STORAGE DEVICE FOR AN EXTRACTABLE HOSE, HOSE STORAGE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

A storage device for an extractable hose arranged in an installation space. The storage device comprises a first housing member defining a first storage compartment. The first storage compartment is configured to house at least a portion of the hose which is extractable from the first storage compartment via a hose port arranged at the first housing member. The first housing member has at least one spatial curved wall section eluding the contour of at least one module extending into the installation space.

Claims

1. A storage device (60) for an extractable hose (30) arranged in an installation space (11), comprising: a. a first housing member (62) defining a first storage compartment (63), the first storage compartment (63) configured to house at least a portion of the hose (30) which is extractable from the first storage compartment via a hose port (64) arranged at the first housing member (62), wherein: b. the first housing member (62) has at least one spatial curved wall section (69) eluding the contour of at least one module (14) extending into the installation space (11).

2. The storage device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the installation space (11) is defined by an overlay of at least two configurations of modules (14) extending into the installation space (11).

3. The storage device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the first storage compartment (63) in the first housing member (62) has a variable cross-section along the length of the hose (30).

4. The storage device (60) according to claim 3, wherein the first storage compartment (63) in the first housing member (62) has a protuberance (59) suitable to receive part of the hose (30).

5. The storage device (60) according to claim 4, wherein the protuberance (59) forms a lowest point of the first housing member (62).

6. The storage device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the first housing member (62) comprises a fluid outlet (81) and/or a liquid sensor (82).

7. The storage device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the first housing member (62) is at least partially made by an additive manufacturing process.

8. (canceled)

9. The storage device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the first housing member (62), in a longitudinal direction of hose (30), comprises several adjustable segments which during installation are adjustable relative to each other.

10. The storage device (60) according to claim 9, wherein the adjustable segments are pivot connected to each other, and/or at least one of the adjustable segments is bent.

11. (canceled)

12. The storage device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the first storage compartment (63) is formed such that a portion of the hose (30) when being inserted in the first storage compartment (63) is brought to a predefined shape by gravity.

13. (canceled)

14. The storage device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the first housing member (62) incorporates and/or is at least partially coated by a friction reducing material and/or a noise reducing material.

15. The storage device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the storage device (60) comprises a second housing member (65) comprising a second storage compartment (66) interconnected with the first housing member (62) such that the first and the second storage compartment (63, 66) form a continuous compartment for receiving at least a portion of the hose (30).

16. The storage device (60) according to claim 15, wherein the first and the second housing member (62, 65) are interconnected with each other in a separable manner.

17. The storage device (60) according to claim 1, wherein the storage device (60) comprises a retraction mechanism (70) for the hose (30).

18. The storage device (60) according to claim 17, wherein the retraction mechanism (70) is interconnected to a second housing member (65).

19. The storage device (60) according to claim 18, wherein the first housing member (62) transfers the force necessary to extract the hose (30) from the hose port (64) between the hose port (64) and the retraction mechanism (70) interconnected to the second housing member (65).

20. The storage device (60) according to claim 15, wherein the first and/or the second housing member (62, 65) comprises at least one connecting point (68) to connect an auxiliary device (50) to the storage device (60).

21. The storage device (60) according to claim 20, wherein the storage device (60) comprises multiple connecting points (68) arranged in a regular pattern.

22. (canceled)

23. A hose storage assembly (10) comprising a storage device (60) according to claim 1 and a hose (30) arranged at least partially in the first storage compartment (63).

24-25. (canceled)

26. A method for producing a storage device (60) for an extractable hose (30) according to claim 1, comprising the methods steps of: a. providing the installations space (11) with at least one module (14) extending into the installation space (11); b. adopting the at least one spatial curved wall section of the first housing member (62) of the first storage compartment (63) of the storage device (60) to a contour of at least one configuration of the at least one module (14) extending into the installation space (11); c. producing the first housing member (62) by an additive manufacturing method.

27-29. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description of the embodiments given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered as limiting to the invention described in the appended claims.

[0024] FIG. 1 schematically shows a sanitary module comprising a first embodiment of a storage device according to the invention in a first perspective view from above;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the sanitary module of FIG. 1 with some of the module walls being removed for illustrative purposes in a second perspective view from below;

[0026] FIG. 3 shows the sanitary module of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a third perspective view from above;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows the sanitary module of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 with some of the components being removed in a further perspective view from above;

[0028] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of a storage device of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 in a frontal view;

[0029] FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of a storage device of FIG. 5 in a partially disassembled state in a frontal view;

[0030] FIG. 7 shows in a perspective view from above the embodiment of a storage device of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 with part of the housing being removed for illustrative purposes, the hose being in a storage state;

[0031] FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of FIG. 7 with the hose being partially pulled out of the storage device;

[0032] FIG. 9 shows the embodiment of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 with the hose being pulled out to a larger extent;

[0033] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a storage device in a perspective view from above;

[0034] FIG. 11 shows the embodiment of a storage device of FIG. 10 with the housing being partially clipped for illustrative purposes, the hose being in a storage state;

[0035] FIG. 12 shows the embodiment of FIG. 11 with the hose being partially pulled out of the storage device;

[0036] FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of a storage device with the housing being partially clipped for illustrative purposes, the hose being in a storage state;

[0037] FIG. 14 shows the embodiment of FIG. 13 with the hose being partially pulled out of the storage device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the invention, an embodiment that is presently preferred, in which like numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed.

