FLOW REGULATOR

Abstract

A flow regulator (1) is provided including a flow regulator housing (2), the housing interior of which contains at least one flow rectifier that has at least one mesh or net structure oriented transversely to the flow direction and formed of intersecting or contacting ribs (13, 15), and at least one aeration opening (4) which perforates a peripheral housing wall (3) of the flow regulator (1). To avoid the unwanted generation of noise caused by a film of water forming in front of the aeration openings (4) in the housing interior of the flow regulator housing (2), at least one outflow opening (20) is provided in the at least one mesh or net structure of the flow rectifier, said opening extending, in the peripheral direction, substantially across the at least one aeration opening (4). Also provided is a cover wall (17) that is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the flow regulator and offset inwards in relation to the peripheral housing wall, the projecting portion of said cover wall at least partially covering the at least one aeration opening (4).

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a jet regulator having a jet regulator housing, at least one flow rectifier which has at least one mesh or net structure from mutually crossing webs which is oriented transversely to the flow direction being provided in the housing interior space of said jet regulator housing, and having at least one aeration opening which penetrates a housing circumferential wall of the jet regulator.

Various jet regulators which can be assembled on the water outflow of a sanitary outflow fitting in order for the water that exits therefrom to be shaped to form a homogenous non-splashing water jet have already been created. A differentiation is made herein between non-aerated and aerated jet regulator embodiments. In aerated jet regulators the water flowing therethrough in the regulator housing of the jet regulator is mixed with ambient air, so as to allow the water to exit as a pearly-soft water jet.

To this end, such aerated jet regulators in the jet regulator housing thereof have a jet splitter which divides the incident flow of water into a multiplicity of individual jets. These individual jets in the jet splitter are imparted an acceleration such that, in accordance with the Bernoulli equation, a negative pressure is created on the outgoing flow side of the jet splitter. Aeration openings which penetrate the circumferential wall are provided in the circumferential wall of the jet regulator housing on the outgoing flow side of the jet splitter. The negative pressure created on the outgoing flow side of the jet splitter suctions the ambient air which enters into the housing interior space of the jet regulator housing by way of the aeration openings and therein mixes with the individual jets before the individual jets that are mixed in this manner with air are shaped to form an aerated overall jet in a flow rectifier.

This flow rectifier is most often comprised of at least two insert parts which are insertable into the housing interior space of the jet regulator. These insert parts have in each case one mesh or net structure which splits up even further the aerated individual jets flowing therethrough. However, the mesh-shaped or net-shaped insert parts that form the flow rectifier also represent a flow obstacle ahead of which the water flowing therethrough can be dammed. Undesirable noises arise herein in individual cases. These disturbing sounds that can be perceived as a slurping or rumbling noise are caused by the build-up in intervals of a water film in the aeration openings, the latter being briefly closed by said water film. Due to the negative pressure on the outgoing flow side of the jet splitter in the region of the aeration openings, this water film, immediately after having been formed, collapses again and is suctioned into the throughflow region of the jet regulator. The constant build-up and collapse of the water film at a high frequency leads to said flowing or disturbing noises. The insert parts of the flow rectifier, which simultaneously form a flow obstacle, lead to a flow backlog on the external linkage of the mesh or net structure in the region of the external holding ring. A kind of “ramp” which dams the water toward the aeration openings is formed at that location. Moreover, a leakage of minor quantities of water in the form or aerosol or splash water from the aeration openings typically arises in the build-up and the collapse of the water film in front of the aeration openings in the housing interior space. This exiting water can lead to an increase in the formation of scale and to an external contamination of the jet regulator, or of the outflow mouthpiece that receives the jet regulator, respectively.

SUMMARY

There is therefore the object to achieve in particular a jet regulator of the type mentioned at the outset in which flow noises of this type, or any additional formation of scale or contamination, respectively, in the region of the external circumference of the regulator housing of the jet regulator is avoided.

