DE102023112622A1 - Connection body for a flush-mounted installation body and flush-mounted installation body for a sanitary fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

Connection body (1) for a flush-mounted installation body (2), at least comprising: a) an annular base body (3) with at least one connection (4.1, ..., 4.5) for a liquid line; and b) at least one plastic water guide (5.1, ..., 5.5) for at least partially forming a water path (40) in the at least one connection (4.1, ..., 4.5). In addition, a flush-mounted installation body (2) with such a connection body (1) is proposed.

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting body for a flush-mounted installation body and a flush-mounted installation body for a sanitary fitting. Such flush-mounted installation bodies can be fastened in particular within a wall opening, a recess in a wall or another support. Such flush-mounted installation bodies have proven themselves particularly in built-in walls and pre-wall systems.

Flush-mounted installation units are used to attach a functional unit to a wall, a wall or a support. The functional unit can comprise a mixing valve, for example in the form of a thermostat cartridge, and/or a shut-off valve. Cold water and hot water can be mixed using the mixing valve to form mixed water with a desired mixed water temperature, and the amount of mixed water drawn can be controlled using the shut-off valve.

As a fluid-carrying component, the flush-mounted installation body has a ring-shaped base body. The base body is manufactured as a cast part with sand cores. The sand cores are then removed and the required geometry of the base body is created by machining. Since the base body comes into contact with the cold water, the hot water and the mixed water, the base body must be made of a material suitable for drinking water, such as brass. This leads to high manufacturing costs.

The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and in particular to provide a connecting body for a flush-mounted installation body that can be produced inexpensively. Furthermore, a flush-mounted installation body for a sanitary fitting with a connecting body is to be provided that can be produced inexpensively.

These objects are achieved with a connection body and a flush-mounted installation body according to the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the dependent patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically reasonable manner and define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the patent claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

1. a) einen ringförmigen Grundkörper mit zumindest einem Anschluss für eine Flüssigkeitsleitung; und
2. b) zumindest eine Kunststoffwasserführung zur zumindest teilweisen Ausbildung eines Wasserwegs in dem zumindest einen Anschluss.

This is achieved by a connecting body for a flush-mounted installation body, which has at least the following:

1. a) an annular base body with at least one connection for a liquid line; and
2. b) at least one plastic water guide for at least partially forming a water path in the at least one connection.

The connection body can be used in particular for a concealed installation body. Such concealed installation bodies are used in particular for sanitary fittings that are used in connection with showers and/or bathtubs. The sanitary fittings can in particular be water outlets, hand showers, overhead showers, nozzles and/or the like. Such concealed installation bodies are regularly attached within a wall opening, a recess in a wall or another support and serve to accommodate a functional unit. The functional unit comprises in particular a mixing valve, for example in the manner of a thermostatic mixing valve, and/or at least one valve, for example in the manner of a shut-off valve. By means of the mixing valve, in particular cold water and hot water can be mixed to form a mixed water with a desired mixed water temperature. The cold water can have a cold water temperature that is in particular a maximum of 25 °C (Celsius), preferably 1 °C to 25 °C, particularly preferably 5 °C to 20 °C. The hot water can have a hot water temperature that is in particular a maximum of 90 °C, preferably 25 °C to 90 °C, particularly preferably 55 °C to 65 °C. The mixed water can be fed from the mixing valve, for example with at least one line in the functional unit, to the at least one valve by means of which a withdrawal amount of the mixed water can be controlled via the sanitary fitting. The functional unit is in particular at least partially arranged in a receiving space of a housing of the flush-mounted installation body and/or is essentially cylindrical.

The housing can, for example, have a lower shell and an upper shell that can be connected to one another. The lower shell is in particular designed in the shape of a lid, so that a front opening of the upper shell can be closed (liquid-tight) by means of the lower shell. For this purpose, the lower shell can have first fastening tabs that extend radially outwards. The upper shell, on the other hand, is in particular designed in the shape of a tube, so that the upper shell forms a receiving space for the functional unit in its interior. In addition, the upper shell can have second fastening tabs, which can also extend in the radial direction. The lower shell and the upper shell can be screwed together in particular via the first fastening tabs and the second fastening tabs. Additionally or alternatively, the lower shell and/or the upper shell can have snap arms with which the lower shell and the upper shell can be locked together.

The connecting body has a ring-shaped base body, which can consist at least partially of zinc, a zinc alloy, a copper alloy and/or a plastic. The connecting body can be manufactured using a casting process, for example a zinc die-casting process. A base body made of zinc or a zinc alloy has a high level of reproduction accuracy in the die-casting process, so that less (machining) post-processing is required. Alternatively, the base body can be a plastic injection-molded part, for example.

