GB2492700A - Water heater for a shower - Google Patents

Abstract

An instantaneous water heater 2 comprises a casing 16 housing a heater tank for heating water flowing through the tank, and a spray handset 4 arranged to receive water from the heater tank via a flexible hose 24, where the handset can be located on the casing. Preferably, the handset is magnetically located in a parked position on a casing. In a further aspect, an instantaneous water heater comprises a diverter valve 8 downstream of a heater tank for selectively directing water from the heater tank to outlets, where one of the outlets may be connected to a showerhead 6 via a supply pipe 26. In a still further aspect, a control unit for an electric shower is disclosed, where the control unit has an inlet for connection to a water supply and at least two outlets for connection to respective spray fittings. The diverter valve may be configured to maintain water flow substantially constant when the diverter valve is operated to switch between the spray fittings, such that the outlet water temperature is unaffected. An electric shower may utilise an instantaneous electric water heater with a diverter valve arranged to direct water from a heater tank to spray fittings.

Description

ABLUTIONARY INSTALLATION

This invention relates to ablutionary installations for washing and more especially to ablutionary installations for showering. The invention has particular application to shower installations employing an instantaneous water heater to provide a source of hot water on demand.

In the known shower installations employing an instantaneous water heater, a supply of cold water is heated at the time of use by passage through a heater tank, typically by means of one or more electric heating elements positioned within the tank so that the water flows over the heating elements as it passes through the tank. As the water is heated while it flows through the tank, the increase in temperature between the inlet and outlet is dependent on the flow rate and power input. For a given power input, varying the flow rate alters the outlet water temperature and enables the user to select the desired outlet water temperature.

Maintaining the required flow for a selected water temperature while the heating elements are energiscd is desirable to avoid any sudden unexpected change in temperature, especially an increase in temperature that may give rise to a risk of scalding. It is also desirable to avoid an interruption to the flow while the heating elements are encrgised as this may result in a rapid increase in temperature of the water in the tank which may vaporise to steam giving rise to a risk of the tank rupturing to release the steam with a consequential risk of scalding.

For these reasons at least, the known shower installations employing an instantaneous water heater typically employ an uninterrupted flowpath from the outlet of the heater tank to the spray outlet so as to avoid, as far as possible, any blockage that may reduce or interrupt the flow of hot water through the heater tank. The spray outlet employed is usually in the form of a handset connected to the outlet from the heater tank by a flexible hose. The handset is typically supported by a bracket mounted on a rail that allows the height and angle of the spray from the handset to be adjusted. The handset may also be detached from the bracket and held in the hand for directing the spray from the handset as desired.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the foregoing and seeks to provide an instantaneous water heater and a shower installation employing an instantaneous water heater that mitigates some of the disadvantages above-mentioned.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an instantaneous water hcater having a heater tank for heating water flowing through the tank, and a diverter valve downstream of the heater tank for selectively directing water from the heater tank to at least one outlet.

By this aspect of the invention, the divcrtcr valve can change the outlet to which water heated in the heater tank is directed allowing the heated water to be delivered to different fittings according to user selection.

Preferably, the diverter valve has two outlets and is operable, for example by a rotatable control knob, to select one or other of the outlets.

Preferably, the diverter valve cannot be positioned to prevent water flow and is preferably configured so that the flow rate is substantially unchanged during changeover from one outlet to the other outlet.

Where the instantaneous water heater is employed in a shower installation, the outlets are preferably connected to spray fittings.

In one embodiment, one ol the outlets is connected to a handset via a flexible hose and the other outlet is connected to a showerhead via a supply pipe.

The supply pipe may be concealed in a riser rail for mounting the handset or the riser rail may itself comprise the supply pipe.

The handset may be detachably mounted on a easing of the water heater, for example the handset may be located in a parked position when not in use.

The handset may be releasably held in the parked position by any suitable means but is preferably held in place magnetically.

