DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND USE OF A DRAINAGE CHANNEL IN A SANITARY FACILITY, IN PARTICULAR A SHOWER FACILITY

Abstract

The invention relates to a drainage channel for sanitary facilities, in particular shower facilities, with a channel body extending in a longitudinal direction, comprising: at least one first channel section having a bottom and at least two side walls arranged opposite one another at the bottom, wherein the first channel section is adapted to accommodate at least one heat exchanger unit for heat recovery; and at least one second channel section with a receiving area for receiving a channel cover element, which adjoins the first channel section above, wherein
the channel body has at least one undercut through which the receiving area of the second channel section is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction within at least one of the side walls, in particular both side walls, of the first channel section.

Claims

1. A drainage channel (10) for sanitary facilities, with a channel body (11) extending in a longitudinal direction (v), comprising: at least one first channel portion (12) having a bottom (13) and at least two side walls (14) arranged opposite one another on the bottom (13), wherein the first channel portion (12) is adapted to accommodate at least one heat exchanger unit (100) for heat recovery; and at least one second channel portion (15) with a receiving region (16) for receiving a channel cover element (17), which adjoins the first channel portion (12) from above, wherein the channel body (11) has at least one undercut (18) through which the receiving region (16) of the second channel portion (15) is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction (v) within at least one of the side walls (14) of the first channel portion (12).

2. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 1, the receiving region (16) of the second channel portion (15) has an outer width (x) transversely to the longitudinal direction (v), which is smaller than a width (y) of the first channel portion (12).

3. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 1, the undercut (18) is an indentation of the channel body (11) that extends towards the center of the channel and is formed between the first and second channel portions (12, 15).

4. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 1, the receiving region (16) of the second channel portion (15) comprises at least one shoulder (21) extending towards the center of the channel for supporting the channel cover element (17).

5. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 4, the shoulder (21) is formed by the undercut (18) and has at least one support surface (22) which is oriented obliquely towards the center of the channel.

6. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 1, the channel body (11) has at least one third channel portion (23) which adjoins the second channel portion (15) from above, wherein the second channel portion (15) is arranged between the first and third channel portions (12, 23).

7. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 6, the third channel portion (23) forms at least one inlet (24) for the liquid to be drained, which inlet extends in the longitudinal direction (v) at least beyond the first and/or second channel portion (12, 15).

8. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 6, the third channel portion (23) comprises at least one further receiving region (38) for at least one further channel cover element (25), in particular a grate (26).

9. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 8, at least one channel flange (27) for connecting a surface to be drained is arranged peripherally extending on the outside of the receiving region (16) of the second channel portion (15) and/or of the further receiving region of the third channel portion (23), wherein the undercut (18) of the channel body is formed at least in portions between the channel flange (27) and the first channel portion (12).

10. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 1, at least one channel cover element (17) which is accommodated in the receiving region (16) of the second channel portion (15) and has a channel (28) which is fluidically connected to the first channel portion (12).

11. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 10, the channel cover element (17) has at least one edge (29) which runs obliquely towards the center of the channel and which rests on the shoulder (21), in particular the support surface (22), in the receiving region (16) of the second channel portion (15).

12. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 11, the oblique edge (29) is designed to complement the shoulder (21) of the second channel portion (15).

13. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 12, the channel cover element (17) has at least one recess (19) above the channel (28), in which at least one sieve element (31) is inserted.

14. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 11, at least one sealing element (32) is arranged between the edge (29) of the second channel portion (15) and the shoulder (21) of the second channel portion (15).

15. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 11, the channel cover element (17) can be or is braced by at least one locking device against the shoulder (21) of the second channel portion (15) for compressing the/a sealing element (32).

16. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 15, at least one siphon unit (200) with a siphon pot (33), wherein the channel cover element (17) protrudes into the siphon pot (33) to form a siphon.

17. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 1, at least one heat exchanger unit (100) which is arranged in the channel body (11) in such a way that, during operation, a liquid to be drained flows at least in portions around the heat exchanger unit (100).

18. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 17, the heat exchanger unit (100) has at least one heat transfer portion (101) which portion runs at least in portions in the longitudinal direction (v) along at least one of the side walls (14) of the channel body (11).

19. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 18, the heat exchanger unit (100) comprises at least one feed connection (102) and at least one return connection (103), wherein the feed connection (102) and/or the return connection (103) is/are arranged on an end wall (34) of the channel body (11) or on one of the side walls (14) of the channel body (11).

20. The drainage channel (10) according to claim 1, the channel body (11) has at least one outlet nozzle (36) for the liquid to be drained, which outlet nozzle is arranged on an end wall (34) of the channel body (11) or on one of the side walls (14) of the channel body (11) or on the bottom (13) of the channel body (11).

21. A use of a drainage channel (10) according to claim 1, in a sanitary facility, wherein the drainage channel (10) is inserted into a shower bottom in such a way that liquids to be drained away during use of the sanitary facility run off through the drainage channel (10), wherein heat recovery takes place through at least one heat exchanger unit (100).

Description

[0041] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments shown represent examples of how the drainage channel according to the invention can be designed.

[0042] Wherein:

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drainage channel according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the drainage channel according to FIG. 1 in the area of the outlet nozzle;

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a sealing element of the drainage channel according to FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the drainage channel according to FIG. 1 including the sealing element shown in FIG. 3;

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a drainage channel according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the drainage channel according to FIG. 5 in the area of the outlet nozzle;

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the drainage channel according to FIG. 5 with other channel cover elements fully inserted; and

[0050] FIG. 8 shows a cross section of the drainage channel according to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7.

[0051] In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for identical and identically acting parts.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a drainage channel 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, which is preferably used as a shower channel in shower facilities. Below, the drainage channel 10 is generally referred to as a shower channel 10. Specifically, a shower channel 10 for a private shower is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5, on the other hand, shows a shower channel 10 for a collective shower, in which several shower places are provided next to one another. The difference between the two shower channels 10 will be discussed later.

[0053] The shower channel 10 according to FIG. 1 comprises a channel body 11 extending in a longitudinal direction v with a first channel section 12 and a second channel section 15 positioned above it. In general, the channel body 11 has a longitudinal axis as the channel center, and the longitudinal direction v of the channel body 11 runs parallel thereto. The first channel section 11 has a bottom 13 and two side walls 14 running in the longitudinal direction v, which are arranged opposite one another on the bottom 13.

[0054] Furthermore, the first channel section 12 has two end walls 34, which are arranged opposite one another on one broad side of the bottom 13. The broad sides of the bottom 13 run transversely to the longitudinal direction v of the channel body 11. The two side walls 14 are arranged on the long sides of the bottom 13. The two side walls 14 run parallel. As can be seen, for example, in FIG. 2, the side walls 14 are arranged vertically, particularly in the installed position. It is possible that the side walls 14 can alternatively be angled.

[0055] The two side walls 14, the two end walls 34, and the bottom 13 delimit an interior space 35 of the first channel section 12. In the first channel section 12, specifically in its interior space 35, two heat exchanger units 100 for heat recovery and a siphon unit 200 for odor sealing are arranged, which will be discussed later.

[0056] The channel body 11 further comprises an outlet nozzle 36 through which liquid to be drained, in particular shower water, can be discharged. Hereafter the liquid is generally referred to as shower water. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outlet nozzle 36 is arranged on the outside of one of the two side walls 14. The outlet nozzle 36 is provided projecting from the side wall 14 of the first channel section 12, in particular laterally. Alternatively, the outlet nozzle 36 can be arranged to project laterally on one of the end walls 34 or can be arranged on the bottom 13 and oriented downwards.

[0057] The outlet nozzle 36 is fluidically connected to the interior space 35 of the first channel section 12. Specifically, the outlet nozzle 36 is arranged on the side wall 14 without any dead space. This means that when the shower water is drained through the outlet nozzle 36, no water residue caused by the outlet nozzle 36 remains in the interior space 35 of the first channel section 12.