The base body has at least one connection for a liquid line. This can mean in particular that the liquid line can be fastened to the at least one connection so that a liquid, in particular water, can flow from a water path or a liquid channel of the connection body or the base body into the liquid line or vice versa. The liquid line can be designed at least partially as a pipe and/or hose line. In particular, the base body can have at least one first connection for a supply line (for example for the cold water and/or the hot water) and at least one second connection for a drain line (for example for the mixed water). Furthermore, the connection body can have a (through) opening in which the functional unit can be fastened. The functional unit can be arranged or fastened in the ring-shaped base body. In particular, a cold water source for the cold water or a hot water source for the hot water can be connected to the at least one first connection and/or a mixed water line for guiding the mixed water to the sanitary fitting can be connected to the at least one second connection.

The base body can have, in particular on a peripheral surface, a cold water connection, a hot water connection, a first mixed water connection, a second mixed water connection and a third mixed water connection. The flush-mounted installation body can be connected in particular to the cold water source via the cold water connection and to the hot water source for the hot water via the hot water connection. The cold water and the hot water can be fed in particular to the mixing valve of the functional unit and mixed by the mixing valve to form the mixed water with the desired mixed water temperature. The mixed water can then be fed to a first valve, second valve and third valve of the functional unit, by means of which the outflow of the mixed water via the first mixed water connection, the second mixed water connection and/or the third mixed water connection can be controlled. A first sanitary fitting can be connected to the first mixed water connection, a second sanitary fitting to the second mixed water connection and/or a third sanitary fitting to the third mixed water connection.

Furthermore, the base body can have a base body longitudinal axis, a first connection axis aligned orthogonally to the base body longitudinal axis and a second connection axis aligned orthogonally to the base body longitudinal axis and the first connection axis, wherein the cold water connection, the hot water connection and the second mixed water connection open into the connection body or base body parallel to the first connection axis and wherein the first mixed water connection and the third mixed water connection open into the connection body or base body parallel to the second connection axis. This design makes it possible to avoid a supply line for the cold water and/or the hot water crossing with at least one drain line for the mixed water, which makes it easier to install the flush-mounted installation body in the wall.

The base body can have (in particular orthogonal to the base body longitudinal axis) a base body inner diameter of, for example, 100 mm to 180 mm and/or (in particular orthogonal to the base body longitudinal axis) a base body outer diameter of, for example, 120 mm to 250 mm. The base body can have (in particular parallel to the base body longitudinal axis) a base body length of, for example, 15 mm to 60 mm.

Furthermore, the second mixed water connection can be arranged on a side of the connection body or base body opposite the cold water connection and the hot water connection, wherein the first mixed water connection is arranged on a side of the connection body or base body opposite the third mixed water connection.

The connection body can be arranged at least partially in the receiving space of the housing. By connecting the lower shell to the upper shell, the connection body can also be fixed in the receiving space, for example. The connection body is attached in the receiving space in particular by bracing the connection body between the lower shell and the upper shell. This design means that the flush-mounted installation body can be manufactured with little assembly effort, especially in automated production lines.

The connection body has at least one plastic water guide for at least partially forming the water path or the liquid channel in the at least one connection. In particular, at least one plastic water guide can be arranged in each connection of the base body. The at least one plastic water guide can be designed as a plastic insert and/or at least partially line the at least one connection. The at least one plastic water guide consists at least partially of plastic and/or is a plastic injection molded part. As a plastic injection molded part, the at least one plastic water guide in particular does not have to be reworked. The at least one plastic water guide can be at least partially tubular. The at least one plastic water guide can have a tubular section. The at least one plastic water guide can extend, in particular parallel to a connection longitudinal axis of the at least one connection, from a first longitudinal end of the at least one plastic water guide to a second longitudinal end of the at least one plastic water guide. The at least one plastic water guide can have a length of, for example, 10 mm [millimeters] to 50 mm (in particular parallel to the connection longitudinal axis) and/or an outer diameter of, for example, 10 mm to 50 mm (in particular orthogonal to the connection longitudinal axis and/or in the region of the tubular section). The outer diameter of the at least one plastic water guide can (essentially) correspond to an inner diameter of the at least one connection.

The at least one plastic water guide prevents contact between the liquid, in particular the cold water, the hot water and/or the mixed water, and the base body or the at least one connection. This means that cheaper materials and/or materials that are not suitable for drinking water can be used for the base body.