The handset may be detachably mounted on the riser rail for providing a spray when in use.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an instantaneous water heater having a casing housing a heater tank for heating water ilowing through the tank, and a handset arranged to receive water from the heater tank via a flexible hose, wherein the handset can be located on the casing.

By this aspect of the invention, the casing provides a position for parking the handset when not in use.

Preferably, the handset is located and retained on the casing magnetically, for example by one or more permanent magnets positioned in the casing and/or the handset.

The magnet(s) generate a magnetic attraction force that holds the handset in place when located on the easing but allows the handset to be detached from the casing when required.

The hose may be connected to a diverter valve arranged to direct water from the heater tank to the handset or to another spray fitting such as a showerhead or a lurther handset.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an ablutionary shower installation provided with an instantaneous water heater according to the first or second aspects of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a controt unit br an electric shower, the control unit having an inlet for connection to a water supply, at least two outlets for connection to respective spray fittings, a heater tank downstream of the inlet for heating water flowing through the heater tank, and diverter means downstream of the heater tank for directing water to a selected outlet.

Preferably, water blow is maintained when changing from one outlet to another outlet. More preferably, the water tiow is maintained substantially constant when changing from one outlet to another outlet.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a handset for a shower, the handset being adapted to be magnetically located in a pre-determined position.

The pre-determined position may be a "parked" position in which the handset is ptaced when not in use.

Where the shower is an electric shower having a control unit for heating water delivered to the handset, the handset may be magnetically located on the control unit in the parked position.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shower installation embodying the invention with the handset shown in a parked position; Figure 2 is a front view of the shower installation of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an underneath plan view of the shower installation ol Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 with the handset shown in an alternative position.

Relerring to the drawings, there is shown a shower installation in which an instantaneous electric water heater 2 is operable to heat an incoming cold water supply (not shown) to provide a source of hot water on demand for delivery to a handsct 4 or a fixed showerhead 6 according to user selection by means of a diverter valve 8.

The electric water heater 2 has a manually operable push button I 0 to start and stop flow of water and separate rotatable control knobs 12, 14 for user selection of the power input to the water heater 2 and the water flow rate mounted on a casing 16. By adjusting the flow rate for a selected power input, the outlet water temperature can be altered according to user selection. In this embodiment, the power selection knob 12 has three positions corresponding to power off, half power and lull power settings. By adjusting the power input, the required outlet water temperature can be obtained with an acceptable flow rate for a wide range of inlet water temperatures. For example, the cold water supply temperature may vary by as much as 20°C between summcr and winter.

The power input is provided by electric heating elements (not shown) contained in a heater tank (not shown) housed within the easing 16. The power control knob 12 operates a switch mechanism (not shown) within the casing 16 for controlling the power supply to the heating elements according to the selected power input. The push button 10 operates an on/off valve (not shown) within the easing 16 for starting and stopping water flow and the switch mechanism may be responsive to water pressure so as to connect the power supply to the heating elements only when there is a sufficient flow of water through the heater tank.

Lights 18, 20 mounted on the casing are illuminated to provide an indication when the power supply is switched on and when the water flow is low respectively. It will be understood that we do not intend to be limited to the above-described construction and operation of the electric water heater 2 and that the benefits and advantages of the invention described hereinafter may be obtained with other constructions of electric water heaters and with other types of instantaneous water heaters including gas or oil powered instantaneous water heaters.

The diverter valve 8 is connected to an outlet from the heater tank and has a manually rotatable control knob 22 for delivering water from the divertcr valve 8 to either a flexible hose 24 connected to the handset 4 or a pipe (not shown) concealed within a fixed riser rail 26 and connected to the showerhead 6. The handset 4 has a cylindrical body 28 and the casing 16 has a matching recessed front side edge portion 30 configured to receive the handset 4 in a parked position shown in Figure 1. The handset 4 is releasably held in the parked position by one or more permanent magnets (not shown) positioned in the easing 16 that attract one or more inserts (not shown) positioned in the handset 4 opposite the magnet(s) when the handset 4 is placed in the parked position. A ledge (not shown) at the lower end of the side edge portion 30 supports the weight of the handset 4 in the parked position. As a result, the magnetic force required to hold the handset 4 in the parked position is reduced so that the handset 4 can be manually removed from the parked position more easily and facilitating use by a wide range of users both young and old.