[0058] The second channel section 15 adjoins the first channel section 12 at the top. The second channel section 15 has a receiving area 16 for receiving a channel cover element 17. The receiving area 16 is part of the second channel section 15 and is therefore also above the first channel section 12. FIG. 2 shows that the side walls 14 of the first channel section 12 merge continuously into side walls 37 of the second channel section 15. The side walls 14, 37 of the two channel sections 12, 15 are formed in one piece. The side walls 37 delimit the receiving area 16 for the channel cover element 17 laterally, in particular along the longitudinal direction v of the channel body 11. The side walls 37 can thus be viewed as part of the receiving area 16.

[0059] The channel body 11 also has a channel flange 27, which forms a collar surrounding the side walls 34 and end faces of the receiving area 16. The collar protrudes laterally from the side walls 34 and the end faces and thus allows the attachment of a bottom surface, for example a shower bottom.

[0060] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the receiving area 16 of the second channel section 15 has an outer width x transverse to the longitudinal direction v, which outer width is smaller than an inner width y of the first channel section 12. The outer width x of the receiving area 16 is the distance between the two outer sides of the side walls 37 of the receiving area 16. The inner width y of the first channel section 12 is the distance between the two inner sides of the side walls 14 of the first channel section 12. In other words, the inner width y of the first channel section 12 corresponds to the clear width of the interior space 35 of the first channel section 12.

[0061] The cross section of the channel body 11 is therefore bottle-shaped, in particular bottleneck-shaped. FIGS. 2 and 4 show that the channel body 11 comprises two undercuts 18 running in the longitudinal direction v, which results in the width ratio described above between the receiving area 16 and the first channel section 12. One undercut 18, respectively, is formed on the side of one of the side walls 14 of the first channel section 12 running in the longitudinal direction v. The undercuts 18 are indentations of the channel body 11 that run toward the center of the channel and are formed vertically between the first and second channel sections 12, 15. Specifically, the respective indentation is formed in a transition between the side walls 14 of the first channel section 12 and the side wall 37 of the second channel section 15.

[0062] The undercuts 18 are designed such that the receiving area 16 of the second channel section 15 is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction v within the two side walls 14 of the first channel section 12. Specifically, the undercuts 18 are designed such that the two side walls 37 of the second channel section 15, in particular of the receiving area 16, are positioned transversely to the longitudinal direction v within the two side walls 14 of the first channel section 12. The undercuts 18 are partially located between the first channel section 12 and the channel flange 27, in particular the collar.

[0063] It is also evident from FIGS. 2 and 4 that the receiving area 16 of the second channel section 15 comprises two shoulders 21 extending towards the center of the channel for supporting the channel cover element 17, which shoulders are formed by the undercuts 18. Specifically, the shoulders 21 form the upper sections of the undercuts 18. The shoulders 21 each have a support surface 22 which is designed to slope towards the center of the channel.

[0064] According to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the shower channel 10 comprises a channel cover element 17 which is arranged in the receiving area 16 of the second channel section 15. The channel cover element 17 has on its long sides an edge 29 that runs obliquely towards the center of the channel. The channel cover element 17 rests across the edge 29 on the shoulders 21 of the receiving area 16 of the second channel section 15. The edge 29 is formed along the circumference of the channel cover element 17. The edge 29 and the shoulders 21 are designed to be complementary. The edge 29 runs parallel to the support surfaces 22 of the shoulders 21.

[0065] A sealing element 32 is arranged on the edge 29 of the channel cover element 17. In the present case, the sealing element 32 is attached to a free end of the edge 29. This can clearly be seen in FIG. 4. The sealing element 32 is designed to be elastically compressible. The sealing element 32 can be made of rubber or the like, for example. The sealing element 32 has a lip 39 which is arranged between the edge 29 of the channel cover element 17 and the support surface 22 of the shoulders 21 of the receiving area 16.

[0066] FIG. 3 shows the sealing element 32 as an individual component. It can be seen that the sealing element 32 is frame-shaped. The sealing element 32 is closed all around. As a result, the sealing element 32 can also be arranged on the end faces of the channel cover element 17. The edge 29 of the channel cover element 17 is also provided on the end faces. This results in a particularly tight connection between the channel cover element 17 and the receiving area 16, in particular the shoulders 21, of the second channel section.

