AERATOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a jet regulator (1) having at least one jet splitter (2) which divides the inflowing waterflow, having a sleeve-shaped internal housing (3) which is encased by an external housing (4), and having at least one ventilation duct (5) which is disposed between the internal housing (3) and the external housing (4) and has at least one inflow opening (6) and at least one passage opening (7) which is provided on the housing circumference of the internal housing (3). It is a characteristic of the jet regulator (1) according to the invention that the at least one jet splitter (2) is configured as an atomizer nozzle which divides the inflowing waterflow into a substantially hollow-conical water jet, and that an impact zone (19) of an encircling annular shape is disposed in the flow direction below the at least one passage opening (7) on the internal circumference of the internal housing (3), the water jet divided so as to be hollow-conical impacting the housing internal circumference of the internal housing (3) in said impact zone (19) (cf. FIG. 2).

Claims

1. A jet regulator (1), comprising: at least one jet splitter (2) configured to divide an inflowing water flow, a sleeve-shaped internal housing (3) encased by an external housing (4), at least one ventilation duct (5) disposed between the internal housing (3) and the external housing (4), the at least one ventilation duct includes at least one inflow opening (6) and at least one passage opening (7) provided on a housing circumference of the internal housing (3), wherein the at least one jet splitter (2) is configured as an atomizer nozzle which divides the inflowing water flow into a substantially hollow-conical water jet, an impact zone (19) of an encircling annular shape of the internal housing (3) is located, in a flow direction, below the at least one passage opening (7) on an internal circumference of the internal housing (3), and the hollow-conical water jet impacts the housing internal circumference of the internal housing (3) in said impact zone (19).

2. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ventilation duct (5) is configured as an annular gap located between the internal housing (3) and the external housing (4).

3. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one cross-sectional constriction (20) in the at least one ventilation duct (5).

4. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one cross-sectional constriction (20) is configured as an annular flange which projects on an internal circumference of the external housing (4).

5. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one cross-sectional constriction (20) in the flow direction of the water jet flowing through the jet regulator (1) is located below the at least one passage opening (7).

6. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal housing (3) tapers or narrows toward an outflow side thereof.

7. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the internal housing (3) tapers or narrows in stages.

8. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a flow rectifier (22) which includes at least one of a mesh structure, net structure or honeycomb structure having flow-conducting passage bores (23) located on an outflow side of the internal housing (3).

9. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least the majority of the passage bores (23) in the flow direction have a longitudinal extent which is larger in comparison to a maximum width of the passage bores (23).

10. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flow rectifier (22) is integrally molded on the internal circumference of the internal housing (3).

11. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 8, further comprising at least one perforated plate (24) located upstream of the flow rectifier (22) in the flow direction.

12. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one perforated plate (24) has bores (25), and a maximum width of the bores is smaller in comparison to a width of the passage bores (23) of the flow rectifier (22).

13. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one perforated plate (24) is inserted in a housing interior of the internal housing (3).

14. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external housing (4) on an inflow-proximal housing circumference thereof has a thread (28) configured to interact with a mating thread on a water outflow end of a sanitary outflow fitting.

15. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the internal housing (3) has at least one insert detent (26), and the internal housing (3) is insertable into the external housing (4) until the insert detent (26) bears on a contact face provided on a housing internal circumference of the external housing (4).

16. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 15, wherein the insert detent (26) is configured as a segmented or encircling annular shoulder.

17. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one cross-sectional constriction (20) is located in the at least one ventilation duct (5), and an inflow-proximal end face of an annular flange serving as the cross-sectional constriction (20) serves as the contact face for the at least one insert detent (26).

18. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflow opening (6) of the at least one ventilation duct (5) is provided on an outflow side of the jet regulator (1).

19. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 18, wherein at least one of (a) an outflow-proximal peripheral end region of the external housing (4) is angled in a direction toward the internal housing (3) or (b) an outflow-proximal peripheral end region of the internal housing (3) is angled in a direction toward the external housing (4).

20. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one jet splitter is a single, jet splitter (2), and the longitudinal axes of the single jet splitter (2), the internal housing (3) and the external housing (4) are mutually coaxial.

21. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jet splitter (2) is configured to be latched on an inflow-proximal end side of the internal housing (3).

22. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jet splitter (2) is configured as an atomizer nozzle and has a swirl chamber (9), at least one supply channel (11) which is oriented transversely to a nozzle longitudinal axis and extends tangentially into the swirl chamber (9) opening into said swirl chamber (9), at least one inflow channel is disposed upstream of each said supply channel (11) in the flow direction, and the swirl chamber (9) in an outflow direction tapers in a direction toward a nozzle channel (12), the hollow-conical water jet exiting into the internal housing (3) at a duct end region of said nozzle channel (12).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Refinements according to the invention are derived from the description hereunder of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention in conjunction with the claims and the drawing. The invention will be described in even more detail hereunder by means of a preferred exemplary embodiment.

