Patent Abstract:
A sanitary fitted element ( 1 ) which can be inserted into the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting and is held releasably there. A characteristic feature of the fitted element ( 1 ) according to the invention is that said fitted element has an adjusting device for changing the clear sectional area of flow of the fitted element ( 1 ) and/or the discharge rate, which adjusting device is actuable via at least one control element ( 8 ) which is arranged actuably on the inflow side of the fitted element ( 1 ) and/or on the outflow side thereof. The fitted element ( 1 ) according to the invention can be used in a versatile manner in order to reduce the outlay on production and stock.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a sanitary installation element which can be inserted into the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting and which has an adjustment device for varying the clear throughflow cross section of the installation element and/or the volume flow, which adjustment device can be actuated by means of at least one operating element which is arranged, such that it can be actuated, on the inflow side of the installation element and/or on the outflow side of said installation element, wherein the adjustment device has a regulating element and, interacting therewith, an adjustment element, the relative position of which can be varied by means of the at least one operating element in order to vary the throughflow cross section or the throughflow rate. 
         [0002]    Various sanitary installation elements are already known which can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting in order to regulate or form the water jet emerging therefrom. Various jet regulators have already been created, the intention of which is to form the water jet emerging from the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting into a homogeneous, non-sputtering and if appropriate also sparkling, soft overall jet. 
         [0003]    An installation element of the type mentioned in the introduction which can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting is already known from FR 2 907 874 A, which installation element provides the user with a selection of different throughflow cross sections. For this purpose, the already known installation element has an adjustment device which can be actuated by means of a sleeve-shaped operating element which forms the outlet-side face edge of the installation element. The operating element which is guided so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the installation element is drive-connected to a cylindrical adjustment element, which is rotatably mounted in the installation element transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, in such a way that an axial exertion of pressure on the operating element can be converted into a rotational movement of the adjustment element. In the adjustment element there are a plurality of throughflow ducts available for selection, which throughflow ducts interact with the adjoining wall regions, which serve as a regulating element, of the installation element in such a way that a throughflow duct of larger throughflow cross section or a throughflow duct of relatively small throughflow cross section can be selected, or the throughflow through the installation element can be completely blocked. 
         [0004]    Also already known, from DE 10 2006 057 795 B, is a sanitary installation element which can likewise be inserted into the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting and is designed as a jet regulator. The already known jet regulator which serves as an installation element is intended to form the water emerging from the outlet fitting into a homogeneous and non-sputtering water jet. The already known installation element has a central cleaning duct, the duct inlet of which is provided on the base of a concave upstream screen which is provided upstream at the inflow side and which tapers in the throughflow direction. In the region of the duct opening there is provided an adjustment device which is formed as a shut-off valve, the valve body of which can be moved from an open position into a closed position counter to a restoring force either under the pressure of the inflowing water or else manually by means of an operating element connected to the valve body. Since, after every withdrawal of water, the shut-off valve re-opens the duct opening leading to the cleaning duct, it is possible, during a subsequent withdrawal of water, for the dirt particles which are entrained in the water and which have been retained on the screen surface of the upstream screen to firstly be flushed away through the cleaning duct before the shut-off valve closes again during the withdrawal of water. Every opening and closing movement of the shut-off valve simultaneously entails an increase or decrease in size, and thus a variation, of the throughflow cross section of the installation element. 
         [0005]    Since different sanitary water system specifications exist in different countries, a corresponding multiplicity of jet regulators is required in order to allow for the country-specific specifications. The multiplicity of jet regulators requires a not inconsiderable outlay in terms of production and stockkeeping. Since the outlet fittings sold by different manufacturers exhibit different and sometimes also high hydraulic resistances, different throughflow rate regulators are required in order to regulate the maximum water quantity emerging per unit time, as a result of which the outlay in terms of production and stockkeeping is additionally increased. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    It is therefore the object in particular to create a sanitary installation element of the type mentioned in the introduction, which sanitary installation element can be used in as versatile a manner as possible in order to reduce the outlay in terms of production and stockkeeping and in order to provide adaptation to the individual demands of the respective user and/or to the specific sanitary environmental conditions. 
