Cartridge, method for operating the cartridge, water nozzle insert and outlet

Abstract

A cartridge for use in a showerhead or tap is designed for dispensing a liquid, in particular water or a water-based mixture. The cartridge comprises a set of at least two nozzles arranged to create colliding jets of the liquid and thereby create a spray of droplets of the liquid, and a spray shaper for guiding the spray. An inner diameter of the nozzles is between 0.8 and 1.5 millimetres, and a throat of each of the nozzles, along which the nozzle has a constant diameter, has a length that is at least three times this inner diameter.

Claims

1. A cartridge for use in a showerhead or tap for dispensing a liquid, comprising a set of at least two nozzles arranged to create colliding jets of the liquid and thereby create a spray of droplets of the liquid, and a spray shaper for guiding the spray, wherein an inner diameter of the nozzles is between 0.8 and 1.5 millimetres, wherein, a throat of each of the nozzles, along which the nozzle has a constant diameter, has a length that is at least three times the inner diameter, and wherein said length is at least 2.4 millimetres, and wherein a radius of an edge forming a transition between the inner surface of the nozzles and the inner surface of the spray shaper is less than two millimetres.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein, at an edge forming a transition between the inner surface of the nozzles and the surface of the spray shaper forms an acute angle.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein all elements acting as the spray shaper are part of the cartridge.

4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein at least the spray shaper and the nozzles comprise surfaces with a roughness that is smaller than 0.8 micrometres, corresponding to ISO Roughness Grade N6.

5. A method for operating a cartridge according to claim 1 in a showerhead or tap for dispensing a liquid, comprising the steps of: providing the liquid to the cartridge with a pressure in the range of 1 bar to 5 bar; guiding the liquid through a pair of nozzles with a flow rate between 2 litres per minute and 3 litres per minute.

6. An outlet, comprising a cartridge connection section with outlet connection elements for connecting the outlet to a cartridge according to claim 1, an outlet supply section with an outlet supply connector for connecting the outlet to a liquid supply, the outlet supply section being in liquid communication with the cartridge connection section via a conduit through an outlet body connecting the outlet connection element with the outlet supply connector, wherein the outlet supply connector is designed to secure a cartridge attached to the outlet.

7. The outlet of claim 6, wherein the outlet comprises a straight pipe section constituting the outlet body and an angled section constituting the cartridge connection section, the cartridge connection section being arranged for the cartridge to be connected to the outlet at an angle between 60° and 120°.

8. The outlet of claim 6, wherein the outlet is either fabricated in one piece or is fabricated from separate parts that are inseparably moulded or welded or glued together.

9. The outlet of claim 6, wherein the conduit, except for an optional filter in the outlet supply section, is free from filters.

10. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is free from filters.

11. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is free from elements that reverse a flow of liquid in the cartridge.

12. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an angle at which the nozzles exit at an inner surface of the spray shaper is more than 70°.

13. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the spray shaper is cylindrical.

14. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is either fabricated in one piece or is fabricated from separate parts that are inseparably moulded or welded or glued together.

15. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises cartridge connection elements for mechanically attaching the cartridge to an outlet and securing the cartridge.

16. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the nozzles each have an asymmetrical cross section, with a narrower part of the cross section being closer to a bisecting line of the longitudinal axes of the nozzles, and a broader part of the cross section being further away from the bisecting line.

17. The cartridge of claim 16, wherein the nozzle cross section is a triangle or a triangle with rounded corners.

18. A water nozzle insert for use with a cartridge according to claim 1, comprising a nozzle, wherein an inner diameter of the nozzle is between 0.8 and 1.5 millimetres, and wherein, a throat of the nozzle, along which the nozzle has a constant diameter, has a length that is at least three times the inner diameter, and at least 2.4 three millimetres.

19. A cartridge for use in a showerhead or tap for dispensing a liquid, comprising a set of at least two nozzles arranged to create colliding jets of the liquid and thereby create a spray of droplets of the liquid, and a spray shaper for guiding the spray, wherein an inner diameter of the nozzles is between 0.8 and 1.5 millimetres, wherein, a throat of each of the nozzles, along which the nozzle has a constant diameter, has a length that is at least three times the inner diameter, and wherein said length is at least 2.4 millimetres, and wherein a distance between a collision point, at which the jets collide, and a front surface of the cartridge is more than three times a distance between nozzle outlets and a point at which the jets collide.

