DIVERSION DEVICE, SERIES OF DIVERSION DEVICES AND USE OF A STANDARD INTERFACE FOR FASTENING DIFFERENT VARIANTS OF DIVERSION DEVICES

Abstract

A diversion device (1), in particular for a sanitary fitting (100), including a housing (2) which forms a valve body space (23) with at least one inlet opening (3) and at least two outlet openings (4, 5). A valve body (6) is guided in an adjustable manner within the valve body space (23) and can be used to divert a flow path (7, 8) between the at least two outlet openings (4, 5), the valve body (6) can be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism (9), the adjustment mechanism (9) is operatively connected to an operating element configured as a push-button (10), and an operative connection can be established between the adjustment mechanism and the push-button.

Claims

1. A diversion apparatus (1), comprising: a housing (2) having at least one inlet opening (3) and at least two outlet openings (4, 5); a valve body (6) configured to divert a throughflow path (7, 8) between the at least two outlet openings (4, 5); an adjustment mechanism (9) configured to adjust the valve body (6), the adjustment mechanism (9) is operationally connected or connectable to an operating element comprising a push-button (10); the valve body (6) separates a first throughflow chamber (14) from a second throughflow chamber (15) and wherein at least one of a) the first throughflow chamber and the second throughflow chamber (14, 15) are limited by the valve body (6) in an adjustment direction thereof by impact surfaces (24, 25, 26, 27) substantially of a same size or b) the one of the first or second throughflow chambers (15) at that end of the valve body (6) which is remote from the push-button (10) is limited by the valve body (6) in the adjustment direction thereof by the impact surfaces (26, 27) having substantially of the same size; and a return element (11) is arranged between the push-button (10) and the housing (2) and is supported on the push-button (10) and on the housing (2).

2. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push-button (10) is securely connected to at least one of the adjustment mechanism (9) a control element (18) so that the push-button (10) is rigidly coupled to the valve body (6).

3. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push-button (10) is initially uncoupled from at least one of the adjustment mechanism (9) or from a control element (18) during a switching operation and is subsequently coupled to the at least one of the adjustment mechanism (9) or the control element (18).

4. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism (9) is configured for a monostable adjustment of the valve body (6), such that, with a pressure acting on the inlet opening (3), a stable adjustment of the valve body (6) from a first position into a second position is possible and in the event of a pressure decrease at the inlet opening (3), a return of the valve body (6) from the second position into the first position occurs.

5. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism (9) is configured for a bistable adjustment of the valve body (6), such that, regardless of a pressure acting at the inlet opening (3), the valve body (6) is adjustable in a stable manner in a desired position of at least two positions.

6. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of a) the push-button (10) is extended in a first position and is pressed-in in a second position, or b) by applying a pressing force to the push-button (10) a diversion of the valve body (6) at least from the first position into the second position is carried out.

7. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one return element (11) which is arranged such that a restoring force produced thereby counteracts a pressure activation of the push-button (10) by the return element (11) being compressed in a pressed-in position of the push-button (10).

8. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one damping element (12) which at least one of a) produces a damping force which, when the valve body (16) is returned from the second position into the first position, counteracts an adjustment force, or b) acts in a pressing force which is applyable by the push-button (10), such that a sealing element (13) is acted on in order to be retained at an intended.

9. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a first position the first throughflow chamber (14) is connected to the inlet opening (3) and wherein in a second position the second throughflow chamber (15) is connected to the inlet opening (3), and a separation is configured by at least one sealing element (16).

10. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of a) the first throughflow chamber (14) is limited by the valve body (6) in an adjustment direction thereof by surfaces (24, 25) of different sizes, so that the first throughflow chamber (14) is kept open by an operating pressure, or b) the second throughflow chamber is limited by the valve body (6) in the adjustment direction thereof by the impact surfaces (26, 27) substantially of a same size, such that a resultant actuation force of the valve body (6) is smaller than a restoring force of the return element (11).

11. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve body (6) is engageable in a stable manner in a first position and in a second position by the adjustment mechanism (9), which comprises at least one of a push-push adjustment mechanism (17) or a rotating switching element (18).

12. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism (9) has a stable switching position and an unstable switching position, and a return element (11) moves the adjustment mechanism from the unstable switching position to the stable switching position.

13. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve body (6) is operationally connected to the push-button (10) by a control element (18), and the valve body (6) and the control element (18) are constructed in one piece.

14. A series of diversion apparatuses (1), comprising at least one monostable variant, which forms a monostable diversion apparatus (1), and at least one bistable variant which forms a bistable diversion apparatus (1), and the monostable variant and the bistable variant define a uniform mechanical interface (19) for a receiving sanitary fitting (100).

15. A series of diversion apparatuses (1), comprising at least one long variant which forms a monostable diversion apparatus (1), and at least one short variant which forms a monostable diversion apparatus (1), wherein the long variant and the short variant define a uniform mechanical interface (19) for a receiving sanitary fitting (100) and, in the long variant, a portion which protrudes over the interface (19) is larger than in the short variant.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. The series as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least two diversion apparatuses (1) have structurally identical coupling locations (20) in order to be able to be selectively coupled to a corresponding counter-coupling location (21) of a fitting (100).

19. The diversion apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one damping unit (28) by which an adjustment movement of the valve body (6) from a first position into a second position is damped, the damping unit (28) comprising a flow obstacle (29) in an opening pressure chamber (14).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION 0 FTHE DRAWINGS

[0043] The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to a plurality of embodiments, but is not limited to these embodiments. Other embodiments will be appreciated from the combination of the features of individual or a plurality of claims with each other and/or with individual or several features of the embodiments.

[0044] In the drawings:

[0045] FIGS. 1-5 show a first possible variant (long variant) of a diversion apparatus according to the invention as different views which has a monostable adjustment mechanism,

[0046] FIGS. 6-10 show a second possible variant (short variant) of a diversion apparatus according to the invention as different views which has a monostable adjustment mechanism and which is constructed to be shorter than the variant according to FIGS. 1-5,

[0047] FIGS. 11-15 show a third possible variant of a diversion apparatus according to the invention, as different views, which has a bistable adjustment mechanism, and

[0048] FIGS. 16-21 show a fourth possible variant of a diversion apparatus according to the invention, as different views, which has a simplified adjustment mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] FIGS. 1-21 illustrate four possible embodiments of a diversion apparatus which are generally designated 1 in each case.

[0050] The diversion apparatus 1 is configured to be used in a sanitary fitting 100 so that by means of the diversion apparatus 1 a fluid line can be diverted between at least two throughflow paths.

[0051] The diversion apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 which has an inlet opening 3 and at least a first outlet opening 4 and a second outlet opening 5. An adjustable valve body 6 is arranged within the housing 2. As a result of an adjustment of the valve body 6, it is possible to direct the above-mentioned fluid line via a first throughflow path 7 or a second throughflow path 8, wherein in particular fluid can be discharged from only one of the two outlet openings 4, 5 in each case and/or fluid is not discharged from both outlet openings 4, 5 at the same time.

[0052] The detailed views in FIGS. 8 and 13 show that the housing 2 is constructed in two pieces for technical production reasons.

[0053] The adjustment of the valve body 6 is carried out by means of an adjustment mechanism 9, by means of which a force transmission to the valve body 6 is possible by the mechanism being activated.

[0054] In order to activate the adjustment mechanism 9, the diversion apparatus 1 has a push-button 10. A user, by pressing the push-button 10, that is to say, by applying a pressing force, can carry out an adjustment of the valve body 6 from a first position into a second position and/or from a second position into a first position (depending on whether it is a monostable or a bistable version).

[0055] With the adjustment mechanism 9, the push-button 10 can consequently be moved into active connection with the adjustment mechanism 9 at least temporarily and/or in at least one adjustment direction.

