EP2538829A1 - Pomme de douche à fonctionnement multimodal - Google Patents

Pomme de douche à fonctionnement multimodal

Info

Publication number
EP2538829A1
EP2538829A1 EP10846758A EP10846758A EP2538829A1 EP 2538829 A1 EP2538829 A1 EP 2538829A1 EP 10846758 A EP10846758 A EP 10846758A EP 10846758 A EP10846758 A EP 10846758A EP 2538829 A1 EP2538829 A1 EP 2538829A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spray
showerhead
selector
face
patterns
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10846758A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2538829A4 (fr
Inventor
Mordechai Lev
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP2538829A1 publication Critical patent/EP2538829A1/fr
Publication of EP2538829A4 publication Critical patent/EP2538829A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/14—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
    • B05B1/18—Roses; Shower heads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/14—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
    • B05B1/16—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively- effective outlets
    • B05B1/1627—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively- effective outlets with a selecting mechanism comprising a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock
    • B05B1/1636—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively- effective outlets with a selecting mechanism comprising a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock by relative rotative movement of the valve elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/05—Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps
    • E03C1/055—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention in general relates to a personal hygiene showerhead, and in particular to a showerhead offering multiple modes of operation with a controller having a mechanical or electrical power source to control effluent properties within a mode of operation.
  • Conventional showerheads are characterized by a valve controlling water flow to the showerhead and often a mode selector that allows a user to adjust the effluent spray pattern from the showerhead. While numerous structures have been developed to vary the showerhead aperture dimensions and/or number to modify the spray pattern, these showerheads have in common the requirement of manual actuation of a valve or apertured disc to modify showerhead effluent spray pattern. As a result, only a single spray pattern is experienced before a manual adjustment is required to sample another spray pattern. The requirement of user intervention to modify the spray pattern practically results in a less beneficial therapeutic bather experience, as well as excessive water usage through a water massage spray sequence not being followed with adequate temporal control.
  • a showerhead for personal hygiene includes a spray face in fluid communication with a cavity by way of a plurality of nozzle apertures.
  • the cavity receiving water from a water supply.
  • a spray selector controls fluid flow between the cavity and the nozzle apertures.
  • a battery-electric motor or a kinetic energy storing spring is provided as a power supply for an actuator that provides mechanical communication between the power supply and the selector to move the selector and thereby alter the fluid spray pattern from the spray face.
  • a user interface provides a user with selective control over movement of the actuator and the movement of the selector to sequentially provide multiple spray patterns from the spray face without intermediate manual intervention of the spray face between the multiple spray patterns emitted from the spray face.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive showerhead with an inset depicting a remote control therefor that communicates user interface commands to the showerhead proper;
  • Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the showerhead of Fig. 1;
  • FIG. 3A is a perspective front view of an inventive showerhead with an integrated user interface
  • Fig. 3B is a partial cutaway exploded rear perspective view of the showerhead of Fig. 3 A with an expanded view, partial cutaway of an inset provided in alternate embodiments in Figs. 3C and 3D;
  • Fig. 3C is a partial cutaway view of an inventive showerhead mechanism operating with a cam system for mode control
  • Fig. 3D is a partial cutaway view of an inventive showerhead mechanism operating with a magnet system for mode control.
  • the present invention has utility as a showerhead for personal hygiene.
  • An inventive showerhead has a valve actuator that is powered mechanically or electrically to provide variation in spray pattern, variation in water flow, or a combination thereof upon a user initiating valve actuator operation.
  • a user interface includes one or more user interface buttons each corresponding to a different multimodal operational program for the showerhead.
  • a user programmable keypad allowing a user to select between different spray modes, flow rates and a combination thereof is also provided within an integral showerhead housing or a remote control.
  • a user is able to change modes without intervening manual manipulation between modes; as a result an enhanced massage experience is provided.
  • a timed shower period, reduced water flow patterns, or a combination thereof is also provided to save water.
  • FIG. 10 an inventive showerhead is shown generally at 10.
  • the showerhead 10 is coupled to a pressurized water supply pipe P.
  • the showerhead 10 has a ball joint 11 extending to a mixing cavity 12 in fluid communication with nozzle apertures 14.
