Patent ID: 12247377

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An aerator designated in each case as a whole by1is shown inFIGS.1-16. The aerator1can be configured to be inserted into a sanitary outlet fitting.

The aerator1has a housing2. The housing2can, for example, have a coupling point which can be coupled to a corresponding mating coupling point of an aerator socket on the outlet fitting. The housing2can have a multi-part design. The housing2can, for example, have an upper housing part25and a lower housing part26.

The aerator1furthermore has a jet-splitting device2which is configured to split an individual stream into a plurality of separate liquid portions.

The jet-splitting device3has at least one pair of two flow channels4or a group of in each case more than two flow channels4which are oriented obliquely, in particular obliquely relative to a longitudinal axis34of the aerator1, in such a way that the streams formed by the flow channels4meet each other. In the embodiment shown, the flow channels4run toward each other. The outlet directions of the flow channels4therefore intersect. The jet-splitting device3can at least partially be formed by the upper housing part25.

In order to produce the at least one pair or the group of flow channels4, an insert part5is inserted into a hole6of a base body28of the jet-splitting device3. The hole6is divided into the two flow channels4of the pair or the group by the insert part5. The base body28can be configured, for example, as a perforated plate.

It is thus possible to do without the need for a plurality of injection-molding cores to form the flow channels4when producing the aerator1and/or the base body28in an injection-molding method. This has the advantage that there is no need to remove the injection-molding cores from the mold in different directions, in particular in the respective direction in which the flow channels4extend. The hole6can, for example, be produced in the base body28in an injection-molding method. This can therefore be performed with just one injection-molding core. Removal from the mold in just one direction is thus possible, which considerably simplifies the production process of the aerator and makes it much more cost-effective.

As shown inFIGS.3-5, the aerator1can have a plurality of pairs or groups of flow channels4. The pairs or groups of flow channels4can, for example, in each case be formed the same distance apart from one another and/or lying in a circle. A particularly symmetrical spray pattern and/or particularly good splitting of the individual stream into separate liquid portions can thus be generated.

The liquid flowing out of the at least two flow channels4of a pair or a group in each case forms a stream of liquid at an outlet orifice of each flow channel4. The two streams of liquid exiting the flow channels4of a pair or group meet each other at an intersection point7. The intersection point7can here lie inside or outside the base body28. Different stream properties can thus be generated.

The exiting partial stream can have a uniform cross-section behind the intersection point7.

The flow channels4shown inFIGS.2-5are each configured as a nozzle8. A cross-sectional surface area of the respective flow channel4therefore reduces along the course of the flow channel4and/or in the main direction of flow9. The nozzle8can be used to accelerate the stream. The nozzle8can preferably be configured as an atomizer nozzle in particular for producing a spray mist, which, by virtue of the atomization of the liquid portions, causes an improved aeration of the stream owing to the generation of a reduced pressure and the drawing in of air.

According to a further alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings, the flow channels4can also each be configured as a diffusor. A cross-sectional surface area of the respective flow channel4thus widens along the course of the flow channel4and/or in the main direction of flow9. The diffusor can be used to slow down the stream.

A flow rate regulator24can be connected upstream from the jet-splitting device3in the main direction of flow9. It can thus be achieved that a defined volume flow at all times flows into the jet-splitting device3and an outlet spray pattern is generated which is as uniform as possible.

A stream-aerating device10can be mounted downstream from the jet-splitting device3in the main direction of flow9. Air can be drawn in by the stream-aerating device10via an aerating orifice, wherein the drawn-in air is mixed with the liquid portions in a chamber19. A reduced pressure can be generated inside the above-described chamber19by the above-described nozzle8, as a result of which surrounding air can be drawn in from outside via an aerating orifice31.

The at least one abovementioned intersection point7of the streams of liquid exiting the flow channels4of a pair or a group thereof lies inside the chamber19in the alternative embodiment shown. This has the advantage that there is a considerably lower amount of noise generated when a liquid is flowing through than in the case of previously known aerators. In the case of previously known aerators, which likewise can be configured such that streams of liquid intersect at an intersection point, this intersection point usually lies inside the base body28. However, this causes vibration at the jet-splitting device3and thus increases the noise level during the operation of the aerator.