[0030] In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a unit formed from an internal housing and a jet splitter of a jet regulator which otherwise is not shown in further detail here;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the unit formed from the jet splitter and the internal housing, which is able to be releasably latched to the former, from FIG. 1 in a longitudinal section angled along the longitudinal central axis;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows the unit formed from the jet splitter and the internal housing from FIGS. 1 and 2 in a longitudinal section likewise angled along the longitudinal central axis;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a detailed longitudinal section of the unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in the region of the outflow end side of the internal housing;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows the jet regulator formed while using the unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, wherein the unit formed from the jet splitter and the internal housing here is surrounded by an external housing which is able to be assembled on the water outflow of a sanitary outflow fitting, and where the jet regulator here is shown in a longitudinal section that lies in the drawing plane; and

[0036] FIG. 6 shows the unit according to FIGS. 1 to 4, said unit being shown in a perspective exploded view of the component parts thereof and being formed by the jet splitter and a downstream internal housing in the flow direction and being used in the jet regulator according to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] A jet regulator 1 (cf. FIG. 5) and the substantial component parts thereof are shown in various illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 6. The jet regulator 1 is intended to be distinguished by good splitting of the inflowing water and by optimized mixing of the split water with the ambient air, even at ideally low flow rates, such that a homogenous, gently bubbling and well blended outflow jet is formed in this jet regulator 1. To this end, the jet regulator 1 illustrated here is able to be assembled on a sanitary outflow fitting not shown in more detail here. The jet regulator 1 to this end has a jet splitter 2 which divides the inflowing water flow and splits the latter into small water particles or water jets. The jet regulator 1 has a sleeve-shaped internal housing 3 which is encased by an external housing 4. At least one ventilation duct 5 by way of which the ambient air destined for blending with the water flowing through the internal housing 3 can be suctioned here is disposed between the internal housing 3, the latter forming a water-conducting line portion, and the external housing 4.

[0038] The at least one ventilation duct 5 has at least one inflow opening 6 and at least one passage opening 7, said passage opening 7 being provided on the housing circumference of the internal housing 3 and the ambient air emanating from the ventilation duct 5 being able to flow by way of said passage opening 7 into the housing interior of the internal housing 3 that serves as a mixing chamber.

[0039] The at least one jet splitter 2 of the jet regulator 1 is configured as an atomizer nozzle which splits the inflowing waterflow into a substantially hollow-conical water jet and which is distinguished by good dividing and splitting of the jet even at a comparatively low flow rate. The atomizer nozzle serving as the jet splitter 2 has a nozzle body 8 which on the inflow-proximal peripheral end of the internal housing 3 is able to be connected and preferably latched to the latter. A swirl chamber 9 which on the inflow side has a chamber portion 10, the latter in the available cross section being substantially cylindrical or disk-shaped, is provided in the nozzle body 8. At least one supply channel 11 which is oriented so as to be transverse and preferably orthogonal to the nozzle longitudinal axis and runs tangentially into the swirl chamber 2 opens into the swirl chamber 9. To this end, a plurality of supply channels 11, which are each formed by a groove 29 and are uniformly spaced apart in the circumferential direction, open into the swirl chamber 2. The swirl chamber 9 in the outflow direction tapers in the shape of a funnel in the direction toward a nozzle channel 12. The funnel-shaped portion of the swirl chamber 9 in terms of the available cross section thereof is designed such that the swirl chamber 9 in the direction toward the nozzle channel 5 has the shape of a conical or rotationally hyperbolic funnel. The atomizer nozzle serving as the jet splitter 2 in the nozzle body 8 thereof has an inflow-proximal insert opening 13. At least one groove 14, specified for forming an inflow channel 30, is provided on the circumferential wall of this insert opening 13. One inflow channel 30 which is oriented in the nozzle longitudinal direction here is in each case disposed upstream of each supply channel 11 in the flow direction. A plug 15 is able to be inserted into the insert opening 13 up to an annular shoulder 16 which encircles the circumference. The annular shoulder 16 is interrupted by at least one groove 29 which is provided for forming a supply channel 11. While the external circumference of the plug 15 closes the at least one groove 14 toward an inflow channel 30, the end side of the plug 14 longitudinally closes the at least one groove 11 toward a supply channel 11. The plug, on end sides of the plug 15 that face the swirl chamber 9, has a depression 17. It can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6 that the nozzle body 8 on the inflow side ZS thereof is able to be connected and preferably latched to an attachment screen or filter screen 18. This attachment screen 18 filters the dirt particles and lime remnants which are entrained in the incident waterflow, said dirt particles and lime remnants otherwise potentially compromising the function of the jet regulator 1.