An achievement of this object according to the invention in the case of the jet regulator of the type mentioned at the outset in particular lies in that at least one outlet opening that extends in the circumferential direction substantially across the at least one aeration opening is provided in the at least one mesh or net structure of the flow rectifier.

The jet regulator according to the invention has a jet regulator housing, a flow rectifier being provided in the housing interior space of said jet regulator housing. This flow rectifier has at least one mesh or net structure which facilitates further splitting of the incident flow of individual water jets and supports the mixing of these water jets with the ambient air. This at least one mesh or net structure of the flow rectifier is formed from mutually crossing or contacting webs. For example, while a net structure can be formed by a group of concentric webs which at intersection points or contacting points cross or contact a group of radial webs, a mesh structure in one exemplary embodiment can be formed from two mutually crossing or contacting groups of webs that in each case are disposed so as to be mutually parallel. In order for the individual jets in the region ahead of the flow rectifier and subsequently also in the flow rectifier to be able to be mixed with ambient air and for there to this end at all times to be sufficient ambient air in the housing interior space of the jet regulator housing, at least one aeration opening which penetrates a housing circumferential wall of the jet regulator is provided in the flow direction ahead of the flow rectifier. In order for the water that flows through the regulator housing not to be able to back up upstream of the flow rectifier in particular in the region of the at least one aeration opening and to be able to cause undesirable flow noises therein, it is provided according to the invention that at least one outlet opening that extends in the circumferential direction substantially across the at least one aeration opening and is preferably substantially free of webs is provided in the mesh or net structure of the flow rectifier.

One preferred embodiment according to the invention herein provides that the at least one outlet opening is configured as a hole that breaches the at least one mesh or net structure. The water flowing toward the flow rectifier can thus pass without impediment the hole in the mesh or net structure that serves as an outlet opening, without the water in this region being dammed by this mesh or net structure.

In order to facilitate the construction and the production of the flow rectifier that is provided in the jet regulator according to the invention it can be expedient for the mesh or net structure to have at least two groups of mutually crossing or contacting webs. For example, in order for one orderly mesh or net structure to be designed, in particular two groups of mutually crossing or contacting webs are sufficient.

In order for the structure of the flow rectifier to be shaped and in order in particular for the at least one net structure to be formed, it is expedient for the at least one mesh or net structure or at least one of said mesh or net structures to have a group of radially oriented webs which preferably cross or contact a group of concentrically encircling webs.

One preferred refinement of the invention which significantly simplifies the production of the jet regulator according to the invention provides that the flow rectifier has at least one insert part that is insertable into the housing interior space, that the at least one insert part has an encircling external holding ring, and that the mesh or net structure engages on the internal circumference of the holding ring of at least one first insert part.

Additionally or alternatively to the proposals above, a further inventive achievement that is of significance in terms of independent protection in the case of the jet regulator of the type mentioned at the outset provides that the flow rectifier has at least one insert part that is insertable into the housing interior space and from which at least one cover wall that is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator projects, said cover wall covering the at least one aeration opening at least in regions. The refining embodiment according to the solution proposal above provides that at least one cover wall that is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator covers the at least one aeration opening at least in regions. Here, said at least one cover wall is provided on the at least one insert part that forms the flow rectifier of the jet regulator according to the invention. Said cover wall can cover the at least one aeration opening in a radial direction such that the water flowing through the jet regulator housing cannot build up upstream of the flow rectifier, and in particular cannot build up in the region of the at least one aeration opening, and cause undesired flow noises there.

The at least one cover wall in the throughflow direction of the jet regulator can project beyond the insert part in such a manner that an upper part region of the at least one aeration opening is covered. However, one preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that the at least one cover wall projects beyond the insert part counter to the throughflow direction of the jet regulator. It can be advantageous for at least two cover walls that are preferably mutually spaced apart in the circumferential direction and in particular are disposed on a common circular path to project from the insert part. The intermediate spaces that remain between the at least two cover walls on the insert part can be utilized herein in particular here for allowing the mesh or net structures to engage on the holding ring.