The insert part5is inserted into a groove11and retained therein in the assembled state. The groove11can, for example, be annular and/or circular. In the embodiment shown inFIG.5, the groove11is formed on an upper side16of the base body28. A groove base of the groove11is here interrupted by the at least one hole6. The hole6can thus also be formed at least partially by the groove11. The groove11is preferably open on the inflow side in the main direction of flow9in order to be able to receive the insert part5. In the inserted state of the insert part5, the latter can therefore be pressed into the groove11by the pressure of the inflowing liquid.

As can be clearly seen inFIGS.3and4, the insert part5has a shape which tapers in the main direction of flow9and/or in the longitudinal direction of the housing2. A cross-section of the insert part5can in particular have a tapering shape in the main direction of flow9and/or in the longitudinal direction of the housing2.

The insert part5of the embodiment shown inFIGS.1-5is configured in the form of a ring.

A plurality of adjusting aids29arranged spaced apart from one another are formed on an upper side of the insert part5. The adjusting aids29can, for example, each be formed as a pin protruding in particular in the axial direction. The adjusting aids29can serve to more simply achieve correct orientation of components arranged on the inflow side with respect to the jet-splitting device3. An inflow orifice mounted upstream from the jet-splitting device3can, for example, here be arranged flush with the flow channels4.

An outlet angle12of a flow channel4can be defined both by the base body28and the insert part5. A wall13of the hole6and an outer contour of the insert part5can, for example, form a duct wall defining the course of the flow channel4.

A retaining device15can be arranged or integrally formed on the base body28. The retaining device15can, for example, be configured on an upper side16of the base body28. In the embodiments of the retaining device15shown in the drawings, it has a plurality of latching projections17, arranged on the edge of the groove11and the free ends of which are arranged at least partially above the groove11. To assemble it, the insert part5is inserted into the groove11counter to a pretensioning force formed by the latching projections17. In the assembled position, an upper side of the insert part5is acted upon by the latching projections17and is thus retained in the groove11. It is thus possible to prevent the clear opening of the flow channels4from being modified by a relative movement of the insert part5with respect to the base body28, in particular during the use of the aerator1.

The hole6in the base body28which is divided into the at least two flow channels4in the assembled position has, for example, a slot shape. A clear opening of the hole6on the upper side16of the base body28is here configured to be greater than a clear opening on the underside of the base body.

The slot-shaped hole6is configured transversely or perpendicular to a circumferential direction and/or a longitudinal axis of the insert part5. The orifices of the at least two flow channels4on the upper side16of the base body28are thus separated from each other by the insert part5. In particular, one orifice of a flow channel4can adjoin an inner circumference of the insert part5, and one orifice of a flow channel4can adjoin an outer circumference of the insert part5.

As can be seen inFIGS.2and6, a deflector body18can be arranged on the outflow side of the jet-splitting device3. The deflector body18can be formed, for example, by the lower housing part26. The deflector body18can taper in the opposite direction to the main direction of flow9and/or upward. As can be seen inFIGS.2and6, the deflector body18can thus have a conical shape. Particularly good mixing of air and liquid can be achieved by the deflector body18.

The deflector body18has a deflector surface which is struck inside the stream-aerating device10by the liquid portions split by the jet-splitting device3. A plurality of homogenizing elements27are arranged or integrally formed on the deflector surface. The homogenizing elements27can have, for example, the shape of a pin and/or rod. In particular, the homogenizing elements27can be oriented transversely with respect to the deflector surface and/or in the longitudinal direction of the housing2. Even better mixing of liquid and air and straightening of the liquid portions is possible owing to the homogenizing elements27. A particularly attractive outlet spray pattern can thus be generated.

In order to be able to better avoid the escape of spray water via the aerating orifices31of the stream-aerating device10, a perforated restrictor20is arranged in the chamber19and divides the latter into an air inlet part21and a mixing part22. The air inlet part21and the mixing part22are connected to each other via a restrictor orifice30of the perforated restrictor20.

The base body28is covered on the inflow side, at least in the region of the flow channels4, by a screen.