  • a seal 13 contains water with the cavity 12 defined by the housing 15.
  • the nozzle apertures 14 terminate in a spray face 16.
  • the spray face 16 is appreciated to be a wall mounted spray head or extend by way of a flexible tube water supply pipe P to a handheld spray head.
  • a valve actuator 18 is mechanically coupled to a conventional rotary spray pattern selector 20.
  • a spray pattern selector 20 rotates to provide selective fluid communication between water within the pipe P and a given nozzle aperture 17.
  • the spray face 16 can be planar, convex or concave and need not be displaced in height relative to apertures 17. With a large number of aperture nozzles 17 being in fluid communication a wide, low pressure spray pattern is provided relative to when a smaller number of like sized nozzle apertures are in fluid communication with the water supply. It is appreciated that a selector 20 also varies the shape of as well as the overall nozzle area. A large nozzle area is associated with a low pressure flow while a smaller nozzle area corresponds to a comparatively higher pressure flow pattern.
  • a spray face 16 and a selector 20 are readily formed of materials conventional to the art illustratively including thermoplastics, thermoset resins and non-corroding metals such as brass alloys, aluminum and stainless steel.
  • An inventive valve actuator 18 has a coupling to mechanically engage the rotary selector 20.
  • the gear train 26 is coupled to a motor 28 that when energized displaces the gear train 26 and in turn moves the selector 20 so as to modify flow pattern and/or flow rate from the showerhead 10.
  • the motor 28 is located within motor cavity 29 of the housing 15.
  • the motor 28 is energized by a battery 30 collectively forming a power supply 31.
  • An alternative power supply 31 is either a battery or a spring storing kinetic energy and includes a manual crankshaft 39 with a manually turnable wing nut 44 to facilitate cranking.
  • the power supply cavity 29 is sealed with a door 37.
  • An O-ring 47 prevents water entry into the motor compartment 29.
  • the power supply 31 provides rotary movement of the selector 20 through intermittent movement, a cam system or a magnetic system, the latter depicted in greater detail in Figs. 3C and 3D, respectively.
  • the battery 30 is either a disposable button type, alkaline battery, or a rechargeable battery.
  • An ultra capacitor is contemplated as an alternative to a rechargeable battery.
  • a battery charger accessory is contemplated to charge a second battery for exchange while a first battery is depleted of electrical charge through use in an inventive showerhead 10 or 50.
  • an inventive showerhead operates as a conventional showerhead.
  • an inventive showerhead 10 optionally also includes a printed circuit board 32 capable of storing multiple mode spray pattern and/or flow rate programs for the operation of the showerhead.
  • a user interface 33 includes one or more buttons 34 to access pre-programmed modes and optionally a display 38 to allow a user to program a custom multimode operational program for the While the interface 33 is depicted as a remote control communicative to the board 32 by way of infrared or radio frequency communication, it is appreciated that an interface 33 is readily formed with an insulated electrical wire extending between the board 32 and the interface 33 and communicating user mode preferences.
  • a selector 20 changes the mode of water flow delivery from an inventive showerhead.
  • a pre-programmed relaxation program provides a sixty second soft spray followed by thirty second high pressure flow, followed by sixty seconds of soft aeration spray. It is appreciated that the duration and order of these modes are readily changed.
  • a pre-programmed energizing program may alternate full spray mode with massage function modes. It is appreciated that a mode also is optionally provided that delivers water at a reduced rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.
  • the pre-programmed set of modes includes an optional pause mode to not only save water, but afford a user an opportunity to apply cleanser. At the end of the program, the shower flow either remains in constant spray mode or shuts off water flow from the spray head.
  • FIG. 3A-3D an inventive showerhead is shown generally at 50.
  • the showerhead 50 has a ball joint 1 extending to a cavity 52 in fluid communication with nozzle apertures 54.
  • a seal 13' contains water within the cavity 52 defined by the housing 55.
  • the nozzle apertures 54 terminate in a spray face 56.
  • the ball joint 1 is joined to water supply pipe P or to a flexible tube water supply pipe P to form a handheld spray head.
  • Housing 55 includes a motor compartment 69 which forms a watertight space upon a door 39' engaging an aperture 70 therein.
  • the aperture 70 is sized to receive a battery 30.
  • the showerhead 50 has a user interface 63 that includes one or more buttons 64 and optionally a display 68 to allow a user to program a custom multimodal operational program or select from a number of preselected programs available with the inventive showerhead 50.
  • one button corresponds to the pre-programmed relaxation program while another for example corresponds to the pre-programmed energizing program detailed above.
  • the display 68 can be by way of example a liquid crystal display, the display 68 deriving power from the battery 30.
  • the circuitry (not shown) is provided intermediate and in electrical communication between the battery 30 and display 68 and preferably also intermediate between the battery 30 and an electric motor 28'.