One preferred refinement of the invention herein provides that the free external end at least of the webs of the first insert part that, for example, are oriented radially in the direction toward an aeration opening terminates at a spacing in front of the aeration opening and/or from the holding ring that surrounds the mesh or net structure of this insert part.

However, it is also possible for the mesh or net structure of the flow rectifier to be molded to the internal circumference of the housing wall of the jet regulator housing and to be held thereon in any other manner.

One preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that the holding ring of the first insert part is configured so as to be crown-shaped and to this end comprises cover walls that are mutually spaced apart and are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator and in each case project beyond an aeration opening.

In order to be able to link the mesh structure and in particular the net structure to the holding ring of the first insert part it is expedient for said mesh or net structure to be held in the regions between neighboring aeration openings on the internal circumference of the holding ring of the first insert part.

In order for the outlet openings that are provided in the mesh or net structure of at least the first insert part at all times to be provided in front of the aeration openings it is advantageous for at least the first insert part to be insertable into the housing interior space so as to be rotationally secured in the circumferential direction.

One preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that an anti-rotation device is provided at least between the first insert part and the housing internal circumference.

In order for the water that flows through the jet regulator according to the invention to be able to be mixed with ambient air and to this end at all times have sufficient ambient air available in the housing interior space of the jet regulator, it is advantageous for the jet regulator to have a jet splitter which in the flow direction is disposed upstream of the flow rectifier, and for the aeration opening(s) on the housing internal circumference to be disposed in an annular zone that is provided between the flow rectifier and the jet splitter. The jet splitter herein can be configured as a perforated plate, for example, which has throughflow holes that are disposed for example in concentric circles. However, it is also possible for this jet splitter to be configured so as to be pot-shaped, wherein the pot base forms an impact face and wherein throughflow holes that are mutually spaced apart in the circumferential direction and in which the incident flow of water is split up into the required individual jets are provided on the circumference of this pot shape.

In order for the water that is mixed with ambient air to additionally be able to be initially split and then gathered again to form a homogenous overall jet in the flow rectifier, it is advantageous for the flow rectifier to have a first insert part and at least one second insert part that in the flow direction is disposed downstream.

In order for splitting of the water flowing through to be provided also in the region of the outlet openings that are provided at least in the first insert part, it is advantageous for webs to be held on the internal circumference on the holding ring of the second insert part, said webs in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator being disposed on the first insert part in the extension of the webs that are oriented in the direction toward an aeration opening.

One preferred embodiment of the invention herein provides that the webs that are provided on the internal circumference on the holding ring of the second insert part and in the extension of the webs that are oriented for example radially in the direction toward an aeration opening are disposed on the first insert part are configured as web stumps, the stump ends of the latter reaching approximately up to the free web end of the webs that are assigned to the first insert part.

The water flowing through can be particularly well split even further in the flow rectifier and subsequently be shaped to form a homogenous overall jet when also the second insert part has a net structure that is formed by groups of mutually crossing or contacting webs, and when the intersection points or contact points that are formed by the webs of the second insert part are disposed so as to be offset to the net structure of the first insert part in such a manner that said intersection points or contact points are disposed below flow openings of the first insert part that are delimited by neighboring webs.

One preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that the at least one outlet opening is disposed on the internal side of a holding ring that encompasses the mesh or net structure of an insert part on the external circumference.