As shown, the handset 4 has a smooth grip portion 32 at one end and an array 34 of spray holes at the other end. The array 34 preferably extends for less than 1800, more preferably in the range 900 to 120° in the circumferential direction. In this way, the angular extent of the spray from the array 34 is controlled and the array 34 does not interfere with location of the handset 4 in the parked position. In this embodiment the spray holes are in the form of individual nozzles 36 of rubber or similar elastomerie material that project slightly from the body 28. In this way, the outer ends of the nozzles 36 can be deflected by a user to remove any limescale deposits so as to maintain the performance of the spray nozzles 36. It will be understood that we do not intend to be limited to the above-described construction of the handset and that benefits and advantages of locating the handset 4 in a parked position on the easing 16 of the water heater 2 can be achieved with other shapes and configurations of handset 4 and/or recessed portion of the casing 16. For example, the casing 16 may be provided with a socket in which the handset 16 can be located. While the use of a magnetic attraction force to hold the handset 4 in the parked position provides a neat and unobtrusive means of securing the handset 4, it will be understood that other means of releasably securing the handset 4 may be employed. Likewise, the use of flexible spray nozzles 36 provides a simple means of cleaning the spray holes, it will be understood that other types of spray holes may be employed.

The parked position of the handset 4 shown in Figure 1 is primarily, but not exclusively, intended to be an inoperative position in which the handset 4 is placed when the diverter valve 8 is actuated to deliver water from the water heater 2 to the showerhead 6. The showerhead 6 has an annular body 38 provided with an array 40 of spray holes and is arranged to direct the spray from the array downwards onto a person standing below the showerhead 6. The size and shape of the showerhead 6 may vary from that shown and the position of the showerhead 6 may be fixed or adjustable, for example the showerhead 6 may rotate or pivot to alter the direction of the spray. The spray holes may be of any type including, but not limited to, flexible spray nozzles as described previously. The array of nozzles may provide a single spray pattern or the showerhead may be configured to allow the user to select different arrays to change the type and/or pattern of spray produced.

The riser rail 26 supports the showerhead 6 and conceals a supply pipe (not shown) delivering water from the diverter valve 8 to the showerhead 6. The water supply pipe to the showerhead 6 may be a flexible plastic tube. The riser rail 26 is an assembly of tubular sections 42, 44. A first, section 42 is connected to the divcrtcr valve 8 and is secured in a recessed front side edge portion 46 on the opposite side of the casing 16 to the recessed side edge portion 30 thaI receives the handset 4. Providing recessed side edge portions to receive the handset 4 and the section 42 of the riser rail on opposite sides of the casing 16 gives a degree of symmetry to the casing and a balanced appearance when the handset 4 is in the parked position. It will be understood, however that we do not intend to be limited to this arrangement and that other constructions are within the scope of the invention.

A second section 44 is connected to the first section and is of L-shape with a limb 48 that is aligned with an extends vertically from the first section 42 parallel to a wall or similar surface on which the water heater 2 is mounted and a limb 50 that extends normal to the limb 48 to extend away from the wall or support surface. The second section 44 is secured to the wall or support surface adjacent to the bend by a bracket 52 that stabilises the riser rail 26 for mounting the showerhead 6 at the free end of the limb 50. The length of the limb 50 may bc chosen such that the showerhead 6 is positioned sufficiently away from the wall or support surface that the spray from the showerhead 6 does not impinge directly on the casing 16 of the water heater 2. It will be understood that other constructions of riser rail 26 may be employed and that in some cases it may be possible to omit the internal water supply pipe and use the riser rail 26 to contain and deliver water to the showerhead 6.

