APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING WATER AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING WATER

Abstract

Apparatus (100) for dispensing water, in particular for dispensing water from a conditionable water system, including a jet former (1) which is configured to form water to be dispensed, a first feed line (11) for feeding water from a first provision device to the jet former (1), a second feed line (12) for feeding water from a second provision device to the jet former (1), wherein the jet former (1) is configured to form the jet in dependence on a feed of water from the first feed line (11) or from the second feed line (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing water and to a method for dispensing water.

RELATED ART

In appliances for dispensing water, jet formers which form a jet pattern of the water and enable a defined throughflow of the water are known from the prior art. It is also known from the prior art to add air to a water jet. The resultant water jet is also referred to as an aerated water jet. Appliances which dispense water in a processed form, in particular chilled, heated or boiling, or carbonated, are also known from the prior art. In environments that are potentially contaminated with germs, water is typically dispensed by apparatuses without openings for the addition of air. It is known from the prior art that dispensing boiling water without a previous expansion possibility leads to a spread-out water jet and to a discharge of water vapor to the environment. This can lead to impairment or endangerment of the users.

The apparatuses for dispensing water known from the prior art have restrictions, in particular with regard to simultaneous fulfillment of a number of the requirements mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to solve, at least in part, the problems from the prior art. In particular, it is the object of the invention to specify a passive apparatus for dispensing water and a method for dispensing water, which makes it possible to form a water jet in dependence on a used feed of water into the apparatus for dispensing water and which is readily scalable in size, such that small dimensions of the apparatus are also achievable.

The object is achieved by means of an apparatus for dispensing water, and a method for dispensing water, as disclosed and/or claimed herein. Advantageous developments and embodiments will emerge from the dependent claims and from this description.

A first aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing water, in particular for dispensing water from a conditionable water system, comprising a jet former which is configured to form water to be dispensed, a first feed line for feeding water from a first provision device to the jet former, a second feed line for feeding water from a second provision device to the jet former, wherein the jet former is configured to form the jet in dependence on a feed of water from the first feed line or from the second feed line.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for dispensing water using an apparatus for dispensing water according to one of the embodiments described herein.

Where enumeration is given with “or” below, what is meant herein, unless specified otherwise, is “and/or”.

In typical embodiments, the apparatus for dispensing water dispenses water from a conditionable water system. In particular, the water from the conditionable water system comprises temperature-controlled water, in particular chilled water, heated water or boiling hot water. In embodiments, the water from the conditionable water system comprises carbonated water. In embodiments, the apparatus for dispensing water dispenses non-conditioned water.

In typical embodiments, the dispensing of water in particular comprises the dispensing of water to a user, wherein a dispensed water jet typically comes straight out of the apparatus for dispensing water. Typically, the user selects water to be dispensed, in particular the conditioning of the water to be dispensed, by means of an apparatus. Typically, the apparatus for dispensing water has a multiplicity of, in particular two or three, feed lines for feeding water from a multiplicity of provision devices, in particular from conditionable water systems or from water supply systems. In typical embodiments, each of the feed lines for feeding water has different provision devices, in particular differently conditioned water. In embodiments, a number of the feed lines feed identically conditioned or non-conditioned water to the apparatus.

Typically, a jet former forms the water to be dispensed or enables a defined throughflow. In embodiments, the jet former enables a feed of air to the water to be dispensed. This achieves a water jet which is perceived as pleasant and full by users. In embodiments, the jet former is shaped in such a way that a laminar water jet is produced.

In typical embodiments, the jet former enables an expansion of gas-water mixtures, for example of water vapor in boiling water.

Typically, the jet former enables a different jet formation in dependence on a feed from specific feed lines. In particular, the jet former enables a different jet formation in the case of a feed from a first feed line than in the case of a feed from a second feed line.

