Valve, fitting and use of a valve

Abstract

In a sanitary valve (1) having a push-push actuation mechanism (2), a cap interface (5) is provided between a cover cap (6) and an actuating element (3) having a higher rotational symmetry than a fitting interface (8) between the valve (1) and a fitting (9).

Claims

1. A valve (1), comprising: a push-push actuation mechanism (2) which has an actuation element (3) which, at a free end (4) thereof, forms a cap interface (5) for a covering cap (6); a main body (7) defines a fitting interface (8) for a fitting (9), the main body (7) includes an inlet (32) and includes an outlet (34) in a first end region; the actuation element (3) is guided in a manner rotationally fixed relative to the main body (7) and so as to be displaceable in an actuation direction (10), and the free end (4) extends out from an end of the main body (7) opposite from the first end region; the cap interface (5) is formed such that the covering cap (6) is connectable in n orientations; and the fitting interface (8) is formed such that the main body (7) is adapted to be inserted into the fitting (9) in m orientations, and n>m.

2. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the cap interface (5) has rotational symmetry of order n, or the fitting interface (8) has rotational symmetry of order m.

3. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap interface (5) has an n-gonal peripheral contour (11).

4. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein n is a number divisible by four.

5. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fitting interface (8) has a positioning element (12) by which the fitting interface is adapted to be inserted into a correspondingly shaped valve receptacle (13) of the fitting (9) in exactly one orientation.

6. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap interface (5) is configured for forming at least one of a snap-action or latching connection.

7. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the latching connection includes at least one of a latching lug formed on a spring element or a latching undercut (19).

8. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one of the snap-action or latching connection (15) is, in a plugging-on direction (16) arranged beyond a rotationally fixed guidance (17).

9. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, on the main body (7), a fastening element (27) is configured for fastening to the fitting (9) and is arranged so as to be movable relative to the main body (7).

10. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fitting interface (8) is formed without a thread.

11. A fitting (9) with a covering cap (6) and a valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the covering cap (6) has a cap counterpart interface (21) which is configured for matching the cap interface (5), the fitting (9) has a fitting counterpart interface (40) which is configured for matching the fitting interface (8), or the covering cap (6) has a cap counterpart interface (21) which is configured for matching the cap interface (5) and the fitting (9) has a fitting counterpart interface (40) which is configured for matching the fitting interface (8).

12. The fitting (9) as claimed in claim 11, the fitting (9) is produced from metal and the covering cap (6) is produced from at least one of plastic or metal.

13. The fitting (9) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fitting (9) has a valve receptacle (13) into which the main body (7) of the valve (1) is inserted.

14. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the main body (7) of the valve, is inserted into the valve receptacle (13) in a rotationally fixed manner.

15. A method of using the valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, comprising: inserting the valve (1) into a fitting (9) in an orientation of the main body; and mounting a covering cap (6) onto the actuation element (3) in an orientation of the cap with respect to printing on the covering cap (6).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the orientation of the cap or the orientation of the main body is selected such that the covering cap (6) has a desired spatial orientation in a position of use.

17. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a thread (41) is formed on the actuation element (3), and is arranged ahead of the cap interface (5) in a plugging-on direction.

18. The valve (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body (7) has a cylindrical basic shape (22) at least in the region of the fitting interface (8).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in more detail on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, but is not restricted to this exemplary embodiment. Further exemplary embodiments will emerge from combination of the features of individual or several dependent claims with one another and/or with individual or several features of the exemplary embodiment.

