Patent ID: 12203252

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1to4show a rinsing channel device1according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The geometric dimensions and relationships should be understood as being merely exemplary in the drawings, in order to illustrate the functional principle of the invention.

The rinsing channel device1comprises a profile assembly2, which has a multi-part form in the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS.1to4, but in principle may also have a one-part form. As can be seen particularly well inFIG.3, the profile assembly2, which should be understood as only exemplary, comprises a first profile part3and a second profile part4. This makes it possible to simplify the production of the rinsing channel device1.

The profile assembly2has at least one interface5for feeding a liquid (preferably water, or mains water). The interface5has a recess6in a side wall of the profile assembly2that extends along the longitudinal axis L of the rinsing channel device1. A liquid feed line7(cf.FIG.5) may be connectable to the interface5.

The liquid can be introduced into a distributor line8of the profile assembly2via the interface5. The distributor line8extends completely through the profile assembly2along the longitudinal axis L of the profile assembly2in order to distribute the liquid around the periphery of the rinsing channel device1.

In principle, it is also possible to provide still further interfaces5for feeding the liquid, for example an interface5on each side of the profile assembly2. However, preferably only a single interface5is provided.

The profile assembly2also has a dispensing region9for dispensing the liquid. The dispensing region9also extends completely through the profile assembly2along the longitudinal axis L of the profile assembly2. The dispensing region9is in the form of a dispensing slot extending along the longitudinal axis L of the profile assembly2. The dispensing region9map optionally comprise an extensible diaphragm10, for example a rubber lip (illustrated in dashed lines inFIG.2), which is preferably designed to close the dispensing region9when no liquid is dispensed from the dispensing region9. This makes it possible to improve the sterility of the rinsing channel device1.

It is provided that the profile assembly2comprises a flow channel11extending from the distributor line8to the dispensing region9along a channel course K (cf.FIGS.1and2). The flow channel11also extends through the profile assembly2along the longitudinal axis L of the profile assembly2. In this respect, the channel course K is aligned orthogonally in relation to the longitudinal axis L of the profile assembly2(cf. in particularFIG.1).

The flow channel11makes it possible to make the flow of the liquid dispensed from the dispensing region9particularly even and laminar, thereby improving the cleaning action of the rinsing channel device1according to the invention.

The distributor line8, the flow channel11and the dispensing region9preferably extend over the same length along the longitudinal axis L of the profile assembly2.

It may be provided that the distributor line8has a distributor channel diameter (or a distributor channel width) DVwhich is larger than a maximum channel diameter (or a maximum channel width) Dmaxof the flow channel11(cf.FIG.2). The distributor line8may merge with the flow channel11in particular along a cross-sectional narrowing12.

It may moreover be provided that the dispensing region9, or the dispensing slot, has a dispensing diameter (or a dispensing width) DAwhich is smaller than a minimum channel diameter (a minimum channel width) Dminof the flow channel11. The dispensing diameter, or the dispensing width, DAmay for example be approximately or exactly 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm, in particular approximately or exactly 0.8 mm.

As can be seen particularly well inFIGS.1and2, the flow channel11forms multiple bends13along the channel course K. In the exemplary embodiments, exactly three bends13are provided. Optionally, the flow channel11has a smaller cross section along the bends13, in particular according to the minimum channel diameter, or the minimum channel width, Dmin. The loops formed by the flow channel11make it possible to influence the flow of the liquid particularly well and moreover also to rule out a backflow and thus a carryover of germs into the rinsing channel device1.

The rinsing channel device1may be in the form of a constituent part of a basin14(cf.FIGS.1to4and7) or an insert for a basin14(cf.FIG.6). In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS.1to4, the first profile part3is formed in one part with the basin14. The basin14and the second profile part4thus together form the profile assembly2. In the case of the second exemplary embodiment yet to be described below, a two-part rinsing channel device1can be inserted into an existing basin14, with the last loop of the flow channel11and the dispensing region9, or the dispensing slot, being formed between the first profile part3and the basin14.

In the exemplary embodiments, the profile assembly2has an annular course which is intrinsically closed along its longitudinal axis L (cf. in particularFIG.4). In principle, however, the profile assembly2does not have to be completely intrinsically closed and may, for example, also merely cover a single side wall15or part of the side walls15of the basin14.

Optionally, it may be provided that the dispensing region9, the flow channel11and/or the distributor line8comprise ribs16running between their respective side walls. Purely by way of example, a single rib16is illustrated adjoining the dispensing region9inFIG.3. The ribs16make it possible to improve the stability of the profile assembly2and moreover to be able to optimize the course of the flow.

