EP2349173B1

EP2349173B1 - Hydromassage device, system comprising a plurality of such devices and wall comprising such a system

Info

Publication number: EP2349173B1
Application number: EP20100702350
Authority: EP
Inventors: Geert Woppenkamp
Original assignee: Ucosan BV
Current assignee: Ucosan BV
Priority date: 2009-01-12
Filing date: 2010-01-06
Publication date: 2015-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-06
Also published as: EP2349173A1; NL1036408C2; WO2010080026A1

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a hydromassage device comprising a rotatable nozzle according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore it refers to a hydromassage system comprising a plurality of such hydromassage devices, and to a wall comprising such a system.

Background of the invention

Such a hydromassage device is known from EP-1243244 .
EP 1243244 describes a hydromassage device in which the direction of the water flow can be changed by altering the shape of the nozzle outlet by means of a motor. In this device the water flow can be arrested by means of a second motor and elastic components. This known hydromassage device is relatively expensive and bulky in having two motors. Another drawback of this known device is that manual adjustment of the nozzle is not possible. Additionally, flexible components generally tend to be nondurable which makes this device susceptive for leakage.
Most hydromassage devices produce a one direction water flow. In case a plurality of those hydromassage device are built in a bathtub wall only certain parts of the body will be massaged. In order to change the direction of the water flow some known hydromassage devices comprise a rotatable nozzle. A main drawback is that rotation of the nozzle can only be performed manually. This means that lying in a bathtub having built in a plurality of such hydromassage devices requires, for optimal massage, temporal manual rotation of those nozzles. Another drawback of most hydromassage devices is that the force of the water flow and consequently the strength of the massage can not be varied.
Known devices having rotatable nozzles generally comprise an eyeball-like nozzle rotatable mounted in a outer housing of the device. See for example US 3,985,303 and US 6,491,238 . These known devices cope with problems concerning debris present in the bathtub. Another drawback of these known devises is that they are generally not able to arrest the water flow. This precludes the possibility to vary the strength of the massage of other devices present or to realise a pulsating massage without the use of external components, like valves.
WO 9108728 describes a device comprising a metering valve to control the force of the water flow and to shut it off completely. In the device described in WO 9108728 only the metering valve is controlled by a motor. The motor in this device does not rotate the nozzle. The device does not comprise a rotatable nozzle at all. Therefore the motor does not control the direction of the water flow, directly or indirectly. Moreover, a central system controlling a plurality of such devises is not described nor suggested in this document.
The distance between the bathtub wall and the opposing bathroom wall is limiting because most people prefer a thin rim between the bathtub and the bathroom wall. This means that hydromassage devices to be mounted on a bathtub wall have to be as short as possible. In addition a small opening in a bathtub wall for mounting the hydromassage device is preferred. This means that hydromassage devices have to be as small as possible to be able to pass this opening for servicing the hydromassage device. Preferably this opening in the bathtub is only slightly larger than the nozzle. Generally, hydromassage devices connected to a motor, including the device described in EP 1243244 , do not fit well to all these demands.
The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks related to known hydromassage devices as described above.

