  16  and this radiation melts the material which is in contact at this location due to heating and, as a result, brings about a heat seal.  
         [0074]    In the embodiment of FIGS.  1  to  10 , the end part  17  is designed in one piece. In a modified embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, an end part  17  is used which is, to a great extent, of the same construction and so parts corresponding to one another have the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the circumferential grooves  30  with the inserted O-ring seal  31  and the circumferential groove  32  are, however, missing; instead, the passage  46  opens into an annular groove  84  in the end face of the end part  17 , this groove opening in the direction of the interior  5  and, for its part, being covered towards the interior  5  by a plate-like end cap  85 . This end cap  85  is placed onto the end part  17  at its end face and is sealed in relation to the receiving opening  16  by means of an outer circumferential groove  86  and an O-ring seal  87  arranged therein. Channels  33  directed tangentially in circumferential direction are arranged in the end cap  85  and connect the annular groove  84  to the interior  5 . In addition, a central projection  88  of the end cap  85  protrudes into a corresponding recess  89  in the end part  17  and is sealed in relation to the end part  17  by an inserted O-ring seal  90 . A continuous channel  91 , which connects the line section  50  to the interior  5  of the casing  2 , is located in the projection  88 .  
         [0075]    The rest of the construction corresponds completely to that of the embodiment of FIGS.  1  to  10 .