[0040] The atomizer nozzle serving as the jet splitter 2 divides the inflowing water flow, wherein this waterflow is atomized so as to form a spray of fine droplets (mist) and forming an aerosol of fine droplets mixed with ambient air. This spray formed from fine droplets exits the atomizer nozzle as a hollow-conical jet which is formed from separated liquid components. This hollow-conical water jet is indicated by dashed lines 31 in FIG. 2. An encircling annular impact zone 19, in which the water jet divided so as to be hollow-conical impacts the housing internal circumference of the internal housing 3, in the flow direction is disposed below the at least one passage opening 7 of the ventilation duct 5. The housing interior of the internal housing 3 here serves as a mixing chamber in which the water jet divided so as to be hollow-conical is blended with the ambient air emanating from the at least one passage opening 7, before the water jet blended with air in the flow direction after the impact zone 19 is shaped again so as to form a gently bubbling outflow jet with a homogenous cylindrical jet external circumference. The water droplets which exit the atomizer nozzle still as a fine mist and which may be contaminated with bacteria and could constitute a health risk when inhaled, in the internal housing 3, in the flow direction below the impact zone 19, are thus shaped so as to form a homogenous jet which to this extent is not a health risk.

[0041] In order to obtain uniform blending in the housing interior of the internal housing 3 that serves as a mixing chamber, the ventilation duct 5 is configured as an annular gap which is disposed between the internal housing 3 and the external housing 4. This annular gap can encircle the internal housing 3 and/or also be segmented, at least in a sub-region of the duct longitudinal extent. In order for the targeted uniform blending to be additionally facilitated, at least two, and preferably a plurality of, passage openings 7 which are in particular mutually spaced apart at uniform spacings are provided on the housing circumference of the internal housing 3.

[0042] The at least one ventilation duct 5 formed in the region between the internal housing 3 and the external housing 4 already reduces the transmission of disturbing noises caused by the water flowing through the jet regulator 1. In order for these disturbing noises to be additionally reduced, and in order for the perception of these disturbing noises in the environment of the jet regulator 1 to be additionally minimized, at least one cross-sectional constriction 20 is configured in the at least one ventilation duct 5. An acoustic obstacle which additionally reduces the transmission of these disturbing noises to the outside is formed by this at least one cross-sectional constriction 20 provided in at least one ventilation duct 5. This cross-sectional constriction 20 here is configured as an annular flange projecting on the internal circumference of the external housing 4. The cross-sectional constriction 20 in the flow direction of the water jet flowing through the jet regulator 1 here is disposed below the at least one passage opening 7 and in the inflow direction of the ambient air in the ventilation duct 5 and is thus disposed ahead of the passage openings 7. In order for the perception of such disturbing noises in the environment of the jet regulator 1 to be additionally reduced, the inflow opening 6 of the at least one ventilation duct 5 is disposed on the outflow side of the jet regulator 1. It can be particularly readily seen in FIG. 5 that the outflow-proximal peripheral end region of the external housing 4 for this purpose is angled in the direction toward the internal housing 3. The inflow opening 6 in comparison to the available duct cross section of the ventilation duct 5, which in the flow direction of the ambient air guided in the ventilation duct 5 in the following duct portion, has a reduced cross section such that the emission of the disturbing noises reflected in the ventilation duct 5 is additionally impeded and an operation of the jet regulator 1 according to the invention at a low noise level is additionally facilitated.

[0043] In order for good blending of the ambient air suctioned into the housing interior of the internal housing 3, on the one hand, with the water flowing through the internal housing to be facilitated, on the other hand, it is advantageous for flow obstacles to be provided in the housing interior of the internal housing 3. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 5, the internal housing 3 to this end tapers toward the outflow end side thereof in stages. The stages provided on the housing internal circumference of the internal housing 3 here can encircle the housing internal circumference, as is the case here, or else be segmented or interrupted. Good blending of air and water here is already facilitated when at least one such stage 21 is provided on the housing internal circumference of the internal housing 3.