Summary of the invention

The invention therefore provides a hydromassage device comprising a rotatable nozzle as defined in claim 1. The effect of rotating the nozzle can be different and varies with the kind of nozzle.
In one aspect of the invention the direction of the water flow produced by the hydromassage device can be changed.by rotating the nozzle.
In another aspect of the invention the strength of the water flow can be changed, for example the water flow can be arrested.
With the terms "rotatable" and "rotate" is meant turning around an internal axis of rotation, for example the centre line of the nozzle, but also turning around an external axis, for example from a rotational point. The terms also comprise turning only for some degrees. With "rotatable" can be meant, for example, rotatable to an extend of 90 degrees or rotatable to an extend of 180 but could also mean rotatable to an extend of 360 degrees or rotatable to an extend of -90 degrees, the other way around, or combinations thereof. Preferably the nozzle rotates repeatedly back and forth, for example -175 and 175 degrees.
The motor could rotate the nozzle by means of a time interval, for example, every 5 minutes, or could rotate the nozzle continuously. Preferably the nozzle rotates 5 times per minute.
The device according to the invention is particularly suitable to be mounted on an opening of a bathtub wall but could also be mounted on an opening of other massage means like swimming pools, large whirlpools, spa's, foot baths, or shower- and steam cabins. Because the electric motor is in close proximity to the nozzle it is possible to construct massage means that have smaller dimensions. Another advantage is that each device can have its own motor such that each nozzle can be controlled separately. With "close proximity" is meant 0-4 cm spaced apart, preferably 0-1 cm spaced apart. The term "close proximity" refers to the main part of the electric motor and does not include wiring or a computer controlling the motor.
Preferably the nozzle is directly coupled to a drive shaft of the electric motor. The motor can be a brushed or brushless DC motor or a AC synchronous motor such as a stepper motor. The motor can be combined with a reduction gear to achieve a appropriate speed and to accurately couple the motor with the nozzle.
In one embodiment of a device according to the invention the nozzle comprises a water outlet end of which the axis is deviating from the axis of rotation. Rotation of such a nozzle results in change of direction of the water flow leaving the nozzle.
In another embodiment of a device according to the invention the nozzle comprises a water inlet end, which water inlet end is, in a first rotation position, in communication with a water source, preferably pressurized water, whereby by rotating the nozzle to a second rotation position the water source is shut off. Rotation of such a nozzle to the second rotation position results in arresting the water flow. By rotating the nozzle a pulsating massage can be achieved. Preferably the second rotation position includes a small range of rotation positions. In one example the first rotation position could be in the range between 1 - 300 degrees were the second rotation position is in the range between 300-360 degrees.
In case a device is one of a plurality of devices and the water source is pressurized with the same water pump, arresting the water flow of said device will increase the water pressure towards other devices and therefore increase the strength of massage of the other devices. In a preferred embodiment the nozzle comprises a section of which the outer surface is substantially radially symmetric. In this section a recess is forming the inlet end of the nozzle which inlet end, in the first rotation position, is in communication with the water flow channel, whereby by rotating the nozzle to a second rotation position the remaining outer surface of said first section is shutting off the water flow channel.
Preferably such nozzle comprises an air inlet end, which air inlet end is, in the first rotation position, in communication with an air source, preferably pressurized air, whereby by rotating the nozzle to the second rotation position the air source is shut off. Accordingly, the device in the first rotation position, when it no longer produces a water flow, no longer produces an air flow.
In another embodiment of a hydromassage device according to the invention it comprises an inner housing accommodating the nozzle, an outer housing enclosing the inner housing, where the inner housing and the motor, to be able to demount them, are aligned such that they are axial moveable with respect to the outer housing. Such hydromassage device is easily serviced from the inside of a bathtub. Preferably the device comprises flexible means to watertight link the inner housing with the outer housing. Preferably only a specialised mechanic having specialised equipment can take out the motor.
The inner housing preferably comprises a water flow channel for guiding water from the water source to the nozzle which water flow channel is sloping towards the nozzle. The presence of a motor requires specific solutions to make the device as compact and/or short as possible. The water source usually comprises a tubular network that has to be mounted on a certain distance of the wall. In this embodiment the nozzle is able to be positioned more closely to the wall compared to the tubular network to make room for the motor. This decreases the required protrusion of the hydromassage device. Preferably the water flow channel is converging allowing the water source to be a regular tubular network. This embodiment also allows the motor to be in one line with the rotation axis of the nozzle. Preferably the outer housing comprises tubular means to connect the water source with the water flow channel.
Preferably the hydromassage device comprises mounting means to fixedly arrange the outer housing and to adjust the position of the inner housing with respect to the outer housing, and a cap, preferably a screw cap, adjustably connectable to an outer housing end, which outer housing end at least partially encloses the motor, to hold the motor in a functional position with respect to the nozzle. The position of the inner housing with respect to the outer housing preferably is such that the nozzle will be in a desired position with respect to the wall. The cap can hold the motor in the correct position with respect to the nozzle irrespective of the position of the inner housing with respect to the outer housing which can vary with the thickness of the wall. The cap could exert a force pressing the motor to the nozzle. The protrusion of the hydromassage device relative to the wall is kept constant in this embodiment. Preferably the cap comprises an opening for wiring the motor.
In yet another embodiment of a hydromassage device according to the invention it comprises abutment means to define a specific rotation position of the nozzle. Preferably the abutment means are formed by parts on the nozzle as well as parts of the inner housing. These abutment means are especially preferential if a plurality of devices is present. The abutted rotation position can be the starting rotation position from which nozzles in a plurality of devices starts to rotate.
In yet another embodiment of a hydromassage device according to the invention it comprises a slip coupling between the motor and the nozzle, for example to allow manual adjustment of the nozzle. This slip coupling prevents deformation and damage to the motor if an individual is rotating the nozzle manually. It furthermore allows for the alignment of the nozzle in case the device comprises abutment means. This alignment is especially useful if the rotation position of a nozzle in a device being one of a plurality of devices has to be controlled.
In another embodiment the hydromassage device comprises angle measuring means to measure the rotation position of the nozzle. The angle measuring means could replace or supplement abutment means. The measuring means are especially useful if the rotation position of a nozzle in a hydromassage device has to be controlled accurately.
Furthermore the invention provides a hydromassage system comprising a plurality of hydromassage devices as described above. Such a system is especially suited to be mounted on a bathtub.
Preferably each nozzle is driven by a single motor and a plurality of motors of the plurality of hydromassage devices is controlled centrally, for example by a computer.
In addition the invention provides a wall adjoining a space, which space is suitable for experiencing a hydromassage, like a wall of a bathtub, swimming pool, whirlpool, spa, foot bath or shower- and steam cabin, comprising a system as described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