(2) In the figures:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional perspective view in an exploded illustration of a valve according to the invention with a covering cap, fastening element and part of a fitting,

(4) FIG. 2 shows the valve from FIG. 1 in a perspective view from below with an associated covering cap,

(5) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the valve as per FIG. 1 in a fitted position, wherein a part of the fitting is shown in a sectional illustration, and wherein a part of the covering cap is shown,

(6) FIG. 4 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of the valve as per FIG. 1,

(7) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the valve as per FIG. 1,

(8) FIG. 6 shows a view of the covering cap from FIG. 1 from below,

(9) FIG. 7 shows an axial sectional illustration through the covering cap as per FIG. 1,

(10) FIG. 8 shows a partially cut-away illustration of the valve as per FIG. 1 with a mounted covering cap (cut away),

(11) FIG. 9 shows a side view of the valve as per FIG. 1 with a mounted covering cap (axially cut away),

(12) FIG. 10 shows the fully assembled arrangement from FIG. 1 with exemplary printing,

(13) FIG. 11 shows the arrangement as per FIG. 10 from another considered position,

(14) FIG. 12 shows an enlargement from FIG. 11,

(15) FIG. 13 shows a view of the valve as per FIG. 1 with the covering cap removed,

(16) FIG. 14 shows different orientations in which the covering cap is able to be mounted onto the valve as per FIG. 1,

(17) FIG. 15 shows a further example of a covering cap able to be used for the arrangement as per FIG. 1,

(18) FIG. 16 shows the covering cap and the actuation element from FIG. 15 with a view of the cap counterpart interface of the covering cap and of the cap interface of the actuation element,

(19) FIG. 17 shows a further valve according to the invention with an attached covering cap (partially cut away),

(20) FIG. 18 shows the valve from FIG. 17 with a covering cap in a three-dimensional perspective view with a view directed counter to an insertion direction of the valve, and

(21) FIG. 19 shows the valve from FIG. 17 with a covering cap in a three-dimensional perspective view with a view of the covering cap along an insertion direction of the valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(22) FIGS. 1 to 14 will be described together in the following text.

(23) FIG. 1 shows a valve, which is denoted as a whole by 1. In a manner known per se, the valve 1 has in the interior a push-push actuation mechanism 2, which, in a manner known per se, allows the valve 1 to be switched between at least two switching positions, for example an open position and a closed position or multiple open positions with a different opening cross section, by repeated pressing of an actuation element 3.

(24) A cap interface 5 is formed at the free end 4. As will be discussed in more detail, the cap interface 5 comprises a number of design elements which make possible a connection to a covering cap 6.

(25) In this case, the covering cap 6 is of correspondingly complementary form on its side facing the free end 4.

(26) The valve 1 furthermore has a main body 7 which is formed with a fitting interface 8. Said fitting interface 8 has, in a manner to be described in more detail, design elements which allow the valve 1 to be inserted into a correspondingly configured fitting 9 and to be fastened thereto.

(27) In this case, the covering cap 6 serves for matching the appearance of the valve 1 to the outer appearance of the fitting 9.

(28) The actuation element 3 is able to be displaced along an actuation direction 10 for execution of the push-push actuation.

(29) In this case, a guide known per se from push-push actuation mechanisms serves for guiding said displacement movement in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the actuation direction 10.

(30) The cap interface 5 is geometrically formed in such a way that a correspondingly formed covering cap 6 is able to be mounted and connected to the actuation element 3 in four orientations, each of which can be realized by rotation through 90° about an axis defined by the actuation direction 10. This is achieved in that the cap interface 4 has discrete rotational symmetry of order four about the actuation direction 10.

(31) Here, the fitting interface 8 is provided with a peripheral contour 11, which has substantially, for example apart from necessary roundings, the shape of a quadrangle or—in other exemplary embodiments—the shape of an n-gon.

(32) In further exemplary embodiments, other types of rotational symmetry are realized, for example of order two, of order three, of order five or of order greater than five, in particular rotational symmetries whose degree of symmetry is characterizable by a number n divisible by four.

(33) In the exemplary embodiment as per FIGS. 1 to 14, the fitting interface 8 is formed with a rotational symmetry which allows connection to the fitting 9 in a single orientation. This is achieved by a corresponding formation of a single positioning element 12 on the periphery of the main body 7, by which positioning element any rotational symmetry is broken. The positioning element 12 may for example be in the form of a lug or projection.