[0044] An aperture 32, which is indicated by chain-dotted lines in FIG. 5 and in the flow direction oriented from the inflow side ZS toward the outflow side AS is preferably disposed below the passage openings 7 at a minor spacing from the latter, can be provided in the housing interior of the internal housing 3. This aperture 32 has a central opening which delimits the available cross section of the internal housing 3 in this region to the open cross section of the aperture 32. The aperture 32 is preferably configured as a perforated disk which is inserted in the internal housing 3. The aperture 32 sub-divides the housing interior of the internal housing 3 into an air entry chamber, situated in the region of the passage openings 7, and a mixing chamber provided below the aperture 32. The opening of the aperture 32 preferably encloses the water jet which emanates from the atomizer nozzle and exits there as a hollow-conical water jet at a spacing from the latter. The aperture 32 prevents aerosols or collision water, which can be created by the water impacting the internal housing, from exiting through the passage openings 7.

[0045] A flow rectifier 22 which in the outflow direction homogenizes the water flowing in through the internal housing 3 and being blended with the ambient air is provided on the outflow end side of the internal housing 3.

[0046] This flow rectifier 22 has a mesh structure, honeycomb structure or net structure, the latter being the case here, having flow-conducting passage bores 23. At least the majority of the passage bores 23 in the flow direction has a longitudinal extent which is larger in comparison to the maximum width of these passage bores 23. In order to counteract any undesirable manipulation on the flow rectifier 22 of the jet regulator 1, the flow rectifier 22 is integrally molded on the internal circumference of the internal housing 3. The passage bores 23 are disposed and configured such that the water jet downstream is regrouped so as to form a uniform outflow jet. At least one perforated plate 24 which has bores 25, the maximum width of the latter being smaller in comparison to the width of the passage bores 23 of the flow rectifier 22, is disposed upstream of the flow rectifier 22. The perforated plate 24 here has a mesh structure which borders the bores 25.

[0047] The at least one perforated plate 24 is inserted into the housing interior of the internal housing 3 and preferably placed on the flow rectifier 22.

[0048] In order to be able to assemble the external housing of the jet regulator 1 shown in FIG. 5 on the water outflow of a sanitary outflow fitting, the external housing 4 on the inflow-proximal housing circumference thereof has a coupling which here is configured as a thread 28 and which interacts with a mating coupling on the water outflow of the sanitary outflow fitting, said mating coupling being formed by a mating thread, for example.

[0049] The internal housing 3 has at least one insert detent 26, wherein the internal housing 3 is able to be inserted into the external housing 4 until this at least one insert detent 26 bears on a contact face provided on the housing interior circumference of the external housing 4. The inflow-proximal end face of the annular flange 20, which serves as a cross-sectional constriction, here serves as the contact face. The insert detent 26 here is configured as a segmented annular shoulder on the external circumference of the internal housing 3.

[0050] The jet regulator 1 has a single and preferably central jet splitter 2. The longitudinal axes of the jet splitter 2, of the internal housing 3 and of the external housing 4 here are disposed so as to be mutually coaxial. The jet splitter 2 on the inflow-proximal end side of the internal housing 3 is able to be releasably connected and preferably able to be releasably latched to the latter.

[0051] The jet ventilator 1 illustrated here is distinguished by a reliable functional mode even at very low flow classes and rates. A central atomizer nozzle is used here as the jet splitter 2. A hollow-conical water jet which flows into the housing interior of the internal housing 3 that serves as a mixing chamber and impacts the internal circumference of the impact zone 19 on the internal housing 3 is formed in this atomizer nozzle. The hollow-conical water jet exiting the jet splitter 2 displays hardly any rotational movement. The length of the internal housing 3 in the housing portion disposed below the passage openings 7 is sized so as to be sufficiently long such that the water building up at the outflow end of the internal housing 3 in the region of the flow rectifier 22 cannot backup into the region of the impact zone 19. A shoulder on the outflow-proximal end of the internal housing 3 can additionally improve the blending of the water with the ambient air.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0052] 1 Jet regulator [0053] 2 Jet splitter [0054] 3 Internal housing [0055] 4 External housing [0056] 5 Ventilation duct [0057] 6 Inflow opening [0058] 7 Passage opening [0059] 8 Nozzle body [0060] 9 Swirl chamber [0061] 10 Chamber portion [0062] 11 Supply channel [0063] 12 Nozzle channel [0064] 13 Insert opening [0065] 14 Groove [0066] 15 Plug [0067] 16 Annular shoulder [0068] 17 Depression [0069] 18 Attachment screen or filter screen [0070] 19 Impact zone [0071] 20 Cross-sectional constriction [0072] 21 Annular shoulder [0073] 22 Flow rectifier [0074] 23 Passage bores [0075] 24 Perforated plate [0076] 25 Bores [0077] 26 Insert detent [0078] 27 Ramp [0079] 28 Thread [0080] 29 Groove [0081] 30 Inflow channel [0082] 31 Lines [0083] 32 Aperture [0084] AS Outflow side [0085] ZS Inflow side