[0056] The push-button 10 consequently does not have to be permanently in an active connection with the adjustment mechanism, but there may be provision for the push-button 10 to initially be uncoupled from the adjustment mechanism 9 during a switching operation and subsequently coupled to the adjustment mechanism 9, or vice versa.

[0057] The diversion apparatuses 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 are ones with a monostable adjustment mechanism 9. The adjustment mechanism 9 is configured for a monostable adjustment of the valve body 6 so that, in the event of a pressure acting on the inlet opening 3, a stable adjustment of the valve body 6 from the first position into the second position is possible and/or, in the event of a pressure decrease at the inlet opening 3, the valve body 6 is returned from the second position into the first position.

[0058] As known in push-push mechanisms per se, the adjustment mechanism 9 has a switching element 31. The switching element 31 rotates with each actuation through a predetermined angle about the axis thereof In this instance, it travels in guide tracks 32 which depending on the desired position may be constructed with different lengths in order to enable a change between different positions. In the embodiment shown, the guide tracks 32 are of the same length so that only one position is defined, but a user perceives the haptic feeling of a push-push mechanism.

[0059] The diversion apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 11-15 are ones with a bistable adjustment mechanism 9. The adjustment mechanism 9 is configured for a bistable adjustment of the valve body 6 so that the valve body 6 regardless of a pressure acting on the inlet opening 3 can be adjusted in a stable manner in a desired position of at least two positions. It is thus possible to adjust in a stable manner a first throughflow path 7 from the first outlet opening 4 and in a stable manner a second throughflow path 8 from the second outlet opening 5. In the event of a pressure decrease at the inlet opening 3, the valve body 6 remains in the adjusted position thereof

[0060] In this instance, the guide tracks mentioned are of different lengths in order to define an upper, first position and a lower, second position. The switching element 31, as a result of the rotational movement mentioned, consequently alternately moves into an operational connection with a long guide path 32 and a short guide path 32.

[0061] As can be seen in FIGS. 3, 8 and 13, the push-button 10 is extended in the first position and pressed-in in the second position. In the first position, by applying a pressing force to the push-button 10, a diversion of the valve body 6 at least from a first position into a second position can be carried out.

[0062] The diversion apparatus 1 comprises at least one return element 11 which is arranged between the push-button 10 and the housing 2, in particular a return element 11 which is supported on the push-button 10 and on the housing 2. As a result of the return element 11, a restoring force which counteracts a pressure activation of the push-button 10 can be produced. The return element 11 may be in the form of a spring so that the return element 11 is compressed in the second, pressed-in position of the push-button 10.

[0063] FIGS. 1-10 show two variants of a diversion apparatus 1 which each have at least one damping element 12. The damping element 12 may be configured for one of the two functions described below or for a dual function. The damping element 12 can produce a damping force which in the event of a return of the valve body 6 from the second position into the first position counteracts the adjustment force, in particular the restoring force which can be produced by the return element 11, and/or which acts in the pressing force which can be applied by means of the push-button 10. Alternatively or additionally, there may be provision for a sealing element 13 to be acted on by the damping element 12 in order to retain it at its intended location.

[0064] The valve body 6 is arranged so as to be able to be adjusted within a valve body space 23 which is formed by the housing 2. The control element 18 is at the proximal end of the valve body space 23 guided out of the valve body space 23. In order to prevent a discharge of the fluid flowing through the diversion apparatus 1 during use, the outlet location of the control element 18 out of the valve body space 23 is sealed by means of the sealing element 13 mentioned above. The sealing element 13 consequently seals the gap between the control element 18 and an outlet opening from the valve body space 23. The sealing element 13 may, for example, comprise a sealing lip which can be moved relative to the sealing element 13 during a movement of the control element.

[0065] The damping element 12 may, for example, be in the form of a spring. The damping element 12 may further be supported on the housing 2 and on the valve body 6. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-10, the damping element 12 may be in the form of a conical spring, particularly wherein the wide end is supported on the housing 2.