FIGS.6to8show a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention. Components and functional units that are functionally or structurally identical or similar to the preceding exemplary embodiment are designated with the same reference numerals and are not described separately. The embodiments inFIGS.1to5therefore apply to those inFIGS.6to8.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIGS.6to8differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment at least in that more than two flow channels4, in this case three flow channels4, which extend toward the hole6in a star shape are associated with each hole6.

FIGS.9to11show a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention. Components and functional units that are functionally or structurally identical or similar to the preceding exemplary embodiment are designated with the same reference numerals and are not described separately. The embodiments inFIGS.1to8therefore apply to those inFIGS.9to11.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIGS.9to11differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment at least in that more than two flow channels4, in this case three flow channels4, which extend toward the hole6in a star shape are associated with the hole6. Moreover, only a single hole6is formed which is covered by a (single) plug-shaped insert part5in order to delimit the flow channels4.

The exemplary embodiment according toFIGS.9to11can likewise be equipped with a perforated restrictor20on the outflow side in the above-described fashion.

It can be generally stated that the insert part5has a V-shaped or otherwise convex contour on its outflow side, at least in an axial section. The flow channels4which extend toward each other can thus be defined with a single insert part5. The insert part5accordingly has a cross-section that tapers in the direction of flow.

The drawings show that the flow channels4extend toward the hole6associated with them in a star shape in the exemplary embodiments explained.

In further exemplary embodiments, a plurality of flow channels4, for example three, four, five, six, or more, which are defined by an insert part5, are associated with each hole6(or the hole6). The insert part5can hereby be formed from one or more parts and/or have an annular or star shape.

The distinctive feature of the alternative embodiment of the aerator1according toFIGS.12-16can be considered to be that the insert part5has at least two insert bodies35which are each inserted into a hole6of the base body28such that each hole6is divided in each case into at least two obliquely extending flow channels4. A number of holes6of the base body28thus corresponds to a number of insert bodies35which are formed by the insert part5.

The insert bodies35are connected to one another via a plurality of retaining webs36of the insert part5. The retaining webs35are each oriented in a radial direction and/or arranged in a circle at regular distances from one another. This alternative embodiment of the aerator1thus has at least one further nozzle8. The volume flow per unit time can be increased compared with an embodiment with an insert part that has only one insert body35because additional flow channels4are thus formed.

In contrast to the production of previously known aerators, there is no constraint regarding the removal of an injection-molding tool from the mold in order to produce the flow channels4. It is thus possible that an inflow orifice32and an outflow orifice33of a flow channel4are not superimposed along the longitudinal axis34. In other words, it is also possible to state that the inflow orifice32and the outflow orifice33are arranged offset with respect to each other in the radial direction. The generation of noise can thus be considerably reduced by the formation of turbulence being prevented.

In order better to prevent turbulence, the flow channels4furthermore do not have any steps and instead the structures delimiting the flow channels4are formed in a straight line or almost in a straight line or at least with no edges. This is possible because there is no need for a tool to be removed from the mold in the longitudinal direction.

The invention therefore relates in particular to an aerator1with a housing2, a jet-splitting device3, arranged or formed in the housing2, for the purpose of splitting an individual stream into a plurality of separate liquid portions, wherein the aerator1has at least two flow channels4which are oriented obliquely in such a way that the outlet directions12defined by the flow channels4meet each other, wherein an insert part5is inserted into a hole6, oriented in particular in the longitudinal direction of the housing2, of a base body28of the jet-splitting device3such that the hole6is divided into the at least two obliquely extending flow channels4.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1aerator2housing3jet-splitting device4flow channel5insert part6hole7intersection point8nozzle9(main) direction of flow10stream-aerating device11groove12outlet angle; outlet direction13wall of the base body14outer contour of the insert part15retaining device16upper side of the base body17latching projection18deflector body19chamber20perforated restrictor21air inlet part22mixing part23screen24flow rate regulator25upper housing part26lower housing part27homogenizing element28base body29adjusting aid30restrictor orifice31aerating orifice32inflow orifice of the flow channel33outflow orifice of the flow channel34longitudinal axis of the aerator35insert body36retaining web37assembly cone38recess39inner wall of the recess40outlet side