20. A cartridge for use in a showerhead or tap for dispensing a liquid, comprising a set of at least two nozzles arranged to create colliding jets of the liquid and thereby create a spray of droplets of the liquid, and a spray shaper for guiding the spray, wherein an inner diameter of the nozzles is between 0.8 and 1.5 millimetres, wherein, a throat of each of the nozzles, along which the nozzle has a constant diameter, has a length that is at least three times the inner diameter, and wherein said length is at least 2.4 millimetres, and wherein an outer end of the spray shaper opposite to a spray shaper back end, ends with a flow guiding edge forming an acute angle between an inner surface of the spray shaper and an adjacent, intermediate surface.

21. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein a radius of the flow guiding edge is less than two millimetres.

22. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the intermediate surface, beginning at the flow guiding edge, extends in the direction of the spray shaper back end, and then again in the opposite direction, passing into a front surface of the cartridge.

23. The cartridge of claim 22, wherein a radial distance between the flow guiding edge and a point at which the intermediate surface passes into the front surface is at least three millimetres.

24. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the front surface is spaced from the spray shaper back end more than the flow guiding edge is.

25. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the spray shaper, including the flow guiding edge, is integrally shaped as part of a skirt of the cartridge.

26. A cartridge for use in a showerhead or tap for dispensing a liquid, comprising a set of at least two nozzles arranged to create colliding jets of the liquid and thereby create a spray of droplets of the liquid, and a spray shaper for guiding the spray, wherein an inner diameter of the nozzles is between 0.8 and 1.5 millimetres, wherein, a throat of each of the nozzles, along which the nozzle has a constant diameter, has a length that is at least three times the inner diameter, and wherein said length is at least 2.4 millimetres, and wherein a distance between a point at which the jets collide and a spray shaper back end lies between 2 and 7 millimetres.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following text with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the attached drawings, which schematically show:

(2) FIG. 1 a prior art nozzle set unit or cartridge;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a nozzle insert in a longitudinal cross section;

(4) FIG. 3 a cartridge in a longitudinal cross section;

(5) FIGS. 4-6 detail views of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 7 perspective views of the cartridge;

(7) FIGS. 8-10 edges at nozzle outlets in a spray shaper back end;

(8) FIG. 11 nozzle cross sections;

(9) FIG. 12-13 an outlet for use with the cartridge; and,

(10) FIG. 14 shows a detail of the outlet shown in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) In principle, identical or functionally similar parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

(12) FIG. 1 schematically shows a prior art nozzle set unit or cartridge 8. Details thereof are described above. Such a cartridge 8 can be adapted for use with the nozzle inserts 10 described below.

(13) FIG. 2 schematically shows a nozzle insert 10. It can be arranged or inserted in a nozzle set body 9 as described above. Outlines of a nozzle set body 9 are drawn with dashed lines.

(14) The nozzle insert 10 is arranged in the nozzle set body 9 for a liquid, typically water or a water-based mixture, to flow—in this sequence—from an inlet 1 through a converging section 2, a throat 3, a diverging section 4 and an outlet 6. After exiting the outlet 6, the liquid can flow, as a first jet of liquid, through a recess 11 into a spray shaper. There it can collide with a second jet of liquid and form a spray.

(15) In the converging section 2, a diameter of the nozzle is reduced from a first diameter D1 to a second diameter D2. The surface can exhibit a smooth transition between the converging section 2 and the throat 3.

(16) Typical values of D1 can be two to three times the value of D2.

(17) The converging section 2 has a first length L1.

(18) Typical values of L1 can be one to three times the value of D2.

(19) The throat 3 has a second length L2. In the throat 3, the diameter remains constant, equal to the second diameter D2, for this length.

(20) Typical values of L2 are at least three times the value of D2, in particular at least four times or at least five times the value of D2.

(21) The diameter D2 in the throat 3—generally called the diameter or the hydraulic diameter of the nozzle—corresponds to the diameter of the water jet after exiting the nozzle 12 under ideal conditions, that is, with laminar flow and no diverging of the liquid after exiting the discontinuity 5 and the nozzle outlet 6, e.g. caused by adhesion

(22) Typical values of D2 can be between 0.8 millimetres and 1.5 millimetres.

(23) The diverging section 4 has a third length L3. Between the throat 3 and diverging section 4 there is a discontinuity 5. Here, the diameter of the nozzle increases step-wise from the second diameter D2 to a third diameter D3.

(24) Typical values of D3 can be between 1.5 and two or three or four times D2.

(25) Typical values of L3 can be between zero and 1.5 and two or three or four times D2.