(34) It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the main body 7 of the valve 1 is placed into a valve receptacle 13 in the fitting 9. A positioning recess 14 which matches the positioning element 12 is formed in the valve receptacle 13. Consequently, the valve 1 fits into the valve receptacle 13 in exactly one orientation. The positioning recess 14 in the valve receptacle 13 thus forms a fitting counterpart interface 40.

(35) Through the formation of the described symmetry at the cap interface 5, it can thus be achieved that the covering cap 6 is able to be positioned in a multiplicity of orientations without the valve receptacle 13 having to differ significantly from a round inner contour. The valve receptacle 13, which is generally formed in a metallic fitting 9, can therefore be produced using simple manufacturing methods. Reworking is required only to a small extent, for example for introducing the positioning recess 14.

(36) The cap interface 5 has a means for forming a snap-action and/or latching connection 15. This serves for fastening the covering cap 6 on the free end 4.

(37) In FIG. 5, it can seen that the means for forming a snap-action and/or latching connection 15 is arranged so as to be situated beyond the start of the peripheral contour 11, by way of which a means for rotationally fixed guidance 17 of the covering cap 6 is formed, in a plugging-on direction 16. The guidance is a result of the peripheral contour 11 being continued in the plugging-on direction 16 such that surfaces extending parallel to the plugging-on direction 16 are formed. The cap counterpart interface 21 has corresponding surfaces, which interact with these surfaces.

(38) In this way, it is achieved that the covering cap 6 comes into contact with the means for rotationally fixed guidance 17 first of all. Further pushing of the covering cap 6 onto the actuation element 3 causes the covering cap 6 to latch onto the free end 4.

(39) In FIGS. 6 to 9, it can be seen that the covering cap has a recess 18. The recess 18 matches the peripheral contour 11 of the free end 4 in such a way that the covering cap 6 is guided on the free end 4 in a rotationally fixed manner but so as to be displaceable in the plugging-on direction 16.

(40) Latching undercuts 19 are formed on the covering cap 6 and engage with latching springs 20 of the means for forming a snap-action and/or latching connection 15. The latching springs 20 are each composed of a spring element 38 and a latching lug 39, or each have these.

(41) The recess 18 and the latching undercuts 19 thus form a cap counterpart interface 21, which matches the cap interface 5. The symmetry of the cap counterpart interface 21 may in this case be formed to be identical to that of the cap interface 5 or to be compatible therewith (for example of order two).

(42) On the main body 7, a section with a cylindrical basic shape 22 is formed as an insertion section 23, onto which the positioning element 12 is fitted. Said insertion section 23 fits into the valve receptacle 14. Formed ahead of this insertion section 23 is a fastening section 24, which bears retaining lugs 25 on a housing part 26.

(43) Mounted onto the housing part 26 for the purpose of assembly is a fastening element 27, a fastening nut 28 in this case, which is held captively in its position by the retaining lugs 25.

(44) The fastening element 27 is screwed into a thread 30 of the valve receptacle 13 by way of a counterpart thread 29 in order to fix the valve 1. In this way, the valve 1 itself does not have to be rotated, and the orientation of a mounted covering cap 6 is maintained with respect to the fitting 9. On the peripheral side of the fastening element 27, there is formed a tool engagement point 31, for example a hexagonal head, for achieving firm retention of the valve 1.

(45) As can be seen in FIG. 3, the valve 1 closes a connection between an inlet 32 and an outlet 34 or opens said connection. A seal 33 between the inlet 32 and the outlet 34 prevents leakage flows when the valve 1 is closed.

(46) FIG. 4 illustrates guide elements 35 of a push-push actuation mechanism 2, which is known per se. Said guide elements 35 cause the actuation element 3, and consequently a covering cap 6 latched thereto, to be guided in a rotationally fixed manner and so as to be displaceable in the actuation direction 10.

(47) It is thus possible, as illustrated in FIG. 14, for a marking 36 on the covering cap 6 to be permanently oriented in four different orientations, and in n different orientations in further exemplary embodiments, with respect to the fitting 9. Consequently, irrespective of the installation situation of the fitting 9, the marking 36 can always be oriented such that a user can perceive it correctly.