Typically, the jet former has an opening for adding air to the water to be dispensed or for discharging gases, in particular water vapor. In typical embodiments, the opening comprises multiple individual openings, in particular 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12 or 15 individual openings. Typically, the individual openings are arranged rotationally symmetrically about an axis, in particular with n-fold rotational symmetry, n being any natural number greater than 1. Typically, the opening is closable to a variable extent, in particular in dependence on the feed of the water from one of the feed lines, in particular in dependence on the feed from the first feed line or from the second feed line. Typically, the jet former is embodied, or installed in the apparatus, in such a way that a feed line from a provision device which provides boiling hot water opens the opening. This advantageously enables an expansion of the water vapor of the boiling hot water through the opening. Spreading out of the water jet and further discharge of water vapor in the radial direction is thus typically reduced or prevented. In typical embodiments, the hot, exiting water vapor leads to a cleaning of the opening, in particular to the disinfection of the opening.

Typically, the jet former is embodied, or installed in the apparatus, in such a way that a feed line from a provision device which provides water that is not boiling hot, in particular from a provision device which provides chilled, heated or non-processed water, closes the opening. This advantageously protects the water to be dispensed against contamination by substances in the air, in particular by pathogens, germs, pollutants or other foreign bodies.

Typically, the jet former has an adjusting element which adjusts the opening, in particular the degree of opening, in dependence on the feed of water from one of the feed lines, in particular from the first feed line or the second feed line. By way of example, the adjusting element opens the opening when water is fed from a feed line from a provision device which provides boiling hot water and closes the opening when water is fed from a feed line from a provision device which provides chilled, heated, or non-processed water.

In embodiments, the adjusting element closes the opening when water is fed from a feed line from a provision device which provides carbonated water. This reduces or prevents disadvantageous outgassing of the carbonated water.

In embodiments, the adjusting element changes an outlet area of the exiting water jet in dependence on the feed of water from one of the feed lines, in particular from the first feed line or the second feed line. By way of example, the adjusting element increases the outlet area of the exiting water jet when water is fed from one feed line and reduces the outlet area of the exiting water jet when water is fed from another feed line. In other words, the size of the same outlet area is changed depending on the origin of the water, namely depending on the feed line. It is thus in particular possible for the hardness of the exiting water jet to be influenced by the adjusting element.

In embodiments, the adjusting element changes shaping nozzles of the apparatus for dispensing water in dependence on the feed of water from one of the feed lines, in particular from the first feed line or the second feed line. By way of example, the adjusting element changes the arrangement of the shaping nozzles of the apparatus for dispensing water in one way when water is fed from one feed line and changes the arrangement of the shaping nozzles of the apparatus for dispensing water in another way when water is fed from another feed line. It is thus in particular possible for the emission direction of the exiting water jet to be influenced by the adjusting element.

In typical embodiments, the adjusting element comprises a vane. Typically, the vane is arranged, in particular in relation to the feed lines, in such a way that the vane moves the adjusting element depending on the incident flow from one of the feed lines, in particular from the first or from the second feed line, with the result that the jet is differently formed, in particular with the result that a closure element opens or closes the opening.

In embodiments, the vane is of symmetrical embodiment, in particular the vane surface for the first and for the second feed line is of identical or symmetrical shape. In embodiments, the shape of the vane for the first and for the second feed line is different.

Typically, the adjusting element has end stop positions, wherein in particular a first end stop position is associated with complete opening of the opening and a second end stop position is associated with complete closing of the opening.

Typically, the adjusting element is connected to a closure element which opens or closes the opening by virtue of cutouts in the closure element being brought into at least partial spatial overlap with the opening, in particular with the individual openings of the opening.

Typically, the adjusting element is in the form of a vane wheel. In particular, in typical embodiments, the vane wheel is embodied in such a way that different incident-flow directions, in particular from different feed lines, lead to the desired movement of the adjusting element. By way of example, the feed of the first feed line can be implemented on one side of an axis of rotation of the adjusting element and the feed of the second feed line can be implemented on another, opposite side of the axis of rotation. In embodiments, the adjusting element, in particular the vane wheel, may be shaped in such a way that it is guided to the provided end stop both in the case of an axial and in the case of a radial incident flow.