  • Fig. 3C represents an expanded partial cutaway of the working components found within the housing 55.
  • a motorized shower mechanism provided in Fig. 3C depicts a single cam track and a single microswitch.
  • a motor 28 is connected to wires 72 that extend to electrical circuitry (not shown).
  • the circuitry provides electrical input modification to changes in voltage being provided to the motor 28' and includes control functions to translate user activation of a button 34 into an operational program.
  • a display 68 is present, memory is provided that selectively displays appropriate icons and characters therein.
  • the electric circuitry includes read- write memory to accept user input programming.
  • the electric motor is contained within watertight motor compartment 69 and is enmeshed with a gear train 74.
  • the gear train 74 transmits rotational energy from the motor 28' to a selector 20 having a gear rack 76 also enmeshed with the gear train 74 by way of a drive gear 78.
  • the selector 20 has aperture restricting structure 80 extending into a mixing cavity receiving water via aperture 83.
  • the aperture restricting structure 80 optionally includes multiple teeth 84 and 86 concentrically displaced to overlap occasionally nozzle apertures 14 and 17, respectively.
  • a third tooth 88 is shown having a hole 90 therethrough that changes the flow pattern through a central nozzle aperture 92 in the spray face 16.
  • ribs 94 extend from the back surface 96 of spray face 16 and into the mixing cavity 82. The ribs 94 provide mechanical support for the aperture restricting structure 80.
  • a cam track 98 associated with the selector 20 provides a series of points that vary in radial diameter. While the portion of cam track 98 depicted in Fig. 3C shows a uniform sinusoidal undulation, it is appreciated that the variations along the cam track 98 can be discontinuous, such as forming a square wave, and need not be of uniform shape or dimension. Additionally, it is appreciated that several spaced cam tracks such as cam track 98 are provided around the diameter of the selector 20 with each track denoting a different program. A microswitch 100 upon detecting a given feature on cam track 98 sends a signal to the motor 28 that deactivates the motor thereby creating effluent from the spray face in a different spray mode.
  • the signal from the microswitch 100 is communicated via electrically insulated wire 102 either directly to the motor 28' or through circuitry.
  • a user depressing a button 34 on the control pad 33' can initiate a given program including at least two different spray output modes.
  • each such cam track has a devoted microswitch that is activated to control motor 28' when a button 34 on the control pad 33' is activated that corresponds to the given cam track.
  • a motorized shower mechanism is provided based on a read switch and at least two magnets associated with the selector 20.
  • the meaning associated with the reference numeral is intended to be that associated with the reference numeral in the previously described figures.
  • Fig. 3D is otherwise the same as Fig. 3C except the mechanical cam tracks of Fig. 3C (as shown in a single representative embodiment with respect to reference numeral 98) have been replaced with a radial grouping of magnets 128. While the radial group of magnets 128 depicted in Fig. 3D.
  • a read switch 130 senses the position of magnet from within the radial group of magnets 128 and sends a signal to the motor 28', preferably by way of circuitry to modify the operation of motor 128 so as to modify motor operation to activate, deactivate, vary speed or a combination thereof so as to effectively change the shower mode through rotary change of the selector 20.
  • the signal from the read switch 130 to the motor 28' is conveyed via wires 102.
  • Patent documents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These documents and publications are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document or publication was specifically and individually incorporated herein by reference.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Bathtubs, Showers, And Their Attachments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur une pomme de douche pour une hygiène personnelle, comprenant une face de pulvérisation en communication fluidique avec une cavité par l'intermédiaire d'une pluralité d'ouvertures de buse. La cavité reçoit de l'eau à partir d'une source d'eau. Un dispositif de sélection de pulvérisation commande l'écoulement de fluide entre la cavité et les ouvertures de buse. Un moteur électrique à batterie ou un ressort de stockage d'énergie cinétique est prévu comme alimentation électrique pour un actionneur fournissant une communication mécanique entre l'alimentation électrique et le dispositif de sélection pour déplacer le dispositif de sélection et permettre ainsi d'altérer le motif de pulvérisation de fluide à partir de la face de pulvérisation. Une interface utilisateur fournit à un utilisateur un contrôle sélectif sur le déplacement de l'actionneur et le déplacement du dispositif de sélection pour fournir de manière séquentielle de multiples motifs de pulvérisation à partir de la face de pulvérisation sans intervention manuelle intermédiaire entre les multiples motifs de pulvérisation émis à partir de la face de pulvérisation.
EP10846758.0A 2010-02-25 2010-02-25 Pomme de douche à fonctionnement multimodal Withdrawn EP2538829A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2010/025333 WO2011106000A1 (fr) 2010-02-25 2010-02-25 Pomme de douche à fonctionnement multimodal