[0067] In order to brace the edge 29 of the channel cover element 17 against the shoulders 21 of the second channel section 15, two locking devices (not shown) are provided which engage in frontal recesses (not shown) in the channel cover element 17 and the first and/or second channel section 12, 15. The locking devices are designed in such a way that the edge 29 of the channel cover element 17 is pressed against the shoulders 21 and thus the lip 39 of the sealing element 32 positioned therebetween is compressed. The channel cover element 17 is fastened to the channel body 11 by the locking devices.

[0068] According to FIGS. 2 and 4, the channel cover element 17 has a channel 28 which is fluidically connected to the interior space 35 of the first channel section 12. Shower water to be drained during operation flows through the channel 28 into the interior space 35 of the first channel section 12. The channel 28 comprises an extension 42 with a passage 43 which projects into the first channel section 12. The passage 43 of the channel 42 is slot-shaped. In other words, the passage 43 is an elongated slot that runs in the longitudinal direction v. The passage 43 can extend over the entire length, in particular in the longitudinal direction v, of the channel cover element 17.

[0069] The channel cover element 17 is preferably accommodated substantially flush at the top in the second channel section 15. In other words, the channel cover element 17 is approximately flush with an upper edge of the side walls 34 of the receiving area 16. FIGS. 2 and 4 show that the channel cover element 17 is part of a siphon unit 200 for sealing the interior space 35 of the first channel section 12 against the second channel section 15 in an odor-shielding manner.

[0070] The shower channel 10 thus has a siphon unit 200. The siphon unit 200 comprises a siphon pot 33, wherein the channel cover element 17 protrudes into the siphon pot 33 to form a siphon. Specifically, the extension 42 of the channel 28 of the channel cover element 17 projects into the siphon pot 33 in such a way that a lower edge 44 of the extension 42 projects underneath an overflow edge 45 of the siphon pot 33. As a result, a constantly standing liquid level, in particular water level, is formed or can be formed in the siphon pot 33 after initial operation, even if the shower channel 10 is not in use.

[0071] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 further show that the shower channel 10 has a sieve element 31 which is inserted into a recess 19 of the channel cover element 17. The recess 19 extends in the longitudinal direction v of the channel body 11. In the area of the longitudinal ends of the recess 19, one of the front recesses is arranged to accommodate the locking device. The front recesses are arranged below the sieve element 31 in the installed position. In addition to the channel 28, the sieve element 31 also covers the front recesses of the channel cover element 17.

[0072] The channel cover element 17 has a curve, in particular a rounded edge, in the transition from an upwardly oriented surface 46 to the recess 19. This ensures a comfortable feeling when stepping on the cover.

[0073] The sieve element 31 serves primarily as a hair sieve, but can also retain other contaminants from entering the underlying interior space 35 of the first channel section 12. The sieve element 31 can be a grate. The sieve element 31 has a plurality of through openings 47 through which shower water flows into the channel 28 underneath. The sieve element 31 can be designed in the shape of a U-profile. Alternatively, the sieve element 31 can be a flat material. Other shapes of the sieve element 31 are possible.

[0074] The through openings 47 are formed in FIG. 1 as oblique slots with respect to the longitudinal direction v. Alternatively or additionally, the through openings 47 can comprise or be round openings. Other shapes are possible.

[0075] FIGS. 2 and 4 further show that the shower channel 10 has two heat exchanger units 100 for heat recovery, which are arranged in the interior space 35 of the first channel section 12. During operation, the shower water to be drained flows directly around the heat exchanger units 100. In operation, the heat exchanger units 100 are therefore in direct contact with the shower water to be drained. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the heat exchanger units 100 are connected in the flow direction downstream of the siphon unit 200.

[0076] The heat exchanger units 100 each have a heat transfer section 101 (shown as a black box) for a heat transfer medium. The heat transfer section 101 may comprise a plurality of tubes which are connected to one another, wherein the heat transfer medium can flow in the tubes. Alternatively or additionally, profile pipes, ducts, or the like are also conceivable.