         [0007]    In the case of the sanitary installation element of the type mentioned in the introduction, said object is a achieved according to the invention in particular in that at least one operating element is mounted so as to be rotatable but immovable in the longitudinal direction, in that the adjustment element is guided so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction and rotationally fixed, and in that a rotational movement at said operating element can be converted into a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element. 
         [0008]    The installation element according to the invention, which can be inserted into the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting and is releasably held there, has an adjustment device which is designed for varying the clear throughflow cross section of the installation element and/or the throughflow rate. The adjustment device of the installation element according to the invention can be actuated by means of at least one operating element which is arranged, such that it can be actuated, on the inflow side of the installation element and/or on the outflow side thereof. The adjustment device has a regulating element and, interacting therewith, an adjustment element, the relative position of which can be varied by means of the at least one operating element in order to vary the throughflow cross section or the throughflow rate. While at least one operating element is mounted so as to be rotatable but immovable in the longitudinal direction, the adjustment element which interacts therewith is guided so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction and rotationally fixed, in such a way that a rotational movement at the operating element can be converted into a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element. By actuation of the adjustment device at the operating element arranged on the inflow or outflow side of the installation element, the clear throughflow cross section and/or the maximum amount of water emerging per unit time can be varied such that the installation element according to the invention is suited to the different local preconditions in the distribution network. Since one and the same installation element can be adapted to the specifications of the water networks existing in different countries, the production and stockkeeping of different jet regulator designs is no longer imperatively necessary. 
         [0009]    In order to attain a controlled and/or repeatable adjustment movement, it is expedient if the adjustment element is guided so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment device. 
         [0010]    The rotational movement at the operating element can be converted into a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element in a particularly simple manner if a threaded peg arranged preferably coaxially with respect to the adjustment device protrudes from at least one operating element, which threaded peg engages into a threaded opening in the adjustment element. 
         [0011]    The already-known installation elements generally have, at the inflow side, a filter or upstream screen, the intention of which is to retain dirt particles inadvertently entrained in the water and to protect the installation element against blockages caused by dirt. 
         [0012]    One preferred refinement, which is worthy of protection in its own right, provides that the adjustment device is in the form of a throughflow rate regulator which has an annular throttle body composed of elastic material and which delimits a control gap between itself and a regulating profiling provided on an adjacent inner and/or outer circumferential wall, which 
         [0013]    control gap can be varied in terms of its clear throughflow cross section by means of the throttle body which deforms under the pressure of the fluid flowing through. Such an adjustment device designed as an adjustable throughflow rate regulator allows the sanitary installation element to be set to a throughflow rate which corresponds to the existing specifications of the water network at the usage site. 
         [0014]    In order to be able to realize different preselectable throughflow rates by means of such an adjustment device in the form of a throughflow rate regulator, it is advantageous if the inner and/or the outer circumferential wall, at least in their partial region which has the regulating profiling, and/or the regulating profiling, widen in terms of their clear cross section in the longitudinal direction. 
         [0015]    It is expedient if a support intended for providing support for the throttle body, or the inner and/or outer circumferential wall which has the regulating profiling, is designed as an adjustment element which interacts with the inner and/or outer circumferential wall which is designed as a regulating element or with the support. Whereas one exemplary embodiment provides that the support intended for providing support for the throttle body is designed as an adjustment element and the inner an/or outer circumferential wall is designed as a regulating element, another exemplary embodiment, by contrast, consists in that the inner and/or outer circumferential wall serves as an adjustment element and the support intended for providing support for the throttle body serves as a regulating element. 
         [0016]    The versatility of the installation element according to the invention is enhanced if the adjustment device can be releasably fastened on the inflow side of a jet regulator or similar sanitary installation part. Such an installation element, in which the adjustment device is releasably fastened on the jet regulator or the like, may selectively be operated either with or without the adjustment device. 