It may be provided that the rinsing channel device1comprises at least one feeding device17for feeding an additive18to the liquid. An exemplary feeding device17is illustrated schematically inFIG.5. The additive18may for example be a cleaning substance, a disinfectant, a descaler or the like. The feeding device17may comprise a reservoir19for providing the additive18. To convey and/or meter the additive, the feeding device17may comprise a pump, for example an electronically actuatable pump20that is illustrated, mechanically/electronically actuatable valves and/or a Venturi nozzle.

The rinsing channel device1may comprise a control device21configured to control and/or monitor the dispensing of the liquid from the dispensing region9, preferably depending on a user input. The control device21is indicated in dashed lines inFIG.5and is illustrated communicatively connected, by way of example, to the pump20for the purpose of actuating said control device.

To preferably self-sufficiently supply electrical power to the rinsing channel device1, for example the control device21, the pump20etc., a generator arrangement22, indicated likewise by dashed lines in the liquid feed line7inFIG.5, may be provided. The optional generator arrangement22may in principle be provided at any desired location, though which a liquid flows, within the rinsing channel device1or the basin14.

FIG.6, which has already been mentioned, illustrates a two-part rinsing channel device1according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The rinsing channel device1is in the form of an insert for the basin14(preferably a metal basin), which is shown only schematically, and can be inserted therein. The dispensing region9is formed between the profile assembly2of the rinsing channel device1and the respective side wall15of the basin14. This is intended to illustrate that the basin14can also act as a functional constituent part of the profile assembly2when the rinsing channel device1is formed fundamentally independently of the basin14.

Lastly,FIG.7illustrates a basin14(by way of example a sink), in which a rinsing channel device1according to the invention is fully integrated. The basin14comprises various known constituent parts of a basin14and in this respect in particular a fitting23, which is supplied by a main feed line, which is not illustrated in more detail. The main feed line is preferably fluidically connected to the liquid feed line7, or to the interface5of the rinsing channel device1, in order to feed the same liquid, preferably drinking or mains water, to the basin14via the fitting23and via the dispensing region9of the rinsing channel device1.

The dispensing region9of the rinsing channel device1is preferably designed to rinse all inner walls, or side walls15, of the basin14with the liquid dispensed from the dispensing region9. In principle, however, it may also be provided that the rinsing channel device1rinses only part of the side walls15of the basin14or even only a portion of individual side walls15of the basin14.

As indicated by way of example inFIG.7, it is possible to provide a radiation source24, in order to generate ionizing radiation and to disinfect the liquid before and/or after it flows through the basin14or components of the basin14. In this respect, at least one radiation source (in particular a UVC radiation source for generating UVC radiation) is preferably arranged within a fluid outlet25of the basin14. The ionizing radiation may be optically shielded by a protective metal sheet26, for example.

It should be mentioned that, in principle, it is also possible for multiple rinsing channel devices1to be distributed within a common basin14.

To illustrate a further refinement, which can be combined with all exemplary embodiments,FIG.8shows a sectional illustration, from the side, of the first profile part3of a further rinsing channel device1with a distributor element27arranged in the region of the interface5for feeding the liquid.FIG.9shows an illustration, in a plan view, of the distributor element27of the rinsing channel device1. The distributor element27is arranged in the distributor line8in the region of the interface5, in order to conduct the liquid, fed through the interface5, through the distributor line8in at least two different directions (cf. arrows inFIG.9). To that end, the distributor element27is arranged on an inner wall of the distributor line8, opposite the interface5in the feed direction of the liquid, and is aligned in the direction of the interface5by way of a tapering edge. In the exemplary embodiment, the distributor element27has a wedge-shaped form with a concavely curved profile of the side faces (cf.FIG.9).

A further advantageous configuration of the invention with a discharging device28for filtering and discharging solids from the liquid is lastly also shown inFIG.10. The discharging device28is arranged in the liquid outlet25of the basin14and can therefore filter out solids that accumulate when the basin14is being used before they enter the wastewater pipe system, this preventing blockage of the wastewater pipes, formation of germs and troublesome development of odours in the wastewater pipes. The discharging device28comprises a sheet-like filter component29through which the liquid can flow away, whereas the solids remain on the surface of the filter component. The surface of the filter component29can ultimately be (manually and/or automatically) cleaned to remove the solids in accordance with requirements or regularly, for example by transferring the solids to a collection container30. In the exemplary embodiment, to that end the filter component29is mounted on a circulating roller conveyor31and can be moved in circulation by driving at least one roller of the roller conveyor31, as a result of which the filtered-out solids can be transferred to the collection container30.