[0077] The heat exchanger units 100 are each arranged between the siphon unit 200 and one of the side walls 14 of the first channel section 12. More specifically, the heat transfer section 101 of the respective heat exchanger unit 100 is arranged between one of the side walls 14 and the siphon pot 33. The heat exchanger sections 101 run in the longitudinal direction v of the channel body 11.

[0078] FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the heat exchanger units 100 each include a feed connection 102 and a return connection 103. The feed connection 102 and the return connection 103 are arranged on the side wall 14 of the first channel section 12 associated with the corresponding heat exchanger unit 100. The heat transfer medium enters the heat exchanger section 101 through the feed or return connection 102, 103 in order to absorb heat from the shower water flowing in the interior space 35 of the first channel section 12.

[0079] FIGS. 5 to 8 show a shower channel 10 according to a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention, which, in contrast to the shower channel 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 4, additionally has a third channel section 23 which adjoins the second channel section 15 above. The third channel section 23 is part of the channel body 11. The second channel section 15 is arranged between the first and third channel sections 12, 23. As can be clearly seen in the cross section of the shower channel 10 shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the third channel section 23 forms an inlet 24 with a gradient for the shower water to be drained. The inlet 24 extends in the longitudinal direction v on both sides beyond the first and second channel sections 12, 15. In other words, the inlet 24 is elongated, comprising a slope towards the receiving area 16 of the second channel section 15 and thus towards the channel cover element 17. The third channel section 23 comprises another receiving area 38, in which several other channel cover elements 25 are arranged. Specifically, the other receiving area 38 accommodates a plurality of grate elements 26, which are arranged in a removable manner next to one another in the receiving area 38 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). FIGS. 5 and 6 show, for example, a state in which one of the grate elements 26 is removed from the other receiving area 38. It is possible that the shower channel 10 according to FIGS. 5 to 8 only accommodates a single grate element 26.

[0080] It is apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6 that the channel cover element 17 of the shower channel 10, unlike the shower channel 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 4, has two front-side recesses 41 for locking devices, which are arranged outside the recess 19. In other words, the frontal recesses 41 in the shower channel 10 according to FIG. 5 are not covered by the sieve element 31. Alternatively, the front recesses 41 for the locking device in the shower channel 10 according to FIGS. 5 to 8 can be arranged recessed in the recess 19, as in the shower channel 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0081] Another difference between the shower channel 10 according to FIGS. 5 to 8 and the shower channel 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 4 is that the channel flange 27 is not arranged at the receiving area 16 of the second channel section 15 but at the other receiving area 38 of the third channel section 23. The channel flange 27 forms a collar surrounding the side walls 49 and end faces of the other receiving area 38. The collar protrudes laterally from the side walls 49 and the end faces and thus allows the attachment of a bottom surface, for example, a shower bottom.

[0082] At this point it should be noted that the features of the two exemplary embodiments of the shower channel 10 explained above can be freely combined with one another.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0083] 10 drainage channel, shower channel [0084] 11 channel body [0085] 12 first channel section [0086] 13 bottom [0087] 14 side wall of the first channel section [0088] 15 second channel section [0089] 16 receiving area [0090] 17 channel cover element [0091] 18 undercut [0092] 19 recess [0093] 21 shoulder [0094] 22 support surface [0095] 23 third channel section [0096] 24 inlet [0097] 25 other channel cover element [0098] 26 grate [0099] 27 channel flange [0100] 28 duct [0101] 29 edge [0102] 31 sieve element [0103] 32 sealing element [0104] 33 siphon pot [0105] 34 end wall [0106] 35 interior space of the first channel section [0107] 36 outlet nozzle [0108] 37 side walls of the second channel section [0109] 38 other receiving area [0110] 39 lip of the sealing element [0111] 41 frontal recesses [0112] 42 extension of the channel [0113] 43 passage of the channel [0114] 44 lower edge of the protrusion [0115] 45 overflow edge [0116] 46 surface [0117] 47 through openings [0118] 100 heat exchanger unit [0119] 101 heat transfer section [0120] 102 feed connection [0121] 103 return connection [0122] 200 siphon unit [0123] v longitudinal direction [0124] x outer width of the second channel section [0125] y width of the first channel section