[0039] FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 schematically show a first embodiment of a sanitary module 10 with a storage device 60 according to the invention. As mentioned, the invention is not limited to being used for sanitary applications only. As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary module 10 shown comprises a bowl 12 of a flush toilet, a hand-held handpiece 33 that serves as a bidet spray, respectively source of water, and an auxiliary stowage 13 in order to e.g. stow bathroom tissues or other goods. As indicated in FIG. 2, the sanitary module 10 comprises an installation space 11 which in a vehicle will be typically restricted in outer spatial dimensions by encompassing structural parts 17.

[0040] In the shown embodiment, beside the bowl 12 and the auxiliary stowage 13 which both reach (as modules) into and thereby take influence on the installation space 11, the installation space 11 in addition can be delimited by different configurations of multiple modules 14 that typically fill a significant portion of the installation space 11, as e.g. shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0041] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 a storage device 60 is arranged adjacent to a front wall 16 of the sanitary module 10, mechanically interconnected to the sanitary module 10 by fastening means 67. One advantage of the invention is that at least the first housing member 61 can be flexibly adopted to the available installation space 11 and the therein arranged other modules, while the other parts of the storage device can remain standardized.

[0042] As shown e.g. in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the hose storage device 60 comprises a first housing member 62 that encloses a first storage compartment 63 which is configured to receive a portion of the hose 30 via hose port 64 arranged in the first housing member 62. The first storage compartment 63 is formed such that the portion of the hose 30 when being arranged in the first storage compartment 63 takes a shape that is at least partially defined by the shape of the first storage compartment 63, as illustrated e.g. in FIG. 4.

[0043] The first housing member 62 is shaped such that it fits in the free installation volume of the installation space 11 while ensuring that a portion of a hose 30 arranged in the first compartment 63 is not bent below a structurally critical minimum bending radius r of it. Therefore the storage device 60 for the extractable hose 30 is arranged in the installation space 11. The storage device 60 comprises the first housing member 62 defining on the inside a first storage compartment 63. As mentioned above the first storage compartment 63 is configured to house at least a portion of the hose 30 which extends from the first storage compartment 63 via the hose port 64 arranged at one end of the first housing member 62. The first housing member 62 has at least one spatial curved wall section 69 adopted to the contour of at least one module 14 extending into the installation space 11.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows the storage device 60 as shown in FIGS. 1-4 in a front view. FIG. 6 is showing the storage device 60 in a separated manner. FIGS. 7-8 are showing the inside of the storage device 60. The storage device 60 comprises a housing 61 with a first housing member 62 encompassing a first storage compartment 63 and a second housing member 65 encompassing a second storage compartment 66 for storing a hose 30 on the inside. The hose 30 can be extracted from and inserted into the storage device 60 via a hose port 64 against a force of a retraction mechanism 70 arranged in the second housing member 65 and as e.g. visible in FIGS. 7-8.

[0045] In the shown variation, the retraction mechanism 70 comprises a rotatable mounted deflection roller 70 which is arranged linear displaceable in a transversal direction (arrow 76) against the force of a spring member 72. The spring member 72, e.g. in the form of a coil spring or a rubber band having a certain length, extends along an upper edge 73 of the second housing member 65 parallel to the hose 30. The spring member 72 is deflected by at least one guide roller 75. One advantage of the shown retraction mechanism 70 is that it is comparatively flat and compact, and therefore easy to install in narrow spaces.

[0046] Depending on the installation space, as shown hereinafter, other kinds of retraction mechanisms can be foreseen if appropriate. A rear end of the flexible hose 30 is interconnected to an inlet 74. The hose 30 is deflected by the deflection roller 71 and then continues into the first storage compartment of the first housing member 62. While the second housing member 65 comprising the retraction mechanism 70 preferably are standardized parts, the first housing member 62 is an individually adopted element which is designed according installation space available. Good results are achieved if the first housing member 62 is at least partially made by an additive manufacturing process, such as e.g. 3D-printing. The first housing member 62 comprises a protuberance 59 forming the lowest point of the housing 61. In the shown variation as visible in FIG. 7 the protuberance 59 is designed to receive a part of the hose 30 when the shower hear 33 is arranged in the hose port 64. Furthermore the protuberance 59 is suitable to collect leaked liquid which e.g. flows back along the hose. It can be interconnected to a drainage 81. Alternatively or in addition a liquid sensor (humidity sensor) can be foreseen to indicate presence of liquid in the protuberance 59.

[0047] As e.g. visible in FIGS. 5-6 the first and the second housing member 62, 65 are designed as separate parts which are interconnected to each other by a first and a second flange 77, 78.