The at least one plastic water guide can have at least one molded-on seal. For this purpose, the at least one plastic water guide can be at least partially rubberized and/or produced by a two-component injection molding process. The at least one molded-on seal can be integrally connected to the at least one plastic water guide. The at least one seal can be designed to run all the way around, in particular around the longitudinal axis of the connection. The at least one molded-on seal can in particular replace at least one O-ring, which reduces the assembly effort of the connection body.

The at least one molded seal can be formed on an inner surface of the plastic water guide. In particular, the at least one molded seal can be formed all the way around the inner surface of the plastic water guide. The at least one molded seal can seal a (first) contact surface between the at least one plastic water guide and a threaded insert.

The at least one molded seal can be formed on an end face of the plastic water guide. The at least one end face can seal a (second) contact surface between the at least one plastic water guide and the functional unit.

The at least one plastic water guide can have a collar. The collar is formed in particular on the first longitudinal end of the at least one plastic water guide. The collar can be designed as a flange and/or be designed to be circumferential. The collar can rest on the inner circumferential surface of the base body. The collar can serve as a sealing surface for the functional unit.

The at least one plastic water guide can be fastened in the at least one connection with a locking connection. The at least one plastic water guide can have at least one snap hook or at least one locking hook to form the locking connection, in particular on the second longitudinal end. The at least one snap hook or at least one locking hook can engage in the at least one connection. The threaded insert can prevent the locking connection from loosening and/or the at least one snap hook or at least one locking hook from disengaging.

The connecting body can have at least one axial spring for the at least one plastic water guide. The at least one axial spring can be designed, for example, as a wave spring, in particular annular. The at least one axial spring can push the at least one plastic water guide, in particular parallel to the connecting longitudinal axis and/or in a radial direction of the base body, into the base body, in the direction of the base body longitudinal axis and/or out of the at least at least one connection. The at least one plastic water guide can be pressed against the functional unit in particular by the at least one axial spring. Manufacturing tolerances can be compensated for by the at least one axial spring, whereby the at least one plastic water guide and/or the functional unit can be manufactured with a lower manufacturing accuracy.

A threaded insert for connecting a liquid line is arranged in the at least one connection. In particular, a threaded insert can be arranged in each connection of the base body. The threaded insert can be designed as a turned part. The threaded insert can consist at least partially of plastic, metal, stainless steel and/or brass. The threaded insert can be at least partially tubular. The threaded insert can extend, in particular parallel to the connection longitudinal axis of the at least one connection, from a third longitudinal end of the threaded insert to a fourth longitudinal end of the threaded insert. The threaded insert can have (in particular parallel to the connection longitudinal axis) a threaded insert length of, for example, 10 mm [millimeters] to 50 mm and/or (in particular orthogonal to the connection longitudinal axis) a threaded insert outer diameter of, for example, 10 mm to 50 mm. The threaded insert outer diameter can (essentially) correspond to the inner diameter of the at least one connection. The liquid line can in particular be fastened to the threaded insert. The threaded insert can have an internal thread for the liquid line. The threaded insert allows the at least one connection to be adapted to different liquid lines. For example, a threaded insert with an internal thread suitable for the liquid line can be arranged in the at least one connection.

The threaded insert can be screwed into the at least one connection. The threaded insert can have an external thread with which the threaded insert is screwed into the at least one connection.

1. a) ein Gehäuse mit einem Aufnahmeraum für eine Funktionseinheit, und
2. b) einen hier vorgeschlagenen Anschlusskörper, der zumindest teilweise in dem Aufnahmeraum angeordnet ist.

Following a further aspect, a concealed installation body for a sanitary fitting is also proposed, which has at least the following:

1. a) a housing with a space for a functional unit, and
2. b) a connecting body as proposed here, which is at least partially arranged in the receiving space.

For further details on the flush-mounted installation body, please refer in full to the description of the connection body.

The connection body or the flush-mounted installation body can be used to attach a functional unit in a wall, partition or support, wherein the functional unit can preferably comprise a mixing valve and/or a shut-off valve.

• 1: ein Unterputzeinbaukörper in einer perspektivischen Darstellung;
• 2: eine erste Variante eines Anschlusskörpers des Unterputzeinbaukörpers in einer Explosionsdarstellung;
• 3: ein Anschluss der ersten Variante des Anschlusskörpers in einer Schnittdarstellung;
• 4: ein Anschluss einer zweiten Variante des Anschlusskörpers in der Schnittdarstellung; und
• 5: ein Anschluss einer dritten Variante des Anschlusskörpers in der Schnittdarstellung.