(48) FIGS. 15 and 16 show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. Components and functional units which are similar or identical in terms of construction and/or function are denoted by the same reference signs and will not be described separately again. The statements relating to FIGS. 1 to 14 therefore apply correspondingly to FIGS. 15 and 16.

(49) The exemplary embodiment as per FIGS. 15 and 16 differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment in that the cap counterpart interface 21 is also of order four, whereas this was of order two in the preceding exemplary embodiment. This achieves firmer retention of the covering cap 6 on the free end 4.

(50) The exemplary embodiment as per FIGS. 15 and 16 also differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment in that, on the covering cap 6, there is formed an elevation 37, which is inserted into a recess 18 in the free end 4 of the actuation element 3. Here, the peripheral contour 11, by way of which the rotationally fixed connection between the covering cap 6 and the actuation element 3 is established, is formed as an inner contour, whereas it is formed as an outer contour in FIGS. 1 to 14.

(51) FIGS. 17 to 19 show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. Components and functional units which are similar or identical in terms of construction and/or function are denoted by the same reference signs and will not be described separately again. The statements relating to FIGS. 1 to 16 therefore apply correspondingly to FIGS. 17 to 19.

(52) The exemplary embodiment as per FIGS. 17 to 19 differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment in that no latching connection is formed between the actuation element 3 and the covering cap 6.

(53) Rather, in this variant, a thread 41 is formed on the actuation element 3. Said thread 41 is arranged on a threaded bolt 42, and can be screwed together with a counterpart thread 43 on a retaining nut 44.

(54) Since the threaded bolt 42 is arranged ahead of the cap interface 5, the threaded bolt 42 can be inserted through a cap base piece 45, fixed by the retaining nut 42 and concealed behind a cover 46.

(55) At least one pin 47—two pins 47 in this case—on the cover 46 and at least one—two in this case—matching pin receptacles 48 in the cap base piece 45 form a rotation-prevention means. In further exemplary embodiments, said rotation-prevention means is formed in another way, for example through design of corresponding contours and/or through a form-fitting, force-fitting and/or materially bonded connection between the cover 46 and the cap base piece 45.

(56) In a further exemplary embodiment (not illustrated), the actuation element is of multi-part design and comprises the parts 3 and 45 illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 19. The covering cap is formed by the part 46, and the cap interface 5 is realized by the pin receptacles 48. With the two pin receptacles 48, a rotational symmetry of 180°, that is to say n=2, is established. Higher values of n are achieved through a larger number (n) of uniformly distributed pin receptacles 48. The pins 47 define the cap counterpart interface 21. The contours of the details 5 and 21 may in this case be formed such that a connection is possible in only one orientation. Otherwise, the exemplary embodiment may be configured as in FIGS. 17 to 19.

(57) For a sanitary valve 1 having a push-push actuation mechanism 2, it is therefore proposed to form a cap interface 5 between a covering cap 6 and an actuation element 3 with greater rotational symmetry than a fitting interface 8 between the valve 1 and a fitting 9.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(58) 1 Valve 2 Push-push actuation mechanism 3 Actuation element 4 Free end 5 Cap interface 6 Covering cap 7 Main body 8 Fitting interface 9 Fitting 10 Actuation direction 11 Peripheral contour 12 Positioning element 13 Valve receptacle 14 Positioning recess 15 Means for a snap-action and/or latching connection 16 Plugging-on direction 17 Means for rotationally fixed guidance 18 Recess 19 Latching undercut 20 Latching spring 21 Cap counterpart interface 22 Cylindrical basic shape 23 Insertion section 24 Fastening section 25 Retaining lug 26 Housing part 27 Fastening element 28 Fastening nut 29 Counterpart thread 30 Thread 31 Tool engagement point 32 Inlet 33 Seal 34 Outlet 35 Guide element 36 Marking 37 Elevation 38 Spring element 39 Latching lug 40 Fitting counterpart interface 41 Thread 42 Threaded bolt 43 Counterpart thread 44 Retaining nut 45 Cap base piece 46 Cover 47 Pin 48 Pin receptacle