         [0017]    Further features of the invention will emerge from the description and from the claims. The invention will be described in even greater detail below on the basis of various exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    In the figures: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a sanitary installation element illustrated in a longitudinally sectioned rotational position, which sanitary installation element comprises, at the outflow side, a jet regulator with a jet splitter formed as a perforated plate, wherein the throughflow holes provided in the perforated plate which serves as a jet splitter are arranged in concentric hole circles, of which at least one hole circle—or, not illustrated here, at least a part of at least one hole circle—can be opened and closed by means of an adjustment element which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment device, 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 1  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows the longitudinally sectioned installation element from  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a different position of adjustment, 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 3  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 1 to 4  in a perspective partial longitudinal section, 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 1 to 5  in an exploded illustration, oriented counter to the throughflow direction, of its individual parts, 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a sanitary installation element illustrated in a longitudinally sectioned rotational position, which sanitary installation element comprises, at the outflow side, a jet regulator, upstream of which on the inflow side is positioned an adjustment device in the form of a throughflow rate regulator, wherein the throughflow rate regulator which serves as an adjustment device has a profile ring which is guided so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction and which interacts with an annular throttle body composed of elastic material, 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 7  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows the longitudinally sectioned installation element from  FIGS. 7 and 8  in a different position of adjustment, 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 9  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 7 to 10  in a perspective partial longitudinal section, 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 7 to 11  in an exploded illustration, shown in a lateral perspective view, of its individual parts, 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  shows a sanitary installation element illustrated in a longitudinally sectioned rotational position, said sanitary installation element having an adjustment device likewise in the form of a throughflow rate regulator, wherein on the housing inner circumference of the adjustment device there are provided ramps, on which a profile ring which has regulating profilings rests so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction, 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 13  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  shows the longitudinally sectioned installation element from  FIGS. 13 and 14  in a different position of adjustment, 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective plan view of the housing of the installation element illustrated in  FIGS. 13 to 15 , wherein the ramps of the adjustment device are clearly visible on the housing inner circumference, 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 15  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 13 to 17  in a perspective partial longitudinal section oriented counter to the throughflow direction, 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 13 to 18  in an enlarged-scale longitudinal section detail from  FIG. 18 , 
           [0038]      FIG. 20  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 13 to 19  in an exploded perspective view of its individual parts, 
           [0039]      FIG. 21  shows a sanitary installation element illustrated in a longitudinally sectioned rotational position, said sanitary installation element having, at the inflow side, an adjustment device, in which the housing of the adjustment device is held in a rotatable manner on the inflow side of a jet regulator in such a way that a rotational movement of the housing can be converted into a longitudinal movement of the support intended for providing support for the throttle body, 
           [0040]      FIG. 22  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 21  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0041]      FIG. 23  shows the longitudinally sectioned installation element from  FIGS. 21 and 22  in a different position of adjustment, 
           [0042]      FIG. 24  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 23  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0043]      FIG. 25  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 21 to 24  in a perspective partial longitudinal section, 
           [0044]      FIG. 26  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 21 to 25  in an enlarged-scale longitudinal section detail from  FIG. 25 , 
           [0045]      FIG. 27  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 21 to 26  in an exploded perspective illustration of its individual parts, 
           [0046]      FIG. 28  shows a sanitary installation element illustrated in a longitudinally sectioned rotational position, said sanitary installation element having an adjustment device which can be actuated by means of an operating element provided in this case at the outflow side, 
           [0047]      FIG. 29  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 28  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0048]      FIG. 30  shows the longitudinally sectioned installation element from  FIGS. 28 and 29  in a different position of adjustment, 
           [0049]      FIG. 31  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 30  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0050]      FIG. 32  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 28 to 31  in a perspective partial longitudinal section, 
           [0051]      FIG. 33  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 28 to 32  in an enlarged-scale longitudinal section detail from  FIG. 32 , 
           [0052]      FIG. 34  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 28 to 33  in an exploded perspective illustration, oriented counter to the throughflow direction, of its individual parts, 