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but that the invention is not limited to them. The same components in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. They show, by way of example and schematically:

• 1 : a flush-mounted installation body in a perspective view;
• 2 : a first variant of a connection body of the flush-mounted installation body in an exploded view;
• 3 : a connection of the first variant of the connection body in a sectional view;
• 4 : a connection of a second variant of the connection body in the sectional view; and
• 5 : a connection of a third variant of the connection body in the sectional view.

1 shows a flush-mounted installation body 2 with a housing 13, which comprises a lower shell 14 and an upper shell 15. The lower shell 14 is lid-shaped and the upper shell 15 is tubular. A receiving space (not visible here) for a functional unit (also not visible here) is formed in the housing 13. The flush-mounted installation body 2 has a connection body 1.

2 shows a first variant of the connection body 1 in an exploded view. The connection body 1 comprises a base body 3, which extends in a ring shape around a base body longitudinal axis 21. The base body 3 has two connections 4.1, 4.2 in the form of a cold water connection 16 and a hot water connection 17 on a peripheral surface 22. In addition, the base body 3 has a connection 4.3 in the form of a first mixed water connection 18, a connection 4.4 in the form of a second mixed water connection 19 and a connection 4.5 in the form of a third mixed water connection 20 on the peripheral surface 22.

The connecting body 1 has a longitudinal axis 21 orthogonally aligned with the base body ted first connection axis 23 and a second connection axis 24 aligned orthogonally to the base body longitudinal axis 21 and the first connection axis 23. The cold water connection 16, the hot water connection 17 and the second mixed water connection 19 run parallel to the first connection axis 23 in the connection body 1 or the base body 3 of the connection body 1. The first mixed water connection 18 and the third mixed water connection 20 run parallel or coaxially to the second connection axis 24 in the connection body 1 or the base body 3 of the connection body 1. The second mixed water connection 19 is arranged on a side of the base body 3 opposite the cold water connection 16 and the hot water connection 17 and the first mixed water connection 18 is arranged on a side of the base body 3 opposite the third mixed water connection 20.

The functional unit, not shown here, can be attached to the connection body 1 in such a way that the cold water connection 16, the hot water connection 17, the first mixed water connection 18, the second mixed water connection 19 and the third mixed water connection 20 are connected to the functional unit without leakage. When installing the 1 The connection body 1 is mounted on the flush-mounted installation body 2 shown in 1 shown lower shell 14 and then the upper shell 15 is connected to the lower shell 14.

A plastic water guide 5.1, ..., 5.5 and a threaded insert 12.1, ..., 12.5 are arranged in the connections 4.1, ..., 4.5. The plastic water guides 5.1, ..., 5.5 each have a tubular section 25.1, ..., 25.5 and a collar 9.1, ..., 9.5. The tubular sections 25.1, ... 25.5 of the plastic water guides 5.1, ..., 5.5 rest on an inner circumferential surface 26 of the base body 3. The plastic water guides 5.1, 5.5 on the one hand and the plastic water guides 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 on the other hand are designed identically. The threaded inserts 12.1, ..., 12.5 are designed identically.

3 shows the connection 4.3 of the 2 shown first variant of the connection body 1 in a longitudinal section along a connection longitudinal axis 27 of the connection 4.3 (cf. 2 ). The connection 4.3 has a tubular connection section 42 which extends from the 2 shown peripheral surface 22 of the base body 3. The connection 4.3 or the tubular connection section 42 extend in a radial direction 41, ie orthogonal to the 2 shown base body longitudinal axis 21. A water path 40 extends through the connection 4.3 between an inner side 28 of the base body 3 or the connection body 1 and an outer side 34 of the base body 3 or the connection body 1. The water path 40 extends along the connection longitudinal axis 27. The water path 40 is formed or limited by the plastic water guide 5.3 and the threaded insert 12.3.

The plastic water guide 5.3 is inserted from the inner side 28 of the base body 3 parallel to the connection longitudinal axis 27 into the connection 4.3, so that the collar 9.3 of the plastic water guide 5.3 rests on the inner circumferential surface 26 of the base body 3. The collar 9.3 is formed on a first longitudinal end 29 of the plastic water guide 5.3 or the tubular section 25.3. The tubular section 25.3 has an outer diameter 31 which (essentially) corresponds to an inner diameter 32 of the connection 4.3. The plastic water guide 5.3 is fastened in the connection 4.3 by means of a locking connection 10. The plastic water guide 5.3 has a plurality of snap hooks 33 on a second longitudinal end 30 (cf. 2 ), which engage in connection 4.3.