In order to prevent non-regulated rogue currents in the annular gap between the holding ring of the insert parts, on the one hand, and the housing internal circumference of the jet regulator housing, on the other hand, it is advantageous for at least the insert part of the flow rectifier that is disposed on the inflow side, at least by way of the inflow side external peripheral region of the holding ring of said insert part, to bear on the internal circumference of the jet regulator housing. To this end, the holding ring of this insert part can have an external circumference that in regions widens counter to the flow direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Refinements according to the invention are derived from the claims in conjunction with the description and from the figures. The invention will be explained in yet more detail hereunder by means of a preferred exemplary embodiment.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 in a side view shows a so-called aerated jet regulator which has aeration openings which penetrate a jet regulator housing that is round in the cross section and open in the housing interior space of the jet regulator housing;

FIG. 2 in a longitudinal section shows the jet regulator from FIG. 1, which has an attachment screen on the inflow side, a jet splitter which here is configured as a perforated plate, a flow rectifier which in the throughflow direction is disposed downstream and here is formed from two insert parts, and a homogenization installation on the outflow side;

FIG. 3a in a detailed longitudinal section shows the jet regulator from FIGS. 1 and 2 in the region of one of the aeration openings that is provided in the jet regulator housing, said region being identified in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3b shows the jet regulator from FIGS. 1 to 3a here likewise in a longitudinal section, in that part-region of the insert parts that in FIG. 7 is disposed on the outside, wherein however the cover walls on the retention part of the inflow-side insert part have not been conjointly sectioned;

FIG. 4 shows the jet regulator from FIGS. 1 to 3, shown in a perspective exploded illustration, wherein the jet regulator housing of this jet regulator is configured in two parts, having a housing part at the inflow side and at the outflow side;

FIG. 5 in an exploded illustration of individual parts shows the jet regulator from FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 shows an inflow-side insert part, illustrated in a perspective manner, of a flow rectifier that is usable in a jet regulator according to FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIG. 7 shows an inflow-side insert part that is comparable to that of FIG. 6, and an outflow-side insert part of a flow rectifier that is usable in a jet regulator according to FIGS. 1 to 6, said outflow-side insert part in the flow direction being disposed directly behind said inflow-side insert part;

FIG. 8 shows the outflow-side insert part of the jet regulator from FIGS. 1 to 5, shown in a perspective illustration;

FIG. 9 in a plan view onto the outflow side of the outflow-side insert part shows the insert parts of the flow rectifier that is used in the jet regulator according to FIGS. 1 to 8;

FIG. 10 in a detailed view shows the insert parts that form the flow rectifier in the region of the external holding rings of said insert parts, said detailed view being delimited in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 in a perspective illustration shows the insert parts from FIGS. 9 and 10 that form the flow rectifier, wherein the upper insert part is shown here as being partly sectioned;

FIG. 12 in the detailed illustration encircled in FIG. 11 in the sectional plane of the upper insert part shows the insert parts of the flow rectifier shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 lying on top of one another;

FIG. 13 in a side view shows the two insert parts from FIGS. 9 to 12 that lie on top of one another and form the flow rectifier;

FIG. 14 in a cross section through the sectional plane XIV-XIV according to FIG. 13 shows the two insert parts from FIGS. 9 to 13 lying on top of one another;

FIG. 15 shows a plan view onto an outflow-side insert part that is configured in an alternative manner, wherein the net structure of said insert part is formed from webs that mutually cross at intersection points;

FIG. 16 shows a perspective plan view onto an inflow-side insert part that is configured in an alternative manner, wherein the net structure of said insert part is formed from webs that mutually contact at contact points;

FIG. 17 shows the insert part from FIG. 16 in a perspective plan view that is illustrated in a sectioned manner;

FIG. 18 shows a perspective plan view onto a further inflow-side insert part that is configured in an alternative manner, wherein the net structure of said insert part is also formed from webs that mutually contact at contact points; and

FIG. 19 shows the insert part from FIG. 18 in a perspective plan view that is illustrated in a sectioned manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A jet regulator 1 that can be assembled on the water outflow of a sanitary outflow fitting in order for the water that exits the outflow fitting (not shown in more detail here) to be shaped to form a homogenous non-splashing water jet is shown in FIG. 1. The jet regulator 1 has a jet regulator housing 2 having a housing circumferential wall 3 that here is round in the cross section. In order to be able to mix the water flowing through the jet regulator 1 with ambient air and to design the exiting water jet so as to be pearly-soft, aeration openings 4 are provided which, distributed in a spaced-apart manner across the housing circumference of the jet regulator housing 2, penetrate the housing circumferential wall 3 and open in the housing interior space of the jet regulator housing 2.