There now follows by way of example only a detailed description of one embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a cross section of a hydromassage device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a hydromassage device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3A and B show the nozzle in two rotation positions.

Detailed description of the embodiment

Fig. 1 shows a hydromassage device (1) according to a preferred embodiment of the invention build in a wall (25), which wall (25) could be adjoining a space (22), which space (22) is suitable for experiencing a hydromassage, like a wall (25) of a bathtub, swimming pool, whirlpool, spa, foot bath or shower- and steam cabin. This hydromassage device (1) comprises a rotatable nozzle (2) and a motor (3). Here the nozzle is rotatable around an internal axis, which is also its centre line. The nozzle (2) comprises a water outlet end (4) of which the axis (5) is deviating from the axis of rotation (6). In figure 3 the nozzle is shown enlarged. The nozzle, also shown in figure 3, comprises a water inlet end (9), which water inlet end (9) is, in a first rotation position, in communication with a water source (10). Rotating this nozzle (2) to a second rotation position (lower part of figure 3) results in shutting off the water source (10). Figure 3A and B show two rotation positions of which 3A could be the first position and 3B could be the second position, keeping in mind the orientation of the device shown in figure 1. The nozzle (2) has a section (27) of which the outer surface (28) is substantially radially symmetric. In this section a recess (29) is forming the inlet end (9) of the nozzle (2) which inlet end (9), in the first rotation position, is in communication with the water flow channel (15), whereby by rotating the nozzle (2) to a second rotation position the remaining outer surface of said first section is shutting off the water flow channel (15) and thereby shutting of the water source (10). Figure 3A and B also show a narrowing (32) of the water path in the nozzle (2) to create a venturi effect to let air get into the water flow. Figures 1 and 2 show an inner housing (13) accommodating the nozzle (2), an outer housing (14) enclosing the inner housing (13), where the inner housing (13) and the motor (3) are aligned such that they are, the motor (3) after the inner housing (13), axial moveable with respect to the outer housing (14). This allows the device to be partially demounted from the side of the space (22). That is, to demount the nozzle (2), the inner housing (13) the slip coupling (21), the motor (3) and other components. The outer housing (14) which can, in this embodiment, not be demounted from the side of the space (22), comprises tubular means (39) to connect the water source (10) with the water flow channel (15). The water flow channel (15) for guiding water from the water source (10) to the nozzle (2) is sloping towards the nozzle (2). The massage device comprises mounting means (16) to fixedly arrange the outer housing, preferably relative to a wall (25) for example a bathtub wall, and to adjust the position of the inner housing (13) with respect to the outer housing (14). Figure 1 shows that the position of the inner housing (13), and consequently the nozzle (2), is such that the wall and the hydromassage device (1), on one side of the wall (25), preferably the inner side of a bathtub, form a substantially flat plane. The cap (18) shown is a screw cap connectable to the outer housing end (19), which outer housing end encloses the motor (3) to hold the motor (3) in a functional position with respect to the nozzle (2). The mounting means (16) comprise a first ring (34) comprising a first collar (32) wider than the opening (33) in the wall (25) and screw thread or ridges (36), which screw thread or ridges (36) is compatible with screw thread or ridges (37) present on the outer housing (14). The mounting means (16) further comprise a second ring (35) comprising a second collar (38) to retain the inner housing (13) in the outer housing (14). The drive shaft (26) of the motor (3) is connected to the nozzle (2) by way of a slip coupling (21). The slip coupling (21) comprises two sinusoidal ring structures (30-31) one (30) connected to the motor (3), the other (31) connected to the nozzle (2). The rotating force by which the slip coupling (21) slips is determined by the force by which the two rings are pressed against each other. This force is effectuated by a spring (33) present between the motor (3) and its respective sinusoidal ring (30) .