(26) The discontinuity 5 can be implemented as a precisely manufactured edge, with a radius of the edge smaller than, for example, two or one or 0.8 or 0.5 or 0.3 millimetres. The edge preferably is manufactured to have no burrs. A burr is a deformation of a material, typically in the form of a raised edge, caused when the material is machined.

(27) The discontinuity 5 can coincide with the nozzle outlet 6. In this case, the diverging section 4 has a length L3 of zero.

(28) The recess 11—which is not part of the nozzle insert 10—has a fourth length L4 and a fourth diameter D4.

(29) Typical values of D4 can be between one or two or three times D3.

(30) Typical values of L4 can be between zero millimetres, and 1.5 and two or three or four times D2 or more.

(31) The nozzle insert 10 can be manufactured from metal or a ceramic material, or from a plastic material different from the material of the nozzle set body 9. The metal can be brass, copper or a copper based alloy.

(32) FIG. 3 shows a cartridge in a longitudinal cross section. FIGS. 4-6 show details thereof, with FIGS. 5 and 6 showing the same detail, once with reference numerals and once with parameters indicated.

(33) The cartridge 8 includes the nozzle set body 9, which, in turn, includes the nozzles 12. In this embodiment, the nozzles 12 are shaped in the cartridge body 9 itself. The nozzle set body 9 can be shaped as a truncated cone (as shown in the figures), or as a (complete) cone.

(34) In other embodiments, the nozzles 12 are shaped in nozzle inserts, e.g., as shown in FIG. 2, or differently. Nozzle inserts can be made of ceramic or polymer or metal and are can be inserted in the nozzle set body 9 and secured in an inseparable manner, e.g., a press fit, by gluing or welding or by being arranged in the cartridge by insertion moulding.

(35) Each nozzle 12 extends from an nozzle inlet 1 at the outside of the nozzle set body 9 to a nozzle outlet 6, which can coincide with the discontinuity 5 mentioned above. A point at which the longitudinal axes of the nozzles 12 intersect is the point of collision of liquid jets created by the nozzles 12.

(36) The colliding jets create a spray, which is guided and shaped by a spray shaper 84. The spray shaper 84 can a cylindrical volume and typically is free from obstacles such as sieves or guiding vanes.

(37) At an outer end of the spray shaper 84, it terminates in a circular flow guiding edge 86. Seen in a longitudinal cross section, the flow guiding edge 86 has an acute angle Phi1 relative to an annular edge protection section 87. In the edge protection section 87, the surface of the cartridge 8, starting at the flow guiding edge 86, runs backward, forming an annular recess, and then forward towards a front surface 88 of the cartridge 8. Where the edge protection section 87 runs into the front surface 88, they lie at an angle of 180°−Phi2 to one another. The flow guiding edge 86 is recessed relative to the front surface 88.

(38) The spray shaper 84 is arranged within a skirt 83. The skirt 83 is a ring-like body, integrally shaped with the nozzle set body 9. It can include elements for holding and turning the cartridge 8, e.g. when attaching it to an outlet 7. This can be done by means of a thread 82

(39) There can be a sealing element, not shown, such as an O-ring, arranged to prevent liquid from exiting between an outlet 7 and the cartridge 8. There can be a first O-ring arranged in a first groove 90, between the thread 82 and an upper part of the nozzle set body 9. Alternatively or in addition, there can be a second O-ring arranged in a second groove 90′, around the circumference of the skirt 83.

(40) FIGS. 8-10 show edges at nozzle outlets 6 in a spray shaper back end 85, that is, at a transition between the inside surface of the nozzle 12 and the inside surface of the spray shaper 84 in the region of the spray shaper back end 85. An edge forming this transition has a radius Re. This diameter should be small, in order not to cause liquid to adhere to the surface when exiting the nozzle outlet 6 and discontinuity 5. In the Figures, the radius Re is exaggerated relative to the diameter of the nozzle 12.

(41) This effect caused by adhesion can be diminished by giving at least the edge a hydrophobic coating or manufacturing the nozzle set body 9 from a hydrophobic material.

(42) FIG. 8 shows the longitudinal axis of the nozzle 12 being at a right angle to the inner surface of the spray shaper back end 85.

(43) FIG. 9 shows the longitudinal axis of the nozzle 12 being inclined relative to the inner surface of the spray shaper back end 85, i.e. at an angle of less than 90°.

(44) FIG. 10 shows the edge at the end of the nozzle 12 protruding or extending over the inner surface of the spray shaper back end 85. The nozzle 12 is shown as being inclined, but it could also lie at a right angle to the inner surface of the spray shaper back end 85 (not shown).