In embodiments, a further, in particular a third, feed line for feeding water is guided past the jet former. Typically, the further feed line is guided at least substantially centrally through the jet former and/or through the adjusting element.

Typically, the adjusting element, in particular the vane wheel, is embodied with a hollow shaft. This makes it possible, in typical embodiments, to achieve the further, in particular the third, feed line for feeding water. The further feed line is typically independent of other feed lines and does not trigger any movement of the adjusting element.

In embodiments, the adjusting element, in particular the vane wheel, is embodied as a hollow shaft with inner vanes. Typically, in this case an incident-flow movement brings the hollow wheel to a corresponding end stop position, resulting in the opening, in particular the individual openings, being opened or closed without any offset. What is advantageous here, in particular, is maintenance of the construction and structural size in comparison to conventional jet formers whilst simultaneously integrating additional functionalities.

In embodiments, the opening is embodied in such a way that a different flow rates of water from different provision devices, in particular boiling hot water or cold or hot water, leads to different behavior at the opening. In particular, the water vapor can be expanded in the case of low flow rates of boiling hot water and air can be added in the case of higher flow rates of the hot or cold water.

Typically, the apparatus according to one of the embodiments described herein is used in particularly hygiene-sensitive fields, in particular in the medical field such as in hospitals, in which at the same time dispensing of boiling hot water and temperature-controlled, in particular hot or cold, water or carbonated water is desired. Compared with the prior art, typical embodiments make it possible, in one apparatus, to dispense non-boiling, that is to say temperature-controlled, non-temperature-controlled or carbonated, water, wherein the opening is closed in the jet former in order to preclude potentially contaminated air from being sucked in, and to dispense boiling hot water, wherein the opening is opened, such that the water vapor can be expanded in a controlled manner through the opening of the jet former and impairment or endangerment of the user due to water vapor exiting in an uncontrolled manner can be reduced or precluded. The hot water vapor exiting in the jet former can also clean, in particular disinfect, the outlet location of the water.

In other applications, the apparatus according to one of the embodiments described here enables an aeration possibility for mains water while simultaneously preventing disadvantageous outgassing behavior of carbonated water. A laminar jet is thus produced for both water types.

In other applications, use of a hollow shaft enables a separation of high-pressure water preparers and low-pressure water preparers in an apparatus for dispensing water.

The design of the apparatus as a passive component without active control elements, which is actuated directly by volume flows of the feed lines, advantageously avoids further additional energy sources.

Due to the compact construction of the apparatus, the latter can also be implemented with very small dimensions, as a result of which, in particular, design restrictions are reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of the appended drawings, wherein, in the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for dispensing water according to a typical embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a further schematic view of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for dispensing water according to a further typical embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for dispensing water according to a typical embodiment;

FIG. 5A shows a schematic view of a jet former according to a typical embodiment;

FIG. 5B shows a schematic view of the jet former in FIG. 5A in a different operating state;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a jet former according to a further typical embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for dispensing water with the jet former in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A shows a schematic view of part of a jet former according to a typical embodiment;

FIG. 8B shows a schematic view of part of the jet former in FIG. 8A in a different operating state;

FIG. 8C shows a schematic view of part of the jet former in FIGS. 8A and 8B in a different operating state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Typical embodiments of the invention will be described below on the basis of the figures, wherein the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments; rather, the scope of the invention is determined by the claims. In the description of the embodiment, under some circumstances, the same reference signs are used for the same or similar parts in different figures and for different embodiments, in order to make the description clearer. However, this does not mean that corresponding parts of the invention are limited to the variants illustrated in the embodiments. In some instances, features which have already been described in connection with other figures are not described again for the sake of clarity. In some instances, features which are illustrated multiple times in a figure are only labeled with a reference sign once.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for dispensing water.