The threaded insert 12.3 is screwed into the connection 4.3 from the outside 34 of the base body 3. For this purpose, the threaded insert 12.3 has an external thread 35. The threaded insert 12.3 is screwed into the connection 4.3 or the plastic water guide 5.3 so far that a third longitudinal end 37 of the threaded insert 12.3 contacts the collar 9.3. The threaded insert 12.3 has an internal thread 36 for connecting a liquid line (not shown here). A first contact surface 38 between the plastic water guide 5.3 and the threaded insert 12.3 is sealed with an O-ring 39.

The connections 4.1, ..., 4.5 are (essentially) identical, so that the description of the connection 4.3 can be transferred to the other connections 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5.

4 shows the connection 4.3 of a second variant of the connection body 1 in the longitudinal section. The second variant of the connection body 1 differs from the one shown in the 1 to 3 shown first variant of the connecting body 1 only in that a first seal 6.1 and a second seal 6.2 are molded onto the plastic water guide 5.3. The first seal 6.1 is formed around the connection longitudinal axis 27 on an inner surface 7 of the plastic water guide 5.3 for sealing the first contact surface 38 between the plastic water guide 5.3 and the threaded insert 12.3. The first seal 6.1 replaces the one shown in the 3 shown O-ring 39. The second seal 6.1 is around the connection longitudinal axis 27 on a front surface 8 of the plastic water guide 5.3 or the collar 9.3 for sealing a second contact surface 43 between the plastic water guide 5.3 and the functional unit not shown here. The other (not shown here) connections 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5 of the second variant of the connection body 1 are (essentially) identical to the connection 4.3.

5 shows the connection 4.3 of a third variant of the connection body 1 in the longitudinal section. The third variant of the connection body 1 differs from the one shown in the 1 to 3 shown first variant of the connection body 1 merely in that an axial spring 11 running around the longitudinal axis 27 is arranged between the plastic water guide 5.3 and the third longitudinal end 37 of the threaded insert 12.3. The axial spring 11 can press the plastic water guide 5.3 parallel to the connection longitudinal axis 27 against the functional unit not shown here.

The present invention enables a connecting body to be produced cost-effectively.

list of reference symbols

1

connector body

2

flush-mounted installation body

3

base body

4.1, ..., 4.5

Connection

5.1, ..., 5.5

plastic water supply

6.1, 6.2

seal

7

inner surface

8

frontal surface

9.1, ..., 9.5

collar

10

locking connection

11

axial spring

12.1, ..., 12.5

threaded insert

13

Housing

14

lower shell

15

upper shell

16

cold water connection

17

hot water connection

18

first mixed water connection

19

second mixed water connection

20

third mixed water connection

21

longitudinal axis of the main body

22

peripheral surface

23

first connecting axis

24

second connecting axis

25.1, ... 25.5

tubular section

26

inner circumferential surface

27

connection longitudinal axis

28

inside

29

first longitudinal end

30

second longitudinal end

31

outer diameter

32

inner diameter

33

snap hooks

34

outside

35

external thread

36

internal thread

37

third longitudinal end

38

first contact surface

39

O-ring

40

waterway

41

radial direction

42

connecting section

43

second contact surface

Claims (10)

Connection body (1) for a flush-mounted installation body (2), at least comprising: a) an annular base body (3) with at least one connection (4.1, ..., 4.5) for a liquid line; and b) at least one plastic water guide (5.1, ..., 5.5) for at least partially forming a water path (40) in the at least one connection (4.1, ..., 4.5). Connecting body (1) according to patent claim 1 , wherein the at least one plastic water guide (5.1, ..., 5.5) has at least one molded-on seal (6.1, 6.2). Connecting body (1) according to patent claim 2 , wherein the at least one molded seal (6.1, 6.2) is formed on an inner surface (7) of the plastic water guide (5.1, ..., 5.5). Connecting body (1) according to patent claim 2 or 3 , wherein the at least one molded seal (6.1, 6.2) is formed on an end face (8) of the plastic water guide (5.1, ..., 5.5). Connecting body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one plastic water guide (5.1, ..., 5.5) has a collar (9.1, ..., 9.5). Connection body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one plastic water guide (5.1, ..., 5.5) is fastened with a latching connection (10) in the at least one connection (4.1, ..., 4.5). Connecting body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one axial spring (11) for the at least one plastic water guide (5.1, ..., 5.5). Connection body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a threaded insert (12.1, ..., 12.5) for connecting a liquid line is arranged in the at least one connection (4.1, ..., 4.5). Connecting body (1) according to patent claim 8 , wherein the threaded insert (12.1, ..., 12.5) is screwed into the at least one connection (4.1, ..., 4.5). Flush-mounted installation body (2) for a sanitary fitting, at least comprising: a) a housing (13) with a receiving space for a functional unit, and b) a connection body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which is at least partially arranged in the receiving space.

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