[0066] The valve body space 23 is subdivided by the valve body 6 into a first throughflow chamber 14 and a second throughflow chamber 15. As a result of an adjustment of the valve body 6 into the first position, the first throughflow chamber 14 is connected to the inlet opening 3. In the second position, the second throughflow chamber 15 is connected to the inlet opening 3. A separation of the two throughflow chambers 14, 15 is carried out by means of at least one sealing element 16 which is preferably arranged on the valve body 6 and which can be adjusted together therewith. As a result of the at least one sealing element 16, it is consequently possible to prevent fluid from passing from one of the two throughflow chambers 14, 15 into the other throughflow chamber 14, 15.

[0067] The variant from FIGS. 11-15 is in the form of a bistable diversion apparatus 1. This means that the valve body 6 in the first and second position can be retained in a stable manner in each case by means of the adjustment mechanism 9, in particular can be engaged in a stable manner.

[0068] The adjustment mechanisms 9 of the diversion apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-15 are in each case in the form of a push-push adjustment mechanism 17. This means that an adjustment of the control element 18 and the valve body 6 can be controlled exclusively by pressing the push-button 10.

[0069] In order to be able to carry out an adjustment of the control element 18 and the valve body 6, the valve body 6 is operationally connected to the push-button 10 by means of the control element 18. The valve body 6 and the control element 18 are constructed in one piece. However, it is also conceivable for the valve body 6 and the control element 18 to be constructed in two pieces, wherein they are coupled to each other and/or are at least temporarily moved into an operational connection during a switching operation.

[0070] In FIGS. 1-15, a series of diversion apparatuses 1 is additionally shown, the at least one monostable variant, for example, according to the two variants from FIGS. 1-10, which has a monostable diversion apparatus 1 and at least one bistable variant which has a bistable diversion apparatus 1, for example, according to the variant from FIGS. 11-15. The monostable variant and the bistable variant are configured for a uniform mechanical interface 19 between the diversion apparatus 1 and a receiving sanitary fitting 100.

[0071] The mechanical interface 19 is, on the one hand, formed by means of a coupling location 20 on the diversion apparatus 1 and, on the other hand, by a corresponding counter-coupling location 21 of the sanitary fitting 100.

[0072] The at least two diversion apparatuses 1 of the series thus have structurally identical coupling locations 20 in order to selectively be able to be coupled to a corresponding counter-coupling location 21 of a fitting 100.

[0073] As can be seen in FIGS. 1-10, the series may alternatively or additionally comprise at least one long variant (see FIGS. 1-5) of a monostable diversion apparatus 1 and at least one short variant (see FIGS. 6-10) of a monostable diversion apparatus 1. The long variant and the short variant define a uniform mechanical interface 19 for a receiving sanitary fitting 100, as already explained above. In the long variant, a portion which protrudes over the interface 19 is constructed to be larger than in the short variant. The protruding portion is in the long variant of the same size as the corresponding portion in the bistable variant (cf. FIGS. 11-15).

[0074] Consequently, a user can combine the diversion apparatuses 1 of the series in a relatively flexible manner as required with fittings 100 which have corresponding counter-coupling locations without different structural spaces having to be available.

[0075] The embodiment according to FIGS. 16 to 21, in which components and functional units which are functionally or structurally similar or identical to the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals and not described separately again, differs from the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 10 in that the adjustment mechanism 9 is constructed in a simplified manner.

[0076] In this instance, the push-button 10 is guided in a rotationally secure manner in a sleeve 30. At the upper side thereof, an interface for assembling a cover is formed.

[0077] The adjustment mechanism 9 consequently comprises in this instance at least the described guide of the push-button 10 and the return element 11.

[0078] In a similar manner to FIGS. 3 and 8, FIG. 18 shows the stable switching position and FIG. 19 shows the unstable switching position. In the situation of FIG. 19, a pressure decrease at the inlet opening 3 leads to the return element 11 moving the valve body 6 into the switching position according to FIG. 18.