(45) Typical parameters can be: Dn—nozzle diameter: 0.8 to 1.5 or 2 millimetres, preferably approximately 1.3 millimetres. L2—length of section of nozzles 12 with constant diameter: at least three times the value of Dn, in particular at least four times or at least five times the value of Dn. For example, at least 2.4 or 4 or 6 or 8 millimetres. Phi_n—angle between longitudinal axes of the nozzles: 90°+/−20° Phi_b—angle between surfaces at which the nozzles exit: between 90° and 130°, in particular at least approximately 120°. Hs—distance between collision point and front surface 88 (approximately equal to the length of the spray shaper 84): More than 10 or 12 or 14 or 17 or 20 millimetres. In particular less than 30 or 25 or 22 millimetres. Hb—maximum distance between spray shaper back end 85 and front surface 88: More than 14 or 16 or 18 or 21 or 24 millimetres. In particular less than 33 or 28 or 25 millimetres. Difference between Hb and Hs: between 2 and 7, in particular between 3 and 5, in particular between 3 and 4 millimetres. Ds—inner diameter of spray shaper 84: 10 to 18 millimetres, preferably 14 millimetres. Dp—diameter of edge protection section 87: Ds plus 7 to 15 millimetres, in particular plus 9 to 13, millimetres, in particular plus 11 millimetres. dR—radial distance between the flow guiding edge 86 and a point at which the intermediate surface 89 passes into the front surface 88: at least three millimetres or at least four millimetres, in particular at least five millimetres. Typically dR=(Dp−Ds)/2. H1—distance from flow guiding edge 86 to front surface 88: More than 0.3 or 0.5 or 1 millimetre. In particular less than 4 or 3 or 2 millimetres. H2—maximum distance from recess in edge protection section 87 to front surface 88: More than 1 or 1.5 or 2 millimetres. In particular less than or equal to 5 or 3 or 2 millimetres. Phi1—angle between inner surface of spray shaper 84 and adjacent surface of edge protection section 87: between 10° and 85°, in particular between 35° and 72°, in particular between 55° and 65°. Phi2—supplementary angle of the angle between front surface 88 and adjacent surface of edge protection section 87: 60°+/−20° Rf—radius of the flow guiding edge 86 at the angle between the inner surface of the spray shaper 84 and the adjacent surface of the edge protection section 87: less than 2 millimetres, in particular less than 1 millimetre, in particular less than 0.8 millimetres, in particular less than 0.5 millimetres, in particular less than 0.3 millimetres. Re—radius of edge at discontinuity 5 or nozzle outlet 6: less than 2 millimetres, in particular less than 1 millimetre, in particular less than 0.8 millimetres, in particular less than 0.5 millimetres, in particular less than 0.3 millimetres. Surface roughness inside the nozzles and/or at the inside of the spray shaper: smaller than 0.8 micrometres, corresponding to ISO Roughness Grade N6, in particular smaller than 0.2 micrometres, corresponding to ISO Roughness Grade N4.

(46) Typical embodiments exhibit one or more of the above parameter values.

(47) FIG. 7 shows perspective views of the cartridge 8, in an embodiment without grooves 90, 90′.

(48) FIG. 11 shows nozzle cross sections, corresponding to cross sections of water jets created by the nozzles, and their relative position in the nozzle set body 9. (their size is exaggerated relative to the distance between each pair). For each pair of cross sections, as a result of their relative position, the narrower parts of the liquid jets will meet at a higher point in the spray shaper back end 85, closer to the back end, and the wider parts will meet closer to the front end or spray shaper 84 outlet. This will increase the kinetic energy of the resulting spray in the direction if the front end.

(49) FIGS. 12 and 13 show an outlet 7 for use with a cartridge 8, in particular as described above. The outlet 7 includes an outlet body 73 with a conduit 75 leading from an outlet supply section 71b with an outlet supply connector 71 to a cartridge connection section 72b with outlet connection elements 72 for connecting the outlet 7 to a cartridge 8.

(50) FIG. 14 shows a detail of FIG. 13, with a groove 78 shaped in the cartridge 8, for hanging the outlet 7 and cartridge 8 onto a correspondingly shaped hook. As an alternative or additional means for attaching the outlet 7 and cartridge 8 to a receptacle, a magnet 79 can be embedded in the cartridge 8, e.g. by insertion moulding.

(51) Typical water pressure ranges for operating the outlet are from 2 bars upwards. Domestic plumbing installations usually are limited to 3.5 or 4 bars. A possible pressure range thus is 1.5 to 3 bar.

(52) While the invention has been described in present embodiments, it is distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the claims.