A clip 54 mounted on the limb 48 of the riser rail 26 provides an alternative position for locating the handset 4 as shown in Figure 4 in which the body 28 of the handset 4 extends away from the riser rail 26 at an angle of approximately 45° for directing spray from the array 34 of spray holes in the handset 4 down and away from the wall or support surface so as not impinge directly on the easing 16 of the water heater 2.

The clip 54 may be fixed or may be adjustable in a vertical direction along the limb 46 to adjust the height at which the handset 4 is located according to user preference. The clip 54 may be configured so that the angular position of the handset 4 and thus the direction of the spray from the handset 4 is fixed. Alternatively, the clip 54 may be configured or replaced by a holder that allows the angular position of the handset 4 to be adjusted.

As will be appreciated, the above-described installation allows the user to selectively connect either the handset 4 or showerhead 6 to the water heater using the diverter valve 8. The handset 4 may be used either mounted in the clip 54 or while held in the hand and when not in use can be placed in the parking position. When mounted in the clip 54, the handset 4 may be used for general body washing without wetting the user's hair and, when held in the hand, the handset 4 can be manoeuvred for washing specific areas of the body. It may be possible to use the handset 4 when placed in the parked position for washing the upper body of a user although generally it is not envisaged to use the handset 4 in this way. The showerhead 6 provides a deluge spray for all over body washing including the user's hair.

The diverter valve 8 is preferably configured so that during the changeover from the handset 4 to the showerhead 6 or vice versa the flow to one outlet gradually reduces as the flow to the other outlet gradually increases. In this way, the diverter valve 8 cannot be positioned to prevent water flow and changing over from one outlet to the other can be achieved without any significant reduction in flow. As a result, if the diverter valve 8 is operated to select a different outlet while the shower is in use, the water flow is maintained to prevent a sudden, unexpected increase in temperature of water delivered from the water heater 2 which could otherwise occur if the water flow was reduced or temporarily interrupted during the changeover. Also, maintaining the flow prevents water in the heater tank being rapidly heated and changing to steam causing a sudden increase in pressure sufficient to rupture the heater tank which could otherwise occur if the water flow was interrupted, in this way, the risk of a user being scalded by discharge of hot water from a spray fitting or escape of steam from a ruptured heater tank 2 is reduced.

It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the shower installation without departing from the principles or concepts described herein and we do not intend to be limited lo the construction, arrangement and operation of the exemplary embodiment. For example, as well as any of the modifications already mentioned, it is envisaged that the use of a diverter valve to direct water to different spray outlets may be employed with a handset and showerhead as described or with any other combination of the same or different types of spray outlets.