Specifically, the apparatus 100 for dispensing water comprises a first feed line 11 for feeding water from a first provision device, a second feed line 12 for feeding water from a second provision device and a jet former 1. The feed lines 11, 12 conduct water to the jet former 1. The jet former 1 comprises a vane wheel 3, which is connected to an axle 4 of the vane wheel. The vane wheel rotates about the axle 4 of the vane wheel in dependence on the feed of water from one of the feed lines 11, 12. The jet former 1 further comprises an opening 6 through which gases, in particular air or water vapor, can be discharged from a water jet or can be accommodated in the water jet.

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus in FIG. 1 schematically in a perspective view similar to a plan view.

In FIG. 2, the opening 6 comprises two individual openings 16 on substantially opposite sides of the jet former 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for dispensing water according to a further typical embodiment.

Specifically, the apparatus 100 comprises the first feed line 11 and the second feed line 12, the first feed line being implemented axially with respect to the axle 4 of the vane wheel 3 and the second feed line 12 being implemented radially with respect to the axle 4 of the vane wheel 3. The jet former comprises a closure element 8, which is connected to the axle 4 of the vane wheel. The closure element 8 opens or closes the openings in the jet former, such that a suction path of the air 7 or an expansion path for hot water vapor 7 is produced. The apparatus 100 further comprises a first dispensing path 21 and a second dispensing path 22 for dispensing the water.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for dispensing water according to a further typical embodiment.

Specifically, the apparatus 100 comprises, in addition to the first feed line 11 and the second feed line 12, a third feed line 13 which passes centrally past the jet former, in particular past the vane wheel 3 of the jet former. In this embodiment, the axle 4 of the vane wheel 3 is embodied as a hollow shaft, such that water of the feed line 13 is conducted centrally through the hollow shaft. In addition to the first dispensing path 21 and the second dispensing path 22, the apparatus 100 comprises a third dispensing path 23 for the water of the third feed line 13.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show a schematic view of a jet former of an apparatus for dispensing water according to a further typical embodiment in a plan view in two operating states.

Specifically, the jet former 1 comprises individual openings 16, wherein, in the operating state in FIG. 5A, a total of four individual openings 16 are visible, and, in the operating state in FIG. 5B, a total of eight individual openings are visible. The individual openings 16 are connected to the vane wheel (not illustrated) and rotatable about the axle of the vane wheel. The individual openings can be brought into overlap with cutouts in the closure element of the jet former 1 by rotation. A larger or smaller outlet area out of the jet former is thus produced in dependence on the position of the vane wheel and thus in dependence on the feed of water from the first or from the second feed line. In FIG. 5A, the outlet area is smaller, and in FIG. 5B, the outlet area is larger. The water of the first feed line and the second feed line both pass through the outlet area. In other words, the water of the first feed line and the water of the second feed line share at least part of the outlet area. The first feed line and the second feed line do not have distinct outlet areas, but one outlet area of which the size is determined in dependence on the feed of water from the first or from the second feed line. Typically, the outlet area comprises a first section and a second section. The first section may comprise a center section of the outlet area. The second section may comprise an edge section of the outlet area, in particular surrounding the center section. In some embodiments, water from the first feed line may pass through the first section and the second section and water from the second feed line may pass through the first section but not through the second section. Typically, the jet former is configured to pass at least a part of the water from the first feed line and at least a part of the water from the second feed line through the first section. The position of the vane wheel may influence whether water can pass through the second section of the vane wheel.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a jet former according to a further typical embodiment.

Specifically, the jet former 1 comprises a vane wheel 3 with two vane surfaces, which is rotatable about an axle 4 of the vane wheel. The axle 4 is connected to the closure element which, in dependence on the position of the closure element, opens or closes the individual openings 16 in the jet former. This opens or closes a suction path 7 of the ambient air. Furthermore, an expansion path 7 of the hot water vapor is produced when using boiling hot water.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of an apparatus for dispensing water with the jet former in FIG. 6, only one vane surface of the vane wheel being illustrated.