In order to not allow the scale deposits and like dirt particles that are potentially contained in the incident flow of water to invade the jet regulator housing 2 where said dirt particles can catch and lead to malfunctions, an attachment screen 5 that here is conical is releasably connected to the jet regulator 1 at the inflow side. A jet splitter 6 is provided on the inflow side of the jet regulator 1, so as to be below the attachment screen 5. The jet splitter 6 that is disposed in the jet regulator housing 2 here is configured as a perforated plate which has a multiplicity of throughflow openings 7 which are disposed on concentric circles. The jet splitter 6 divides the incident flow of water into a multiplicity of individual jets. These individual jets in the throughflow openings 7 of the jet splitter 6 are imparted an acceleration such that negative pressure is created at the outflow side of the jet splitter 6. The aeration openings 4 that are provided in the housing circumferential wall 3 of the jet regulator housing 2 are disposed in an annular zone therein on the outflow side of the jet splitter 6. The negative pressure that is created on the outflow side of the jet splitter suctions the ambient air through the aeration openings 4 into the housing interior space of the jet regulator housing 2 where said ambient air can mix with the individual jets that are generated in the jet splitter 6, before the individual jets, mixed in such a manner with air, are shaped in a flow rectifier that is downstream of the jet splitter 6 so as to form an aerated overall jet.

The flow rectifier here is comprised of two insert parts 8, 9 which are insertable into the housing interior space of the jet regulator housing 2. To this end, the jet regulator housing 2 is configured in two parts, having a first housing part 10 and a pot-shaped second housing part 11. While the jet splitter 6 that is configured as a perforated plate is molded into the first housing part 10, the insert parts 8, 9 of the flow rectifier are insertable into the second housing part 11. The insert parts 8, 9 of the flow rectifier are held in the housing interior space when the housing parts 10, 11 are releasably interconnected.

The insert parts 8, 9 here have in each case one net structure which initially splits the aerated individual jets flowing therethrough even further. The insert parts 8, 9 that form the flow rectifier and are insertable in the housing interior space of the jet regulator housing 2 have an encircling external holding ring, wherein the net structure engages in each case on the holding rings 12, 12′ of the insert parts 8, 9.

By way of a comparison between FIGS. 4 to 9, 11, 12, 14, and 15 it becomes evident that the insert parts 8, 9 have a mesh or net structure from webs that mutually cross at intersection points. This mesh or net structure is held on the internal circumference of a holding ring 12 or 12′ that encompasses the mesh or net structure on the external circumference. It is illustrated in FIG. 15 that the insert parts 8, 9 and thus also the insert part 9 illustrated here at the outflow side can have a mesh or net structure from webs 13 that are possibly also disposed so as to be mutually unorganized.

By contrast, the net structures of the insert parts 8, 9 that are illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9, 11, 12, and 14 here are formed by a group of radially oriented webs 13, 13′ which at intersection points 14 cross a group of webs 15 that are disposed so as to be mutually concentric.

By way of a comparison between FIGS. 6, 7, 9, and 10 it becomes evident that the free external end of the webs 13 that are oriented radially in the direction toward an aeration opening 4, at least in the case of the first insert part 8 on the inflow side, terminate at a spacing in front of the aeration opening 4. In this way, an outlet opening 20 that extends across an assigned aeration opening 4 is formed in the mesh or net structure of the first insert part 8 of the flow rectifier. These outlet openings 20 are configured as a hole that breaks through the mesh or net structure. Since the water that flows toward the flow rectifier in the region of the aeration openings 4 can pass through the outlet openings 20 without impediment, without the inflowing water being dammed therein, undesirable flow noises in the region of the aeration openings 4 and the build-up and collapse at intervals of a water film in this region are prevented.