[0048] A storage device 60 for an extractable hose 30 is arranged in an installation space 11. The storage device 60 comprises a first housing member 62 comprising on the inside a first storage compartment 63, which is configured to house at least a portion of the hose 30 which is extractable from the first storage compartment via a hose port 64 arranged at the first housing member 62. The first housing member 62 has at least one spatial curved wall section 69 specifically adopted to an contour of at least one module 14 extending into the installation space 11 which normally prevents the installation of standardized parts. In case of several relatively similar arrangements, the available installation space 11 can defined by an overlay of at least two configurations of modules 14 extending into the installation space 11. The first storage compartment 63 in the first housing member 62 may have a variable cross-section along the length of the hose 30. Alternatively or in addition, the first storage compartment 63 in the first housing member 62 may have a protuberance 59 suitable to receive part of the hose 30. As e.g. visible in FIGS. 5-6 the protuberance preferably forms the lowest point of the first housing member 62 such that e.g. leaking fluid can be collected therein. If appropriate the first housing member 62 may comprise a fluid outlet 81 and/or a liquid sensor 82. In a preferred variation, the first housing member 62 is at least partially made by an additive manufacturing process, e.g. 3D printing and/or lamination of a composite material. Alternatively or in addition, the first housing member 62, at least during installation in the installation, space 11 can have an adjustable design. However, it is preferable that the first housing member 62 does not deform in a negative manner, when the hose 30 is extracted from it. The first housing member 62 may in the longitudinal direction of the hose 30 comprise several segments which during installation are adjustable relative to each other, e.g. the adjustable segments are pivot connected to each other. The first storage compartment 63 is formed such that a portion of the hose 30 when being inserted in the first storage compartment 63 is brought to a predefined shape by means of gravity. To reduce friction, especially in narrow and bend areas, the first housing member 62 can at least partially be coated by a friction reducing means, such as pads made from or coated with e.g. Teflon or a similar material.

[0049] In the variations as shown in FIGS. 1-8 the storage device 60 comprises a second housing member 65 comprising a second storage compartment 66 and being interconnected with the first housing member 62 such that the first and the second storage compartment 63, 66 form a continuous compartment for receiving at least a portion of the hose 30. The first and the second housing member 62, 65 are interconnected with each other in a separable manner by a first and a second flange 77, 78. The storage device 60 comprises a retraction mechanism 70 for the hose 30, which is arranged in the second housing member 65. The first housing member 62 at least partially transfers the force necessary to extract the hose 30 from the hose port 64 between the hose port 64 and the retraction mechanism 70 interconnected to the second housing member 65. The first and/or the second housing member 62, 65 may comprise at least one connecting point 68 to connect an auxiliary device, such as a mixture valve 50 to the storage device 60. The storage device 60 may comprise multiple connecting points 68 arranged in a regular pattern. Good results can be achieved when the first housing member 62 and/or the second housing member 65 are at least partially made from a plastic material, in particular from a polyetherimide PEI and/or a polyamide PA or from a ceramic material or from a metal.

[0050] FIGS. 10-12 and FIGS. 13-14 show a second and a third variation of a sanitary module 10 in a simplified manner. Both modules comprise an installation space 11 into which modules 14 are arranged or reach into, e.g. such as a bowl 12. In the variation according to FIGS. 10-12 the first housing member 62 has a tubular shape encompassing a first storage compartment 63 having an in principal constant diameter along the general extension of the hose 30. The wall of the first housing member 62 is spatially curved around the bowl 12 which extends into the installation space 11. In this variation the hose 30 is itself comprises a helical spring section and is thereby elastically expandable from the hose port 64. The hose 30 incorporates thereby the retraction mechanism 70. The outer diameter of the helical shaped hose 30 is smaller than the inside diameter of the tubular first housing member 62. FIG. 11 shows the hose in the contracted position completely arranged inside the first storage compartment. FIG. 12 shows the hose 30 partially extended through the hose port 64. One advantage of the shown variation is the simple, robust and compact design. The design of the first housing member 62 can easily be adopted to the specific installation space 11 available in the sanitary module 10. If appropriate, the first housing member can be equipped by a drainage which is preferably arranged at the lowest position of the first housing member. FIGS. 13-14 show a third variation of a storage device 60. The storage device 60 comprises an extractable hose 30 and is arranged in a narrow installation space 11. The storage device 60 comprises a first housing member 62 defining a first storage compartment 63. The first storage compartment 63 is configured to house at least a portion of the hose 30 which is extractable from the first storage compartment 63 via a hose port 64 arranged at one end of the first housing member 62. The outer wall of the first housing member 62 is spatial curved eluding the contour of the bowl 12 which extending into the installation space 11. The first housing member 62 can at least during installation in the installation space 11 have an adjustable design, e.g. by being bendable. The first housing member 62 can in longitudinal direction of the hose 30 comprise several segments (not shown in detail) which during installation are adjustable relative to each avoiding obstacles. Good results can be achieved when the adjustable segments may be pivot connected to each other. The storage device 60 comprises a second housing member 65 which is interconnected to the first housing. It a second storage compartment 66. The first and the second storage compartment 63, 66 form a continuous compartment for receiving at least a portion of the hose 30.