           [0053]      FIG. 35  shows a sanitary installation element illustrated in a longitudinally sectioned rotational position, said sanitary installation element having, at the inflow side, an adjustment device which is designed as a throughflow rate regulator, wherein the support provided for the annular throttle body is guided, so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction, in the housing interior of the adjustment device, 
           [0054]      FIG. 36  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 35  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0055]      FIG. 37  shows the longitudinally sectioned installation element from  FIGS. 35 and 36  in a different position of adjustment, 
           [0056]      FIG. 38  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 37  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0057]      FIG. 39  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 35 to 38  in a perspective partial longitudinal section, 
           [0058]      FIG. 40  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 35 to 39  in an enlarged-scale longitudinal section detail from  FIG. 39 , 
           [0059]      FIG. 41  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 35 to 40  in an exploded perspective illustration, oriented counter to the inflow direction, of its individual parts, 
           [0060]      FIG. 42  shows a sanitary installation element illustrated in a longitudinally sectioned rotational position, which sanitary installation element has, on the inflow side, an adjustment device likewise designed as a throughflow rate regulator, wherein sliding projections provided on the outer circumference of an annular support for the throttle body engage on the housing inner circumference of the adjustment device, 
           [0061]      FIG. 43  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 42  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0062]      FIG. 44  shows the longitudinally sectioned installation element from  FIGS. 42 and 43  in a different position of adjustment, 
           [0063]      FIG. 45  shows the installation element shown in the rotational position as per  FIG. 44  in a plan view of its inflow side, 
           [0064]      FIG. 46  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 42 to 45  in a perspective partial longitudinal section, 
           [0065]      FIG. 47  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 42 to 46  in an enlarged-scale longitudinal section detail from  FIG. 46 , and 
           [0066]      FIG. 48  shows the installation element from  FIGS. 42 to 47  in an exploded perspective illustration of its individual parts. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0067]      FIGS. 1 to 48  illustrate different embodiments  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  of a sanitary installation element. The installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  can be inserted into, and are releasably held in, an outlet mouthpiece (not illustrated in any more detail here) on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. In order that the clear throughflow cross section or the throughflow rate (=throughflow of water per unit time in l/min) can be varied and adapted to the respective specifications of the distribution network which exists at the usage site, the installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  have in each case an adjustment device which can be actuated via an operating element  8 . Whereas the operating element  8  in the installation element  5  as per  FIGS. 28 to 34  is provided on the outflow side of the installation element  5 , the operating element  8  in the installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  as per  FIGS. 1 to 27  and  35  to  48  is arranged on the inflow side of said installation elements. 
         [0068]    By actuation of the adjustment device on the operating element  8 , the clear throughflow cross section and/or the water quantity emerging per unit time, defined below as volume flow, can be varied such that the installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  can be made to satisfy the different preconditions of various distribution networks. Since one and the same installation element  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  can be adapted to the specifications of the water networks found in different countries, the production and stockkeeping of different embodiments is no longer imperatively necessary. 
         [0069]    The adjustment device of the installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  has a regulating element  9  and, interacting therewith, an adjustment element  10 , the relative position of which can be varied by means of the at least one operating element  8  in order to vary the throughflow cross section or the volume flow. The rotatably mounted operating element  8  is drive-connected to the adjustment device in such a way that a rotational movement at the operating element  8  can be converted into a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element  10  which is guided so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment device. 
         [0070]    Here, the installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  have a jet regulator  11 , the intention of which is to form a homogeneous, non-sputtering and if appropriate sparkling, soft water jet. The jet regulator  11  of the installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  has a jet splitter  12 , the task of which is to temporarily split up the water flowing through into a multiplicity of individual jets. For this purpose, the jet splitter  12  is in the form of a perforated plate which has a multiplicity of throughflow holes. The throughflow holes provided on the jet splitter are arranged in at least one hole circle  13 , and if appropriate in a plurality of coaxial hole circles  13  (cf.  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0071]    The installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  have an inflow-side upstream or filter screen  14 , the task of which is to filter out any dirt particles entrained in the inflowing water. In the installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6  and  7 , the upstream or filter screen  14  which is accommodated in the interior of the water outlet so as to be secured against unauthorized or inadvertent manipulation is in the form of an operating element  8  which is held in the longitudinal direction but which is nevertheless mounted so as to be rotatable. 