It can be seen in FIG. 3b that the holding ring 12 of the inflow-side first insert part 8, by way of an encircling inflow-side end periphery of said holding ring 12, can also be disposed in a plane that lies below the aeration openings 4. In order to prevent the individual jets that are imparted turbulence below the jet splitter 6 exiting the jet regulator housing 2, the inflow-side end periphery of the holding ring is preferably angled in a radially inward manner so as to be able to at least in regions cover the outlet opening 20 that lie there-behind in the flow direction.

However, for the same purpose, the embodiment that is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 2, 3a, 4 to 7, 11, and 13 is preferred for the inflow-side insert part 8. It can be seen herein in FIGS. 3a and 4 that the holding ring 12 of the first insert part 8 in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator projects beyond the aeration openings 4 at least in the region of the latter. In the case of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inflow-side insert part 8 has a holding ring 12 which on the inflow side thereof is configured so as to be planar. By contrast, the holding ring 12 of the first insert part 8 in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and 8 to 14 is configured so as to be crown-shaped, having a plurality of cover walls 17 that in the circumferential direction are mutually spaced apart and disposed on a common circular path, said cover walls 17 being oriented in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator and projecting in each case beyond one aeration opening 4. These cover walls 17 are provided on the holding ring 12 of the inflow-side insert part 8 and in particular on the inflow-side end periphery of the latter, being in particular molded thereon in an integral manner.

It can be seen in FIGS. 9, 11, and 14 that the second insert part 9 likewise has a net structure that is formed from groups of mutually crossing webs 13′, 15, wherein the intersection points 14 that are formed by the webs 13′, 15 of the second insert part 9 are disposed so as to be offset to the net structure of the first insert part 8 in such a manner that said intersection points 14 are disposed below throughflow openings of the first insert part 8 that are delimited by neighboring webs 13, 15. Webs 15 which in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator are disposed on the first insert part 8 in the extension of the webs 13′ that are oriented radially in the direction toward an aeration opening 4 are held herein on the internal circumference on the holding ring 12 of the second insert part 9. The webs that are provided on the internal circumference on the holding ring 12 of the second insert part 9 and in the extension of the webs that are oriented radially in the direction toward an aeration opening 4 are disposed on the first insert part 8 here are configured as web stumps 16, the stump ends of the latter reaching up to the free web end of the webs 13 that are assigned to the first insert part 8, as becomes evident from FIGS. 10 to 12. It is ensured in this way that the water flowing through the flow rectifier is split up even further also in the region of the outlet openings 20.

Linking the net structure that is provided in the first insert part 8 to the holding ring 12 of the first insert part 8 is performed at locations that are not critical in fluidic terms. To this end, it is provided that the net structure is held in the regions between neighboring aeration openings 4 on the internal circumference of the holding ring 12 of the first insert part 8.

In order for the offset arrangement of the net structures provided in the insert parts 8, 9 to be ensured, in order for the annular moldings 17 on the holding ring 12 of the first insert part 8 to be at all times positioned in front of the aeration openings 4, and in order for the outlet openings 14 in front of the aeration openings 4 to be held in a positionally correct manner, the insert parts 8, 9 are insertable into the housing interior space of the jet regulator housing 2 so as to be rotationally secured in the circumferential direction. To this end, in each case one anti-rotation device is provided between the insert parts 8, 9 and the housing internal circumference. To this end, the insert parts 8, 9 on the external circumference of the holding rings 12, 12′ thereof have at least one anti-rotation protrusion 18 which engages in a securing groove 19 on the internal circumference of the housing circumferential wall 3, said securing groove 19 being oriented in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator.

As becomes evident by way of a comparison between FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 the jet regulator 1 has a mesh or net structure also on the outflow side thereof. This outflow-side structure in the case of the jet regulator 1 illustrated here is designed as a honeycomb-shaped mesh structure 21. The mesh structure 21 is molded in an integral manner to the jet regulator housing 2 and in particular to the second housing part 11 of the latter, and prevents any undesirable upward sliding of the insert parts 8, 9 that are located in the housing internal space of the jet regulator housing 2.