Claims

A hydromassage device (1) comprising a rotatable nozzle (2) and an electric motor (3) for rotating the nozzle (2), which motor (3) is positioned in close proximity with respect to the nozzle (2),
characterized in that a drive shaft (26) of the motor (3) is coaxially arranged with respect to the axis of rotation (6) of the nozzle (2).
The hydromassage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle (2) comprises a water outlet end (4) of which the axis is deviating from the axis of rotation (6).
The hydromassage device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nozzle comprises a water inlet end (9), which water inlet end (9) is, in a first rotation position, in communication with a water source (10), preferably pressurized water, whereby by rotating the nozzle (2) to a second rotation position the water source (10) is shut off.
The hydromassage device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the nozzle (2) comprises an air inlet end (11), which air inlet end (11) is, in the first rotation position, in communication with an air source, preferably pressurized air, whereby by rotating the nozzle (2) to the second rotation position the air source is shut off.
The hydromassage device (1) according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that it comprises an inner housing (13) accommodating the nozzle (2) and an outer housing (14) at least partly enclosing the inner housing (13), whereby the inner housing (13) and the motor (3), to be able to demount them, are aligned such that they are axial moveable with respect to the outer housing (14).
The hydromassage device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner housing (13) comprises a water flow channel (15) for guiding water from the water source (10) to the nozzle (2) which water flow channel (15) is sloping towards the nozzle (2).
The hydromassage device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises:
- mounting means (16) to fixedly arrange the outer housing (14) with respect to a wall (25), preferably a wall (25) of a bath tub, and to adjust the position of the inner housing (13) with respect to the outer housing, and

- a cap, preferably a screw cap, adjustably connectable to an outer housing end (19), which outer housing end (19) at least partially encloses the motor (3), to hold the motor (3) in a functional position with respect to the nozzle (2).
The hydromassage device (1) according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that it comprises abutment means (20) to define a specific rotation position of the nozzle (2).
The hydromassage device (1) according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that it comprises a slip coupling (21) between the motor (3) and the nozzle (2), for example to allow manual adjustment of the nozzle (2).
The hydromassage device (1) according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that it comprises angle measuring means to measure the rotation position of the nozzle (2).
A hydromassage system (24) characterized in that it comprises a plurality of hydromassage devices (1) according to any of claims 1-9.
The hydromassage system (24) according to claim 11, characterized in that each nozzle (2) is driven by a single motor (3) and that a plurality of motors (3) of the plurality of hydromassage devices (1) is controlled centrally.
A wall (25) adjoining a space (22), which space (22) is suitable for experiencing a hydromassage, like a wall of a bathtub, swimming pool, whirlpool, spa, foot bath or shower- and steam cabin, comprising the system according to claim 10 or 11.