         [0072]    The installation element  1  as per  FIGS. 1 to 6  has the jet regulator  11 , which in this case has the jet splitter  12  which is in the form of a perforated plate  12  and which simultaneously serves as a regulating element  9 . The jet splitter  12  has two coaxial hole circles  13  with throughflow holes. On the perforated plate which serves as a jet splitter  12  there is provided a sleeve-shaped or annular housing  26  of the scissor device. A wheel-shaped adjustment element  10  is guided so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction, but rotationally fixed, in the housing  26 . The adjustment element  10  can be moved between an open position and a closed position shown in  FIG. 3 . In the closed position as per  FIG. 3 , the wheel-shaped adjustment element  10  rests with a partial region  16   a  of its central “wheel hub” on the inner hole circle  13  of the jet splitter  12  designed as a regulating element, in such a way that said inner hole circle  13  is sealingly closed off and only the outer hole circle  13  remains open. The throughflow cross section of the installation element  1  is therefore reduced in the closed position as per  FIG. 3 . In the center of the adjustment element  10  there is provided a threaded opening  16  into which a threaded peg  17  engages. The threaded peg  17  protrudes from the outflow side of the operating element  8  designed as an upstream or filter screen  14 , in such a way that a rotational movement at the operating element  8  can be converted into a longitudinal movement of the adjustment element  10 . 
         [0073]    In the installation elements  2  to  7 , the adjustment device is in the form of an adjustable throughflow rate regulator  18 , the task of which is to regulate the water quantity flowing through per unit time to a preselectable constant value. The throughflow rate regulator  18  which serves as an adjustment device has an annular throttle body  19  which is composed of elastic material and which delimits a control gap  22  between itself and a regulating profiling  21  provided on an adjacent circumferential wall  20 , which control gap  22  can be varied in terms of its clear throughflow cross section by means of the throttle body  19  which deforms under the pressure of the fluid flowing through. In order to be able to vary the throughflow rate in the throughflow rate regulator  18  which serves as an adjustment device, it is provided that the circumferential wall  20 , at least in its partial region which has the regulating profiling  21 , and/or the regulating profiling  21  itself, narrow or widen in terms of their clear cross section in the longitudinal direction. 
         [0074]    In the installation elements  4  to  7 , a support  23  intended for providing support for the throttle body  19  is formed as an adjustment element  10  which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction, whereas the circumferential wall  20  which has the regulating profiling  21  is provided as a regulating element  9 . 
         [0075]    By contrast, in the installation elements  2  and  3 , the circumferential wall  20  is provided as an adjustment element  10 , which adjustment element  10  is guided so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the support  23  which bears the throttle body  19  and which is designed as a regulating element  9 . 
         [0076]    In the installation elements  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6  and  7 , the adjustment device designed as a throughflow rate regulator  18  is releasably held on the inflow side of the jet regulator  11  or similar installation part. 
         [0077]    The installation element  2  as per  FIGS. 7 to 12  has an upstream or filter screen  14  which serves as an operating element  8  and on the outflow side of which there is integrally formed a mushroom-shaped or T-shaped support peg or similar support  23  which protrudes in the axial direction. The annular throttle body  19  is seated on the cross section of the T shape of said support  23 . The support  23  which serves as a regulating element  9  is engaged around by a profile ring  25 , the inner circumferential wall  20  of which is provided as an adjustment element  10  and bears the regulating profiling  21 . On the housing inner circumference of the housing  26  of the adjustment device there is provided an internal thread  27  into which engage sliding pegs  28  or similar projections which protrude from the outer circumference of the profile ring  25 . The profile ring  25  is connected, so as to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction but nevertheless rotationally conjoint, to the operating element  8  designed as an upstream or filter screen  14 , in such a way that a rotational movement at the operating element  8  can be converted by means of the internal thread  27  provided on the housing  26  into a longitudinal movement of the profile ring  25  and thus into a relative movement between the regulating profiling  21 , provided on the inner circumferential wall  20  of the profile ring  25 , and the throttle body  19 . The housing  26  of the adjustment device can be releasably latched to the jet splitter  12 , which is designed as a perforated plate, of the jet regulator  11 . The jet splitter  12  is one of the constituent parts of the jet regulator  11  positioned downstream in the throughflow direction. The jet regulator  11  has, in its jet regulator housing  29 , further structures by means of which the water flowing through is formed in the desired manner. 