Alternative embodiments of an insert part are visualized by means of inflow-side insert parts 8 that are illustrated in an exemplary manner in FIGS. 16 to 19. As can be derived from FIGS. 16 to 19, the at least one insert part, or at least one of the insert parts, of the flow rectifier that is located in the jet regulator housing 2 can have a mesh structure and, in particular as here, a net structure from webs 13, 15 that mutually contact at contact points 22, wherein a group of concentrically encircling webs 15 here also contacts the webs 13 of a group of radial webs 13. Like the previously illustrated webs 13, 15 that mutually cross at intersection points 14, the webs 13, 15 of the insert parts 8 illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19 are interconnected in an integral manner at the contact points 22. While the concentric webs 15 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 are disposed in an inflow-side plane, and the radial webs 13 that are connected to said webs 15 in an integral manner are disposed in an outflow-side plane lying below said inflow-side plane, the radial webs 13 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 are by contrast disposed in an inflow-side plane, while the concentrically encircling webs 15 are provided in an outflow-side plane.

The insert parts 8 that are illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 19 which show in each case the first insert part 8 in the throughflow direction of the flow rectifier that is provided in the jet regulator housing 2, have an external holding ring 12 which on the inflow side supports a molded anti-splash ring 23 that in the manner of an annular flange protrudes in a radially inward manner. At least the radial webs 13 that are disposed in the region below in each case one aeration opening 4 have a free web end which indeed projects beyond the external encircling web 15 but terminates at a spacing from the holding ring 12 and thus also from the housing internal circumference of the jet regulator housing 2, on account thereof forming an outlet opening 20 that in the circumferential direction extends across the at least one aeration opening 4.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1 Jet regulator

2 Jet regulator housing

3 Housing circumferential wall

4 Aeration opening

5 Attachment screen

6 Jet splitter

7 Throughflow openings

8 First insert part

9 Second insert part

10 First housing part

11 Second housing part

12, 12′ Holding ring

13, 13′ Webs

14 Intersection points

15 Concentric webs

16 Web stumps

17 Cover wall(s)

18 Anti-rotation protrusions

19 Securing groove

20 Outlet opening

21 Molded honeycomb mesh structure

22 Contact points

23 Splash-protection ring

Claims

1. A jet regulator (1) comprising a jet regulator housing (2) having a housing circumferential wall (3) that defines a housing interior space, at least one flow rectifier which has at least one mesh or net structure formed of mutually crossing or contacting webs (13, 15) which is oriented transversely to a throughflow direction provided in the housing interior space of said jet regulator housing (2), at least one aeration opening (4) which penetrates the housing circumferential wall (3), and at least one outlet opening (20) that extends in a circumferential direction across the at least one aeration opening (4) defined in the at least one mesh or net structure of the flow rectifier.

2. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet opening (20) is configured as a hole that breaches the mesh or net structure.

3. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mesh or net structure has at least two groups of mutually crossing webs (13, 15).

4. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mesh or net structure has a group of radially oriented webs (13) which at intersection points (14) or contact points (22) cross or contact a group of concentrically encircling webs (15).

5. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow rectifier has at least one insert part (8, 9) that is insertable into the housing interior space.

6. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow rectifier has at least one insert part (8, 9) that is insertable into the housing interior space and from which at least one cover wall (17) that is oriented in a longitudinal direction of the jet regulator projects, said cover wall (17) covering the at least one aeration opening (4) at least in regions.

7. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one cover wall (17) projects counter to the throughflow direction of the jet regulator (1) from at least one of the at least one insert part (8).

8. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one insert part (8, 9) has an encircling external holding ring (12, 12′).

9. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mesh or net structure engages on an internal circumference of the holding ring (12) of at least a first of the at least one insert part (8).

10. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 9, wherein only the encircling external holding ring (12) of the at least one insert part (8) is disposed between the at least one outlet opening (20) and the at least one aeration opening (4).

11. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 3, wherein a free external end of the webs (13′) that are oriented radially in a direction toward an aeration opening (4) terminate at a spacing in front of the at least one aeration opening (4), optionally within an outlet opening (20).

12. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least two of the cover walls (17) are provided and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction on a common circular path.

13. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 12, wherein a holding ring (12) of a first of the at least one insert part (8) is configured so as to be crown-shaped and comprises the cover walls (17) that are mutually spaced apart and are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator and in each case project beyond an associated one of the at least one aeration opening (4).

14. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one cover wall (17) is provided on a holding ring (12) of the at least one insert part (8) and preferably on an inflow-side end periphery thereof.

15. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one mesh or net structure is held in regions between neighboring aeration openings (4) on an internal circumference of the holding ring (12) of a first one of the at least one insert part (8).

16. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least a first of the at least one insert part (8) is insertable into the housing interior space so as to be rotationally secured in the circumferential direction.

17. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 16, wherein an anti-rotation device is provided at least between the first of the at least one insert part (8) and a housing internal circumference.

18. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a jet splitter (6) which in the throughflow direction is disposed upstream of the flow rectifier, and the at least one aeration opening (4) on the housing circumferential wall is disposed in an annular zone that is provided between the flow rectifier and the jet splitter (6).

19. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow rectifier has a first insert part (8) and at least one second insert part (9) that in the throughflow direction is disposed downstream.

20. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 19, wherein webs, which in the longitudinal direction of the jet regulator are disposed on the first insert part (8) in an extension of webs (13′) that are oriented in a direction toward an aeration opening (4), are held on an internal circumference on a holding ring (12) of the second insert part (9).

21. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 20, wherein the webs that are provided on the internal circumference on the holding ring (12) of the second insert part (9) and in the extension of the webs (13) that are oriented in the direction toward an aeration opening (4) are disposed on the first insert part (8) are configured as web stumps (16), stump ends of said web stumps reaching approximately up to a free web end of the webs (13) that are assigned to the first insert part (8).

22. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second insert part (9) has a net structure that is formed by mutually crossing or contacting webs (13, 15), and intersection points (14) or contact points (22) that are formed by the webs (13, 15) of the second insert part are disposed so as to be offset to a net structure of the first insert part (8) in such a manner that said intersection points (14) or contact points (22) are disposed below flow openings of the first insert part (8) that are delimited by neighboring webs (13, 15).

23. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet opening (20) is disposed on an internal side of a holding ring (12, 12′) that encompasses the mesh or net structure of an insert part (8, 9) on an external circumference.

24. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 19 the first insert part (8) of the flow rectifier that is disposed on the inflow side, at least by way of an inflow side external peripheral region of a holding ring (12) of said insert part (8), bears on an internal circumference of the jet regulator housing (2).

25. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 24, wherein the inflow side end periphery of the holding ring (12) is angled in a radially inward manner on the inflow side first insert part (8), and at least in regions covers the outlet openings (20) disposed there-behind in the flow direction.

26. The jet regulator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mesh or net structure (21) integrally molded to the jet regulator housing (2), said mesh or net structure (21) forming an outflow end side of the jet regulator (1).

27. A jet regulator (1) comprising a jet regulator housing (2) having a housing circumferential wall (3) that defines a housing interior space, at least one flow rectifier which has at least one mesh or net structure formed of mutually crossing or contacting webs (13, 15) which is oriented transversely to a flow direction provided in the housing interior space of said jet regulator housing (2), at least one aeration opening (4) which penetrates the housing circumferential wall (3), and the flow rectifier has at least one insert part (8, 9) that is insertable into the housing interior space and from which at least one cover wall (17) that is oriented in a longitudinal direction of the jet regulator projects, said cover wall (17) covering the at least one aeration opening (4) at least in regions.