[0079] The first throughflow chamber 14 is limited by the valve body 6 in the adjustment direction thereof by means of differently sized impact surfaces 24, 25 on the valve body 6, wherein the impact surface 24 is in this instance practically zero.

[0080] It is thereby possible for the first throughflow chamber 14 to be kept open by means of an operating pressure counter to a restoring force of the return element 11.

[0081] The second throughflow chamber 15 is limited by the valve body 6 in the adjustment direction thereof by means of impact surfaces 26, 27 which are substantially of the same size on the valve body 6.

[0082] This results in the valve body 6 being subjected to an operating pressure which is smaller than a restoring force of the or a return element 11. Consequently, the valve body 6 remains held by the return element 11 in this stable switching position.

[0083] As a result of the substantially same-sized configuration of the impact surfaces 26 and 27, in all embodiments shown the force which has to be applied to the push-button 10 in order to move the control element 18 from the starting position thereof or upper position in a downward direction is practically independent of an operating pressure which is applied. Consequently, an actuation at high pressures of, for example, over 6 bar is also readily possible.

[0084] FIG. 19 shows a damping unit 28 which damps an adjustment movement of the valve body from the first, upper position according to FIG. 18 into the second, lower position according to FIG. 19.

[0085] To this end, the damping unit 28 has a flow obstacle 29 in the pressure chamber 14. If the valve body 6 is moved downward, the pressure chamber 14 opens and water flows in. This water first produces a downwardly directed force by means of which the valve body 6 is accelerated in a downward direction.

[0086] However, this water strikes the flow obstacle 29 which leads to a braking of the valve body 6. Consequently, the adjustment movement into the lower position is damped.

[0087] In this instance, the flow obstacle 29 is in the form by way of example of a circumferential collar on the control element 18. This collar further also supports the damping element 12.

[0088] In other embodiments, the damping unit 28 has alternatively or additionally to the flow obstacle at least one element, preferably a plurality of elements, from the list of displacement dampers, spring dampers, mechanical friction dampers.

[0089] The damping unit 28 may also be constructed as in the previous embodiments.

[0090] The invention thus relates in particular to a diversion apparatus 1, in particular for a sanitary fitting 100, comprising a housing 2 which forms a valve body space 23 having at least one inlet opening 3 and at least two outlet openings 4, 5, wherein there is displaceably guided within the valve body space 23 a valve body 6 by means of which a throughflow path 7, 8 can be diverted between the at least two outlet openings 4, 5, wherein the valve body 6 can be adjusted by means of an adjustment mechanism 9, wherein the adjustment mechanism 9 is operationally connected to an operating element which is in the form of a push-button 10, wherein an operational connection can be configured between the adjustment mechanism and the push-button.

[0091] List of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1 Diversion apparatus

[0093] 2 Housing

[0094] 3 Inlet opening

[0095] 4 First outlet opening

[0096] 5 Second outlet opening

[0097] 6 Valve body

[0098] 7 First throughflow path

[0099] 8 Second throughflow path

[0100] 9 Adjustment mechanism

[0101] 10 Push-button

[0102] 11 Return element

[0103] 12 Damping element

[0104] 13 Sealing element

[0105] 14 First throughflow chamber

[0106] 15 Second throughflow chamber

[0107] 16 Sealing element

[0108] 17 Push-push adjustment mechanism

[0109] 18 Control element

[0110] 19 Mechanical interface

[0111] 20 Coupling element

[0112] 21 Counter-coupling element

[0113] 22 Ventilation channel

[0114] 23 Valve body space

[0115] 24 Upper impact surface of 14

[0116] 25 Lower impact surface of 14

[0117] 26 Upper impact surface of 15

[0118] 27 Lower impact surface of 15

[0119] 28 Damping unit

[0120] 29 Flow obstacle

[0121] 30 Sleeve

[0122] 31 Switching element

[0123] 32 Guide path