         [0078]    In the installation element  3 , the housing  26  of the adjustment device designed as a throughflow rate regulator  18  is likewise releasably fastened to the jet splitter  12  of the jet regulator  11  positioned downstream in the flow direction. The housing  26  of the adjustment device has, on the housing inner circumference, a plurality of ramps  30  which are spaced apart uniformly over the housing circumference and which in this case are of stepped form, on which ramps is seated a profile ring  31 . The profile ring  31  has the regulating profiling  21  on its inner circumferential wall  20  which serves as an adjustment element  10 . The operating element  8  which is designed as an upstream or filter screen  14  and which is rotatably held on the housing  26  of the adjustment device is drive-connected to the profile ring  31  in such a way that, as a result of a rotational movement at the operating element  8 , the profile ring  31  connected thereto can also be advanced in a stepped manner on the ramps  30  and displaced in the longitudinal direction in such a way that the relative movement between the inner circumferential wall  20  provided as an adjustment element  10 , on the one hand, and the support  23  which bears the throttle body  19  is varied. Said support  23  is formed centrally into the housing  26  of the adjustment device and is engaged around by the profile ring  31 . Similarly to the situation in the installation element  2 , drive pegs  32  protrude from the outflow side of the operating element  8 , which drive pegs engage into corresponding coupling recesses  33  on the profile ring  31  in such a way that the profile ring  31  is drive-connected to the operating element  8  in a rotationally conjoint but relatively displaceable manner. 
         [0079]    In the installation element  4 , the housing  26  of the adjustment device is of pot-shaped form. The housing edge  34 , which projects laterally in the manner of a flange, of the housing  26  is rotatably held on and preferably releasably latchable to the inflow side of the jet regulator  11  positioned downstream in the flow direction. The pot base of the pot-shaped housing  26  is designed as the upstream or filter screen  14 , which simultaneously also serves as an operating element  8 . A thread or helical groove  35  is provided on the housing inner circumference of the housing  26 . In the housing interior of the housing  26  there is provided a disk-shaped support  23  for the throttle body  19 , which support has on its outer disk edge a plurality of sliding pegs  28  or similar sliding pieces which are arranged so as to be distributed over the disk circumference and which protrude into the helical groove  35  in such a way that a rotational movement at the operating element  8  can be converted into a sliding movement of the support  23  which serves as an adjustment element  10 . The support  23  is guided in the housing  26  in a displaceable but rotationally fixed manner. For this purpose, the support  23  is formed in the manner of a spoked wheel, wherein the spokes  37  of said wheel shape engage into longitudinal grooves  38  which bear a profile ring  39 . Said profile ring  39 , which can be releasably latched to the jet splitter  12  of the downstream jet regulator  11 , has the circumferential wall which serves as a regulating element  9  and which bears the regulating profiling  21 . 
         [0080]    In the installation element  5 , the adjustment device positioned upstream of the jet regulator  11  is designed as a throughflow rate regulator  18 . The throttle body  19  which is produced from elastic material rests on a support  23  which is guided in the installation element  5  so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction. A threaded peg  40  with internal thread is integrally formed on the support  23  which protrudes into the upstream or filter screen  14  and which serves as an adjustment element  10 . The threaded peg  40  which is connected to the support  23  is guided in a guide sleeve  41  so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment device, which guide sleeve  41  is provided centrally on the jet splitter  12  of the jet regulator  11 . The threaded portion  42  an operating element  8  is screwed into the internal thread of the threaded peg  40 . The operating element  8 , which in this case is in the form of a screw, is clamped with the head  43  of its screw shape between the free end region of the guide sleeve  41  and a flow straightener  44 , which forms the outflow side of the installation element  5  and which in this case is formed with honeycomb-cell-shaped throughflow holes, in such a way that the operating element  8 , which with one partial region extends through a handling opening  45  and protrudes beyond the flow straightener  44 , is mounted in the installation element  5  so as to be rotatable but immovable in the longitudinal direction. A rotational movement at the operating element  8  is transmitted via the external thread on the threaded portion  42  and the internal thread of the threaded peg  40  to the support  23 , which serves as an adjustment element  10 , in such a way that the throttle body  19  resting on said support can be moved in the axial direction relative to the on a inner circumferential wall  20  which serves as a regulating element. The support  23  of the adjustment device assigned to the installation element  5  is also formed in the manner of a spoked wheel, wherein the wheel spokes  46  of said spoked wheel shape are guided in guide grooves  47  of the inner circumferential wall  20  which bears the regulating profiling  21 , in such a way that the adjustment element  10  can be displaced in the longitudinal direction, but not rotated, by a rotational movement at the operating element  8 . 