Specifically, the apparatus 100 comprises the first feed line 11 and the jet former 1. The second feed line is not shown in the illustration in FIG. 7. Each of the vane surfaces of the vane wheel 3 is assigned one of the feed lines, such that a rotation of the vane wheel is effected in dependence on the feed of the water through one of the feed lines. In this case, the rotation of the vane wheel is limited by an end stop position (not illustrated).

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C show a schematic view of part of a jet former according to a typical embodiment in different operating states.

Specifically, the jet former 1 comprises a closure element 8 which closes or opens individual openings 16 in the jet former 1. This produces suction paths 7 of the air or expansion paths 7 of the hot water vapor, in dependence on a conditioning of the water. The jet former shown comprises eight individual openings 16, which can be opened or closed by eight matching elevations of the closure element 8. The closure element is of symmetrical construction about the axle 4 of the vane wheel. As a result of a rotation of the vane wheel and of the axle 4 of the vane wheel, the closure element 8 is rotated and the individual openings 16 are opened or closed in dependence on the position of the vane wheel. The individual openings 16 are partially closed in FIG. 8A. The individual openings 16 are completely open in FIG. 8B, such that the suction path 7 of the air, or the expansion path 7 of the hot water vapor, is maximal. The individual openings 16 are closed in FIG. 8C, such that the water in the jet former 1 is protected against contamination.

The invention is not limited to embodiments described above; rather, the scope of the invention is determined by the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 100 Apparatus
  • 1 Jet former
  • 3 Vane wheel
  • 4 Axle of the vane wheel
  • 6 Opening
  • 7 Suction path of the air, expansion path of the hot water vapor
  • 8 Closure element
  • 11 First feed line
  • 12 Second feed line
  • 13 Third feed line
  • 16 Individual opening
  • 21 First dispensing path
  • 22 Second dispensing path
  • 23 Third dispensing path

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing water, comprising a jet former which is configured to form water to be dispensed,a first feed line for feeding water from a first provision device to the jet former,a second feed line for feeding water from a second provision device to the jet former,wherein the jet former is configured to form the jet in dependence on a feed of water from the first feed line or from the second feed line.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to dispense water from a conditionable water system.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the jet former is configured to change a form of the jet passively, without a user interaction.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein changing the form of the jet passively comprises directly actuating by the jet former the volume flows of the first feed line and the second feed line.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises an outlet area through which the water is dispensed; wherein the outlet area comprises a first section and a second section, the first section covering a first part of the outlet area and the second section covering a second part of the outlet area; andwherein the jet former is configured to pass at least a part of the water from the first feed line and at least a part of the water from the second feed line through the first section.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the jet former has an opening for at least one of adding air to the water to be dispensed or enabling an expansion of water vapor when dispensing boiling hot water, wherein the jet former is configured in such a way that the opening is closed or opened in dependence on a feed of water from the first feed line or from the second feed line.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the jet former is configured in such a way that the outlet area of the jet is increased or reduced in dependence on a feed of water from the first feed line or from the second feed line.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the jet former is configured in such a way that the emission direction of the jet is changed in dependence on a feed of water from the first feed line or from the second feed line.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the jet former has an adjusting element which is configured to close or to open the opening in dependence on a feed of water from the first feed line or from the second feed line.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the adjusting element comprises a vane which is arranged in such a way that the vane moves the adjusting element depending on the incident flow from the first feed line or from the second feed line, with the result that a closure element of the adjusting element opens or closes the opening.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the adjusting element is in the form of a vane wheel.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a third feed line for feeding water from a third provision device, wherein the third feed line is configured to guide water past the jet former.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the third feed line is guided at least substantially centrally through at least one of the jet former or the adjusting element.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the provision devices are configured to provide at least one of the following: chilled water, carbonated water, boiling hot water and filtered water.

15. Method for dispensing water using an apparatus for dispensing water according to claim 1, comprising feeding water from at least one of the first feed line and the second feed line to the jet former.