Furthermore, while we have described a diverter valve for selecling between one of two spray outlets, it will be understood that we could provide more than two spray outlets with the diverter valve directing water to each outlet individually or to a combination of two or more outlets simultaneously. Moreover, while we have described an arrangement in which the handset can be parked on the casing of the water heater, this is not essential and the handset could be parked on the riser rail. Alternatively or additionally, a separate mounting bracket may be provided for parking the handset on the wall or support surface. Other changes that can be made within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS1. An instantaneous water heater having a casing housing a heater tank for heating water flowing through the tank, and a handset arranged to receive water from the heater tank via a flexible hose, wherein the handset can be located on the easing.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 1 wherein the casing provides a position for parking the handsct when not in use.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. An instantaneous water heater according to any preceding claim wherein the handset is located and retained on the casing magnetically.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. An instantaneous watcr heater according to claim 3 wherein the handset is located and retained on the casing by one or more permanent magnets positioned in the casing and/or the handset.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 4 wherein the magnet(s) generate a magnetic attraction force that holds the handset in place when located on the casing but allows the handset to be detached from the casing when required.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. An instantaneous water heater according to any preceding claim wherein the handset is located and retained in a recessed portion of the easing in a parked position.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 6 wherein the handset has a cylindrical body and the easing has a matching recessed front side edge portion configured to receive the handset in the parked position.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 7 wherein a ledge is provided at a lower end of the side edge portion to support the weight of the handset in the parked position.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the handset has a smooth grip portion at one end and an array of spray holes at the other end.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 9 wherein the array extends for less than 1800 in the circumferential direction.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. An instantaneous watcr heater according to claim 10 wherein the array extends in the range 90° to 120° in the circumferential direction.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. An instantaneous water heater according to any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the spray holes arc in the form of individual nozzles of rubber or elastomerie material that project from the body.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. An instantaneous water heater according to any of claims 1 to S wherein the easing is provided with a socket in which the handset is received in a parked position on the casing.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. An instantaneous water heater according to any of claims 6 to 13 wherein the parked position of the handset on the casing is an inoperative position.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. An instantaneous water heater according to any preceding claim wherein the water heater is an electric water heater.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. An instantaneous water heater having a heater tank for heating water flowing through the tank, and a diverter valve downstream of the heater tank for selectively directing water from the heater tank to at least one outlet.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 16 wherein the divcrtcr valve has two outlets and is operable to select one or other of the outlets.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 16 wherein the diverter valve is operable by a rotatable control member. IC)</claim-text> <claim-text>19. An instantaneous water heater according to any of claims 16 to 18 wherein the diverter valve cannot be positioned to prevent water flow.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. An instantaneous water heater according to any of claims 16 to 19 wherein the diverter valve is configured so that the flow rate is substantially unchanged during changeover from one outlet to another outlet.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. An instantaneous water heater according to any of claims 16 to 20 wherein the outlets are connected to spray fittings.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 21 wherein one of the outlets is connected to a handset via a flexible hose and the other outlet is connected to a showerhead via a supply pipe.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 22 wherein the supply pipe is concealed in a riser rail for mounting the handset.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 22 wherein the supply pipe provides a riser rail for mounting the handset.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 21 wherein one of the outlets is connected to a handsct by a flexible hose and the handset is detachably mounted on a casing of the water heater.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 25 wherein the handset is located on the casing in a parked position when not in use.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 26 wherein the handset is relcasably held in the parked position.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 27 wherein the handset is magnetically held in the parked position.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 28 wherein the handset is located and retained on the casing by one or more permanent magnets positioned in the casing and/or the handset.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. An instantaneous water heater according to claim 29 wherein the magnet(s) generate a magnetic altraction force that holds the handset in place when located on the casing but allows the handset to be detached from the easing when required.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. An instantaneous water heater according to any of claims 25 to 30 wherein the handset is detachably mounted on the riser rail for providing a spray when in use.</claim-text> <claim-text>32. An instantaneous water healer according to any of claims 16 to 31 wherein the water heater is an electric water heater.</claim-text> <claim-text>33. An instantaneous water heater substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>34. An ablutionary shower installation provided with an instantaneous water heater according to any of the preceding claims.</claim-text> <claim-text>35. A control unit for an electric shower, the control unit having an inlet for connection to a water supply, at least two outlets for connection to respective spray fittings, a heater tank downstream of the inlet for heating water flowing through the heater tank, and divertcr means downstream of the heater tank for directing water to a selected outlet. IC)</claim-text> <claim-text>36. A control unit according to claim 35 wherein water flow is maintained when changing from one outlet to another outlet.</claim-text> <claim-text>37. A control unit according to claim 36 wherein the water flow is maintained substantially constant when changing from one outlet to another outlet.</claim-text> <claim-text>38. A handset for a shower, the handset being adapted to be magnetically located in a pre-determined position.</claim-text> <claim-text>39. A handset according to claim 38 wherein the pre-determined position is a "parked" position in which the handset is placed when not in use.</claim-text> <claim-text>40. A handset according to claim 39 wherein the shower is an electric shower having a control unit for heating water delivered to the handset, and the handset is magnetically located on the control unit in the parked position.</claim-text>