         [0081]    The installation element  6  likewise has an adjustment device designed as a throughflow rate regulator  18 . On the inflow-side face edge region of the housing  26  of the adjustment device there is rotatably mounted an upstream or filter screen  14  which simultaneously also serves as an operating element  8  of the adjustment device. A threaded peg  48  is integrally formed on the operating element  8 . An annular support  23  with an internal thread is screwed onto the external thread of the threaded peg  48 . The support  23  which is intended for providing support for the throttle body  19  and which serves as an adjustment element  10  has guide pegs  49  which protrude from the outer circumference of its ring shape and which engage into guide grooves  50  of the housing  26  of the adjustment device in such a way that the support  23  is guided so as to be rotationally fixed, but displaceable in the longitudinal direction, in the housing  26 . The housing  26  is releasably held on the jet splitter  12 , which is designed as a perforated plate, of the jet regulator  11  provided at the outflow side. The rotational movement which is imparted to the threaded peg  48  by means of the operating element  8  is converted into a longitudinal movement of the support  23  which serves as an adjustment element  10 . The regulating profiling  21  is provided on an inner circumferential wall  20 , which is designed as a regulating element  9 , of the housing  26 . It is thus possible by means of the operating element  8  for the relative position between the adjustment element  10  and the regulating element  9  to be varied such that the throughflow rate of the installation element  6  can be varied as required. 
         [0082]    The adjustment device, which is designed as a throughflow rate regulator  18 , of the installation element  7  as per  FIGS. 42 to 48  has a housing  26  which bears an internal thread  51  on its housing inner circumference. In the housing interior of the housing  26  there is displaceably guided an annular support  23  for the throttle body  19 , which support serves as an adjustment element  10  and has on its outer circumference sliding pegs  52  which protrude into the internal thread  51 . Drive pegs  53  protrude from the operating element  8  which is rotatably mounted on the inflow-side face edge region of the housing  26  and which is in this case designed as an upstream or filter screen  14 , which drive pegs are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment device and engage in a displaceable but rotationally fixed manner into coupling openings  54  on the inflow-side face edge of the annular support  23 . A rotational movement at the operating element  8  is thus transmitted to the support  23  in such a way that the support  23  can be displaced along the internal thread  51  of the housing  26  in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment device. By means of the longitudinal movement of the support  23  and of the throttle body  19  situated thereon, it is possible to realize a variation of the relative position between the throttle body  19  and a regulating profiling  21  which is provided on the outer circumference  56  of a regulating core  55  which is integrally formed on the operating element  8  and which tapers conically in the axial direction toward the free end and which serves as a regulating element  9 . 
         [0083]    From a comparison of  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  14 ,  17 , it is clear that a rotational position indicator  79  may be provided to allow identification of the selected rotational position of the adjustment element  10 . In the installation elements  1 ,  3  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  14 ,  17 , said rotational position indicator has a display opening  81  in the upstream screen  14 , which display opening interacts with characteristic numbers, characteristic figures or similar characteristic symbols provided on the adjacent end surface of the jet regulator housing. 
         [0084]    In order to secure the relative position between the jet splitter  12  and the inflow-side components  26 ,  29 , said mutually adjacent components of the installation elements  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6  and  7  engage into one another by way of twist prevention means V. End stops A may be provided in order to limit the adjustment movement of the operating element  8 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 4