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2538829A1 true EP2538829A1 (fr) 2013-01-02
EP2538829A4 EP2538829A4 (fr) 2013-07-17

Family

ID=44412831

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10846758.0A Withdrawn EP2538829A4 (fr) 2010-02-25 2010-02-25 Pomme de douche à fonctionnement multimodal

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2538829A4 (fr)
CN (1) CN201913013U (fr)
WO (1) WO2011106000A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105750104B (zh) * 2016-05-06 2018-04-10 厦门建霖工业有限公司 一种多点触摸切换出水水花的花洒及方法
CN205731684U (zh) * 2016-05-06 2016-11-30 厦门建霖工业有限公司 一种单点触摸切换出水水花的花洒
CA3047417A1 (fr) 2017-01-09 2018-07-12 As America, Inc. Pomme de douche a commande tactile
CA3110125C (fr) * 2018-08-21 2024-04-09 Hermetik Hydraulik Ab Dispositif et procede de decalaminage de matiere a laminer

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0499151A2 (fr) * 1991-02-12 1992-08-19 Toto Ltd. Dispensateur d'eau à tête rotative entraînée par un petit moteur
US20060255176A1 (en) * 2005-03-21 2006-11-16 Yeiser John O Electric motor driven showerhead
WO2007026153A1 (fr) * 2005-08-31 2007-03-08 Kohler Mira Limited Obturateurs telecommandes dans une installation de douche
EP2090368A1 (fr) * 2008-02-13 2009-08-19 Fabrizio Nobili Pommeau de douche amélioré avec interrupteur de débit

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR890001377Y1 (ko) * 1985-08-20 1989-04-05 오윤현 수동 샤우어기 살수량 조정장치
JP4410382B2 (ja) * 2000-05-12 2010-02-03 株式会社三栄水栓製作所 マッサージ機能付ハンドシャワ
KR200335108Y1 (ko) * 2003-09-19 2003-12-03 (주) 오케이메디젠 마사지 겸용 샤워 헤드
KR100996679B1 (ko) * 2008-05-26 2010-11-25 세비앙 주식회사 샤워 시스템과 그것의 제어장치 및 방법

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0499151A2 (fr) * 1991-02-12 1992-08-19 Toto Ltd. Dispensateur d'eau à tête rotative entraînée par un petit moteur
US20060255176A1 (en) * 2005-03-21 2006-11-16 Yeiser John O Electric motor driven showerhead
WO2007026153A1 (fr) * 2005-08-31 2007-03-08 Kohler Mira Limited Obturateurs telecommandes dans une installation de douche
EP2090368A1 (fr) * 2008-02-13 2009-08-19 Fabrizio Nobili Pommeau de douche amélioré avec interrupteur de débit

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO2011106000A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2538829A4 (fr) 2013-07-17
WO2011106000A1 (fr) 2011-09-01
CN201913013U (zh) 2011-08-03

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